In the Hand of the Goddess (Song of the Lioness)

This book is about Alan(na)'s continued quest for knighthood. In this book she is called by the Goddess Mother as one of the goddesses own. As a gift from the Goddess, Alanna is joined by the cat Faithful. Prince Roger is still out to get Alanna. She seems to be the only one at court who sees him as a threat. Her friendship with George the Rogue continues. As she grows older, Alanna realizes that being a girl posing as a boy entails a lot more than she initally thought. In order to deal with this she enlists help from George's mother.

Being a girl in a man's world is not easy. It is not easy in the real world either. Gender does play a part in how we act, what we are allowed to do or not do and what vocations we choose in life. That is why it is important to have books that challenge the prevalent world view in an exiting manner.


Alanna   December 14, 2002
L. (Sydney)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Tamora Pierce relates Alanna's adventures with spirit, confidence, sensibility and stubbornness - four words to sum up Lady Alanna's character. I don't believe in putting ages or genders on a really good book, which _In the Hand of the Goddess_ certainly is. If you're mature enough to appreciate the book, read it! I say that after every book, but I've been carrying Alanna's stubbornness for years as inspiration. "What would Alanna do?" I sometimes ask myself, or I pretend I am she, getting through school the way she braved her lessons at Roald's palace. By not reading this, you are denying youself hours with this determined young woman, wishing you could live in magical Tortall, admiring Alanna's Prince and cheering on her other, more ambiguous thief lover, breathing hard after her intense duel with an evil sorcerer and chortling at remarks from her contrary cat. So read it!


great one of TPs best   June 17, 2002
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is the great second installment of the Alanna series. It is about Alanna's life as the squire of Prince Jonathan, heir to the throne. Alanna ia still disguised as 'Alan' the boy squire. Alanna also has some trouble with George who falls in love with her and Jon who she falls in love with. There is also Duke Roger to see about and a terrifying kidnap when the knights are fighting in the Drell Valley. Is it just a coincidence that Jonathans men are in the most dangerous part? After all this she has to come back to Tortall to try and pas her Ordeal. She also has to think about what she is going to do if she passes-she can't keep her sex a secret forever. A thoroughly good and entertaing read I recommend this to all fantasy lovers. If you have not read the first one in this series (Alanna: The First Adventure) then I advise you to do so before reading this.


non stop adventure   March 19, 2002
1 out of 4 found this review helpful

After reading the first one you'll be itching to read this one. All the amazing adventure and the shock of all the red herings in this book you get to know all the charicters better especialy george and jonathen and their relationship with Alanna. And the way that every one gets to know who she realy is, is not one to miss. This is sooo a must read. So get on with it and read it!