Circle of Friendship

Tris gets mad at a tree. Summersea's weather forecast isn't looking good. Niko, you're on notice again! Content Warning for discussions of epidemics & illness throughout this book. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Sandry makes a questionable decision. Do we like Crane now? Seriously, what DOES Pierce have against water signs? Rosethorn and Briar get some much needed assistance. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Anna and MJ are joined by longtime pod-friend and brilliant theme composer Molly Hebert-Wilson! Briar needs a quarantine hobby (and a birthday). Frostpine is angry. What does Tamora Pierce have against water signs?! Content Warning for discussions of epidemics & illness throughout this book. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Anna and MJ are joined by special guest Nicole Ker from the Books That Burn Podcast! Niko is brooding. Rosethorn is grumpy. There should really be an Emelan mod for Stardew Valley. Content Warning for discussions of epidemics & illness throughout this book. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Sandry nags Briar about birthdays. Anna & MJ pitch an Office-style Circle of Magic sitcom. Briar and Rosethorn have a plant telephone! Content Warning for discussions of epidemics & illness throughout this book. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Anna and MJ are joined by MJ’s husband John and Britni and Goodwin from the Reading Circle Temple podcast to give a preview of our Emelan TTRPG using the Fate system. Meet our characters, delight in our terrible puns, and enjoy the chaos that ensues. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Daja chooses between Winding Circle and Tenth Caravan Idaram. Polyam can ride again! Friendship always makes us cry. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Anna and MJ follow their own advice and give themselves a break. Anna speculates on what the Discipline Cottage crew would do for Valentine’s Day. Rosethorn wants you to stay out of her garden. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Rosethorn aggressively establishes her boundaries. Daja must choose between self-preservation and saving the Traders. This series still needs the Studio Ghibli treatment. Fire ropes! Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Yarrun is determined to put out all the fires or die trying! He dies trying. Daja gets fed up with the Traders’ BS. This whole chapter is a TikTok meme. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

The iron vine needs roots! Frostpine and Niko channel their inner Ms. Frizzle and lead a magical exploration of the hot springs. Polyam and Daja realize they might not be wrong after all. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Sandry comes up with a clever solution to their tangle of magic. Yarrun nearly makes a great point but takes a hard swerve toward selfishness. Tamora Pierce’s talent for description hits us right in the feels (and Anna’s attempt to imitate her does not). Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Daja forgets her manners. Nico and Tris teach a science lesson. Briar mocks Nico for his knowledge of trees. CW for discussions of disability and physical injury. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Lark and Nico screw up. Polyam and Daja are friends now. Frostpine emphasizes the importance of consent. CW for discussions of predatory behavior and sexual assault. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Daja drinks some strong tea. Polyam has a soft spot for dogs (and children). Tris doesn’t like giving up her magic. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Life finds a way (to mess up our recording schedule), so Anna & MJ take a break to chat with Robin Hofmann of the Books That Burn podcast. We talk about Books That Burn, the satirical genius of Tom Lehrer, and how magic can express itself through duct tape. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Daja & Briar eat some bad sausages. There is an accident in the courtyard. Glaciers and smiths don’t mix. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Polyam gets a lesson in Trader etiquette. Daja makes a magic fire blanket. Yarrun picks a fight with everyone. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Briar shows off his mistake. Sandry gets real judgy. Yarrun is a hot mess (insert winking emoji). Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Daja stands up for herself but it doesn’t seem to matter. Briar costs Gold Ridge some money. Lark has an idea. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

The kids go on a field trip. Daja is confronted by her past. Sandry has to act like a noble (SPOILER: she hates it). Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Anna & MJ take a break between books to invite CPOV sibling Geoff Moonen to talk about audiobooks and the experience of reading Sandry’s Book for the first time as an adult. We talk about the magic of music, Niko’s ASMR career, and KNIVES. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

CW: Death & Violence In the final chapter of Tris’s Book, the four do a murder. Tris does her best to atone for her actions (spoiler: the pirates don’t care). Niko has the manners of a cat. Shriek has a new diet. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

CW: Discussion of violence & gore   In the penultimate chapter of Tris’s book, the kids eavesdrop despite being asked not to. Tris is 4 feet of “fight me.” Enahar maybe got zapped? Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In this chapter, Tris works on controlling the weather. Briar invents skeet shooting. Why is Little Bear outside?! Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Content warning: loud noises. MJ gets scheduled unexpectedly for work. Anna wrangles her housemates for some light discussion of ambient magic and tries her hand at editing a mini episode! It's summer in Brooklyn which means fireworks in close quarters. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In chapter 10 of Tris’s Book, Briar finds out that Aymery is a very, very bad boy. Tris connects with some lightning. Little Bear takes a nap. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music. Additional thanks to Tor Teen for the ARC of Each of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro! Pre-Order here and check out Mark's blog here.

Unfortunately, due to some out of control tech issues, Chapter 10 of Tris's book will be delayed until our next release date. Fear not! We still have some kind words and a treat to share. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In this chapter, senior mages must figure out how to protect the cove. Rosethorn and Briar unleash their inner maleficent. All mages at winding circle need to attend a team building seminar. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In this chapter, Skyfire traumatizes Tris further. Aymery is a suspicious sneaky sneak. Briar dreams of gardens in Deadman’s District. As always, we stan Dedicate Gorse. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Anna and MJ have big news! Also, Briar hates milk. We all know that Rosethorn cares more than she lets on. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In this chapter of Tris' Book, Anna and MJ talk about how great Frostpine is, how proud we are of Tris, and try to stay hopeful in an uncertain world. This chapter calls us to own our expertise and to strengthen our defenses! Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In this episode, Anna & MJ continue to dunk on Niko, compliment Duk Vedris, and fawn over developing friendships. We also take time to get real mad at Aymery and whatever his deal is. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Tris faces her fear of Rosethorn enough to ask for help, Briar observes a student playing with invisibility, and Daja learns to trust her instincts in time to warn the Circle of a pirate scout ship. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In chapter 3 of Tris' Book, Anna and MJ gush about how great Frostpine and Lark are as teachers and continue to never let Niko off the hook--even when he's not in the chapter. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In the second chapter of Tris' Book, MJ and Anna discuss the importance of trust, consent, and NOT using someone else's blood to make your own magic stronger. Definitely not foreshadowing. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

MJ and Anna kick off season two with a breakdown of Tris' Book chapter 01, where an oppressive heatwave makes everyone miserable. Now that the quake is over and the kids are recovering, they can finally see the consequences of Sandry's actions in the cave. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In the final chapter, Sandry must do some creative problem solving quickly or else they won't survive the quake. Anna and MJ talk about what this book inspires them to do and what we can look forward to next season. Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In the penultimate chapter, we find out a deadly earthquake is due to hit a far away country, leaving Emelan safe-- or at least, it should. What could go wrong? Special thanks to Nicole Belsummer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Chapter 11 brings quite a few lessons with it-- like foundations are important and maybe you shouldn't try to challenge one of the most powerful forces in nature when you're just an 11 year old kid. Special thanks to Nicole Bel-summer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Chaos and destruction abounds at the Summersea market when Sandry interferes with a group of boys beating up on a small dog. Daja and Briar leap into the fray while Tris tries to cool everyone down--except her magic plan turns into a monster and everyone is in serious trouble. Special thanks to Nicole Bel-summer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In chapter 09, Tris teaches her housemates how to do chores correctly, Briar has to learn to care for his new tree, Sandry is frustrated that she can't already spin thread and work magic simultaneously, and we discover that big northern lads like Kirel are notoriously high strung. Special thanks to Nicole Bel-summer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In chapter 8, Briar finally finds something worth stealing except he forgets alarm spells are a thing. Featuring special guest, Grace Grindrod-Feeny, our patron saint of technology mishaps. Special thanks to Nicole Bel-summer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In Chapter 7, Sandry has some trouble with wool, Tris is determined to make nature obey her, and Daja receives an offer. Anna and MJ yell about how maybe it's time to just tell them already. Special thanks to Nicole Bel-summer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In chapter 06 of Sandry's book, MJ & Anna discuss how Briar and Tris grow through learning and even more Hogwarts discourse. Special thanks to Nicole Bel-summer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

In chapter 05 of Sandry's Book, MJ and Anna discuss the generosity each kid experiences from their prospective mentors as well as Briar's ongoing war on baths. Special thanks to Nicole Bel-summer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

Chapter 04 of Sandry's Book means Anna and MJ's favorite quotes, the introduction of some major players, and the merging of story lines. Special thanks to Nicole Bel-summer for our logo and the stellar team of Molly Hebert-Wilson and Robare Pruyn-Bush for our theme music.

All four kids struggle to fit in at Winding Circle-- assaulted, insulted, and poorly cared for, we have to ask: Niko, what were you thinking? 

Chapter 02 of Sandry's Book reveals Niko's endgame for each of the lost children he's picked up. Anna and MJ dissect his every move and discuss what he can teach us about caring for others.

Anna and MJ bring you a new podcast talking about Tamora Pierce's Emelan universe. They talk about how these books have influenced them, discuss each chapter, and highlight something they've been inspired to do. We start with Sandry's Book, chapter 01, where four very different children are nearly lost.