Circle of Magic: Tris’s Book, by Tamora Pierce

The earthquake that devastated Summersea is long past, but the effects will still be felt for a long time. Many people are still injured, and the defenses around the area were damaged in the quake. Sandry, Tris, Briar, and Daja are still living at Discipline and discovering just what they can do. Their magics seem to be stronger after Sandry wound them together to survive the earthquake, and they are very close. They will need all of their magic and friendship when pirates start sniffing around Summersea and Tris starts to realize how strong her magic is, especially when she’s mad.

That little snippet up there doesn’t really do the book justice, but it gives you a general idea of what is going on. All of the children continue to work on their magic and the practical aspects that go along with it. Since their magic is worked through particular items, their magic will only be as good as their skills in making that item in the first place. But most of this has to stop when pirates blow up the watchtowers around Summersea, break all the scrying glasses in the Hub, and try to break into Winding Circle. They carry a new weapon: the boomstone. Unlike regular catapult stones, this explodes when it hits something, spraying fire everywhere. Modern audiences will recognize this as gunpowder.

This book develops a lot of Tris’s character, and shows us just what she can do with her magic when she wants to. Tris has had a hard life, being passed from one place to the next because no one wanted her. Only at Discipline is she welcomed, and maybe even loved. I enjoy Tris as a character. She’s smart, but cranky and touchy. She is nice, but very prickly. Sugar and sweetness are not words that describe Trisana Chandler. But she can be loyal and strong and very caring of her friends. I believe she is a very realistic character, one I am willing to believe in and accept. This is very important for a fantasy story: many improbable things are set in front of the audience. If they can’t believe in the characters that drive the plot, the story is lost.

As with the first book, Tris’s book is an easy read, but it does deal with some semi-serious issues. Love, loss, and hatred are not light topics. But it is a perfect book for young teens who want a wide range of things: adventure, magic, good people, and just the right reading level. I do say that older people will enjoy them: I still do, anyway. So don’t rule them out because you think they’re too young for you. Relax, and grow younger.