Blog #2

Alanna, as everyone well knows is one of the few women knights in the land of Tortall. Her entire life she has wished to meet a Shang warrior, and where else does she meet a Shang warrior but in Berat (the town that she traveled to that is located on the journey to the Dominion Jewel). The Shang dragon that she meets is most commonly called Liam who teaches Alanna the master of Shang fighting. Alanna, Liam, and Coram run into trouble while visiting an old friend of Sir Myles’s. What kind of trouble you may ask… the kind of trouble that wanted to kill Alanna. How unfortunate! Alanna learns much from her practice fighting with Liam. Sometimes I think that this story is real because it seems so alive and happening. Shang fighting is a very special type of combat; people (meaning children) at very young ages begin to train at a Shang School in far off land. Not many (or very few adults) were ever able to master Shang fighting to the point of the highest quality or such to the skill of Alanna’s ability. It seems that her journey keeps taking different paths, and changing other people lives (in a positive way of course!) Never underestimate someone because they are different from you, because in more than one instance they will outdo you and your efforts. Lioness Rampant; she is called that name for multiple reasons one of course is for her superior fighting skills, her magic power that she wields, her protection of the Gods, and her many friends and family she has and that cares for her.

Blog #1

Hi Alanna,



I am just amazed by all of your adventures in and out of Tortall. I am really proud to know that a woman has reached the ranking of a knight, a full fledged knight! What did you think of the Tortallan Desert, is it much different than Tortall or the city of Berat? I understand that Myles took you under his wing and now you are part of his family, I am just curious as to where you think your home really is… (the Tortallan desert, Tortall, on the road, or Trebond and Olau)? I have heard of the cat (Faithful) that travels with you and he has violet eyes, is it really true? After hearing about all your travels, I think you may have been chosen by the Gods. I wish I could have the opportunity to meet you sometime, but how can people recognize you with your cat shield covered all the time by magical enchantments. You are the lioness of the lands, be proud to be a knight! Will you get involved in the War in Sarain, it has been eighteen months or so since it began. Does your father (Myles of Olau) have many agents that he sponsers, because it must take a lot of money to take care of so many fortunate people. The War in Sarain is tearing herself to bits, the K’miri tribes hunt lowlanders throughout the mountains and sometimes even the Southern Plain itself. Anyways its getting very intense and I hope you will come to our aid even if for a small amount of time. You are truly the greatest warrior of all time.

Thanks for your time,



Emma Eberlein of Edina

Written Reflection

For my fourth quarter book, I will be reading “Lioness Rampant” written by Tamora Pierce. Lioness Rampant is the fourth and final book in the series I’m reading. This book interests me because the heroine is a girl named Alanna who overcomes many obstacles while a page and squire and lasting into her knighthood. She is considered the first female knight, in the book. I love to read books where women save the day and medieval setting books. In the fourth book, the back cover states that a new challenge comes into play and must be recovered “The Dominion Jewel” which is supposedly a legendary gem with enormous power for good-but only if placed in the right hands. Also Alanna’s archenemy, Duke Roger is back from the dead and more powerful then ever. Sometimes her life might seem overly complicated and frustrating but for some reason she is able to overcome every obstacle she faces.
When I read the previous three books, they were very intense and they seemed real and vivid. It seems to me that when a book can become real, the author has really done their job by writing a best-seller. Alanna has been put in many tough situations like take for example when she was battling Duke Roger and she was revealed as a woman. Or when she had to battle a man who was part of the Bazhir tribe in order to become a real tribesman. You never really know where life will take you unless you decide to take a giant leap and await the unexpected.