Charlotte Kersten

Year published: 1997

Category:  Children’s fiction

Summary: 

With her gift of weaving silk thread and creating light, Sandry is brought to the Winding Circle community. There she meets Briar, a former thief who has a way with plants; Daja, an outcast gifted at metalcraft; and Tris, whose connection with the weather unsettles everyone, including herself. At Winding Circle, the four misfits are taught how to use their magic – and to trust one another. But then disaster strikes their new home. Can Sandry weave together four kinds of magical power and save herself, her friends, and the one place where they’ve ever been accepted?

My Thoughts:

Somehow or other, I never read any Tamora Pierce books when I was actually a kid, so I’ve been trying to make up for lost time as an adult. I didn’t love Alanna: the First Adventure or Wild Magic, but I decided to try Sandry’s Book for my Bottom of the TBR square for r/fantasy bingo. I’m glad to say that I enjoyed this a lot more than the others of hers I’ve read thus far.

Sandry’s Book is a very cozy, sweet read. At its heart, it’s the story of four children who have experienced terrible things coming to a place where they belong and starting to settle and then thrive there. Admittedly, Sandry is my favorite of the four kids because I have a soft spot for feisty, charming noble girls with a strong sense of justice. But Briar, Tris, and Daja are all interesting and likable too – especially Daja with her experience of being an outsider and how she dismisses those who reject her as unworthy in turn. I loved seeing them start to find their place in the world as they are allowed to learn, explore, and embrace their magic/crafts/passions.

Despite how poorly they get along in the beginning (the squabbles are very realistic and make them seem like real kids!), they do gradually come together and become friends. I definitely see why the book is named after Sandry despite featuring all four children equally; it is Sandry’s hard work and kindness that truly start to bring them all together. I really enjoyed reading about this process, especially at the very end where they save themselves by working together and then the other three create a light crystal for Sandry so that she won’t ever have to face the darkness that she’s terrified of again.

I had a lovely time with this and look forward to reading on. Bonus points for an adorable dog named Little Bear and the fact that the kids learn meditation!