ISBN: 0-679-88916-7 Order from: Amazon.com
A transition piece, this third volume of a tetralogy traces the maturation of an engaging heroine with skill, and good pacing, but few significant developments.
Reviewed by David on May 24, 2001 (rev. 1)
Genre: Fantasy (Juvenile, Coming of Age)
Synopsis: In the Kingdom of Tortall, female heroes are not unknown. In fact Alanna, the heroine of the "Song of the Lioness" quartet Alanna: The First Adventure, is the King's champion. However, the traditional knightly training—page school to squire to knighthood—has always been preserved for men.
After surviving antipathy of conservative aristocracy and some of her fellow students, Keladry becomes a Squire. As a controversial, but diligent apprentice warrior, Kel experiences the troubles of adolescence, the continued dislike of conservatives due to her sex, and scattered but fierce combat on the borders. Kel, always constrained and dedicated, is troubled and occasionally delighted by her growing body and attraction to the other sex. She also finds new friends and converts a few enemies. Kel finds a supernatural animal—which in a refreshing change of pace behaves much like a wild animal and not like a cute sidekick.
Full Review: The book is sure to appeal to fans of the earlier books in the series. However, it's not a good starting point: this is clearly a transition book. Several subplots from previous books are concluded, an a couple of new ones are started. This is satisfying, but the developments are relatively minor, and are intended more as a setup for the next, likely the last book of the series.
Tamora Pierce has created a pleasant, at times enchanting land in Tortollan, useful for juvenile series aimed at different ages. This series, like "The Lioness" (starting with Alanna) and "The Immortals" (starting with Wild Magic) is intended for a young audience, maturing with the series, and will appeal to adults as well.
Universe: Tortall
Overall: 6; Plot: 5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 4.5;
Copyright date 2001, Random House, May 2001, Cloth, 399 pages
ISBN: 0-679-88916-7 Order from: Amazon.com