Briar's Book (Circle of Magic #4)

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Summary: Mixing medicine and magic
Review: I happened upon the "Circle of Magic" quatrain in my local library after hearing the librarian mention that people who liked Harry Potter tended to enjoy these books as well. I enjoyed the whole initial concept of craft magics in the first few books and Pierce's generally excellent exploration of how the magics worked, independently and in concert. "Briar's Book" has a much more serious tone than the other books in the series: as a research biologist, I was very interested to read Pierce's portrayal of a large-scale laboratory with a highly focussed research project (really quite accurate!) and highlighting the messages of "Don't drop possibly biohazardous materials in the sewers" and "Wear several levels of protection when working with a known hazardous material" - perhaps not messages that her average-age reader will appreciate, but important nonetheless. Oh yeah - and the story and characters were excellent too.

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Summary: The Best book in the Circle of Magic Quartet
Review: Tamora Pierce is my favorite author, and I think that out of all of the Circle of Magic books, this was her best. It sort of surprised me that she wrote a series outside of Tortall, and the books seemed kind of uncharacteristic, but if you've read any of her books before, this one is very similar to her Tortall books. If you are a fantasy fan like me, you'll love this book. It's good for people of all ages, but if you're younger and interested in Pierce, I would start with these first. I also highly reccomend that you read the other three first.

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Summary: An amazing close to the quartet
Review: This is probably the most exciting of the Circle of Magic quartet. When Briar's 'street rat' friend, Flick, takes sick with an never before seen disease, Briar must do all he can do to save her. But the disease is highly contagious, and soon about 198 out of every 200 people in the city are sick. Briar returns to Winding Circle Temple to help find the disease. They are getting closer to the cure when a splash of the disease essence infects a person very close to Briar, then he is torn between helping to find the cure and caring for her. The cure is discovered, but is it too late?

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Summary: The best one yet!
Review: The series comes full circle here! Former street rat, Briar, now lives easily at Winding Circle Temple, learning to be a mage, amoung his friends and those who care for him. Even so, when one of his old companions calls him, begging magical help for a strange illness she's suffering, Briar (being the kind and helpful boy that he is) cannot refuse. But when the girl's disease proves beyond even the power of Briar's powerful teacher, Rosethorn, the truth is out; a plague is on the loose. And so begins a powerful and heartrending adventure, where once again our favorite four mages in training work together, defeating evil. Except this time the question remains far more serious; will Brair be able to rise above his darker past to save the one he loves most? This book is undisputedly the best in the series, especially since it centers around Briar, my favorite of the young mages. It would serve as a stand alone book, but I'd recommend reading the previous three first anyway. Not much happens in the first two, but the third is almsot as good as this one.

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Summary: I LOVE BRIAR
Review: This book is definately the coolest of the lot. Its really sad and scary in parts but really really happy in others. Briar has always been my favourite out of the four the four but this took it above and beyond. I am way jealous of Rosethorn inspite of her being very very very [thats 3 veries] cool. The tension was really well built up in this book especially about the whole diagnosis mark. There were parts when I wanted to cry or shout noooooooooooooooo. I had to read really feverishly to finish it without puting it down as this was totally impossible to do. I thought the plot structure was really well thought out and Tamora Peirce appeared to have really done her homework on medical research. Sandry was really brave in this book and she is my second favourite person

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Summary: Briar the bad boy rocks!
Review: I don't even dream of giving Tamora Pierce's book a point less than 5. Well, I must admit, this book is nothing like the "end." That's cuz there's the Circle Opens and all. I think this book was really cool and unique... with all the medical stuff. Sure, I love fantasy like the Tortall series, but I think Circle of Magic is really cool. I think it's really cool how Rosethron's character is developed so well. At first, I disliked Crane, but now, my feelings have change. No offense, but I think that she is the most interesting adult in the story. Sure, Niko's powerful and all-- hardly a person. Lark is cool, but no *interesting* Same with Frostpine. The only disappointing thing is that there is like no romance in the story... Only hints of it which I can't decide if I am imagining. Maybe it's because it is for "kids" Oh well. Man, Briar is a cool character. I like bad boys like him (with a soft heart) And why do I like Sandry? That's cuz she's the thread which binds the 4 together. And why do I want those two together? Because they have an *aura* Only B+S-- that's what I call them-- fans will understand what I mean. No more said. I can't wait till the next part of this series comes out! I've waited ever so long to get the paperback edition of this. Yeah, some may complain, some may say the later books are not good, but I believe that all Tamora Pierce books has a certain flavor (causing an excitement to tingle in me). She's an awesome writer!

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Summary: Briar's Book
Review: This book was...okay is guess. Although it's well writen and not confusing or anything, it doesn't have the adventure or excitment found in many of the other Tamora Pierce books. I really like books in The Circle Opens much better, I recommend that instead.

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Summary: My favorite in COM!
Review: I loved Briar's Book. In it, the characters are finally developed enough that T.P. doesn't need to do more with them. The end was probably the most original conclusion I've ever read. The parts in Crane's 'lair' are probably my favorite, and he's so cool, I'm glad he got a bigger part in this book than in others, where he was close to a villian. I also really liked the parts with Tris and Daja (Sandry didn't really have a part, I don't think). The only complaint I had was, it should've been longer!

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Summary: Kayla's Review of Briar's Book
Review: Briar's Book is the 4th Book in a series of four by Tamora Pierce. Brair was a kid on the streets until Niko, one of his teachers, finds him and discovers his magic and brings him to Winding Circle. Now Briar is helping his teacher Rosethorn to find the cure to a disease. When Rosethorn becomes sick it becomes harder for Briar and everyone else involved in finding the cure to the plague. This book is a great read and always keep you wondering what will happen next. Throughout the book, there is always something to hope for and more to possibly lose. This is a book to read again and again

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Summary: Very Satisfying!
Review: Since I've started reading the Circle of Magic books, I simply couldn't seem to put them down and kept on reading them full-speed until I reached the final book of the quartet, "Briar's Book." Briar Moss, the only boy mage of the 4 Winding Circle young mages, is the mage who uses plant magic. He has a very strong bond with nature and has been working on making his magic go up to a higher level with his teacher, Rosethorn for the past months after he reached Discipline cottage, his home in Winding Circle Temple. Dedicate Rosethorn had become part of his life, and he loved her deep inside, like a mother. But then, a new problem occurs one day when he visits Mire, where the nursing home for the sick is, and where many street kids live. He discovers that his former street friend is sick there, and she is seeking for his help to overcome the mysterious disease. As he and Rosethorn help as much as they can, that disease spreads throughout Mire, and even spreads within the city walls. Everyone is in danger, even as Briar, Rosethorn, Dedicate Crane, and a few others from Winding Circle strive to find a cure. As they start to get a little closer to finding a cure, Briar's whole life collapses as the tragedy strikes. Will they be able to find a cure? Read the book to find out!
The author's use of words is simply baffling, as her words are descriptive and we are able to imagine the situation perfectly in our minds. This is delicious fantasy that any fantasy-lover should read, and of course, any person who wants to find a great book should read as well.
I think this is the best book of this quartet, and a very satisfying read!