Wild magic

Gr. 6-10. Alanna, protagonist of the four-book Song of the Lioness series, which begins with Alanna: The First Adventure [BKL Je 1 84] and concludes with Lioness Rampant [BKL S 15 88], plays a subsidiary role in what hopefully is the beginning of a new series set in the same well-crafted land. Shy, country-bred teenage Daine, whose family has been killed by raiders, signs on as assistant to Horsemistress Onua Chamtong, who's driving a herd of newly acquired mountain ponies to Tortall to be trained as mounts for the Queen's Riders. Though she steadfastly denies having the Gift, Daine exhibits an unusual affinity with animals and an uncanny ability to sense danger coming. As she and Onua make their way to Tortall, they encounter evil immortal creatures and rescue the mage Numair, who is trapped in the form of a hawk. This is only the beginning of an exciting tale in which Daine gradually accepts the fact that she possesses wild magic and, with Numair's help, begins to learn how to control it as she is called upon to join the deadly battle to protect the kingdom. Daine's relationship with animals, both tame and wild, is convincing, as are the characterizations of both animals and legendary creatures--the virulent, reeking stormwings and other monstrosities that attack and the proud griffins and female dragon that help Daine and her companions. A dynamic story sure to engross fantasy fans. ~--Sally Estes

In this first volume of a series, Pierce returns to the world and characters she introduced in her Song of the Lioness fantasy epic. Here, she tells the story of Daine, a 13-year-old orphaned girl with an extraordinary talent for communicating with animals. The teenager is swept up in the first skirmishes of a war, and is forced to master her fears and learn how to marshall her magical abilities. Trying to make the sequel to four previous novels stand on its own is no mean feat, and Pierce has a lot of exposition to relate. By telling the story through Daine's eyes, she allows new readers a chance to ``catch up'' on who's who along with her heroine. Although this device proves effective for the most part, some of the scenes are a little bewildering. However, Pierce's inventive descriptions of Daine's apprenticeship as a Mage, her riveting battles with griffins, dragons and other monsters, and her delightful, egalitarian ideals more than compensate for this minor flaw. Ages 10-up. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Gr 5-7-In the first volume of the Immortals quartet by Tamora Pierce (Atheneum, 1992), Daine, a 13-year-old girl from the mountains, meets Onua, the Queen's Horse Mistress, and together they work to bring ponies in for the Queen's Riders. Along the way, they discover that Daine's talent with animals is something more-it's wild magic. Under the tutelage of the mage Numair, Daine begins to learn how to control her magic and deepens her friendships with two-leggers. She also discovers that there are "wrong" animals she can sense, ones that have somehow escaped the Divine Realms and are now roaming and raiding once more-Immortals. Daine is a likeable character, and her past and reasons for fleeing mountains are intriguing. Those around her, including Alanna from Pierce's Song of the Lioness quartet (Atheneum), are well-developed characters, making for an exciting adventure infused with magic. Set in the fantastical kingdom of Tortall, this full-cast performance of the book is a joy to listen to. The main narration is done by the author, with all the characters voiced by different actors. Unobtrusive music throughout enhances the recording. An excellent choice where Tamora Pierce books circulate well, and where there are fantasy fans who enjoy intricate world building.-Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Like Pierce's Song of the Lioness series, this offshoot of that series is being reissued and repackaged in a handy rack-size hardcover. This fourth Immortals title is a suspenseful fantasy novel. From HORN BOOK Fall 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Daine (13)--father unknown, mother killed by bandits--has ``wild magic'': an empathy with animals so deep that, until she meets the wizard Numair, she's in danger of turning animal herself. Numair teaches her control just in time: something has freed the Immortals--dragons and griffins, who are not enemies; monstrous spidrons and Stormwings, who are and who have allied themselves with human marauders. When Numair's magic is nullified by other wizards, Daine's wild magic overcomes their enemies. Now she's free to find out who she is, why a badger visits her dreams, and who her father is. A feel-good epic--personable and sweet--in which animals are both buddies and supper. Despite the sitcom dialogue and characters like Lady Knight Alanna (she burps her babies with one hand, slays ogres with the other), Pierce makes both Daine and her quest likable. No doubt to be continued since, at the end, Daine is left with a baby dragon to raise. (Fiction. 10+)

In this first volume of a series, Pierce returns to the world and characters she introduced in her Song of the Lioness fantasy epic. Here, she tells the story of Daine, a 13-year-old orphaned girl with an extraordinary talent for communicating with animals. The teenager is swept up in the first skirmishes of a war, and is forced to master her fears and learn how to marshall her magical abilities. Trying to make the sequel to four previous novels stand on its own is no mean feat, and Pierce has a lot of exposition to relate. By telling the story through Daine's eyes, she allows new readers a chance to ``catch up'' on who's who along with her heroine. Although this device proves effective for the most part, some of the scenes are a little bewildering. However, Pierce's inventive descriptions of Daine's apprenticeship as a Mage, her riveting battles with griffins, dragons and other monsters, and her delightful, egalitarian ideals more than compensate for this minor flaw. Ages 10-up. (Oct.) Copyright 1992 Cahners Business Information.

Gr 5-7- In this exciting fantasy that includes some characters from Pierce's ``Song of the Lioness'' quartet (Atheneum), a young heroine named Daine, who has a special way with horses, comes to accept and perfect her own type of ``wild magic'' after she is hired as an assistant to a horse-mistress of a mythical kingdom. Daine learns to channel her healing skills and to develop her power to communicate with animals, the latter of which she uses to fight vicious immortal monsters, the Stormwings. There are many gory encounters, most of them involving female fighting champions, including Alanna, the king's champion knight. Those readers who enjoy a swashbuckling imaginative adventure will enjoy this story, which is filled with all types of creatures and all sorts of magic. Some may be a bit confused by Daine's visions and by the extent of her power, which seems to allow her to revive even the dead. The ending leaves Daine undecided as to where she will settle and certainly points the way to a sequel. --Yvonne Frey, Peoria Public Schools, IL Copyright 1992 Cahners Business Information.