Lioness Rampant

Fourth in the Song of the Lioness children’s adventure series revolving around the Lady Alanna, a knight in the service of King Roald of Tortall. My Take I wasn’t as happy with this particular installment as it seemed a bit condescending in parts. Although, that is my only quibble. I also suspect that part of my dislike is because there were too many deaths of characters I liked. The Story Alanna is still restless and anxious to achieve great deeds so when she learns about the Dominion Jewel and the effect it has on the kingdom of the one who holds it, she is determined to find it and take it home to Jonathan. I suspect she is also hoping for redemption for being a girl! Along the way Alanna meets Liam Ironman, the Shang Dragon, who teaches her his hand-to-hand fighting skills during the day even as they love each other at night. Liam, however, is afraid of Alanna’s magic and she realizes this is a barrier between them. It is in South Maren that Alanna and company learn of the dangers of Saren, a country at war with itself. It will be a dangerous trek through Saren if Alanna is determined to find the Jewel. While traveling the back ways, they encounter Thayet and her band of refugees. There is no question but that Alanna, Coram, and Liam will escort them to their destination. a sanctuary for Thayet and her personal guard Buri and the orphaned children. A sanctuary that proves false when they arrive. Deprived of this safety, Thayet and Buri flee with Alanna following her path to the jewel that will aid Prince Jonathan in the plots swirling around him and his throne. The Characters Sir Alanna (in pants and Lady Alanna when wearing a dress) increases her reputation and firms up her resolve. Coram continues to accompany her. Liam Ironman is the Shang Dragon, the elite. A champion of hand-to-hand fighting. The best of the best. Thom, Alanna’s twin brother, is a Master and has become too full of himself. Too immature to handle the manipulation of those around him, he pushes too far and brings evil back from the dead. An evil plotting the downfall of the country and Prince Jonathan. Thayet jian Wilima is the incredibly beautiful princess of Saren and daughter of the Warlord Kalasin but ineligible for the throne unless a man marries her to legitimize his claim to the throne for women are second-class citizens there. She had once been considered as a wife for Jon. Buri is of the K’mir tribe, similar to the Bazhir. George Cooper, the beleaguered King of the Thieves, carefully returns to Corus to find his position under siege and his mother threatened. Claw is going against custom swearing fealty to his face and plotting behind his back, murdering George’s supporters. A Claw who is revealed as an ancient enemy of Alanna’s. Prince Jonathan is to be crowned king. Queen Lianne never did recover totally from the Sleeping Sickness caused by Duke Roger and with her death, King Roald no longer has the will to live. Duke Roger’s revival from death by Thom has thrown the nobles into confusion as Roger’s greater experience weighs heavily against Jonathan’s youth and inexperience. It is a very thin edge upon which the kingdom and Jonathan’s life balances, all dependent upon Sir Alanna. Sir Myles is one of Jonathan’s advisers and Alanna is his heir (see Woman Who Rides Like a Man). Si-cham is a Mithran priest sent for in hopes of curing Thom. Princess Josiane is still at Court but no longer desired by Jonathan for he has noticed her petty cruelties. Alex of Tirragen is another of the plotters against the kingdom. A squire of Duke Roger’s, he is eager to engage Alanna to the death. Delia of Eldorne is one of the four as well. Chitral is greater than a god, more ancient than our own…with a wicked sense of humor! It is he who guards the Dominion Jewel. The Cover The cover has a black background with reds, oranges, and yellows lighting up the image block showcasing an armored Alanna holding her magical sword point down in a room of esoteric symbols with an even eerier army behind

Great series, recommended to ALL ages. Biggest complaint: it was over way too soon.

As a girl I always wanted to be like Alanna.