Series: Emelan by Tamora Pierce ("Sandry's Book")

[Stephanie]

This thread is for the buddy read of Tamora Pierce's Emelan series. We will start the first quartet, Circle of Magic, in August.

We can work out a more detailed schedule as we go, unless you all have other preferences. I'm open to whatever works best for everyone who wants to participate!

Please put all comments in spoiler tags labeled with the chapter or percentage.

[Stephanie]

Books in this series:

Circle of Magic:
Sandry's Book - August 1st
Tris's Book
Daja's Book
Briar's Book

The Circle Opens:
Magic Steps
Street Magic
Cold Fire
Shatterglass

The Circle Reforged:
The Will of the Empress
Melting Stones
Battle Magic

[Cheryl]

I'll read a different Pierce first, as I've never read her before, and if I don't hate I'll join in here, at least for the first. Eleven books seems like a lot!

[Bicky]

I have just read Terrier and will join for this series, in the beginning at least.

[Bicky]

Corinne wrote: "Bicky, Hi, what did you think of Terrier? I was saying in another thread to Cheryl that it was my favorite book by her. (Circle of Magic series 2nd favorite) since it's so fresh can you share your ..."

Hi Corinne. Your request made me think and I ended up posting my review which is too long to be repeated here.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Awaiting your reaction.

[Stephanie]

That sounds great! Would love to have you all join us :)

Cheryl, if you start reading and find the books aren't your style, that's completely okay. No need to commit to the whole series! Feel free to join us for the first just to see what you think. They are pretty quick reads, especially in the first quartet.

[Cheryl]

Ty. I liked Alanna and would be willing to try more. Please post a reminder comment in early July?

[Stephanie]

Ah Cheryl, I just saw your post! I've been traveling and preparing to move, have not been around much. :( Here is a very belated reminder comment.

We will start tomorrow with Sandry's book. We can set the pace as we go based on what feels natural, I think. I will try to limit myself to a few chapters a day to start and see how that goes :)

Please feel free to join for whichever part of the series you like, no need to commit to all of it. Comments are always welcome even after we've "finished" a book.

Looking forward to reading with you all! :)

[Carolyn]

Ohhhh...I’m gonna try to join in on this. Hopefully library has the first book of buddy read.

[Carolyn]

Is there a way to “bookmark” threads so you can find them easily? I normally use Goodreads App but find there are so many things you can’t do it with it...like search discussion post...so I end up keeping GR open in a browser on my phone but going back and forth is a pain! Want to stay on top of this particular discussion post! TIA.

[Anna]

No bookmarks on the app, but if you turn on notifications for this particular thread, you'll know when someone posts.

[Megan (The Gemini)]

The app needs to be updated. You can't do a lot of things on it! I hate that I can't reply to specific people in the comment sections on the app.

[Karin]

Cutter wrote: "The app needs to be updated. You can't do a lot of things on it! I hate that I can't reply to specific people in the comment sections on the app."

Do you mean the way I just did by clicking reply? I hate that you can't see those as well, because there is an edit feature which means people wouldn't have to use texting correction things like the * (I am used to it with texts, but find it disconcerting here, especially if people are posting at the same time and it comes out of order.

What is worse is that GR has eliminated their feedback group!

[Carolyn]

Yay...book arrived at library today so I can start reading first in the series of this long-term buddy read!

[Stephanie]

Oh awesome, Carolyn! I'm so glad you can join!

[Ariana]

I started this yesterday. I read Alanna: The First Adventure as a kid and loved that series, but I haven't revisited any of Tamora Pierce's works as an adult, and I've never read this series.

I'm enjoying it so far, but I almost had to quit because the audiobook (the only version I have access to right now) is pretty awful. It's narrated by the author... And there's a pretty large cast of voices to do the other characters, but the kids are not great actors. I am waiting to get the print book from the library, but I'll probably finish it before it comes in.

[Carolyn]

Wow...I’m gulping this first book down. Almost 1/2 through after starting today.

[Ariana]

I finished the first book quickly, too. It's really sweet! I really enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to when my kiddos are old enough to read it together.

[Carolyn]

Finished Sandry’s Book. Now to reserve the second in the series from my library. Look forward to hearing everyone’s impressions.

[Stephanie]

Sorry for my absence everyone! I've been moving and had less time than I expected, but I have finished Sandry's Book (and Tris's Book, because I am unable to control myself.)

What did you all think? Any favorite characters/moments?

My thoughts on Sandry's Book:

(view spoiler)[
I really love how unusual their magic is and seeing their interest in those particular areas. I think this is one of the main draws of the series for me, because it's so different, and it's fun to see how they think outside the box to address their problems. I also like that all the characters have such distinct personalities, and it's fun to see how the children grow to begin liking/respecting each other. I especially like Tris teaching Briar to read.

It's interesting for me to read these again because I think I was about their age when I started reading them. I definitely wanted to live in Winding Circle. I'd forgotten just how heavy some of their stories are though (at least for this quartet, the second quartet has heavier content, or I just remember it better). I think Daja's in particular is so tough - losing your family and then being determined an outcast from your people because you've survived. (hide spoiler)]

(Edited to reflect that I read Tris's Book and not Daja's book, I keep mixing up the order.)

[Cheryl]

I did read it, but would have liked it more when I was a child I think. I just didn't feel it, not enough to continue. Sorry. Thanks for the excuse to try some Pierce, though!

[Stephanie]

Thanks for trying it out, Cheryl! I definitely see where you're coming from. I know part of what I enjoy about the book is the nostalgia :)

[Carolyn]

I try not to judge a series by the first book. I like the way Pierce is developing the relationships among the teens (active distrust/dislike to wary camaraderie) and between the teens and the mages that are responsible for them. I also really appreciate that one of the teens is a person of color. It’s so important that our youth see themselves reflected in characters in books they read.

I also appreciate the way she illustrates/talks about the difference/effectiveness (and I’d personally argue for the importance) of discipline rather than punishment.

I was a bit unclear about why this was “Sandry’s” book until the very end as it didn’t seem to focus all that heavily on Sandry and her form as magic as compared to the other teens. I am looking forward to seeing how the series develops so I’ll be picking up the next book in the series soon.

[Stephanie]

I like that perspective, Carolyn. I think one of the reasons I love this series is the way the characters grow together over time. (My favorite in this series, and one of my favorite books of all time, is Will of the Empress) And completely agree about representation!

I'd agree about it not being clear why it's Sandry's Book. I think it's because (view spoiler)[ Sandry is the one who had the idea to spin them together, which is the basis for their growth in power? Also sidenote I love that this is the reason they grow stronger, is because they're working together and learning from each other. (hide spoiler)] But I do think the following books show a clearer connection to their main character.

Regarding Tris's Book, (view spoiler)[ I think I enjoyed this one more because we already know the characters and have time for more development. The plotline with Tris's cousin Aymery was quite sad, especially considering the backstory with Tris being unwanted by her family. I liked that the kids ran off without the adults knowing rather than the adults just letting them deal with things, which doesn't feel as realistic. I also liked that their teachers helped them at the end (but not without permission.) (hide spoiler)]

I'll be starting Daja's Book soon! I don't remember this one much. The book I've most reread in this quartet is Briar's Book, which was always my favorite for some reason. I'll have to see if that changes :)

[Stephanie]

I finished Daja's Book last week or so, haven't pulled together my comments yet, though. Is there a time later in the year that would be better for everyone who is interested in continuing?

I don't mind putting this one on hold if a later discussion would suit you better!

[Carolyn]

I’m about 1/2 way through Tris’s book and was wondering if this buddy read was still active or being put on hold.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Sounds like that might be your answer, Carolyn =/

Hopefully folks can try again another time. They're delightful books, and I would like to read the next quartet eventually! I just don't have the space for any re-reads right now, personally.

[Stephanie]

Carolyn, I hope you'll still share your thoughts re: Tris's book when you're done!

I was hoping since we'd scheduled so far in advance more people would be able to join, but I think it just fell off the radar. But I'm up for reading these again anytime there is interest.

[Ariana]

My copy of Tris's Book finally came in from the library, so I can pick this up again soon.

[Stephanie]

oh Ariana that's great! looking forward to hearing what you both have to say :)