Introduction to Tamora Pierce's Books

Perhaps you're new to Tamora Pierce's books, or you have read a few but out of order and you want to know the correct sequence of her series. To help each group, and anyone else interested, here is a list of Tamora Pierce's books and what order to read them in.

So to clarify, Tamora Pierce has two very separate series. Series #1 takes place in the Tortall world and is headlined by several specific female protagonists: Alanna, Daine, Kel, Aly, & Beka.

* Alanna's series, collectively referred to as "The Song of the Lioness" (4 books)

1. Alanna: The First Adventure

2. In the Hand of the Goddess

3. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man

4. Lioness Rampant

* Daine's series, collectively referred to as "The Immortals" (4 books)

1. Wild Magic

2. Wolf-Speaker

3. Emperor Mage

4. The Realms of the Gods

* Kel's series, collectively referred to as "Protector of the Small" (4 books)

1. First Test

2. Page

3. Squire

4. Lady Knight

* Aly's series, collectively referred to as "Daughter of the Lioness" (2 books)

1. Trickster's Choice

2. Trickster's Queen

* Beka's series (3 books)

1. Terrier

2. Bloodhound (release date April 2009)

3. Elkhound (release date 2010)



In my opinion, there are two books you could begin with that will best introduce you to Tamora Pierce's writings. Her first ever book, which starts the entire Tortall story, is Alanna: The First Adventure (1983). And this is an obvious and good book to start your Pierce adventure. However, my favorite book and the book I read first was Wild Magic (1992). If you read Wild Magic first, then you will be introduced to the realm and the magic that governs it as the main character Daine is. You would then be able to read the "Alanna" series as a prequel. Otherwise, read all other books in order of protagonists (Alanna, Daine, Kel, Aly, Beka) and of books within each series.

To be noted, the Beka Cooper story are set 200 years before Alanna's but I recommend you read them AFTER the other Tortall books.

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Series #2 takes place in a whole separate 'world' and is referred to as the Circle of Magic collection. This world has no relation to the Tortall series and is in fact made up entirely of different magic, lands, and characters.

These ten books are centered on 4 friends: Sandry, Briar, Tris, and Daja. Their stories are so intrinsically intertwined that readers should just follow the order of the stories' publishing (and the order of this list).

*Circle of Magic (4 books)

1. Sandry's Book [UK title The Magic in the Weaving]

2. Tris's Book [UK title The Power in the Storm]

3. Daja's Book [UK title The Fire in the Forging]

4. Briar's Book [UK title The Healing in the Vine]

*The Circle Opens (4 books)

1. Magic Steps

2. Street Magic

3. Cold Fire

4. Shatterglass

*Circle Reforged (1 book)

1. The Will of the Empress

There is also an upcoming story called Melting Stones that, plot-wise, occurs between Shatterglass and The Will of the Empress. It will actually appear first as a full-cast audiobook and THEN will be followed by the paper version. The release date for the audiobook will be Autumn 2007; the book, Summer 2008.

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Bibliography:
-Order of Books: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamora_Pierce
-Release Dates: http://www.tamora-pierce.com/