Sandry's Book (Circle of Magic, #1)

Sandry's Book (Circle of Magic #1)

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3.94 of 5 stars 3.94  ·  rating details  ·  15,671 ratings  ·  393 reviews
With her gift of weaving silk thread and creating light, Sandry is brought to the Winding Circle community. There she meets Briar, a former thief who has a way with plants; Daja, an outcast gifted at metalcraft; and Tris, whose connection with the weather unsettles everyone, including herself. At Winding Circle, the four misfits are taught how to use their magic - and to t...more
Mass Market Paperback, 252 pages
Published June 24th 2006 by Scholastic (first published January 1st 1997)

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Visi
I've gone back to this book so many times over the years that my copy is actually starting to fall apart. This is the book that got me started with fantasy, and I still follow Tamora Pierce's blog and watch out for any new books by her over ten years later.

This is one of those books that definitely changed my life, it's also one of those books I go back to when I need to read something easy, to forget the world around me for a bit. These books have gotten me through everything from trouble at sc...more
Deepasri
This is an AWESOME book. A tale of bravery, loyalty, friendship,sorrow, and magic. ( And mystery,too) I can't stop reading!! Try this book if you like mystery and magic.
Olivia
Just reread this as part of the beginning of my Pierce marathon - and I was not at all disappointed. Forgiving the occasionally simple language and weak jokes that are understandable in a children's novel, Pierce's characters remain as strong and compelling as I remember them to be. There is a great balance of faults and strengths in each of the four main characters, as well as just enough racial and class tension to make their relationship interesting.
The reason I'm embarking on this marathon i...more
Wealhtheow
Sandry hides from a smallpox epidemic in a cupboard--only to find that she's trapped inside. When her candle runs out, she is comforted by a glow in her embroidery.
Daja survives a shipwreck by willing a supply box toward her.
A petty thief, Briar is thrown in jail and tends to the moss he finds there.
Tris is tormented at school, but her bullies find themselves threatened by wild winds.

None of them have traditional forms of magic, but Niko Goldeneye believes they might have hidden powers. He hopes...more
James Maxon
I came across this book in the library, and it sounded interesting, so I checked it out. There are four books in the original series, followed by another series of four more called The Circle Opens. It finishes off with a standalone named The Will of the Empress.

Born into a hillbilly family, Tamora Pierce understood what it meant to be “American poor.” She fell in love with books at a young age and started writing when she was only 6 years old. It is said that many of her stories contain feminis...more
Elinor
One of my favorites. This is the book that introduced me to Tamora Pierce. My mom was at the library and looking for books by another author (Meredith Pirce perhaps? Something like that, books about vampires in an alternate universe) and found Sandry's Book instead. She brought it home to me and I dove in, knowing even in my adolescent angst that if my mom knows anything about anything, it's books!

And so began my love affair with these fantasy novels for young adults (meaning teens of course). T...more
Nenia Campbell
i love romance but sometimes it's nice to take a break from the drama and step back to traditional young adult fantasy about kids coming into their powers and learning about themselves, too. one reason i love tamora pierce so much is because there's always good lessons in the books: learning how to accept your flaws and others', the value and application of a good work ethic, and tolerance for outsiders' cultural norms. it's allegorical without being preachy; i love that.

plus, all the characters...more
JoLee
I'm on to a new Tamora Pierce series. This one, Circle of Magic takes place in a world not entirely unlike that of Tortall. When I'm reading the book I feel like I'm just in another part of the Tortallan world. The first book in this series introduces four children, all of whom can do magic in a somewhat unusual way. Tamora Pierce, in the interview at the end of the book, said she wanted to tie Briar, Sandry, Tris, and Daja's magic to more ordinary activities like knitting and gardening.

I'm no...more
Margaret
When I first read these in 2005, I'd been meaning to get around to Tamora Pierce for a long time, as she's so often mentioned as a great YA fantasy author. I happened to pick up the Circle of Magic books (Sandry's Book, Tris's Book, Daja's Book, Briar's Book) first, largely because I found one used somewhere (Pierce seems hard to find used, perhaps due to popularity). The series is about a group of four children who each have a different magical talent; they're each discovered by the mage Niko a...more
Emma Michaels
I enjoy novels with magic and love when a novel has a message of hope. This novel is about four child/teens who all have unfortunate backgrounds or past life style and they are taught that their differences don’t make them worse than other, they make them better. That sometimes, knowing what it is like to be poor or unloved or feared can help you be kind to others, can help you be more than anyone ever would have expected of you, because you understand the feeling yourself and you can learn to b...more
BarkLessWagMore
Forgive me if I spell names incorrectly. I listened to the unabridged audio version of this story. The four young characters are lively and the full cast reading makes the story come to life.

The book centers around four young outcasts named Daja (a Trader), Briar (a street thief), Sandry (a noble) & Tris (a commoner). All, for one reason or another, are basically on their own and have experienced far too much pain and disappointment in their young lives. They’re unwanted, unloved, and unable...more
Kari Chapman
This book starts with 4 young children (about 11) in the middle of major life changes. All of the kids showed signs of odd magic and were rescued by a mage from a temple/school. The book follows them as they get to know each other and their magic.

That's pretty much it for the plot. While there is a moment of danger at the end, it's not really connected to anything else in the story. Despite the lack of plot, I enjoyed following the 4 kids through their learning.

The writing is a bit simple, but...more
Melissa
I got this book after being intrigued by the first few pages, and the concept of working magic light into thread. However, these brief magical concepts were just that, and the book lacked much plot to tie them together. Be warned: there is no real conflict. We're introduced to four children, the children come together, the children do some magic, the end.

One surprise was that I had (quite naturally) expected that this book would focus on Sandry. After all, it is called "Sandry's Book". Yet Sandr...more
Tam B.
I realised after I had finished this book that it was part of an eight book series and that explained so much for me. The previous TP books I've read are about a single character and span their journey. This book is the beginning of the story about a group of four.

It's not that I wasn't interested in the four (I am/was), it's not that there is less world building than the Tortall books (there's not). For me this book lacked because there was a lack the depth. As the focus was on the progress of...more
Telyn
I checked the Full Cast Audio Book version of this out of the library and enjoyed it very much. I've never read anything by Pierce before and found a lot to like in this book for young readers. I especially enjoyed the detailed descriptions of various crafts, and can vouch for Pierce's accuracy when she describes the process of pulling gold wire—my father was a goldsmith, and worked exactly the same way. I also enjoyed a detailed lesson on meditation—not something one often runs into in a childr...more
Mark Dewey
This was different from other books I've read. It's about a group of kids (who don't know each other, at first); each is an outcast in one form or another. They come together and learn. That's pretty much what it's about: lots of character development and learning experiences. There's not like some monumental thing to drive the plot (like an evil villain trying to take over the world, or some wild thing with politics and war). It's just about the characters—and, of course, the discovery and lear...more
Hannah
A wonderful beginning to the Circle of Magic series! "The Magic in the Weaving" may be a slightly slower start when compared to the Alanna, Keladry and Daine series, but I actually preferred the steady pace with which certain elements of the plot are revealed. The different uses of magic is really highlighted here; I've rarely been so interested in reading the bare bones of how a character's own magic works, but Sandry's weaving of light into thread made me hold my breath.

Although it may not be...more
Birdie
As much as I love Tamora Pierce this wasn't my favorite of her books. I know with authors who have such a large collection of books, not every one is going to be a hit but I was still left a little disappointed. In the majority of her books she covers at least a year in her characters lives but though it bounces between characters the longest was about 6 months. It also seemed to take a long time for the characters to come around to the fact that they could do magic, even though the evidence was...more
Becca
To preface, I can never completely separate my real life (where I'm getting my Masters in Social Work) from my book-reading life. As a result, I saw Sandry's Book as essentially being a book about kids who ended up in the foster care system (or at least a group home).

I know this isn't the only time that Pierce has featured main characters from a disadvantaged background (Beka Cooper is another example). But in comparison to Alanna, who had a privileged (albeit challenging in its own ways) backgr...more
Amanda Doty
I remember having a hard time making it through these books when I was younger. I didn't like the stories as much as I loved Tamora Pierce's other novels. I'm sure it had something to do with the lack of romance.

But I really did enjoy this book. I read it because I picked up The Will of The Empress on a whim, but was rather confused when I started reading. I knew the characters, of course, but not well enough to understand the opening the way I should. So, I decided to read the series leading u...more
Becca Rose
Sandry's book is an exciting tale of misfits, magic, danger, and the beginnings of a friendship. Sandry, Daja, Tris, and Briar are all in dire need of help. Whether it is mark of an outsider to their own people, protection turned entrapment, the third brand of an x, or loss of control, they are in desperate need of Winding Circle. After they find themselves in a cabin secluded from they rest of Winding Circle, they learn that they all are specialized mages. Daja learns to utilize her gift of fir...more
Abby
Sep 08, 2010 Abby rated it 2 of 5 stars
Shelves: ya, fantasy
In this new(ish) series by Tamora Pierce, four teens are thrown together after they are discovered to have similar magical talets: Briar with plants, Daja with metalwork, Tris with weather and Sandry with thread. Sandry's book introduced the series and sets the stage for the following books, each focusing on the group and the individual it features.

Why I Picked It Up:

An ARDENT Tamora Pierce fan (Alanna is my HERO!), I stopped reading her a while back when I felt her books were getting too sloppi...more
Cara
Sandry, Tris, Daja, and Briar have all lost their families in one way or another. They also all have an affinity for magic. The four of them have been brought to Winding Circle to learn to use their magic. At first, they all have trouble fitting in, but eventually they learn their magic and to trust one another.

I listened to the audio book, and loved the full cast reading. It was very well done.
mari
Three young kids from different walks of life are brought together at the Winding Circle by the mage, Niko. Sandry, Briar, Tris and Daja are so different from each other but they all have magic within them that they need to develop and control. During there time in Discipline House, they also find time to become friends.

There wasn't much more to the book than the development of the characters. Most of the book is spent getting to know their backgrounds and their magical abilities. There was a bi...more
Megan
I must admit, it has been a very long time since I read the Circle books the first time. I think I was maybe 9? And I hadn't reread them since because I always loved Tortall so, so much. I've always sort of pushed them off to the side. But anyway, this was much better than I remember. Not that I remember much, because I literally forgot about most of the plot of this book. But, overall, there wasn't much to complain about. Since it's the first book of the series, it's mostly introduction, which...more
Lindsay
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Jessica
This is the first book that got me interested in Tamora Pierce. Thus why I chose to re-read it. She is able to create such a unique world, with such rich detail, and yet make it completely approachable and relatable. This book in particular captures the theme of growing up and of change. These adolescent mages are just starting to come into their powers, and they must learn to control them. Their flighty, immature, and often ignorant behaviors are exactly what I remember from junior high school....more
Katrina
Tamora Pierce's Sandry's Book, from the Circle of Magic series was a compelling, adventurous and quick read, with strong and interesting female characters, and I'm looking forward to the other three books. Sandry and three other kids (who've had a pretty rough year) are brought to Winding Circle Temple by Niko, a senior mage, to learn their crafts and refine/control their natural magical abilities. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could probably read this book to Madeline already (she's...more
Dee
Oct 29, 2009 Dee rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who likes stories of magic.
Have you ever had the feeling that when you've just about lost everything, something incredible and amazing comes along?

Meet the mages (magical people)of Winding Circle--Sandry, a noble who works wonders with thread; Daja, a trader girl who is gifted at metalcraft; Briar, a former theif who can communicate with plants; and Tris, a girl who doesn't seem to fit in anywhere, but can control the weather. They've all lived tough lives (even Lady Sandry), but come together with their incredible magic....more
Pica
Read the full review on Pica Reads.

Of the four Circle of Magic books, Sandry's Book is the one I had the most and fondest memories of. Sandry's Book, more than any other book in the quartet, this one focuses on the characters more than the actual events that take place. In the other Circle of Magic books, there is one central goal throughout the book (although perhaps not the focus of the entirebook). In Sandry's Book, however, the focus is on each of the four characters' development individuall...more
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Editor's Note: Circle of Magic: Sandry's Book 19 5 Feb 18, 2013 10:49pm  
Readers Digest: sandrys book by tamora peirce 3 6 Mar 07, 2012 06:49am  
Sandry's Book (Circle of Magic, #1)
The Magic in the Weaving (Circle of Magic, #1)
The Magic in the Weaving (Circle of Magic, #1)
Sandry's Book (Circle of Magic, #1)
Sandry's Book (Circle of Magic, #1)

8596
Hey, folks! I just discovered that apparently I have given some very popular books single-star ratings--except I haven't. How do I know I haven't? Because I haven't read those books at all. So before you go getting all hacked off at me for trashing your favorites, know that I've written GoodReads to find out what's going on.

I return to my regularly scheduled profile:
Though I would love to join gro...more
More about Tamora Pierce...
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, #1) In the Hand of the Goddess (Song of the Lioness, #2) Lioness Rampant (Song of the Lioness, #4) Wild Magic (Immortals, #1) The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Song of the Lioness, #3)

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“A girl nearby muttered,"If that's a lady, I'm a cat."
Reaching out, Sandry lifted the pitcher of milk from the table. Cradling it in both hands, she walked over to the mutterer.
I am Sandrilene fa Toren, daughter of Count Mattin fer Toren and his countess, Amiliane fa Landreg. I am the great-niece of his grace, Duke Vedris of this realm of Emelan, and cousin of her Imperial Highness, Empress Berenene of the Namorn Empire. You are Esmelle ei Pragin, daughter of Baron Witten en Pragin and his lady Colledia of House Wheelwright, a merchant house. If I tell you my friend is a lady, then you"- carefully she poured milk into Esmelle's plate-"you had best start lapping, kitty."
She set the pitcher down and returned to her chair.”
223 people liked it
“Sandry: "I am silly, now and then. My mother said I was, anyway."
Daja: "If you know, you can stop it."
Sandry: "Then you've never been silly or you'd know it just creeps up without any warning.”
62 people liked it
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