Emelan Series by Tamora Pierce - Reading from 'Magic Steps (The Circle Opens #1)' from October 1st 2018

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Reading -
from August 19th 2018 ☺

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 trust one another. But then disaster strikes their new home. Can Sandry weave together four kinds of magical power and save herself, her friends, and the one place where they've ever been accepted?

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 3 (view spoiler)[ So these four kids are being shipped off to this Temple place because they're problematic?? Hmm, so far it seems like they're mainly unlucky and they just get picked on. Why are the other kids at this school so damn horrible? Ugh (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 6 (view spoiler)[ Okay Nico is giving me serious Numair vibes!! And I love it! I hope Sandry, Tris, Daja and Briar will actually become good friends. It's going to happen since they're all in Discipline cottage together. I like the dedicates here they're actually kind but know how to be stern when needed. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 10 (view spoiler)[ I think the four are going to have elemental connections! Also, Briar's reaction to being called a mage was ridiculous. I don't get why they're so against it. It's pretty obvious to me that they have magic. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I don't get why this book was Sandry's book since it wasn't solely about her. She didn't even really seem to have more of a majority than the other kids. I did enjoy seeing them work together in the end. I love the weaving as part of magic. I can see similarities to the Tortall universe but it is different enough. Super excited to get to book 2 (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

AHHHH

I 100% forgot about this and legitimately just realised it was meant to start on the 19th. Oops? ;o;

Starting asap <3

[Dr. Andy]

Yay!!!! I got the other books and if they fit in my teams puzzles I’m going to read them 😂😂

[Natalie]

Took me so long to actually start this it’s ridiculous XD but hopefully I can finish it in the next day or so!



Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[
Looks like we’re being introduced to our main characters! Wasn’t expecting there to be a sort of pan over of several; considering its called ‘Sandry’s book’ I was expecting just Sandry 😛

They all appear to have a magical gift in some way or another though... Sandrilene with her thread, Daja with her... telekinesis(?), Briar (much better name than Roach) potentially with a nature-based gift and Trisana with elemental abilities. It’s an interesting mix to start with! c:

I’m curious as to what role Niklaren is going to hold, both in this book and in the long run. Perhaps that of mentor or father figure to this “rag-tag” bunch? (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

You can do it! I’m going to start book 2 soon

[Natalie]

Oh brilliant!

Judging by how this book is going so far, I’m gonna assume that like the other Tamora Pierce books we read, these are ALL great... so if you want to BR the entire series I’m down - just saying ;D

[Natalie]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[I fee so sorry for Sandry - she just wants to make friends and have people who like her for her but it seems that so far, no one can look past her status as a noble ;-;

I’m also really curious about that whole thing with Briar basically being hugged by the plant XD wonder how their powers are going to develop throughout this... (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Natalie wrote: "Oh brilliant!

Judging by how this book is going so far, I’m gonna assume that like the other Tamora Pierce books we read, these are ALL great... so if you want to BR the entire series I’m down - ..."

They are definitely great! :D

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Also Daja's gift is not telekinesis. That is all I will say though. :P

[Natalie]

Bookbuyer wrote: "Also Daja's gift is not telekinesis. That is all I will say though. :P"

I think I might've gotten to the stage where here gift is starting to make sense NOW XD But the initial reaction was definitely "telekinesis?"

(now I think it's (view spoiler)["metal bending" - Toph style :P
...or just some kind of control over metal, etc. I'm assuming she's going to be a forger or something, considering she's literally just gone to a forge and mentioned her great love for it and never being allowed to try etc... 8'D (hide spoiler)])

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Natalie wrote: "Bookbuyer wrote: "Also Daja's gift is not telekinesis. That is all I will say though. :P"

I think I might've gotten to the stage where here gift is starting to make sense NOW XD But the initial re..."

Yup. On the right track now. :)

[Natalie]

Awesome, thanks! :D

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Natalie wrote: "Awesome, thanks! :D"

NP. I will be popping in on occasion. Wish I could re-read these.

[Natalie]

Why can't you? Did you read them too recently?

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Yeah. I'm going to wait a few years till I read them again. I've read them like three times in the last 5 years.

[Natalie]

...Fair. Definitely fair.

Are there any Tamora Pierce books you HAVEN'T read then? Maybe you could read those c;

[Dr. Andy]

Natalie wrote: "Oh brilliant!

Judging by how this book is going so far, I’m gonna assume that like the other Tamora Pierce books we read, these are ALL great... so if you want to BR the entire series I’m down - ..."

We made it a series read just because of that XD

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Natalie wrote: "...Fair. Definitely fair.

Are there any Tamora Pierce books you HAVEN'T read then? Maybe you could read those c;"

That are out? I tried to read it when it first came out but I didn't like it. :/

[Natalie]

Andrea wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Oh brilliant!

Judging by how this book is going so far, I’m gonna assume that like the other Tamora Pierce books we read, these are ALL great... so if you want to BR the entire se..."

Stillllll. Just checking you still wanted to do that and hadn't changed your mind :P

[Natalie]

Bookbuyer wrote: "Natalie wrote: "...Fair. Definitely fair.

Are there any Tamora Pierce books you HAVEN'T read then? Maybe you could read those c;"

That are out? I tried..."

Oh no, really? D:

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Natalie wrote: "Bookbuyer wrote: "Natalie wrote: "...Fair. Definitely fair.

Are there any Tamora Pierce books you HAVEN'T read then? Maybe you could read those c;"

That are out? [bookcover:Tortall: A Spy's Guide..."

Yeah. Just didn't like the format and stuff. It's like the one Tamora Pierce book I didn't like. I also didn't read the whole thing so I'm not sure I gave it my best shot.

[Natalie]

Still, that's really frustrating considering how much you love her other work! ;u;

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Natalie wrote: "Still, that's really frustrating considering how much you love her other work! ;u;"

Yup. Still out of like 25 books having only 1 I didn't like is a good percentage.

[Natalie]

That's very true.

[Natalie]

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[Okay, as much as I hate the way Little Bear was introduced (what with the animal cruelty by those bastard town boys 😡), can I just say how happy and relieved I am that there seems to be another animal sidekick in this series? Because the animal sidekicks are one of my favourite aspects of Tamora Pierce books XD

Alsooo... we seem to finally be getting somewhere! Our 4 main characters are finally aware that they have magic! (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[And firstly... I’m surprised that the ‘circle of magic’ that the series is named after was revealed so soon XD thought it might take a while for that to be revealed o.O

Secondly - what IDIOT decides that “capturing an earthquake” is a good idea? THAT IS A TERRIBLE IDEA. I’m just bloody glad that they all survived that... but mostly Bear. Because animal companions for the win XD

And finally... the crystal light for Sandry? That was a beautiful touch c:

I really can’t wait to see where this series does. Definitely has a different feel to it than the Tortall universe, and I’m excited to see what happens c: (hide spoiler)]

I’ll probably start book 2 in September? Depends how well my remaining August books go XD

[Dr. Andy]

Natalie wrote: "Finished!

And firstly... I’m surprised that the ‘circle of magic’ that the series is named after was revealed so soon XD thought it might take a while for that to be revealed o.O

Secondly - what ..."

Not a problem!! I'll see if I can get through Daja's book by tomorrow so I'll probably save Briar's book for Sept

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 3 (view spoiler)[ Seriously I love Niko so much. He's just great. I love that he doesn't treat the kids as dumb. Tris was funny when she complained about seeing the whisps of magic when Niko sees flames. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 6 (view spoiler)[ I love how the students work magic. I love Sandry and the Duke's relationship. I'm glad she has some family left. I wonder whether Aymery is trustworthy. I hope he is so Tris has some family. I'm worried about the pirates, could they be planning an attack on the temple? I love watching Daja and Frostpine work together. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 9 (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Frostpine and Daja weren't killed while trying to heal the spell net thing. I wonder if Briar likes Tris? He definitely seems to be hanging around her more often. I love seeing the four of them use their magical connection to each other to do things they normally wouldn't be able to. Also Shriek is a great name for the starling hahahaha. I'm really starting to love Rosethorn, her relationship with Briar and the power they share. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Finished (view spoiler)[ This was just as good as the first book! I really love the world Tamora has created here and how unique it is. Super excited for Daja's book. I'm sad Briar was right about Aymery. Aymery didn't deserve to die. Stupid pirates. Also I have a feeling that Briar, Sandry, Daja and Tris are going to be way more powerful than anyone thought, especially when they're together. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 3 (view spoiler)[ I hate that Daja is an outcast with her people. I wonder what is up with the kids' powers. It's very interesting. I think having Sandry try to map their powers is a good idea. I don't like Yarin or this Lady in the court. I don't trust them. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 6 (view spoiler)[ Yarin needs to be quiet about what Sandry does with her magic. Also why is he always yelling about the proper way for magic to be taught!? Clearly it's different for the kids. Daja's power seems to be growing too. It seems Daja and this trader person are becoming friends, yay :D (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 9 (view spoiler)[ Poor Frostpine, his backstory makes me sad. Though I think the kids needed to give up their powers for a small while in order to get everything under control again. Yarin's little pep talk did have some elements to truth but he's still not 100% right. He's also clearly running himself ragged, he won't be able to keep this up. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I'm so glad Daja isn't an outsider anymore!! She never deserved that title. Yarin got what he deserved as far as I'm concerned. I'm glad no one was hurt in the fire storm. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 3 (view spoiler)[ Oh boy this plague does not look good. I don't think Flick has a good chance of making it. Briar's delight when he gets food is awesome. Niko can't control what he does or doesn't see, I don't get why Rosethorn is making such a big deal of it all. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 6 (view spoiler)[ Crane is quite annoying, at least he does know what he's doing. I wonder if Briar will be able to help with healing. It's super cool that he and Rosethorn can strengthen medicines. I like how Briar revived Rosethorn by surrounding her with plants :) (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 9 (view spoiler)[ Poor Briar, I wish he hadn't lost Flick. I'm glad Briar and Rosethorn got to go back to discipline finally. It was super funny that the kids didn't realize their mentors were great mages. Crane is super frustrating, he should let Briar do his work rather than hover over him. HAHAHA Tris has a fierce spark that can definitely rival Crane. Hmm the pox is magic?? (hide spoiler)]

FInished (view spoiler)[ I really thought Rosethorn was a goner there for a hot second. I'm so glad she survived. I think it really would've broken Briar if she had died. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Oh WOW.

...I have some catching up to do 8’D

[Dr. Andy]

Natalie wrote: "Oh WOW.

...I have some catching up to do 8’D"

XD I'll be around. Wanted to finish them for MMC

[Natalie]

Fair XD I spent most of the last day of the MMC reorganising my books after adding some more shelves to my room. There’s less in piles on the floor now ;D

[Natalie]

Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[Pretty interesting that their magic still seems to be somewhat intertwined after the end of the previous book - now hey can ALL hear the voices on the wind (provided they’re together with Tris at least ;D)

Wonder if what they heard while on top of the tower is a hint at what the conflict in this book will be... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2: (view spoiler)[Please let the baby starling live ;-; Tris needs her own animal companion - and I really don’t want that poor baby to die. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[Okay, I really want to know more about these chains that are in the harbour o.O

Who made them? How long have they been there? What EXACTLY do they do - how do they work?

And what exactly was it that Frostpine did? Was he somehow able to just heal all the ‘wounds’ in the chains just like THAT? 🤨 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[Tris’s cousin Aymery is a bad guy in this, right? He’s the one that was skulking about when Briar was in the uhh... tower thing eating (the one that he noticed was invisible), and now he’s doing something else shady.

And considering it seems he was trying to get Tris to go elsewhere... maybe he’s trying to get her out of harm’s way because she’s family?

I 100% suspect him of being one of the villains in this - not the one in charge, but definitely in league :| (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[AHAHAHA I KNEW IT. Aymery *WAS* working with the pirates!

Of course now they’ve killed him... BUT I WAS RIGHT.

Now we just have to hope that things work out for the best with our four main characters and they’re able to defeat the pirates without TOO much more death. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[Well DONE to our four heroes o.O but especially well done to Tris - blowing up the flagship like that! I hope everyone knows now to NOT make her angry 😛 (hide spoiler)]

Finished! (view spoiler)[I really love that after all of that, the thing that Tris was freaked out by most was feeding live grub to Shriek XD (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[So because Daja was “unlucky” enough to lose her entire family, and be the sole survivor of the shipwreck, not only is she basically banished from the traders - but any around her cannot show that they see or hear her, and can’t accept anything from her hands, or even made by her! What the hell ._.

On a less depressing and more interesting note... seems as though the foursome are gaining the ability to use the gifts of the others ;D (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[Well I’m just gonna day that Rosethorn is likely right and there’s gonna be a huge fire - thanks to both the drought and the idiot Yarrun. Good thing they’re making plenty of burn salve...

And what is this square thing that Yarrun is freaking out about? 😐 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[Seeing as though they’re now without magic for the next 24 hours... I’d say now is the time when things are going to go horribly wrong. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[.... Sooo... Yarrun’s dead. Because he was an idiot and stretched himself too thin whilst trying to prove that he was better than Niko. Nice.

And now Daja and all the traders are in the forest... that is on fire... and need to get back to the castle ASAP.... and apparently her weaving of the flames with the help of Tris, Sandry and Frostpine didn’t really do a lot to help them escape. That’s not good ._. (hide spoiler)]

Finished! (view spoiler)[The way in which Daja saved the caravan - by redirecting all the flame to the glacier (thus also producing water for the valley) was a brilliant idea, though I’m really curious about her new bronze “glove” and what it might mean in the future books. So glad that she’s no longer considered a trangshi as well!

The ‘bionic limb’ (of sorts) for Polyam is genius, and I’m so glad they wanted to give her something c: Sure she’s mean and ‘crotchety’, but she’s also genuine and really freaking awesome and being able to properly walk again? THAT is a gift. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Natalie wrote: "Book #3 - Daja’s Book

Chapter 11 [spoilers removed..."

(view spoiler)[ No one is better than Niko HAHAHA Stupid idiot Yarrun deserved what he got as far as I'm concerned. He knew better and yet still stretched himself so thin just to prove to Niko that he had power. Sigh some magicians. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Andrea wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Book #3 - Daja’s Book

Chapter 11 [spoilers removed..."

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I dunno, I think Numair could give Niko a run for his money ;D (but as far as Emelan people go? NOPE. NO COMPETITION).

Honestly, it was basically a "dick measuring contest" on Yarrun's side of things "MY MAGIC IS BETTER THAN YOURS AND I'M GOING TO PROVE IT IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO" (...which it was, or attempting to prove it was :P) (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[Wonder what kind of illness Flick has, and whether it’s natural or magical in origin...

I really love Rosethorn’s bedside manner while she’s tending to someone who’s sick too - she clearly never changes XD (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[Well they’re having great luck, aren’t they! 😛

First a plague, which has left Briar and Rosethorn in quarantine, then the water dedicates weren’t prepared for the potential of a plague (...are these guys prepared for ANYTHING? Because they let the bandages get dangerously low two books ago, right before Winding Circle was attacked by pirates), now the plague is potentially spread by water... and there’s endless storms either right above the town or on its way, and finally... it’s spread to the inner city from the Mire. Shit has hit the fan 😐 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7: (view spoiler)[Nooooooo 😭😭

I was really hoping that Flick would survive! At least for Briar if nothing else. Poor Briar - he tried so very hard to save her ;-;

On a more positive note though, the image I have in my head of an excited and screaming Little Bear is amazing XD (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[So the blue pox was created because a mage was experimenting and was too cheap to properly dispose of their failed experiments? That’s nice ._. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[ It worked it worked it workeddddd 💕💕
I was genuinely worried that Rosethorn might die, and she’s not allowed to die because she’s amazing :|
Granted, the cure doesn’t work for everyone yet and they still have more work to do... but it worked for Rosethornnnnnnn 😁💕💕 (hide spoiler)]

Finished! (view spoiler)[And really, put it to Tamora Pierce to have everything GREAT by the end of Chapter 12 only to have Rosethorn freaking DIE ON US. Granted, Briar (with the help of Tris, Daja and Sandry) was able to bring her back but MY HEART.

So glad they managed to get her back with little permanent damage, having to learn to speak again really isn’t a big deal in the long haul - especially when the alternative was death 😐 (hide spoiler)]

Finally managed to catch up XD

[Natalie]

Going to try and complete some of the books for the other BRs that I'm doing, then I'll be back for c:

[Dr. Andy]

Natalie wrote: "Going to try and complete some of the books for the other BRs that I'm doing, then I'll be back for c:"

OMG YES

[Dr. Andy]

Natalie wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Book #3 - Daja’s Book

Chapter 11 [spoilers removed..."

[spoilers removed]"

I dunno, I think Numair could give Niko a run for his money ;D (but as far as Emelan peo..."

Okay now I need Numair and Niko to be bffs!!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting October 1st 2018. Happy Reading ☺

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[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 3 (view spoiler)[ Posco totally has magic and the sooner he realizes and accepts Sandry as his teacher, the better. I love how Sandry takes care of her uncle (hide spoiler)]

CH. 6(view spoiler)[ This unmagic shit is crazy and creepy!!! I'm glad Sandry pushes her weight around when it comes to helping with the murders. She can see things the others can't and she'll be invaluable for catching the murderers I'm sure. (hide spoiler)]

CH. 10 (view spoiler)[ Sandry's magic is so cool and the girl has made skills and it's showing right now! I'm really sad the harrier mage died. I hope Sandry and Lark can come up with a plan to trap these mages! (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I loved how Sandry's weaving and Posco's dancing captured the mages. Of course Posco had to stay and get captured because he ate some cake. Ugh that boy. I'm glad he didn't die though! (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 3 (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Briar finally caught Evvy. Her magic sounds pretty cool and I wonder if he will end up teaching her (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 6 (view spoiler)[ I don't like this trouble stirring in the gangs. The lady who owns the vipers makes me nervous. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 10 (view spoiler)[ Stoneslicer is a dick ugh. I'm glad Evvy didn't want him as her teacher. Briar is way better. I love how Rosethorn knew Evvy was coming back and going to live there. I'm so excited they're going to get the cats too!! (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Ugh those good for nothing vipers. I hope Briar really is done with gangs now. They seem more trouble than they're worth. I'm glad that crazy old lady is gone now and can't cause problems for Briar or Evvy. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Well that happened suddenly ;D

(I have had ZERO CHANCE to start these, I've been so busy ;u;)

[Dr. Andy]

Natalie wrote: "Well that happened suddenly ;D

(I have had ZERO CHANCE to start these, I've been so busy ;u;)"

Haha I listened to them on like Friday and was being lazy. I can't find the second two as audiobooks so we'll see if I get to them :/

And I now how you feel. I am so busy with school ugh