Street Magic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Street Magic | |
 Cover featuring Briar and Evvy in Chammur's Grand Bazaar . |
|
| Author | Tamora Pierce |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Circle Opens |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Scholastic Press |
| Publication date | April 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 300 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-590-39628-5 (hardback edition) & ISBN 0-590-39643-9 (paperback edition) |
| Preceded by | Magic Steps |
| Followed by | Cold Fire |
Street Magic is the second book in the quartet The Circle Opens by acclaimed fantasy author Tamora Pierce. It describes the further adventures of child-mage Briar Moss in his travels with his teacher, the Dedicate Initiate Rosethorn.
[edit] Plot introduction
Street Magic is set in Chammur, a city in the country of Sotat, which has been left to itself for many decades. Many of the city's structures are made of stone.
[edit] Plot summary
While Briar and his teacher Rosethorn are helping the locals in Chammur, Briar realizes that all is not as it should be in Chammur's streets. As a former 'street rat' himself, he tends to have an interest in the affairs of local gangs. He discovers a gang known as the Vipers roaming through territory not their own. After further investigation, Briar discovers that the Vipers are the pet gang of a local Noblewoman.
While Briar investigates the Vipers, he discovers Evvy, a local girl with stone magic. At first, she runs away from him, but she gradually learns to trust him. When Evvy singularly refuses to study with local stone mage Jebilu Stoneslicer, Briar takes her training in hand himself.
[edit] Characters
Briar Moss- a fourteen year old plant mage who is traveling with his teacher, Rosethorn. Briar is part of a group of young mages who have become famous across the land. The other three members are: Sandy, Tris, and Daja.
Rosethorn-Briar's teacher in plant magic. Rosethorn is a dedicate initiate of Winding Circle Temple.
Evvy- a street child with powerful stone magic. She is unusual in the fact that she belongs to no gang. Almost all children in Chammur belong in gangs so they can be protected.
Lady Zenadia doa Atteneh- a rich widow who is connected with the street gang known as the Vipers. She orders her pet gang to kidnap Evvy multiple times, resulting in failure all but once. She may be a perfectionist , as she doesn't accept failure, killing (ordering her eunuch to strangle them) those who fail her.
When Briar and his teacher travel to the city of Chammur, Briar discovers a street girl called Evvy who possesses powerful stone magic. Briar tries to talk to her and find out more about her magic, but Evvy isn't interested in what he has to say, and runs away. Briar continues attempting to talk to her, until he finally gains her trust. He then tells her that she must be taught to control her magic, otherwise she could end up killing innocent people. Meanwhile, a street gang called the Vipers are trying to follow Briar everywhere and find out what he's up to. When one of them tells their leader Lady Zenadia that the girl Evvy has stone magic, Lady Zenadia tries to kidnap Evvy and use her magic to make herself even richer.
