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A review by cicadaknight
In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
- Genuinely love Alanna’s wit and banter. Her characterization is probably what’s made this series stick with me for 2 decades.
- A story from the 80’s where men have loving, tender, and affectionate friendships with each other and a girl? Delightful.
- Pushy, waaay-too-old-for-the-protagonist love interests? Less delightful.
- At least for the era it was written, pretty fascinating for a girl character to reject sexuality entirely and then overcome her fear of it. When she IS ready to explore it, she isn’t oversexualized nor is her desire demonized.
- Also appreciate that this book fully avoided homophobic tropes around fear of the protagonist and her lover being caught or suspected of being involved while she’s disguised as a boy.
- Regrettably, no exploration of her two love interests being attracted to her masculinity given that she presents as male for 8 years. Bicurious kings lmao
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Outing, Sexual harassment, and Pedophilia
Minor: Drug use and Racial slurs
Use of “yellow” to describe an asian-coded character. How this character is “asian-coded” should be its own discussion.
10(?) year age gap between 15-16 year old protagonist and her adult friend. He’s persistent, pushy, kisses her without consent repeatedly when she tells him she’s not interested. Tells her he’s waiting for her to grow up to marry her.
Also tagging for drug use as in “drugging” since this guy ^ drugs the protagonist’s drink. Narratively, he drugs her so she’ll rest instead of wear herself out before an important event. He takes her to his room and tucks her into his bed. Nothing untoward happens, but it was unnecessary.
3(?) year age gap between same 15-16 y.o. protagonist and another love interest. Likewise, this guy is pushy and barely takes no for an answer. “Leave before I change my mind,” he says about not wanting to let her go after she initially rejects his proposal to sleep together. Should be noted, protagonist is interested in him and consensually pursues an affair.
Protagonist is once again outed (previously outed in book 1) by someone exposing her body.