In May I committed to reading two big and dense (but really fantastic) books, which meant that during two months my reading was a bit on the unvarying side. During that time audiobooks kept me lightly entertained: a bit of Narnia, a quick chick-lit and the Immortals quartet by Tamora Pierce.
Don’t remember where I first heard about this YA series, probably in a “Best Kick-Ass Heroines” list. Or it might have been in a “Best Books with Dragons” one.
This is the second of Pierce’s series set in the world of Tortall and I can’t say the plot is completely original, but it’s still an interesting take. We follow a young girl with mysterious and great powers as she learns to control them, overcomes male expectations, saves the world and in between discovers her real origins.
What makes our heroine – Daine – special is that she has a connection to animals. She can speak to them and, as time passes, she can also become one. I’m not one for stories with talking animals, except in animated movies, but I easily accepted this one. Actually, the best thing about the series was the way animals are described, especially their habits and body moments. They sounded true to life and very endearing. Pierce is even able to make me feel emotional towards a live blob of dark liquid (literally, there’s an ink-pool-like animal in the last book).
Also appreciated that Pierce doesn’t shy away from political intrigue and talk (just talk, fear not!) of sex, which is unusually for your typical (young-)YA. And although Daine has a touch of the Mary-Sue about her, she surprised me at points, like continuing to be carnivore even though she thinks of animals as people. On the other hand, I had problems with characters saying things like “Catch my drift?” in a supposedly medieval world. Also, Daine’s relationship with her relatives in the last book sounded underdeveloped and awkward, especially after the build up led me to expect some sort of cathartic moment.
In the end, I didn’t feel strongly about the series, but it delivered what I needed at the time: an enjoyable, light fantasy, with a 3D main character and some depth to the plot.
Have you read any Tamora Pierce? Any recommendations?
8 comments
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July 4, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Jay
Hi Alex,
I haven’t read anything by Pierce, but your review makes me consider putting it on my list as future ‘escapist’ reading (hey, I made it through the Hunger Games series and The Forest of Hands and Teeth – but NOT Twilight). I think readers, “serious” readers especially, need a little dash of lighter fare every now and then.
-Jay
July 4, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Sheila (Book Journey)
What interesting looking book s- love those covers!
July 7, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Joanna
I haven’t read these, but know what it’s like to need light reading! 🙂 It’s nice to know there are so many light, entertaining options to choose from!
July 20, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Alex
@Jay: yep, this is pure escapism. How about Harry Potter, have you tried that?
@Sheila: I also like how they played with the colors!
@Joanna: I think you might like them. You can borrow my audiobooks, they’re a perfect format for this series.
August 5, 2011 at 10:53 am
Biblibio
Tamora Pierce generally has very strong starts to series, but ends them on weak notes. Her Lioness Quartet, for instance, opens with two excellent young adult fantasy books (better for girls than for boys, yes, but still plenty kick-[***] that some guys might like it) but fades a bit by the end. Protector of the Small, meanwhile, starts okay, gets better, gets awesome, and then falls flat (the main character is very bland). I like a couple of Pierce’s books from each series, but there are overall numerous flaws in her writing that always hold her a little back. Good escapism fun, though, no doubt.
January 30, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Jesi Ki Kage
Couldn’t have said it better my self Biblibio. I am a major Tamora Pierce fan but I will admit that some times the sequals don’t live up to expectation. One series I would highly recommend though is her Trickster series. As it is only two books long (Trickster’s Choice and Trickster’s Queen) there was very little time for the story to “fall flat” so to say. Yes, the story does piddle off a bit at the end but the imagination and escapism is totally worth it. Definatly place those two as my favorites by her.
February 18, 2012 at 11:33 pm
cherylmahoney
I enjoy The Immortals series, but definitely prefer The Song of the Lioness. Alanna’s just amazing, and she has wonderful adventures.
March 5, 2012 at 6:02 pm
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