PierceFest: The Immortals Kick-Off

WELCOME BACK TO PIERCE FEST MY DARLINGS! 

It's time for THE IMMORTALS!

I'm so sorry this kick off post is a bit late, but BEA kind of got in the way of my WHOLE ENITRE LIFE, so I was only able to type this up just recently. 

Now that I've gotten the excuses out of the way, there's one more thing I have to do before breaking down the books in this portion of Pierce Fest. And that is to ask you all if you've already been to Gillian's blog for the Alanna (aka first) portion of the event. You don't HAVE to read the Alanna series in order to read the Daine series or even to take part in Pierce Fest, but since Alanna is CRAZY KICK ASS, I have to speak up on the matter. 

Okay. So. Now that you've either gone back for an Alanna recap or you've made the conscious, voluntary decision to skip it (WHY?), we can now move on to The Immortals series. 

In Tamora Pierce's second quartet set in Tortall we meet Daine, a girl who can speak to ANIMALS. She's amazing and different and headstrong and brave and I could try and characterize her/summarize the books, but instead I'll let Goodreads do the job for me (because I don't think this sentence can stand another 'and').

Young Daine's knack with horses gets her a job helping the royal horsemistress drive a herd of ponies to Tortall. Soon it becomes clear that Daine's talent, as much as she struggles to hide it, is downright magical. Horses and other animals not only obey, but listen to her words. Daine, though, will have to learn to trust humans before she can come to terms with her powers, her past, and herself.

Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

When humans start cutting down trees and digging holes in peaceful Dunlath Valley, the wolves know that something is wrong. They send a messenger to the only human who will listen -- Daine, a fourteen-year-old girl with the unpredictable power of wild magic. Daine and her closest companions heed the wolves' cry for help. But the challenge they are about to face in the valley is greater than they can possibly imagine...

Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Sent to Carthak as part of the Tortallan peace delegation, Daine finds herself in the middle of a sticky political situation. She doesn't like the Carthaki practice of keeping slaves, but it's not her place to say anything -- she's just there to heal the emperor's birds. It's extremely frustrating! What's more, her power has grown in a mysterious way. As the peace talks stall, Daine puzzles over Carthak's two-faced Emperor Ozorne. How can he be so caring with his birds and so cruel to his people? Daine is sure he's planning something. Daine must fight the powerful Emperor Mage, knowing that the safety and peace of the realm depend on stopping Ozorne's power-hungry schemes.

Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

 

During a dire battle against the fearsome Skinners, Daine and her mage teacher Numair are swept into the Divine Realms. Though happy to be alive, they are not where they want to be. They are desperately needed back home, where their old enemy, Ozorne, and his army of strange creatures are waging war against Tortall. Trapped in the mystical realms Daine discovers her mysterious parentage. And as these secrets of her past are revealed so is the treacherous way back to Tortall. So they embark on an extraordinary journey home, where the fate of all Tortall rests with Daine and her wild magic.

Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

I don't think I could ever truly express my love for all things Tamora Pierce (and Tortall in particular), but I think it has something to do with the way she just makes me believe these characters in her FANTASY NOVELS are really people living a real place who I'd honestly want to surround myself with. I believe the magic is real and I buy the mythical creatures. The set up is just wonderful and the the wit, relationships and kissing are all spot on. Tamora Pierce also has this way of making me not feel squicky about age inappropriate characters ending up together - because that's something that WOULD gross me out. 

But beyond everything listed above, I love Tamora Pierce books because the way they make me feel. Intellectually I know these books have feminist undertones but I don't see me reading them as a feminist thing. It's just an empowerment thing. Tamora Pierce makes me feel happy in my own skin - even as a t(w)een - which isn't something I can say about most books, or even situations I dealt with as a kid. So, Tamora Pierce, I forever thank you for granting me that rare moment of t(w)eeny peace. And please know if I ever meet you I will look something like this:

And OF COURSE, the girls (Gillian, Alexa and Rachel) had to offer up a Giveaway for this momentous event, so don't forget to enter!

THE PRIZE:

1 set of any Tamora Pierce series (which is, at max, FOUR books)

THE RULES:

1. The giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY, as long as Book Depository ships to you.
2. All entries will be verified, so please do not forget to include the correct information.
3. Winner will be contacted as soon as they are chosen. They will have 48 hours to respond with the pertinent information, or their win will be forfeit and another will be chosen.
4. The bloggers will not be held responsible for condition or timeliness of the book shipment, as they are being shipped by a third party organization. Please note that we will try to keep you informed of the status of your prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARE YOU JOINING ME ON THIS QUEST? ARE YOU EXCITED? DO YOU HAVE WORDS TO EXPRESS YOURSELF? ARE YOU ALL IN CAPS LOCK RIGHT NOW LIKE I AM? Be sure to sound off in the comments below if any of that resonates with you in any way ^_^