Tempest and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce
Audio Published by Random House & Listening Library
Publication Date: February 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-553-55237-9
After Arram Draper floods his classroom, his professors realize that his powers are far greater than they realized. As Arram and his two best friends, Varice and Ozorne, advance their skills and continue to learn, they are swept up into helping with a plague, the gladiators, and a murder investigation. As the years pass Arram, Varice, and Ozorne begin to learn who they are and what or who they should believe.
Tempests and Slaughter is a high fantasy, fast-paced story immersing you into a kingdom of magic, gods, and gladiators. Tamora Pierce continues to build the world of Tortall, and Tempests and Slaughter can be read as a starter book or can be read after others from this world. Ariadne Meyers adds a whole new level to this story with her narration and wide range of voices. Her range of voices is on par with Jim Dale’s range for J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels. Some standout voices being Enzi, the crocodile god; the three main characters; all the professors and even Preet, Arram’s featherly companion.
This story is for fantasy and magic lovers. Since Arram is in school learning to be a mage, Harry Potter comes to mind as a read-alike, but also John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series. The recent title Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi would also be a good read-alike because of the fast-paced, adventure, and magic elements of the story, and both main characters are learning more and more about their abilities, powers, and kingdom.
—Samantha Jackson