Trickster's Queen

I loved this book, however, the first one was able to keep me up into the wee hours of the morning, this one wwas kinda "Ok, Gotta finish to see how it ends"

Tricksters Queen had me entangled in the flow of words for hours, I never put the book down! My mother hid the book from me for a day and a half! Pierce told the thrilling story of Aly, Dove, Sarai and Nawat the four main characters. They had amazing and wild personalities that kept me interested and wondering what they would do next. I didn't like to be kept from reading it too long because it seemed like the story would go on with out me. It was so detailed and plotted beautifully that you woul feel as if you could be standing right there in the Grey Palace or the Balitangs household. After I had finished the duet I wished there were more than just the two! Things that you would think to be predictable with Aly never were she was as changing as the wind and very clever. Dovesary in my mind was my favorite it was like she was my twin for personality she could control her actions but had such a calculating mind. Loved it!

I thoroughly enjoyed both Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen. I had been looking for a good fantasy novel I could sink my teeth into for a while and this book perfectly fit the bill. I could not put this book down!

What I loved most about this book and it's predecessor was the strength and courage of the female characters. None of the women in this book are dependent on anyone. They all have iron wills and nothing distracts them from their goals.

The love story in this book is slight. It is NOT the focus of the story and it never swallows the themes that Pierce has so carefully crafted. In fact Aly's main love interest is absent for most of the book. The only mention of him is by other characters or when Aly is reminded of him and how much she misses him.

The thing that impressed me most was, that despite her feelings for Nawat, Aly is never distracted by him to the point where her goals or job is compromised. She remains true to herself and her duty. I admire Pierce for that because she did not make Aly a whiny, pining teenager. She made her responsible, strong, wise and courageous. There are enough sad love stories for teens out there in which the heroine throws everything away for a relationship in an effort to be 'true to love'. Yong girls don't need anymore books teaching them that their goals in life are secondary to finding love and getting married and having children.

I loved the way she turned the rebellion upside down with Sarai's decision. I respected her for not putting Sarai in a position she did not belong as a character. Dove became a much beloved character for me and you find yourself cheering her on as she begins to grow into herself and her destiny.

I came to care for these characters and was brought to tears by the fate of Ulasim, Ochobu, Junai and Elsren. She made them real because they all had distinct personalities. None of her characters are cardboard or one-dimensional.

The book ended with an opening for more adventures of Alianne of Pirate's Swoop and I certainly hope some day I'll get to read more and this fabulous character, her world and adventures!

I loved this book so much. I started reading Tamora Pierce's books with Trickster's Choice and I haven't put them down since. Trickster's Queen is my favorite of Tamora's books so far. I have read The Song of the Lioness Quartet and I'm currently reading Wild Magic. I can't wait to read the others!!!