Reviews

In the Hand of the Goddess, by Tamora Pierce

greasycroissant's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

stitchinthyme's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

kes7706's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and War

Minor: Kidnapping, Murder, Death, and Blood

sophiareagan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

iridaceae's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

booksnacks's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

shannon_white1099's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

evpie's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

3.5

elingemhed's review against another edition

5.0

Such a wonderful, amazing book. I can't say enough good things about it. I just love it!

l_y_n_s_e_y's review against another edition

4.0

In the hand of the Goddess addressed the 'female' aspects of Alanna's character really well. Alanna was allowed to explore the traditional role and attributes of a lady and slowly came to value femininity. Too often a 'strong female' is translated as a fighter that hates dresses, rather than a women not afraid to be all that she is, and I enjoyed reading Alanna going through this journey. It’s not perfect, Alanna is after all a violet eyed beautiful girl with a gift, but I wasn't given YA hives.

Spoiler

(Okay, maybe a little during the whole Jon and Alanna post-kidnapping kiss.)

The second instalment of TSotL also scales up the action to an entire war, one I very much enjoyed reading about.
Again, the ending of this book was too abrupt

Spoiler

(the battle with Roger had very little build up and no identifiable trigger)

but I think my biggest disappointment was some of the missed opportunities for adding emotional depth. I wish we'd explored Thom and Alanna's altering relationship. I wish we'd explored how events

Spoiler

(Robert's betrayal)

impacted Jon. I wish we'd mentioned Alanna's Dad - surely he'd at least send the girl a letter? If not, that's emotionally relevant too.