Trickster's Queen

*****

5 Stars/5

The duchess has freed Aly from slavery and now she is spy and leader of the underground rebellion to put a Raka Queen on the throne of the Copper Isles. The Balitang family plus Aly are returning to Rajmuat, and it is Aly job to put Sarai on the throne. This is a very good book but it is a complex story and is very political, however, Tamora Pierce pulls this off. I love a lot of the characters and even the minor people are still really developed. I would recommend Trickster’s Queen to anyone who liked Trickster’s Choice or other Tamora Pierce books.

Trickster's Choice

*****

5 Stars/5

All Alianne want to do is be a spy like her father, however her parents don’t agree. So, frustrated at them she sails down the coast only to be captured by pirates. She is sold as a slave to the Balitang family as a general worker, and makes a deal with the Trickster God, Kyprioth, if she keeps the Balitang children alive until autumn, he will convince her father to allow her be a spy, however this deal may be harder than it seems. Pierce’s books can be a bit hit or miss with me, but this is defiantly a hit. Aly is an interesting character that is feisty yet likeable. This is a really fascinating story with action, humour and romance. I would recommend Trickster’s Choice to anyone who likes Tamora Pierce books or good YA fantasy.

Lady Knight

***

3 Stars/5

Kelladry conquered her fears in the Chamber, and has been made a Lady Knight.  War has been declared on the Scanarans, and Kelladry’s first assignment is as the commander of a refugee camp. She is also in charge of her friend, Neal and lots of civilians and criminals serving out their sentences as labourers and soldiers on the front lines. She gains a new servant, Tobe, a young boy she befriends. When the “Killing Devices” descend upon her camp and kill or capture most of the inhabitants, Kelladry must follow them and fulfil her destiny as Protector of the Small.

Kelladry has developed more as a character in this book, and you get to see some of the characters who in earlier books were seen as older, and therefore infallible, in a new light. Through Kelladry’s eyes she can see that those she looks up to are not omnipotent and are making the best decisions that they can.

In this book you get to see some of the rest of the Tortallean world, and get to see that not all Scanarans are evil, and many are acting out of fear.

I would recommend Tamora Pierce’s books to anyone who likes young adult fantasy which isn’t too dark and heavy.

Squire

****

4 Stars/5

Kelladry has passed all four years of being a page, and is now a squire. The only problem is that no knight has picked her for their squire. She is finally picked by Raoul Goldenlake, Commander of the Kings Own. As she accompanies Raoul on his adventures, she is accompanied by her old friends Jump, the dog, and Crown and her flock of sparrows. She also gains a Griffin rescued from a centaur raid.

Kelladry has matured even more in this book, and has even begun a romantic relationship, with Cleon. You also get to see Neal and Owen develop, and get to see how Raoul has matured since the events of Alana’s books. You also get to see in more detail the culture of the Yamani Islands, as Roald’s future bride comes from there.

I liked this novel because, I am not sure why, but I really connected with Kel, and her friends. I would recommend Squire to anyone who enjoyed Artemis Fowl, or any of Julia Golding’s books

Page

***

3 Stars/5

In Page, Kelladry has passed her first year in probation and still has to complete 3 more years of page training to become a squire. She still has her friends, Jump the dog, and Crown and her flock of sparrows, along with Neal, Cleon, Roald and the rest. She has gained a new maid, Lalassa, who is a country girl new to the city. She also has to contend with the conservative squires, who wish her to leave.

I like how Kelladry has matured in this book. She looks at the world in a less black and white way, whilst not losing her view of seeing the bright side of everything. You also get to meet a few new characters, and older characters get developed, with Neal falling in love with everyone female.

Even though this is a good novel, I found that the pacing of this book was uneven, there were places where you were feeling rushed, and then places where the pace dragged. I would recommend Page to anyone who has enjoyed Eragon or Ella Enchanted.

First Test

***

3 Stars/5

First Test is about Keladry of Mindelan, the first girl who wishes to become a knight since Lady Alanna. She has been accepted for knight training, however, unlike the boys she will study and train beside, she has been given a First Test, one year to prove to the conservative training master that she is able to withstand the rigors of page training.

The storyline of this book progresses in a very good yet predictable way. There are boys who try to force Keladry to leave through bullying her, and there are her staunch and stalwart friends. She also befriends the animals, which have become smart since Daine came to live at the palace in the Immortals series.

I like this book because it gives you the opportunity to see characters we have grown to love, from previous series, as they are when they have grown up.

I would recommend First Test to anyone who likes the rest of Tamora Pierce’s books, or well written fantasy books.

The Realms of the Gods

*****

5 Stars/5

Daine and Numair are transported to the realm of the gods during a dire battle, only for Daine to realise the secrets of her parentage. However, even though she is happy to find her family, Numair and Daine both realise that they have to return to their world to help their friends in their battle against Ozorne. Daine and Numair with help from friends take a dangerous journey to leave the realm. This is one of the best YA fantasy I have read and I really like the romance in this book as, even though it is a bit obvious, it is a really charming and captivating. I would recommend this to anyone who likes good fantasy whether it is YA or adult.