Song of the Lioness Quartet (Boxed Set): Alanna; In the Hand of the Goddess; The Woman Who Rides Like a Man; Lioness Rampant Paperback – October 21, 2014

This is an excellent series centered on Alanna of Trebond. The series starts with Alanna convincing her twin brother to switch places. He doesn’t want to become a knight – he wants to be a great sorcerer. Alanna doesn’t want to learn to sew and dance, becoming a Lady - she wants to become a great knight. At 8 years old, Alanna decides to take the fate of herself and her brother, who doesn't take too much convincing, into her own hands.How were they going to pull this off? How were they even going to convince the servants who care for them? I was intrigued from the very first page. Being female she is smaller than her fellow pages and so must work harder, be better at all the weapons and games, and still manage to hide her true nature. She faces all the challenges of growing up - new places, new people, new situations, who to trust, how to stand up for herself but be true to her nature, how to succeed against stiff odds and more. Alanna wants nothing more than adventure in her life but must make tough choices to fulfill that desire.Tamora Pierce, the author, writes from the perspective of the child and explores this character’s life in an entertaining, realistic and engrossing manner. The first book was published in 1983, when my own daughter was only 6 years old, and it was a series that we enjoyed together.I've just finished re-reading the series and it was just as good the second read. If you want to give your child a worthy, good role model I highly recommend Alanna. My Granddaughter Winter is only 3 months old and I look forward to sharing it with her.

Though this is a great series of stories, I was surprised to see the books themselves were very small, measuring 4 1/4" x 7". The size wasn't mentioned in the description.Also, when it arrived, the box that holds the set was torn in the middle and crunched at the corners. If it had come earlier I could have done something about it, but I don't have time now to exchange it before Christmas (ordered Nov 24).

This quartet is the best fantasy series for girls. Although she is gifted with magic, the heroine wants to become a knight, a profession only open to the sons of nobles. We follow the brave, witty, and compassionate heroine as she leans to use both her magic and her brawn to save her kingdom. I don't know any other fantasy books for young girls that have such a great, strong, female lead.One thing I love about this particular box set is the cover art of each book. They depict the animals from each book, allowing the reader to use her imagination to picture the heroine (making her more universally relatable). I returned a different printing of this series where the heroine was drawn on the cover looking like a red-harried Barbie (not cool!). This box set, however, is fabulous.Finally, this quartet is just a starting off for Tamora Pierce's other stories. There are three complete quartets in the Tortall universe; Song of the Lioness is just the first. The next quartet, "The Immortals," follows a woman who can communicate with animals. It may be my favorite. I would only caution, however, not to start the third quartet ("Protector of the Small") until the reader is at least 13 years old, as its villain is very dark.Buy this for your daughter. Or your friends daughter. Or your niece. You'll be a winner.

The "Song of the Lioness" quartet is a rare example of a story with blatant messages and political leanings that nonetheless manages retain a natural storytelling feel and, as a result, natural entertainment value. It is at heart a children's book, and while the "Protector of the Small" quartet is superior (and more interesting) in several aspects, I would still recommend reading this series before that one, as it tells the stories of several characters who re-appear in "Protector," including the protagonist Alanna herself, who plays a small but important part in Keladry's adventures in the latter series, and Prince Jonathan, who is King Jonathan by the time "Protector" rolls around.This is by my understanding the first series of stories written in Tamora Pierce's "Tortall" fantasy setting, even if it is not the first story in chronological sequence, and so works just fine as an entry point. Readers who enjoy the kind of quality children's-story and/or young-adult story as the likes of Harry Potter will probably find the way the Tortall books are written engaging, even if the subject matter is very different. Overall, I strongly recommend this series, as well as the extended Tortall library.

SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT READ PICTURES UNLESS YOUVE READ THE BOOKS OR DONT MIND SPOILERS!Now for the review. The books themselves are great. I read them as a child, now im reading them to my children. The box set is super nice books are good quality etc.Just the publisher needs a talking to because I am amazed at how many typos I'm finding. These are just 2 examples, I don't generally have my phone on me while reading to the kids but oofta lol

Bought these as a gift after reading them myself. Great example of older YA fiction with female audiences in mind, which wasn't as common in the 1980's when the books were written. The story also tactfully deals with sensitive issues in a way that is suitable for children and adults alike, which is nice if you've got more reserved sensibilities but may disappoint those raised on GoT.

I absolutely love these books, I've loved these stories since I was young, and this set was a gift. My only complaint is that the quality of the binding and book cover that it comes in, is rubbish. Once you remove a book it doesn't go back in because the cheap case flaps forward and catches, it's basically a paper box. The actual book covers are sturdier. Bit embarrassing for a gift, but hopefully the wonderful stories will mean more than the cheap casing.

This is a classic fantasy set. Tamora Pierce is unparalleled as an author for teens. I give this as a gift to all my teenage cousins. It’s such a great feminist story.

I remember being at school and reading these in the library and falling in love with the characters and stories. Purchased these for my cousin’s birthday present and she’s loving them too

I started off reading Pierce with the Protector of the Small series. I had heard great things about her first quartet and wasn't disappointed. An essential for Pierce fans

Innocent excitement for adults and fun for kids