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The Circle Opens #1-4
The Circle Opens Set 1-4
The Circle Opens - 4 hardcover volumes Magic Steps, Street Magic, Cold Fire, Shatterglass
Hardcover
Published October 1, 2009
4 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
Tamora Pierce
99 books85.2k followersHey, folks! I just discovered that apparently I have given some very popular books single-star ratings--except I haven't. How do I know I haven't? Because I haven't read those books at all. So before you go getting all hacked off at me for trashing your favorites, know that I've written GoodReads to find out what's going on.
I return to my regularly scheduled profile:
Though I would love to join groups, I'm going to turn them all down. I just don't have the time to take part, so please don't be offended if I don't join your group or accept an invitation. I'm not snooty--I'm just up to my eyeballs in work and appearances!
Also, don't be alarmed by the number of books I've read. When I get bored, I go through the different lists and rediscover books I've read in the past. It's a very evil way to use up time when I should be doing other things. Obviously, I've read a lot of books in 54 years!
I was born in South Connellsville, PA. My mother wanted to name me "Tamara" but the nurse who filled out my birth certificate misspelled it as "Tamora". When I was 8 my family moved to California, where we lived for 6 years on both sides of the San Francisco peninsula.
I started writing stories in 6th grade. My interest in fantasy and science fiction began when I was introduced to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien and so I started to write the kind of books that I was reading. After my parents divorced, my mother took my sisters and me back to Pennsylvania in 1969. There I went to Albert Gallatin Senior High for 2 years and Uniontown Area Senior High School for my senior year.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I wrote the book that became The Song of the Lioness fantasy quartet. I sold some articles and 2 short stories and wrote reviews for a martial arts movie magazine. At last the first book of the quartet, Alanna: The First Adventure was published by Atheneum Books in 1983.
Tim Liebe, who became my Spouse-Creature, and I lived in New York City with assorted cats and two parakeets from 1982 - 2006. In 2006 we moved to Syracuse, New York, where we live now with assorted cats, a number of squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and woodchucks visiting our very small yard. As of 2011, I have 27 novels in print, one short story collection, one comic book arc ("White Tiger: A Hero's Compulsion") co-written with Tim, and a short story anthology co-editing credit. There's more to come, including a companion book to the Tortall `verse. So stay tuned!
I return to my regularly scheduled profile:
Though I would love to join groups, I'm going to turn them all down. I just don't have the time to take part, so please don't be offended if I don't join your group or accept an invitation. I'm not snooty--I'm just up to my eyeballs in work and appearances!
Also, don't be alarmed by the number of books I've read. When I get bored, I go through the different lists and rediscover books I've read in the past. It's a very evil way to use up time when I should be doing other things. Obviously, I've read a lot of books in 54 years!
I was born in South Connellsville, PA. My mother wanted to name me "Tamara" but the nurse who filled out my birth certificate misspelled it as "Tamora". When I was 8 my family moved to California, where we lived for 6 years on both sides of the San Francisco peninsula.
I started writing stories in 6th grade. My interest in fantasy and science fiction began when I was introduced to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien and so I started to write the kind of books that I was reading. After my parents divorced, my mother took my sisters and me back to Pennsylvania in 1969. There I went to Albert Gallatin Senior High for 2 years and Uniontown Area Senior High School for my senior year.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I wrote the book that became The Song of the Lioness fantasy quartet. I sold some articles and 2 short stories and wrote reviews for a martial arts movie magazine. At last the first book of the quartet, Alanna: The First Adventure was published by Atheneum Books in 1983.
Tim Liebe, who became my Spouse-Creature, and I lived in New York City with assorted cats and two parakeets from 1982 - 2006. In 2006 we moved to Syracuse, New York, where we live now with assorted cats, a number of squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and woodchucks visiting our very small yard. As of 2011, I have 27 novels in print, one short story collection, one comic book arc ("White Tiger: A Hero's Compulsion") co-written with Tim, and a short story anthology co-editing credit. There's more to come, including a companion book to the Tortall `verse. So stay tuned!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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February 28, 2012This is on the younger side of YA, more children's books. These were not as good as the original magic circle books in my opinion.
September 27, 2021
I should stress that I read these books first as a kid, and thus, my opinions are hugely shaped by my child-self. To that extent, I hated that this quartet split up the circle! Them finding peace and family meant so much to me, and I saw my own future journey as one that would leave to seek that peace and hang onto it...not ditch that peace for... what? Independence? Adventure? They were all still growing existentially, y'all, they did not have to split up. And don't get me started on what separating clearly did to them and the book(s) that shall not be named the Circle Reforged etc. . So...yeah. These books still fall along the same favored lines as the earlier with minor swaps - Briar, Daja, Sandry, Tris. But I also lowkey resented every one of them. Also, I don't know if it was because I was so caught up in being mad they had all split that it wasn't very impactful or if it wasn't done well (legit do not remember), but it's a footnote in my memory that Daja was queer. Given my own queer angst at this age, as an adult looking back I'm surprised this didn't stick out more? It's kind of a hanging question mark, actually.
Tl;dr, these are good...but if the found family vibes was what you were here for with the Circle of Magic, these may be a little soulcrushing.
Tl;dr, these are good...but if the found family vibes was what you were here for with the Circle of Magic, these may be a little soulcrushing.
March 26, 2025
Anything by Tamora Pierce is going to be amazing. I absolutely love how detailed and how much knowledge and research she does for each of the trades she writes about. And the story telling is *chefs kiss* I recommend her books to anyone looking for a great story and these do not disappoint!!
December 28, 2019
Although this series is not as good as the original, it isn't total garbage.
April 12, 2015
I love Tamora Pierce's books. Every book has strong female heroines which is why I bought the full set for my niece, who loves them too. I strongly suggest this and all her other books to fantasy loving females young and old!!
June 14, 2014
I have reread these books many times. I love them, even of they are a little younger than what YA would normally be.
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April 22, 2015WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR COMFORT BOOKS?
September 5, 2016
Tamora Pierce is such a talented writer. Her mind is amazing! How she comes up with her characters is mind blowing.
March 9, 2016
The mages are older in these books, working independently of each other. Their adventures are grimmer, but still magnificent.
December 21, 2022
Read this with my 7 year old -- great way to introduce to Tamora Pierce ... And maybe pick up a hobby! It inspired us to get some embroidery kits ❤️
August 30, 2011
See my review of The Circle of Magic series.
March 25, 2016
Couldnt put down!!!!!!!!!
May 16, 2019
Tamora Pierce was in town last night doing a book signing and sadly, I was not able to go. She has written some great books and I have read them again and again. I'm talking about the Circle of Magic and Circle Opens quartets. These books are about four kids who just happen to have astonishing magical powers related to crafting and the world around them. Sandry's talent is with thread, Briar's is with plants, Daja works with metal, and Tris is a weather witch. The four of them have come by these talents naturally, unlike most mages, who must study magic from an academic angle, but it also means that they are working with magic without having learned discipline first. In the first book, the four of them combine powers using a circle of thread Sandry has created, and of course there are unexpected consequences. The characters are likeable, and it's enjoyable to see them learn and grow. There's plenty of suspense and humor, which makes the Circle of Magic books good for upper elementary and middle school students.
The Circle Opens quartet starts with the four students each headed in different directions with their teachers. Each child encounters another untrained "ambient" mage and must become that person's teacher. The books all have a murder mystery at their heart, and the descriptions of violence and gore become much more graphic. Sandry's story, "Magic Steps" is the weakest story, although it does contain some original ideas. Briar's story really explores his origins as a "street rat" and thief, and you and he both come to see how much he has changed without even noticing. Daja's story, "Cold Fire" is told in part from the point of view of an arsonist. You'll figure out the mystery there well before Daja does, but the plot moves along and the writing is great. Her students are pretty peripheral to the story, but you do get a great picture of the culture and society and there are some incredibly dramatic events. Tris' story, "Shatterglass" shows us a much wiser and more knowledgeable girl. Her student's accidental magic is central to solving the mystery, and the mystery itself is a product of the religion and culture of the city she is visiting. All four books make a vivid commentary on social class and family relationships, but I haven't read them again and again because of any political message. Both quartets are quick reads (the first books are quicker reads and the characters are not as developed as they are in the second set) and a great escape. When I wake up with insomnia in the middle of the night, I reach for Sandry, Briar, Daja and Tris to entertain me and make me forget my worries, for at least a little while.
The Circle Opens quartet starts with the four students each headed in different directions with their teachers. Each child encounters another untrained "ambient" mage and must become that person's teacher. The books all have a murder mystery at their heart, and the descriptions of violence and gore become much more graphic. Sandry's story, "Magic Steps" is the weakest story, although it does contain some original ideas. Briar's story really explores his origins as a "street rat" and thief, and you and he both come to see how much he has changed without even noticing. Daja's story, "Cold Fire" is told in part from the point of view of an arsonist. You'll figure out the mystery there well before Daja does, but the plot moves along and the writing is great. Her students are pretty peripheral to the story, but you do get a great picture of the culture and society and there are some incredibly dramatic events. Tris' story, "Shatterglass" shows us a much wiser and more knowledgeable girl. Her student's accidental magic is central to solving the mystery, and the mystery itself is a product of the religion and culture of the city she is visiting. All four books make a vivid commentary on social class and family relationships, but I haven't read them again and again because of any political message. Both quartets are quick reads (the first books are quicker reads and the characters are not as developed as they are in the second set) and a great escape. When I wake up with insomnia in the middle of the night, I reach for Sandry, Briar, Daja and Tris to entertain me and make me forget my worries, for at least a little while.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews