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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
First in The Numair Chronicles fantasy adventure series for middle-grade readers (and eighth in the overall Tortall Universe) and revolving around three school friends during four years of school: Arram, Varice, and Ozorne in the Catharki Empire, 435–439. If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Tortall Universe books on my website.
My Take
It took several days to read this, as I kept putting it down due to the slow-moving introduction to the characters and their evolving situation from childhood to older teens in the homey Tempests and Slaughter that earned that "4".
Pierce uses a deep third person point-of-view, restricting the narration to the perspective of Arram. It's supposed to make you feel the emotions of the character, about being so into the character that you feel with his body and think with his mind, but too much of it was tell. The only bits that wrang any emotion out of me were Faizy and Stiloit. As for Varice and Ozorne, we get a bare mention of their talents.
If Arram barely remembers his home country and considers Carthak his true home, how is it he remembers the different thoughts about slavery between the two? I'm not saying he's wrong in his thoughts, but Pierce can't have it both ways.
Everyone has their prejudices, and that includes tribal magic, which most sneer at as hedgewitchery, and wild magic, which is even less acceptable.
It is curious that everyone with whom Arram works adores him, making it too easy, although Pierce does ensure some negativity (and bullying) from some of his fellow students and guards.
It's a tumultuous time for Arram, what with his needing more and more advanced studies, his friendship with Varice and the prince, his encounters with the crocodile god, and the tasks set him due to his strong magical powers. It's also a time of learning that one doesn't judge a book by its cover, as Arram considers the good the emperor has done and the strength of the old and tiny Sebo. Then, of course, there's that snake Valor and his careful strategies...and Chioké. It'll be interesting to see where Pierce takes us in the next installment, The Exile's Gift.
The Story
Arram Draper is a boy on the path to becoming one of the realm's most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness — and for attracting danger. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the "leftover prince" with secret ambitions.
Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. And as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram's heart, Arram begins to realize that one day soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.
The Characters
Arram Draper is too inquisitive and advanced for his own good and is sent to Carthak's mage university. Papa, Yusuf Draper, is his merchant father always traveling to buy cloth for their shop in Tyra, a country that does not condone slavery. Metan Draper is his grandfather. Preet is the stolen sunbird Arram must tend.
Varice Kingsford is a cook's mage originally from Tusaine. Prince Ozorne Oasikhe, the "leftover prince" and a member of the Imperial family, with a talent for battle magic. Sergeant Okot will be the head of Ozorne's security team.
The Imperial University of Carthak includes...
...the School for Mages of which Cosmas Sunyat is the head who also teaches fire magic. Master Girisunika slowly teaches Essentials of Water Magic; Yadeen, who uses a tribal magic, will teach Arram how to juggle; Chioké (he's Ozorne's personal master) teaches battle magic and is also known as Master Ambition; Lindhall Reed instructs on animals and cares for the royal menageries; Sebo teaches water magic and believes in tribal magic; Dagani teaches illusions; Ramasu the Cloud-Handed is a healer; Hulak is the head gardener and a master in plants, medicines, and poisons who also believes in tribal magic; Master Muriq is a war mage and the house proctor; Urukut Ahilep teaches tribal magic; and, Faziy aHadi who teaches advanced charms are all Masters.
Nangla and Lyssy are Headmaster Cosmas' runners. Irafa is the floor housekeeper for Arram's new dorm room. Sheni is Arram's first girlfriend; Prisca becomes his next. Diop Beha and Laman Hamayd are Sirajit students placed with Ozorne and Arram. Baaro, one of Lindhall's helpers, has gone east to study herds; Nyoka is another helper who specializes in reptiles; Lindhall's assistant is off to Amar District. Sunstone is Lindhall's large land tortoise. Tristan Denane and Gissa Rachne are new students. Onestu is Ramasu's ragze, husband, and a glassmaker who looks after their children. Gerb is one of Ramasu's helpers. Okolo is a student in the infirmary. Daka is an injured farmer.
Master Bladwyn wrote a book. So did Farmer Cooper of Tortall, Strange Things in My Stew, which was written three hundred years ago.
Carthak
Princess Mahira Lymanis Tasikhe is Ozorne's mother and the widow of Prince Apodan Doroi Tasikhe. Prince Qesan is one of Ozorne's cousins, as is the emperor, Mesaraz Avevin Tasikhe. Prince Mikrom is first in line to the throne. Prince Stiloit is second in line for the throne and a very compassionate and caring man who loves the sea. Master Tajakai is the court mage. Captain Davrid is an insolent naval officer and a former lover of Nazaam's.
The Games and the arena
Musenda "Sarge" Ogunsanwo is a third-ranked gladiator, a slave, and a friend of Arram's. Ua is an elephant used in the games whose rider is Kipepeo. Valor is the imperial champion. Quomat; Gueda had been caught by enemies and sold, now she works with Tacuma, a trained tiger; Miggin; Kottrum has too great an interest in the stillroom; Yemro is his confederate; Anaconda; Shrike; and, Wild Dog are more gladiators. New Meat is the term for the new gladiators. Blaedroy is one of the soldiers. Daleric is one of the regular healers for the Games.
Master Najau is the head of the stonemasons' guild.
During the plague
Master Nazaam, the director of magic at the university's School of Medicine, is in charge, and Gieyat, a freed gladiator, is her lover. Viya is one of the medicine cooks. Hirusy. Atim is one of the children waiting, hoping, a parent will live. Binta is Musenda's niece.
The Lady of the South, a.k.a., the Graveyard Hag, is the patron goddess of Carthak. Mithros is the god of men, boys, and scholars and ruler of the gods. The Black God is the god of death and the arts of the mage. Enzi is the crocodile god who lives in the Zekoi River. He has two great-great-something-grandsons, one of whom is More Than a Little. Minoss is the judge of the gods. Shakith is the goddess of seers. Uusoae is the Queen of Chaos, a.k.a., the Dread Queen. Hekaja is the goddess of healing.
The Cover and Title
The cover is dark with its black background pierced by slashes of red. In the vertical center are three feathers, a soft blue atop a grayed lilac which is atop a glowing golden one, dripping a puddle of gold on the floor. At the very top in white is an info blurb followed by the author's name in the same blue of the topmost feather. Crossing the horizontal center of the cover is the title in an embossed, dripping gothic-style font in gold.
The title refers to the storms that attract Arram's attention and the negative attention of others, Tempests and Slaughter, as well as the horrors of the arena.
My Take
It took several days to read this, as I kept putting it down due to the slow-moving introduction to the characters and their evolving situation from childhood to older teens in the homey Tempests and Slaughter that earned that "4".
Pierce uses a deep third person point-of-view, restricting the narration to the perspective of Arram. It's supposed to make you feel the emotions of the character, about being so into the character that you feel with his body and think with his mind, but too much of it was tell. The only bits that wrang any emotion out of me were Faizy and Stiloit. As for Varice and Ozorne, we get a bare mention of their talents.
If Arram barely remembers his home country and considers Carthak his true home, how is it he remembers the different thoughts about slavery between the two? I'm not saying he's wrong in his thoughts, but Pierce can't have it both ways.
Everyone has their prejudices, and that includes tribal magic, which most sneer at as hedgewitchery, and wild magic, which is even less acceptable.
It is curious that everyone with whom Arram works adores him, making it too easy, although Pierce does ensure some negativity (and bullying) from some of his fellow students and guards.
It's a tumultuous time for Arram, what with his needing more and more advanced studies, his friendship with Varice and the prince, his encounters with the crocodile god, and the tasks set him due to his strong magical powers. It's also a time of learning that one doesn't judge a book by its cover, as Arram considers the good the emperor has done and the strength of the old and tiny Sebo. Then, of course, there's that snake Valor and his careful strategies...and Chioké. It'll be interesting to see where Pierce takes us in the next installment, The Exile's Gift.
The Story
Arram Draper is a boy on the path to becoming one of the realm's most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness — and for attracting danger. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the "leftover prince" with secret ambitions.
Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. And as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram's heart, Arram begins to realize that one day soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.
The Characters
Arram Draper is too inquisitive and advanced for his own good and is sent to Carthak's mage university. Papa, Yusuf Draper, is his merchant father always traveling to buy cloth for their shop in Tyra, a country that does not condone slavery. Metan Draper is his grandfather. Preet is the stolen sunbird Arram must tend.
Varice Kingsford is a cook's mage originally from Tusaine. Prince Ozorne Oasikhe, the "leftover prince" and a member of the Imperial family, with a talent for battle magic. Sergeant Okot will be the head of Ozorne's security team.
The Imperial University of Carthak includes...
...the School for Mages of which Cosmas Sunyat is the head who also teaches fire magic. Master Girisunika slowly teaches Essentials of Water Magic; Yadeen, who uses a tribal magic, will teach Arram how to juggle; Chioké (he's Ozorne's personal master) teaches battle magic and is also known as Master Ambition; Lindhall Reed instructs on animals and cares for the royal menageries; Sebo teaches water magic and believes in tribal magic; Dagani teaches illusions; Ramasu the Cloud-Handed is a healer; Hulak is the head gardener and a master in plants, medicines, and poisons who also believes in tribal magic; Master Muriq is a war mage and the house proctor; Urukut Ahilep teaches tribal magic; and, Faziy aHadi who teaches advanced charms are all Masters.
Nangla and Lyssy are Headmaster Cosmas' runners. Irafa is the floor housekeeper for Arram's new dorm room. Sheni is Arram's first girlfriend; Prisca becomes his next. Diop Beha and Laman Hamayd are Sirajit students placed with Ozorne and Arram. Baaro, one of Lindhall's helpers, has gone east to study herds; Nyoka is another helper who specializes in reptiles; Lindhall's assistant is off to Amar District. Sunstone is Lindhall's large land tortoise. Tristan Denane and Gissa Rachne are new students. Onestu is Ramasu's ragze, husband, and a glassmaker who looks after their children. Gerb is one of Ramasu's helpers. Okolo is a student in the infirmary. Daka is an injured farmer.
Master Bladwyn wrote a book. So did Farmer Cooper of Tortall, Strange Things in My Stew, which was written three hundred years ago.
Carthak
Princess Mahira Lymanis Tasikhe is Ozorne's mother and the widow of Prince Apodan Doroi Tasikhe. Prince Qesan is one of Ozorne's cousins, as is the emperor, Mesaraz Avevin Tasikhe. Prince Mikrom is first in line to the throne. Prince Stiloit is second in line for the throne and a very compassionate and caring man who loves the sea. Master Tajakai is the court mage. Captain Davrid is an insolent naval officer and a former lover of Nazaam's.
The Games and the arena
Musenda "Sarge" Ogunsanwo is a third-ranked gladiator, a slave, and a friend of Arram's. Ua is an elephant used in the games whose rider is Kipepeo. Valor is the imperial champion. Quomat; Gueda had been caught by enemies and sold, now she works with Tacuma, a trained tiger; Miggin; Kottrum has too great an interest in the stillroom; Yemro is his confederate; Anaconda; Shrike; and, Wild Dog are more gladiators. New Meat is the term for the new gladiators. Blaedroy is one of the soldiers. Daleric is one of the regular healers for the Games.
Master Najau is the head of the stonemasons' guild.
During the plague
Master Nazaam, the director of magic at the university's School of Medicine, is in charge, and Gieyat, a freed gladiator, is her lover. Viya is one of the medicine cooks. Hirusy. Atim is one of the children waiting, hoping, a parent will live. Binta is Musenda's niece.
The Lady of the South, a.k.a., the Graveyard Hag, is the patron goddess of Carthak. Mithros is the god of men, boys, and scholars and ruler of the gods. The Black God is the god of death and the arts of the mage. Enzi is the crocodile god who lives in the Zekoi River. He has two great-great-something-grandsons, one of whom is More Than a Little. Minoss is the judge of the gods. Shakith is the goddess of seers. Uusoae is the Queen of Chaos, a.k.a., the Dread Queen. Hekaja is the goddess of healing.
The Cover and Title
The cover is dark with its black background pierced by slashes of red. In the vertical center are three feathers, a soft blue atop a grayed lilac which is atop a glowing golden one, dripping a puddle of gold on the floor. At the very top in white is an info blurb followed by the author's name in the same blue of the topmost feather. Crossing the horizontal center of the cover is the title in an embossed, dripping gothic-style font in gold.
The title refers to the storms that attract Arram's attention and the negative attention of others, Tempests and Slaughter, as well as the horrors of the arena.
kivt's review against another edition
3.0
this was okay, but pretty much just "okay." it was made for me, the person who will read any book about magic kids at magic boarding school. i wasn't very excited about any of the characters. it's painfully obvious that arram and ozorne are headed for a collision course over slavery and ozorne's capacity for paranoia & cruelty. i will absolutely read the next book but i won't wait with any special excitement.
carlyxdeexx's review against another edition
3.0
I would like to fully acknowledge that Tamora Pierce’s Immortals series was the cornerstone of my childhood reading. I saw myself in Daine and had (have?) a powerful crush on Numair, so in summary, this book was written for readers like me.
What I mean by that is, if you’d never read any Immortals books, I’m not sure how interested you’d feel reading this one. I couldn’t put it down as I was deeply interested in knowing more about Arram’s young life and his childhood friendships with Ozorne and Varice. For an outsider, these details might seem unmoored and a bit dull? There are small points of conflict throughout the story, but they are tidily resolved each time with the sense that there could be some kind of overarching connection between them, but no real indication or acknowledgment that there is? There’s no arching issue that ends up resolved by the end, except perhaps a romance that finally begins to blossom? But it only just starts and the story is over, and you’re left wondering, hmmm, what the heck is going on, as if the whole book has been a prologue and not a book in and of itself.
Despite this, I enjoyed the ride, because I love these characters and hearing details about their young lives, and the writing is still solid. I would’ve loved a bit more development for Varice. There were lots of sweet and not-so-sweet moments with Ozorne.
Much of what I think the book lacks would likely be made up for if there is indeed at least one sequel on the horizon. There is a subtitle that indicates this book is to be part of a series—I’m just always skeptical of a series until all its parts are present and accounted for (cough cough GoT). For sure, this book doesn’t stand up super well on its own—it ends as if the story is just beginning. Even so, I know myself and readers like me, and this book is a great read for us, and a bit of a tease, ‘cause now I could not be more ready for book two!
So, I would give this 4 stars, because personally, for me, it was a 4-star book. But if you’re new to these characters and this world, it’s definitely more of a 3-star book, hence my change in rating.
What I mean by that is, if you’d never read any Immortals books, I’m not sure how interested you’d feel reading this one. I couldn’t put it down as I was deeply interested in knowing more about Arram’s young life and his childhood friendships with Ozorne and Varice. For an outsider, these details might seem unmoored and a bit dull? There are small points of conflict throughout the story, but they are tidily resolved each time with the sense that there could be some kind of overarching connection between them, but no real indication or acknowledgment that there is? There’s no arching issue that ends up resolved by the end, except perhaps a romance that finally begins to blossom? But it only just starts and the story is over, and you’re left wondering, hmmm, what the heck is going on, as if the whole book has been a prologue and not a book in and of itself.
Despite this, I enjoyed the ride, because I love these characters and hearing details about their young lives, and the writing is still solid. I would’ve loved a bit more development for Varice. There were lots of sweet and not-so-sweet moments with Ozorne.
Much of what I think the book lacks would likely be made up for if there is indeed at least one sequel on the horizon. There is a subtitle that indicates this book is to be part of a series—I’m just always skeptical of a series until all its parts are present and accounted for (cough cough GoT). For sure, this book doesn’t stand up super well on its own—it ends as if the story is just beginning. Even so, I know myself and readers like me, and this book is a great read for us, and a bit of a tease, ‘cause now I could not be more ready for book two!
So, I would give this 4 stars, because personally, for me, it was a 4-star book. But if you’re new to these characters and this world, it’s definitely more of a 3-star book, hence my change in rating.
catevillain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lydv33's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
iowagirl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ethias's review against another edition
2.0
The book was somewhat enjoyable. I wanted to like it more than I did since I love some other books by Tamora Pierce My main complaint is pacing and lack of conflict/stakes. A lot of the conflict was smaller and pretty easily resolved, which did dampen my enjoyment and make it difficult to get through. Had a hard time getting into the book and was often bored, ended up having to get an audio book instead and listened on 2.5X speed to avoid being bored. The ending didn’t feel like much of an ending it almost felt like it ended in the middle of a thought. I loved Arram in the other books so it kind of sucks to not enjoy a series all about him but it was honestly just kind of boring.
midici's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first new Tortall book I've read in years and I was swept back up into it instantly. Numair was always one of my favourite characters in the Immortals quartet. As Daine's teacher he was patient, knowledgeable, competent, and easy-going. As a mage he was devastatingly powerful. He was a man with an immense Gift and a dark past. While hints of it are revealed throughout the series, especially in Book 3, this trilogy is Numair's alone and focuses on his childhood in Carthak.
I have to say I really enjoy young Numair. His personality traits as an adult - his curiosity, his love of reading, his fascination with animals - are all there. It was so easy to imagining him getting into ridiculous trouble and I was happy to see him fall into a lot of it. There are a lot of characters in this first book; some familiar, some not, some very fleshed out and others less so. Varice is pretty, friendly, clever, and vastly underestimated due to her talents in cooking magic. Ozorne is a prince, one used to wealth and privilege, who is greatly interested in his own studies and enjoys animals as much as Numair. He is also prejudiced, with a quick temper and a habit of holding grudges.
I found it interesting that even as the three friends grow closer, there are cracks in their bonds immediately. Numair's power takes him to places his friends can't go: he consorts with animal gods, looks after sunbirds, plays with lightening snakes, and learns of a potential conspiracy surrounding the last heir's death. He is at heart a very compassionate character. He hates the slavery in Carthak, the useless slaughter of the gladiator rings, and unlike other mage students he doesn't think helping the poor is beneath him.
Varice and Ozorne are both more comfortable with the slavery in Carthak, not really considering the impact it has on people, as they don't consider slaves people. Varice has ambitions; she uses her charisma and charm to make friends in high places, and keep Ozorne happy. Ozorne can be cruel and likes to be the best at everything; he also has bouts of mood swings and instability that seem related to his father's death at the hand of rebels.
The three of them bring out the best in each other, but it is also shown that they aren't always honest with each other, and they have some fundamentally different beliefs. It's a little hard reading about how close they are as children since we know where this story ends, but I'm no less interested in seeing the rest.
Since we've seen Sarge I'm very curious to see how he goes from the gladiator ring to Tortall. We also see Lindhall Reed, Chioke, Tristan, and Gissa, all of whom make an appearance in the quartet.
I have to say I really enjoy young Numair. His personality traits as an adult - his curiosity, his love of reading, his fascination with animals - are all there. It was so easy to imagining him getting into ridiculous trouble and I was happy to see him fall into a lot of it. There are a lot of characters in this first book; some familiar, some not, some very fleshed out and others less so. Varice is pretty, friendly, clever, and vastly underestimated due to her talents in cooking magic. Ozorne is a prince, one used to wealth and privilege, who is greatly interested in his own studies and enjoys animals as much as Numair. He is also prejudiced, with a quick temper and a habit of holding grudges.
I found it interesting that even as the three friends grow closer, there are cracks in their bonds immediately. Numair's power takes him to places his friends can't go: he consorts with animal gods, looks after sunbirds, plays with lightening snakes, and learns of a potential conspiracy surrounding the last heir's death. He is at heart a very compassionate character. He hates the slavery in Carthak, the useless slaughter of the gladiator rings, and unlike other mage students he doesn't think helping the poor is beneath him.
Varice and Ozorne are both more comfortable with the slavery in Carthak, not really considering the impact it has on people, as they don't consider slaves people. Varice has ambitions; she uses her charisma and charm to make friends in high places, and keep Ozorne happy. Ozorne can be cruel and likes to be the best at everything; he also has bouts of mood swings and instability that seem related to his father's death at the hand of rebels.
The three of them bring out the best in each other, but it is also shown that they aren't always honest with each other, and they have some fundamentally different beliefs. It's a little hard reading about how close they are as children since we know where this story ends, but I'm no less interested in seeing the rest.
Since we've seen Sarge I'm very curious to see how he goes from the gladiator ring to Tortall. We also see Lindhall Reed, Chioke, Tristan, and Gissa, all of whom make an appearance in the quartet.
carolynthelibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sanne6je's review against another edition
4.0
It was kinda slow going since I hadn't read any of Tamora's books, but the character development was cool to see.