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thaliareads 's review for:
Emperor Mage
by Tamora Pierce
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a re-read for me. I really enjoy this book in the series because it is where Daine really starts to realize that the world and its people aren't so black and white. The Stormwings have their reasons for their actions, the Carthaki emperor may be a bad man but he cares deeply for his birds, and the Young Prince may have been raised with ideals that Daine doesn't understand but he cares deeply for his people.
This book is the one in the series where Daine's actual age begins to bother me. As she starts to contemplate romance, those around her are noticeably her elder.
This book is the one in the series where Daine's actual age begins to bother me. As she starts to contemplate romance, those around her are noticeably her elder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Slavery, Violence, War
Moderate: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
The Carthaki do still have slavery, but it has been outlawed in most other places.
Daine starts to become jealous of Numair's attachments to old flames, and he begins to behave similarly. While there is no clear romance between the two occurring in this book it is the start. At this point Daine is probably around 15 and Numair is somewhere in his mid 20s early 30s I'd guess. While the feelings are returned it's still weird that she's so young.