Confessions of a Literary Addict

This review is spoiler-free!

In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce
Series: Song of the Lioness #2
Genres: Fantasy, Fiction
Release Date: January 1st 2005 by Simon Pulse (first published 1984)
Format: Paperback, 264 pages
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Find it here: Goodreads || Book Depository

Hate to say it, but this second book didn’t live up to the first one for me. It wasn’t horrible, but it just wasn’t as much fun to read as Alanna: The First Adventure had been.

My biggest issue with the whole book, I think, was the fact so many things seemed like they were just skimmed over or rushed. I wanted details of many things that happened, or more information regarding events! But, instead, I was pushed ahead onto the next scene and seemingly expected to just forget what I had just read in favor of what was next on Alanna’s plate. Needless to say, it bothered me a lot.

Maybe this was just a problem with Pierce’s early writing (as far as I’m aware, this is her first series, and only the second book in said series), because it’s definitely not a problem by the time we get to Bekka Cooper’s books. Those have so much detail in them, I sometimes feel like there might be too much!

Aside from the pacing of the story (and, honestly, some of the reactions of people around her — not a huge fan of that aspect either, but getting into that would bring about spoilers), I still really do enjoy Alanna herself. I like watching her interactions with her friends and enemies, and I’m pretty excited for the day she can throw off the special corset and frolic in the wild. Does that happen in the next book? It better happen in the final book.

I don’t know the timeline regarding he next two books, but I can’t see them moving on without including at least an adventure. I also hope we see more of Faithful’s past, especially since he piques my curiosity severely after having read Bekka’s books.

Just … one more thing before I let this be.

What. The. HELL. Was that ending? If I were to rate this on that ending alone, I would have given it a single star! Well, okay, maybe 1.5 stars, but EXCUSE ME.

Just. Ugh.

Okay. I’m done.

Thanks for reading!