I know I've said this before, possibly in every Circle review so far, but I really, really appreciate Tamora Pierce's ability to write some really dark stuff without it feeling super dark or getting utterly graphic with it. Holy crap does Street Magic exemplify this in spades. Briar just seems to end up in some really gross and violent situations. Definitely makes sense for an aspiring healer with his background, but still...
I did remember some of the violence that Briar wreaks at the end of the book from the last time I read it. I did not, however, remember exactly how certain aspects were described. The moments are definitely glossed over pretty quickly and I definitely think years of watching things like CSI and True Crime shows definitely heightened the images in my now adult mind. I did appreciate the PTSD Briar admits to at the very end of the book. I doubt many would have looked upon the horrors and not come away with bad dreams at the very least. As much as I was horrified by the deaths at the end of Magic Steps, I was very grossed out by what Briar encountered in Lady Zenadia's gardens.
And now that I've discussed the end of the book, I'll backtrack. I really like Evvy, pretty much from the start. Anyone who is as attached to her cats as Evvy is, is good people in my book. She's also spunky and opinionated, which I always enjoy in my female protagonists. That said, I also like Lady Zenadia as an antagonist. She's cartoonishly evil but also way more realistic than I think most would like to admit. Some very rich people seem to be getting away with an awful lot these days... same with pahan Jebilu.
Thinking about it, I'm also in awe of how Tamora Pierce escalates through story beats. Starts off small with Briar doing his healing thing with the Camelguts, their journey into Lady Zenadia's clutches, and finally with Briar's assault on her house. There's also some focus on the psychological aspects of what Lady Zenadia is doing to "her" Vipers. I do kind of wonder what would have happened if the Vipers had refused her wholesale before the end... but that's definitely going into speculation on my part.
Street Magic is another very solid addition to the Circle series overall. It's fantastical while at the same time feeling visceral and real. It helps that the fantastical parts are firmly rooted (pardon the pun) in some realities we just can't seem to escape.
Favorite Lines
"Stabbing isn't an answer." Briar Moss
"All you can do is learn good to balance the bad," Rosethorn told him. "Learn and do all the good within your reach. Then, if you wake in a sweat, you have something to set against the dream."
Another Plea to VOTE
Election Day for the US Midterm elections fast approaches. Get out and vote if you haven't already. It's damned important.
