Charlotte Kersten

Summary

Earthquake damage leaves Winding Circle vulnerable to pirate attack, so everyone – including the young mages-in-training Tris, Briar, Daja, and Sandry – is working to strengthen the community’s defenses. When Tris’s cousin Aymery comes to visit, he advises the “weather witch” to return to the family that exiled her, but she doesn’t wish to leave her friends to face the threat without her.

As the onslaught begins, two things become terribly clear: The pirates have a powerful new weapon, and they have an accomplice within Winding Circle. But the attackers have failed to reckon with the fury of a young mage betrayed once too often and her very stubborn, very loyal friends….

Review

Once again I have to say that I really wish I’d read the Circle of Magic books as a kid, but I’m still finding them to be a whole lot of fun as an adult. I absolutely love all of the details of the kids’ lives at the Circle – the food from the kitchen, their division of chores, their relationships with their teachers, the animals they take care of. I think this is the kind of cozy fantasy that really works for me!

Part of the coziness is that it’s such a pleasure seeing them settle into their new lives over time, including their growing understanding of their magic and their deepening friendships with each other. Each kid feels so distinct and loveable in their own way, and I think Pierce does a great job of shifting perspectives throughout and giving each of them a distinct voice and outlook.

Something that I didn’t articulate in the first book but realized in this one is that it’s incredibly refreshing (and oddly reassuring) to read children’s fantasy that features kind, mature, responsible adults taking care of them – and despite this, they still manage to grow, develop their independence and have adventures. It’s also very comforting to know that I have a lot of books left with these characters and their world. 🙂