Genre: Hight Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: In the Hand of the Goddess (2)
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.
Review:
"Why do boys say someone acts like a girl as if it were an insult?"What a marvelous follow-up. While it doesn't pick up right after The Black City, In the Hand of the Goddess fills in the blank even though it takes place about a year after those events. The book flows just as well as the first, even a little better.
It's wonderful to see how comfortable Alanna has become with herself. No endless worries about how she's a girl and there for can't be good enough. Now she's coming to understand that being a woman isn't bad and she's looking forward to revealing herself. And revealing that truth doesn't change who she is. Though it highlights how stubborn she can be and it's nice to see her new fears, that she's constantly trying to face them. It's what truly makes her a favorite character. Especially when at sixteen she faces her first battle. It was refreshing to see it not glorified and the toll of such things have on people.
This is the book that introduces romance. While that was a strength of the last book, it
doesn't take away from this story. It enhances it as we know the love interests. They've had time to just be amazing characters. Dear Pierce is the first author to introduce me to Second Lead Syndrome. Which was awesome because both love interests are wonderful, and not ASSHOLES. Another one of my biggest gripes about newer books. Jerks, bullies, evil dudes, that are masquerading as “bad boys” seem to conquer every book I read. Thom finally gets some page time outside of letters, though it's more towards the end. I for one can't wait to get more of Alanna's sorcerer brother. In the Hand of the Goddess does well furthering Alanna's friends and allies. With insights about people that were wonderful, especially as a few find out Alanna's big secret. It's also sad to see what characters may not be friends anymore . . .
In the Hand of the Goddess doesn't have as much influence by the gods as the first title. Sure there are some big happenings at the beginning. Things didn't feel AS handed out. That's one of my biggest gripes with fantasy plots just magically reveal/occur to the lead because of a higher power. (Yes, I know it is fantasy.) It's wonderful seeing Alanna go from Squire to Knight. I'm a flutter to read her adventures as the first Lady Knight in over a centruy. Go get'em girl!
Sexual Content: There is a hinted at love scene and continued romance. But this is old school so it's nothing explicit. Sexual humor.
It's still all very kid friendly.
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.
| Previous book(s) in series: | ||
| Reviewed on BW: | Amazon: | Goodreads: |
| Alanna: The Frist Adventure (1) In the Hand of the Goddess (2) The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (3) Lioness Rampant (4) | Alanna: The Frist Adventure (1) In the Hand of the Goddess (2) The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (3) Lioness Rampant (4) | Alanna: The Frist Adventure (1) In the Hand of the Goddess (2) The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (3) Lioness Rampant (4) |
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