Magic Steps (Circle Opens Series #1)

by Tamora Pierce

Overview

Part of the 8-book Tamora Pierce reissue for Fall 2006, this title in the Circle Opens quartet features spellbinding new cover art. Concides with the release of WILL OF THE EMPRESS in trade pb.

Lady Sandrilene fa Toren knows all about unusual magic--she herself spins and weaves it like thread. But when she witnesses a boy dancing a spell, even she is confounded. To her dismay she gets news of a mysterious murderer stalking a clan of local merchants. The killer employs the strangest magic of all: the ability to reduce essence to nothingness. As the murders mount and the killer grows bolder, Sandry's teaching takes on a grave purpose. It becomes clear to everyone that the killings can only be stopped by the combined magic of two people: the young teacher and her even younger student.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780590396059
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	04/28/2001
Series:	Circle Opens Series , #1
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.78(w) x 4.18(h) x 0.73(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Tamora Pierce is the critically acclaimed author of more than twenty novels, including the Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens quartets, THE WILL OF THE EMPRESS, MELTING STONES, and, most recently, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Beka Cooper trilogy. She lives in New York State with her husband, Tim, and her seven cats and two birds. Visit her online at www.tamorapierce.com.

Table of Contents

Editorial Reviews

In this novel, book one of Pierce's "The Circle Opens" quartet, fourteen-year-old Lady Sandrilene Fa Toren is honing her skills as a weaver of magic. Sandry is the great-niece of the ailing Duke Vedris IV of Emalen, who is recovering from a heart attack. When Sandry discovers a young boy named Pasco, who possesses the unusual talent for dancing spells, she undertakes to teach the boy in the ways of magic. Meanwhile, members of a wealthy merchant family are turning up brutally murdered, their severed heads displayed in public places. Sandry figures out a way to find the murderers by using her own and Pasco's magical talents. Teacher and student work together to ensnare the criminals in a magical trap. There are some vivid violent scenes here, including the grisly murders of women and children that may make this book unsuitable for younger readers. 2000, Scholastic Press, Ages 12 to 14, $16.95. Reviewer: Christopher Moning

Children's Literature - Children's Literature

Gr 5–8—Sandry, 14, already has her hands full taking care of her uncle Duke Vedris, ruler of Emelan, when she happens upon Pasco dancing magic spells. As the discovering mage, she must now take on his training to help him channel his powers. To complicate things further, someone or something is murdering a family of not-so-honest merchants, and Sandry decides to help investigate. As more people, including innocent bystanders, are murdered, it's up to Sandry and Pasco to find the culprits and help bring them to justice. Magic Steps (Scholastic, 2000) is the first title in Tamora Pierce's "The Circle Opens" series, a spin-off from her "Circle Quartet," but listeners need not be familiar with the previous series to fully enjoy this one. Sandry and Pasco are likeable and strong-willed characters, and the full-cast narration captures their spunk and humorous interactions with Pierce taking the role of narrator. Listeners need not be familiar with Pierce's previous series to fully enjoy this one. This great performance will be popular with fantasy fans.—Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY

School Library Journal