Have I mentioned lately how much I truly adore the pioneer of YA fantasy, Tamora Pierce? She is an absolute magician when it comes to storytelling, and her Tortall series is nothing short of magical as well.

Alanna has now grown older and is a squire, diligently training to become a knight. However, there are numerous issues that she has to face. Rival kingdoms have declared war, adding an extra layer of complexity and danger to her already challenging path. Of course, she still has to deal with threats at home. Roger of Comte is still causing trouble and is far from happy with Alanna. Fortunately, she does have some allies who are aware of her true identity and are there to support her.

As Alanna's Ordeal draws nearer, she also finds herself starting to explore the concept of love and relationships. This is quite a departure from what she thought when she was younger. I just have an immense love for this series. Without revealing too much and spoiling it, the earlier interactions between Alanna and her love interest are simply adorable and heartwarming.

It's truly a captivating series that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

It is truly so effortless to breeze through this book. The reading experience is smooth and engaging. Alanna, the main character, in this particular installment, was perhaps a little on the overly dramatic side. However, despite that minor flaw, the ending of the book was absolutely amazing!! It had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning the pages to see how it all would conclude. The way the story built up to that final moment was masterfully done. It left me with a sense of satisfaction and also a longing for more. Overall, this book is a great read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and entertaining story.

I think this is the book that I have forgotten the most. In fact, I remember almost nothing about it, except for Faithful. I remembered Faithful. It would also explain how I managed to conflate books one and two. I remembered next to nothing about book 2, except that Alanna got a cat, started to wear women's clothing sometimes, and slept with Jonathan. The first two, I thought happened in book one, the third in book three.

This is a good book, and I like it as part of the Alanna series, but it's not as good as the first one for me. For one thing, I forgot how much time it covers and how quickly that time passes. First, there's the potential for a war, then all of a sudden it's a year later and they're at war, then it's another year or two and Alanna's facing her Ordeal. And then it's the end. I also thought the final dispatching of Roger was a little too quickly wrapped up. Alanna just breaks into his room and finds the proof she needs.

As for the Chamber of the Ordeal, I wish there had been a way for Tamora Pierce to be vaguer on the details. The Chamber is scary because you don't know what's so terrible. I feel like it's hard for a concrete reality to live up to that kind of fear.

I also really wish Alanna had gotten to announce that she was a girl on her own terms

I'm also not super into how the relationship with Jonathan develops. Particularly when he tells her they're essentially inevitable as a couple. I continue to like how Alanna's relationship with George is treated. I feel like he understands her better.

And lastly, I wish we'd gotten to see more of some of the relationships that are so wonderfully described in the first book. I wanted more Alanna and Myles and Alanna and Gary (instead of just Alanna and her love interests). Also, a female friend wouldn't have gone amiss. I also would have liked to see a little more of the aftermath of Duke Roger's death (the snake). Particularly with regards to some of the stuff with Alex and how he was affected.

For me, it's good, not spectacular. Not the first one.

2016 Reading Challenge: A book you can read in less than a day.

This is, hands down, one of my all-time favorite books. I have an intense love for this series. At this moment of this initial Goodreads entry, I have already read all four books at least six or seven times. My copies are in a tattered state and are in desperate need of being replaced.

These books hold a truly special place within my heart. They played a significant role in encouraging my younger brother to become the avid reader he is today. In fact, he reads almost as much as, if not more than, I do! We have formed a deep bond over Tamora Pierce's wonderful writing for more years than I can accurately count.

Even my mother, who has never read the series, is aware of the Lioness and her exciting adventures. I very seriously doubt that I would have been the same person had I never come across these books. Forget about just five stars; I would give them all the stars. This series is highly recommended for every age, race, religion, and creed. It has the power to touch the hearts and minds of people from all walks of life.

I thought this was such an amazing book. It tells the story of a girl who has a burning desire to be a knight.

The narrative follows her journey from being a young teen all the way until she is past 18 years old.

This book is primarily targeted at children, but it seems that I missed out on this wonderful series during my childhood.

What I really like about this book is that it doesn't avoid or sugarcoat the complex aspects of life such as love and death. In fact, it delves into the reality of what it means to be a knight, including the difficult task of having to kill people.

One of the highlights of the book is a black cat that Alan(na) can understand. This cat is not only a loyal friend but also a fierce protector, adding an extra layer of charm and excitement to the story.

Overall, this book is a captivating read that I would highly recommend to both children and adults alike.

Some girls seem to have it all too easily. They possess a plethora of advantages that make their lives almost charmed. Take, for instance, the love of a Prince Charming, which is almost a given. But that's not all; they also have the love of an equally handsome Prince of Thieves, adding an element of excitement and thrills. Their good looks are such that they can easily explain the affections they receive, even if it means having red hair and purple eyes. Moreover, they possess incredible martial prowess, allowing them to defeat much larger and more experienced opponents with ease. Strong magic, especially healing magic, is another feather in their cap. And to top it off, they have a loving and devoted brother who happens to be the strongest sorcerer in living memory, as well as a dedicated servant who takes care of the mundane tasks, leaving them free to save the world. A magic sword is a must, as is a magic cat with purple eyes (for the record!). They also have other handy magic baubles, which come with being the chosen one of a Goddess. They enjoy the love and full support of their friends, as well as the love and support of nearly every single person they come across (except for the Sinister Antagonist or his Minions). Their intelligence is so bright that they are the only ones able to identify and reveal the Sinister Antagonist and his machinations.

Now, one might wonder what could possibly be interesting about a story with such a setup? The first part of Alanna's tale was captivating precisely because she had to overcome numerous obstacles within herself (being a spoiled brat) and in her surroundings to become the first warrior maiden in hundreds of years. She did so with grace and humility, which won the reader over. However, this book is centered around the idea that Alanna needs to conquer her three cardinal fears to become a knight: a fear of love (as seen in points one and two), a fear of the rite of passage that will lead her to knighthood (as per points four and five), and her fear of the Sinister Antagonist (as per the rest). It would have been interesting if there were any real challenges in these, but alas, there are not. Everything that was imperfect and exciting about Alanna has long since vanished. In this installment, her ability to feel people and situations in general is as flawless as the rest of her, and she shines like a star regardless of the circumstances.

Additionally, the second-wave feminism vibes that were previously somewhat subdued now run rampant, and the casual sex and sexual emancipation are doubly jarring when compared to the middle-grade innocence of the last book. Overall, this book fails to live up to the promise of its predecessor, and it is a definite no thank you from me.

Also in the series:

1. Alanna: The First Adventure ★★★☆☆

3. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man ★☆☆☆☆

4. Lioness Rampant ★☆☆☆☆

What a fun little adventure it was!

However, I have one huge criticism. Pierce has her heroine and others sleep with each other way too easily. I had really hoped that she would at least address this issue later on. Maybe Alanna could come to a realization of the mistake she made. But instead, the matter was discussed in such a flippant manner. It seems that in Pierce's mind, there is just no cause for worry.

A sixteen-year-old girl, thinking nothing of going to bed with a boy? This is disappointing at best. So, mothers and girls who would like to protect your mind, be very aware. We need to be cautious about the messages that are being sent in the books we read. It's important to think critically and not just accept everything at face value.

This was definitely more enjoyable for me than book 1!

It was a real pleasure to dive into this story and follow the adventures of the characters.

Although it still didn't quite reach the 4-star level for me, I have to round up because these books really are fast, fun reads.

They draw you in and keep you entertained from start to finish.

One of the things I really loved about this book was the character of Alanna.

She is so badass and full of confidence.

Her actions and decisions make for some exciting and thrilling moments in the story.

I can't wait to see what she does next in the series.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and enjoyable read.

It's not the most profound or complex book out there, but it does exactly what it sets out to do - provide entertainment and a good time.

I'm quite certain that "Tamora Pierce" is merely the pen name of a precocious child. This is because the entire series gives the impression of being written by and for 12-year-old girls. Let's commence with the names: Moonlight, Darkness, Lightning, and Faithful. Seriously?

Next, let's delve into the plot. Events don't unfold naturally; they simply happen because the author desires them to. All of a sudden, men start falling head over heels in love with Alanna for no discernible reason. Alanna claims she'll never be distracted by love, yet someone kisses her and she promptly hops into bed. Any bad situation is resolved instantaneously; there's no sense of danger or consequences.

Other irksome aspects include the Duke Roger situation. Alanna enters his chambers to gather evidence and then remarks that she can't believe she never suspected him. But in fact, she did suspect him! Throughout the entire time! From the very first moment she met him!

The knighthood ordeal is also rather underwhelming. Spiders and being cold? That sounds extremely easy. Hardly the stuff of legends.

Racism is another issue. All the characters are white, except for a mystical, magical Asian monk who is described as "yellow." In the audiobook, he even speaks with an accent. This is a blatant case of stereotyping.

I began this series because I was intrigued by the premise, but I can't endure any more of it. I wouldn't even recommend it to young readers who might not be as easily annoyed as I am, because Alanna's romantic relationships are unhealthy and border on abuse. George (how old is he anyway? 40?) kisses her when her hands are too occupied to stop him. I anticipated that she would draw a knife to his throat, but she seems perfectly fine with it. I don't believe we should be teaching girls that men forcing affection is in any way romantic. Jonathan is overly jealous and demanding and makes her do things she doesn't wish to do. Once again, I expected her to put him in his place, but she complies with whatever he tells her and fails to confront him for being a lousy boyfriend.

I only completed this book because it was short and I wanted to be able to pen a well-informed negative review. Don't waste your time with this series.

Okay, I guess I really was terrible at writing reviews for these books when I reread them a couple of years ago.

This book was undoubtedly more intense and had a faster pace. I felt that a great deal more occurred compared to the first book, and I actually really relished the duels and battle scenes we were presented with. Tammy has a knack for writing action in a way that makes it effortless to envision in your mind and is both entertaining and engaging to read.

My sole complaint, like that of most people, is the time jumps. It is simply perplexing to keep track of everything since we are only informed that time is passing through the seasons, and after a while all the seasons begin to blend together and you forget how old Alanna is. I truly wish we could have had clearer chapter headings that stated what year Alanna was in as a squire and also the season. It would have made it a whole lot simpler to keep track of the events in my mind.

This series really does read like a spoken narrative. There are parts where things are summarized extremely quickly or glossed over, and it's almost kind of humorous. The Battle of the River Drell sort of just concludes in one paragraph, and I actually laughed when I read it because it was over so rapidly.

We commence to see the more toxic side of Jon in this installment. He is just so controlling, moody, and jealous. He pressures Alanna to attend parties and then becomes angry when she converses with Raoul or Gary or when she dances with other women (which he makes her do in the first place). And he is also so possessive, stating how they belong together and how she is his.

Alanna definitely appears very confused in this book regarding what she desires in terms of a relationship. She doesn't want to fall in love, yet everyone sort of pushes her in that direction until she ends up giving it a try. It is really difficult to say if she actually wanted any of this and how much is natural desire/curiosity versus actual attraction. I would venture to say there's an argument for Alanna being aromantic even. It goes to show how much things haven't really altered since this book was published. The push for romance and for characters ending up in a relationship is still present, though we do get to see Alanna go off to seek an adventure in the end, prioritizing her career above everything else.

I'll admit, I'm not overly excited to read the next book, but I'm on a roll, and we're going to finish this series so we can move on to the others.

The book under discussion seems to have several aspects that are quite concerning. Alanna's story, which was initially promising, takes some rather odd turns. The author's attempt to force a romance between Alanna and Jon feels forced and goes against the supposed feminist ideals that were initially hyped up. Alanna's supposed resistance to love is quickly overcome by Jon's pestering, and she ends up sleeping with him. This lack of agency on Alanna's part is a major disappointment.

George, on the other hand, while initially seeming like a better option, also has his own set of creepy moments. Forcing a kiss on Alanna and drugging her to make her rest are not actions that show respect for her feelings or autonomy.

The handling of Alanna's secret of being a woman and the final showdown with Roger are also rather lackluster. The reveal of her secret is overly simplistic and the outcome of the showdown is almost too convenient. Overall, while the idea of a powerful female protagonist is admirable, the execution in this book leaves much to be desired.

"Roger's suite of rooms was located very conveniently for Alanna's purposes."

This entire book was damned convenient for her!!!

I thought the first book was alright and picked this up because the entirety of tumblr was shitting themselves over the feminist shit in this book. Let me tell you, there was some shit in this. And were they feminist?

Alanna doesn't want love but because the author deemed it must happen, she's aged up 6 years in only a few chapters. And the creeps trickle in....

Alanna has 2 love interests. Jon the prince who's sleeping with several women at court and the King of Thieves, George. At first I was all F Yeah Princes! but then this happened:

"It's a charm to-keep me from having children," she stammered. "Mistress Cooper gave it to me a-a long time ago."
Jon chuckled. "Have you ever tried it out?" he asked."


"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked gruffly.
"This." Swiftly he kissed her again and again. Alanna felt giddy and was grateful that his tight hold kept her from falling. She was scared. She suddenly realized she wanted to be the one in his bed tonight."

....ok, that's cool, BUT.

Jonathan stopped kissing her, only to start unlacing her bodice.
Alanna shoved him away, teffired. "No!" she gasped, grabbing her laces. "I was crazy to think-Johanathan, please!"

So he stops and throws this line:

"You're fighting what has to be, he said, "and you know it as well as I do."


But because the author just wanted the romance to happen, Alanna gives in to his pestering and sleeps with him. WTF. Such feminism. Much girl power. Wow.

Then we have George, who is much better than Jon, but also has creepy moments of his own, thus making him another creeper and another reason to be disappointed. These include forcing a kiss on her when she can't resist him and drugging her because she needs to rest.

Gee, thanks for considering Alanna's feelings on the matter.


These weren't even the tip of the iceberg!

You wondered what would happen if her secret of being a woman got out? Ha!! It's utterly ridiculous.

You wondered what the final showdown with Roger would be like? LOL even the most powerful sorcerer in the world is no match for Alanna. Who's only 16.

Just no.

While I admire Pierce's desire to write a series featuring a powerful heroine for women, I can't say that the events of this book supported her views. I admire what she wanted to write, but what this book became was not that.

Rating: 4.25

This was an extremely enjoyable and rapid read. To be frank, I believe the breakneck pacing and the lightning-fast passage of time were more suitable for the middle-grade feel of the first book. However, for this one, which was more firmly in the young adult category, it might not have worked as well. When it comes to observing specific conversations and scenes among the characters, we only got to witness the most crucial ones. This is undoubtedly a positive aspect as there isn't a single dull moment. Nevertheless, I do wish we could have seen a bit more of the characters' day-to-day lives.

Back in the day, this was the very first series I ever read that chronicled the main character's growth from a young child to an adult. Looking back, I wonder to what extent it has influenced my present perspective of the world, especially regarding relationships. Even though Alanna does confess her love for Jon in the end, it is truly fascinating how she distinguishes between the concept of a physical relationship and a romantic one. She can also recognize when she is not prepared to confront certain emotions or commitments. Although I didn't fully comprehend most of this when I read it as a child, I like to think that it at least subconsciously imparted to me the incredibly vital lesson that it is essential to maintain a clear mind when contemplating relationships and commitments, and not to allow oneself to be swept away, even if that might seem like the easier option.

This is an outstanding fantasy series for readers who are new to the genre. There is war, adventure, and politics, yet all of it is very clearly elucidated and can be effortlessly understood. This does imply that the plot has less complexity, but not every fantasy story requires dozens of different people scheming against each other to be captivating.

I have truly relished my reread of this series and am eagerly anticipating continuing!