When they were 13, Sandry, Briar, Tris and Daja received their mage credentials, a medallion rewarded to mages who have mastered their magic, this allows them to practice magic without a senior mage present, teach a student mage the ways of magic and of course means they are answerable to the Temple mages for any wrong doing that they may do. Not long after this, Briar, Tris and Daja left to travel the world, leaving Sandy home to care for and help out her Uncle. 
 Now they're back and they each have secrets. They've forgotten how to be a circle and each of them resent it. But when Sandry finally goes to visit her mothers lands in the neighbouring country her uncle asks the other three to go along to look out for her. The Empress wants Sandry to stay and marry one of her pretty nobles so that her money will stay where it belongs; in the empire and the Empress gets what the Empress wants, but Sandry is the Dukes favourite niece. He doesnt want her being forced to stay anywhere she doesnt want to. And all Sandry wants to do do is go home. 
 And reforge what was lost between her and her siblings. 
 I have no idea why there's not a review in here, the amount of times I've read this book. This latest reading is due to the recent release of Battle Magic (a book I have now decided I will pretend does not exist)I originally intended to read through my favourite bits the cheer myself up, but starting with the first few pages I just kept going. I even stayed up way to late/sat way too long reading it. 
 I cant identify exactly what the appeal is. Yes it's the characters, the people their difficult lives have helped them become. It's the little details, Briars tree being jealous that he smelt of Sandlewood soap. Most likely it's something to do with the plot, we shall NOT be moved! And certainly it's the writing style...but I've read it all before and I'll read it all again. 
 Blog review to be found here: 
 http://www.paein-and-ms4tune.co.uk/?p...