Emperor Mage

 Emperor Mage by Tamora Pierce 368 pages

Summary: When Daine is sent to Carthak as part of a Tortallan peace delegation, she finds herself in the middle of a sticky political situation. She doesn’t like the Carthaki practice of keeping slaves, but it’s not her place to say anything—she’s only there to heal the emperor’s birds. Her worries only expand once she learns that her own power has grown in a dark and mysterious way.

As the peace talks stall, Daine puzzles over Carthak’s two-faced Emperor Ozorne. How can he be so caring with his birds, and so cruel to his people? Daine is sure he’s planning something—a terrible, power-hungry scheme. And she knows that she must fight this powerful Emperor Mage; the life of her beloved teacher is at risk.

My Thoughts: This book was a fun re-read because it showed us one of the Tricksters Gods (The Hag) and it showed us a new world other than Tortall. It illustrates how far Tortall has come and how in the past Carthak is with slaves still being owned and the Emperor with his regular Zoo and Immortal zoo where the animals were kept in smaller cages and not treated as well as his beloved Birds. 

This book also illustrates the turn of Numair and Daine's relationship and it's a beautiful way to show it. I just adore this book series.