Rating: 
Summary: More Mental Than Physical
Review: In a step away from the more physical challenges of Alanna, Daine, and Keladry, Tamore Pierce sets her newest heroine in a land of political turmoil. Less important are the skills of a warrior, more so those of the diplomat, the seasoned spy. Those looking for swashbuckling fun won't find it in "Trickster's Choice." The plotline is much more political in nature, a swirling amalgamation of court maneuvers and a wronged people. Alianne relies more on wit and intelligence than Pierce's previous characters, making the book both more complex, but all the more fun for those who can keep up. Alianne is taken as a slave to the Copper Isles and is slowly entangled in a centuries old rivalry between the raka and the luarin, the slaves and the slaveholders. Enlisted by Kyprioth, patron god of the raka, she is trusted with the duty of protecting his future queen with the aid of the crows and Nawat Crow, a love-interest shape-shifted into human form. She works through the twists and turns of court deceit, soon realizing that she has as big a stake in the coronation of the half-raka Sarai as everyone else involved. The book ends with a promise of more of Pierce's traditional action style, though as Alianne is less of a trained warrior as a quick witted street-fighter, the intricate details of politics and intelligence are sure to continue their strong presence. Many will be disappointed in the lack of sword fights and general action found in the previous Tortall-based books. But if you are keen of mind and enjoy a heroine who's actions are based more on rational, behind-the-scenes action within the swirl of royal court intrigues, then you will enjoy this book as much as I did. I loved Alanna, Daine, and Keladry, but it is refreshing and promising to have a character who relies less on the supernatural and sheer strength than on her own wholly human skills with Pierce's trademark sparks of magic and outside aid.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting Read but...
Review: Now I've been reading Tamora Pierce's books since I was 12, at least (I'm 22 now), but this book... I felt done with it after 2 readings. Now compared to Wild Magic, which I read about 8 times back to back, or Lady Knight which was at least 5 (due to my refusal to believe there was no 4th book romantic conclusion, argh), it didn't rate very high on my re-reading factor. There wasn't seemingly anything in here to mull over, like there was in the idealism of Lady Knight, or the magical workings of the Immortals or even social implications and pure action of Alanna. The book feels a bit like a prologue in a way, Pierce keeps setting up and setting up, and it seems we really have to wait for the next book for much of what this book offered to come into play. I was incredibly interested in the culture and politics of the raka and luarin, its wonderfully described and set up, and am really hoping there are is more in the next book. As for Aly-- good character whom I sympathized with, but not one I wanted to daydream about being in her shoes. I've already been in her shoes. But thats probably age talking, anyways. I did love the new insights into old characters that Aly presents. Her view of the world is a fresh one, specially being reared by George and Alanna, and it was great to see how the progeny of two legends views her life and her society. And Pierce introduces Nawat, who is so intriguing and interesting. The interaction between him and Aly and the raka is wonderfully done, humorous, delightful.. I loved it. And finally we get to see why Josiane would have been such a bad choice for Jonathan... I mean good lord. I'm so excited that the story takes place in the Copper Isles-- the world of Tortall is expanding and fleshing out in incredible ways. The relationship of the Winged Horses to the Islands was great detail, I wanted to know more! Ah well, next book maybe!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing Entry
Review: I found this a very disappointing entry in the Tortall series. The early intervention of the gods robs the book of any tension because we already know how it's generally going to come out. Aly herself is a rather flat character; she just walks through the book without much of anything to challenge or endanger her. I also found it very hard to believe that George would teach her spying skills when she was a child--certainly not without Alanna saying something about it. The ending just seemed to ... stop, without any real resolution. If I get the sequel, I'll wait until it comes out in paperback.
Rating: 
Summary: Disapointed
Review: I was so excited to read this, the newest of the Tortall books, so it was really disappointing to find it so mediocre. One thing I've learned to look forward to with Tamora Pierce is that her books always have some fun action in them, and the heroine gets to use her unique skills to do something impressive. This book had absolutely no action in it worth writing about, and Aly's "skills" were never put to any interesting or exciting use. I frankly didn't find the political intrigue that much fun, in part because it was hard to keep all the names separate in my head. Pierce has her god as much as promises that the next one will be more exciting, so I hope it lives up to that promise. As for this one, I wouldn't be buying it in hardback if I new then what I know now.
Rating:
Summary: Thanks Tamora!
Review: Wow. Tamora Pierce has written another book that girls like me will love! As a devoted Pierce fan, I was so excited for this book to come out. When it finally did, I picked it up and didn't put it down. For those who already love Tamora, this book is just what you want. And for those who know nothing about Tamora, you shouldn't be wasting you time reading this review, you should be out there experiencing her books for yourself!
In this new book, Pierce chronicles the adventures of Alianne (Aly), the daughter of Pierce's first character, Alanna. Aly lives with her two famous parents, but she is bored and wants nothing more to be a spy. When she gets kidnapped by some pirates and sold as a slave in the dangerous and politically unstable Copper Isles, she may just get her wish. Thrown into a shaky situation full of political intrigue and forced to use all her wits, it doesn't help that Aly is the chosen tool of a trickster god, Kyprioth. This book is amazing, not only for its exciting plot, but for its interesting characters and good writing. Everyone should read this book!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I've read all of Tamora Pierce's books, and this one is definitely as good as the others, if not better. In this great new book, Alianne of Tortall gets captured during a solo boat ride by Copper Island slavers. she gets sold to a family of lesser nobility, where she discovers she is Kyprioth's chosen. I can't tell you more, but this is a WONDERFUL book, and I would recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous Addition to the Series
Review: I was so excited about this book. I went out and bought it ... well, as soon as I could, since I wasn't able to on the 23. And it definitely didn't disappoint. Aly is very different than Ms. Pierce's other heroines, to be sure. But then, they're all very different. Kel was previously by far my favorite, but now I'm really unsure. I think it's a tie. Aly has a sense of humor, and she doesn't have the blind idealism found with Kel or Daine, for example. She also doesn't have their ambition, their determination, their focus, which keeps her from being too perfect. She's definitely a real character, and one I, for one, can relate to. She also had some good friends, while they can't, of course, compare to Neal and Dom and Owen and such. Nawat is incredibly sweet, and I love him to death. Sarai and Dove are also fun, interesting characters. Alanna, George, Jon, Kel, Neal, and several others make appearances in this book, which is good, although I would have preferred to see more of them, personally, but there's a perfectly good reason for that. The plot has to do with Aly's arguments with her mother over what she should do with her life. Alanna wants her to do something, anything, and Aly's found something - spying - but neither of her parents will let her. She runs off to Port Legann, in the hopes of winning them over, and in the process gets captured by Copper Isle slave runners. She gets sold to a duke and duchess who are related to the royal family and are very kind to her, but they end up being sent into exile. Aly, not being an essential part of their household, would get re-sold except for one thing - Kyprioth. The trickster god appears to Duke Mequen and Duchess Winnamine in the form of Mithros, telling them she is his chosen, and makes a bet with Aly - if she can keep all of the children of the family alive for the entire summer, he'll provide her with a way home at the end of all that, and speak to George about letting her spy. She accepts the wager, and they move into exile. Aly, in her turn, has to figure out why exactly Kyprioth wants them alive, and what the raka (dark-skinned) people have planned for Sarai, the oldest, half-raka daughter of the family. She's provided with help in some of the other servants, Sarai herself and the younger daughter Dove, the duke and duchess, and an assortment of crows, including one who turns into a man. I enjoyed the plot. It had a lot more to do with politics than the previous books, and was much more intriguing. There certainly isn't nearly as much in terms of action, although there is some, but this new thing of multiple secrets, and no one knowing who she really is, is fascinating. There are also some grey areas as opposed to the blindly idealistic views of Protector of the Small, which is good. There's some of the romance that was lacking in Lady Knight, as well, and just as much humor as any of Tamora's other books. The only thing I have a serious objection to is the ending. It wasn't that the ending wasn't well-written or enjoyable, it was just that, like Lady Knight, it didn't seem to really end. It just ... sort of ... stopped. And the way George acted wasn't exactly out of character, but it certainly wasn't the way one would expect a loving father to act (and the idea of George not being a loving father is ... not possible). It didn't really seem to fit in with the rest of the book. It did, however, leave me desperately awaiting Trickster's Queen! I absolutely cannot wait!
Rating:
Summary: Best one yet!
Review: This is the best book Tamora Pierce has written. I love all her other heroines, but Aly is by far the most interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting to say the least
Review: Personally, I enjoyed the book. However, be forewarned that it ends with a bit of a cliffy and you'll be screaming for certain truths to be reveiled by the end of the book. All I have to say is that Tamora Pierce better hurry up with that sequel everyone will want to have pretty quickly!
Rating:
Summary: Tres Bon! but a step lower from other TP books
Review: I have read all of the Tamora Pierce books, and many of them more than once. I love the characters, the action, the intrigue, and the growth of each character. I loved all of the characters in Trickster's Choice. Aly, was very different than any of the other heroines. She also grew as a person, but it was a little annoying because she was a bit perfect by the end of the book. Although I thought that the characters were developed well in Trickster's Choice, I felt that the book was lacking in action. There was defiantly a climax, but that was basically the only conflict, other than one other episode. The rest of the 400pg novel was getting ready for these conflicts, and they seemed to be doing basically the same thing in each chapter. Though I won't complain too much, because I devoured it like a ravenous wolf. I enjoyed reading, but like I said not as much as her other novels.
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