Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #189716 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780545052641
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up—The council of mages, The Winding Circle, has received a request from the Battle Islands for assistance. Their plants are dying and their rivers are turning to acid, and the situation is getting worse. The Circle sends two mages, along with a student who has gotten herself into a bit of trouble. Evvy has a choice—either go on the mission or be confined to Discipline Cottage. Her mentor is one of the mages, so she chooses to accompany them. When they arrive at the island, they discover that Evvy might be useful after all. What follows is a riveting story that has many inventive and exciting plot twists and turns. The story was originally created as an audio book, with actors helping the author develop the characters as they recorded. It was a fabulous idea, and the story features excellent character development because of it. Evvy has depth, and readers get hints as to her motivations and desires. The whole book, the first in a series, is an amazing ride.—Jennifer-Lynn Draper, Children's Literature Consultant, Oshawa, Ontario
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About the Author
TAMORA PIERCE is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous fantasy novels for young people, including the acclaimed Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens quartets, and most recently the novel Melting Stones. She lives in New York State with her husband, Tim.

From AudioFile
This audiobook original, released well before the print version, will please the authors legions of fans. The new Circle of Magic fantasy features Grace Kelly as Evvy, an apprentice stone mage. She is able to suspend her physical self and explore the depths of the earth, sensing and, at times, influencing the course of nature. With her mentor, Rosethorn, and the powerful Luvo, she is challenged to solve the mysterious withering of an island whose plants and waters are dying. While the production has some over-the-top sound effects, Kelly delivers a strong performance, and the Full Cast voices align well with their characters. Listeners will especially enjoy the authors participation. L.D.H. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

Something old, something new
I have been a great fan of Tamora Pierce over the last ten years or so. Her worlds are rich and vibrant, her characters fun and human. The novels themselves tend to flow rapidly and evenly, making them very good reads.

This is the first audio-book of hers I have 'read' - or listened to. I would have gone for the book, if it had been out, but having listened to it I am actually pleased she brought out the audio book first. It took a few minutes to get into it but her characteristic humour, very dry, and interactions between characters soon came out. The book itself is from the point of view of Evvy, and the actress who plays her voice is very good. Just the right amount of emotion into the speech.

The story is typical Tamora. While it might be slightly predictable, and the plot not overly complex, it is an exciting 'read' with a lot of humour. Somehow Tamora introduces moral character development without being preachy, so you can empathise with the main character without being put off.

Of course for a true fan the book explains Luvo, and hints far more about what happeneded to briar, Rosethorn and Evvy on their trip. The relationship to the unpublished story, and to other books is well done although it may be lost to a new reader. The book is more aimed at existing fans, but there is still plenty for the new reader.

Great production, but the story dissapoints
As a fan of Tamora Pierce and Full Cast Audio, I was eagerly anticipating this audiobook. However, it fell far short of my expectations.

The plot was very predictable. An attentive listener could discern the problem and the way it would be solved very early in the book, and there were no twists or turns along the way. More dissapointing than that, however, was the lack of original characters. Tamora Pierce's novels are usually so enjoyable because her characters and distinctive and vibrant. However, the main character, Evvy, is a young mage who grew up on the streets and has trouble trusting people. These two character themes are ones that Pierce has explored more than once already. Of the other characters, the only one that really captures the imagination is Luvo, who is a living rock.

Worse yet, the entire novel left me with a niggling feeling that it was all an allegory about war and self-destructive violence. Many of the characters assumed a preaching tone at times, as if the listener should pay attention to these life lessons. I was looking for a wonderful story, not trite moralizing.

However, Full Cast Audio reads the story with gusto. The voices are wonderful, and the performance makes up somewhat for the lackluster writing.

As a huge Pierce fan...
I was not at all impressed with "Melting Stones". Tamora Pierce has been one of my favorite authors for a few years now and I'll say that "Melting Stones" doesn't live up to her previous novels. The Circle of Magic quartet was quite good and exciting but this novel can be slow.

It took me some time to actually get through the beginning because I was so used to Ms. Pierce's fast paced reads. Usually with her books I'm done with the book in no time flat.

I will admit that maybe I just didn't like "Melting Stones" because Pierce's "magic" books have never been my favorite. I've always been the biggest fan of her knight books filled with action. So perhaps my opinion shouldn't be counted but either way I was not satified with this read.

Evvy is continuing her journey as a stone mage with her teacher, Rosethorn (a plant mage). Her troublesome behavior at Winding Circle (a place for mages) sends her on an adventure overseas and to an island where plants are mysteriously dying for no seen reason. It's up to them to find out what happened and save all they can.