Editorial Review
"I don't want to fall in love.I just want to be a warrior maiden."
Still disguised as a boy, Alanna becomes a squire to none other than the prince of the realm. Prince Jonathan is not only Alanna's liege lord, he is also her best friend -- and one of the few who knows the secret of her true identity. And when the Prince's life is threatened by a mysterious sorcerer, it will take all of Alanna's skill, strength, and magical power to protect him -- even at the risk of revealing who she really is....
Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna's second adventure continues the saga of a girl who dares to follow her dreams -- and the magical destiny that will make her a legend in her land.
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Customer Reviews
Alan, or Alanna? 
2006-07-18
Well, well, well. "I don't want to fall in love. I just want to be a warrior maiden" kinda went up in smoke, didn't it? Alanna is starting to feel differently about some of her friends-quite noticeably, in fact. But it wouldn't do to fall in love, now would it? But Alanna deals with her new feelings admirably, as well as her new role as a squire to none other than the heir to the throne of Tortall, her good friend Jonathan, one of the few who knows "Alan"'s true identity. Also, a great dislike bordering on hatred, mingled with fear, is formed for a certain sly cousin of the prince's-Duke Roger, the most powerful sorceror in the Eastern Lands. Sure, he's charming, smart, and wealthy-but Alanna feels like she is the only one that expects he's up to something. After several very mysterious near-disasters, Alanna is getting more and more agitated, but is still unable to prove anytying. Then, disaster strikes, soon after her Ordeal of Knighthood, one of her three fears(which you will learn about in the first chapter)and Alanna challenges Duke Roger to a duel, or risks the deaths of the rulers of Tortall and their councillors. Also, by a mere stroke of bad luck, Alanna's identity slips out-nothing too bad, don't worry, Alanna's dignity is still in tact-while dueling with Duke Roger, and so after the duel(whether she wins or loses, regardless)Alanna plans to go to the South to let the court steam and fume over her big secret. This book is probably my favorite of the whole series, because Alanna finally learns how to cope with love(not that I agree with that)and also her fear of her own magic. Readers will not be disappointed!
Great Book! 2006-04-12
This is the second book in Tamora Pierce's Quartet about The Lioness, the King's Champion. In this book, Alanna is still disguised as a boy, although Prince Jonathan, whom she serves as squire, knows her secret. This book tells about her years as a squire,up through herordeal of knighthood.
Alanna continues to be a strong female character. What is especially interesting in this book is watching Alanna start to realize that in addition to being a knight, she also wants to be a female and wants to be recognized as such.
The book also gives Alanna's brother, Thom, a larger role, as he and Alanna appear to be the only two people who suspect that the prince's cousin, Duke Roger, is not all that he seems to be. Sir Myles also plays a bigger role in this book and comes across as a wise man who doesn't let much get by him.
This is a good book with a strong female character. I liked it as much for the hint of romance as for the adventure and fantasy elements. While some might protest at the fact that Alanna repeatedly sleeps with Jonathan, Pierce handles that so deftly and matter of factly that the reader barely knows it's there. This is a 5-star read for sure!
IT IS THE BEST! 2006-04-12
i think Tamora Pierce really out did herself. Out of all the books shes written so far this has to be one of my favorites. Alanna is a wonderful hero. she is just discovering in this book how much fun it is to be a women, she also is becoming more of a hero.
In the Hand of the Goddess: Song of the Lioness Book 2 
2006-04-08
This book is the second in the Song of the Lioness series. One of the best parts in this book is when Alanna begins to see what is right in front of her nose, Jonathan. They fall into a sort of love, but this book gives a sense of confusion and uncertainty because Alanna is young and another guy is trying to win her over, too. This uncertainty that Alanna feels is the main conflict in this story, aside from the ordeal of Knighthood, which she must complete at the end of this book. Alanna resolves her conflict with her feelings by thinking for a while, and talking to her cat, Faithful. Alanna has a special connection with her cat, who she found in the same rainstorm when the Great Mother Goddess, who has chosen Alanna to do her will, and Alanna is able to talk with her cat, not in English, but just because his meows make sense to Alanna.
I really enjoyed this book, though not as much as the first book in the series. I guess I can just relate to the younger Alanna better.
A really really good book 2006-03-10
In the Hand of the Goddess is the second book of the Song of the Lioness quartet. This quartet is one of many by Tamora Pierce. SHe is an excellent author of fantasy for teenagers. Particually girls. All of my friends loved this book and all others by Tamora Pierce.
A Growing Lioness 2008-04-29
The Hand of the Goddess is the second book in the Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce. I would recommend reading them in order. Even though the book touches on some events in the previous book, there is just not enough detail book of those events to skip them. Many of them are integral in seeing the development of Alanna "Alan" over the years.
This book follows Alanna in her teen years while she is learning to be a squire and then a knight. She is involved in a war and is afraid of her upcoming 18th birthday and the "ORDEAL" that is required for all squires to be officially Knightrd. Something she has dreaded for many years. Her other concern is of informing her close friends who are not aware of her being a girl and how this may change their attitude towards her. Alanna is also struggling with her feelings for Jonathan "the Royal heir" and George "Rogue of Theives." There are only a few people who are aware that she is a girl (Jonathan, George, George's mother, her brother Thom and Coram her comrade in arms training).
Alanna also wrestles with her increasing desire to being more "female" via dressing, manueurisms and proper decorum. Is this change due to her growing affection for George or Jonathan? One of the advantages of this book is more development of Thom's character and Alanna'sw interaction with him and is growing power. She also has to address Duke Roger, the underhanded pretender to the throne.
My favorite parts of the book are the continued development of the relationship between Alanna and Myles (her mentor and teacher). I also like Alanna's cat "Faithful" and I am not even a cat person.
Fortunately, the book covers adventure, friendship, love, loyalty, ethical issues of right and wrong, conquering her fears. All in all, I recommend this book as a strong addition to the Lioness series. I now have to read the additional two stories in the series.
Alannna is the best -- according to my 12 dd 2007-05-13
This is the second book of the Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce. I bought the series for my daughter- she enjoys the strong female character who works her way from being a page to being a knight. There are plenty of action packed adventures, quirky characters, and suspenseful subplot with evil wizard.
My favorite of the 'Song of the Lioness' quartet! 2007-03-31
Alanna is still disguised as a boy in the palace and is now a Squire. And not just any squire...she's Prince Jonathon's squire! This book is probably (in my opinion) the best of 'Song of the Lioness' quartet. Her secret is known by only a few people; of course her twin brother Thom, George Cooper, Alanna's great friend and thief, and Prince Jonathon who's been Alanna's friend for years.
In the beginning Alanna said, "I don't want to fall in love. I just want to be a warrior maiden." But...really that isn't going to happen. Two men enter Alanna's lives at the same time and if I was in that position it would suck! George Cooper and Jonathon of Conte.
I hope that you pick up this book and read it. There's excitement in every line! (But you should read 'Alanna: The first Adventure' first so you won't get TOO confused.
Great Book!!!!!!! 2007-01-04
Alanna's quest for knighthood continues in book two of the Song of the Lioness quartet. Alanna's dream of becoming a knight is drawing closer as she becomes Prince Jonathan's squire. But good news hardly ever comes without bad news, especially in the world of fantasy. There are obstacles facing Alanna. Some of which include the war against Tusaine, capture at Fort Drell, a deul with a friend that turns deadly, and the Ordeal of Knighthood. 'In the Hand of the Goddess' is an exciting continuation of Alanna's story. I love this book.
Read 'In The Hand of The Goddess'! 2006-12-31
Alanna is in the palace as a squire to the future king Prince Jonathon and is still secretly disguised as a boy. Because of course in this time girls were not alowed to become knights and defend their country. While Alanna is a squire her suspicions about Duke Roger, one of the best sorcerors and the heir to the thrown after Prince Jonathon. She believes that he's trying to kill the king, queen and even one of her best friends Jon, one of the few who knows she's actually female. Alanna doesn't enjoy breaking the rules but she must so she breaks into Duke Rogers rooms and finds evidence proving that Roger is guilty but who will believe her and what will become of her if people find out her secret? Read this book because it's a gaurenteed great book!
-Hannah M.
