Tag: Song of the Lioness

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Bookish Owl – Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce

Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce

Today’s book is Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce.

This is the last book in the Song of the Lioness Quartet, and honestly, I found it a little disappointing. There was so much potential in the plot with Duke Roger and his schemes, but so little of the book was dedicated to that part, and in the end it fell flat. But if it hadn’t been so rushed, I would have really enjoyed it.

However I would still recommend the series as a whole to anyone who wants some lightweight YA fantasy with an independent and relatable female protagonist. Each book is a nice bite-sized length and contains several great characters.

Still not sure how I feel about the magic cat, though…

Lioness Rampant
by Tamora Pierce

Having achieved her dream of becoming the first female knight errant, Alanna of Trebond is not sure what to do next. She has triumphed in countless bloody battles, and her adventures are already legendary. Perhaps being a knight errant is not all that Alanna needs…but Alanna must push her uncertainty aside when she is challenged with the impossible. She must recover the Dominion Jewel, a legendary gem with enormous power for good—but only in the right hands. And she must work fast. Tortall is in terrible danger from all directions, with enemies great and small plotting to destroy everyone and everything Alanna loves.

Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce

Posted on by — 1 Comment

The Bookish Owl – The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

Exactly what it says on the tin: The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce.

I didn’t like this one as much as the two previous books in the series, but it was a nice short read and it had its bright spots. Jonathan is being a total asshole in this one, and it’s nice to see that Alanna continues to raise the standard for female YA protagonists and dumps his ass for it. The book could have used a bit more actual plot, but it was still entertaining in its own way.

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
by Tamora Pierce

Newly knighted, Alanna of Trebond seeks adventure in the vast desert of Tortall. Captured by fierce desert dwellers, she is forced to prove herself in a duel to the death—either she will be killed or she will be inducted into the tribe. Although she triumphs, dire challenges lie ahead. As her mysterious fate would have it, Alanna soon becomes the tribe’s first female shaman—despite the desert dwellers’ grave fear of the foreign woman warrior. Alanna must fight to change the ancient tribal customs of the desert tribes—for their sake and for the sake of all Tortall.

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

Posted on by — 3 Comments

The Bookish Owl – In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

In the Hands of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

I think it’s time for another Bookish Owl post, so let’s have In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce!

Mind you, this is another backlog photo. Artemis is still recovering and hasn’t magically grown a new leg.

He’s doing well, though, so I’m sure he’ll be back to scowling at books in no time.

This book is the second in the Song of the Lioness Quartet, the sequel to Alanna, and I really enjoyed it. I avoided YA books with a female protagonist for years, because I, at one time, ended up reading book after book that was just the main character pining over one guy and letting all her decisions be ruled by infatuation. But with this one, I got a teenage girl falling in love and then NOT throwing her life away over the guy, even though the plans she had for her life could mean an end to the relationship.

Yay for sensible female main characters!

In the Hand of the Goddess
by Tamora Pierce

Alanna, disguised as a boy, becomes a squire to none other than the heir to the throne. Prince Jonathan is not only Alanna’s liege lord, he is also her best friend—and one of the few who knows the secret of her true identity. But when a vicious sorcerer threatens the prince’s life, it will take all of Alanna’s skill, strength, and magical power to protect him, even at the risk of surrendering her dreams…

In the Hands of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

Posted on by — 3 Comments

The Bookish Owl – Alanna by Tamora Pierce

Alanna by Tamora Pierce

Here’s Alanna by Tamora Pierce.

Artemis is currently hospitalized with an infected talon, but I got a backlog of these book owl photos and writing blog posts helps distract me from worrying about possibly becoming the owner of a one-legged owl tomorrow (for once I’m not exaggerating – it might actually be that bad).

A friend recommended this book to me, since she thought I would enjoy a book about girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to become a knight.

I did.

It’s a short and entertaining read with likable characters and a simple story, and that’s something I think the high fantasy genre needs a bit more of. It doesn’t all have to be huge sagas with enough storylines to make your head spin (though I do like those as well).

The full title is ‘Alanna: The First Adventure’, so you can probably guess it’s part of a series, in this case the Song of Lioness Quartet.

I think more people should write four-book series. Quartet is a great word and ‘trilogy’ has had a good run.

Alanna
by Tamora Pierce

“From now on I’m Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I’ll be a knight.”

In a time when girls are forbidden to be warriors, Alanna of Trebond wants nothing more than to be a knight of the realm of Tortall. So she finds a way to switch places with her twin brother, Thom. Disguised as a boy, Alanna begins her training as a page at the palace of King Roald. But the road to knighthood, as she discovers, is not an easy one. Alanna must master weapons, combat, and magic, as well as polite behavior, her temper, and even her own heart.

Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna’s first adventure begins—one that will lead to the fulfillment of her dreams and make her a legend in the land.

Alanna by Tamora Pierce