One of a four-part series which began with "Wild Magic", this book is the story of Daine, an orphan with fantastical powers in the troubled world of Tortall.

2001-01-16 Comments from an (objective) fan

Tamora Pierce's "Wolf Speaker" is the second in a series of four books set in the imaginary world of Tortall, (first visited in her "Song of the Lioness" quartet,) focussing on the adventures and growing pains of a young woman named Daine. Called "Magelet" by Numair, her teacher and friend, the book follows Daines attempt at learning and controlling her "Wild Magic," a bond with animals which allows her to speak to, and heal, the creatures she meats. Wild Magic, while not the most powerful in the quartet, stands in its own right as an excellent and gripping book, for both "historical" and "fantasy" young adult readers alike. It contains a gripping mix of fantasy and reality-inspired writing, as Daine comes across new "two-leggers", animals, and immortals, at the same time coming to terms with her own past. Tamora Pierce's writing is simple but witty, her characters interesting and wonderfully portrayed with an inherent consistency throughout the novel. The character of Daine is a wonderful heroine, stubborn and feisty, and delightful because of, not just despite, her imperfections, and just as suitable and important today as within her own time. The sub-textual messages regarding the "Immortals" and the complexity of these unknown characters adds interest for the older reader, while the fantasy, developing love story, and adventure make it suitable also for the younger fans of Ms Pierce's work. I highly recommend it.