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:	9780545415279
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	09/01/2011
Series:	Circle Opens Series , #1
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	154,031
Lexile:	760L (what's this?)
File size:	2 MB
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.

Editorial Reviews

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

Tamora Pierce has written another fantastic tale that takes place in the magical world of Emelan. Courtney Seymour’s ethereal voice is perfect for Sandry, a 14-year-old mage whose magical power involves sewing and weaving. Andrew Hughes gives a boyish, mischievous portrayal of 12-year-old Pasco, a reluctant dancing mage who is Sandry’s new student. Nearly every character’s voice is perfect as Sandry and Pasco deal with murderers and dangerous “unmagic” to save Emelan. Pierce’s magic as an author doesn’t extend to her vocal style as a narrator. Her slow, over-enunciated reading is so detached that it’s easy to let the mind wander. But the rest of the full cast enchants, bringing out the excitement of the story. M.M.G. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2011 - AudioFile