⭐️⭐️

I am reading this particular series mainly because I am intrigued by the central idea. However, I have come across far superior stories that involve girls disguising themselves as boys to achieve their desired goals. For instance, Cynthia Voigt's Jackaroo is an excellent example. Then there is The Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer, which offers a slightly different perspective as it is set in a historical context rather than a fantasy one. If my memory serves me right, The Dark Horse series by Mary H. Herbert is yet another such example, targeted at young adult fantasy audiences. In this series, a young woman assumes her brother's identity to seek revenge for the annihilation of her clan.

My main issue with the series I am currently reading is that it covers an extensive amount of ground within a very short span of time. As a result, it feels extremely bare-bones, lacking in depth and substance. Perhaps if I were a child, I might not be as critical. But in my opinion, a good story merits a more thorough and detailed treatment. Unfortunately, this series fails to deliver on that front.

I really enjoyed this one!

It was such an engaging and captivating read that left me completely hooked from start to finish.

The story was filled with interesting characters, exciting plot twists, and a unique setting that made it truly stand out.

I found myself unable to put the book down, constantly eager to see what would happen next.

Now that I've finished it, I can't wait to pick up Book 3 and continue this amazing journey.

I'm sure it will be just as精彩 as the previous two installments, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the story develops and what new adventures await the characters.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good book that will keep them entertained and on the edge of their seat.

The second book in one of my favorite series!

I simply flew through this book. There wasn't a single part within its pages that failed to grip my interest. It was truly captivating from start to finish.

Near the end, I found myself completely freaking out. I was so engrossed in the story that I couldn't contain my excitement. (Just ask my friends. They started to get tired of me fangirling over this AMAZING book!)

Now, I have this intense desire for a "Song of the Lioness" t-shirt. I want to proudly display my love for this wonderful series. It's not just a book; it's an experience that has left a lasting impression on me.

I can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead in the next installment of this amazing series.

Really, Tammy Pierce? We needed an omniscient talking cat? I don't think so.

The idea of having an all-knowing feline that can communicate with the characters seems rather far-fetched to me. It feels like an unnecessary addition to the story.

Moreover, the gender politics in this book also irk me. The way the characters are portrayed and the roles they are assigned based on their gender can be quite frustrating.

Although it's not as bad as all the parts of The Woman Who Rides Like A Man that involve Jonathan. His actions and decisions in that book really rubbed me the wrong way.

Overall, while I appreciate some aspects of Tammy Pierce's writing, these particular elements really detract from my enjoyment of the stories.

Why do boys say someone acts like a girl as if it were an insult? What a remarkable follow-up! Although it doesn't immediately pick up where The Black City left off, In the Hand of the Goddess fills in the gaps, even though it occurs about a year after those events. The book flows just as smoothly as the first, perhaps even a little better.

It's truly wonderful to witness how comfortable Alanna has become with herself. No more endless fretting about being a girl and thus not being good enough. Now, she's coming to understand that being a woman isn't a bad thing, and she's looking forward to revealing her true self. And revealing that truth doesn't change who she is. Though it does highlight her stubbornness, and it's nice to see her new fears as she constantly tries to face them. This is what truly makes her a favorite character. Especially when, at sixteen, she faces her first battle. It's refreshing to see that it's not glorified, and the toll such things take on people is shown.

This is the book that introduces romance. While that was a strength of the previous book, in In the Hand of the Goddess, it doesn't detract from the story. Instead, it enhances it as we get to know the love interests. They've had time to develop into amazing characters. Dear Pierce is the first author to introduce me to Second Lead Syndrome. Which is great because both love interests are wonderful and not assholes, unlike in many newer books where jerks, bullies, and evil dudes masquerading as "bad boys" seem to dominate every book I read.

Thom finally gets some page time outside of letters, though it's more towards the end. I, for one, can't wait to learn more about Alanna's sorcerer brother. In the Hand of the Goddess does a great job of furthering Alanna's friends and allies. There are wonderful insights into the characters, especially as a few find out Alanna's big secret. It's also sad to see which characters may no longer be friends...

In the Hand of the Goddess doesn't have as much influence from the gods as the first book. Sure, there are some significant events at the beginning, but things don't feel as if they're being handed out. That's one of my biggest pet peeves with fantasy plots where things just magically reveal or occur to the lead because of a higher power. (Yes, I know it's fantasy.) It's wonderful to see Alanna progress from Squire to Knight. I'm excited to read about her adventures as the first Lady Knight in over a century. Go for it, girl!

Sexual Content: There is a hinted-at love scene and continued romance. But this is old school, so it's nothing explicit. There is also some sexual humor.

It's still very kid-friendly.

4/5 - Great! Really enjoyed it.

Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.

Alanna: The First Adventure is a captivating read that has stood the test of time for me. I recently re-read it in 2024, for the first time since writing my review in 2012, and it's still as accurate as ever. I gave it a 5.0 for nostalgia, 4.0 for the re-read, and a 4.5 overall. I've re-read this many times, but never with such a large gap and a focus on critical thinking. The Immortals Quartet is my favorite Tortall series, and while I relate to Diane more overall, this book has always been my favorite. Critically analyzing it, I still stand by that judgment. It has its faults, but its strengths far outweigh them.

For those reading it in their post-teen years, there are a couple of disclaimers. This book is very much of its time. The entire series' length was cut in half, at least, due to publishers not believing a fantasy novel with a female protagonist would sell well before Harry Potter. As a result, the first two books feel rushed, giving them a juvenile feel. However, if you can look past this, you'll be rewarded. I can't quite put my finger on what originally made this my favorite book. I first read it in 1996, before most of the Immortals quartet and the Protector of the Small quartet. I identified with Alanna's need to prove herself against masculine warriors. I came into the series obsessed with Joan of Arc and already familiar with the world via Wild Magic. I left the series as a feminist activist, grateful for Alanna's portrayal of both masculine and feminine qualities.

The strong point of this novel, in my opinion, is Alanna's acceptance of her gender. She becomes more real as she battles her desires for love and her knowledge of the pain it causes, her feminine and masculine sides. She chooses a masculine appearance to stay free and safe from harassment, but still explores what it means to be female. She's an excellent student and squire, but quickly learns she doesn't know everything during her training. Personally, Alanna's steps towards accepting her femininity mean the world to me. I don't really care about her knight training or her relationships with Jonathan or George. What matters is that she taught me to accept both femininity and masculinity and what they mean to me. It made me think and come to my own conclusions. So many feels, y'all.

Alanna: The First Adventure Review | The Woman Who Rides Like a Man Review | Lioness Rampant Review

Alanna is truly a whirlwind of activity!

Not only does she have to constantly dodge murder attempts, but she's also occupied with saving the princes' lives, delving into the realm of romance, and striving to rid the land of a traitor.

I absolutely adored this book, and my love for this series only continues to grow!

Alanna remains just as defiant and hot-tempered in this installment as she was in the first. Her fiery nature gets her into a few scrapes here and there, but it's amazing how much she reminds me of myself.

I think Myles might just be my favorite secondary character. He's such a wonderful and kind person overall.

In this book, we're introduced to Faithful the cat, and oh my goodness, I'm completely in love with this adorable furrball!

<3

What happened??

I have delved into several of Tamora Pierce's literary works. However, I had not yet explored the Song of the Lioness quartet, and I felt it was high time to embark on this reading journey. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Alanna: The First Adventure. I was captivated by Alan, or rather Alanna, with her unwavering single-mindedness and her charming unawareness of herself and the profound effect she had on those around her. The supporting characters also added depth and charm to the story. It was a light, pleasant, and thoroughly enjoyable read, which left me eager to dive into the second book.

I anticipated that Alan would mature and face a plethora of challenges, including identity issues, romantic entanglements, and the myriad of problems that accompany the transition to young adulthood. I expected the book to be less targeted towards the 8 - 12-year-old demographic, as the first book had been, and instead, be more tailored to the tastes and sensibilities of teenagers. These were the expectations that filled my mind before I began reading the book.

Alas, I was terribly disappointed.

While it is true that Alan does indeed grow up and encounters all the problems I had foreseen, and the book is not aimed at the 8 - 12-year-old set (though it also doesn't seem to be targeted at anyone over the age of 16), I found the story to be tiresome and rife with clichés. It was akin to reading a long-volume shojo manga sans the illustrations. The heroine, now a cute and determined girl, bases her existence on a lie, yet those who know the truth adore her even more because of it. Despite having very little sense of self and almost no distinguishable personality, she possesses a strong sense of right and duty, which guides all her decisions. She is also chosen by the Goddess, who even pays her a visit, bestowing an abundance of gifts. She manages to capture the hearts of the two most eligible bachelors in the realm and must choose between them. In making her choice, it seems less a result of an informed decision based on her feelings and more a default to the one who is more accessible, falling into his bed out of convenience and because everyone keeps insisting that she needs to learn to love. What exactly is it about her that makes her so endearing to all these men and one woman?

Furthermore, everything she undertakes leads to success. She plays a crucial role in winning wars, thwarts attempts on her life without even realizing they were such. She is kidnapped but rescued before anything truly horrible can occur. And all the inconsistencies throughout the book are neatly wrapped up at the end: everyone was behaving like an imbecile because there was a spell cast over them all, although there were moments of lucidity when one character or another would have suspicions.

I adored Alan's determination and her need to prove herself in the first book, when she was just emerging from childhood and was in the process of emotional and physical development. However, in this volume, it comes across as a lack of awareness and an inability to respond to her environment in a believable manner. Instead, she relies predominantly on luck, her loyal friends, the Goddess, and the writer's penchant for keeping her character safe.

I was even more disappointed with the continuing villain, who is supposed to be the most powerful sorcerer around. He is slowly killing the queen, has everyone under his control, makes feeble attempts on Alan's and Jonathan's lives, and then dies easily. So much for powerful sorcery.

I found myself frequently rolling my eyes at Alanna, her situations, and the resolutions to all her problems. While many of the supporting characters remain interesting, they are not sufficient to carry the story. I am hoping that this book was merely a flimsy bridge to lead to Alanna's adult life as a knight, and I hope her future adventures prove to be more engaging and that she grows as a character. Otherwise, this is going to devolve into a tedious series.

I am definitely on a Tamora Pierce kick. Her books have been captivating my attention and I just can't get enough. The worlds she creates are so vivid and the characters are so well-developed that I find myself completely immersed in each story. I have been devouring her books one after the other, and I'm already looking forward to the next one. I can't wait to see what new adventures and challenges she has in store for her readers. It's like going on a journey with each turn of the page. So, here I come, ready to dive into the next Tamora Pierce book and continue this amazing literary adventure.

Really good overall!

However, it is more uneven than the first book. There are some rather wacky point of view elements that are centered around a disappointingly generic bad guy.

The series has taken a definite turn towards the YA genre. Now, the question is, which one of these seemingly perfect dudes will she love??? Additionally, a really good cat character has been added, and all of that has been well executed and is quite good.

The knight and chivalry aspects continue to be excellent.

Now, it's time to move on to book 3!

I truly despise awarding such a low score to this book. It's not that I consider it a *terrible* one, but I simply struggled to remain engaged with it for several reasons.

Firstly, the pacing is truly peculiar. It was an issue in the first Alanna book as well, but it seems even more pronounced here. A scene will occur, and then in the next chapter, it'll be mentioned as having happened "last summer." However, within each individual scene, time progresses at a normal pace. As a result, it becomes rather challenging to constantly mentally toggle back and forth between "descriptive exposition" and "vital plot elements." (Although this might be a problem exclusive to me, as I tend to focus more on the latter and skim over the former - that's just my reading style.)

But perhaps the more significant problem for me is the romance aspect. Ugh, yet another love triangle? Another pair of Nice Guys™? And ANOTHER young girl who initially claims not to care about love or sex but eventually succumbs anyway? I'm so, so tired of this trope. Either give me girls who aren't interested in romance or those who are, but this trend of boys having to show girls what they truly desire is highly problematic. It's disturbing to witness time and time again a girl who repeatedly rejects a guy's advances only to ultimately give in and "admit" that they always felt that way, and for the guy(s) to persistently disregard the girl's wishes and kiss them despite her protests. And especially when it's a trope so frequently present in books with otherwise empowered female characters and books written by women! Relationships that commence with the guy wearing the girl down are not healthy, and it's irresponsible to glorify such behavior in YA books. Not to mention the fact that it's extremely frustrating for asexual or aromantic individuals to believe they finally have a character to identify with, only for the character to "change their mind" or "grow into it" or "be a late bloomer" or whatever other common experience-erasing responses real asexual and aromantic people have to endure constantly.

Also, the entire plotline involving Roger was strange. Alanna was suspicious of him throughout, and then at the end when she tore the veil - perhaps I had simply overlooked something, but it was not at all clear to me that she was being restrained from taking any action. I thought she was merely waiting to gather more evidence and become powerful enough to confront Roger, as that's what she kept stating and what everyone else kept advising her to do. It made perfect sense for Jonathan et al. to have been behind the veil, but not Alanna.

So, due to all of these factors, I have no choice but to assign it two stars. I haven't yet decided whether I should read the other two books in this series or switch to another in the Tortall universe. I really, really adored the Beka Cooper books, so hopefully the other series are more like those and less like these.