List of Nations in Igrada

 Magician Nations

1. Vaephis

2. Vrinas

3. Afotam

Elven Nations

1.Trona

2. Entovine

3. Anbuver

Human Nations

1. Faland

2. Acosea

My opinion on the Silvermay trilogy by James Moloney (spoilers)

 

I couldn’t get through the second book. It’s not that it’s a bit story - really, I quite enjoyed the first book. I just can’t stand the character Tamyln, and I hate that Silvermay loves him. He just seems so selfish, so inconsiderate. It annoys me how Silvermay is trying to change him as well, and she also seems to be quite two faced. I don’t know if she changes throughout the series, as I couldn’t finish the first book due to a different book I anticipated being realised, and eventually I had to return the trilogy to the library and I just couldn’t bring myself to renew the loan. 

The first book, however, was very exciting. In the first book Silvermay reminds me so much of Verilidaine Sarrasri, and it was a little bit like coming home after a long trip only to see that a few things have changed. Lucien is cute, although I am infuriated by how stupid Silvermay was when she gave him to Coyle. 

My opinion doesn’t particularly matter, but in case you cared, here you go. 

Hierarchy of Tamora Pierce’s Books in the Tortall Universe (Spoiler Warning)

Hello There! Tamora Pierce if my favourite author, and I have been obsessed with her books for years. I love all of her books so much, so it was impossibly hard for me to rank them. Often the ranking changes everyday, so this isn’t definite - I don’t think it’s possible for there to be a definite hierarchy for Tammy’s books, as they are all so good! For the sake of simplicity I won’t include Tortall: A spy’s guide or Tortall and other lands: A collection of tales. Please feel free to tell me your opinion in the comments below, and beware of major spoilers. 

18. Wolf Speaker

I first read Wolf Speaker when I was still quite new to the Tortall universe. I believe it was the second book I read in Tortall, and the seventh Tamora Pierce book I had read. I don’t know what it was, but reading this book was a bit of an effort. I have only reread a few times since then, and although I love Maura’s character and am really excited for a potential book series set in Dunlath, I never really got into the book. That being said, it is still wonderful and an important part of the Immortal’s Quartet. 

17. Terrier

To be really honest, Beka Cooper’s Trilogy is probably my least favourite Tamora Pierce series. I loved seeing Tortall as it was a few centuries before Alanna came along, but I have never been one to enjoy police thrillers. There is nothing wrong with Terrier, and the plot is exciting, but I prefer fast paced books as opposed to ones that are more slow paced. 

16. Bloodhound

Again with Terrier, I never really found Beka’s Trilogy to be all that interesting. I have ranked Bloodhound over Terrier, however, because I really enjoyed the change of location. It was interesting getting to know a city different from Corus, and I hope we get to see Port Caynn more often in upcoming books. 

15. Mastiff

I feel like we need to address the fact that Beka got engaged without us. And then her fiancé died without us, and we never got to meet him. I am really sad that we never got to meet Holborn. Although he sounds like a jerk, I would still have liked to see Beka’s relationship with him build up and then crumble. I still believe that this is the best book in the Beka Cooper Trilogy. Farmer is a likeable character, although his name is unusual. The plot is alright, but I am disappointed by Tunstall’s betrayal. A good book, just not my go to, pretty much. 

14. The Realms of the Gods

I love this book, just not as much as I love Tammy’s other books. The quest format is different from what she usually does, and reminded me of Lioness Rampant in a way. It was certainly an exciting conclusion to The Immortals quartet, and I definitely enjoyed it - even if Numair is the love interest. I was personally rooting for Kaddar in Emperor Mage, but I suppose you can’t have everything in life - and I doubt Daine would be very happy as Empress of Carthak. 

13. Trickster’s Choice

I certainly enjoy this book, although it lacks when it comes to my favourite trope - a group of friends who just do fun stuff together. Kyprioth is an amazing character, that’s undeniable, and I built up a healthy hate towards Bronau. The only problem is that I found many of the scenes to be boring, and like the plot was going nowhere. It was only when Trickster’s Queen came around that the plot came into action. Although I suppose that the Raka rebellion did need time to get to know Aly as an ally - I don’t really know, to be honest

12. Wild Magic

Wild Magic is one of my favourite books in the Immortals Quartet. It is paced exactly how I like my books paced, and I remember reading this as a 10 year old and wishing really badly that Daine could be my friend. I love the scene where Daine meet Thayet, and I think it proves that Thayet is one of the best book characters of all time. If I ever have a daughter there is a high likelihood that her name will be Thayet. The reason this is only my twelfth favourite book is only because there are so many other books that I enjoy. 

11. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man

Let me just get this out of the way, Song of the Lioness is an amazing book series. This book is very detailed, and I loved meeting Bazhir. This is also the book where I started to dislike Jon. He was redeemed a little in Lioness Rampant, but I went back to disliking him in First Test. I don’t have much to say about this book, it’s eleventh because although it’s an amazing book it’s just not as amazing as any others. Also Kara and Kourrem have an amazing friendship dynamic, in my humble opinion. 

10. First Test

Protector of the Small is my favourite of Tammy’s series. When I read the book series I remember finding Kel really relatable, as back in the day I was a shy girl who towered above her friends. The only reason I’m so obsessed with Protector of The Small is because of Kel’s friendship group. I love, love, love it when there is just a group of friends in a book series who just have fun together. I also love how supportive Kel’s parents are, as oftentimes in Y/A books the parents are either dead, abusive or just not there at all. 

9. Trickster’s Queen

I love books about citizens rebelling against their government. I just think it is so fascinating, all of the planning that these characters go through just to carve out a better future for their world. A part of me is always still crying about Elsren’s death. I think that the last few chapters were so epic, and they let me breathless with excitement. Aly is not the most relatable protagonist, but I admire her ability to make mistakes like the normal human being she is. 

8. Lioness Rampant

The finale! I totally understand why Alanna and Liam didn’t work out, and I’m so glad that its George that Alanna ended up with. I am still disappointed over Liam’s death, and I feel like he would have been a valuable ally to the court of Tortall. He also would’ve supported Keladry in the court, which is definitely a plus! He didn’t accept all of Alanna, and I feel like that is highlighted really well in the book. You can clearly see how hurt Alanna is when Liam doesn’t seem too understand that Alanna can both be strong and like womanly things - it definitely shows young readers that you can never be happy with someone if they don’t love all of you. Also Thayet was introduced in this book, and I adore Thayet. She is such a strong character, and although I know she could have done better then Jon, she is an amazing queen. 

7. In The Hand of the Goddess

It’s always nice to have a book character that you can hate, one that doesn’t have a redemption arc so you can feel satisfied that they are truly horrible. That’s why I love to hate Delia. She is such an unlikeable character, which somehow makes me love to read her. It’s strange but true. This book’s aura just radiates comfort, and I love books where the plot is just the passage of time with a few interesting events in between. 

6. Alanna: The First Adventure

Ahh so nostalgic! My favourite scene is definitely when Alanna meets Jon for the first time, and Gary sponsors Alanna. I remember being so happy when Alanna got her period, because it was the first time I had ever seen periods be mentioned in a book. This is definitely a comfort book, and I think Alanna’s hard work to fight for a better future is so beautiful. One of the main reasons I love Tammy’s books is because her protagonists are not Mary Sues’, beautiful woman who are seductive and dangerous and have no faults. I love her heroines because although they mightn’t be incredibly seductive, or have ethereal beauty, they are still respected and they still do great things. 

5. Lady Knight

Cleon made a big mistake, Kel is amazing. Although I would love for her to be with Dom, to be honest. Also Neal and Yuki have just got the cutest relationship dynamic, and I’m so glad things worked out for them. My favourite scene is where Dom makes fun of Kel’s carpentry, and also where Kel talks to the jerk Idrius - I just love his surprise when she informs him that she’s the head of Haven like yes ma’am tell the stupid idiot.  

4. Page

Just a bunch of kids being kids and having fun, while still training. I mean I suppose it’s a little more serious than just that, but this is still one of my comfort books. I first borrowed it out at my school’s small little library, after having already become obsessed with First Test. Also periods! I’m so glad that Kel had Lalasa to help her with ‘womanly stuff’, and I’m also really proud of how Kel stood up for Lalasa multiple times when she was being assaulted. Lalasa is one of the strongest characters in the series, and it is so admirable how she took what Kel told her and probably prevented many rapes and assaults by teaching other girls how to defend themselves. 

3. Tempests and Slaughter

OH MY GOD I’M SO EXCITED FOR THE EXILE’S GIFT! On Booktopia it says that it will be available 27th October, and I’ve already saved that date on my calendar. It was very interesting seeing a new perspective of Varice, as in Emperor Mage she comes off as quite shallow, but in Tempests and Slaughter she is a very likeable, ambitious person. You also see a mixture of traits with Ozorne, such as how you get to know him as a valuable friend, but also a person with numerous red flags. 

2. Squire

Neal is a daffodil. 

1. Emperor Mage 

I love books about politics and international relations, and I feel like it’s even more compelling when in a fantasy universe. I think we can all agree that Daine beating Kaddar’s friends in archery was amazing, as well as Daine kicking Numair in the neck. I could go on forever about Emperor Mage, but it’s late and it’s already taken me forever to write this! 

Plans for Igrada (as of 30/4/2022)

 Priority List

1. Carmyn Laurier Trilogy

2. Yvaine Kennedy Duet 

3. Short stories about backstories of different characters

4. Song of the Stars

5. Francesca’s series