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morningbones's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic, Medical content, Death, and Medical trauma
archaeomancer's review
5.0
Funny to read a book with a plague as the central plot nowadays. Had forgotten that's what this was centered on, was the start, progression and cure of a plague! Made me read it a bit more sharply to see the similarities with what we've had to deal with lately.
chamomiledaydreams's review
3.0
It's difficult to read stories that revolve around pandemics and sickness, and this book is no exception. In general, I've enjoyed the "Circle of Magic" series, and I would be interested in reading more of Tamora Pierce's books in the future, especially the ones that involve this cast of characters. "Briar's Book" is not my favorite, however; that honor goes to "Daja's Book," although I'm still having trouble understanding this series on a technical level. What is Tamora Pierce doing that makes me feel attached to her characters? What direction is she heading in for the overarching plot? Her stories come together nicely in the end, but they often feel like dishes whose ingredients I can't quite identify. "Circle of Magic" reads as smoothly as a slice of life novel, for example, but it features relatively fast-paced conflict, and it develops unique character personalities without seeming to try too hard.
Aside from the plague-heavy plot in this novel, I enjoyed seeing more of Crane and Rosethorn, and I appreciated a typo in my copy of the book that messed up pronouns so that "Crane raised her eyebrows" or something along those lines. I was a little suspicious of how unruly Little Bear is allowed to behaved, though, and I sympathized with Crane for not wanting him to run around and tackle people helter-skelter. Obedience lessons and leash time might make everyone at Winding Circle more comfortable. I understand why Crane was set up as an antagonistic ally at first, and I enjoyed seeing the protagonists gradually come to sympathize with him. But some of Crane's eccentricities didn't seem like eccentricities to me; they just seemed like common sense!
Aside from the plague-heavy plot in this novel, I enjoyed seeing more of Crane and Rosethorn, and I appreciated a typo in my copy of the book that messed up pronouns so that "Crane raised her eyebrows" or something along those lines. I was a little suspicious of how unruly Little Bear is allowed to behaved, though, and I sympathized with Crane for not wanting him to run around and tackle people helter-skelter. Obedience lessons and leash time might make everyone at Winding Circle more comfortable. I understand why Crane was set up as an antagonistic ally at first, and I enjoyed seeing the protagonists gradually come to sympathize with him. But some of Crane's eccentricities didn't seem like eccentricities to me; they just seemed like common sense!
loganslovelylibrary's review
4.0
This was good, but didn’t close out the series as well as I’d hope! Also it’s crazy how much of the epidemic stuff hit so close to home with the pandemic. Briar is a sweet kid but not my fav out of the four - although his relationship with Rosethorn was so sweet.
garnetofeden's review against another edition
4.0
Tamora Pierce continues to step up her game. I love how she includes the science of epidemiology in a fantasy setting. I’m not done with Briar, Sandry, Tris, and Daja, so I’m excited to move on to the books in their universe that I haven’t read yet.
Rating reviewed 1/20/2023.
Rating reviewed 1/20/2023.
juliannegern's review
5.0
Not to sound like a broken record, but I just love these books! I think this one is the best of the series. The characters really grew and had more depth and the story was interesting and compelling. What a fun month it has been, re-reading these books.
tellingetienne's review
5.0
This ended the quartet on a strong note, and cemented my love of not only the young characters, but the adults in the books. I think this whole series is excellent reading for people of all ages, and will be suggesting for others to read as, with anyone I think I can get away with it!
snipequeen's review
4.0
Comfort food. Chicken soup for the soul -- this entire series. I love reading about the four friends, their mentors and their adventures.