A thorough guide for students and adults to the fantasy novels of Tamora Pierce.

Tamora Pierce has a large following of teen and adult readers, who savor her fantasy novels with strong female characters. This volume provides her readers and fans with additional insights into her life and work. The first section provides a biographical chapter and literary heritage. The second and third sections analyze the Tales of Tortall and the Magic Circle Sagas as a whole, providing details into the characters and settings of each. The final section of the book, Perspectives, includes both a section on literary techniques along with an interview of Tamora Pierce herself. Appendices include a section on Power Female Heroes, and Fantasy Adventures. Novels include: *The Song of the Lioness Quartet *The Immortals Quartet *The Protector of the Small Quartet *The Trickster Duology *The Magic Circle Quartet *The Circle Opens Quartet *The Will of the Empress

"Kunzel, a retired youth library services consultant, and Fichtelberg, a children's librarian, describe each novel's plot, character, and thematic development. The book also includes a brief biography and interview with Pierce, and an overview of the literary heritage of young adult fantasy, plus an overview of literary techniques used in Pierce's work. There are two bibliographies, one of books featuring strong female heroines and one of fantasy adventure in general." - Reference and Research Book News