E-book
Briar's Book
Record details
- ISBN: 9780545405935 (electronic bk.)
- ISBN: 0545405939 (electronic bk.)
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Physical Description:
electronic resource
remote
1 online resource (272 p.) - Publisher: Scholastic, 2013.
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| Subject: | JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy & Magic Magic -- Juvenile fiction Friendship -- Juvenile fiction |
| Genre: | Electronic books. |
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Electronic resources
- Booklist Reviews : Booklist Monthly Selections - #2 February 1999
Gr. 6^-9. The good news is that Pierce is planning a new fantasy cycle featuring "some of the familiar characters from the Circle of Magic quartet." The bad news is that readers who have eagerly awaited each of the four young mages' stories will be even more reluctant to say good-bye to the well-conceived characters after reading Briar's tale. Pierce raises the danger and pace of action to fever pitch here, literally and figuratively, as Briar, the fiesty former street urchin and convicted thief, and his equally prickly teacher, Rosethorn, search for the cause of a deadly plague sweeping through Summersea. Magic and science merge as Daja, Tris, Sandry, and Briar artfully combine their talents in ways that continue to astound their mentors. No one is prepared for the power of the response when Briar willingly plunges to the brink of death to save Rosethorn. An entirely satisfying, carefully crafted fantasy. ((Reviewed February 15, 1999)) Copyright 2000 Booklist Reviews - School Library Journal Reviews : SLJ Reviews 1999 March
Gr 5-8-In this final book in the quartet, the focus is on Briar, one of the four talented mages-in-training who live and study at Winding Circle Temple. During a visit to a neighboring town, Briar learns that his friend, a young "street rat" named Flick, has come down with a strange illness. Soon, others are stricken with the disease and Briar and his teacher Rosethorn end up in quarantine, using magic and medicine to nurse the increasing numbers of plague victims. Meanwhile, Briar's friends Sandry, Tris, and Daja do their part at Winding Circle, each using her own brand of magic to help end the epidemic. At the height of the crisis, Rosethorn becomes desperately ill, and the young mages must use their powers to follow her past death's doorstep. Fans of the previous titles will be satisfied with this installment. Briar is an intriguing and likable fellow, and this book brings out some of his conflicting feelings about the contrast between his thieving street-rat past and his current privileged position. This fast-paced, imaginative fantasy could be read and enjoyed on its own, but it works better as part of the quartet, which covers the span of a year and begins with Sandry's Book (Scholastic, 1997).-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright 1999 School Library Journal Reviews - Voice of Youth Advocates Reviews : VOYA Reviews 1999 June
It has been almost a year since Briar, Tris, Sandry, and Daja came to live at Winding Circle Temple. In that time they have learned a great deal about themselves and the magic they all hold. By combining their talents, the four have overcomeearthquakes, raiders, and forest fire. In this fourth and final volume in the Circle of Magic series, it is Briar's turn to feature as the main protagonist as he and his friends face yet another even more threatening foe: plague.Even the most powerful healers in the kingdom have never seen this plague before. Briar and his guardian, Rosethorn, are enlisted to help in distilling the essence of the pox from hundreds of patient samples in hopes of finding an antidote. Eventhough utmost care is taken, Rosethorn is accidentally exposed to the pox. When she comes down with the plague, everyone, especially Briar, is devastated. Rosethorn has been the anchor in Briar's life ever since he came to Winding Circle. When shesuccumbs to the disease, Briar is determined to bring her back. Magically, he anchors his essence in the world of the living and crosses over into the world of the dead. Without Tris, Sandry, and Daja to hold onto him, Briar would also be lost, butwith their help he is ultimately able to find Rosethorn and convince her to return.Pierce continues to put forth excellent work. Her detailed settings are fascinating, and her knack for establishing powerful relationships between her characters is unrivaled. A book about the intricacies of a plague has the potential to be tedious,but that never happens here. Readers will be drawn in from the very first, in this satisfying ending to an excellent series.-Susan Dunn. Copyright 1999 Voya Reviews
