Wild Magic Series

Photo from www.goodreads.com

To me, good books are like favorite movies. When I like a movie I not only buy a copy (or several) and I pull it out whenever I need a feel good night or something soothing in the background while I’m working. Books are the same I’ll read and re-read them as many times as I need so I can enjoy my favorite scenes and quotes and go to bed with happy, warm fuzzies.

The wild magic series is one of those for me. I’ve had them since I was in middle school and, with a shock this last re-read through, I realized I’ve gone from the age of young Daine in the first book to Numair’s age in the last one. Yuck! Why does age sneak up on us in the worst ways?

The books have weathered with me as well. The covers are creased and the binding is almost falling apart. But, unlike my wrinkles, I’ll just need to buy some backup copies and they will be shiny and new again.

It’s just an all around good story. The heroine is strong but relatable, and the reader is able to grow up right along with her. The side characters are equally fleshed out. Tamora Piece has built this entire world that is hers alone and the advantage is that all of the characters get their own time for some back story. So rather than go into detail about everyone’s motivations and backgrounds she just continues on with them as they are and the reader can go and get their story if they so choose. That was how I got introduced to the Lioness. I read about her first in the Wild Magic series and then I read her quartet. The fact that she had her own story didn’t detract from her involvement in Daine’s story at all. That takes an excellent bit of story craft.

It’s also got romance but not so much that it detracts from the actual story. I have a hard time when the characters are so focused on where their hormones are taking them that they completely ignore the fact that they have MAGIC and COOL gadgets COMPLETELY SURROUNDING THEM.

Ahem. Soap box over. I like a good story and this has it. Whether you’re looking for a good book for you or for a tween girl try this one on for size. And if you’ve read them let me know!