Lioness Rampant

February 1, 2003
Gr 5-8-Listeners will be thrilled by this final episode of the Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce (Random, pap. 1997). In this series that began with Alanna: The First Adventure (Atheneum, 1983), the lioness reaches the height of her power. As the first female knight in the mythical country of Tortall, Alanna sets out to find the powerful Dominion Jewel in the hope that she can save her war-torn nation from disaster. As always, Alanna is stunning in battle and wise in her deeds. It's no wonder she has many suitors vying for her hand in marriage. Can the lioness be tamed? Listeners will be guessing right up to the exciting conclusion. The production, narrated by actress Trini Alvarado, smoothly weaves dramatic reading and Pierce's outstanding fantasy. Alvarado's even pacing perfectly matches the crisp tone of the book, which reads and feels like great historical fiction. Her performance will have listeners believing that Tortall really existed and that the bards truly sang about Alanna's prowess on the battlefield. While this fourth offering will stand on its own, listeners will beg to hear (all available from Listening Library) or read previous titles, including In the Hand of the Goddess (Atheneum, 1984) and The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Atheneum, 1986). A thoroughly enjoyable listening experience guaranteed to enthrall a host of new fans to Pierce's enchanting saga.-Celeste Steward, Contra Costa County Library, Clayton, CA

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