Street Magic

Briar Moss reluctantly adopts street urchin Evvy, who has a powerful gift with stones. Doing so puts him back in touch with the street life he has left behind. When Briar discovers he must not only protect Evvy but also teach her to control her magic, he's dismayed. This Full Cast Audio production manages Pierce's large cast of characters well, with especially believable performances for main characters like put-upon but good-natured Briar, distrustful Evvy, and short-tempered Rosethorn. (In fact, Evvy's irritable whine is so grating that it occasionally put this listener's teeth on edge.) Narrator Bruce Coville's pleasant delivery still manages to turn up the tension and highlight plot twists while illuminating the humor and wisdom of Pierce's vision. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

November 1, 2006
Gr 5-8-In the Circle of Magic quartet, Tamora Pierce introduced readers to four young mages who each had different magical abilities. Briar Moss, the plant mage, is featured in this second book (Scholastic, 2001) of a new quartet. Briar has traveled to Chammur with his mentor, Rosethorn, in order to help the farmers of the town. While roaming the busy market, Briar meets a street urchin who has the ability to turn lumps of rock into glowing stones. Briar is dismayed to learn that since he discovered Evvys magic, he is responsible for training her. Matters become complicated when rival street gangs struggle to control Evvy for their own ends. Evil Lady Zenadia controls one of the gangs and is determined to have her way. Pierce fans will find much to enjoy here. Briar is a likeable character and it is amusing to see his role reversal from student to teacher. The accompanying music enhances the Middle-Eastern setting. The full cast of narrators do a fine job of bringing all the characters to life. A treat for fantasy fans."Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK "

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.