Trickster's Choice & Trickster's Queen by Tamora Pierce
Trickster's Choice
Aly: a slave with the talents of a master spy, a fabled lineage she must conceal, and the dubious blessing of a trickster god.
Sarai: a passionate, charming teenage noblewoman, who according to prophecy, will bring an end to a cruel dynasty.
Dove: the younger sister of Sarai; she had a calculating mind and hidden depths that have yet to be plumbed.
Nawat: a magical young man with a strangely innocent outlook and an even stranger past; Aly's one true friend in a world where trust can cost you your life.
Trickster's Choice is about the daughter of Alanna The Lioness and George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop as we know them from the previous numerous books about Tortall by Tamora Pierce. Aly has ambitions to become a spy like her father but her parents have other plans for her, so when she's stolen by pirates, sold as a slave to the Copper Isles and approached by the Trickster god who has a wager for her, she seizes the opportunity. In Trickster's Choice she learns of the madness that rules the Isles whilst protecting the family of which an ancient prophecy speaks.
Trickster's Choice holds plenty of intrigue and action and Aly is your typical Tortall heroine. She faces danger and she does not cower!
Trickster's Queen
Aly: no longer just a master spy, but a master of spies. Can she balance her passion for justice and her compassion for others, and at what cost?
Sarai: beautiful, dramatic and rash - will she fulfill the role chosen for her by destiny?
Dove: she has always stood in Sarai's shadow. Can she prove to the world that she herself is a force to be reckoned with?
Nawat: half crow, half man. He wants Aly for his life mate, but will the revolution make that impossible as they step into new roles to change the future?
Rebellion is right around the corner in Trickster's Queen and Aly has a lot of work to do before the whole conspiracy is revealed. The slaves are ready to regain what was theirs, and their masters hide in their marble palace fearfully aware that their doom might be at hand. Aly must keep the potential queen and her younger siblings safe, and at the same time not let ayone know who she truly is.
I give both books 4 stars as they are captivating and a great read (though intended for the younger readers of ages 10-14, an adult can certainly enjoy them too!) They are however quite 'by the book' and if you are familiar with the Tortall Universe, it comes as no surprise that almost all female characters are ready for action and fighting.
Review by Iben Jakobsen, BoB, 2010
I don't normally like books that are based back in the day on servants and queens and all of that. But this series sounds really good. Great reviews!
SvarSletThank you so much :) I can definitely recommend Tamora Pierce's books. She's a great writer and I've yet to encounter any books of hers that have disappointed me
SvarSletI love all of the Tortall books. I agree that this series doesn't hold too many surprises for folks familiar with Tamora Pierce's books, but Aly is among my favorite Tortallan heroines. (Probably because she has so much of George in her & I adore George!) Thanks for sharing your reviews. :)
SvarSletViolet @ The Eager Readers