Wild Magic is a fantasy novel written by Tamora Pierce. The book is set in the fictional world of Tortall and follows the story of Daine, a young girl who possesses a unique magical ability known as wild magic. Daine was orphaned at a young age and finds herself working with a traveling group of performers. However, her life takes a drastic turn when she is caught in a storm and her powers are revealed. With the help of her newfound abilities, Daine is able to communicate with animals and heal injuries. This ability attracts the attention of the legendary mage Numair, who becomes her mentor and guide.
This ability attracts the attention of the legendary mage Numair, who becomes her mentor and guide. As Daine learns to control her powers, she discovers that there is a dark force threatening the kingdom of Tortall. The Immortals, powerful magical beings, have been awakened and pose a threat to the kingdom's stability.
Wild Magic, Tamora Pierce – Book Review
Hello Humans! Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know that a couple of weeks ago when I was off work sick, I decided to read the entirety of the Alanna series by Tamora Pierce and absolutely loved them. I also reviewed Tempests and Slaughter earlier in the year, so it was only a matter of time before I reviewed the Wild Magic series. So, for the rest of this week, I’ll be reviewing the first three of the four books (and hopefully the fourth one but at this point, I haven’t read it yet and I don’t want to overly pressure myself you know?)
Goodreads Summary:
Discover a land of enchantment, legend, and adventure in this first book of the Immortals series, featuring an updated cover for longtime fans and fresh converts alike, and including an all-new afterword from Tamora Pierce.
Thirteen-year-old Daine has always had a special connection with animals, but only when she’s forced to leave home does she realize it’s more than a knack—it’s magic. With this wild magic, not only can Daine speak to animals, but she can also make them obey her. Daine takes a job handling horses for the Queen’s Riders, where she meets the master mage Numair and becomes his student.
Under Numair’s guidance, Daine explores the scope of her magic. But she encounters other beings, too, who are not so gentle. These terrifying creatures, called Immortals, have been imprisoned in the Divine Realms for the past four hundred years—but now someone has broken the barrier. And it’s up to Daine and her friends to defend their world from an Immortal attack.
Find on Goodreads | Amazon (Affiliate)
Don’t get me wrong, Alanna was a phenomenal protagonist, but something about Daine just clicked with me, maybe it was her connection with animals, maybe it was her fear of her own madness, I don’t know. Suffice it to say that I fell hard for Daine. I loved her, I want to read fifty books from her perspective and I couldn’t wait to keep reading more. This book captured all of the things I love about books with animals and just kept running with them, I adore a young protagonist learning to master her skills and that is exactly what you get in this story.
I also loved that this book built on the Alanna series, it’s like greeting old friends (ok, I only read the Alanna books the week before but that was the feeling). There’s something satisfying about being allowed to continue the stories of characters through the eyes of someone new. You can learn new things about them and the lives they lead and it’s an opportunity to see them flourishing which is just nice, profoundly nice.
I loved the plot, there was just the right amount of intrigue, deception and also bonding between the ‘good’ characters. I liked that the story built on what you thought you knew about magic in the first books and then just twists it a little bit more.
I should stress that you don’t have to have read the Alanna books to enjoy this story. It might help, but this definitely stands alone.
What I have enjoyed is that all of these books, so far, have been ten chapters long. I think it makes the pacing much more gentle, working through a long chapter is quite satisfying. I enjoy the pattern of events as they evolve in a ten-part structure.
I know this review is profoundly waffley and that’s because I just don’t have the words to describe what I love about this book. All I can say is Tamora Pierce knows how to write a setting and a story. She works for me.
My rating: 5/5 stars – didn’t even have to think about it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
What say you? Have you read these? Are you planning to? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Bonus Factor: Immortal Creatures
Daine must use her wild magic to confront these dangerous creatures and save her home. Throughout the novel, Daine faces numerous challenges and learns the importance of accepting herself and embracing her abilities. As she grows stronger, she begins to develop a deep connection with the animals she communicates with, forming a bond that proves helpful in her battles against the Immortals. Wild Magic is an engaging and exciting novel that explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the balance between humans and nature. It showcases Tamora Pierce's exceptional storytelling skills and her ability to create captivating worlds filled with magic and adventure. The book is the start of the Immortals quartet and is followed by three more novels that continue Daine's journey and further explore the world of Tortall..
Reviews for "From Novice to Master: Characters' Journeys with Wild Magic in Tamora Pierce's Works"
1. Laura - 2 stars - While I had heard great things about "Wild Magic" and was excited to read it, I found myself disappointed with the overall story. The writing style felt juvenile and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and I didn't feel connected to any of them. Additionally, the world-building was weak and I struggled to picture the setting in my mind. Overall, I was let down by this book and it didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Wild Magic" as I found it incredibly boring and slow-paced. The plot lacks excitement and fails to engage the reader. The main character, Daine, is supposed to have this amazing wild magic ability, but it never really comes to life in the story. The writing felt uninspired and it seemed like the author was just going through the motions. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an entertaining fantasy read.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Wild Magic" had potential, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and confusing action scenes. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. I also think the book could have benefited from more world-building to fully immerse the reader into the magical realm. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and wouldn't personally recommend it.