Pierce, Tamora. Tempests and Slaughter. “Advance Reader’s Copy.” (The Numair Chronicles, book 1) Random House Books for Young Readers, on sale February 6, 2018. $18.99. [480] pages. ISBN 978-0-375-8471-0. “Ages 12-up.” P8Q8
Fans of Tamora Pierce’s Tortall series will welcome this new prequel series about the early life of mage Numair Salmalín, once called Arram Draper. At the age of 10, Arram becomes a student at the Imperial University of Carthak. The opening scenes with his father and uncle at the Imperial Games introduce Arram to the gladiator Musenda, who saves his life, and begin his lifelong aversion to slavery. In many ways, Tempests and Slaughter is a fantasy tale in the form of a school story. Arram faces classroom challenges, dormitory dominance issues, beginning friendships, and growing confidence in his own abilities. Also typical of school stories, Arram’s story focuses on new classes and growing mastery, not on extraordinary quests and tests. In this first book of a planned trilogy, Pierce introduces major players and conflicts that tie into the later books in the world of Tortall.
Verdict: Highly recommended for public, middle and high school libraries.
January 2017 review by Jane Cothron.
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