

Next to the street rat Briar, Trisana "Tris" Chandler has always been my favorite member of the circle. Should you be opposed to the idea of magic, I strongly suggest that you do not pick up this book.

However, this is a book that composed mostly of fiction and the world of fantasy. Overall: This is a wonderful read that will certainly capture your imaginations. She builds the feelings by killing off a character and creating situations where characters are torn with indecision. Pierce even ties in problems in our own societies into the book including the treatment of those less fortunate (i.e.: the prathmun are a relation to the "untouchables" in India or the slaves in colonial times.) Pierce also understands that no good novel is without its touch of strong emotion. Each page keeps in a trance such that you'll never want to put down the book.

The suspense is also a key factor that is well played. Pierce is even able to accurately portray the emotions that plague Tris, who after all, has not had much experience in the world. For instance, Keth, an adult violently objects to a teacher for his powers fearing change as many adults do. The characters are wonderfully written and the personalities are written with great detail. As for my opinion on this novel, it's great. The rest.you'll have to read for yourself. Keth and Tris both utilize their powers to track down this killer in the hopes that the deaths will stop. Enraged by the contamination of the city, the government officials use every one of their resources to track down their killer. To top matters, a murderer is stalking the city, killing the actresses and the female performers (the yaskedasi) of the city and then displaying their corpses in public places. The problem? Keth is an adult, whilst Tris is a 13 year old adolescent still struggling with her own powers. Finding no other teacher in the area to instruct him in magic's proper use, she undertakes his training. But her troubles are far from over when she discovers a glassmaker, Keth, who has the power of lightening magic as well as glass magic. Tris, being a fair and kind (although sometimes hot-tempered) mage, is outraged. At times, they are even considered bugs by the people. For instance, prathmun, the city's lowest member of society, are unable to participate in most city functions, are treated with scorn by the people, and must handle the worst jobs in the city. While the music, performers, and glassmakers are superb, she finds that the way society is defined is offensive and repugnant. While her stay in Tharios promises to be exciting, Tris finds that the city is not at all to her taste. Trisana Chandler (Tris) and her teacher, Niko Goldeye, travel to Tharios for a convention of mages. Warning: Spoilers may be within text This fourth and last book of the Circle Opens by Tamora Pierce has really ended the series quite nicely.
