Lioness Rampant

 Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce 336 pages 

Summary: At last, Alanna of Trebond has become the first female knight errant in Tortall. She sets out on an impossible quest to find the Dominion Jewel, a legendary gem that, in the right hands, has limitless power for good. But while she searches for the one thing that can save her war-torn country, her nemesis returns from the dead and begins to wreak havoc. Only Alanna has the power to prevent Tortall's utter destruction...

In this final verse of the Song of the Lioness quartet, Alanna grows from heroine into legend.

My Thoughts: Alanna has worked hard to become a knight but still has to face one last obstacle. This novel turns Alanna from a female knight, into a hero that will be sung about for ages. She has embraced her magic and her title, but is restless and needs to prove herself. This book also touches on Alanna's internal turmoil of how to be a lady knight AND a mother. If she could even consider herself to allow herself to marry. To face her fears about love and marriage and to face them. The book shows how much Alanna has grown over the entirety of the 4 books and brings the series to a great end. 

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man

 The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce 256 Pages

Summary: A knight at last, Alanna of Trebond heads out to seek adventure in the desert of Tortall. Captured by desert tribesmen, she is forced to prove herself in a magical duel to the death. But her real challenge doesn't come until after she wins. As the first female shaman, Alanna must fight to change the ancient traditions of the stubborn desert tribes -- for their own sake and for the sake of all Tortall.

This third book in the Song of the Lioness quartet continues Alanna's saga as she strikes out alone and discovers herself anew.

My Thoughts: I think I enjoy the third book of the series the most. She is at a crossroads where she's had to use her magic and has a hatred for it. She winds up with the Bahzir tribe and has to face what it's like to be a woman among a male dominated area, even stricter than where she resides. I love the grapple she faces between wanting to flee from her magic and wanting to help out a couple of magical children gain control of their powers. This novel is about finding your path while fighting against everyone else to prove your worth. 

In The Hand of The Goddess

 In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce 240 pages

Summary: Disguised as a boy, Alanna of Trebond becomes a squire -- to none other than the prince of the realm. But Prince Jonathan is much more to Alanna; he is her ally, her best friend, and one of the few who knows that she's really a girl. Now it will take all of Alanna's awesome skill, strength, and growing magical powers to protect him from the mysterious evil sorcerer who is bent on his destruction--and hers!

Here continues the story of Alanna, a young woman bound for glory who is willing to fight against enormous odds for what she believes in.

My Thoughts: The second book in the Song of the Lioness Quartet focuses on Alanna as a squire. Again I adore this author and I feel like I'm going to repeat myself a LOT. I love how  much Alanna despises her magic in this series and doesn't want to deal with it. She pushes away an important part of her life because she wants to prove herself to the world that even as a female she CAN and will become a knight no matter what. This book introduces her awesome animal companion and a dark sorcerer who will stop at nothing to get what they want. While there is romance in this book, the main theme is discovering yourself and realizing the importance of friendship and hard work. 

Alanna: The First Adventure

 Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce 240 Pages

Summary: In a time when girls are forbidden to be warriors, Alanna of Trebond wants nothing more than to be a knight of the realm of Tortall. So she finds a way to switch places with her twin brother, Thom. Disguised as a boy, Alanna begins her training as a page at the palace of King Roald. But the road to knighthood, as she discovers, is not an easy one. Alanna must master weapons, combat, and magic, as well as polite behavior, her temper, and even her own heart.

Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna’s first adventure begins—one that will lead to the fulfillment of her dreams and make her a legend in the land.

My Take: I absolutely LOVE Tamora Pierce! I love how she writes about strong women and she is for women's rights and equal rights for all! Anyways this book series, Alanna is a strong female lead. What gets to me is her determination to hide the fact that she's female so she can become a knight. I would recommend it for any young adult who wants to read about a strong female character. I did notice in my re-read that the male character she ends up with is a bit older than her and in this age and society that is frowned upon, but back then it was normal.