He struggles to come to terms with a mage-teacher in her teens and the fact that he basically has to start his glass blowing journey all over again in order to wrangle in his magic. A departure from the other books in The Circle Opens series, Tris’ student Keth is an adult.

Instead we get to spend time with characters that we actually like and cheer for. We don’t find out who the murderer is until the end. The mystery of this book was much improved upon from the previous three. Together, Tris, Keth, and the police work together to capture the Ghost, the person responsible who killing the city’s entertainers. Because lightning magic is so rare and because Tris was the mage who discovered him, she takes him on as his teacher. In Tharios, Niko attends a conference on vision magic, and Tris stumbles upon an immigrant glass blower, Keth, who isn’t in control of his glass and lightning magic. Tharios is a Greek/Mediterranean inspired town with a horrible and dehumanizing caste system added on. They make their way to the South to a Tharios. Tris Chandler and her teacher Niko Goldeye are travelling just like the rest of the young yet extraordinarily powerful mages from Winding Circle. It will stand well on its own, and it's also sure to satisfy Pierce's many fans.” - Booklist, March 1st, 2003“ In a series with so many predetermined factors, Pierce injects enough twists to keep the franchise fresh.So concludes The Circle Opens Series, and a what a way to finish the series! Like previous books in the Circle Opens Quartet, this one is an engaging blend of mystery, magic, and timeless social themes. There's plenty of suspense, as well as a social commentary simmering beneath the surface of the story (the human rights of the lower classes are being ignored by the city in an effort to maintain its beautiful facade). “In lively prose laced with wry humor, Pierce creates realistic, dimensional characters-Tris is spunky, independent, and thoroughly likable-and places them in exotic, imaginatively detailed locales. It will stand well on its own, and it's also sure to satisfy Pierce's many fans.” - Booklist, March 1st, 2003“ In a series with so many predetermined factors, Pierce injects enough twists to keep the franchise fresh.” - Horn Book

Shatterglass by Tamora Pierce