The Immortals Quartet, Tamora Pierce

Book One: Wild Magic

Daine, a 13-year-old girl, finds out that her knack with wild animals is in fact a rare and powerful form of magic. Under the guidance of Numair Salmalín (the most powerful mage in Tortall), she learns to control her magic, which proves very important for herself and her companions. This first novel in the quartet also reunites us briefly with the protagonist of the Song of the Lioness quartet, Alanna of Pirate’s Swoop and Olau, formerly Alanna of Trebond.

Okay, so this series may have been the last of the Tortall series that I picked up. I couldn’t for the life of me tell you why, but I can take a few guess’. Firstly, this particular instalment was something of a ‘spanner-in-the-works’ for me. That being, it was not what I expected. Going from the “Warrior” women types of Alana, and Kel to Daine was a bit of a shock. Although, it was a welcome one. It is undoubtedly needed for the Tortall world to include a main character who isn’t quite delicate, but it strong in different ways. Who’s powers consist of different things. She tip-toes the high-rope of being the mary-sue of the Tortall world. She is fairly good-looking, and determined with a well of un-tapped skill that we slowly see developed through the series. Going back to the idea of the “warrior type”, she does reflect a small amount of “warrior” through her skill with weaponry, BUT, what differentiates her is she is NOT a warrior. Its a difficult thing to discern. I feel the realness in her development of skill is endearing, her determination admirable, and her enthusiasm to learn idealistic but again, needed.

Moving away from Daine’s character, we have the supporting character – who in their own sense, are strongly characterised people who we have met before. Meeting them before, is somewhat of a way to tie it all together, which again, makes the entire series of Tortall more enticing. Now, we find these in the people and the animals. We have the Queen’s Riders, Alana, George, and every single one of them is well-placed and not frivolously used to create an effect. Pierce, as usual, creates an entire cast of characters, and not a single one is weak. The immortals, who lend their being to the actual series in itself, are one’s which originate from the traditional mythologies, which is an important aspect of the series. (As a side note, my personal worst of the worst are the Spidrens. I first encountered them in the Protector of the Small Quartet, and have despised them ever since. I mean, its not just that they’re spiders, but in that instance Kitten eating Spiders! Miss me with that stuff, please and thanks.)

My fave part of this series is the MAGIC. While present in the past books, this is inherently different and I loved it. It was DIFFERENT. It was nice that it was different, and although I did connect the dots before the dots were dots as the series progressed, I still enjoyed the reveals because there was always SOMETHING I hadn’t considered.

I mean, realistically I spoke too soon. Equal favorites I suppose. We have Numair. A character whom I am frothing for his personal series to finish before I begin reading – I despise waiting! He’s just, a protector. One which Daine really needed, and the perfect one to receive. He nurture’s and he understands.

Book Two: Wolf Speaker

Daine travels with Numair to meet a pack of wolves that she knew from her home village. The wolves show her that the valley containing their home range is being devastated, and this is eventually connected with a treasonous conspiracy against her adopted king and country.

With the novel, I was lucky enough that everything was published by the time I began reading the series. So, there wasn’t much I had to remember. But of course, being a Tamora Pierce Novel, she beautifully weaves the reminders of the past novels into the dialogue in a way which helps you remember without going back and reading the book.

As with all of Pierce’s books, the sequels jump right into the thick of things. Wolf-Speaker, starts with a wolf-pack. This particular wolf-pack however, is different. Daine, briefly ran with this particular pack after her mother died. In this instance, the pack is asking Daine for help. They’re being threatened by over-development of the land, and of course, there enters a conspiracy to thicken the entire plot-line up. Also, it would pay to mention we meet the immortals again in this instance.

This particular novel lacks the fast-pace and flair of the other series in the Tortall realm. It becomes rather tedious as it moves along, but as the story develops further, I would say it becomes worth the wait. To me, this is eerily similar to the Alana series, particularly Women who rides like a Man. But where the series differ is the idea they embody. Where the Alana Quartet aims to break gender-stereotypes and boundaries, The Immortals Quartet leaves you with the eye-opening prospect that the world is not as cookie cutter, black and white, as people view it to be.

In this novel, the characters and the villains are complex. They have flaws, and they have endearing qualities. It seems that those whom are framed to be ‘bad’ aren’t always bad. In fact, some are ‘bad’ as a product of their identity and their association with a particular type of view of that identity. In the first book, the Immortals are introduced as bad and scary e.g. Stormwings, Spidrens (eek!). But, as Daine slowly begins to learn (which becomes a key aspect of the series), just because they’re stereotypically associated with something that is bad does not make them bad. In this particular instance, we see Stormwings, and Ogres. Here the bad guy lays it out very eloquently for the readers (and for Daine / Maura)

“Maura frowned. ‘I don’t understand. If you’re peaceful – if you really only like to farm – how come you’re called “ogres”? Ogres are monsters, aren’t they? And how come your people are always fighting with ours?’ ‘We are big,’ replied Iajoku quietly. ‘Ugly. Our color different from men color. No all ogres are same, either. Some take what they want. Some fight with men. My people, kin clans, we only like farming, not fighting. Some ogres only like fighting. Are all men the same?'”

I mean, the complexity of the idea in itself is strange for a children’s-novel. But, it’s one that is easily grasped in context with the series itself. I mean, Daine is running with a wolf-pack (and wolves are meant to be scary and eat people) so, there’s that too. It’s a concept that has been readily established by many fantasy series, so to have it dis-established like this, in such a way that is relate-able for the younger audience is brilliant!

Book Three: Emperor Mage

Daine joins a delegation of Tortallan diplomats sent to Carthak, where she finally meets the Emperor Ozorne, who had previously attempted to execute her teacher Numair. Daine is caught up in a strange battle involving displeased gods and strange magics.

Our favorite characters are back, and better than ever! I must start by saying this instalment, was a beautiful redemption for the slow-paced novel that Wolf-Speaker eventuated as. Daine has matured into her powers, and most noticeably, her shape-shifting power’s have become, well, proper powers. In Emperor Mage, Daine learns something new, again. However, this time, she learns how to bring back the dead. While it seems Daine will learn something new every book arguably, this is one that was given to her, rather than one that developed.

Again, Pierce introduces a plethora of characters, and manages to write them so beautifully despite there being so many of them. It’s a talent of hers, I suppose. Each of the characters traits were subtle, and not so in-your-face that you knew they’d be a bad-guy(again with the Bad Guy Symmetry). AND, of course, it wouldn’t be a ‘I-can-speak-to-animals-esque’ novel without Daine acquiring another animal. This time, she saves the animal from drowning.

Without spoilers, I have to note my displeasure at the character that died in this series. Of course, they didn’t die. But we knew that. Or, at least we hoped that they weren’t dead. Because like, it would make 0 sense – the story is not over yet.

I suppose, with this particular installment, I can’t say much more without ruining it for those who haven’t actually read it yet.

But let me end on a note; I admire Daine for being someone different even than Alana, and Kel. I appreciate the way The Immortals Quartet allows for the introduction of some complex ideas that maybe, aren’t though of as much as they should be. The inclusion of the Gods / Goddess’ was intriguing, and the head-strong manner in which Daine did what she needed to do, was awesome. Again, we see her determination, and dedication.

Also, FINALLY SOME ANSWERS ABOUT DAINE’S FATHER (which lets face it, I’d figured out along with everyone else, but also to have it confirmed was an awesome feeling.)

Book Four: The Realm of the Gods

Caught in a mysterious attack, Daine and Numair are snatched into the Divine Realms and struggle to make their way back to Tortall, where war is raging again. While in the Divine Realms, Daine discovers Numair’s true feelings for her and works out her own. This book takes place in both the Divine (Immortal) and mortal realms.

THE SHIP HAS SAILED. Ok, that is enough of a spoiler for this one, so let’s continue.

This, was a perfect ending for an amazing series. It’s complex, it gives you so many questions, but it also gives you answers. And boy, are those answers worth the wait. Again, SPOILERS so I cannot delve as far into the series as I’d like, but lets just say READ IT.

As the book opens, our characters are exhausted, and dare I say it, for good reason. Tortall has been at war since the epitome of the last novel with the thing, that happens, with the Emperor (geez, this is hard.) Of course, it’s about now that people begin to realise, OK maybe what we did to this person to cause him to do this thing wasn’t a good idea. (DUH).

Then, Daine and Numair get transported to the Immortal Realms. PLOT TWIST.

I have conflicted feelings about this one. While, the introduction of the Immortal Realm is good – and the answers Daine needs, and finds in there are a great benefit for the story-line – she’s taken away from all the character’s who we’d grown fond of. All those she relied on, and from all those who relied on her. It wasn’t until the final battle that I felt a connection to the novel again, because justice.

I guess, this is where I leave it. Without giving away anything further about the substantial aspects of this novel, it is a must read, and the perfect ending for the series. Throw in a little romance, and some plot-twists and its a great YA Fantasy written in a way which resonates with a younger audience.

READ IT.