Date A Book YA Book Club discussion
Tempests and Slaughter
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Tempests and Slaughter: Week 1
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What we love about Tamora Pierce is her fantastic world building. She has such powerful characters and emotions in what is sometimes a small amount of page time, but she makes you fall for her instantly. She also has no trouble pushing controversial topics in her novels. She doesn’t judge based on social standing, professions, sexual preferences or race; and she is such a strong advocate for a woman’s right to be in control of her own life.
We sort of hate when someone asks us to pick a favourite book -
but our's will always be the Song of the Lioness Quartet, because Alanna taught us that we can fight for what we believe in and to not let others tell you there is something you can’t do because you’re female, small, untrained or unskilled. You can learn and you can do anything you put your mind to.
Commence fangirling!This was my first introduction to Tamora Pierce actually, I thought her books were adult fantasy and was pleasantly surprised. I've been looking at her previous releases and would love to get into the series that inspired the prequels but not sure where to begin.
I loved Arram. He's such a gentle boy who seemingly overcompensated with his education because he was lonely. He's intelligent but his character isn't conceited in the slightest. He seemed to isolate himself from others as to not draw attention to himself. I loved his friendship with Varice especially, they were a wonderful support for one another.
This is my second time reading Tempests and Slaughter already - I can't get enough of Tamora Pierce. When I heard it was coming out, I decided to make 2018 my year of rereading all the Tortall novels in chronological order...it just happened that this read along fell into place just when it was time to read Tempests! The life Arram had as a kid was always a mystery to me - I always wanted to know how he became who he was in The Immortals series. And the over 10 year wait for this book almost drove me mental. But I love how awkward, but talented Arram proves to be. I love that he forms his own ideas of the world, despite being surrounded by other strong willed and intelligent people.
Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "Commence fangirling!
This was my first introduction to Tamora Pierce actually, I thought her books were adult fantasy and was pleasantly surprised. I've been looking at her previous releases and would love to get into the series that inspired the prequels but not sure where to begin. "
Welcome to the Tammy Pierce fan club, Kelly! I would definitely recommend going back and reading Tamora's first series, The Song of the Lioness Quartet, because it's the best introduction to the Tortall world. But The Immortals Quartet (where you meet a grown up Arram) is also a fantastic place to start if you want to see more of Arram. You don't need to have read the Lioness books to read Immortals, you just might spoil some of the mystery behind which couples form in Lioness by reading Immortals first.
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The friendships are always a huge part of Tamora's worlds - she's very good at building these loveable bonds between her character.
How do you think Arram fares against Varice and Ozorne? He seems to learn a lot more with them, and intellectually they're all well matched. But, as you mentioned, he's a bit reserved socially. Do you think it's more of a benefit to him, having these outgoing older friends, or can you see it hindering his abilities to step out on his own?
TAMMY. My heart. The Song of the Lioness books were some of the first books I remember checking out from my school library. I recently did a re-read and oh my gosh, now I know where I got all my ideas about feminism and respect and compassion and hard work (sorry parents).When I found out she was finally writing another book, and it was around Arram's early life, I squealed for days. I was so in love with him in Wild Magic, it's amazing to see him as a smol cinnamon roll.
Arram is such a lovely bumbling, big hearted bookworm - I love it. It's amazing to see traits being formed that those of us who have read the latter series will recognise. But ALSO super juicy to see the ways in which he was different when he was young. Not to mention Ozone and Varice.. my my.
Kim wrote: "This is my second time reading Tempests and Slaughter already - I can't get enough of Tamora Pierce. When I heard it was coming out, I decided to make 2018 my year of rereading all the Tortall nove..."The Song of the Lioness Quartet sounds perfect, that's where I'll start. I have a bit of time to kill before book two. Thanks for the recommendations Kim, I really appreciate it.
Date A Book wrote: "Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "He seemed to isolate himself from others as to not draw attention to himself. I loved his friendship with Varice especially, they were a wonderful support for one anot..."
Even though he was hesitant in the beginning, his friendships with Varice and Ozorne provided him with confidence and the sense of being cherished. Varice and Ozorne essentially becoming his family. With his father always absent, I can imagine it gave him a sense of stability too. In turn, it felt as though he was the calming influence for Varice and Ozorne as well, offering a compassionate perspective which Ozorne needs. It was well balanced and really lovely to see them learn and grow.
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What does it mean to you, Kelly, having the chance to experience a new Tamora Pierce novel as an adult, after she had such a strong influence on your teenage self?
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It's funny you should mention that feeling of being wanted - one of our favourite lines was in this section and pretty much highlight how much joy Arram felt at identifying with Ozorne and Varice and finding people who fit with him.
"He really had found two actual friends, who talked about book things, watched exciting theatre shows, and enjoyed their food!"
As readers and lovers of food, we could really feel for this moment of finding your place with new friends.
Date A Book wrote: "Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "Even though he was hesitant in the beginning, his friendships with Varice and Ozorne provided him with confidence and the sense of being cherished. Varice and Ozorne e..."It's something that all readers can identify with, finding those who support you unconditionally and the positive change that can bring to your life, helping with self esteem and feeling more assertive.
With his natural aptitude for healing and being an introvert, I wondered if Arram might have also been empathic.
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He's definitely learning to look inside living things more, and he's got a soft side when he does it. We think you could have something there.
Kimberley wrote: "I vaguely remember reading Bekka Cooper when I was younger, it it’s been years. Super happy to get back into reading her books as I remember really liking her writing style."
There are a few links to the Beka Cooper series in Tempests and Slaughter - so you might spot a few connections. Glad you're loving Tamora's writing style, Kimberley.
What is is about Ozorne that makes you question him as a friend, so far?
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He does seem very focused on getting even with those who hurt him, even if they're not directly linked to his father's death. It's a very curious question to pose. We're introduced to this really nice bond between the Arram, Ozorne and Varice - but Ozorne has moods that make you wary of what he might do next.
Date A Book wrote: "Kimberley wrote: "He just frustrates me with his hatred. I just never understand that from books or shows. He does seem loyal though but I do wonder how far his loyalty to his friends will go if th..."He's unpredictable and it felt as though his behaviour was dismissed as despair, perhaps the early signs of a villainous narrative as the series progresses? He often treated Arram poorly, although he did apologise but I'm interested to see if his mood swings continue and if they're part of a bigger picture we're not privy to as yet.
So I just finished the whole book, because all of the heart eyes for Tamora Pierce. I’ve read all of her books and I love love love them. I love her world building, and the way she writes characters and friendships and how incredibly easy her books are to read. Not that they’re light, but I have absolutely zero problem getting entirely lost in her stories - her writing flows so well there’s rarely anything to jerk me back to reality.It’s been extra fun to read Tempests and Slaughter because it’s been so long since I started reading her books that I’ve forgotten a lot. The remembering and rediscovering has me all nostalgic and planning a reread of the lioness quartet and wild magic at least.
My first thoughts of Arram were that he’s too smart for his own good and that I’m super glad that he has Varice and Ozorne because I feel like he’s a prime candidate for being bullied, poor little (genius) mite.
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Do you think some of his mood swings can be put down to being part of the Royal family?
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My first thoughts of Arram were that he’s too smart for his own good and that I’m super glad that he has Varice and Ozorne because I feel like he’s a prime candidate for being bullied, poor little (genius) mite. "
We cannot blame you for reading ahead, Angie. It's really hard to resist - it feels like coming home to an old friend!
Were you surprised at how advanced Arram was for his age, or did it fit in with what you knew of his adult life? We expected Arram to pick up on magic very quickly, but to be honest we hadn't pictured him skipping grades because of it.
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That's a good point, his early childhood upbringing may not have involved being around people outside of the Royals - and we know he was often laughed at for dreaming of being Emperor, despite being so far from the throne. His main interaction with people from another class would have been at the University. We know he was friends with Varice before Arram came along, but we don't know how they became friends - who approached the other first?
Could it also be a bit of privilege though, knowing you can demand for things to happen or people to behave around you - and not being used to having people say no?
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We totally agree about the eggshells thing - it'd be tricky, especially for Arram, to know what Ozorne was like before we see him through Arram's eyes. We know from Varice that he has had down moments - particularly around the time of his father's death - but we don't know how he's acted at those times.
Welcome to our latest read along. We’re about to start the brand new book from one of our favourite authors: Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce! This week we're discussing Chapter 1 – Chapter 8 (inclusive) – or pg. 1-151 in the Australian paperback edition.
Below are a couple of questions to get us started – but feel free to jump in where you like.
Remember this is an open discussion, but try not to post out of the parts being discussed. Have fun!
p.s. don’t forget to jump on Twitter during the week as we have some Tamora Pierce and Tortall polls running!
1. Have you read any Tamora Pierce books in the past? What do you like about her storytelling and writing? Do you have a favourite character or book?
2. Is this your first time reading a Tamora Pierce book? Had you heard of her before?
3. What were your first impressions of Arram?
Happy Posting!