Prince Jon vs. George *spoilers*

I was just curious who was rooting for who when reading the Song of the Lioness series? (Or did you already know the outcome from reading a later quartet first and knowing who becomes queen?)

After reading the first book, I knew for sure that Alanna was going to fall in love with Jon, but when George was thrown into the mix I started rooting for him, and then Liam shows up and I don't know what's going to happen! I think that throughout most of the books George was always my favorite pick for Alanna, though. What about you?

Well i read Wild Magic first so i did already know what happens but i always like George more than Jon or Liam - they both seemed too arrogant for my liking. George just accepted Alanna as she was and didn't try to patronise her or get all overprotective like Jon & Liam both did at one point or another. George is also waaay funnier than Jon and Alanna needed someone like that so she didn't end up being really serious and stern all the time.

I was definitely rooting for George, but I was happy with her relationships with both Jon and Liam. It was completely thrilling to finally read a book where the heroine gets to have more than one boyfriend without it being one of those irritating love triangles.

I loved Liam (a lot!), but I knew that they wouldn't be happy together in the long run. Both too prickly? Not sure. I think Jon and Alanna might have suited except for the pesky 'queen' business. And I completely agree with LadyViolet that George was the most accepting of Alanna. Such a great guy!

Yea, I agree that it was refreshing that the books showed a more realistic look at relationships--you don't always end up with your first kiss/first love, like a lot of fantasy/romances out there, sometimes things just don't work out!

What do you guys think is the youngest recommended age for these books (The Song of the Lioness quartet)? I work at a bookstore and the books are in 12 and up, but do you think 12 is a little young what with her having sex with three different guys?? (I admit I'm a little prudish/protective when I recommend books to younger than 15) What does everyone else think?

Hmm well I think that since none of the sex scenes in the books are really explicit in any way and they are only mentioned a handful of times, it's not too mature for the average twelve year old. Admittedly I am under 20 so my generation knows more about this kind of material than is probably good for us. But even those who aren't as informed shouldn't be shocked by what's insinuated in Tammy's books.
That's just my opinion based on what i know of teens in England so i don't know how it would differ in America because i imagine that there are much more varied opinions on the books suitable for children.

I tend to agree with Violet on this one. None of the sex scenes are actually in the book. Everything is very 'fade to black', so I wouldn't have any trouble giving them to a 12-year-old. Of course, I was reading them when I was about 10/11, and I didn't feel terribly shocked or anything.

Thanks-this helps a lot! I never know if an angry parent is going to come back yelling at me for giving their daughter an "inappropriate" book, but some parents are just horrible to begin with-I once had some refuse to let their child read anything magical in the slightest, saying I was just leading kids up to disappointment when they find out that magic isn't real...I was speechless!

I was more surprised than shocked (but there, I am 18), but I think those parts weren't completely necessary for the plot. Maybe they were in the mind of Tamora Pierce, and maybe I am just a prude.

In other news, Jon was an arrogant jerk by the end. Just saying. And Liam's whole anti-Gift thing killed that from the start.

I read the Protector of the Small series first but I think I had forgotten the Alanna ended up with George. It was still a surprise to me. I prefer George. I don't think Alanna would have been happy with Jon. I never really cared for Liam.

I guess I was happy that Alanna ended up with George, but maybe that's because I had a total crush on Jon myself!
I think that in the grand scheme of royalty and arrogant jerks, Jon's actually on the pretty easygoing side. He does so much for his people and has gone through so much: Sweating Sickness, knighthood, becoming the Voice, his parents dying, Roger, etc. And honestly, Alanna really didn't give him much indication that she didn't want to marry him. And if it wasn't for the whole "queen thing" (like Caramel) said, I think she would have been really happy with Jon.
On a related side note: I don't know if you've ever read the J.D. Robb "In Death" series, but I discovered a few years ago when I happened to read the newest In Death book right after a reread of the Alanna books, that I imagine Roarke and Jonathan the same way in my head! Amazing discovery for me, as I've been reading the Alanna books for about 15 years and the In Death for only about 7 or 8.
Anyway, I just though it was an interesting revelation.

To wrap up, George is good for Alanna and I'm happy they're together. Jon and Thayet work really well too, so you can't really complain.

Ilithyia,

I agree, Jon and Thayet work really well together. I was happy to see someone who would be able to keep him on his toes. He was getting pretty darned cocky there for a bit, and I enjoyed seeing him knocked down a peg (in a nice way, not a manipulative Delia of Eldorn sort of way).

Caramel,

Ha! It's obvious the two of us have read these books waay too many times. I think we're actually quoting them verbatim in spots! ;-p

Not that it's a bad thing. I've read these books so many times I feel like I know these characters better than some of my friends. I love recommending them to my students. They love them as much as I do.

Ilithyia - you're right. As I was posting that, I wondered what it said about me that I didn't even have to look up the rest of Delia's name. Still - I think they're definitely due for a re-read. Have you seen the Pursuing the Lioness Challenge over at Tempting Persephone. She's asking for guest posts on favorite characters/stories, reactions from first-time readers, etc. I thought it looked like fun!

George. It was always George.
Jon...I was kinda getting irked of the whole heroine-marries-the-prince thing. Was just getting on my nerves. Because, after all, there are plenty more fish in the sea.
Jon also always liked having a tiny bit of power over Alanna...and that wasn't gonna work out.
Liam- never really liked him. He's brave and all, but arrogant too, and couldn't seem to accept Alanna (her gift, her unpredictability....)
George-he knew how and when to back of (and be overprotective, like Jon and Liam were being, she ISN'T a damsel-in-distress), and when to come to the rescue. Unlike Jon and Liam, who wanted Alanna's total and undivided attention (they did at some points!) George got that Alanna was a free spirit and couldn't really be held down.

There was always something special about George. He had to be the one. Liam was never in the running. Jon was too....No.

I was a bit of a loop for me. But I think i was also rooting for George. Jon was awesome... but I couldn't see Alanna being a Queen...
As for liam... well i'd be lying if I said I didn't think there wasa possiblity for him getting her in the end... but i think he just irritated me to much with his personality really for me to give him my support.

What are the names of all the allana books

Alanna: the First Adventure
In the Hands of the Goddess
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
Lioness Rampant

Check out www.fantastic fiction.co.uk if you ever have questions about series orders!