Customer Reviews

In the Hand of the Goddess: Song of the Lioness #2

5 star:		(191)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I am giving this book 4 stars because it was really excellent. Most of this review is a warning though about what is in it. Don't take this the wrong way. Just read it and try to understand where I am coming from. This was a wonderful book filled with excitment and romance. I was a very advanced reader and read the books at a very small age thrwoing the books at the wall after reading them because I was confused why the books ended the way they did. Now that I am older I have come to an understanding which has opened my eyes. When I was younger I brought the book to camp and lent them to my friends who read them in a week. We sat on the bus sighing as we read the romantic parts to each other all squished up into one bus seat so that we could hear the reader. Here is what I am saying to parents, kids, and anyone else who is wondering about this book.

I know some girls who thought that the adventure ws nothing and skimmed the book looking for romance. Let me tell you, you will miss a lot. Alanna's adventures show her strength as a female. Although, (please don't hate me for this) it is true that when Jon finds out that she is a girl in the first book, he starts to treat her like he would a woman, weak. She gratefully accepts his strong arm around her waist when they're riding along, she strains herself healing and he steers her out, and Jon holds her head for support while she's throwing up. Think about it, is she being treated equally? And although her friends know not of her womanhood, she is the one who gets extra care in the group. Perhaps because she is the smallest? But isn't that why women were treated lesser in society? Perhaps weaker? But she has proven herself against that. Alanna can fend for herself.

Now, about the romance. Whether you read it or not should be based on maturity level not necessarily age. Although, I have too much of a lack of experience to judge what age is probably right. I could use myself as an example, but I am unique as is everyone. Although the romance is sweet, there is more to it. When Jonathan tries to unlace Alanna's bodice and she runs away in fright, she thinks Jon will go to Delia. He doesn't and comes back, and now Alanna feels sure that he only wants her. Doesn't it seem as if he is forcing her, or if not encouraging her, to go to bed with him. Now, of course it's natural to encourage but his place of authority over her (being that he's the Prince) may have made her feel pressured. It also says in the book that every night Jon "teaches her about love?" By sleeping with her? Can't anyone in teen books have a good relationship without getting that serious? This is another "action withought consequence" book. No charm will "ward of pregnancy!" Not even a condom is a magical charm, problems occur and things go wrong.

Now, don't think that your getting this from some adult who doesn't understand why teens feel they can read this book. I am only 13 and writing this review in one of my scarce moments of sanity (quick before the hormones take over!) I love this book, with all my heart I truly do. This review was not a "Trash Tamora Pierce" fest. There is so much wonder, and excitment in this book. Unfortunetly my review is too long to add anything. This was just a warning. Not to parents, or teachers, or librarians. But to the teens who want to read this book. By all means read it, it is a plentiful liteature (maybe not the best) but still good. I am just saying, be careful what you wish for.

SONG OF THE LIONESS: BOOK II - IN THE HAND OF THE GODDESS, takes us through three-years of Alanna of Trebond's life, from her fifteenth birthday, through her eighteenth.

Alanna is still disguised as a boy, with few people knowing her true identity. She has claimed the duty of being Squire to Prince Jonathan, her lord and best friend. Jonathan knows Alanna's secret, and vows to keep it just that, in an attempt to help her win her knight's shield. However, now a mysterious sorcerer has come out in an attempt to attack the prince. Alanna knows that it is up to her as the prince's squire and best friend, to protect him from the sorcerer by using her magical powers, and learned strengths and skills that will keep him safe from harm, even if, by doing so, her true identity is revealed to those around her.

I could never imagine myself enjoying books about a girl trying to become a knight, but I find myself hungrily devouring Tamora Pierce's SONG OF THE LIONESS books one by one at record speed. Each one leaves me on the edge of my seat, and unable to close the book until I am completely done with them. IN THE HAND OF THE GODDESS is no acception. I enjoyed Alanna's personality even more in this installment in the quartet than in the first one, ALANNA: THE FIRST ADVENTURE. It was wonderful to see Alanna embracing her feminine side, yet, at the same time, holding tight to her feisty side. I also enjoyed that we were able to meet her twin brother better, and learn a bit more about him. Pierce has outdone herself with this series, and will find new fans, young and old, grappling to read about the amazing adventures that her characters face in each installment. A wonderful book that will be loved by all.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Dear Team of the world, I personally think that Tamora Pierce's In the Hand of the Goddess is a brilliant book. If you don't agree with me, here are some good reasons why I like it. This book has a great plot that just pulls you in and won't let you go. Some people who can't appreciate fantasy writing might say it's boring, but I assure you, it is by no means boring. There are no lengthy, dull introductions that give billions of little details no one would in their right mind would actually be interested in. This book is not taking ideas from anywhere I have seen. It's a new and unique idea. This book has a great plot. The first page, you find out a little about the character Alanna (introduction). Then she meets the "Great Mother Goddess" (narrative hook). There is a duel, and then a war. During the war, Alanna is taken prisoner (this is all the rising action) and is rescued by the prince, Jonathan. Then she goes to her friend's house, the friend is a woman who lives in the city. There she learns to act like a girl. That result is that she falls in love with Jonathan. She eventually graduates from the Prince's squire to a knight. She discovers that Jonathan's cousin, the popular Duke Roger, is killing the queen. She exposes him and they fight to the death (climax). After she wins, her real identity exposed, she rides of to the desert to "spend the rest of the winter being warm". That plot grabs you and holds you until you're done. This book gets to the point. It's not boring and it doesn't drone on and on in the beginning. As in paragraph two, there is a lot of action. Alanna meets the goddess and beats a boasting knight in the first two chapters! She is the squire to the prince of Tortall, next in line for the crown. There are no long descriptions in the beginning , you go right out and meet Alanna. You learn things as you go along with the girl on her adventures while disguised as a boy. This book has a lot of new and unique ideas. I found a review done by an unnamed fantasy fan, who said, "I liked it because it was a different kind of fantasy." Another reviewer, who gave her name as Ann said, "This book is an outstanding, heart lifting adventure that will make you want to read it again and again." I kept wishing that there were more books like Tamora's outstanding quartet, and since I read a lot, there can't be that many!! This book introduces new types of magic, new people, talking cats whom you only hear when it wants you to, and new gods. I say that those ideas are very unique from any I have read before. Naturally, there are some of you out there that would criticize this book. Susan Faust said, "The story in readable, romantic, robust, but in many ways pedestrian in it's vision." In English, the book is for the slow-minded. Actually, I would rate this book as very complexed. I had a job figuring out how the war was fought and where exactly Alanna was going. It is NOT for the slow-minded at all. Susan also states, "She is a warrior-maiden, but her perspective is narrow, herself and her king." Now if you are going to criticize a great book, could you at least be correct? The king is barely mentioned in the book, it's the prince Alanna looks after. Also, Jon is not the only one she worries about, she wonders if any of her other friends are going to live through the next battle in the war for the valley. She half killed herself to find her friend Thor! An unknown reviewer said, "In this doldrums sequel, Alanna battles a bit, flings with the king and all in all whines and complains that her life is the best." Again, it's the PRINCE she "flings with"! Another thing I don't understand about that quote is; how do you "whine and complain" that your life is the best? Doldrums, by the way, means boring. If you thinks so too, please go back to the second and third paragraphs! There are tons of things going on in the book that are NOT boring at all!! This book is great because it has unique ideas, is action-packed from the beginning, and has a captivating plot line. If you read this book, you may end up getting fencing lessons, calling yourself Alanna, your mean arch-enemy Roger, and your boyfriend Jonathan.

Megan Ligas ligasm@blmfld.org Carmen Arace Middle School Bloomfield, CT

It's been years since I read Pierce's series about Alanna, but I still return to them every so often and reread the entire set. In the Hand of the Goddess is probably the best of them all, I remember staying up incredibly late at 13 just to finish the book. The conflict between Alanna and Duke Roger, which builds throughout the book, is so interesting and a true example of adventure at its finest. Alanna's interaction with the Goddess and with magic is also exciting. And of course, the romantic parts of the book, very satisfying. =) This book is definitely my favorite of the series. I'm trying to find the whole series in 1st edition hardbacks, identical to the copies I read from the library years ago...anyone have any tips? The more recent cover art for the mass market paperbacks really doesn't do the story or the characters justice.

By Far, this is my favorite book in the Lioness series. All four of the books are excellent, but this is the book where we really meet Alanna for who she is... female. Alanna has been hiding her true identity from everyone. Forced by the rules only men can become knights, Alanna has secretly kept her female nature hidden from everyone but two friends Jon and George. In this novel, Alanna must face her greatest fears... falling in love and fighting her nemesis, Duke Roger. The suspense and romance make Alanna an excellent role model for any girl. She contains the vulnerability but strenghth that drives people to say females are an oxy-moron. In her weakness, Alanna triumphs over her enemies because her feminine nature many times keeps her from the prejudices, inability to open thinking and tendency towards segregation many of her male knight friends have. A truly enigmatic character, Alanna comes into her own in the In the Hand of the Goddess and this self-actualization process makes this book one of the best reads ever. I'm 25 and own this whole series and still read them when I'm in need of an inspiring female role model.

This is by far the best of all of the nine Tortall books. A lot of other readers summed up the plot, so I won't do that. I cannot tell you the number of times I have wished I were Alanna or Daine from the other Tortall quartet. I am thirteen years old, and have read each Tamora Pierce book four times. The publishers reccomend these books for nine to twelve year olds, but I do not agree. I would say that eleven to 111 would be more appropriate. I went into the library one day, hoping I could find a good book to read on that rainy afternoon. My eyes came to rest on the "P" shelf. The author "Tamora Pierce" jumped out at me. On closer inspection, I found I had found the start to the third Tortall quartet! (Protector of the Small, book one, First Test) Now, every time I go to the library I check the computer to be sure that I am the first one to put a hold on the second book as soon as it is written. I have also read the Circle of Magic quartet. Though not set in Tortall, it is wonderful as well, but geared for slightly younger readers. But, "In the Hand of the Goddess" still beats them all. There is plenty of romance, and Alanna is still young enough to relate to. I encourage any girl to collect and read all of these books. (Also, if you like Pierce, try Patricia C. Wrede) I got a little off track in this review, but it doesn't matter. Read and re-read all you can about Alanna, Daine and Kel. The excitement does not diminish at the fourth reading. UNBELIEVABLE! These books connect with my desire to live in a world of magic, as well as my desire to write. To all the budding writers out there, Keep trying!

This is my favorite book of the alanna series. I am 18 and recieved this series around nine or ten years ago. And yes, when I am bored, I will still pick up the books and reread them, that is how much I love them. For all the reviewers saying these are simplistic, yes, they aren't on the level of the classics, say other female authors I have read such as the bronte sisters or jane austen, BUT, they aren't meant to be! They are wonderful, funny, intelligent books with a strong female heroine, and teach girls that we can be anything we want to be.

Don't listen to all the indignant soccer moms out there screaming that Alanna is er... promiscous (sp?). She has two love interests in this book, and there are no sex scenes! It is implied, thats all. This is no "bodice ripper" or porn, as some idiots have insinuated. When I first read the books, the fact that alanna and jon started sleeping together went completly over my head.

Bottom line is these books are some of my absolute favorites, along with her wild magic and keladry series (I never got into the circle of magic books.) I think every girl should read these books (and boys too! unfortunatly most I know won't)

This is where we really start to see the female in Alanna. She has become a strong-willed young woman. In the first chapter we meet the Great Mother Goddess and the cat to be known as Faithful. She finds a romance with Jonathan and becomes his lover (nothing too adultish. No descriptions). Alanna has growing suspicion of the charming, evil Duke Roger, in addition to hate. She finds many coincidences pointing to the Duke as her would-be killer, including her kidnapping in the middle of a war. With the beautiful Delia of Eldorne at court, her fear of the Chamber of the Ordeal, learning how to dress like a girl, beating a full knight from Tusaine during a fencing combat, and putting an end to the evil Duke Roger, this is an over all outstanding novel.

I absolutley love this entire series, I first read it when I ten or so and I still love it many years later. Definatley a page turner!

The real reason I'm writing this though, is to address the pre-martial sex issue that seems to be bothering a couple people. First, pre-martial sex happens - alot, get over it. Ms Pierce is of the opinion it's okay, which is great, she's not shoving it down anyone's throat ... ... there is nothing in this book that should upset anyone, anywhere with it's sexual content. (or lack there of)

Yes, pre-martial sex does take place in the book. However it is in no way graphic at all, and it's not inappropriate to her age group. So enless the child has been locked up all their lives and think that kids are hatched from inside your belly button they will be perfectly fine reading this book and the rest in the series.

Just wanted to clear that up.

In the Hands of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce is a fast paced and exciting book. It is a worthy sequel to the first book in the series Song of the Lioness. You could not pick a more appealing character than Alanna. She is headstrong and independent, taking no orders from anyone she an ideal heroin. We join her near the end of her training to become the first warrior maiden in over 100 years. She has to deal with her disguise as a boy so that no one will find out that she is truly a girl and send her home. In this book she as to learn to confront her fears, while all the time learning to except the fact that she is truly a female. You build a stronger tie to the characters first introduced in the first book, The First Adventure. To understand In the Hands of the Goddess you have to have first read this book. You feel a strong connection to this fiery young girl. Her struggles soon become yours as you live through her and learn the difficulties that come when she tries to hold in her true identity and fight off her one true enemy. She must do all this while trying to understand whom she is and what she means to the friends that she has made.

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