I was meant to read/audiobook this last year after I blitz a few other Tamora Pierce books, and I did start this. But I put it down round the 30% mark and didn't go back till earlier this week and I thought it would be a good idea to continue from where I left off... yeah, that wasn't my best idea...

The third book in the Immortals Quartet, Daine's wild magic with animals is growing and under the magical care of her teacher, Numair. So when they go to help the Emperor Mage of neighbouring kingdom, Carthak, it's in the hope that they can help smooth international relationships by helping the emperor's ailing birds.

But Carthak's emperor, Ozorne, is charming but treacherous and ruthless and the kingdom is built on the suffering of slaves. And Daine's finds herself a pawn in the game of the mysterious Graveyard Hag...

I keep saying this when I read/audiobook Tamora Pierce that I wished I discovered her when I was much younger. Say in the early teens rather than in my mid-30s, as I think I would have devoured these and treasured all of Tamora Pierce's books. She is very much an author who knows how to write fantasy in a way that feels grounded and have the characters feel real without writing a mammoth of a book. There's something simple yet it sucks you in.

I think, out of the books in the Immortals Quartet, I liked this a lot more than the second in the series, Wolf Speaker, but less than the first, Wild Magic. I'm in two minds over if I want to read the fourth and final in this series, Realm of the Gods, as I have heard very mixed things about it. VERY MIXED. However, I do have the first in a prequel series, Tempests and Slaughter, and I am hoping to read that in the next few months.

I do like this book, but I wish I discovered this series when I was much younger...

Fifteen year old animal mage Daine and her mentor, now 29 year old Numair, travel with a delegation from Tortall to Carthak, to try to negotiate a peace treaty with the Emperor Mage, Orzorne (who's come a long way from the teenager he was in Tempests and Slaughter). Daine is along because Emperor Orzorne loves animals, and his menagerie of exotic birds is sickening and dying for some unknown reason. But even though the Tortall delegation doesn't trust Orzorne in the slightest, he still may have some surprises planned for them. Of course, he doesn't take Daine's wild magic into account, so there are likely to be some surprises all the way around

I liked Daine's growth, and Kitten's newer intelligence. I was so enthralled with this one, getting to see parts of Tortall that I hadn't seen before.

A return to form with this third instalment after what I thought was a bit of a disappointing book 2. Here we find Daine embroiled in the Carthaki court as she tries to smooth relations by helping the Emperor's sick birds. I really enjoyed all of the political turmoil here and thought that the plot was much tighter, which I appreciated. I continue to enjoy Daine as a character and I find her explorations of the world fascinating. I also really like the relationship she has with Numair, her mentor and teacher. All in all, I really enjoyed this third book and am eager to see how the series concludes.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Once again, this was another brilliant book in a truly magical world that Tamora Pierce has so brilliantly crafted.
With more political intrigue than the other books in the series, this read felt somewhat more grown up. But yet another great addition to the series.

Thankyou to NetGalley, the publishers and the author, Tamora Pierce, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Emperor Mage in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I really enjoyed reading the two previous books in this series and book three ( this offering ) continues a magical story.
I thought the storyline was well written with wonderful characters . I couldn't put it down.
Well worth a read.

This is the third instalment in the Wild Magic series, and, like the previous two books, the reader follows Daine as she traverses the rocky political terrain of Tortall and continues to learn and to hone her wild magic skill.

What differs in this book, however, is the setting. Daine ventures further afield to bordering Carthak, on a mission to end the disquiet between the two kingdoms. But what she finds when she gets there is an enemy she never thought she would ever encounter.

Whilst not my favourite in the series (probably due to the lesser quantity of animals present) this still remained a thrilling instalment to an entirely unique and unforgettable fantasy series. I find myself often reaching for more complex and grimdark fantasies. This, however, provides me with some lighter inbetween relief. The political intrigue remains but the element of fun has been heightened and I can almost guarantee Pierce will deliver her readers a happy ever after neither sickeningly sweet nor heartbreaking. She, as ever, closed this book on the perfect intermediary note and ensured I will always long to return to the comparative safety of her worlds.

Another great instalment in the Immortals series. In this book, we see Daine and Numair travel to Carthak and we finally get to meet Emperor Ozorne. Daine's power continues to grow as does her bond with animals and there is plenty of action throughout the book as well as a satisfying ending. I look forward to seeing what happens in book 4.

As with each of the books in the Immortals series, Pierce delivers fluid writing with developed characters. Her descriptions are excellent and the stories contain a full arc. The books are a joy to read and I look forward to reading more.

I received a free ebook version of this from Netgalley. Thankyou to both the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this! My review is still honest.

Faith restored in this series! I had a pretty good time in book 1, a bad time in book 2, and a great time in this one! I'm impressed and excited to read book 4.
Without spoiling this one, this series follows Daine, a young mage who has various cool, animal related powers. The country she lives in is experiencing conflict with a neighbouring country.
The plot in this one was so good! There was always something interesting going on, very few filler scenes. It just all tied together so well and I loved the direction this went in. I liked the new creatures introduced and new characters, especially Zek and Kaddar! I liked Daine's growth, and Kitten's newer intelligence. I was so enthralled with this one, getting to see parts of Tortall that I hadn't seen before.
However, I do have an issue that I knew was coming but that I didn't think was going to appear yet. Spoilers from here! So, Numair and Daine. Nothing technically happens in this one, but it definitely shows Numair has feelings for her. And I want to ship them because I think they go well together, but she is FIFTEEN! And he's almost THIRTY! She's a child, and I can't just let that go ignored. I have been spoiled so I know their relationship doesn't really begin til she turns 16, but even then, I'd like you to imagine a 16 year old you know and a 30 year old you know in a relationship. It's wrong. If Daine was just a few years older, I could get past an age gap, but he's already seeing her romantically when she's 15. I am going to read book 4 and just imagine that she's like 18, because those couple of years would make all the difference, but it does need to be acknowledged.

This is Book 3 in Tamora Pierce’s Immortals Quartet and originally published in

Daine, Numair and Alanna arrive at Carthak in their ship, for peace talks with the Emperor, while Daine has been sent to heal his beloved birds. She believes they may have been poisoned, So there is plenty of intrigue among the Carthaki.

The Badger god has again warned Daine, something unpleasant is going to happen to Carthak as the gods are unhappy with Orzone.

Daine’s power is growing and has some interesting results and she also learns more about her background and it’s secrets.

I really enjoyed this new chapter in the quartet, but it had quite a different feel to the previous books and there is a lot more politics and pomp and ceremony. There is still plenty of adventure for Daine and the dinosaurs episodes were unique! I feel there is still plenty more to come for Daine and the troupe and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

“I would apologize for my rudeness, if I had any manners. Happily, I don't.”

This is the third book in The Immortals Quartet, and we finally arrive at Carthak and meet the Emperor Mage that has been mentioned throughout the first two. Travelling to Carthak to negotiate peace, Daine finds herself stuck in a political situation she didn't want a role in, and trying to reign in her views about certain Carthak traditions; such as the owning of slaves. Daine and her ensemble are sure that Emperor Orzone is up to something, but the question is what, and how do they stop it?

As with her last two books Pierce starts this book right into the adventure; we begin with the ensemble travelling to Carthak; I do find this a bit frustrating now having been done in three books. There's almost no mention of the effects of what happened from the last books and we just jump straight in as if they never happened. That said I do think this book is much better than the last in that there is almost constant action and movement; we aren't just sat watching Daine essentially do nothing for chapters, there's much more interaction and movement in this book which I did enjoy. I did find myself being quite invested in this book, and managed to read it in virtually no time at all.

I did again find myself questioning where Onua is - was she only meant to be a character in the first book and that's it? Because if so i'm disappointed. Also, the mentions of Daine and Numair's relationship being perceived as romantic did disturb me a bit, and so i'm glad the book didn't go down that route. This book was at it's best in the last chapter titled 'Daine loses her temper' (fab) where we actually get to see some real action and fighting going on, and really explore Daine's powers. Definitely a better fast-paced book compared to the second.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

Emperor Mage is the third of Tamora Pierce’s Immortals Quartet. It opens with Daine, Numair, Alanna, and other nobles arriving in Carthak in their ship, where the older group, including Numair who has been given a pardon by his sworn enemy, Emperor Orzone of Carthak, and the titular Emperor Mage, for peace talks while Daine has been sent to cure Orzone’s birds (he is a bird lover) who are suffering a mysterious illness. Once there, they are welcomed with great pomp and ostentatious entertainments and feasts. But all is not well in more than one way. The peace talks are not going as planned. And the Badger god has warned Daine, just as they reach that the gods are displeased with Orzone and something bad is in store for Carthak. When there, more than one bad omen is observed. Daine however, wants to stay on to help the birds, and she does so, also befriending Orzone’s heir Kaddar who turns out very different from what Daine thought he would be. They also meet Numair’s old teacher and friend, Lindhall Reed. Daine also begins to discover new and unexpected dimensions to her powers, which have some very interesting results, while also using what she learnt in the previous instalment, her shape-shifting powers. Not only that the patron goddess of Carthak seems to want something from her as well. Daine also learns or at least gets a hint of the secrets of her own history.

This was once again an enjoyable instalment, and very different from the previous one. Carthak is a rich place where much is attached to ceremony and ostentation, and I enjoyed reading the descriptions of everything, especially the costumes of the King, Kaddar, and the nobles—the feasts too but one wouldn’t really want to eat any of what was served. This book also, in addition to animals, has dinosaur fossils, with whom Daine ends up having some interesting adventures, but of course, it was Daine’s connection with animals (live ones) which remained my favourite element of the story. The adventure elements of the story were also fun, with Daine as always having to enlist the help of her friends to defeat the enemy. The last part of the book where they actually have to take action, Daine’s temper also having got the better of her, was pretty exciting to watch unfold. As she had begun to discover in the last book, even the immortals she considered evil are not really so—in fact she might even find a friend in them—something that can as well hold true in the real world. Another bit of our current world (in fact, the world at any time) that is in the book even if it may be fantasy, is the deception and betrayal that is often practiced against one another, at the individual level and even as units/groups; and of course that of people letting power get to their heads and its inevitable results. This was another entry in the series that I enjoyed, though so far I think, the second book is my favourite. With how this book ended though, I wonder what turn in terms of plot the next (and last) book in the series will take? Four and a half stars.

To recap, I adored Wild Magic and was only marginally less enamoured with Wolf-Speaker so I was going in with reasonably high expectations. I should also mention at this point that I read Tempests and Slaughter earlier in the year, having not read any Tamora Pierce before, so this is the first time I'm really joining those dots. Obviously, since this book came first, you don't have to read that first, in fact it's probably better to read them in the order in which they were published (but I'm not the kind of person who feels the need to read a series in the 'correct' order so you do you). What I'm trying to say is that this book did have a lot more to it for me because I had read both of them so I would recommend reading not only this entire quartet but all the other books as well if you have time, this world gets richer with every book I read. 

This might be my new favourite? Just tipping over Wild Magic (but it's a close thing). This felt like a return to that political intrigue mixed with talking animals feeling which I'm almost certain is everything I have ever needed from a book. 

But this book has more, it goes further. Not only are our characters starting off at more of a disadvantage than normal, being visitors to a strange land where they must negotiate a new political landscape, but there is the looming threat of war at all times, urging everything into something even more high stakes. 

And in the middle of these huge political goings on is Daine, who at her core just wants to hang out with the animals. I love her. I relate to her. I should say, this makes Daine sound apathetic, but she's aware of what's going on and she cares about what is going on, she just has different priorities to everyone else. It's a great example of the 'I don't want to be the chosen one but somehow it keeps happening' idea. Daine's character comes through as often exasperated (relatable) but never annoying, never juvenile (in a bad way, you can have wonderful juvenile characters don't get me wrong), always uniquely herself. 

I talked about this in my review of Wolf Speaker but again you have that sense of things ramping up towards that final conclusion. I know that it's kind of obvious, this is a book series, of course, it's building towards something big in the final book. My point is that Tamora Pierce manages to handle that expectation, that building tension, while still writing a book that is for the most part self-contained. I can't explain how satisfying it is to read a book in a series that doesn't end on a massive cliffhanger. There is a time and a place for cliffhangers, don't doubt that I know that, but I feel like they're becoming too much of a staple, it's nice to feel like a book has ended well. 

The animals, the magic, the politics, the budding threads of a romance all of it rolls together to make a book that, for me, was exactly what I wanted to read. Again. I have to fall back on my highest commendation, that I was left wanting to start the next book in the series immediately! 

My rating: 5/5 stars

I received a digital copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Yep, I'm definitely a fan of the "Immortals" quartet. There's so much I could say here in their praise: the interesting and well-thought out characterisation of Daine and her friends; the amazing world-building of wild magic; all the interesting snippets of facts about animals. This one was particularly interesting as I actually read "Tempests and Slaughter" before coming to this series, so I had already been introduced to the world of Carthak and Emperor Ozorne before. It was brilliant, yet chilling to see how much Ozorne had changed since the days that he was friends with Numair, not to mention amazing to see some of the characters I had fallen in love with in that book. An amazing climax to the series, can't wait to see how all the threads are finally drawn together in the final book!

I was dying to read Emperor Mage after finishing Wolf Speaker and I wasn’t disappointed. I am so glad to have found this series, Daine is a character I’ve grown to love across the three books, and I will most definitely be getting book 4 as I’m intrigued to see where Tamora Pierce will go next. The way the author builds the world is gentle perfection, nature is king and it’s beauty is reflected by her words. There is a bit more politics in this one, but it’s not the sole focus, but it makes for an interesting addition to the overall story. Loved this book!

My favourite book in the series so far!

I love that as Diane grows and ages in the books the storyline grows and ages with her. Almost a young woman she catches the eye of more than one man in this book and Numairs reaction to this is hilarious!

This book kept me rivited, so much so I finished it in a day. The plot line is fantastic and I would highly recommend this series.

I was approved for the entire trilogy in one go so reviewed on the first title, but just to say I love these books! If you like Tamora Pierce already, you'll be very happy.

Amazing end to the series, I was so wrapped up in it, getting so emotional. I don’t know what to read next!

I can’t reccom this book enough, if you haven’t read the series pick up Wild Magic NOW!

I really like Tamora Pierce writing so i saw this series i wanted to read it. I requested Emperor Mage but i saw it is not the first book so i requested first book too. But i got declined. Weirdly you approved second and third book. But i can't read and review them without reading the first book. I trying to contact the publisher but i couldn't get an answer. I know it is going to be a great series so i don't want to rate low. If i read first book i will change my review.

Having read Tempests and Slaughter before i had read this series i was very interested in this story line, specifically the introduction of Ozorne. The plot was well paced and gripping and i found myself flying through this book. The world building is fantastic and i was completely absorbed by this story and its world.

This story was the most whimsical out of the three so far an i had a very enjoyable time reading it and i truly believe this is one of those series i will encourage my children to read one day.

Daine has grown from a scrawny thirteen year old into an accomplished mage using a rare kind of magic. A dyplomatic misdion to Karthak to sue for peace between Karthak and Tortall, puts Daine in thd path of a strange old woman. And then Daine realises the nature of the gift she has been given and the trouble it will cause during peace talks. Karthak has angered the gods and all hell is about to break loose.

A thrilling instalment in Daine's journey, one that sees the final game board laix out for the last struggle and the reveal of who is masterminding the immortals war. Wonderful stuff.