I like to think of Pirate’s Swoop as a land of misfits, of people who survived and found a place of comfort and acceptance. She has literally never met noble folk who do their own chores! This is also satisfying for the reader because we get a chance to see how Alanna and George have changed the social structure of this part of Tortall. They’re all these larger-than-life figures who don’t conform to the expectations and stereotypes she’s used to, and it leaves her feeling bewildered. I like that Daine is just overwhelmed by everyone she meets.

Nooo, my babies.) And this chapter also features the very first appearance of the lovely George Cooper, who has adjusted to life in Pirate’s Swoop rather well. (Which is also why the ending of this chapter is so gut-wrenching. It took Daine a moment to realize the sound was not birds but children screaming, “Mama, Mama!” A pack of them dashed through the inner court’s gate and separated: three to Alanna, two to the queen. How is she supposed to feel okay with this when she’s so drastically unique? Even the few folks she has met who have wild magic within them are nothing like her. Daine has significant differences from the people around her. Does she have a place in the Riders? Is she just a burden? How is she ever going to fit in when bats cling to her clothing and poop on her? Seriously! While I think there are some thematic similarities to Song of the Lioness in this book, this really is a dramatically different experience. She’s got so many insecurities about her role in the world, let alone her role in places like Corus or Pirate’s Keep.

I’m honestly not expecting that Daine will solve this issue by the end of this novel. THAT ENDING HELP ME.īut before we get there, Pierce deals with Daine’s place within this new world she’s become a part of. This is its own book, and its developed to one hell of a climax. Gone are the days when I worried about the pacing and how the books seemed to rush to their conclusion in the last couple chapters. I really love what this book is doing and the feel that Tamora Pierce has given it. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to read Wild Magic. In the eighth chapter of Wild Magic, Daine adjusts to life at Pirate’s Swoop, only to discover that her abilities have a surprising purpose.

Wild magic book