A review by l_y_n_s_e_y
In the Hand of the Goddess, by Tamora Pierce
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. 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 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 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.
Spoiler
(Okay, maybe a little during the whole Jon and Alanna post-kidnapping kiss.)Again, the ending of this book was too abrupt