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Summary: "Mortal Spirits were Poorer with the Immortals Gone..."
Review: "Realms of the Gods" is the final book in Tamora Pierce's "Immortals" quartet, and probably the best. As one can possibly guess, it's nearly impossible for someone to begin reading this series at this book - you at *least* have to read Book Three: "The Emperor Mage", though ideally you should have all three previous books under your belt: "Wild Magic" and "Wolf-Speaker" just to have the complete picture of what's going on here.And what's going on is that our sixteen year old heroine and her mentor Numair are constantly on the move as they do their part for the kingdom against the hoards of immortal monsters spilling over the now-destroyed barrier between the mortal and divine realms and are marching against Tortall. Daine is sure that behind all of this is the ex-Emperor Ozorne, whom she toppled from his throne the previous year and is now out for revenge. But there is another force also working against them, and indeed against the very gods themselves: Uusoae, the Goddess of Chaos who is using her newfound alliance with Ozorne to wage war against all the realms. It is in the middle of this tempest that Daine finds herself, but when she and Numair are nearly killed, the gods themselves intervene. Here finally, Daine learns the truth about her parentage, and the identity of her long-absent father. But as happy as she is to be with her mother and father once more, she and Numair are very aware of the plight of their friends back home, and their importance in the coming battle. But the only way to return to the mortal realms is to beseech the help of the dragons, and to get there the two must take a dangerous journey across the Realms of the Gods... Tamora Pierce really outdoes herself in this final installment, and though many may disagree, I feel that this is her best book to date, melding together a range of themes and ideas, with the cosmic battle of the gods contrasted against the human Battle of Port Legann; Daine's parental fear toward Kit the dragonet against the blossoming romance she feels for her long-time friend and mentor. Moments that feel utterly epic are matched against the everyday necessities of life, and throughout it all Daine remains an immensely likeable heroine: trustworthy, courageous, loving, kind and intelligent. For those who have followed Daine's journey throughout the four books, this should be an immensely satisfying conclusion, filled with familiar faces: Tkaa, Kit, the badger, Jonathon and Thayet, and several new and equally fascinating ones: Gainel, the silent god of dreams (who gives Daine some fascinating dreams), Broad Foot, the god of the duck-moles and Weiryn, Daine's very own father. Most importantly for me though was the Stormwing Rikash, whose inclusion in the story completes Daine's self-growth: from a young woman who blindly hated and destroyed that particular race, to a woman who comes to consider one a friend. It is a particularly sublime bit of character development. In fact, if there is one thing wrong with "Realms of the Gods", it is that there isn't enough of it! It could quite easily have been a novel twice as big, had Pierce taken the time to unfold the story a bit more gradually. The book is a treasure-chest of information and ideas, and I would have enjoyed reading more of it, at a more leisurely pace. However, it's fine just the way it is, and because it's a young-adult book, I can understand why she chose to keep the pace moving along swiftly. I would have liked to have seen more from Kit, Alanna, Onua and Cloud (in particular I was sure that Kit's role had been building up in order to play a major part in this book) but the huge range of other characters compensate. The Daine/Numair romance might take some readers by surprise (she's sixteen, and he's thirty!) but they do make a strong, realistic couple, void of the mushy hearts and flowers of the usual courtly love to be found in fantasy. For those that are interested, we find out the name of Kit's mother, but strangely the badger remains simply "the badger". Finally, we are treated to a nice council of the gods at the conclusion of the story, and if you read closely enough, you might catch a cameo-appearance from a certain purple-eyed cat from the "Song of the Lioness" quartet!
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Summary: The Realms of the Gods: 4th book in the Immortals quartet
Review: All of the Immortlas books by Tamora Pierce are wonderful, as are all her Tortallan series- The Song of the Lioness, Daughter of the Lioness, and Protector of the Small. I especially loved the Realms of the Gods, however, because of the different genres- mystery, action, adventure, and (finally) the added romance! I think that this book is great and I highly recommend all the series listed above to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels!
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Summary: Love is in the air.
Review: I am a huge fan of Tamora Pierce, and i must say this is one of her best. for me its the romance between Daine and Numair. there are hints here and there, like Numair's voice and his eyes which make my heart melt. Stuck in the gods home, when there is a war in the mortal realms, there is love in the air when Daine never dies, Numair comes to save her. even with this love they can't stop until they get back to the mortal realms. after bloodshed, changing shapes and a goddess getting punished Numair and Daine have survived and come together at last.
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Summary: This is one good book
Review: I loved this book so much, I sleep with it under my pillow. I couldn't put it down to the point where I walked into a wall while I was TRYING to read it. I started reading the Song of the Lioness quaret in the hospital when I was 9. Little brother got me in the ribs with a golf club... long story. Anyway, it was a little bit too heavy material for a 9-year-old, but I was instantly hooked, and when I found the Immortals, I was extatic. Man I loved those books. I finished the Emperor Mage book, and read the sneak preveiw on the Realms of the Gods, and was counting the days until it came out. When I got my hands on it in the school library, I read through it like lighting to that part when they kissed. Sigh. I read that part so many times that it's falling apart. MS. PIERCE, PLEASE MAKE ANOTHER BOOK WITH DAINE AND NUMAIR IN IT! Ahem... That is all. Love from me ^_^
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Summary: Daine's Travails / Travels With Wolves
Review: I was reading a lot of newer fantasy and I happened to run across this series. _The Immortals_ was actually the first set of books by Tamora Pierce that I read in the whole series, I have to consider the previous quarter which began with _Alanna_ as the beginning of the series.
I don't know if I have all her books to date, but I do plan to reread the ones I have very soon. Her style of storytelling is engaging and in parts fun, and her characters, even for many of the fantastic elements, face some very real-life problems.
I'm a writer myself, so I read for style and content: and I can say she definitely has hefty doses of both in her books.
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Summary: tamora pierce is the best
Review: In this set of books, Ms. Pierce continues her Tortall series by introducing a new heroine Daine. Enemy's of Tortall have released immortal creatures from the Realm of the Gods where they where penned-up for the last 400+ years and have directed them to attach Tortall. Help is on the way though, Daine has the ability to speak to animals and has the gift of "wild magic." The series takes us though 4 books during which Daine will have many adventures and Tortall will never be the same. Taking place between the Song of the Lioness series and The Protector of the Small series, Daine's adventures cover everything from falling in love to fighting battles. This is a truly enjoyable series. Yet another hit for Ms. Pierce!
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Summary: REVIEW OF THE SERIES
Review: Recently, my friend introduced me to the author Tamora Pierce. She is the author of several series, one being the topic of my writing today, The Immortal Series. This fantasy series was published by Random House Fantasy in 1992. It consists of four books: Wild Magic, Wolf Speaker, Emperor Mage, and The Realm of the Gods. The books are all approximately three or four hundred pages each.
The first book, Wild Magic, begins the magical journey that both the reader and the protagonist will take. The main character is a young girl named Daine. She is homeless as well as an outcast in society. At the tender age of thirteen, she is without a mother, doesn't know who her father is, and has no relatives to take her in. Her only companion is her horse, Cloud. She has an unusual ability to get a long with animals, they hear her, obey her, and some can even talk with her. Daine gets word of a job and goes to offer her services. The woman she begins to work for, Onua, is a horse handler who helps Daine realize the potential of her knack with animals. Her boss who also becomes her friend introduces her to many important people. They help her learn that her potential is enormous and take her under their wings. She finds that her skill is a form of the "gift" or a type of magic, although hers is wild magic. With the help of a powerful mage named Numair, she learns to use her magic to heal animals as well as make some interesting discoveries. Daine is able to sense immortals like Stormwings, creatures that have feathers made of knife sharp metal and live off the dead. We learn the reason for Daine being an outcast and how she once lived wild as a wolf. Daine uses this and her friendship with the animals, known in the book as the "People," to save her kingdom from invasion. Daine is constantly given help from her guarduan, a badger, who was sent by her unrevealed father. She aquires a dragon named Kitten when its mother dies in battle. Kitten along with Cloud are her constant companions.
This type of magical theme is carried throughout the rest of the series. The plot continues to hold many adventures. The setting is in a place where magic and sorcery are accepted, common and a way of life. The characters all have interesting talents as well as life stories.
In the second book, Wolf Speaker, We meet the pack of wolves Daine once belonged to. They helped the now 14-year-old Daine avenge her family's death. The wolves are in need of Daine's help in Dunlath Valley where their home is being destroyed. Daine and her tutor, Numair, travel to the valley where they find the destroyed terrain and a plot to overthrow the king. Once again, it's Daine's "wild magic'' that allows them to destroy a magical shield created by evil mages over the valley. We are given a few hints as to who her father may be.Daine learns that not only can she talk with animals but she is able to morph. Again, Daine aquires new friends, this time an immortal named Tkaa, a basilisk (a creature that can turn anything to stone).
Another fluent theme is that we are constantly left guessing who Daine's father may be. The significance of our not knowing her background and her not knowing her father is a common factor in the following books.
In the third book, Emperor Mage, Daine is specially chosen for a peace mission to Carthak, a threatening enemy to Tortall. The beloved birds of the emperor of Carthak are sick and because of Daine's healing powers and ability to converse with animals she was chosen to go.The emperor turns out to be evil and it takes courage and determination for Daine to conquer him with the help of a special gift from the badger.There is some foreshadowing of a future romance between Daine and Numair. This brings up a new theme, love...
In the fouth, and final book of the series, The Realm of the Gods, there is more trouble for Tortall. Gods pull Daine and the mage Numair into the realms to save their lives. The two feel they must return to earth, where they are needed in the desperate battle raging there. After a danger-filled trek to the land of the dragons, they make allies with its inhabitants who not only return them to Earth, but also join the altercation, along with other immortals. Daine's wild magic continues to develop, and some of the best scenes involve her interaction with beasts of various kinds. Mixed into the fighting are bits of humor. There is also a blossoming romance between Daine and Numair. All in all, a fulfilling ending to an enticing story.
I feel that many of the components of the story tie into what is happening in our world today. In each of the stories, fighting and war are major factors, and looking at the current situation of the United States as well as many other countries, we are all in the same predicament. Particularly in the story of The Emperor Mage, a situation like the one we have with Osama Bin Laden occurs. One man poisons the minds of his followers and produces an excuse for a war.
The Immortal Series is a great read that I definitely recommend. The books cover all anyone could ask for in a book. Romance, adventure, fantasy and more are all included. It is a book no teenager, more specifically girls, should be without a copy of it.
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Summary: Amazing feeling and depth! Another A++ book from Tammy!
Review: The final book in the quartet. I cried when it ended, even after reading it on 3 other occasions. Daine and her teacher Numair get whisked to the immortal realms unexpectantly by Daine's dead mother and her god father after almost certain death from skinners. They then go on a journey to the Dragonlands to find passage back to the mortal realms. Along the way they fight ton of immortals and the passion between Daine and Numair grows. Ever since the middle of the first book you can tell there was something between them. Numair is so sweet and protective of Daine, and he finally lets her know after she is almost killed by spidrens. All and all, this book is fantastic, a must-read. I cried and laughed openly while reading it. I knew the characters and the setting so well, I actually felt like I was Daine, there in the Divine Realms and at Port Legann.
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Summary: Pierce Rocks!
Review: The fourth and final book of the Immortals Quartet is just as wonderful as all the others. There's not much to say about Tamora Pierce that has not been said already.
The Immortals War is on, and Daine and Numair are in the thick of it. Called out to fight yet another unknown enemy, they find themselves in peril of loosing their lives. Suddenly, they are swept into the legendary Realms of the Gods, where Daine is reunited with her mother (now a minor goddess) and learns many secrets about her past. But the war goes on in the mortal realms, and Daine and Numair MUST get back to help. They undertake the extremely dangerous journey to Dragonlands, where the dragons-hopefully-will take them back to their home. During their journey, they realize that the war between the Great Gods and Chaos in this realm is related to their war in the mortal realms. While they travel, they learn even more about life, love, and eachother. But will they get back in time to save the entire world-even the Realms of the Gods-from falling into Chaos? And will they get out of it alive?
With a passionate romance, wonderful characters-god and mortal alike, and an intensely suspenseful plot, this is a amazing ending to an amazing series.
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Summary: The end of THE IMMORTALS series
Review: This book was fantastic, i read the entire series and this was by far the best of Tamora's four immortal books. Numair and Daine are swept into the divine realms by Daine's mother. They travel to Dragonlands to seak help from the dragons, (the help being sent back to the mortal realm). Along the way they undertake many adventures including walking over rickety bridges to falling into rivers. Also in this book Daine finds out who her true love is. The ending to this book was beautiful, though it may make one look for more news on how she and Numair are fairing. I love Tamora pierce's books, the only problem is that so far she has limited her series to 4 books when she could really write a ten-book series.
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