Tamora Pierce

In some books you never know what is going to happen, who is going to survive what harrowing experience. No matter what terrible thing occurs, part of you is convinced the author is going to find some even more dire circumstance to place the protagonist in. In other books you can be secure in the knowledge that while a few uncomfortable events may try the characters, no one you are really attached to is going to die and nothing too difficult to deal with is going to come your way. Some people might say this is predictable and boring. I personally, can enjoy things even if I know where it's going to end up - it's not about being surprised as much as enjoying the journey characters/events take through the book - sort of like taking a comfortable stroll across a nice grassy meadow, enjoying the flowers and the feel of sun on your skin.

Tamora Pierce writes books a little like this. Sure they are a little juvenile - they are clearly written with an eye to younger kids - but I still have enjoyed almost all I've read. Her characters are fun and engaging, and though nothing calamitous occurs, they still have to deal with their own problems and learn from them. Very non-stressful reading - it's good to have some of that sometimes.

Most of the books I've listened to as audio books over the last couple months, but I have been reading a couple over the weekend that I couldn't find on audio book, so I thought I'd do a bit broader a review.

One interesting note - a number of the audio books we listened to were Full Cast Audio productions. These (at least those we listened to) are fully unabridged, yet use a complete cast of actors. I had never heard an unabridged, yet dramatized version before. At first it was a little strange to have voices change as the narrator interjects in the middle of dialog (for example statements like "he said"), but once I got used to it I found the cast gave an added depth to the characters.

• Circle of Magic (1) - (Sandry's Book, Tris's Book, Daja's Book, Briar's Book). I don't know if it is because this was the first set we listened to, but I think it is my favorite of all the ones I've read/listened to. I really enjoy the interplay of the four main characters (and also their 4 mentors) - preteen orphans with completely different backgrounds and characters who are forced together and must learn to depend on each other in a number of difficult situations. It was also cool to have each book told from the perspective of one of these children.
  

• Circle of Magic (2) - The Circle Opens - (Magic Steps, Street Magic, Cold Fire, Shatterglass). These books take up a couple of years after the first series. Each book follows one character and his mentor as they are traveling. I missed the interactions with the other main characters from the first series. I also did not enjoy the conflicts in these books as much. They are a bit closer to crime/mystery than any of the other books, with the bad guys all some sort of deranged/troubled person(s). I guess I don't like reading about deranged criminals, even in juvenile fiction (and the guy in Cold Fire especially was a little messed up).
  

• Tortal (1) - The Song of the Lioness - (Alanna: The First Adventure, In the Hand of the Goddess, Woman Who Rides Like a Man, The Lioness Rampant). This is the first book in a series that takes place in a medieval-like kingdom (in a world of magic, and Gods). Alanna is set on becoming a knight, something out of the question for a girl in Tortal. So she pulls a little switch with her twin brother and takes his place in training, dressed up as a boy. She must prove to herself (and to those who must inevitably find out she's a girl), that she is worthy of the training, and of becoming a knight. It sounds contrived but again, I found this series very entertaining. Interesting characters, engaging plot - much fun.
  

• Tortal (2) - The Immortals - (Wild Magic, Wolf-Speaker, Emperor Mage, Realms of the Gods). This is the third installment in the Tortal set of series - it takes place just a little after the first 2 series, and has characters from the first ones, but these are not the primary characters. It follows a girl who has "wild magic" which allows her to communicate with animals. I enjoyed the first 3 books, but found the 4th a poor conclusion.

• Tortal (3) - The Protector of the Small - (First Test, Page, Squire, Lady Knight) . Haven't listened to this one yet, but I will sometime :-) - hopefully it won't be too similar to the first Tortal series.