''Magic Steps'' is the opening book of '' The Circle Opens'' quartet of

young adult A young adult is generally a person in the years following adolescence. Definitions and opinions on what qualifies as a young adult vary, with works such as Erik Erikson's stages of human development significantly influencing the definition of ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and drama ...

novels by

Tamora Pierce Tamora Pierce (born December 13, 1954) is an American writer of fantasy fiction for teenagers, known best for stories featuring young heroines. She made a name for herself with her first book series, ''The Song of the Lioness'' (1983–1988), wh ...

. It is preceded by the '' Circle of Magic'' quartet, taking place four years after the conclusion of '' Briar's Book''. It portrays the adventures of

Sandrilene fa Toren ''Circle of Magic'' is a quartet of fantasy novels by Tamora Pierce, set in Emelan, a fictional realm in a pseudo-medieval and renaissance era. It revolves around four young mages, each specializing in a different kind of magic, as they learn t ...

, the

noble A noble is a member of the nobility. Noble may also refer to: Places Antarctica * Noble Glacier, King George Island * Noble Nunatak, Marie Byrd Land * Noble Peak, Wiencke Island * Noble Rocks, Graham Land Australia * Noble Island, Grea ...

thread mage and her first experience as a

teacher A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. w ...

of magic.

Plot

Like the previous quartet, ''Magic Steps'' is set in Summersea, the capital of Emelan. When her three foster-siblings leave Summersea to travel the world with their teachers, Sandry and Lark, remain alone in a Temple. Sandry leaves Discipline Cottage to live with and care for him. While out riding with her uncle, Sandry makes two discoveries: the murder of Rokat part of the war between

organized crime Organized crime (or organised crime) is a category of transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals to engage in illegal activity, most commonly for profit. While organized crime is generally tho ...

families Rokat and Dihanur, and a boy named Pasco, whose dancing is visible to Sandry's magical vision as imbued with

ambient magic Ambient or Ambiance or Ambience may refer to: Music and sound * Ambience (sound recording), also known as atmospheres or backgrounds * Ambient music, a genre of music that puts an emphasis on tone and atmosphere * ''Ambient'' (album), by Moby * ...

Publication and reception

The book was first published in 2000, one year after ''Briar's Book'' concluded the original ''Circle of Magic'' quartet in 1999. ''Kirkus'' praised the book's "vibrant language" and "great energy." It was adapted into an audiobook in 2011 by Full Cast Audio.

References

{{Tamora Pierce American fantasy novels Emelanese books 2000 American novels 2000 fantasy novels American young adult novels