Another day, another Tamora Pierce book.

This particular one is a bit more modest in its scope yet significantly darker in its content. There is an abundance of killing and a great deal of angst.

I quite enjoyed Alanna's journey to the desert people. However, the entire book had a somewhat superficial feel to it. Nevertheless, it remained readable, with a quick pace and was a fun read overall.

Surprisingly, I really didn't recall Alanna employing as much magic as is depicted in this book. All in all, I would rate it 3.5 out of 5.

Let this be a lesson of all things not to do.

We should always be cautious and avoid making similar mistakes. Pierce's forgetfulness of the word "pert" serves as a reminder that even the simplest things can sometimes slip our minds.

This incident highlights the importance of being attentive and double-checking our work or actions. It could have had consequences if it was in a more significant context.

We can learn from Pierce's experience and strive to be more mindful in our daily lives. Whether it's remembering a word, a task, or an important detail, being vigilant can prevent us from facing unnecessary difficulties or embarrassments.

So, let's take this as a valuable lesson and make an effort to improve our memory and attention to detail.

OKAY. Let's ignore my review from the past. This book truly made me despise Jon. In the previous book, I didn't have a great liking for him, but this one really reveals how terrible, conceited, and controlling he is.

The moment he arrives at the Bloody Hawk tribe's village, everything takes a turn for the worse. He is moody and irritating, taking out his frustrations on Alanna. He only wants to marry her to prove his ability to do as he pleases. And then they have a huge argument, which I believe truly shows his true nature. Saying that Alanna isn't a real woman like the Court ladies was the final straw for me. I didn't recall much of this book from my last reread as it has always been my least favorite, but this time around, I just can't tolerate it.

I know people will argue and claim that Jon is still young, but in this world, a 21-year-old is a proper adult, and Jon does not act like one.

Then there is the whole white savior trope with both Alanna and Jon. Alanna bringing education, freedom, and women's rights to the Bazhir annoyed me greatly. She also tries to get the girls to remove their face veils, as if that somehow limits or restricts them from becoming full-fledged shamans or sorcerers. This entire book is just eye-rolling. Jon becomes the Voice because, of course, the Bazhir would want some white guy whose family has oppressed them for centuries to be their leader.

I do remember Jon changing in the next book, but I honestly don't remember how, and I'm not sure if it redeems his behavior in this one. I'm glad to be one step closer to finishing this series, and rant-tweeting on Twitter has been great as well lol.

***

It's astonishing how your opinions change as you age. I still love this book (and this series) as much as I did the first time. But it's definitely an eye-opener. Jon really irritated me in this book - he has become a bit cocky and proud due to his status. Just like Thom! I truly didn't remember much about Thom's role in this book, and realizing who he has become makes me so sad. Jon also makes me sad because, as Alanna said, he is a good person at heart, but he has let all this royalty and "nobleness" go to his head and forgotten that not every woman is at his command and will accept/do whatever he wants. Alanna being with him constantly kept him somewhat grounded, but I'm hoping he remembers (I think he does later on) that women have their own rights, thoughts, and opinions. And he shouldn't need Alanna constantly by his side to remember that. George, though... now I remember why he's so perfect for Alanna!

(I feel a bit pressured to finish all of Tamora Pierce's books before the end of the year because of the challenge, which is unfortunate as I feel like I've rushed through this series and not savored it as slowly as I should have. I feel like there are so many important lessons that I should have pondered over more, but I'm glad I own the book so now I can reread it as many times as I desire.)

This book holds a special place in my heart as it is part of the Alanna quadrilogy. However, it is my least favorite among them. Nevertheless, it is still a solid read, especially considering its significance for teenage girls when it was first published.

The story follows Alanna as she embarks on adventures. It begins with a thrilling fight between her and some desert bandits, which immediately grabs the reader's attention. Eventually, she finds herself spending time with a tribe and joins them. The majority of the plot in this book serves as a setup for the next one, but it is fascinating to witness the changes that time has brought to Alanna, Jon, and George. They all experience some growth, and as a result, their relationships change as well. To be honest, at the end of the book, some of them still have a long way to go in terms of personal growth, especially Jon.

One aspect that I truly like is that Alanna remains坚定 in her desire to be a knight and refuses to conform to the kind of life that Jon envisions. Although they care for each other deeply, their priorities differ. This realization, while sad, is necessary for their future. It also leads to Alanna spending more time with George, which I wholeheartedly approve of.

Once again, this was a strong book, especially upon its initial release. Even though I am viewing it through a somewhat nostalgic lens, I believe it still holds up relatively well on its own. Moreover, it sets the stage perfectly for what is to come in the next installment of the series.

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