| Lioness Rampant, the final book in the Song of the Lioness Quartet, is my personal favorite. The book opens w/ the arrival of Alanna and Coram in Maren, a country to the East of Tortall. Their errand: find scholar Nahom Jendrai to translate some odd writing on an ancient map. While in Maren, Alanna meets (and falls in love w/) the Shang Dragon, Liam Ironarm. The Shang are kick-ass fighters who specialize in unarmed combat. When they get the writing on the map translated, they learn this map leads the way to the Dominion Jewel, which in the right hands has limitless power for good. Alanna decides to set out on a quest for it. Along the way, she, Coram, and Liam meet a group of refugees from the war-torn country of Saraine, including the Warlord's daughter Thayet and her personal bodyguard Buri. With Thayet and Buri they journey to the Roof of the World to retrieve the Jewel from Chitral, the mysterious being who guards it. But much to Alanna's dismay, trouble is brewing back home. Duke Roger is back from the dead, the King and Queen have died, and Jon's life is in danger! It will take all of Alanna and her friend's strength to prevent Tortall from total destruction! |
