In the Hand of the Goddess is the second book in the Song of the Lioness quartet, picking up shortly after still-disguised-as-a-boy Alanna becomes a squire. The book is structured quite similarly as The First Adventure, reading more like a collection of vignettes rather than a cohesive narrative. And, like The First Adventure, it all comes across as rather meh — the writing isn’t brilliant, the plot simple, and the characters are one-dimensional.
Though, can we talk about the romances for like two seconds?
We have a 40-something-year-old professional thief making moves on a teen girl. Perhaps even grooming her. That same teen girl is simultaneously being pursued by her boss.
Not cool.
I get that this book is a product of the 1980s — and, historic relativism is a thing. However, Song of the Lioness‘s previous successes doesn’t automatically render it a good series — including a good series for young girls — today.
Sigh … off to Book 3
The Details:
- The Book: In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce
- Published: 1984, Simon Pulse
- My Copy: Gifted from my parents c. grade 7
- Read date: January 5, 2019
- Rating: ★★☆☆☆
- You should read this if you like … nostalgia
- Avoid this if you dislike … boundary violations
<< Check out my review of Alanna: The First Adventure here!
… and my review of The Woman Who Rides Like a Man here! >>
The Geeky Jock 
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