Overall rating: 3.5 stars

Style/writing: 3.5 stars

The writing style of this work is quite engaging. The author uses vivid language to describe the scenes and characters, which makes it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the story. However, there are still some areas that can be improved, such as the sentence structure and grammar.

Themes: 3 stars

The themes explored in this work are quite profound, including death, violence, suicide, and grief. These are all topics that are relevant to our lives and can make readers think deeply. However, some of the themes are not developed in-depth enough, which makes the story seem a bit shallow in some places.

Characters: 3.5 stars

The characters in this work are well-developed and have their own unique personalities and backstories. The author does a good job of showing the characters' emotions and thoughts, which makes them seem more real and relatable. However, some of the characters' actions and decisions are a bit hard to understand, which may affect the readers' immersion in the story.

Plot: 4 stars

The plot of this work is quite exciting and full of twists and turns. The author does a good job of building suspense and keeping the readers' attention throughout the story. However, some of the plot points are a bit predictable, which may reduce the impact of the story.

Worldbuilding: 3.5 stars

The worldbuilding in this work is quite detailed and immersive. The author creates a unique and vivid world that is full of life and color. However, some of the worldbuilding elements are not fully explained, which may leave some questions in the readers' minds.

Trigger warnings: Death (including animal death), violence, references to suicide, grief

It should be noted that this work contains some trigger warnings, including death (including animal death), violence, references to suicide, and grief. These elements may be disturbing to some readers, so please read with caution.

4.5 stars

I truly adore how this book managed to bring everything full circle, harking back to the very first installment.

Coram and Myles are, without a doubt, the finest male characters in this series. Gary and Raoul follow closely behind, although they unfortunately get less page time. Jon and George are overly presumptuous throughout the story. Even though I do have a soft spot for their final pairing, their behavior at times can be quite exasperating. And then there's Liam, who is just a bit of a mess.

Alanna herself remains a mercurial protagonist, often maddeningly indecisive. However, I like that she has such a plethora of flaws. It makes her a more realistic and relatable character. Hmm? That? Oh, don't mind me. I'm still in the process of sobbing over Faithful.

And now, I find myself compelled to go and check if anyone has written a fanfic exploring a polycule involving George, Alanna, Thayet, and Jon. Additionally, I'm also curious to see if there's any fanfic out there featuring a Delia/Josiane pairing. It would be interesting to see how other fans have interpreted and expanded upon these relationships.

The ending of this book was truly crazy and filled with non-stop action. It was so intense that it really hit me hard with a wave of emotions.

However, in contrast, the first part of the book was a bit on the slow side. It took a while for the story to really pick up momentum and draw me in.

Despite the slow start, once I got past that initial section, I found myself completely immersed in the story. The author did a great job of building up the tension and creating a sense of anticipation as the story progressed.

The characters were well-developed and the plot was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Overall, it was a great read, although I do think the first part could have been a bit more engaging to hook readers right from the start.

I have an intense passion for this one and the three that preceded it.

Each of them holds a special place in my heart and brings me a unique sense of joy and fulfillment.

The qualities and characteristics of these items or experiences are truly remarkable and have left a lasting impression on me.

I find myself constantly drawn back to them, eager to explore and appreciate them even more.

Whether it's the beauty, functionality, or the memories associated with them, they all contribute to making my life更加丰富多彩.

I will always cherish and love these ones with all my heart.

Aw, I'm completely verklempt at the moment. This series has come to a bittersweet ending. It's crystal clear why the Alanna books have amassed so many die-hard Pierce fans.

This could have been effortlessly divided into two books. However, I'm relieved it wasn't, considering the strange cuts between books that the series had earlier. Nevertheless, it's essentially two stories: the first being the pursuit of the Dominion Jewel, and the second the plot against Jonathan's life. While the first part was enjoyable, I preferred the second half. I have a deep affection for Corus, and things become significantly less interesting when George isn't present.

But THE CAT. Why on earth did they have to kill the kitty? WHY? I can handle the other two major character deaths much better than I can handle the cat's. And I KNOW he's technically immortal! I just... desired a scene where Alanna discovers a new kitten during the epilogue or something. Fanfic writers, PLEASE give this to me. (I'm certain it's already been done.)

Now, I'm off to read everything else that Pierce has written, and then to re-read the Beka Cooper books! Because I want MORE KITTY.

Perfection.

I don't know what 2012 me was on (aside from a heavy dose of undiagnosed and untreated depression) but this book is truly incredible. It seems as if it was written specifically for that version of me, the one who was struggling with inner turmoil and searching for something to hold onto. The words within its pages have a magical quality that speaks directly to my soul. Each sentence is crafted with such precision and care that it feels like a work of art. It's not just a book; it's an experience. Reading it is like taking a journey through a world of emotions and ideas, one that leaves me feeling enlightened and inspired. I can't help but wonder how the author managed to capture such complex and profound thoughts in such a beautiful way. This book is a testament to the power of literature and its ability to touch our hearts and change our lives.

This isn't the most subtly crafted series, yet I do have a certain fondness for its positive messages, even if they lack a degree of nuance. One such message is the possibility of remaining true to oneself. In Alanna's case, this means coming to terms with the fact that she doesn't have to neatly or exclusively fit into a "man's world" or a "woman's world."

I also find it quite interesting that, contrary to most fantasy novels, especially those targeted at younger girls, Alanna not only has several lovers but also uses a magic birth control amulet! (I'm not so sure if conservatives would be overly pleased if they discovered their daughters were reading this series ;p) Although somewhat simplified, I was intrigued by the fact that the relationships were more realistic, or at least touched upon common relationship themes.

Boy #1: The high-school sweetheart (or in this case, the knight-in-training sweetheart) whom you still hold dear but whom you realize you're not going to marry because you've grown into different individuals and your lifestyles are no longer compatible.

Boy #2: The guy you love, who makes you laugh and has always accepted you for who you are. Obviously, you're going to end up with this guy, but I thought it was different that Alanna ended up seeing Boy #3 for a while.

Boy #3: Someone who attracts you and whom you like as a person, but, for whatever reason, can't fully accept all of who you are, yet you still care about.

As a girl who never got along as well with other girls as with guy buddies, I found it refreshing to read a book about successful opposite gender friendships, including some that endured after the "romance thing" had run its course.

In keeping with the habits of the later books (which are considerably inferior to the first two), we see the following:

Alanna's skill set becomes even more improbably bloated and overpowered. By now, she is divine-favored, trained as a man-at-arms and knight, an unusually powerful healer/spellcaster, and, as of this book, a moderately proficient martial artist. If the series went any longer, she'd probably be shooting lasers out of her eyes. One has to wonder if Pierce ever played D&D or an RPG. You have to pick a god-damned class - you can't be that arsehole who insists his character can do everything. Alanna is basically a Knight, priest, rogue, monk, and mage rolled into one.

Liam's the squeeze of this book, and is predictably disposed of with some contrived character flaws and insecurities afterwards (ala Jon'), in keeping with the 'this season's sausage' mantra.

The dealings with Duke Roger were almost too stupid for me to stomach reading. He tried to kill the King and Queen with a view to take power for himself and was slain only during a trial by combat, where he exhibited his dark powers in full view of an audience of the King and his court. Apparently, they must all be amnesiacs, because suddenly, he's back from the dead (courtesy of questionable plot devices), and somehow, everyone says he's clearly innocent, totally not up to something, and that the events leading up to his death were probably a conspiracy against his character. Why didn't they re-kill him when he was brought back from the dead again?

I'm not too sure about how things were wrapped up though. Everyone either dies or hooks up and gets married. Alanna chooses one to make babies with, seemingly with a coin toss, and friend-zones the rest. All the people involved in the elaborate plot to kill the rightful king and his court are... spared and exiled. The stupid is so very strong with this one. *end rage*

3.5.

One star has to be deducted for Liam being an abusive jerk and Alanna still mourning him - seriously! However, aside from that, this was a rather decent book. It wasn't quite as good as I recalled. The whole Duke Roger thing was... well... not really essential and seemed to come out of nowhere (unless you read Thom/Roger into it). Also, what was up with Alex in this entire series?

Alanna's journey through the mountain pass was well-written, but her battle with Chitral was somewhat anticlimactic - I remembered it being a lot more significant when I first read these.

The best part of the book was her time in Sarain and meeting Thayet and Buri. I'm a total Thayet fangirl, to be honest.

I didn't think Claw should have been Ralon, but his battle with George was amazing, and I loved the way he was contrasted with George. The descriptions of Liam fighting (and teaching Alanna to fight) were truly spectacular to read about, and her Shang training was crucial at pivotal moments.

The final battle/coronation was action-packed, especially Jon's reclaiming of Tortall, and there were some significant deaths. As always, Pierce's descriptions of clothes for special occasions are thoughtful yet concise enough for young readers (or fashion novices like me). She really takes the trouble to highlight what color suits whose skin tone, different shades of the same color, materials, etc.

There were quite a few nice Coram-and-Alanna moments, one Trebond twin scene, and Alanna/George moments. Interestingly, the moment that made me emotional was Raoul describing Jon's parents' deaths.

Alanna's own character doesn't suffer either. She's still undoubtedly herself, still stubborn, still extremely persistent, and pushes herself to the limit. She still loves wandering and adventure and still completely denies that she'd ever make a good King's Champion.

Alanna, you would be a terrible queen, but the King's Champion role might as well have been made for you. And Thayet, sweetie, have you *met* Alanna? You'd make a better queen than her with your hands tied behind your back.

I also love that Alanna cries when she's happy/touched as well as angry/sad. It's not because girls should cry; I just thought it was more realistic. Expressing your emotions is often undervalued.

This final installment was, without a doubt, my absolute favorite among the four.

We journeyed to even more corners of Pierce’s world. It is evident that although not an excessive amount of detail was provided in this particular installment, this world is vast and has been fully developed in her mind. This aspect truly piques my interest and makes me eager to read all of her other series that are set within the same world.

I believed that the characters received satisfying endings, and Alanna’s character development felt completely realized. I am definitely glad that I finally discovered these books. They have provided an engaging and immersive reading experience, and I look forward to exploring more of Pierce’s fictional universes in the future.

Overall, this series has been a wonderful find, and I would highly recommend it to other readers who enjoy well-written fantasy novels with complex characters and richly imagined worlds.

So, this final book of the quartet truly came as a disappointment to me, something I had never anticipated in the slightest. I had thoroughly enjoyed the three previous installments, and thus, I was certain that the story wouldn't take an unexpected turn or get "off track."

The previous books had been highly focused on Alanna and her endeavors. However, this one deviated from that pattern. It began to incorporate viewpoints from other characters, and more of the "politics" were introduced into the story. Sadly, I have no interest in reading about politics. I find it extremely dull, and that aspect is indeed prominent here, mainly in the second half of the book. The first half, with her search for the jem, was acceptable. I suppose I simply didn't like the change in viewpoint.

I understand that kingdoms require a ruler and that politics are involved, even in an old-fashioned setting. But I just don't derive any pleasure from reading about spies, plots to assassinate a ruler, and all that sort of thing. Unless it's in a thrilling and suspenseful thriller. Regrettably, there is no such suspense in this book. The second half, which was supposed to be the most exciting part, actually had the opposite effect on me. It was so uninteresting that it was putting me to sleep! And that's just terrible! It got to the point where I simply didn't care what was happening anymore. I just wanted the book to end already so that I could move on and read something more captivating!

Moreover, I was also completely fed up with the whole thing about Roger in this book. It just seemed stupid to me. It's a sad truth from my perspective. I know he was meant to be a major villain, but he failed to make any impression on me whatsoever. I mean, did Thom really have to do that? Can I just say that he's an idiot?

There is truly nothing worse than a book that disappoints you.

This series was truly wonderful!

It completely captured my attention from start to finish. I have fallen deeply in love with Tamora Pierce's writing style. Her ability to create such vivid and engaging characters is truly remarkable. Each character has their own unique personality and backstory, which makes them feel so real and relatable.

I am now extremely excited to explore more of her works. I can't wait to see what other adventures and stories she has in store for us. I'm sure that every book will be just as captivating and enjoyable as this series. I highly recommend Tamora Pierce to anyone who loves reading fantasy novels. Her books are a must-read for any fan of the genre.