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Summary: KC
Review: i LOVE this book and all of the other books i have read by tamora pierce (like the circle of magic series) i have read a ton of books and i am even runnig out of books (if thats possible :P) and when ever im bored or am in the mood 4 a REALLY good book i just pick up a Tomora Pierce book. i recomend this book to ALL readers cuz this book iz FANTASTIC!!!!!
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Summary: The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
Review: Alanna's amazing saga continues in The Woman Who Rides Like a Man as she meets a new race of people and works hard for their acceptance in her beloved Tortall. Meanwhile, Alanna is also struggling with personal problems...
A knight and on her own at last, Alanna travels to the Tortallan desert with her burly manservant, Coram. Stopped in mid-journey by a Bahzir desert tribe, Coram and Alanna find they must fight for their lives in a very different way. Taken to the tribe's dwelling place, it is decided that they will live, and they are accepted into the tribe. However, Alanna finds that their shaman is still bent on calling her a demon-simply because she does things the man's way. In a duel, Alanna kills this evil man and finds herself the shaman of the Bloody Hawk tribe. While Alanna struggles to find a place for women in this patriarchal tribe-even training two women to be the next shamans-her Prince comes to the tribe for training as the Voice of the Tribes-all Bahzir tribes in Tortall-and, shockingly, asks her hand in marriage. Afraid he is asking for the wrong reasons-Jonathon seems very discontent-Alanna asks for time to think. So Jonathon trains to be the Voice and struggles for acceptance from these proud, grudge-bearing desert people. If he passes, he will be able to unite these foreign tribes with the people of Tortall and end the feuding between the two groups. But when Jonathon goes too far and Alanna breaks her romance with him, she feels lost. Going to see her friend George, she finds that he has been waiting for her and takes solace in his gentle love. However, George needs to go back to Tortall, where rebellion appears to be stirring among the thieves, and Alanna cannot give up her wandering. They split up, and Alanna finds herself the owner of a mysterious map that could lead her anywhere...
Just another unbelievable book from the same unbelievable author. Ten times worth every cent you spend and more.
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Summary: Read books #1 and #2 first
Review: I just finished reading this in its unabridged audiobook format on my way to and from work. First, I must disagree with a previous review that stated this book stands on its own. I didn't realize this was book three in an ongoing series and found it a little rough going. Alanna had obviously been through a lot before this book and I continually felt like I had missed out on big important chunks of her past (especially her past relationships with others) and her knighthood.In this book Alanna is a knight in a world where most tribes believe woman aren't meant to be a warrior (and how she became a knight? well, I still have no clue). The story begins as Alanna, along with her feline friend (whom she can communicate with) and her man-at-arms are attacked by Hillmen. Following the battle (of which Alanna and her crew are victorious) Alanna is forced to stay with the desert Bazhir tribe where her troubles begin in earnest. The local Shaman does not want Alanna around and causes her no end of trouble. Eventually a battle leads to Alanna's new position as Shaman of the tribe and her days are spent tutoring three gifted youngsters, two of them girls (much to the tribe's dismay) in the ways of magic. Further complicating things is her relationship (which is surprisingly sexual, though not explicit, for a book marked 7-9 grade!) with Prince Jon. She sleeps with him nightly but as she spends more time with him comes to realize that he's a bit too spoiled (boy, is he ever!) and that she's not quite ready for the marriage he wants. She's also most definitely not ready to birth him a few babies just yet! Prince Jon is not pleased when she voices her opinion on their future together. Soon after Alanna meets up with yet another romantic interest George, the King of Thieves, who I guess is an old pal who becomes oh-so-much more. Finally, there's some trouble with Alanna's twin Thom who seems to be swaying over to the "darker side" of magic. This is an okay book, as Pierce is a skilled world-builder, but I felt at a loss through the majority of the story and things didn't get moving until midway through. I also never felt a connection to any of the many characters which is a shame because I typically enjoy this author's people and their humorous insights (Trickster's Choice & Circle of Magic: Sandry's Book are two I enjoyed thoroughly). The Woman Who Rides Like A Man is very much a "middle of the series" type of book and should not be read independently of the others in this series.
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Summary: Not the Best Lioness Book, But VERY GOOD read!
Review: My fourth favorite in the Song of the Lioness quartet, this book is still a good read. Alanna, taking time off for the country to get used to the knowledge that she is a woman, travels to the desert to escape the dreadful Tortallan winters. She meets a Bazhir tribe, but is not accepted, especially by the shaman and the women of the tribe. She finds she likes the mysterious chieftan of the tribe and the three young outcasts who look after her at first. She also recovers a sword brimming with evil magic and she struggles to control it. After killing the shaman, she must take on his duties for the tribe, which includes training the three outcasts. Another plotline continues, as George, the King of Thieves, struggles to hold his throne against Claw, an unknown thief, who insists on fighting dirty. When Alanna visits George, a bit of a relationship forms, but can it hold when neither Alanna or George can stay put long enough? Also, Alanna's brother Thom is messing with forces that shouldn't be messed with. Like the dead. This book is necessary to understand the fourth book (which is a great read), but most people find that it lacks the large plot twists and surprises that all of Pierce's books contain.
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