Battle Magic

Briar Moss (the plant mage of Pierce's Circle Quartet books), his mentor Rosethorn, and his protege Evvy are traveling through Gyongxe when they receive an invitation to tour Emperor Weishu's private gardens in neighboring Yanjing. Although the Imperial hospitality is bountiful, the three can't help but notice the Emperor's cruel streak. When they leave, Evvy and Briar aid in the escape of the Emperor's most valuable captive, Parahan, the exiled prince of Kombanpur, then flee back to Gyongxe ahead of the Emperor's invading army. Parahan helps lead the Gyongxe defense, but Rosethorn must decide how to protect Briar and Evvy in what is rapidly becoming a war zone. Pierce achieves an epic sweep of cultures and intrigue in this wide-ranging volume, constructing her world with painstaking detail (for example, the ceremonies that take place within the Imperial palace and the wall icons that turn into the lively gods of Gyongxe). But the three mages' powers, their loyalties to one another, and their testing under the rigors of combat are the real draw here. Evvy in particular has a rough time, surviving torture, near-death, and the loss of her beloved feline companions, but she still comes back strong in the battle scenes. Add in the author's signature wry humor, and the result is another winning companion to Pierce's highly successful Circle Quartet and Circle Opens fantasy franchises. anita l. burkam