The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce Review

""Let her prove herself worthy as a man."

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 mythic 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.

Alanna's journey continues..."

I'm now really upset at Alanna. I'm terribly sad. I wished she stayed with Jon. Unfortunately, it's her choice and her choice only (along with the author's painful ideas). I think George Cooper is alright, but I wish she stayed with Prince Jonathan.

Anyway, I'll move on. (I guess you find out about the major spoiler in this book). The Woman Who Rides Like a Man is certainly a long title. Whatever. It's still a good book. It's not as good as the first book, but it's still better than the last book (yes, I already read it). It goes by fast, as usual. The plot is really fast. Everything goes by in a blink of an eye. Before you know it, the hour is gone and the day is fading.

Anyway, the character, Alanna, is growing. Her characteristics are amazing. She grows bigger and bigger (like a full human being) with each death she takes or sees. She becomes more caring and compassionate (like a mother). The best part about Alanna is her Independence. She's unhappy sometimes, but she's also smart in her execution. Also, her expression at someone's resurrection is certainly interesting. I always love resurrections. It's always fun when that happens. And that clever use of family! (Now all I need is Alanna's real father and I will be happy for the rest of the Lioness series). 

What's next? Hmm...I'll try to keep this one (review) short. I can't really talk about this. It's not as interesting as the previous books. My recommendation? Read the first two books, then forget about the next two. It's boring (compared to the excitement in the previous books).

Best moment: When Jonathan and Alanna comes together to meet one another once again. It's such a shame they are no longer together. That's the problem with their relationship. She's a knight. He's a prince. They may be both nobles, but they will never mix together in their worlds. Jonathan's kingdom won't gain anything if he marries Alanna. And his proposal! It's a huge dang-it-Alanna moment!

Overall, I think this series is great. If this is your cup of tea, then this is good for you. It touches on subjects like sexism, knighthood, and other stuff (plots, schemes, politics, power, greed, revenge, etc). It's great.

Rating: Three out of Five

In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce Review

""I don't want to fall in love. I just want to be a warrior maiden."

Still disguised as a boy, Alanna becomes a squire to none other than the prince of the realm. 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 mysterious 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 revealing who she really is...

Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna's second adventure continues the saga of a girl who dares to follow her dreams -- and the magical destiny that awaits her."

Ooo! This is as good as the previous book, Alanna: The First Adventure. Once again, I'm questioning where in the world I was when I could had been reading a good book like In the Hand of the Goddess. I always have a liking for tough heroines, even ones who don't believe in love like Alanna. It's such a shame. I always liked it when heroines put a little more fight into things they don't believe in. She jumped the bones. (That's all I'm going to hint. All you need is the name of the owner's bones and you'll know the spoiler). 

Anyway, In the Hand of the Goddess is even better than the previous book. I wasn't that happy with Alanna: The First Adventure as this one. Gosh! This series gets better and better as time goes on. I think Tamora Pierce was on fire at this time. She's one of those authors where you question your whereabouts when the book was published. (Me? I think it wasn't even born yet. This book was published in what? The eighties? The seventies? It's old). 

It's a really short story. Okay, it's two hundred and fifty pages long. It's short for a reader like me. I can read five hundred pages and not even blink an eye (exaggeration, of course). Still, it's pretty short. Like I said before (in a different review), these plots go by fast. All the words perfectly flow together and make this masterpiece.

Alanna's character grows even more. She starts accepting sorcery and even uses it for her goddess. Even better? She gets a new pet. I love her cat (is that a bad sign or something? Will I become a future forty year old single with thirty cats? Sorry. Overactive thinking). And the love! Oh, I really like her with Prince Jonathan. I think those two are practically made to be. They are perfect together. That thing with George, though! Grr...it makes me angry. Make sure my copy of this book is still okay after I reread this book. (Oh, it's a library book).

Prince Jonathan is not a jerk. Well, maybe a little. But I think George is more like the jerk. He's way too cocky for my liking. I don't like him at all. The only reason I see for friendship with this rogue is the connection to the criminal world. That's the only reason. Still, I think I'm one for Prince Jonathan and Alanna. They are to be a couple. Love triangles are terrible.

Anyhow, I can't wait for the next book. I'm going to go and check it out. See ya, guys!

Rating: Four out of Five (boo for George!)

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce Review

""From now on I'm Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I'll be a knight."

And so young Alanna of Trebond begins the journey to knighthood. Though a girl, Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys; her twin brother, Thom, yearns to learn the art of magic. So one day they decide to switch places: Disguised as a girl, Thom heads for the convent to learn magic; Alanna, pretending to be a boy, is on her way to the castle of King Roald to begin her training as a page.

But the road to knighthood is not an easy one. As Alanna masters the skills necessary for battle, she must also learn to control her heart and to discern her enemies from her allies.

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 the magical destiny that will make her a legend in her land.

Alanna's journey continues..."

This is one of those books where you ask yourself: Why haven't you read this book earlier? Yeah, Tamora Pierce is one of those authors you don't want to miss out on. Although her books are sort of old, they are a masterpiece. It's old, but it's good. Quality over age. You always have to look for quality words instead of crappy new shiny books. Sometimes looking back in time isn't that bad. There are some books people read every day that are over thousands of years old, right? (Hello? Don't forget about the Quran and the Bible). 

Alanna: The First Adventure is certainly a mouthful title. Nevertheless, I will shorten it. Or keep tying it. It certainly wastes words and help me reach my word count limit for this review. Eh...I don't really care. I'll forget about the first name. Alanna is already one word with a ton of characters (letters). Yeah, I'll stop wasting time.

Anyway, The First Adventure is pretty awesome. I really liked the fighting scenes and Alanna's cute meetings with Prince Jonathan. I totally wished they would have something much more. It's such a shame. Those two should had kissed by the end of the book (no, they don't kiss by the end sadly). 

Best moment: Alanna's crazy healing power against Prince Jonathan's illness. She is really that amazing. It's such a shame that such talent has to go to waste. I really liked Alanna, from the beginning of The First Adventure to the end of The First Adventure.

The book is rather short. Actually, I got that wrong. The book is rather fast-paced. Everything, everything went by fast, too fast to be accurate. By the time I was finish with this book, I wanted more and more and more. It is too good. Oh, it's as good as chocolate and strawberry and ice cream! Ah, I'm hungry now.

It's great to see Alanna's character in action. I see her fears. I feel her love. I dislike the people she hates. I have to admit that Pierce always does a good job, even my good friends agree. She changes throughout the book. Her feelings towards magic changes. She likes Jonathan in a different manner (let's hope for romance). Best of all? Alanna kicks butts over and over again. This girl is as bad as Katniss Everdeen. 

Let's hope for Prince Jonathan to be something more. They have a great sort of chemistry together. Of course, we can always hope. But will it actually happen? That's the endless question.

Rating: Five out of Five