A Libra's Libros

What a charming read! If only I had known about this series when I was in middle school. Having a heroine like Daine would've been so inspiring at an age when girls are at their most insecure.

Tamora Pierce's book is definitely targeted to a younger audience but there were many elements that I appreciated, albeit through the lens of my younger self. There's the whole communicating with horses (and I've always been a sucker for horses) and other animals, something that wouldn't seem so fantastical if society placed more value and investment in our nonverbal language skills, and if humans stopped assuming they're superior to all other creatures on earth. These are themes I ponder already, so of course Wild Magic resonated with me.

Daine's meditation practice also has me motivated to start my own daily practice. It was great how she described the typical challenges of one just learning how to meditate, like falling asleep and the weeks of diligence before noticing results. Thanks for the push!

It's also pretty sweet that, even as a 13-year-old, Daine was charged with instructing those training to be the Queen's Riders (who are in their late teens and early twenties) how to interact with their horses. Just because she's young doesn't mean she doesn't have a lot to offer. The only person who seriously doubts her is herself, a challenge we can all relate to.

I'm excited to read the rest of the series and see how Daine's character (and the author's writing) develops as our protagonist gets older. If anything, Wild Magic reinforced my youthful core and craving for adventure (not to mention my eagerness for spring to arrive so I can be out in nature and perhaps ride a horse again). Here's to staying forever young through books!