My Reviews

This page has my reviews of the Tamora books as well as my opinions about them. They're pretty crap, because I wrote them, so if you want to read better ones go to Other Peoples Reviews

Alanna, the First Adventure-
In this book, Alanna of Trebond decides she doesn't want to go the convent to learn to be a Lady. Her brother, Thom, decides he doesn't want to go to the palace to study to be a knight, either. So, they switch places, and Alanna heads off to the palace disguised as 'Alan'. What awaits her is adventure, hard work, danger and evil.

A fantastic book, full of excitement, adventure and a thrilling conclusion. I'd give it an 8 out of 10.

In the Hand of the Goddess
Alanna, now Prince Jonathan's squire, still thinks Duke Roger is evil. But no one believes her. On her quest to become a knight, she must participate in a war with neighbouring Tusaine. All is not as it seems, with soldiers who aren't really on their side. To save everyone, she must expose Roger for who he really is, and fight him in a battle to the death.

This is an exciting book, with a great climatic ending. I'd give it a 9½ out of 10- I think it's the best book in the quartet.

Woman Who Rides Like a Man
After leaving Corus, Alanna heads for the desert, where is she is captured by a tribe of the Bazhir. She has some important jobs ahead of her. After becoming part of the tribe, she must save them from their crazy shaman. And then she must become shaman herself! She also has some personal issues to sort out- chiefly the fact that Jonathan has become a total prig!

As usual, Tamora comes up with a great book, though this one isn't as good as the others. About a 7 out of 10.

Lioness Rampant
Alanna has left the desert and set out on a new quest. In her possession she holds a map that will take her to the greatest prize- the Dominion Jewel. After meeting new friends along the way, she returns to Corus. Little does she know, an old enemy awaits her- one she must fight and really kill if she hopes to save her friends and her king.

This book is exciting and action packed, with lots of those great fighting scenes. 9 out of 10- I loved it.

Wild Magic
In this book, Daine, a young girl from Galla, meets up with with a K'miri called Onua. After hiring on with Onua, Daine travels to Tortall, where she meets new friends and gains a new home. But Daine is not safe yet- the emperor of a warring country has released the immortals from the realms of the gods- evil creatures that are a cross between human and animal. Now Daine must fight to save her new home, and the animals in it, from the dangerous immortals and neighbouring countries who just want war.

A great book about a girl who's just trying to find her place in the world. 8 out of 10- it was great.

Wolf Speaker
Daine is being called by the wolves. Humans are destroying their home and Daine must help. As usual, the Carthaki are involved. Daine has to help the wolves, and the other creatures in the woods, but now, cut off from the people outside the wood, she must do it on her own. Daine must show her courage, and fight to save the animals and the rest of Tortall from the evil Baron and Baroness of the local fief, who hope to kill them all.

More great adventures about Daine- I loved it! 8 out of 10.

Emperor Mage
Daine goes to Carthak with the Tortallan delegation to try to make peace with the Emperor. But once there, Daine must discover the true extent of the Emperor's deception, and help one of the Gods to uncover his evil and thwart his plans. But Daine is in danger, and she must learn to control a new and unusual power to save herself and her friends.

Loved it! 9 out of 10.

The Realms of the Gods
In ROTG, the barriers between the realms are breaking open, and the situation with the immortals is growing worse than ever. Then Daine and Numair get sucked into the Divine Realms to save their lives, and they must travel through the deadliest areas of the Realm to get home and help their friends. Things are coming to a head, the battle gets desperate, and Daine must make some really big decisions.

I think this was my favourite! 9 1/2 out of 10.

The first book in a new exciting series. 8 out of 10 - it's a good book, but I got the feeling this book was aimed at younger readers.

The Power in the Storm
While still recovering from the recent earthquakes, Winding Circle Temple hears of pirate activity in the area- something that hasn't occurred in years. Now the temple must prepare to try to protect their home from the pirates. The four young mages must now learn to control their magic . Most especially Tris, the hot tempered weather-mage who must learn to control her powers to save her new home.

A great read for anyone who has ever had a hard time controlling their temper. 9 out of 10 - better than the first one, in my opinion.

The Fire in the Forging
In this book, the four young mages travel to a drought- stricken town, hoping to put their new skills to good use. But their powers are so tightly bound that their magic is starting to blend together. Now they must untangle it, or their powers could do something really bad.

Tamora always rights good books, and this one was still okay, but I found it boring in places. It failed to live up to the excellence of her other books. 7 out of 10.

The Healing in the Vine
The Temple and the nearby city have been swamped by a virus of epidemic proportions. There is no cure and the virus is very infectious, in many cases deadly. Briar and his friends are involved in helping find a cure for the virus, a seemingly impossible task. But when his teacher falls ill, Briar must risk his life or let his teacher and mentor die.

A fantastic and exciting book, by far my favourite from this quartet. 9½ out of 10.

First Test
Years after King Jonathan decreed that females could train as knights, the first girl has come forward - Keladry of Mindelan. But just because they let her do the training, doesn't mean it's going to be easy for Kel. The training master, a knight totally opposed to a girl undertaking the training, has put her on a years probation. And if that's not bad enough, Kel also has to put up with a bunch of boys who don't want a girl training with them.

I loved this book! It was very enjoyable, just the thing we've come to expect from Tamora. 9 out of 10.

Page
After making it through her first year as a page, Kel thinks training is going to be easier. But her troubles are far from over : Some of the boys still haven't given up trying to sabotage Kel's chances, and as she progresses in her training, things just get harder and harder. Kel must again overcome all that stands in her way, but her biggest challenge lies ahead. As the Big Exams approach, people are still trying to keep her from success - and she must make the decision that could sacrifice all she's been working towards.

Page was great! I loved it even more than the first, if that's possible. 9 out of 10.