The Fire in the Forging is the third title in the excellent Circle of Magic quartet and brings together Sandry, Daja, Tris and Briar--four very different characters from very different backgrounds who are joined together by an amazing magical power--in a story which fairly leaps off the page and into the imagination.

The Winding Circle mages where supposed to help drought-stricken Gold Ridge, but something seems to have gone wrong and the situation is getting worse rather than better. As things begin to spin out of control, our four heroes--with their magics utterly tangled and entwined--only add to the valley's problems, and they must learn how to harness their powers by separating them and confirming them. But this very act may destroy Daja's ability to manipulate fire, and therefore the only chance of saving Gold Ridge.

Tamora Pierce here weaves a wonderful tale of mystery and intrigue, filled with fantastical powers and vivid, well-rounded characters who each have their own definite strengths and weaknesses but who, together, learn to harness not only their mystical talents but their more earthly traits in order to work together.

Anyone who enjoys a good fantasy novel will love The Fire in The Forging--a book which can be enjoyed either as a stand alone story, or as part of the stunning quartet. (Age 10 and over) -- Susan Harrison

Sometimes the book just runs away with you
When I began to write THE FIRE IN THE FORGING, I wasn't wasn't even sure I liked the central character, Daja. She is so wreathed about in Trader custom, which makes so much of looking down on everyone who isn't a Trader. What I do like is smiths and smithing, so I began with that, and the homely task of making nails. What thankless work! Before there were machines, small things like nails were made by hand, usually by luckless apprentices. Then I added in the changes among the Circle four, due to the combination of their magics, and showed their power getting away from them. The moment Daja got upset and picked up all her nail-making rods at once, I knew which way the magic would go, and I was off!

I added my love of fire, and my fear of it when it gets out of control. Living in the American west one year, I was driving one summer night when I saw bands of fire in the distance. The grass was burning, lit perhaps by lightning or a stray cigarette. I watched those fires for hours, wondering if anyone lived out there, and if the flames would sweep closer to the town where I lived. The image of those bands of fire haunted me for years; I wanted to exorcise it when I told Daja's story.

My last ingredient was the Traders themselves, with their complex rituals and customs. Once I had full Traders present, with their pride and their fear of non-Traders, I could see where Daja had come from, and I liked her more. Poor kid, to be torn between her colorful upbringing and the knowledge that she doesn't--that she can't--belong there anymore! Either she is a Trader, safe in the world she grew up in, or she is a smith, with metals responding to her as plants respond to her friend Briar, or thread to Sandry. Daja can't be both smith and Trader. In realizing what a hard choice she has, I came to love her at last.

2007-01-11 Middle books ARE the best

Anyone who says imiddle books are never the best should read this series. The second book was best and this is probably next. It is relevant and well written.I think Daja could have a bit more character, but otherwise this is a WORTHY FOLLOWUP.