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TRICKSTER'S CHOICE, by Tamora Pierce, is the story of Aly, the daughter of the legendary Lady Knight Alanna. Trying to escape her mother's expectations that she find meaningful work outside of spying and code breaking, Aly sails away from home only to be captured by pirates and sold into slavery.
It is as a slave to the Balitang family in the Copper Isles that Aly must use the skills she has learned from her parents to survive and fulfill her role in the ancient Kyprish prophecy that foretells the coming of a twice royal queen. Like her mother, Aly is singled out by Kyprioth, a trickster god who promises her freedom if she can keep the children of the family she serves alive through summer.
Aly follows the Balitang family into exile to avoid the wrath of an insane king and a fickle court. There, on the farther reaches of the Copper Isles, Aly learns of the isles' complicated history and the racial feuds that bind her and the family she is sworn to protect into a common destiny...
George Cooper, Baron of Pirate’s Swoop, second in command of his realm’s spies, put his documents aside and surveyed his only daughter as she paused by his study door. Alianne-known as Aly to her family and friends-posed there, arms raised in a Player’s dramatic flourish. It seemed that she had enjoyed her month’s stay with her Corus relatives.
"Dear Father, I rejoice to return from a sojourn in our gracious capital," she proclaimed in an overly elegant voice. "I yearn to be clasped to your bosom again."
For the most part she looked like his Aly. She wore a neat green wool gown, looser than fashion required because, like her da, she carried weapons on her person. A gold chain belt supported her knife and purse. Her hazel eyes contained more green than George’s own, and they were set wide under strait brown brows. Her nose was small and delicate, more like her mother’s than his. She’d put a touch of color on her mouth to accent its width and full lower lip. But her hair...
-Trickster’s Choice; beginning of chapter 1
Fans of Tamora Pierce will enjoy returning to Tortall, a kingdom that has grown in size, complexity and color since the first Alanna adventures. But those who have never read Tamora Pierce are in for a treat as TRICKSTER'S CHOICE offers an irresistible introduction to Tortall and its inhabitants. The only disappointment is that readers will have to wait for the next book in the series to discover what ultimately befalls Aly and her companions. That should be enough time to read (or re-read) Pierce's other books!
Tamora Pierce lives in Manhattan with her husband, writer filmmaker Tim, and their four cats, two parakeets, plus a floating population of rescued wildlife. She enjoys her hectic life as a full-time writer and hopes that her books leave her readers with the feeling that they can achieve anything if they want it badly enough.
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