Wren Journeymage

By Sherwood Smith

After journeymage Wren and Queen Teressa argue over wicked Hawk Rhiscarlan,Wren leaves the magic school seeking Prince Connor.Wren is aboard a smuggler,fighting pirates with magic when Teressa flirts with Hawk, who upsets her court as Tyron-the next Queen’s Mage-watches helplessly.Evil ex-king Andreus adds to the danger that the four friends must resolve—along with their personal conflicts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book View Cafe
• Release date: Oct 23, 2010
• ISBN: 9781611380293

Sherwood Smith

Sherwood Smith started making books out of paper towels at age six. In between stories, she studied and traveled in Europe, got a Masters degree in history, and now lives in Southern California with her spouse, two kids, and two dogs. She’s worked in jobs ranging from counter work in a smoky harbor bar to the film industry. Writing books is what she loves best. She’s the author of the high fantasy History of Sartorias-deles series as well as the modern-day fantasy adventures of Kim Murray in Coronets and Steel. Learn more at www.sherwoodsmith.net.

Book preview

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Tamara Meatzie, Rebecca Mintz, and Patricia Rice for their generous help in proofing and smoothing.

One

Wren peered out the open window of her room at Cantirmoor’s Magic School. The sun shone on tree branches sprouting fuzzy green buds. Birdsong carried on the breeze that smelled like new grass and turned soil . . . so what was wrong?

Of course! She was too warm.

Laughing, she pulled off the heavy woolen winter tunic she’d just put on out of habit, and reached in her storage chest for her light cotton summer tunic, folded away so many long months ago.

But where were her sandals? Ah. Hiding behind a pile of books of historical plays that she’d been meaning to take back to the palace archive, but it had always been too snowy, too sleety, too cold.

She sighed and began to pick up the books. May as well haul them all back now, and get it done. She’d have to clean her room out anyway, for this spring she was expected to write up her journeymage project, petition the Magic Council through Master Halfrid, and then get to work. In addition to her other studies. And helping at the School. And sometime, in the next year or two or three, she’d complete the project, present it to the Magic Council, and hope to be awarded the white tunic and blue sash of a true mage.

A mage. Mistress Wren.

She laughed again, this time at the idea of herself in a white tunic presiding pompously over a lot of anxious boys and girls. It felt too much like playacting. Well, that day lay somewhere in the hazy future. Maybe by then she’d be used to the idea.

She scouted under the bed and the desk, behind her storage chest, on her shelf. Sure enough, three small books turned up.

Now the pile nearly reached her chin. You borrow two, then three, then one, then another two, and suddenly you find you have almost twenty books that don’t belong to you, and have to be lugged back.

Sooner done, sooner over with, she muttered, backing out her door.

What?

She whirled around, almost dropping the books onto the toes of a tall fox-faced fellow with long, unruly brown hair. Tyron!

You were expecting maybe Andreus?

If I were expecting a social call from a wicked king, I would have worn my silk gown. Wren simpered. With armor over it, she added, pretending to curtsey. Though she nearly dropped the books.

Tyron smiled, turning a thumb to her stack. What’ve you got there? Magic texts for your journeymage project?

Is that a hint for me to get busy? Actually they are plays. Going back to the palace, since I’m due to visit Tess anyway.

A couple of magic students passing by gave Wren covert glances. She pretended not to notice. Nobody but she called the new young queen ‘Tess.’ Wren, having spent years with Teressa in an orphanage when the then-princess was in hiding, couldn’t think of her as anything else.

Tyron waved a hand. Go visit Teressa. Get rid of your books. I wasn’t dropping any hints. You told me as soon as the first fine spring weather came you’d get started researching for your petition. I’m here to find out if you mean it, or if I can get you to teach the basic illusions class.

Of course I’ll help, Wren said, hiding an inward sigh. It was beginning to look like this year would be like last, but how could she complain?

The Magic School was mostly repaired from the destruction caused by Lirwani warriors the winter before last. Masters had been either promoted, like Tyron, or else hired from a distant school to replace the ones killed during the war. But the Magic School was still short two positions—and Master Halfrid, who was the head of the school as well as the Queen’s Mage, had been going off on extended trips to see to some sort of Magic Council business. Everyone therefore had extra duties to keep the school running more or less smoothly.

Tyron gave Wren a rueful look. Just today and tomorrow. Fliss was the only person we had to send north on an errand, and she’ll be gone two days. He shook his head. You’ve been great at helping out with the beginners, but Halfrid really wants you to have some time to think about your journeymage project. Now, get to the palace before your arms fall off.

Wren was glad to comply. Her arms already ached.

Before she’d gone ten steps beyond the vine-covered archway leading to the palace road, one of the younger students popped round the corner, almost ran into her, and backed hastily away.

Oh, sorry, Mistress Wren.

Just Wren. Out here. Mistress Wren. She knew it was just an honorary sort of title—given by the younger students to senior mage students who helped teach classes—but it made her feel uncomfortable, like she was pretending to be something she wasn’t.

Especially as the boy’s round brown eyes looked so, well, respectful. Wren felt . . . old. She’d always been the youngest, but now she wasn’t any more. The school was full of boys and girls much younger. How had that happened without her noticing?

Do you want some help with those? the boy asked shyly. Tam, that was his name.

I’m going to the palace.

Tam smiled. "I know. Your weekly meeting with the queen. Everyone knows that. It’s on my way. More or less." He reached for the top four or five books, and her burden eased a bit.

So, how do you like Basics? she asked, feeling obliged to say something to her helper as they walked along the sunlit road toward the city gates.

Tam wrinkled his nose. Boring. But I sure do like illusions class. Especially when you teach it, he added in a rush. We all think so.

Wren laughed. Flattery will not get you through your Basics Test. I’m not a Master Mage!

But you are a good teacher, Tam said earnestly. You’re funny. You make us laugh, so it’s never boring, but somehow we learn a lot.

Tam!

Two more brown-clad students ran up, both wearing spring sandals. The tall one, a boy, greeted them, then said, Aren’t you going to the pastry-shop, Tam?

Stopping at the palace first. Helping Mistress Wren with these books, Tam explained, brandishing his share of the burden.

Just Wren outside the class, Wren muttered.

We’ll help, too, the girl said, digging an elbow into her companion’s side.

The two each took a few books off Wren’s stack, leaving her with only four.

The girl said, We were going to get pastries, to celebrate the nice weather. We would invite you along, Mistress Wren, but—

You have to meet the queen, the tall boy put in. "We all know that."

Wren began to say Just Wren! but then she shrugged. They were too used to classroom politeness, that was all.

As they passed up the Royal Road and through the city gates, the younger students began chattering happily about the prospects of spring, and who was taking their Basics test soon, and wondering what kinds of questions might be asked. Wren was reminded of her own classmates her first year at the magic school.

Spring bloomed delightfully everywhere, scenting the breeze with new growth. Windows in the living areas above the shops were unshuttered, letting in fresh air for the first time in months. Some people put newly-washed quilts over the sills to dry in the sun, others were busy setting out flower boxes carefully nurtured through the snowy season.

They passed a bakery. Tam veered a couple of steps as though compelled by magic spell toward the irresistible aroma of baking cinnamon buns. Wren smothered a laugh, just as horns sounded, faint but clear, from somewhere beyond the buildings.

Outriders repeated a fast, challenging chord, each repetition louder and more distinct. Then the palace bells rang the quick Alert at your station signal.

People stopped, listened, and many scurried inside their houses to slam doors and windows. Others hastened on, ducking inside shops.

Tam whirled around and peered anxiously down the cobbled Royal Road toward the city gates, where sentries’ outlines could be made out against the clear morning sky. They too had gone still.

Those are not Lirwanis, Wren said, trying to sound calm. They didn’t blow their horns quite like that. Their horns blatted more. Like this. She put up her free hand, held her nose, and squawked a parody of the war horns blown by the invaders two winters before.

That’s right, you were in the middle of the war, the tall boy said. Did you really—

I don’t want to hear any horrible war stories, the girl interrupted, her voice sharp. I heard enough from my mother.

But those of us who got hidden away safely, well, we have to remember, we have to be ready, that’s what I keep hearing, Tam retorted.

The girl paled, then she glared at Tam, her lips parting—

To prevent an argument from starting, Wren said, How about a funny war story? And when three faces turned her way, she resumed her brisk pace, heading up an alleyway that was a shortcut to the palace. Would you like to hear how I managed to get myself kicked by my own shoes?

It was the protection spells, the tall boy exclaimed. Wasn’t it? That Master Tyron laid over the school, before the Lirwanis came and tried to destroy it?

Tyron and Laris, Wren said, her chest hurting. Never forget Laris. Well, Tyron had gotten most of the spells undone before I arrived back at Cantirmoor, and don’t think it wasn’t a whole lot more work than it had been to place the spells!

The girl nodded soberly. If you didn’t note down where you laid the spells, you have to find them.

And if they overlap—

And if you get attacked—

Wren nodded at each speaker, then said, "So Tyron and Laris didn’t get to all the dormitory rooms. At that time Fliss and I were sharing, you see. Tyron was too busy to check the rooms of his friends before they arrived. So there I was, tired and grubby. All I wanted was to fall into bed and sleep for a year. I didn’t think to stop at Tyron’s rooms first. I open my door. Tyron yells Wait! But it’s too late. Shoe attack! Not just my shoes but Fliss’s hurled themselves at my head, and began thumping me good!"

All three laughed, though the girl looked back with a quick, tense movement when the horns rippled their challenge again, this time much closer.

I was howling and dancing around, and Tyron couldn’t release the spell because he was laughing too hard. When he finally managed, and it seemed to take forever, did I smart! When people count up war wounds, I have to admit the worst of mine came from my own shoes.

Wren and her companions rounded a corner, reaching the Royal Road again. They were very close to the palace, walking swiftly past the fine stone homes with tall windows, trees and small gardens that belonged to wealthy citizens. The clatter of horse hooves rumbled above the thinning of city traffic, and a pall of yellow-tan dust hung in the air over the city gates. Pie-sellers and carters and children and dogs dashed madly right and left to get out of the way lest they be trampled.

If we hurry, we can get through the palace gates first, Wren said. I wonder who that is? How arrogant, galloping smack through the city, right when market-traffic is the worst.

Even Garian Rhismordith, Teressa’s cousin and now the foremost noble of court, no longer did that kind of thing. Already Wren hated the newcomer. She and her companions sped up until they were skipping, the books jiggling in their arms; Wren might be short and round, but she was a fast walker when she was determined.

Still, the fastest walker in the world is not going to outrun a galloping horse. The drum of hooves on flagstones and the newcomers’ horns blasting sent Wren’s group scrambling onto the grassy verge before they reached the palace’s arched gateway.

Wren whirled around, glaring up at the leading rider. Then her jaw dropped. She recognized that tall young man, the broad shoulders, the long gleaming black hair falling loose to blend into the shadows of a fine black woolen riding cloak.

That’s Hawk!

She wasn’t aware that she’d spoken until he raised a gloved hand and the entire cavalcade came to a spectacularly dashing halt, horses shuddering and tossing heads, hooves striking sparks on the cobblestones, outriders with their banners snapping in the breeze.

Hawk slung his cloak over one shoulder, revealing a splendid riding tunic of gold-embroidered black, and narrow black trousers instead of the loose ones she was used to seeing on the fellows around her. His riding boots were black and glossy.

He leaned against the saddle cantle, looking down at Wren with lazy eyes and a mocking smile. Ah, it’s the stripe-haired magic prentice. With a trail of goslings. He flicked his fingers dismissively at the students.

These geese can bite, Wren stated. If you don’t believe me, climb down and watch.

Hawk’s mocking smile deepened at the corners, his followers laughed, and Tam flushed, but he looked too afraid to speak. The girl’s lips were moving. Practicing spells, Wren thought in approval.

Hawk ignored them. From what I hear, Cantirmoor’s been boring this past year, he went on. Aren’t you glad to see me? You know things are never dull when I show up.

Wren scowled. If you’re here to make trouble for Tess, you’ll wish things were dull, she stated.

Hawk laughed. Still hot at hand, I see. Surprisingly, his tone was not at all cruel, it was more teasing. His slanted brows quirked even more at the ends, and he said, now laying his gauntleted hand over his heart, But I am not here to make trouble. Far from it! I am here on a mission of peace, good will, and maybe even romance.

Wren pruned her mouth. Romance? Euw! What do you mean— Then she realized, and gasped. "You can’t! You wouldn’t!"

Hawk’s laughter was as mocking as his smile. But yes, my unromantic young mage. I am here in my legitimate position as heir to the Rhiscarlan coronet, to court your Queen Teressa.

Two

Hawk raised his fist. He and his honor guard galloped through the gate, leaving Wren to wave uselessly at their choking dust. She sent a glare after them, then thrust her books at Tam. Would you take these to the archive for me? I’ve got to warn the queen.

Sure, but— Tam began.

Thanks!

She bustled through the gates and cut slantwise through the garden to a secret entrance.

Wren knew that Teressa would be waiting in her private parlor. The girls had long ago explored the many passages in the palace. So even though Hawk was on horseback, he had several layers of servants to get through whereas Wren could go straight in, and take a shortcut to the parlor.

She burst out of the secret passage, dashed down the hallway in the royal residence wing, and flung open the door to Teressa’s private sitting room, which overlooked a garden full of blue and white and yellow spring blossoms.

Phew! Wren exclaimed. You’re here!

Wren. Teressa smiled a welcome. I just arrived. Teressa came forward, the light from the window accentuating her strong features dominated by a cleft chin, her elbow-length brown hair gleaming with red and gold highlights. You did not have to hurry. The bells haven’t even rung yet.

"Oh, yes I did, Wren stated grimly, flinging herself into the old-fashioned cushioned chair nearest Teressa. You’re about to get hit with a real stinker of a visitor—unless, of course, you’d like me to send him right home again. I’d be glad to do it, too."

I take it I have a visitor you don’t approve of? Teressa sank down, and smoothed her yellow polished-cotton skirts. Her gown was bare of embellishments except for bodice laces made of green silk.

It’s not one of your annoying relatives. Wren pinched her nose. Well, on the other hand, I guess he is, if you go far enough back. Anyway it’s that disgusting pickle-nose Hawk Rhiscarlan.

To Wren’s surprise, Teressa just laughed. Pickle-nose! Did he really turn that ugly?

He was always ugly, Wren retorted, even if it wasn’t exactly true. And as far as I’m concerned, he can go on being ugly somewhere else.

But if I send him away without finding out what he wants, won’t it just make him into an angry pickle-nose? Teressa responded, pulling the long silken cord hanging by the door. Downstairs the servants would know Wren had arrived, and soon there’d be good, creamy hot chocolate to drink. Angry pickle-noses prowling my southern border might not be good for the kingdom.

I can tell you what he wants. Wren made a sick face. Now, get ready to laugh! Either that, or a nasty stomach ache. That is, if he wasn’t just lying. He says he’s here to court you.

Wren paused, expecting laughter—at least disbelief.

Teressa just smiled and shook her head.

Wren gasped. "Teressa. You knew."

He wrote me just after New Year’s. A letter full of impertinence, of course, in his usual style, and at first I was quite ready to pitch it in the fire, Teressa admitted, as a servant opened the door and carried in a fine-carved tray with all the chocolate things on it. Thanks, Mira.

When she and Wren were alone again, Teressa poured out two cups of gently steaming chocolate. But I got to thinking. What would happen if I could make friends with him? Maybe even win him to an alliance? Surely that would be far better than having him angry and possibly scheming behind my back.

He’ll be doing that anyway, whether he’s here or somewhere else, Wren stated. "You know you can’t trust him. He even hinted as much himself, at the end of the war, there. He’ll do what he wants when he wants, and too bad for the rest of us."

Teressa lifted her cup but did not sip. Instead, she gazed out the window at the fluffy clouds drifting across the sky. Presently she said, I’m not so sure about that.

Wren gave a big gusty sigh. "Tess. This is Hawk. Who tried to kill Connor and me. Who nearly killed Tyron. Who tried to capture you, and hold you for ransom against the highest bidder—which could have been Angleworm Andreus, for all he cared!"

But that was before he really met any of us, Teressa said. You have to admit he could have done any or all of those things during the war, and didn’t.

That’s because he’d squabbled with his former pal Andreus, and it wouldn’t have gained him anything. Wren crossed her arms. Tess, he’s nasty, mean, untrustworthy, and the thought of you even pretending to let him court you makes my stomach feel like a thousand snails are rumbling around in there.

Teressa shuddered and drank some hot chocolate, as if to get rid of Wren’s too-vivid image. Then she bent toward Wren, smiling a little. Don’t tell me you can’t look at him and admit he’s quite attractive.

Wren snapped upright, nearly spilling her cup. She crashed it down onto its saucer. "Ugh! You can’t mean to say you find that nasty toadwart handsome?"

Teressa put her cup down. But he is.

Wren got up and stomped around the room, trying to find words to express her disgust. Handsome! She waved her arms. And so’s the scarlet snake whose bite is so poisonous you’re dead before you drop to the ground, or those dragons of old, who were supposed to be very handsome indeed, and I’ll bet everyone admired their pretty scales ever so much before they got blasted into ash. She wiggled her fingers to pantomime ash falling to the ground.

Wren, Teressa said in a quiet voice. Do you really believe that just because I like someone’s looks I’d lose my brains over him?

Why not? Wren exclaimed, thumping a hand on the back of her chair. You and I laughed over so many of those court geese doing just that, before the war. Male or female, they take one look at a pretty face, and their wits flap right out the window.

But we’re not talking about court, Wren. Teressa’s smile was gone, though her voice stayed gentle. Do you really believe that I, Teressa, with the responsibilities I have now, and my parents not two years dead, would really lose my head at the first sight of a handsome face?

Danger tingled in Wren’s palms. With her back to the window she gazed the length of the room at Teressa, and saw for the first time that her old friend really wasn’t a girl any more. Her once-rounded cheeks had flattened, her cleft chin jutted, reminding Wren of King Verne, her brow was high and her eyes direct. She was a young woman, not a girl, and though they’d been friends for all these years, Wren had somehow managed not to notice the change.

She didn’t tell me, Wren thought. She knew about Hawk months ago and didn’t tell me.

And now they were on the verge of their very first argument. Ever.

So Wren said, Of course I don’t. It’s just that I don’t trust Hawk Rhiscarlan. Annnnd . . . I guess maybe sometimes I exaggerate, just a little, when I worry. She held up her forefinger and thumb with about a hair’s breadth space between them.

Teressa’s smile returned, but it was pensive, rather than genuine. He’s likely to only stay a season, and I plan to find out a lot more from him than he does from me, she said.

He’s probably down there in the stable bragging the same thing to his cronies, Wren thought, but she didn’t say it.

For the first time she couldn’t say what she wanted to her old friend. She no longer felt like one girl with another girl, but like a girl with a young woman—a queen.

Wren tried to smile. You’ll be getting a summons that he’s here any moment. And Tyron asked if I’d teach the basic illusions class while Fliss is gone. I guess I’d better get back and prepare for it. And after that, get busy with my journeymage project. Better to shiver underground translating old glyphs than . . .

She slipped out the door, leaving Teressa staring down at Wren’s untouched cup of chocolate.

wrensdog

Tyron was distracted by a flicker of movement outside the window of the classroom. There was a familiar short, round figure in a brown tunic toiling up the pathway, long yellow-streaked brown braids swinging, her brow furrowed, her blue eyes narrowed in a way he hadn’t seen for at least a year.

Tyron frowned. Wren, angry? Good-natured, ever-joking Wren, who was supposed to be up at the palace now?

Uh oh.

Did I say it wrong?

Tyron blinked at his four staring students, their practice books open, pens sharp, ink ready for dipping.

Let’s have that spell again, he said.

The four chanted obediently, The spell for cleaning water binds to the container. We begin with the summons-spell for all particles hidden and unhidden . . .

Tyron waited impatiently until they were done with the long process for making cleaning-buckets for dishes and clothing, then said quickly, Your assignment now is to look in the archives and find three different spells for cleaning the water in streams, perform them, and next class report on which is most effective, which is least effective, and why.

He resisted the impulse to dash out the door ahead of them, and made himself wait until they were gone. He wore the white tunic of a master, and masters didn’t dash around yelling wildly, not without good cause. Especially these days, when so many still woke up having nightmares about the Lirwani attack.

When the last student had vanished around the corner, he dashed off in the other direction, straight to the dormitories for the senior students.

Wren’s door was closed. She almost always left it open whether she was there or not. Tyron hesitated, then knocked lightly.

After a long moment the door cracked opened and one light blue eye peered out.

Then Wren sighed and opened the door the rest of the way. You may’s well come on in, though how you nosed it out so fast—

Nosed what out? he interrupted.

Teressa didn’t send you some kind of message?

Tyron didn’t miss that rare use of Teressa’s full name. I saw you running past my window. You’re supposed to be at the palace.

Wren flopped down on her bed, leaving the chair for Tyron.

He lifted a couple books and papers from it and sat down. What happened?

Wren groaned. It’s that disgusting skunk of a Hawk.

Oh. He’s here, is he?

Wren sat up, her eyes wide. You knew, too? Nobody told me! She added grimly, I suppose everyone in the entire city knows?

They probably will by tonight. Anyone who cares to. Tyron lifted a shoulder in a shrug. "But until today, only Teressa and Halfrid and I knew. She showed us a letter from Hawk right after New

Reviews for Wren Journeymage

[mithalogica-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked the tone and style of this book - it put me a bit in mind of some of Derek DeLint's work, which I adored as a teen. I can't say Smith's work has quite the polish of DeLint, but that may be personal preference. I have not read the books that precede this one, so I am certain I missed nuances and deeper connections in the plot. I still enjoyed the book, and found the characters engaging (if a little iconic, which may not be a bad thing, but I had the feeling I'd seen these characters as almost stock figures before), but I don't think this book can really stand alone apart from the series. If you have read the others, I can only imagine this is a worthy sequel, but if not, I'd recommend either a standalone,or beginning at the beginning. I intend to get the first ones, and then reread this one.

[wealhtheowwylfing · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was so interested to know what happened next in this series that I actually bought this book, making this the first book in ~5 years I've bought for myself. The world Smith has created is so interesting, and the plots so engaging, that it overcame my usual miserly habits.

It was a little bit of a let down, to be honest. Wren is as kind-hearted, friendly and playful as ever; but therein lies my problem. She and her friends are up against a sorcerer who, for the last three books, has killed countless people, started several wars, and tortures pretty much everyone he gets his hands on. In response, Wren sneaks into his fortress and lays traps for him--but not, say, anything that will actually bind or kill him. She literally short-sheets his bed. Which, fine, whatever, she's a tween at that point--but in this book, when Andreus is yet again torturing people and starting wars, she never regrets her merciful stance. She never wishes for a do-over. That said, when she does go up against him in this book, she does intend to kill him at the expense of her own life, but only because it's literally that or see her father, and all the other mages, die. And what's frustrating is that her plan doesn't kill him, just wounds him, and there is no talk at all about what's to be done with them, save for one of the mages saying "We shall do our best to heal him." NO. Heal him, sure, but after FOUR books of villainy, I want to know that Andreus is going to be punished in SOME way.

And y'know what else was infuriating? Both Andreus and Hawk are like, oh I had a bad childhood, I get to start wars and kidnap people and shit. And the other characters are like, I understand, that must have been very hard for you. Again, NO. I like that Smith wanted to show both sides of the conflict, but it's done in a really heavy-handed way. I'm really tired of bad childhoods being given as an excuse for why someone's a bully or a murderer.

I do like that all of the main characters are, at heart, pacifists. Each of them would rather talk than fight, and several explicitly say that they will not kill another. It's rare that YA fantasy is so patently moral, instead of taking the easy way out. But even as someone who opposes the death penalty, I had a hard time with the "good guys" choices here, because no one argued with them. If even one person had presented the option of just killing Andreus for his crimes, I would have felt better about the book.


My other concern was the romantic subplots.
review tbc

[sockmonkeygirl_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was excited to see this book as the Wren books were some of my favorites as an adolescent. I gave it four stars, mostly for nostalgia purposes. I enjoyed watching these characters continue to develop and grow, but somehow it just fell a bit short. I think my main problem was that there was a definite build in the other books towards the war, and also the revelation of some mysteries about the main characters. This book was missing the tension of the war, despite the reappearance of the villain. I also felt like the information about Connor's and Wren's families was a bit of a let down.All in all, a fun read. It just wasn't quite as good as the others. But I was glad to see the characters again and to know where they all ended up.

[yendi_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've been a fan of Smith's writing for a long time, so I came in with a bias in favor of this book, but I still think it's a great read. This isn't something that's trying to break new ground, but it tells a fun story, tells it well, and has witty writing. Definitely worth it.

[museofire · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A rather humdrum YA fantasy adventure. I read it a while ago and can't even remember enough about it to write a more descriptive review.

[boots82 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The Good: This novel is quite an easy, interesting read. It is part of a series of novels all centering around Wren, a mage in training, but can also be a standalone novel. There is quite good character development in the beginning to keep the reader interested.The Bad: Sometimes the dialogue between characters is a bit too “current” I understand that the characters are young, but for a fantasy novel it just doesn’t quite fit. There are also some clunky sentences that make for awkward reading.The Ugly: Too much dock talk between the characters. I was confused quite easily and not very interested. Also, there are too many other bit characters taking up too much conversation/scene time, the main focus should be on Wren, it is her story after all. Some inconsistencies pertaining to what the characters are doing from scene to scene make for awkward paragraphs. Theresa is built to be a strong female character but all her character seems to be is boy-crazy and temperamental.If she's going to be such a pertinent character, she should be more well-rounded and more likable.The ending was abrupt and the character synopsis at the end was not really a great way to tie up loose ends but all in all the novel was not bad. Maybe it's because I hadn't read the whole series that I didn't particularly enjoy this book, but like I said above, it wasn't horrible... Just not as great as it could have been.

[nikkles_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another good book in the Wren series after a long wait. I liked it but, not as much as the original set. It just felt a bit rushed at the end.

[eviltammy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Had to get copies of the first 3 books since it had been so long since I read them. Excellent follow-up - characters remain true to what we knew in the past, yet continue to grow and learn. Fun adventures, the pains of growing up, exploring the wider world - Wren is a great character. Really glad to see something new with her.

[rachelouise · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a very nice, simple read that I think many YA readers would enjoy. I was able to understand most of the plot despite not having read the first three books in the series, and I found the characters well-rounded and pleasant. A bit simplistic (especially the final chapter), but I think YA fiction has to really be extraordinary to escape that, which this, while fun enough, isn't.

[shadrach_anki · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's been about ten years since I read the first two books in the Wren series, and I managed to completely miss the third book, but the story in Wren Journeymage is easy to follow, even with minimal prior knowledge of the series and characters. I enjoyed reading it, though it probably would have been better for me had I reread the earlier books in the series before reading this one. Because I did not do this, certain character actions/reactions seemed disproportionate in nature to the events portrayed (the treatment Hawk received in general comes immediately to mind).As far as formatting of the book is concerned, I found the ebook to be well laid out, and multiple file formats were provided. I did not notice any glaring formatting errors, so it was a pleasant reading experience overall.

[marynamo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good story. Well written and kept me wanting to read more. Well done to the author, certainly achieved success in captivating the readers.

[fe_lix_ · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is the first I read from then Wren Series. It's well written and entertaining, a good and captivating book. I will be reading the rest.

[kethdurazh · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received this e-book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.This is the first book in the Wren series that I have read and I was impressed that as the fourth book in a series, it was not difficult to jump on at this point. The characters and their relationships are established quickly and effectively enough that the backstory does not change the ability to follow the plot. I did feel however, that this booked served mostly as a follow-up to the other books in the series to tie all the characters' lives up in a neat little bow. The plot of this story left a little to be desired. It was fairly straightforward and focused on reaching all of the plot points without enough detail along the way. While it was enjoyable, this book was not quite up to the same quality of some of the other YA books out there. I do not think I will be going back to pick up the first three books in the series.

[astrodene · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I recieved this from Early ReviewersThe book is written for young adults and is based around a civilisation where magic predominates. I haven't read many magic based books, despite their current popularity, but from the minute I picked it up I could hardly put it down. An excellent read. Having found it is part of a series I now need to find the earlier ones, which unfortunately are not available as ebooks

[miss_twilight_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this e-book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.Although I had not read any previous works by Sherwood Smith, let alone the Wren Series, it was an enjoyable read.Now I need to hunt down the other books in the series!

[rathgrith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It seems the market is flooded with books about magic and magic schools since Harry Potter, and I approached this one with some skepticism. The first chapter seemed to justify this attitude, as it pounded home the fact that this was a book about magic and a student in a magic school, repeating the words "magic school" over and over. However, I soon realized that it was part of a series of books that I hadn't read, and that it was written for young adults, and relaxed to see where it would take me.The rest of the book was rather enjoyable. The main character seems to get out of scrapes a little too easily at times, and some of the plot lines seemed a little cliche. But overall it was a fun read, quick and entertaining. I would be interested in reading the rest of the series to see how the story unfolds. I would recommend this book for a young adult, or a pre-teen. It has the magic themes that are so popular these days without any over-the-top drama and romance. It has a main character that can be identified with, instead of an idealistic representation of a perfect person. It shows an independent young woman who takes care of herself, develops meaningful relationships, and comes into her own as a person and a mage. Overall, a quick fun read that stands alone or as part of a series.

[4x4mama · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Got this book as an ebook from the early reviewers. Great read that kept me interested and not want to stop reading. Will definitely get the rest of the series.

[eyes92c · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Having read 'Wren to the Rescue' many moons ago it was interesting to see how far Wren had come as a character. I quite enjoyed catching up as it were and may go back and read the in between happenings from the series.

[mimsy_jess · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A light, fun read set in a well-thought-out fantasy world. This book satisfied my Golden Age of Sail nerddom and my desire to see the use of magic represented in a consistent fashion in a piece. Recommended.

[sstaheli_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Anyone who has read Sherwood Smith's work already knows her brilliance, and Wren Journeymage is another in the long line of wonderful books she has written. This is the fourth in the Wren series, and even though you could enjoy this as a standalone story, I recommend reading the full series. Great characters, compelling stories, and magical worlds combine to make this a fast and fantastic read.

[ashfault · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had never read any of this series. That being said, this book made sense to me as a stand alone novel. I was able to figure out the characters and their relationships fairly quickly. I would classify this as a young adult book. I enjoyed reading it. It is a fun book which moves along well. There is nothing really scary or complex in the novel, so I believe that young readers would really enjoy it. It's a lighthearted fantasy adventure.

[angieanzaldua · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

i won this book from Early Reviewers as an e-book and i loved it, it was very cool i read it on my phone so its safe to say my phone would die quickly..... it wasnt what i expected but i loved it non the less it was a great adventure and now i want to read the previous books asap....

[historywitch · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A pretty good YA book full of excitement and interest which managed to hold my attention until the end. However I felt sometimes the story was a little weak and I don't really feel the urge to track down the previous books in the series to read, which is unusual for me. I loved some of Sherwood Smith's books but I felt that this onewas not one of her best.

[raven_moon_7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked the tone and style of this book - it put me a bit in mind of some of Derek DeLint's work, which I adored as a teen. I can't say Smith's work has quite the polish of DeLint, but that may be personal preference. I have not read the books that precede this one, so I am certain I missed nuances and deeper connections in the plot. I still enjoyed the book, and found the characters engaging (if a little iconic, which may not be a bad thing, but I had the feeling I'd seen these characters as almost stock figures before), but I don't think this book can really stand alone apart from the series. If you have read the others, I can only imagine this is a worthy sequel, but if not, I'd recommend either a standalone,or beginning at the beginning. I intend to get the first ones, and then reread this one.

[soraki_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the fourth and newest book in the Wren series, which I first read years ago. There are four main characters and the chapters alternate between them. There's Theresa, the queen of of Meldreth; Connor, her half-uncle; and Wren and Tyron, magicians-in-training.Connor set out to travel the world at the end of the last book. This book opens a year later with Wren setting out to find Connor and to work on a journeymage project, the last step before she becomes a full magician. But she gets kidnapped very quickly and is forced to work on a smuggler's ship.Meanwhile back home, Hawk Rhiscarlan, a former enemy, has come to court to court Theresa, who immediately falls for him. On the other hand, Tyron does not trust Hawk but he cannot make Theresa listen to him.I love this book because Wren and Connor finally get together, something that I've been hoping for ever since I read the first book. There's a love triangle between Theresa, Tyron, and Hawk which did not resolve the way I had been expecting, but I'm delighted at the way it did end.

[nerilka · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book could not be read in isolation as a stand alone, far too many of the current tensions, plots and characters are derived from actions in the previous books. A fast paced adventure and a quick read.

Fortunately having read the other books, it was great to return to Wren's world and see how the characters turn out and get to see some of the happy ever after. I would have liked to see more growth in Wren's character, as she seems to be stuck around age 13!

A good addition to the series, with some interesting ideas on relationships for the YA audience to ponder.

[heatherhouston_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am a big fan of books that are part of a series. I enjoy the continuation of the story. I want to be swept away in the story and to get to know the characters. My one true pet peeve about series stories is that at times some authors fail to make books stand alone; they fail to mek a book something htat anyone could just randomly pick up and start reading with enough information contained within that they know what the previous books were about without having to read them.... unfortunately that was not hte case with this book. I instantly felt that if I had read any of thte prior books that I would have been better able to understand where this author was coming from. Also there are many overly flowery descriptions about love and relationships - my concern would be what message are we sending to young adults about what love truly is and what it will not be. The book was entertaining it was more fo a coming of age coming into your own persona and self knowledge then anything else. I would recommend this book to others with the for warning that they need to read the others prior to it and I would wish to discuss the book with any young adult that read it to make sure that they understand the messages in the book and not simply pretend that all is well in the realm of fantasy sci fi romance.

[museet_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

To begin with, this is the only book of the series that I have read and I believe that it would have greatly enhanced the reading experience if I had started from the beginning. One is able to get the jist of the back-story to be able to follow the current plot, but the characters may have been fuller if one did read the rest of the series.This is a good young adult series. It brought me back to my preteen days of dreaming about magic and mystery. A very interesting aspect of this book was that many of the characters were surprisingly women. Being placed in a world similar to our medieval ages one would expect traditional gender roles, but many of the sea captains were women and strong and empowering women at that. This is refreshing to see and I would recommend it for young women/girls to read and internalize that empowerment.As far as the story line goes I liked the creativity with the magic, it was not as predictable as many current books surrounding magic. The story develops as young Wren travels by herself on her quest for her journeymage project. On her travels she must creatively us her magic and does well despite not being an expert. The plot follows in an interesting route with suspense and good story, until the ultimate battle scene arrives which I think was lacking. The evildoer was thwarted too easily and the end of the book felt a bit rushed to tie up loose ends. The ending could have been much more especially seeing as it is the last in the series. All in all I think it would be a good read for any preteen, a fun little journey in between schoolwork.

[kuinni · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I first started Sherwood Smith's novels for Young Adults when I was around that age myself. I loved, loved her stuff, and she quickly became one of my childhood favorite authors. I loved the Wren series back then, and I still think of them fondly now, but over the years I've quickly realized that the stories no longer bring back the same sense of wonder I had back then.I first read Wren Journeymage on Smith's website when she couldn't convince her editors to publish the novel. It's the fourth in the series, and I would recommend that readers start from the beginning, because there are references to events and characters that appear from the very first book. This series is a lot of fun, set in a fantasy world full of magic and brave young heroes who try to save their homes by destroying an evil sorcerer king. In this last and final one, the story continues from the different point of views of the four main characters, Wren, Teressa, Tyron, and Connor. Wren goes on a journey to find Connor, and adventure begins when Wren is kidnapped en route, with no concrete trace of her disappearance, and troubles stir up at home with Teressa, Tyron, and a suitor by the familiar name of Hawk.I must say, the romance in this book does satisfy the fangirl in me from years ago, and I'm happy enough with the ending of the series.

[dranea_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was the first of the Wren books I had read, and I thought it was just wonderful. I have now gone to my favorite booksellers to check on buying all of the other books in the series. These characters are all well written, and I could tell the history, feeling, animosity for all of them, even without the back story many of the other readers may may have had. I love that there is plenty of action in the book without it being bloody and gory. Anyone can pick this book up and enjoy a thrilling read and page turning plots. I wish I would have known about this series sooner! I really couldn't stop reading once I picked it up and had it finished in one night! Wren, Connor, Tessa, Tyron, and Hawk entwine themselves in a wonderfully playful and intriguing story involving everything necessary for a great conclusion: pirates, kidnap, wizards, magic, princesses, the untrusted suitor, and best friends. I can't wait to read the rest of these books!! :-)