Title: The Realm of the Gods
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Immortals Quartet #4, Tortall #17
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 1996
5th sentence, 74th page: “Lord Weiryn,” said Numair, “it would help if you were to explain what will happen if we make a mistake in these places.”

Daine is god-born and destined to walk a difficult path. When the barriers between the realms disappear, Tortall falls under siege from all sides. Uusoae, the Queen of Chaos, is waging a war against the greater gods, a fight to end it all. Desperate to save the kingdom, Daine must join the war and brave the consequences, for children born of gods tread dangerously in mortal realms.

What a stunning conclusion to an already amazing quartet. Daine’s heritage, war and place in life are finally cemented by her trip to the realm of the gods – literally. Even her powers fully come to the fore in this tale as she grasps who she is and what she is able to do. Finally, the Immortals War reaches its conclusion, Daine becomes an adult and Ozorne is bought to justice.

Ozorne’s prejudice and inability to grasp that others are as powerful as he is are the catalysts which bring about his downfall. Likewise, it’s Daine’s loyalty to the people she loves and bravery to carry out justice that give her an edge over the manipulative slime-ball that plagues her life for the years over which The Immortals Quartet takes place. The humility of the heroine is what eventually triumphs over the self-righteousness of the villain, and in doing so reminds us that it is staying true to ourselves and our family (the chosen and the biological) is what will truly help us to triumph in life.

Even though I have read this novel more times than I can count over the past ten years (the first time I discovered Tamora Pierce’s books), I still can’t quite find the words to explain how phenomenal this story is. I love the entire series, but there is something about this conclusion, and Daine’s newly blossomed romance that leaves me happily fulfilled after I finish the last page. Partly it’s my love of the character, partly the powerful message of ecology and love that is purported throughout, but mostly, this is just a wonderful conclusion. It neatly ties up the entire storyline without completely closing of the future. It is a story that leaves you with a feeling of contentment and wonder, a reminder that no matter what, you should do right by yourself, the people and which surround you.

Image source: Amazon

Title: The Emperor Mage
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Immortals Quartet #3, Tortall #16
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 1994
5th sentence, 74th page: Daine, feeling cross, realised immediately she had arranged things so no one would be able to distract Numair from Varice herself.

Emperor Ozorne ripped open the gates between realms, releasing a plague of immortals to savage Tortall. Now he talks of making amends and, for her kingdom’s sake, Daine must attend the peace conference – somehow keeping her magic in check. But one of the gods has chosen Daine as the bringer of retribution. With a gift given by the Graveyard Hag, Daine intends to create havoc in Carthak. Her magic is wild and unpredictable, and Daine is very, very angry.

The politics of war perplex me, for example, you’re not technically at war until both sides admit that you are – at least, that’s one of the main things that I learnt from The Emperor Mage. That, and you really shouldn’t piss off someone with power. Or underestimate them for that matter.

Ozorne is an excellent villain throughout this series, although, it isn’t until The Emperor Mage that we get to know him more intimately. His self-centred tendencies lead him to make horrible decision after horrible decision, eventually leading him into the wrath of the gods. But, it is his inability to recognise and realise his flaws that truly make him a force with whom Daine must constantly battle. Although at the beginning of the story, he shows a very nice and misunderstood public face, the gradual degradation of this reminds us that not is all as it seems. And, that even as an adult, if you’re too spoilt, you can become your own demise.

Of all of the animals and characters that Daine experiences throughout her journeys in The Immortals Quartet, it is the hyenas that I love the most. Probably because I am inherently fascinated by them in real life – how can you not be drawn in by such unique creatures? Their pivotal role in the story was stunningly executed, and the removal of some of the stigma that often surrounds the hyena. Although, Pierce also attempts to do this with bats and wolves throughout the story. A reminder that unlike humans, animals do everything for a reason.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Wild Magic
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Immortals Quartet #1, Tortall #12
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Easy reading, Medieval fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 1992
5th sentence, 74th page: “Please, Horsemistress -” It was Miri.

Daine has been running from her past, from the murder of her family and the madness that followed. She has a special magic, but she must learn to control it, especially now that creatures of nightmare and legend – not seen in the mortal realm since they were banished centuries ago – are returning to the skies. Daine needs to be ready, or else see friends and home destroyed once more…

Tamora Pierce is one of the first authors I truly became obsessed with. Her books are the first I can remember just devouring and spending hours reading at a time. So, any book of hers is going to get a good review from me. And, The Immortals Quartet is probably one of my favourite Tortall stories. Probably because there is a heavy emphasis on the natural world and animals.

The Immortals Quartet is the first series that ever made me seriously consider my relationship to animals and the natural world. Sure, it was something that people talked about, but I was kind of a head in the clouds kind of kid (I’m still a head in the clouds kind of adult to be honest). Being able to communicate with animals and understand how humans can have an impact on their lives was a really big moment for me, and although I’m not vegetarian, I am very aware of where my food comes from and the conditions that the animals live in before they are slaughtered. Daine is literally the voice of the animals, and for me it was a potent reminder that we are the voices of our furry friends.

Aside from being able to talk to animals, Daine has another power that I am incredibly envious of – she’s an amazing archer. I’ve always wanted to be a crack shot, and the fact that this hero combines talking with animals with amazing weaponry skills and a pure, innocent outlook on life has always made me completely envious. Probably another reason why I love this series so much – archery has long been a passion of mine and I love Pierce’s description of the sport. It is one of the most realistic descriptions of archery that I have read (aside from John Flanagan’s Rangers Apprentice series).

Wild Magic also introduces the idea of Stormwings to the Tortall world. The idea of these terrifying creatures that feed on war and despair is kind of terrifying. The fact that they act as our predators makes them all the more interesting. I’ve long believed that humans are the only evil creatures (a philosophical debate for another day), and so the very personification of these evils in a literary creature really appealed to me. Although, as in real life, they don’t actually stop people from being horrific towards each other.

Image source: Booktopia