Magic Steps

The Circle Opens, Book 1

By: Tamora Pierce

Narrated by: Tamora Pierce

Sandrilene fa Toren has moved to the palace of her uncle, Duke Vedris, to care for him after his recent heart attack. While the two are out riding, Sandry sees a boy named Pasco dance a magic spell. To her dismay she soon learns that since she discovered Pasco, she must handle his magical education until a proper teacher can be found. At 14, Sandry feels she is too young for this. Even worse, 12-year-old Pasco refuses to believe he even has magic. Light-footed and light-of-heart, he threatens to drive Sandry crazy.

But Sandry has greater worries than Pasco. Ruthless assassins are working to eliminate a local merchant clan, and as the grisly deaths mount, it becomes clear they are using a terrifying power called Un-magic. Even more unnerving, halting their reign of terror will require not only Sandry’s magic, but Pasco’s as well.

©2000 Tamora Pierce (P)2011 Full Cast Audio

I love the magic characters' personalities

The nature of magic is unique in each mage which is fascinating to me. This story has a big mystery to be solved and dangerous criminals. Great plot but some gore was necessary in the crimes.

Great performance, good story

Would you consider the audio edition of Magic Steps to be better than the print version?

Yes and no. I like full cast audio books because it makes it easy to distinguish the characters, but sometimes I feel as if the emphasis in certain lines isn't right. However, that's because everyone reads books differently, so I suppose I shouldn't really complain.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Magic Steps?

For me, it was when Sandry uses her magic to talk to her uncle. Even in Tamora Pierce's books, it's a radical change for a mage to magically talk to someone without magic.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't think I have a favorite scene for this book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It was nice to break it up at the chapter markings.

Any additional comments?

Don't take this as a negative review! Magic Steps is a good story and the performance was wonderful. In my mind, it just lends itself to listening in more than one sitting. I highly recommend reading the actual book as well as listening to this one.

Amazing Tween plus author

Would you consider the audio edition of Magic Steps to be better than the print version?

This books brings characters to life with humor and the perfect amount of detail. She creates a word with a believable society and interesting lore. I am a teacher and I think Pierce is a wonderful author.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sandry is a spirit girl who fills the shoes of a full grow madr at an early age. She is kind, bold and has a strong sense of right and wrong.

What does Tamora Pierce bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

She is the author and she adds the perfect tone to match her words. You know the reader has the author's thoughts in mind cause they are the same person.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Ordinary Magic

Add 3rd and 4th book please!

loved it. would love to see the 3rd and 4th book in this series added to audible.

As always, absolutely stellar.

I don’t think Tammy can write a bad book. I was an absolute delight to watch Sandra come into her own and begin moving into the adult world as a mage.

Another winner

Full Cast Audio always does such an amazing job, and Tamora Pierce’s work is yet another jewel in their collective crown of projects. I’m delighted to hear their telling of these stories, and I only wish they’d been able to record the last two.

Charming read for all ages

This audio book does full justice to the wonderfully rich story. I had first read this book when it first came out in print. The audio version just makes it better. Don't let an age rating on this book fool you into passing up a good listen (or read.) Each character was brought to life. I've already got the rest of the series on my wish list and will be getting them in the future.

3rd and 4th book please

Growing up with the Circle of Magic series, to see the growth of the same characters unleash in the continuation of the series was beyond magical!
The voice actors are incredible, consistent and almost life like! A bummer to see book 3 and 4 of this series isn’t on Audible but Tamora Pierce shines and radiates in this series with her knowledge in the mundane made magical! Bravo!

Please consider completing the series!

I like how she can stand alone and lead.

I never realized before how long after the first quartet that this one is set. Sandry is 14 so almost 4 years have passed.

Loved the novel, and I love the full cast audio

I love how all the characters in have their own voice actors. to be truthful, I don't like the narrator's voice all that much, she's a tad too robotic for me, but the full cast audio for all the characters make up for it! I love the voices. This was one of my favorite books so it's the first I've tried as an Audiobook. since I've read the book before, if I zone out a bit for the narration parts, it's ok