List of works by Tamora Pierce


This is a list of works by American fantasy author Tamora Pierce.

Literary awards

Tortall universe

The Tortall universe is a fictional setting shared by five book series: Song of the Lioness; Immortals, or Wild Magic; Protector of the Small; Daughter of the Lioness, or Tricksters; and Beka Cooper as well as multiple short stories.
Setting
The Tortall series is named for the country in which the majority of the works are set, Tortall. The capital of Tortall is Corus, located near the western coast on the Emerald Ocean.
To the north is Scanra, a wild and somewhat barbaric country. Tortall and Scanra are at war in the last two Protector books and the first Trickster book, Trickster's Choice. To the east are Galla, Tusaine, and Tyra, and past them are Maren and Sarain. Carthak is south of Tortall across the Inland Sea, while to the west lie the Yamani Islands and the Copper Isles. To the east of Maren and Sarain is The Roof of the World, a large mountain range. The Trickster books mostly take place in the Copper Isles, further south than the Yamani islands.
The Hunt Records take place hundreds of years before the other books, and Barzun, a nation between Tortall and the Inland Sea later is occasional mentioned. Barzun was later conquered by Tortall.
Tortall is a place somewhat reminiscent of the European Middle Ages, with its monarchy, court, nobility, and knights, but is otherwise a completely different world. Magic is very real and practical to Tortallans, from the common hedgewitch to the King's court mages. Deities are revered and often play a part in human lives, sometimes choosing humans as champions, sometimes using them to further their own purposes. Though these deities are shown as powerful beyond belief, they rely on their human instruments to shape the world.

''The Song of the Lioness''

The Song of The Lioness was originally written as one single book for adults, but her literary agent suggested that she rewrite it into four books aimed at a young adult audience. Pierce literally cut up the manuscript and used the pieces to form four new books for teenagers. She has received numerous requests to publish the original manuscript, but claims it no longer exists, and wouldn't be worth publishing anyway.
Plot
Alanna of Trebond is a ground-breaking female knight. Although noble-born girls traditionally go to the convent to learn how to be proper noblewomen and wives, Alanna desires to become a knight, a position only given to noble-born boys. In order to achieve her dream, Alanna disguises herself as a boy under the name of Alan and goes to the palace in place of her twin brother Thom. As Thom has no interest in becoming a knight, and is far more interested in his magic, Thom forges a letter so that he can go to a temple to become an enormously strong and skilled sorcerer.
The series follows Alanna's training and the early years of her full knighthood, a time-span of ten years. Alanna has quite a few strong romantic relationships throughout the series, including Prince Jonathan, George Cooper, and Liam Ironarm, the Shang Dragon.
This quartet is also called Wild Magic after its first volume, published by Atheneum in 1992. The story features Veralidaine Sarrasri who was orphaned when raiders attacked her village. Daine has an unusual gift of wild magic which is mistaken for insanity because she is unable to control it. Though convinced she has no magical Gift, it is discovered that she has 'wild magic' – a magic that is not uncommon, but for some reason is a disregarded branch of magic. What is rare is the amount of it that Daine possesses, and what she is able to do with it. This magic gives her a unique connection with animals. Her abilities manifest gradually throughout the series, allowing her first to speak with animals, to heal their injuries and eventually to shape-shift into animal forms. The series covers a timespan of four years, following Daine as she learns to communicate with humans, animals, and Immortals.
The story features Keladry of Mindelan, the first girl to follow in Alanna's footsteps—legally and without disguise, after a law is passed allowing girls to try for knighthood. As she begins her training, Kel is constantly harassed, injured, plagued by doubters and put on probation by her training master, who thinks a girl will never succeed. Kel discovers the hazing of young pages and fights the bullies to put a stop to it. Kel makes memorable friends throughout the series, including the wry Nealan of Queenscove, and also Lord Raoul of Goldenlake, an old friend of Alanna's. She meets some key enemies, including Joren of Stone Mountain, her fellow page. The series follows Kel's training and the first year of her knighthood, a timespan of nine years.
This duology is also called Daughter of the Lioness from The Song of the Lioness four-book series. Its omnibus edition is Tricksters. It is actually as long as the earlier quartets, because these books are about twice the length of the earlier works. Pierce explained that the great popular success of the seven Harry Potter books finally showed publishers that young readers will read big books.
The duology is the story of Alianne of Pirate's Swoop, the 16-year-old daughter of the legendary Alanna the Lioness. Prevented from working as a Tortallan spy by her parents, Aly leaves home only to be captured by pirates and sold into slavery in the Copper Isles. Under the guidance of Kyprioth, the god of tricksters, Aly involves herself with a conspiracy of the native raka people against their luarin conquerors, in accordance with a prophecy made by Kyprioth himself through one of his priestesses, centuries earlier. The duology covers a timespan of two years. Aly is a much different person from her mother, closer to her father.
This trilogy is also called Provost's Dog. It is set in the realm of Tortall, 200 years before Alanna: The First Adventure. Nominated for the 2012 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature.
George Cooper is a young boy in the series prologue, and is caught stealing. His ashamed mother then tells him about his famous ancestress, named Rebakah Cooper. "Beka" Cooper is a trainee for the Provost's Guard, which is Tortall's equivalent of a police force. In those days, they were called "Dogs" and trainees were known as "Puppies," both of whom were stationed at "Kennels".
The Numair Chronicles is a three-book series about the childhood of Arram Draper, who will grow up to be the Great Mage, Numair Salmalín.
As some series and short stories are prequels, the chronologic order differs from publication order. Books that were published later frequently mention characters from books that were published earlier. However, each quartet or series can be read independently of the others.
  1. Terrier – Beka Cooper: The Hunt Records #1, Tortall #15
  2. Bloodhound – Beka Cooper: The Hunt Records #2, Tortall #16
  3. Mastiff – Beka Cooper: The Hunt Records #3, Tortall #17
  4. Student of Ostriches – Tortallan Novelette
  5. Tempests and Slaughter - The Numair Chronicles #1, Tortall #19
  6. The Exile's Gift – Exile±
  7. Exile 3 – Exile±
  8. – Song of the Lioness #1, Tortall #1
  9. In the Hand of the Goddess – Song of the Lioness #2, Tortall #2
  10. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man – Song of the Lioness #3, Tortall #3
  11. Lioness Rampant – Song of the Lioness #4, Tortall #4
  12. Wild Magic – The Immortals #1, Tortall #5
  13. Wolf-Speaker – The Immortals #2, Tortall #6
  14. Elder Brother – Tortallan Novelette
  15. Hidden Girl – Tortallan Novelette
  16. Emperor Mage – The Immortals #3, Tortall #7
  17. The Realms of the Gods – The Immortals #4, Tortall #8
  18. First Test – Protector of the Small #1, Tortall #9
  19. Page – Protector of the Small #2, Tortall #10
  20. Squire – Protector of the Small #3, Tortall #11
  21. Lady Knight – Protector of the Small #4, Tortall #12
  22. Bone's Day Out -Short Story ±
  23. A Spy's Guide to Tortall: From the Desk of George Cooper Tortall #18 ±
  24. Trickster's Choice – Tricksters: Daughter of the Lioness #1, Tortall #13
  25. Trickster's Queen – Tricksters: Daughter of the Lioness #2, Tortall #14
  26. Nawat – Tortallan Novella
  27. Lost – Tortallan Novelette ±
  28. The Dragon's Tale – Tortallan Novelette
± Location in timeline uncertain

Circle universe

Setting
The Circle of Magic quartet is set in the land of Emelan; the Circle Opens quartet and the Circle Reforged quartet are set in Emelan and various neighbouring countries.
Neighboring countries include Sotat, Qalai, Lairan, Gansar, and Anderann. Other countries in the Circle universe include Chammur, Thairos, Namorn, Gyongxe, Yanjing Capchen, the Battle Islands, Hatar Island in the Pebbled Sea, Olart, and Mbau.
In the Circle universe, magic is common and regularly used, but individuals need to be born with the ability to use it. There are two forms of magic. Academic magic is directly linked to the energy within the user and may require incantations or physical catalysts. Ambient magic is less common, is associated with a certain craft or item of nature, and involves power from the surroundings flowing through the user. Most cultures in the Circle universe are polytheistic, but unlike the Tortall universe, gods less frequently try to affect mortal events.

''Circle of Magic''

Plot
The series tells the stories of four 10-year-old children: Sandrilene fa Toren, Trisana Chandler, Daja Kisubo and Briar Moss, known as Sandry, Tris, Daja, and Briar, respectively. They are discovered in various troubled circumstances and brought together by Niklaren Goldeye, a powerful mage, who tells them that they are "ambient mages," which means that they use magic derived from the environment. The four youths do not fit in with the other children of the monastic Winding Circle community to which Niko brings them and are put together in a separate cottage, called Discipline. Here they each learn of their hidden talents: Sandry with thread, Tris with weather, Daja with fire and metal, and Briar with plants. Lark, a gentle woman especially attentive to Sandry since she also has thread magic, and Rosethorn, a sharp woman who shares Briar's ability with plants, live with and instruct the children in their magical and personal growth. Also teaching and guiding them is Niko, technically Tris's teacher, but available to all four. Daja is taught by Dedicate Initiate Frostpine, a smith mage. At first it seems that a merchant, a street rat, a noblewoman, and a Trader will never get along, but an extraordinary circumstance brings them together. Through an earthquake, they realize their full potential and are bound closely together forever. As children skilled in uncommon magics, they struggle to earn the respect of the adults they encounter and to fully understand and control their magical powers.
Nominated for the 2000 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature
Compilations
The young mages, now 14 years old, are officially certified by Winding Circle and become teachers. In this quartet, each of the four protagonists travels with their mentor, taking on a new student and combating problems abroad.
The initial working title for this book was The Circle Reforged. It is the first book in "The Circle Reforged" series. Sandry's cousin, the Empress of Namorn, has been begging her to come visit her for years. Finally the stitch witch agrees, but her uncle requests that her childhood friends accompany her. However, during the time they were separated the foursome has broken apart, and are now adults with secrets that they once would have shared. Sandry expects to visit her cousin for the summer then return home to her uncle in Emelan, but the Empress has other plans. As the four soon find out, the iron will of the Empress is considered law, and the four must set aside their doubts and trust each other as they once did if they are to escape.
This story was first released as a full-cast audiobook to be followed by paper versions. This is the first full-length novel written expressly for audio. The recording date had been postponed, and the audiobook was finally released in fall 2007. Pierce herself directs the recording. The print version was released in fall 2008. The story is based on Evvy, who, with Rosethorn, goes to investigate the weird happenings of an island. Plants and animals are dying and the two mages are there to find out why. Meanwhile, Evvy meets two lava/magma spirits and is caught up in their quest to escape their mountain tomb.
This story follows Briar, Rosethorn, and Evvy as they travel to the far east, through the sacred lands of Gyongxe and on to Yanjing. While visiting with the God-King in Gyongxe, the traveling mages are summoned to the Yanjing emperor's summer palace. Although they were treated like royalty when they first arrive, they soon discover that the emperor plans to invade Gyongxe, posing a fatal threat to the home temple of the Living Circle religion. Accompanied by one of the emperor's prize captives, the three mages rush to Gyongxe to warn its citizens of the impending attack. With the imperials hot on their trail, Briar, Rosethorn, and Evvy must quickly help the country prepare for battle. But even with the help of new allies, will their combined forces be enough to fight the imperial army and win the war?
Forthcoming
  1. Sandry's Book – Circle of Magic #1, Emelan #1
  2. Tris's Book – Circle of Magic #2, Emelan #2
  3. Daja's Book – Circle of Magic #3, Emelan #3
  4. Briar's Book – Circle of Magic #4, Emelan #4
  5. Magic Steps – The Circle Opens #1, Emelan #5
  6. Street Magic – The Circle Opens #2, Emelan #6
  7. Cold Fire – The Circle Opens #3, Emelan #7
  8. Shatterglass – The Circle Opens #4, Emelan #8
  9. Battle Magic – The Circle Reforged #3, Emelan #11
  10. The Will of the Empress – The Circle Reforged #1, Emelan #9
  11. Melting Stones – The Circle Reforged #2, Emelan #10
  12. Untitled Tris Book – The Circle Reforged #4, Emelan #12

    Short stories

Complete list

Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales
Contents:
Contents:
At the 2006 New York Comicon, Marvel Comics announced that Pierce and her husband Tim Liebe would write a new series, starring former FBI agent Angela Del Toro as the new White Tiger. White Tiger launched as a six-issue series drawn by French artist Phil Briones in November 2006.
Tamora Pierce was the "head writer for a company that did original radio comedy and drama in the 1980s, a part-time editor for two magazines, and the writer of various fiction and nonfiction for magazines".
The first short story Tamora sold was to a women's romance magazine, titled "What We Did Was Sin".

Complete bibliography in publication order