The third in the series, and I think it's the best of them so far. The problem with naming each of the books in the series after one of the four protagonists is that it gives the impression that the book will be primarily about that particular protagonist, whereas the first two in the series - and particularly Sandry's Book - have been more balanced. This one, though, very strongly features Daja, and as she's the one I find most interesting of the four that was a decision that worked for me.

Also, because the entirety of this book takes place out of Winding Circle, it gives an opportunity to see what some of the people who don't live in a community run by mages, or next to a community run by mages, think of it. That plays into the theme of distance and isolation that Daja, exiled from her own culture, experiences. It's interesting to read about how other, non-Circle mages react to the kids and their teachers, and it's not always good. Neither is it always bad, precisely - in some cases it's just different. Daja, for instance, is given the opportunity to re-join the Traders, but practicing magic in that culture means choosing a specialised focus for her magic, and it also means giving up smithying entirely. The Trader magicians are clearly competent in their fields, but it's a different experience of magic, a different culture of it, and the navigation of these multiple cultures gives the book an extra level of interest. I still find the kids ridiculously over-powered, but it's a quick, enjoyable read regardless.