LIONESS RAMPANT

The conclusion of the saga of Alanna, warrior-magician. Previous volumes followed her from being a young girl—who disguised herself in order to receive training in arms—to becoming all accomplished warrior and the lover of both the heir to the throne and the chief of her kingdom's community of thieves. Here. Alanna sets off on a quest for the Jewel of Domaine, accompanied by her latest lover (just what does "rampant" mean?), the Shang warrior Liam. And find it she does, returning in time to save the kingdom and her mage-brother Thom from the evil Duke Roger—whom she kills for the second time. The kingdom in tatters but secure, Alanna decides on a life with George, the now-pardoned king of thieves. An extended superheroes comic, full of slam-bang action interposed with musings about the meaning of life. Justice and true love do conquer in the end, and certainly loose ends are neatly tucked away, but a little poetry and subtlety would have relieved the tedium. Nevertheless, some young readers will rejoice to have the tale rounded out. (Fantasy. 10-14)