After adoring the first book, having a certain level of liking for the second, and hating the third, the fourth book came across as being somewhere in the middle. The initial half of this particular book was a bit of a struggle for me. However, to be honest, once the adventure for the jewel reached its conclusion, the story managed to pick up a little momentum.

I truly didn't like the fact that Alanna's brother Thom was essentially non-existent throughout the entire series. And then, in this book, he has a rather small (or perhaps one could argue large) part, and... no, just no. The author gave the impression that simply because they were twins, they knew everything about each other and were each other's other half. But in reality, they had only exchanged a few letters with each other throughout their lives and had never even visited one another. The ending of the book just failed to touch me in the way that I assume the author intended.

This is a story where one could potentially stop at the first book if they wished to skip all the frustration, rambling, and whining, and simply use their imagination to envision the rest. For, to be completely honest, not a whole lot happens in the last three books that is really worth mentioning.

Oh, and also, this book would have received only 1 star, but I liked the person she ultimately ended up with, and he was the only character that I have loved whole-heartedly throughout the entire time.

4.5 Stars

This is a truly powerful series ender. I have a deep admiration for how incredibly strong Alanna is. She demonstrates her strength not only physically but also magically. What's even more remarkable is her unwavering determination in making choices that are always truly *her* own.

It's quite astonishing to realize how rarely we come across such a character in fantasy novels. However, this very aspect makes this story so incredibly powerful. It serves as a reminder that in a world filled with countless fictional characters, those who have the courage to make their own choices and stand by them are truly special.

I will definitely be on the lookout for more stories that feature such strong and independent characters like Alanna. Her journey has been an inspiration, and I can't wait to discover more tales that will leave me equally amazed and moved.

Wonderfully done!

It depicts extremely well the gradual growth of Alanna's character over the entire series.

The story presents a satisfying end to a thrilling adventure.

However, I seriously would've preferred a different choice of main couple.

The fact that the couple that everyone was rooting for and was painstakingly developed throughout the novels somehow did not end up together is quite disappointing.

Alanna was thrown together with another man in what seemed to be a rushed second option, which was highly unsatisfying.

This is really my only complaint about the whole series.

Unfortunately, it bugs me so much that I can't bring myself to reread it, even though I love the books so much.

Despite this one drawback, the overall series is still a remarkable achievement, with its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and vivid world-building.

It's a shame that the romantic aspect didn't work out as well as it could have, but perhaps that's what makes it a more realistic and complex story.

I have an absolute passion for the simplicity that these books possess. The way they are written, with such clarity and straightforwardness, makes them a joy to read.

Moreover, there is a fierce streak of feminism running through them, which is truly captivating. It adds depth and substance to the stories, challenging traditional gender norms and expectations.

This particular installment serves as a great finish to the series. It ties up all the loose ends neatly and provides a satisfying conclusion to the overall narrative.

While I can't wait to share my full review with you all, I just had to express my initial thoughts and excitement about these wonderful books.

Stay tuned for the full review coming soon!

This was a really nice ending. It wrapped up everything in a truly excellent way.

HOWEVER, the men in this book (excluding George, of course) really drove me crazy. Between Jonathan and Liam, I just couldn't stop rolling my eyes constantly. I really wanted Alanna to have more solo time so that she could truly find herself. But these men just kept dragging her down and telling her what to do or how to behave.

Okay, my rant is done, but that part definitely bugged me a lot. Lol.

It seems that Alanna was constantly being pulled in different directions by these men, and it made it difficult for her to fully develop as an individual. I think if she had been given more space and freedom, she could have grown even more and achieved even greater things.

Overall, though, I still enjoyed the book and thought the ending was satisfying. It just would have been even better if the men hadn't been so overbearing.

I am truly quite over this series. I must admit that I resorted to skipping right to the end simply to witness how the entire thing concludes. This series has been drawn out to an excessive extent and I find it extremely boring. It seems to me that the book was not very well put together at all. The plot meanders and lacks a clear sense of direction. As a result, I ended up not liking the main character very much. There is something about the character that fails to engage me or make me root for them. Maybe it's the lack of depth or the inconsistent portrayal. In any case, this series has left me feeling rather disappointed.

The series is without a doubt worth reading.

However, this last installment left me with the impression that some of the crucial story elements didn't quite make it onto the page.

I found myself getting lost on a couple of occasions, which was a bit frustrating.

It seems as if there were certain plot points or details that were either overlooked or not fully developed.

This detracted slightly from my overall enjoyment of the book.

Despite this, I still think the series as a whole is excellent and would highly recommend it to others.

Perhaps with a second reading, I might be able to pick up on some of the things I missed the first time around.

Nonetheless, it's a shame that this final book had a few rough spots.

But overall, it's still a great addition to the series and I'm glad I read it.

This book is truly a masterpiece that has an incredibly powerful impact on me. Every time I reach the end, it always manages to bring tears to my eyes.

Even though I am already aware of what occurs in the sequel series, the emotions elicited by this book remain just as strong.

The story is so beautifully crafted, with its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and profound themes.

It takes me on an emotional rollercoaster ride, making me laugh, cry, and everything in between.

The ending, in particular, is so poignant and bittersweet that it never fails to tug at my heartstrings.

It leaves me with a sense of longing and a desire to know more about the characters and their lives.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story that will touch their soul and leave a lasting impression.

Video reading makes the grade drop a little.

I loved this series as a child, but as an adult, I see some things that are not so good.

However, nostalgia makes the overall reading experience still positive.

When I was a child, this series was like a magical world that attracted me deeply. The vivid stories and interesting characters left a deep impression on me.

But now, as I look back on it, I can notice some flaws. Maybe the plot is not as perfect as I thought before, or there are some details that don't stand up to scrutiny.

Nevertheless, the power of nostalgia is strong. It makes me remember the happy times when I read this series, and it also makes me feel a sense of warmth and familiarity.

So, although the video reading may have some shortcomings, the overall reading experience is still enjoyable and positive. It reminds me of my childhood and makes me cherish those precious memories.

I've read close to 10,000 books in my lifetime.

That's a significant number, considering the vast amount of literature available in the world.

Throughout my reading journey, I've encountered countless stories, characters, and emotions.

However, there is only one book that has ever managed to make me cry.

This particular book had such a profound impact on me that it touched my heart in a way no other had before.

The words on its pages seemed to leap out and reach deep within my soul, evoking a range of emotions that I couldn't contain.

It was a truly remarkable experience, and I will always remember that book as the one that made me shed tears.

I wonder if there will ever be another book that can have such a powerful effect on me.

Only time will tell, but for now, I cherish the memory of that one book that made me cry.

As a child, I was firmly on Jon's side. However, as an adult, I wholeheartedly believe that Alanna should leave both of these men far behind. George with his "I'll stalk you [actual words!] until you love me" nonsense and Jon with his "When you marry me you won't take contraception anymore right?" absurdity. Both of them should be tossed in the bin!

Anyway, when the narrative wasn't overly consumed by this silly love triangle (or square if you include Liam, a grown man calling her "kitten" - yuck), it was still mostly as enjoyable as I recalled it being at the age of 14. Book #3 is the weakest, as that's when the racism, orientalism, and white savior complex are at their peak (and there's a bit of that carried over here). And I must admit, in all honesty, that I probably shouldn't have reread this series. But oh well. We live and we learn.

Perhaps with age and a more critical eye, we can see the flaws in the things we once loved. It's a reminder that our perspectives change as we grow and that we should always be open to reassessing and learning from our past experiences.

This book was marginally better than the previous one, but still not quite as good as the first two.

I absolutely adored Alanna's journey throughout the series. In this particular installment, it was really neat to see her embark on a quest.

Moreover, if you have these editions, reading the afterword is highly recommended. It provides valuable insights into the author's choices and her intentions. Given the references to American and world politics in the 80s, it might go over the heads of those not familiar with that era.

I still loved all the characters, just as I did in the previous books. I also appreciated that this book was sex-positive without being overly graphic.

The villain didn't bother me as much as it seems to have bothered some others. I'm excited to move on to the next series by Tamora Pierce, although I'm not sure when that will be.

However, I have to admit that I didn't care for the epilogue at all. It felt like Alanna's character did a complete 180 in just 10 pages. I don't understand why she suddenly wanted all those things. There seem to be so many holes in that scenario.

For example, she was okay with marrying George, but earlier in the book, she had very specific reasons for not wanting to be tied to a noble. Also, why did she suddenly want kids when she had previously said she didn't like babies? There was no on-page growth to justify this change.

I don't have a problem with the choices themselves, but for all the development Alanna had, she never once indicated that she saw herself as a mother or wanted that kind of life. This bugs me because now the series seems to be saying that all women want to get married and have babies, which I really hate.

But in spite of this, I still think the series is wonderful overall and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun story.