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About The Book

Alanna must protect her best friend, the prince, from an evil sorcerer in this second book in Tamora Pierce’s Margaret A. Edwards Award–winning young adult series—now with a new look!

Still disguised as a boy, Alanna becomes a squire to none other than the heir to the throne. Prince Jonathan is not only Alanna’s liege lord, but also her best friend—and one of the few who know the secret of her identity. When a vicious sorcerer threatens the prince’s life, it will take all of Alanna’s skill, strength, and magical power to protect him…even at the risk of surrendering her dreams.

About The Author

Photograph © John Carnessali Photography

Beloved author Tamora Pierce has written a great number of books, including the Song of the Lioness quartet, The Immortals quartet, the Circle of Magic quartet, the Protector of the Small quartet, The Circle Opens quartet, the Trickster series, The Will of the Empress, Melting Stones, the Beka Cooper series, and The Numair Chronicles. She lives in upstate New York with various cats, other four-legged animals, and birds who feed in her yard, and can be e-visited at Tamora-Pierce.net.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (December 8, 2009)
  • Length: 256 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781439115138
  • Grades: 7 and up
  • Ages: 12 - 99
  • Lexile ® 750L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

*Margaret A. Edwards Award Winner*

"Tamora Pierce's books shaped me not only as a young writer but also as a young woman. She is a pillar, an icon, and an inspiration."

– Sarah J. Maas, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Tamora Pierce didn't just blaze a trail. Her heroines cut a swath through the fantasy world with wit, strength, and savvy. Her stories still lead the vanguard today. Pierce is the real lioness, and we're all just running to keep pace."

– Leigh Bardugo, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Tamora Pierce creates epic worlds populated by girls and women of bravery, heart, and strength. Her work inspired a generation of writers and continues to inspire us.”

– Holly Black, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Few authors can slay so effectively with a single sentence—I mean fist-in-the-air, shouting-at-my-book slay—as Tamora Pierce. All these years later, I still draw strength from her words.”

– Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Tamora Pierce is gloriously unafraid to give her readers joy and laughter along with adventure and struggle, to let us love her characters wholeheartedly and find the best of ourselves in them.”

– Naomi Novik, New York Times bestselling author

“It’s impossible to overstate Tamora Pierce’s impact on children’s literature. Her tough, wise, and wonderful heroines have inspired generations of readers.”

– Rae Carson, New York Times bestselling author

“Tamora Pierce’s writing is like water from the swiftest, most refreshingly clear, invigorating, and revitalizing river.”

– Garth Nix, New York Times bestselling author

“Tamora Pierce is a trailblazer for so many fantasy writers, hacking through the old tropes with her narrative machete and showing us that girl-centered adventures are not just possible but amazing.”

– Rachel Hartman, New York Times bestselling author

Awards and Honors

  • ALA Margaret A. Edwards Award

Resources and Downloads

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More books from this author: Tamora Pierce

More books in this series: Song of the Lioness