This one was so much better than the first.

I had completely forgotten just how good these books are!

The story in this installment was more engaging, the characters more developed, and the plot had more twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

It was like rediscovering a hidden gem.

As I read, I was transported into the world created by the author, and I couldn't put the book down.

Each page held a new surprise, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

The writing was also excellent, with vivid descriptions and a flowing narrative that made it a pleasure to read.

I'm so glad I decided to pick up this book again and give it a second chance.

It has reminded me of why I fell in love with these books in the first place, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

On the Ordeal:

Alanna vividly describes Jonathan emerging from the Chamber. In her mind's eye, she sees him stumble out of that iron-barreled Ordeal Chamber, his face ashen. He looks at her without truly seeing her - it's Jonathan! Even now, sometimes his eyes turn dark and blank, and she knows he is reliving the Ordeal. Her voice trembles as she says, "He looked like some part of him died in there..."

Later, when Jonathan and Gary are about to instruct Alanna in her Ordeal, they both mention barely surviving it. I keep feeling these descriptions don't quite align with the Ordeals Alanna and Kel experience. There's a wealth of background I渴望了解. First: who crafted this thing? How does it continue to function? Why did Duke Gareth lose his finger when the others endure living nightmares? What is the purpose of these living nightmares? Who determined that they're not permitted to discuss the Ordeal after it concludes, or scream during its occurrence?

Anyway. Regarding the actual story:

I have always adored Alanna dueling that knight from Tusaine. The dialogue is flawless. Jonathan taunts the knight with his squire, and Alanna remarks that she didn't kill him because he was stupid, adding, "If I killed everyone who was stupid, I wouldn't have time to sleep."

And then, of course, they engage in war with Tusaine. You know, I derive great enjoyment from the entire war - it unfolds in so few pages, and the resolution is truly excellent and unexpected - but this time around, I have a plethora of questions. Why does it take so long for people to reach obvious conclusions in this series? Or are the conclusions only evident because Pierce hints at them in her writing, and I'm being unreasonable in expecting so much from the characters? For instance, only Alanna thinks of approaching Stephan about the burr in Duke Gareth's saddle? No one, not even the Lord Provost, notices that there have been TWO recent ailments that healers can't combat, and that the line of succession includes one of the few sorcerers capable of concocting a disease like that? Seriously? Why does Miles only question Duke Roger's assignment for Jonathan quietly, without discerning some of Roger's ambitions in the action? Isn't Miles supposed to be a) a shrewd individual and b) the king's spymaster? Or is he only Jonathan's spymaster, and I'm混淆 the chronology?

There are subsequent references to Roger's spell, but - I mean - how long has he had them in that mesh spellbag thing? For so long?

Delia of Eldorne. She's somewhat of a stereotype, but it functions here. I think. I do appreciate Pierce's meticulous POV changes, and that we get to witness her interacting with Roger.

I also believe Roger is a splendidly sneaky villain.

ANOTHER GOOD ONE. This is a remarkable series. I question it so extensively because it is so realistic that I desire to resolve any inconsistencies that might endanger that worldbuilding.

I'm truly at a loss as to where I should commence with this book review. The book was simply outstanding, and there were countless events that took place within its pages, making it extremely difficult not to disclose spoilers.

Needless to say, Alanna is an exemplary character. I was immediately drawn to her in the first book, and my admiration for her remained unwavering throughout this installment. The story in this book features significant time jumps, culminating in Alanna turning 18. As a result, there is a great deal of character development. It was truly delightful to witness her gradually discover more about her true self, rather than conforming to the expectations placed upon her as she aspires to become a knight.

I have a genuine appreciation for her character, and I must admit that I even found the romance in this book quite enjoyable (which is a rare occurrence for me, for those who are curious). This is an outstanding series, and I am absolutely thrilled to continue reading and uncovering more of its精彩内容.

(Review originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)

NOTE: There may be spoilers for the previous book in the series.

Once again, I must start by stating that I have a profound love for Tamora Pierce and her books.

"In the Hand of the Goddess" is the second installment in the adventures of Alanna of Trebond. Here, we witness Alanna a bit more mature compared to the previous book. This story is filled with even more of Alanna's exciting adventures, brimming with just as much charm, action, and suspense as the first, if not more.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is that as Alanna grows older, she begins to long for her feminine side. In the first book, she was reluctant to embrace her femininity. But after hitting puberty, she realizes that it's okay to be a woman. This leads to a transformation in her personality and her views on womanhood. I appreciate that she no longer denies this part of herself and shows that one can be both a woman and a knight.

Also, since I have a huge crush on Prince Jon, I was thrilled when they got together. Although I knew it was coming, it was still wonderful when it happened. I always squeal with joy when I reach that part of the book. (This doesn't mean I don't love George - it makes me sad when he confesses his love and she runs away.)

My favorite character in this entire book is undoubtedly Faithful. Faithful is Alanna's new pet, a cat with violet eyes like her own. I think this is a brilliant touch. I would have loved to have a sidekick like Faithful, someone I could talk to and who would understand me completely.

Many characters from the first book also make a return, such as Myles of Olau, Gary, and Raoul. We also see more of Thom, Alanna's twin. (In fact, another of my favorite moments is when Thom gives Alanna a shield that maintains the crest of Trebond until the day she reveals her gender, at which point it will transform into a lioness.)

Equally important, Duke Roger, the villainous "friend" from the first book, is finally defeated by Alanna herself in a duel. I believe the duel was one of the highlights of the book. It's not often we see a female character kicking butt like that.

All in all, "In the Hand of the Goddess" may not be my absolute favorite in the quartet, but it's definitely worth reading for a deeper understanding of the series (and, of course, if you have a crush on Prince Jon!).

I really adored this book! In fact, I ended up having a greater fondness for this one compared to the first book, which might be a rather unpopular stance. The reason behind this is that my main gripe with the first book was that the scenes were极其 brief and covered an extensive period of time. As a result, I didn't feel as though we got to truly know the side characters or remain immersed in the action.

This book, too, spans a few years, but the way the author handled the passage of time was more to my liking. In this installment, there would be a substantial chunk dedicated to one specific period and the events taking place during that time. Then, it would skip ahead several months and spend another significant portion of time on the next event. The scenes were more expansive, allowing us to spend more quality time with Alanna and her friends.

Another aspect that I truly relished about this book were the battle and duel scenes. I felt that there was simply more happening to Alanna within this story. Additionally, I liked how, being in her teens, she had to grapple with her developing female body while still masquerading as a boy. Many reviewers have criticized the romance and how Alanna transitions from having no desire to love someone to becoming romantic in a flash. However, I believe this actually makes sense because she is a teenager contending with her hormones and desires while simultaneously attempting to focus on her aspiration of becoming a knight.

I also appreciated the presence of a main villain in this book and how Alanna interacted with him throughout the story. It added some exciting action to the plot, and he proved to be a shrewd adversary. And finally, I am in love with her new feline companion!

Talk about a book that's a lot shorter than you remember it being. I had this distinct impression that this particular book had been much longer. Indeed, it traverses a significant span of time. However, with less than three hundred pages, it's undeniably a quicker read than it was the first time I delved into it.

We commence with Alanna in the forest, where she encounters a purple-eyed cat and "The Goddess". The latter bestows upon Alanna a mystic charm along with words of both advice and warning. From that moment, we trail Alanna's journey as a squire, all the way up to her Ordeal and subsequent knighting, and ultimately to her confrontation with Duke Roger. His devious machinations have been menacing Alanna and all those she holds dear throughout the course of the book.

To be honest, I had recalled very little about this book aside from four major aspects. Firstly, the introduction of Faithful the cat. Secondly, Alanna's development of a sexual relationship with Prince Jon. Thirdly, her successful passing of the Ordeal to become knighted. And finally, the confrontation with Duke Roger. Interestingly, it is the second point that had the most profound impact on me as a very young teenager. It remained etched in my memory the most. Although there was never an abundance of explicit detail regarding the sexual activities within the relationship, the fact that Alanna had this connection and it was never presented in a manner that shamed her or diminished her for exploring sex as a teenager truly stood out in my mind. It has stuck with me over the years, and I find myself appreciating it even without fully comprehending why. In fact, even today's writers could glean some valuable lessons from Tamora Pierce's work.

I'm not certain if I have anything else extremely in-depth to contribute at this juncture. But it was simply so wonderful to return to this book, and I'm filled with excitement to continue on with the Song of the Lioness quartet.

This book contains all the elements that truly irritate me when it comes to YA novels. There are love triangles galore, with the main character being a wishy-washy snowflake. She initially proclaims that she will never fall in love, but just two pages later, she does precisely that. And to top it off, her guy friend actually drugs her. It's just one annoyance after another. Yada yada.

I really don't think I have any inclination to continue with this series. The story seems to lack originality and depth, relying on tired tropes and clichés. It fails to engage me on an emotional level, and I find myself constantly rolling my eyes at the predictability of it all. Maybe some readers enjoy this type of YA fiction, but it's simply not for me. I'll be looking for something more unique and thought-provoking to satisfy my reading cravings.

There have been certain occasions when I have grown to love a series as I delved into the sequels. However, more often than not, what occurs is that I rate the first book three stars (and sometimes even two stars!), and the ratings gradually increase from there. So, the fact that I rated the second book in the Song of the Lioness quartet lower than the first one is not a very positive sign! I *think* I still desire to continue the readalong because I am definitely intrigued by Pierce's later series, and I don't want to read those without having read the Alanna books. Or at least, I suppose, spoilery summaries of them.

As with the first book in this series, I have mixed feelings about it.

Overall, I was indeed interested in the story and characters. The writing in this book seemed to be an improvement over the first one. However, I do have some concerns.

It is written for young readers, but it approaches topics like sex and drinking in a very casual manner. I believe this is irresponsible on the part of the writer. Due to this, I would not recommend that a young person read this book.

Moreover, the writing isn't really sophisticated enough for an adult, which presents another problem for me. I wish I had read it before my daughter did. Had I known that teenagers were having sex in this book, I definitely would not have let her read it.

It's not overly dirty or detailed, but it still conveys the wrong message. As for the story itself, I like it. It was better developed in this book than in the first. Perhaps the combination of various elements made it seem more complete to me this time around.

All in all, while there are aspects of the book that I appreciate, the treatment of certain topics leaves much to be desired.

Nostalgia lol.

We see Alanna turn 18 and become a knight. It's a moment filled with excitement and anticipation. As she takes on this new role, we can't help but look back on her journey so far. The challenges she has overcome, the friendships she has made, and the growth she has experienced.

Becoming a knight is not just a title for Alanna; it's a symbol of her strength, courage, and determination. It's a recognition of all the hard work she has put in to achieve her dreams.

We can only imagine what the future holds for her as a knight. Will she face new challenges? Will she make a difference in the world? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure, we will be rooting for her every step of the way.

Nostalgia always has a way of bringing back memories, and this moment of Alanna becoming a knight is no exception. It's a memory that will stay with us for a long time.

I’m currently at the midpoint of the Song of the Lioness series. The story of Alanna and her pursuit of becoming a female knight while also delving into sorcery is captivating. However, I suspect that I would have had a stronger connection to it if I had read it at a younger age.

Tamora Pierce, through the character of Alanna, does a remarkable job of representing the experiences of females. She touches on topics such as periods, sexual desire, and the complex emotions that love can evoke. For a book written in the 1980s, this is truly a rare find.

Nevertheless, I have some reservations. The love-triangle aspect and the way the men interact with Alanna really bothered me. George and Jonathan both seem to push Alanna into a relationship when it’s evident that she’s not prepared. One of them even forcefully kisses her and drugs her (thankfully, with good intentions), while the other gets angry when she refuses to sleep with him. While this may depict a part of growing up and the challenges some young girls face, I believe that if such serious themes are going to be addressed, they should be explored more deeply, which is not the case here.

On a positive note, I’m thoroughly enjoying the portrayal of sorcery. Although it’s not a traditional magic system, it has its limitations, and watching Alanna develop her skills and understand the role of the Goddess in her life is truly engaging. And I absolutely love her magical cat, Faithless!

It makes me truly sad that my bookclub friends did not have an appreciation for the Alanna books. I firmly believe that if they had read them during their childhood days, they would have absolutely loved them. To a certain extent, I can understand how they might not have enjoyed these books as adults. After all, these were Pierce's very first published works, and thus, they are not as refined or fully developed as her later books. Back then, she was somewhat restricted by the industry. Publishers had their own ideas about what would sell and what middle readers could handle. It's important to note that self-publishing wasn't really an option in the mid-80s.

I understand that a significant portion of my current enjoyment of these books stems from nostalgia. However, I don't perceive any of the flaws that my bookclub friends pointed out. In my eyes, the world within these books is richly detailed, filled with a plethora of characters, a captivating mythology, and a vibrant culture. I can notice the time jumps, but again, at that time, there was no Harry Potter to serve as a model for taking Alanna through each year gradually. That would have been truly AMAZING, and dare I say, perhaps even better than Harry Potter (sorry, fans). But that's not how things unfolded. Instead, I was introduced to Alanna at a time when she was able to have a profound impact on my life, and I will be forever grateful to Ms. Pierce for that.

And, I'm sorry, but as much as we discuss badass female characters nowadays, Alanna is the original badass. She is a realistic character, with her own flaws, and yet completely relatable. She is a bit of a special snowflake, but not really. The Goddess (and by the way, GODDESS!!) blessed her because of the choices she made - and they were tough choices at that. If she had taken the easy route and simply gone to the monastery to become a proper lady, do you really think the Goddess would have interacted with her in the same way? No. Alanna took control of her own destiny, which is such a beautiful message for young women. She is gifted in magic, but as a girl, she was smaller and weaker, which meant that she had to work harder to prove her abilities. And that's precisely how she became one of the best fencers. It was through a lot of hard work, not because of any inherent, special ability. Another wonderful message. I've also heard comments about how she doesn't show any character growth. If you don't consider all four books together, I can sort of see that point, but over the course of the four books, she does soften. She had to be so tough and determined to achieve what she wanted in life - something that she wasn't supposed to want and wasn't supposed to be able to accomplish. Yet another great message. She did grow up and learned to be comfortable with who she was (a girl) and that she didn't have to be anyone other than herself. She learns this lesson through the love and relationships that she experiences as she matures. Which brings me to the "love triangle." First of all, the main driving force of these stories is most definitely not a love story, and again, that's a refreshing change from most books published today. But, come on, she's 15/16/17 (I think she's 18 when she does the Ordeal) in this book. It's only natural that she would have relationships, both physical and otherwise, at this stage. It makes perfect sense given her development. But she isn't blinded by love. She doesn't lose herself or her purpose because she gets a little excited around a boy. Again, it's realistic. At that age, I went through boys quite quickly and more than once I had to make a choice between a couple.

Anyway, I absolutely adore these books. I love revisiting this world. I find it to be so full, beautiful, relatable, and these books are so much better in terms of the messages they convey compared to the vast majority of books I read today. My 5-star rating remains.