Lioness Rampant
by Tamora Pierce
Song of the Lioness Quartet (4), Tortall Universe (07 (Song of the Lioness 04))
On This Page
Description
Alanna continues to create her own life as a female warrior when she and new companions journey to the Roof of the World seeking the powerful Dominion Jewel, perhaps the last hope of saving her country from dissension and hostile magic.Tags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
Member Reviews
I have not yet read a book by Pierce that I wanted to walk away from, that was not well crafted, where the characters were not engaging (even if very very foreign), where the world was not fascinating (even if very alien). This book is no exception. I think that it is a stronger book than the first in the series, which is always to be hoped for, but not always realised. It also pushes well into the YA category, whereas I would have been hard pressed to pick which side of the kids/YA line Book One fell on.
Here, the protagonist Alanna, having been revealed for what she is and having been validated by her peers (presumably in a previous book) is on a quest. *gasp* Shock, horror - fantasy setting, psuedo-feudal political structure, warrior show more protagonist - why would there be a quest?
Alanna believes that the quest is to find something to make her Prince proud of her, to strengthen her home country, and to take her beyond what she has already tried. I would argue that the secondary theme, of what do you do when you have achieved all of your goals, when those goals have only taken you to the beginning of adulthood, rather than all the way through is the much more important one.
As with all of the books set in this world, there is a careful balance between politics, romance, plot, and pace of the story. There are no unexpected betrayals, physical trauma is generally set off stage, and I was not aware of emotional trauma, other than that typical of an angsty late teen. I was very impressed with the subtle (but positive) references to a young woman with an active sex life - pleased that they were there, and that I didn't have to wade through pages of exposition regarding said sex life masquerading as soft porn. The implication was that this is normal, it isn't required, but it is an acceptable choice.
I do find this series frustrating in some ways - it shows a strong, competent woman, who got there by being one of the boys, by joining in the game and playing to their rules. And I get that it is important that that story be told, that it be an option for kids growing up to use as a role model. But my frustration comes from my perception that there are not enough stories about how being female is not a cage, not a trap, not a puzzle to work your way outside of. That strong women exist in their own realm, even if in the high-born feudal setting that realm is quite distinct from that of the men.
Strong characters, good (consistent) world building, solid plot, good pacing, no writing errors that threw me out of the story. show less
Here, the protagonist Alanna, having been revealed for what she is and having been validated by her peers (presumably in a previous book) is on a quest. *gasp* Shock, horror - fantasy setting, psuedo-feudal political structure, warrior show more protagonist - why would there be a quest?
Alanna believes that the quest is to find something to make her Prince proud of her, to strengthen her home country, and to take her beyond what she has already tried. I would argue that the secondary theme, of what do you do when you have achieved all of your goals, when those goals have only taken you to the beginning of adulthood, rather than all the way through is the much more important one.
As with all of the books set in this world, there is a careful balance between politics, romance, plot, and pace of the story. There are no unexpected betrayals, physical trauma is generally set off stage, and I was not aware of emotional trauma, other than that typical of an angsty late teen. I was very impressed with the subtle (but positive) references to a young woman with an active sex life - pleased that they were there, and that I didn't have to wade through pages of exposition regarding said sex life masquerading as soft porn. The implication was that this is normal, it isn't required, but it is an acceptable choice.
I do find this series frustrating in some ways - it shows a strong, competent woman, who got there by being one of the boys, by joining in the game and playing to their rules. And I get that it is important that that story be told, that it be an option for kids growing up to use as a role model. But my frustration comes from my perception that there are not enough stories about how being female is not a cage, not a trap, not a puzzle to work your way outside of. That strong women exist in their own realm, even if in the high-born feudal setting that realm is quite distinct from that of the men.
Strong characters, good (consistent) world building, solid plot, good pacing, no writing errors that threw me out of the story. show less
Oh my goodness, what an end to this quartet of books! This is the Alanna I love: confident about some things, unsure about others (such as flirting), willing to learn from others, and demanding more from herself than others ask of her.
There are really two stories intertwined -- a quest novel for the Dominion Jewel and for friendship and love combined with a novel of jealousy and betrayal. All the elements from the previous three books come home to roost in this one. And I will issue a tissue warning.
This series was truly unique when it was published. While marketed to young adults, anyone who enjoys fantasy should enjoy it. Start with Alanna: The First Adventure and keep going.
There are really two stories intertwined -- a quest novel for the Dominion Jewel and for friendship and love combined with a novel of jealousy and betrayal. All the elements from the previous three books come home to roost in this one. And I will issue a tissue warning.
This series was truly unique when it was published. While marketed to young adults, anyone who enjoys fantasy should enjoy it. Start with Alanna: The First Adventure and keep going.
This is the conclusion to the Song of the Lioness quartet and should only be read after reading the first three novels since this is most definitely not self-contained. The first half of the book is classic high fantasy--a quest. Alanna goes to find the Dominion Jewel and that section of the book delivers on plenty of girl power action adventure to satisfy the teenager in all of us.
The second half deals with the second coming of Duke Roger, and I feel a bit mixed on that. For one, I didn't get when I read this why Thom was so tied to Roger. A friend told me that originally, Roger and Thom were lovers, but that part got cut when Pierce went the YA route. That makes sense of a lot I felt wasn't developed here--but really, if it's not in show more the text, it doesn't count. I also feel a bit mixed about Alanna's romantic relationships. On one hand, I rather like this isn't all one true love. That it is messy the way life often is, and doesn't favor the idea you should necessarily wind up with a first love--or that there should be a one and only from the start. On the other hand, I felt it left what became the main relationship feeling underdeveloped.
I think Pierce became a better writing over time. For me her best lady knight isn't Alanna but her successor Keladry and I prefer George's daughter Alianne and his ancestress Becca to Alanna. But this is still fun sword and sorcery featuring a kickass heroine. show less
The second half deals with the second coming of Duke Roger, and I feel a bit mixed on that. For one, I didn't get when I read this why Thom was so tied to Roger. A friend told me that originally, Roger and Thom were lovers, but that part got cut when Pierce went the YA route. That makes sense of a lot I felt wasn't developed here--but really, if it's not in show more the text, it doesn't count. I also feel a bit mixed about Alanna's romantic relationships. On one hand, I rather like this isn't all one true love. That it is messy the way life often is, and doesn't favor the idea you should necessarily wind up with a first love--or that there should be a one and only from the start. On the other hand, I felt it left what became the main relationship feeling underdeveloped.
I think Pierce became a better writing over time. For me her best lady knight isn't Alanna but her successor Keladry and I prefer George's daughter Alianne and his ancestress Becca to Alanna. But this is still fun sword and sorcery featuring a kickass heroine. show less
It's amazing; almost 2 decades after my first reading of "Lioness Rampant," I still find it thrilling and adrenaline-pumping. Alanna the Lioness grows up in this book, for while she already has her shield, she has struggled to find her place in her realm, and in the lives of the people she loves.
The arc of the quartet comes to fruition tightly and brilliantly in this book. Alanna follows the pull of her destiny to cement her reputation as a true knight-errant, silencing those who doubted the validity of her shield. The quest on which she explicably finds herself proves to be more important than she could have ever known, as the threat to the kingdom thought long dead and buried rears back to the surface just as her prince must assume show more the throne. The characters introduced in "Lioness Rampant" are just as fully developed as the old familiar faces from Alanna's younger years. Thayet, in particular, is very well drawn as a refugee noble from a land torn by civil war. Pierce's characterizations pull the story together almost tangibly as the people whose lives are at stake fight to make things turn out right.
As always, however, Alanna is the living, breathing, pulsing heart of the story. She is still vividly realized and just as fiery and stubborn as ever, even if maturity has come to her at last. show less
The arc of the quartet comes to fruition tightly and brilliantly in this book. Alanna follows the pull of her destiny to cement her reputation as a true knight-errant, silencing those who doubted the validity of her shield. The quest on which she explicably finds herself proves to be more important than she could have ever known, as the threat to the kingdom thought long dead and buried rears back to the surface just as her prince must assume show more the throne. The characters introduced in "Lioness Rampant" are just as fully developed as the old familiar faces from Alanna's younger years. Thayet, in particular, is very well drawn as a refugee noble from a land torn by civil war. Pierce's characterizations pull the story together almost tangibly as the people whose lives are at stake fight to make things turn out right.
As always, however, Alanna is the living, breathing, pulsing heart of the story. She is still vividly realized and just as fiery and stubborn as ever, even if maturity has come to her at last. show less
Finally, I've come to the end of the first quartet of Tamora Pierce's Tortall books. Thrillingly, this book opens with Alanna switching from being in a love triangle to a love parallelogram. It was tedious enough to see her waffling between two lovers, so why not throw in a third? Fortunately, in the Land of Magic, you can have consequence-free casual sex. Like The Woman Who Rides Like a Man before it, this is a somewhat disjointed book, and each half is of varying quality. The first half, featuring Alanna on a quest for a Magic Maguffin, is actually fairly good. The second half, however, gets bogged down in the return of the world's most underwhelming and unsurprising villain, Duke Roger. Oh, and Alanna's brother dies, but it's got all show more the emotional impact of a character death in Torchwood since he's only been in three other scenes in the whole series. At the very least, though, Alanna finally chooses a boyfriend and stops whining about how much attention she gets from the opposite sex. Even if the person she chooses is Creepy George, King of the Thieves, I'll take what I can get. show less
A fitting ending to a series that I overall really enjoyed! And for the first time I felt like the plot really did live up to the characters - it's a basic "quest for a plot coupon" sort of story, but that's the best sort of plot when the story's strength is character and setting, and this carried it off very well. I especially like the portrayal of the aftermath of the war, and the refugee group and their decisions, which was done very well, and is all too rare in fantasy, considering how much war is in it.
And the Thom subplot ended up being a lot more complex than I was expecting it to be, which was a pleasant surprise. (I still wish Thom had had to cross-dress the whole time Alanna did, though! Now that would have been an interesting show more character to bring in.) show less
And the Thom subplot ended up being a lot more complex than I was expecting it to be, which was a pleasant surprise. (I still wish Thom had had to cross-dress the whole time Alanna did, though! Now that would have been an interesting show more character to bring in.) show less
Alanna goes on a quest to find the Dominion Jewel, a legendary stone said to bring prosperity to the land or any ruler to wield it. Meanwhile, she has a feeling that all is not right in Tortall.
I liked this least of all of the books in the quartet because all the little annoyances in the first three books built up and became big annoyances to me in the fourth. I was irritated by the wording of sentences, the easy way Alanna has of going through lovers (three in three books? really?) and the fact that the part of the story I was really interested at the end of The Woman Who Rides Like a Man didn't get addressed until the second half of the book. It probably would have gotten a higher rating if I had taken more time between books 3 and 4.
I liked this least of all of the books in the quartet because all the little annoyances in the first three books built up and became big annoyances to me in the fourth. I was irritated by the wording of sentences, the easy way Alanna has of going through lovers (three in three books? really?) and the fact that the part of the story I was really interested at the end of The Woman Who Rides Like a Man didn't get addressed until the second half of the book. It probably would have gotten a higher rating if I had taken more time between books 3 and 4.
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
NPRs your favorites: 100 Best Ever Teen Novels
237 works; 49 members
Best Feminist Science Fiction
188 works; 35 members
Books Read in 2014
2,343 works; 89 members
Author Information
83+ Works 121,837 Members
Author Tamora Pierce was born in South Connellsville, Pennsylvania on December 13, 1954. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Her first book, Alanna: The First Adventure, was published in 1983 and she became a full-time author in 1992. She writes fantasy books, mainly involving young heroines, for young show more adults. She is the author of numerous series including Song of the Lioness; The Immortals; Circle of Magic; Protector of the Small; The Circle Opens; Daughter of the Lioness; The Circle Reforged; Beka Cooper; and The Numair Chronicles. Her novel Battle Magic was a New York Times bestseller. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Awards and Honors
Awards
Series
Work Relationships
Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Lioness Rampant
- Original publication date
- 1988-11-30
- People/Characters
- Alanna of Trebond; Coram Smythesson; Faithful; Liam Ironarm; Thayet; Buriram Tourakom (show all 14); Chitral; Alex of Tirragen; George Cooper; Eleni Cooper; Myles of Olau; Jonathan of Conté; Rispah; Claw
- Important places
- Tortall; The Roof of the World; Corus
- Dedication
- To my husband, Tim, who is teaching me that "the M word" can be a good word. And to my editor, Jean Karl, who changed her initial "no" to "yes."
- First words
- On a March afternoon a knight and a man-at-arms reached the gates of the Marenite city of Berat.
- Quotations
- All her life she'd planned to be a knight-errant, roving the world to do great deeds. But now she was learning that such a life included periods of boredom, riding through countryside that seldom changed. Not every village ha... (show all)d a cruel overlord; few crossroads were held by evil knights.
-- chapter 1, p.16
"Now that I think of it, I don't know how the famous heroes of the past were able to take things from the entities that guarded them -- not if they were as noble as the stories claim. When you look at it right, it i... (show all)s stealing."
-- Alanna, chapter 4, p.130 - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Come on, Lioness. We can tell your tribe we're betrothed."
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- Fantasy, Fiction and Literature, Teen, Young Adult
- DDC/MDS
- 813.54 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American fiction in English 1900-1999 1945-1999
- LCC
- PZ7 .P61464 .L — Language and Literature Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Fiction and juvenile belles lettres Juvenile belles lettres
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 5,509
- Popularity
- 2,418
- Reviews
- 53
- Rating
- (4.14)
- Languages
- 6 — Danish, English, French, German, Hungarian, Swedish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 48
- ASINs
- 19