It was a YA fantasy that was written in a truly unique and captivating way, much like a fable for children, and that's definitely a good thing. The story was filled with actions that were absolutely stunning. The author managed to create a world that was both magical and enchanting, yet also had a sense of simplicity and charm that made it accessible to readers of all ages. The characters were well-developed and the plot was engaging, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end. Overall, it was a wonderful read that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves YA fantasy or fables.

My heartfelt thanks go out to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of this book.

Emperor Mage is the third installment of Tamora Pierce’s Immortals Quartet. The story commences as Daine, Numair, Alanna, and other nobles arrive in Carthak by ship. The older group, including Numair who has received a pardon from his sworn enemy, Emperor Orzone of Carthak, and the eponymous Emperor Mage, have come for peace talks. Meanwhile, Daine has been dispatched to cure Orzone’s birds, as he is a passionate bird lover and his avian companions are afflicted with a mysterious illness. Once they reach Carthak, they are greeted with great fanfare, elaborate entertainments, and sumptuous feasts. However, all is not as it seems. The peace talks do not progress as planned, and the Badger god warns Daine that the gods are displeased with Orzone and that something calamitous awaits Carthak. Upon arrival, several ill omens are observed. Nevertheless, Daine is determined to stay and assist the birds. She befriends Orzone’s heir, Kaddar, who proves to be very different from her initial expectations. They also encounter Numair’s old teacher and friend, Lindhall Reed. Daine begins to uncover new and unexpected aspects of her powers, which yield some fascinating results. She also utilizes the shape-shifting abilities she acquired in the previous installment. Moreover, the patron goddess of Carthak appears to have designs on her. Additionally, Daine gains insights or at least hints about the secrets of her own past.

This installment was once again a thoroughly enjoyable read, distinct from the previous one. Carthak is a place of great wealth, where ceremony and ostentation are highly valued. I relished reading the descriptions of everything, especially the costumes of the King, Kaddar, and the nobles, as well as the feasts. However, one would not actually desire to partake of the food served. In addition to animals, this book features dinosaur fossils, with which Daine has some thrilling adventures. Naturally, it was Daine’s connection with live animals that remained my favorite element of the story. The adventure elements were also engaging, with Daine once again having to enlist the aid of her friends to overcome the enemy. The final part of the book, where they must take action and Daine’s temper gets the better of her, was truly exciting to witness. As she discovered in the previous book, even the immortals she regarded as evil are not entirely so; in fact, she might even find a friend among them, a concept that could hold true in the real world. Another aspect of our current world (or any world at any time) that is present in the book, despite its fantastical nature, is the deception and betrayal that often occur among individuals and even within groups. Of course, there is also the theme of people allowing power to corrupt them and the inevitable consequences. This was yet another entry in the series that I thoroughly enjoyed, although thus far, I believe the second book remains my favorite. Given how this book concluded, I am left wondering what direction the next (and final) book in the series will take. Four and a half stars.

This review also appears on my blog: https://potpourri2015.wordpress.com/2...

Let me sum this book up.

“I lost my temper.” This simple sentence holds a world of meaning within it. It shows a moment of intense emotion, a break in the usually composed facade.

Daine, on the other hand, is one hell of a badass. She is a character full of strength and courage, unafraid to face any challenge that comes her way. Her actions and words throughout the book leave a lasting impression, making her a memorable and beloved character.

Together, these elements create a story that is both engaging and exciting, filled with drama, action, and a touch of mystery. It is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

Zombie dinosaurs, inappropriate love triangles, shapeshifting, angry Gods, morally complex characters. These elements are truly captivating and add a touch of mystery and excitement to any story.

Zombie dinosaurs bring a sense of horror and the unknown, as they rise from the dead to wreak havoc. The inappropriate love triangles add a layer of drama and conflict, making the characters' relationships more complex and engaging.

Shapeshifting allows for unique and unexpected plot twists, as characters can change their forms and identities. Angry Gods add a supernatural element and a sense of power and danger, as they intervene in the lives of mortals.

Finally, the morally complex characters make the story more thought-provoking, as they struggle with their own desires, beliefs, and actions. Overall, these elements combine to create a truly unforgettable and engaging story.

I absolutely loved this one! It was truly an amazing experience.

From the moment I started, I was completely engaged and couldn't put it down.

The details were so vivid and the story line was captivating.

It had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

I can't wait to write a full review and share my thoughts with others.

This is definitely a must-read and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great book or product.

I'm sure they will love it just as much as I did.

Overall, it was a wonderful find and I'm so glad I came across it.

I'm already looking forward to reading more from the same author or trying out other products in the same line.

Daine is dispatched to Carthak with the task of aiding the Emperor's ailing birds. However, upon her arrival, she finds herself right in the midst of a chaotic situation brought about by the gods.

On a recent reread, I have decided to rate this book four stars. The Wild Magic series has never been my absolute favorite among Tamora Pierce's works. That honor goes to the Alanna series, with the Kel books coming in a close second. Nevertheless, I have grown to have a greater appreciation for Daine. The challenges she faces are quite captivating. For instance, since she can communicate with birds, they often perch on her, but this also means that her clothes get soiled by their droppings. I especially adored Zek, the pygmy marmoset that Daine courageously jumped into crocodile-infested waters to rescue.

In October 2023, after rereading this book, I found myself enjoying it even more after having read "Tempests and Slaughter", which delves into Numair's days at the magic school. In this particular book, he makes a return visit to that country. I wasn't overly fond of the portrayal of Varice in this story, but I suspect that the author will provide an explanation for her transformation in the sequels to "Tempest", which I'm eagerly anticipating.

This was my absolute favourite of the series while growing up.

On one hand, part of that was simply because Carthak felt so much fun, cool, and exotic, much in the same way that Calormene did in the Narnia books (seriously, paging Edward Said).

However, it's also a very well-written and compelling book! There's an abundance of planting and payoff. For instance, the mages who shift into immortals get stuck in that state; the simulacrum in Lindhall's office; and the dinosaurs. The descriptions are truly evocative.

"Daine Loses Her Temper" remains the greatest chapter in YA novel history. I devoured this book in just three hours.

This is the book where you can clearly see that Tammy is definitely committed to the Daine/Numair endgame. Some of it is charming, like them taking turns silently seething with jealousy about each other's romantic interests.

However, some aspects are less so. Tammy, I don't judge for the age gap, but please don't call attention to it by having Numair comment that Daine's growing into a beautiful young lady. That's crossing the line into creepy territory.

Poor Varice, she really got kind of a raw deal. I want to cosplay Daine's outfit from the cover illustration so badly, I can almost taste it.

We don't see Lord Gareth again after the palace destruction, but I imagine he's somewhere slowly massaging his forehead.

PUBLISHERS BLURB

Sent to Carthak as part of the Tortallan peace delegation, Daine finds herself in a rather sticky political situation. She is deeply averse to the Carthaki practice of keeping slaves, yet she knows it's not her place to voice her opinions. After all, she's only there to heal the emperor's birds. It's extremely frustrating for her. What's more, her power has grown in a mysterious way.

As the peace talks stall, Daine puzzles over Carthak's two-faced Emperor Ozorne. How can he be so caring and gentle with his birds, yet so cruel and heartless to his people? Daine is certain that he's up to something. She musters up the courage to fight the powerful Emperor Mage, fully aware that the safety and peace of the realm hinge on stopping Ozorne's power-hungry schemes.

MY REVIEW

This is Book 3 in Tamora Pierce’s Immortals Quartet and was originally published in.

Daine, Numair, and Alanna arrive at Carthak in their ship for peace talks with the Emperor. Meanwhile, Daine has been specifically sent to heal his beloved birds, which she suspects may have been poisoned. So, there is a great deal of intrigue among the Carthaki.

The Badger god has once again issued a warning to Daine that something unpleasant is going to befall Carthak as the gods are displeased with Orzone.

Daine’s power is steadily growing, leading to some interesting outcomes. Additionally, she delves deeper into her background and uncovers some of its long-hidden secrets.

I truly relished this new chapter in the quartet. However, it had a rather different feel compared to the previous books. There is a significant increase in politics, pomp, and ceremony. Nevertheless, there is still an abundance of adventure for Daine. The dinosaur episodes were particularly unique and captivating! I sense that there is still a great deal more in store for Daine and the troupe, and I'm eagerly looking forward to the next installment in the series.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Reviewed by Candace Cunard for TeensReadToo.com

EMPEROR MAGE is a captivating continuation of Daine's story. Now fifteen, Daine possesses the rare "wild magic" that grants her an extraordinary bond with animals. She can communicate with them, experience the world through their senses, and even transform into one. The first two books of THE IMMORTALS series have already showcased her development of these skills.

In this third installment, the tension rises as Daine accompanies an ambassadorial delegation to Carthak. Her task is to use her wild magic to heal the Carthaki Emperor's sick pet birds as a gesture of goodwill. Carthaki ships have been attacking Tortall's coast for a year, leading to violent skirmishes. The delegation aims to negotiate peace between the two nations.

Joining Daine on this journey are the renowned lady knight Alanna from Pierce's LIONESS QUARTET, Tortall's most powerful mage and Daine's teacher Numair, and the young dragon Kitten. Daine finds Carthak to be a strange and disturbing place. She is uncomfortable with the legal practice of slavery and with Emperor Orzone, a powerful mage himself.

When the peace negotiations stall, the situation intensifies, and the balance of power between the two great nations is at stake. Pierce masterfully develops Daine's skills and abilities while also allowing readers to witness the challenges she has faced in honing her talent. The supporting cast is large yet nuanced, and the distinctions between the two sides of the impending conflict are cleverly blurred.

I especially enjoyed the further exploration of Numair's character and the introduction of the young Prince Kaddar, who kept me on the edge of my seat. The pacing is perfect, with seemingly ordinary events building up to a powerful climax. I was completely engrossed and read the entire book without taking a break!

Not me crying even though I know what's going to happen.

The third installment in the captivating IMMORTALS series transports Daine to a fresh and unfamiliar locale. As anticipated, the situation there is far from straightforward. Being a part of Tortall's diplomatic envoy, she inevitably gets embroiled in the complex web of politics, both human and magical.

Pierce skillfully expands the fictional world, vividly depicting Daine's responses to the new culture she encounters. There is an abundance of exciting action and well-developed characters that are sure to hold the readers' attention. Additionally, there are several delightfully funny sections that prevent the story from becoming overly intense for younger audiences.

Just as expected, not every storyline reaches a neat and complete conclusion. However, overall, it is a highly satisfying read that leaves readers eager to discover what awaits Daine in the next adventure.

This story had a slightly rocky beginning.

However, overall, I found it to be an extremely enjoyable read.

Tamora Pierce's fantasy worlds are filled with many familiar elements such as kings, mages, and orientalism.

Yet, they also possess numerous aspects that are delightfully strange.

I adored the inclusion of dinosaurs and the rapid explanation of evolution through the use of mages, within a world that already contains basilisks, dragons, and other mythical monsters.

It was also refreshing to see how Pierce doesn't discriminate between animals.

A bat or a hyena is just as much a good friend as a more traditionally likeable animal like a horse.

I was especially delighted by Zek, Daine's marmoset friend.

These books are not only tremendously fun and offer the best form of escapism, but they also create a lovely portrait of animals as individuals, with their own ideas, rights, and opinions.

They truly transport the reader into a magical and enchanting world that is both familiar and full of surprises.