I must say that this story has truly captivated me. It earns a solid 4.5 stars from me.

I am completely immersed in this world that the author has created. The details are so vivid and engaging that it feels as if I am actually a part of it.

What I particularly love is the way our characters interact with each other. Their relationships are complex and dynamic, filled with emotions, conflicts, and moments of tenderness. It makes the story come alive and keeps me on the edge of my seat.

I am eagerly anticipating the conclusion. I can't wait to see how everything ties together and what fate has in store for our beloved characters.

This is definitely a story that I would highly recommend to others. It has all the elements of a great read - an interesting plot, well-developed characters, and a captivating world. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next!

Gets better every time

I simply cannot count the number of times I have re-read all the Tortall books. Each time I pick them up, they seem to get better and better. The world that Tamora Pierce has created is so rich and detailed, with characters that come to life on the page. In "Emperor Mage", Pierce sets up the brilliant finale in the next book, making it a very strong addition to the quartet. The story continues to unfold in exciting ways, with new challenges and adventures for the characters to face. I can't wait to see what happens next in this amazing series. It's truly a testament to the author's talent that these books remain so engaging and enjoyable, no matter how many times I read them.

Rating: 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

What I liked: Daine—always. And her rampage? Incredible.

Daine is truly a remarkable character. Her unwavering determination and fierce sense of justice are always captivating. The way she stands up for what she believes in, no matter the odds, is truly inspiring. And that rampage near the end of the book was simply breathtaking. It was a moment of pure power and fury, and it really showed just how strong Daine can be.

What I didn’t like: There’s less focus on animals and wild magic in this one.

One of the things that I originally loved about this series was the emphasis on wild magic and Daine’s deep connection with animals. However, in Emperor Mage, that aspect seems to take a backseat to other elements such as political maneuvering, meddling gods, and prophecies. While these things are interesting in their own right, I did miss the animals and the magic that came with them.

Would I read it again? Probably.

Despite my minor complaints, I still really enjoyed Emperor Mage. There’s a lot to love about this book, from the complex characters to the exciting plot. And of course, Daine is always a joy to read about. So while I may not reread it as often as some of the other books in the series, I will definitely be picking it up again at some point.

Another reread - I will always love Daine. Her decisiveness, her strong sense of justice, and her kindness make her one of my favorite characters. That said, Emperor Mage starts to drift from what I originally loved about the series—namely, the focus on wild magic and Daine’s deep connection with animals.

As I mentioned before, Daine is an amazing character. Her qualities make her stand out among other protagonists. However, I do feel that in this book, the series starts to lose some of its original charm. The focus on other elements detracts from what made the series so special in the first place.

There are a few standout animal moments—like her bond with Zek, healing the birds and, of course, the unforgettable rampage near the end—but much of the book is centered around political maneuvering, meddling gods, prophecies, and necromancy that isn’t even Daine’s magic.

That rampage, though. Daine standing her ground against the Graveyard Hag and delivering what she feels is true justice? Very entertaining. And Ozorne becoming a Stormwing felt like fitting poetic justice.

The rampage was definitely a highlight of the book. It was a moment of pure excitement and drama, and it really added to the overall atmosphere of the story. And the way that Ozorne’s transformation was handled was also very well done. It felt like a natural progression of the plot, and it added an interesting new element to the story.

I’ll probably reread it—there’s still a lot to love—but I did miss the animals.

Overall, Emperor Mage is a good book, but it’s not without its flaws. While I will definitely be rereading it at some point, I do hope that future books in the series will return to the focus on wild magic and animals that I loved so much.

I truly love this.

In this third book, Kadar's humor has decreased, and there is more politics involved. The interaction between Daine and the animals is also not as extensive.

The mystery of Daine's father is revealed here as well. Daine gets a new friend, Prince Chartak, who is around her age. Fortunately, there are no teenage romance stories between them, so the plot remains loyal to the target audience of children. Even though Daine is already 15 years old and can be considered a teenager.

The relationship between Daine and her teacher, Numair, is very touching. I like everything about it. Sadly, this is another underrated book in Indonesia. Tamora Pierce will definitely join my list of favorite authors.

I can't wait to explore more of her works and see what other wonderful stories she has in store for us.

Her writing style is engaging and immersive, making it easy for readers to get lost in the world she has created.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and adventure stories.

My favourite book in the series so far!

It is filled with an abundance of action that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The magic within its pages is simply enchanting, transporting you to a world beyond your imagination.

Moreover, the introduction of great new characters adds a fresh and exciting dimension to the story. Each character has their own unique personality and backstory, making them truly engaging and memorable.

I especially loved the villain. Their motives and actions were complex and intriguing, adding an element of mystery and suspense to the plot. And of course, the animals in the book were a delight. They added charm and warmth to the story, and I found myself rooting for them throughout.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves adventure, magic, and great storytelling. It is truly a gem in the series and I can't wait to see what comes next.

I wasn't as fond of this installment as the last two, though - as always - there were many things that pleasantly surprised me.

The biggest strength of the novel was undoubtedly Ozorne. The character Pierce constructed was so entirely believable - as a villain, and as the product of the environment Pierce created. Diplomatic yet dictatorial, kindhearted towards animals yet ruthless towards enemies and subordinates. The contradictions in his personality really resulted in a well-rounded adversary for Daine. I'm very pleased with that, though apprehensive of his characterization now that he's become a Stormwing.

Likewise, I enjoyed Kaddar quite a bit. His gentler nature paired with the stubborn inability to recognize that his empire's practice of keeping slaves is reprehensible gave him the depth needed to offset the very predictable role he filled in the story as usurping prince.

However, I didn't find the writing as tight as in prior installments. The dialogue became pretty cheesy at times. The entire situation with Numair's death was a bit exasperating because it was so obvious to the reader what was coming. If Daine's dreams hadn't spelled things out so clearly, this miscommunication could have possessed way more tension and grief.

There were heavier Daine/Numair themes in this one, too, as expected. It was a little skeevy at times, though things did TECHNICALLY remain entirely platonic. Daine still hasn't so much as thought about Numair as a romantic possibility, but the implication was clearly there that some non-platonic love exists on Numair's part, which is...eh. Not great. But I knew it was coming, and I'm bracing myself against it for the next volume.

Overall, while this installment had its flaws, it still had enough strengths to keep me engaged and looking forward to the next one. I'm curious to see how the story will unfold and how the characters will develop further.

2013 was a significant year as it marked the re-reading of a particular story. Then in 2018, on 4/3/18, a re-read took place again and it brought tears. The story is truly great, evoking a sigh and a sense of happiness.

Spoiler alert! Here are some important notes to self. Veralidaine Sarrasri, known as Daine, is a 15-year-old wild magic magelet, a guardian, a god child, and a pal. She has a pony named Cloud and a dragonet called Skysong, also known as Kitten, who is her ward and pal. Her mentor and pal is Numair Salmalín Arram Draper, a war mage. Alanna the Lioness, the Kings Champion, a mage, and a pal, is also an important character.

There are many other characters in the story, such as Prince Siraj, Duke Gareth of Naxen, Gareth the Younger, Lord Martin of Meron, Lindhall Reed, Zekoi, Harailt of Aili, Varice Kingsford, the Graveyard Hag, Badger, Lord Rikash Moonsword, Barzha Razorwing, Tano and Chirp, Cholombi, Queen Thayet, King Jonathan, Roald, Kalasin, Bonedancer, Teeu, Aranh, Iry, Sarra, Weiryn, Onua Chamtong, Tahoi, Buriram Tourakom, and Sarge. Each of these characters adds depth and complexity to the story, making it a truly engaging and wonderful read.

Review to come! :D

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Finally, we are delving into the core. No more aimless frolicking in the woods. At last, we come to discuss Ozorne.

To begin with, a significant portion of this book was an extensive exploration of the capital of Carthak. There were indeed animals present, with the dragon and a marmoset being notable.

Secondly, I must state that this entire series would be so much more enjoyable if Daine had an actual human friend with whom she could regularly collaborate. Numair and Alanna are always sort of on the periphery of the story, but the main cast is consistently Daine And The Animals. It reached a point where it seemed almost forced how hard the story was working to prevent her from sharing anything that was happening with any of the human members of her group.

Most of the story was good. I don't even object to the gradual unfolding of the plot through touring as it pertains to our central issue, which is Ozorne. The final 15% where Daine, with what seems like a single, long gesture of her hand, devastates the royal palace is truly remarkable. I adore that. Without a doubt, the best part is the hug at the end. This series could be truly amazing if it would just provide me with more of that.

Finally

Reread 2022:

Still my favourite of the series - the atmosphere! The intrigue! The dino bones!! It's truly remarkable how this installment manages to captivate me time and time again. The atmosphere it creates is simply immersive, pulling me into a world filled with mystery and excitement. The intrigue that unfolds throughout the story keeps me on the edge of my seat, constantly guessing and eager to discover what lies ahead. And let's not forget about those dino bones! They add an extra layer of fascination to the narrative, making it even more unique and engaging. Whether it's the detailed descriptions or the way they tie into the overall plot, the dino bones are a standout feature. In conclusion, 2022 remains my top pick in the series, and I can't wait to see what else it has in store for me.

5 Stars. This book was an absolute delight!

For some reason, I really had a hard time getting through this book.

There were parts of it that I truly loved. The exploration of the world, especially Carthak and its gods, was extremely interesting.

However, there were also some sections that were just plain boring. It failed to maintain my attention throughout.

Despite that, I'm super happy because now I'm only one book away from the Protector of the Small quartet, which I absolutely love.

I'm looking forward to finally reaching that quartet and delving into its wonderful stories.

Although this book had its flaws, it has also made me more eager to get to the next one and continue my reading journey.

I'm hoping that the remaining book will be more engaging and captivating, just like the Protector of the Small quartet.

Overall, while this reading experience had its challenges, I'm still excited for what's to come.