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!

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!

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.