I wrote the following review for a group of teens in 2004; over the past four years I've re-read the series several times. If anything, I find the books even more enjoyable now!

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What luck that my daughter chose this series to read! I often read the books she chooses before she does so that we can share in the joys of discussing them, with this being no exception. With this quartet she stumbled upon a wonderful, rich and majestic treasure!

I could scarcely put the four books of this series down long enough to sleep... I devoured them all within two days time! Pierce's writing is so detailed, and the characters so true and fulfillling that I couldn't have envisioned the story more clearly had I watched a movie saga about Alanna and her experiences!

With each book I became even more deeply engrossed in Alanna's journey. The fourth book [Lioness Rampant] is the most enjoyable of all; I caught myself literally cheering and whooping while reading it. (Okay, now I'm blushing *laugh* 'This isn't how an adult is supposed to react to a teen-ish book...right?')

Alanna's fierce drive, pride and honor serve as a model for any young woman (or young man, I suppose.) As both a parent and an educator, I can't recommend this series highly enough to anyone age 10 or 11 up!

Note, however, that Alanna's journey is not a pristine one, and covers all (and I do mean ALL) aspects and challenges of being a teenager, including love, puberty and sex, life and death. I appreciate how Pierce has chosen to deal with these issues, without being wordy or graphic. What a pleasure to read!

I cannot wait to purchase the Protector of the Small quartet to see what lies ahead for the future of Tortall and it's female Knights! :)

Also recommended: I expect to enjoy the Immortals, Protector of the Small and Open Circle series by Tamora Pierce as well! [2007: I have! *cheer* More great books!]

I read all four books in this series in three days the summer I was 9. Since then I have not found a better author than Tamora Pierce for women's fantasy. (And yes, I have read Robin McKinley and Mercedes Lackey.) Her plots are strong and her romances are realistic. *WWRLAM SPOILER* I remember when I first read Woman Who Rides Like A Man, I hated Alanna for breaking it off with Jon, but now when I reread it, I can see that they would never have had a working relationship in the long run. Alanna goes through several men before realizing which one's right for her, which sounds pretty realistic to me. None of this perfect, lasting forever love-at-first-sight stuff.

I read some of the other reviews, and want to point out a few things: Alanna is not promiscuous. She has three lovers in ten years. Yes, it's premarital, but that doesn't bother a good portion of the population. Similarly, she IS a good role model where it matters: she does what's right. She faces her fears and follows her own morals. Not to mention she pushes Jon off when she's not comfortable with his advances. And feminism does not mean hating all men (regardless of what my mother says). Just because Alanna and her knight-master have a relationship does not mean that she slaps feminism in the face.

Overall, this is a wonderful series for young and old readers alike.

These books are such a fun fantasy read, they have all the compelling components of a fun novel - a fiesty lass warrior, a tantalizing bit of romance, a trusty cat by the knight's side... and the text and storyline flow really effortlessly. Really a pleasure to read, this is the second series of Pierce's books I've read and I'm on to the third now! I would recommend this book for all ages.

My father read these books to my sisters and me when we were very young. I've probably re-read them twenty times since then, and they never get old. These would be a truly wonderful gift for a young woman.

Okay. First off, I would like to clear the air about a few things.
There are no explicit sex scenes in this book. There aren't any humongo-take-up-half-the-book references in it. However, I would not recommend these to a nine year old. Alanna does sleep with Jon, George, and Liam, but Ms. Pierce included these relationships specifically so that Alanna seems more human.

The story is great. I could not put them down until I had finished the series.
And I personally thought Alanna was way better off with who she ends up with in the end.
I didn't like Jon. At all.
They were just long enough so that I didn't get bored while I was reading them.
Alanna is awesome. She knows what she wants and she goes after it with a resourceful mind and a quick tounge.
These books were a great read for me.
5/5