Song of the Lioness #4: Lioness Rampant (Lionness Quartet) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Tamora Pierce (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9 In Book Four of ``The Song of the Lioness'' sequence, the stage is set for a series of final confrontations for Alanna, the woman who rides like a man, involving love, adventure, and power. A new romance enters her life in the person of Liam Ironarm, a Shang Dragon warrior. With others Alanna and Liam travel to the Roof of the World on a quest for the Dominion Jewel. They return home in time to play their parts in a struggle between good and evil, represented by Jonathan, now king, and Alanna's enemy, Duke Roger. If the finale seems a long time coming for some readers, the climactic conflict is worth waiting for. It's handled skillfully, with all the of tension, drama, and physical action that a good fight should generate. The ending is an appropriate mixture of sorrow and joy and hope for the future. Lioness Rampant will be confusing for readers who do not know the earlier books, but Alanna's fans will be pleased to see their heroine triumphant in all the ways that matter. Amy Kellman, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"Full of slam-bang action...young readers will rejoice."--Kirkus

"Alanna's fans will be pleased to see their heroine triumph in all the ways that matter." -- School Library Journal

"It has the appeal of good winning over evil and of the resilient courage of a believably heroic female protagonist." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books -- Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (July 21, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679801138
• ISBN-13: 978-0679801139
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (181 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #747,558 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 4 in The Song of the Lioness Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To young readers..., January 14, 2004

By	Mandarin Orange "mandarin_orange" (Charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews

One of my favorite books of all time, hands down. Rip-roaring adventure, fascinating new characters, humor, romance, and a dramatic climax. This is a triumphant end to T. Pierce's great series. Most of the merits of this book have already been outlined here, and in greater detail. The real reason for my review is below, and be warned that it contains spoilers.

In Alanna's choice of George, Pierce illustrates a point that is, unfortunately, lost on most young readers. For my part, I know that when I was 13, the fact that Alanna ended up with George disappointed and escaped me. Over time, a few re-readings, and relationships of my own, however, the ending becomes more and more fitting.

For many years I dated a guy whom I loved with all my heart. Slowly however, I realized what a huge piece of myself I'd given to him. He had fallen for an offbeat, punk chick like myself and couldn't wrap his conservative sensibilities around it. Whenever I spoke in confidence with him about my dreams of being a freelance writer, artist, world-traveler, etc., he became very indignant - because it took time away from being with him.Every Christmas, birthday, etc. I received bland clothes and heaps of jewelery. Like Jon's intentions for Alanna, he wanted me to sit idly through life and be queen of his suburbanite castle, while my deep-seated dreams went by the wayside.

George stood by Alanna, never questioned her, always yielded his support for her adventures and who she wanted to be. Interesting how Jon's status as a prince and Alanna's first love will make young fans skim over and ignore his actions and the asinine things he says to her in book three. Jon is an a$s. They are clearly incompatible. Let go of your old fairytale notions, seek your own independence and a companion who will help you along that journey.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best young people's fantasies around!, September 6, 1999

By A Customer

To begin with, I had a hard time deciding which of the Lioness books to review. I picked this one because it ties as my favorite with IN THE HAND OF THE GODESS. But it was a hard choice. The Lioness books, first read when I was twelve, really got me started on fantasy. Of course, I'd read Tolkien and Beagle, but not much else. I read Pierce's books and have been a devoted fantasy reader ever since. I'm now nineteen and I still reread the Lioness books and love them just as much. Alanna is a firey, spirited young woman and a wonderful hero--human and complete with fualts. By this time she has grown and progressed as a character so that she feels very, very real. The other characters always make me smile, and the ending always makes me cry. The writing style, well suited to young readers, moves you along and keeps you turning pages. This book, granted a darker one than the others, resolves many of the issues presented in the previous books in a believable and entertaining fashion. Finally, I am extremely glad Alanna marries George. He is one of my favorite rouges in all fantasy. Unfortunetly, this series has ruined Tamora Pierce for me. It was so good that her other series simply don't measure up. I entreat any lover of fantasy to read these books--I hope you love them as much as I do!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Complete and Satisfying End to a Great Quartet!, June 12, 2001

By A Customer

All I can say is...wow! This amazing book ends an awesome series with a bang! Pierce truly demonstrates her mastery of description and plot when she deftly resolves all the mysteries and cliff-hangers from the previous novels. The story has everything: action, adventure, combat, romance... Underneath the appearence of a "child's book" which is simply a good read, Pierce presents moral questions and philosophical riddles which make the reader stop and think. In this page-turner, Alanna quests for the Dominion Jewel, a lost treasure which, if in the right hands, has limitless power for good. But meanwhile in Tortall the forces of evil are brewing again, and the Lioness is the only one who can stop them. Our heroine learns about others and also discovers unknown feelings inside herself. If you like these, check out the Immortals and Protector of the Small series; they continue the story of this incredible world, and of course, they feature Alanna. (Psst-just to make you read on...Alanna actually has three children...don't you wonder who they are?) Here's to you, Pierce, may you never end the fantastic chronicles of an amazing world named Tortall!