I think this might be my fifth or sixth time rereading this book. Yes, indeed. It remains a favorite, the very book that kindled my love for Tamora Pierce.

Now that I'm an adult, some of the initial appeal has perhaps waned as I no longer identify as deeply with Daine. However, it was still an absolute delight to revisit!

This book, and this entire series, has had an incredibly profound influence on my reading life. It's not just about the books themselves; it's about the impact they've had on my perspective and my growth.

In a way, I suppose it has influenced my life in general as well. The characters, the adventures, and the lessons learned have all left an indelible mark on me.

I'm so grateful to have discovered this series and to have been able to experience it multiple times. It's truly a treasure that I will always cherish.

IT WAS REALLY AWESOME IF ONLY THE TRANSLATOR DIDN'T MESS IT UP.

  IT WAS REALLY AWESOME IF ONLY THE TRANSLATOR DIDN'T MESS IT UP.

I must admit that this was a rather long reading. However, the translation in Indonesian was a complete mess. It truly should have been a delightful reading experience. The story itself was actually quite awesome. I never realized how much I missed the genre of epic fantasy until I read this particular piece and got that fulfilling feeling. It's a shame that the translation couldn't do justice to the wonderful story. If only the translator had been more careful and accurate, it would have been an even more amazing read. But despite the flaws in the translation, I still managed to appreciate the essence of the story and enjoy it to a certain extent.

Truly, this is one of the absolute best YA books that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Tamora Pierce's worlds are so vividly and fully realized that it's as if you can step right into them. What makes her writing even more remarkable is the way she crafts young women characters who are not only strong but also determined to overcome adversity. They take no nonsense from naysayers and are always ready to fight for what they believe in. This particular book was the very first one that I read by Tamora Pierce, and Daine, the main character, will forever hold a special and dear place in my heart. It is an absolute must-read for younger readers, especially those who have a passion for horses. The story is engaging, the characters are relatable, and the lessons learned are valuable. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great YA read.

Veralidaine "Daine" Sarrasi, seeking to outrun her past, applies to work with Onua, the horse-master of the Queen's Riders. In this pursuit, she encounters Numair Salmalin, a mage who detects great wild magic within her. Now, Daine must grow up as hiding her past hinders her from becoming the best magelet.

Daine's extensive magic and ease in wielding it become tiresome. True conflict is lacking when everything comes so easily. The self-imposed conflict of whether she would "go mad" and lose herself to the herd again is resolved too quickly once she opens up.

Daine was one of my first Tortallian heroines, and the familiarity breeds fondness. However, her story lacks the tension that could have been. There is no concern that she will "go bad".

This reread leaves me desiring more: more conflict, complexity, and challenge. Alanna strived hard to achieve her goals, while Daine has everything laid out for her.

The Stormwings are monstrous and terrifying, which is perfect.

The actual plot about a Carthaki scheme to overthrow Jonathan is currently thin, as this book focuses more on setting up Daine and establishing the changes in Jonathan's reign.

I felt that the book was very juvenile. It wasn't juvenile in the sense of having fart-jokes, but rather in a way that had stupidly blatant foreshadowing.

Yes, it is a Young Adult (YA) book, but it gave the impression that it was severely underestimating the intelligence of children.

It seemed as if the author thought that the readers wouldn't be able to pick up on the obvious hints and clues that were being dropped throughout the story.

This kind of writing can be quite frustrating for readers who are looking for a more engaging and challenging read.

Children are often much more perceptive and intelligent than we give them credit for, and they deserve to read books that respect their abilities.

Hopefully, future YA books will be written with a bit more finesse and will avoid the pitfalls of overly obvious foreshadowing.

I literally don't remember when I read my first Tamora Pierce book. All I can tell you is that it was "Alanna: The First Adventure" and it was probably an audiobook that my parents checked out for one of our infinite family road trips. I can't have been much older than, say, third grade at a stretch. After that first one, needless to say, I was addicted.

I also don't remember the first time I read this book. I do, however, have the vague inkling that it was the third Tortall quartet I picked up. No, actually, that's for sure, because I read the Protector of the Small books early enough that I asked for a Kel haircut the first time I went from long locks to short. I literally brought in my copy of "Squire" and said "I want my hair that length".

Anyhow. Needless to say, I've read this one a lot. The only book on my shelves that I bought new that looks this old is another perennial favorite, "Mariel of Redwall". Many of my books are in good condition. I have read the hell out of this series, poor beloved things.

Why? This book is a classic of growing up, to me. You see, if you take out all the magical elements, it's about a girl deciding to be an adult, to make the hard choices and accept responsibility for her actions. The whole quartet is Daine's coming of age. This book is her choosing to take the first step. As such, it never gets old. When I was Daine's age, I identified with her. Now I'm seventeen, and I still do.

Okay, so that's the personal bit. Now let's talk about why you should read these books. First, there's the world of Tortall. It's one of the most improbable medieval-esque worlds you'll ever encounter. It's not gritty or exceedingly realistic, but it's still dangerous and mostly seems like a really happy place to be. It's a liberal's paradise. There are free schools everywhere, an elite female corps in the military, and women can become knights.

Second, there's the character of Daine herself. She dances on the line of Mary-Sueness, but she never gets on my nerves. Her trust issues are well-portrayed, and her magical gifts require a logical amount of work to use. She loves learning, and her innocence is endearing.

Third, there's the supporting cast. The Queen's Riders, the Queen, Alanna, George, Onua, Buri, Sarge - every last one of them is strongly characterized and genuine. Even the Rider trainees are solidly drawn and interesting.

Fourth, there are the Immortals. Some of them are creatures out of traditional mythology, and some are made up. The spidrens are freaking creepy, but I appreciate the writing that went into making me not like them.

Fifth, there's the depiction of Daine's magic and its pitfalls and advantages. It took a lot of work and personal growth for her to access her power, and it was tied to her overcoming her trust issues.

Sixth, there's Numair. He's a nice guy to the point where it's almost ridiculous, but it's just fabulous instead. He's kind, charming, sweet, caring, and determined to help Daine learn and grow. He's also one of the seven most powerful wizards in the world.

In the event that I ever have children, or become a godmother, I'm raising those kids on Tamora Pierce. They will grow up with strong heroines like Alanna, Kel, Daine, and Beka. They will learn that girls can do anything they want to, that they are strong and brave and wonderful.

That being said, I'd probably start children with this series, unless they're spectacularly mature. This book will appeal to the horse-crazy in most young girls and introduce them to Tortall. From there, I'd let them roam free.

Final note: I'm not the only marine biology freak who almost cried when Daine heard forty blue whales, right? Please tell me I'm not alone.

Daine is my best girl.

She is truly remarkable. Any tongue that rises against her shall surely fall.

Just look at all that she has accomplished! She summoned a KRAKEN, which is an amazing feat in itself.

She even went to the extent of giving herself a heart attack while trying to listen to the dolphins.

And that's not all! She also summoned an army of wild animals to fight against the pirates.

She is an icon, a legend. In every sense of the word, she IS the moment.

Her courage, her determination, and her unique abilities make her stand out from the rest.

She is someone to be admired and looked up to.

There is no one quite like Daine, and I am so proud to call her my best girl.

Daine has been alone ever since her family was brutally killed. After the madness that ensued, she knew she had to escape from her small village. With only her horse Cloud as her faithful friend, she gets hired by Onua to assist in bringing newly-purchased horses back to train them with the Queen’s Riders in Tortall.

The journey ahead is long and arduous, and as strange new creatures start to appear, Daine finds herself having to learn how to recognize and harness her own magic, which goes beyond simply talking with animals. Her magic could potentially be the deciding factor between being caught off-guard and surviving attacks from both men and new immortals.

Another trip down memory lane reveals that Daine was always my favorite of the Tortall main heroines. This is in no small part due to her wild magic and her close bond with the animals that surround her. After all, who wouldn't dream of being able to communicate with animals? Of course, there is much more to her than just her magic. She struggles with her past losses and the difficulty of trusting people again. I had also forgotten that there is probably about a 15-year age difference between her and Numair, since he seems to be around Alanna's age, which is late 20s. Daine's experiences demonstrate that despite such tragedy and being left alone without a family, one can still find a new family. By opening up your heart to care, make friends, and love again, new beginnings are always within reach. Also, by staying true to yourself and allowing others to help you become the best version of "you" that you can be.

Typos:
...and pillow to the floor. That at least was... - page 101 - missing period after "floor."
...dabbed at a tear rolling down Daine's cheek. "Those of us that's horse-hearted have to stick together, all-right?" - page 218 - missing opening quotation marks: ...Daine's cheek. "Those of us...
--or a contraction! Ma's daughter realized. - page 262 - not sure who "Ma's daughter" is supposed to refer to, as it is Daine who comes to this realization.
To their question she gave them what she was, or how she saw herself, an image embroidered with feeling and ideas. - page 275 "and" should be "an"

This book was truly remarkable.

I've read a total of 50 books this year, and the vast majority of them were YA fantasies that had a fair amount of similarity.

While I did enjoy most of them to some extent, the fact that they were so alike made it rather monotonous to continuously read through them.

However, this particular book was completely different and astonishingly good!

I cherished every single minute that I spent reading it.

This is precisely the kind of fantasy that I adore.

I've become so tired of encountering the same old tropes repeatedly in the YA books being published nowadays.

But this one stood out and that's what made it truly magical.

I absolutely loved it!

There's no doubt that I can't wait to commence reading book two!

It's safe to say that this book has reignited my passion for YA fantasies and I'm eagerly anticipating what the next installment has in store.

I highly recommend this book to all YA fantasy enthusiasts out there.

It's a refreshing and captivating read that will leave you wanting more.

Don't miss out on this wonderful literary gem!

This is the first instalment in The Immortals series.

It managed to bring together all of my most beloved fictional elements. There is a complex magic system that intrigues and fascinates. Political intrigue weaves its way through the story, adding depth and tension. The world is sprawling and fantastical, filled with wonder and adventure. The villains are truly despicable, making it easy to hate them with a passion. There is an abundance of animals, which adds a touch of charm and realism. And then there is the most lovable of friendship groups. Their bond is so strong and heartwarming that it had me yearning to be a part of it.

All of these elements come together to create a unique and consistently exciting story-line. This may only be my first Tamora Pierce book, but I am certain that it will definitely not be the last. I can't wait to see what other adventures and wonders await me in the rest of the series.

Honestly, sometimes a girl needs to re-read the books she loved when she was 10 years old. It still slaps. There's something truly magical about going back to those childhood favorites. The stories that once captured our imaginations and filled us with wonder still have the power to do so. As we grow older, we may have forgotten some of the details, but when we pick up those books again, it's like opening a time capsule. We are transported back to that innocent time in our lives. The characters and their adventures become real once more. It's a reminder of the simple joys and the pure love for reading that we had as children. Re-reading those beloved books can bring a sense of comfort and nostalgia. It can also give us a new perspective and appreciation for the stories. So, don't be afraid to dust off those old books and take a trip down memory lane.

I received a complimentary ebook copy of this book from Netgalley.

I'm truly grateful to both Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this opportunity to read it! My review remains entirely honest.

Believe it or not, this was my very first Tamora Pierce novel! As a result, I didn't realize until I had begun that I should have read the Alanna quartet first. However, I still managed to grasp the essence of the story, and I don't think it significantly affected my enjoyment or understanding.

"Wild Magic" follows Daine, a young girl with a secret and tragic past. When she meets Onua, one of the Queen's Riders, and takes a job with her, she is suddenly thrust into a world of mages, war, and Immortals emerging from realms they haven't escaped from in centuries. Additionally, she might possess a bit of magic herself - and it's incredibly cool.

This book does indeed reflect the era in which it was written. It was excellent, but it doesn't have the same atmosphere as a contemporary fantasy. If my hunch about a potential romance is correct, it's definitely something that wouldn't be accepted if written today. Nevertheless, the female characters in this book are strong and would be highly inspiring for a young reader. I wish I had read this when I was a child! Daine, Alanna, and Onua are such wonderful role models, and I truly loved reading from Daine's perspective.

The action was engaging, especially towards the end. For the first third or so, I thought it was a bit too action-packed! It seemed as if I was thrown right into the story without much world-building (which could be because I hadn't read the Alanna books). However, after a while, it sorted itself out, and I was completely enthralled. I was extremely eager to find out what happened next! The final battle was so exciting and tense.

By far, my favorite aspect is the magic. The animals were some of my favorite characters, and it was completely different from anything I've read before. It's one of those books that makes you long to be in that world.

Overall, it was a solid read! I'm intrigued to discover what occurs next.