In the Hand of the Goddess is a stellar sequel to the First Alanna book, and never fails to deliver the same action, challenges and underdog attitude of Alanna! However, In the Hand of the Goddess is far more mature, and shows a new side of Alanna - her growing perception to maturity and the need to face her own personal demons. Pierce's brilliant novel starts up with Alanna meeting the Goddess herself, where she tells Alanna she must overcome three fears - fear of the final test (to become a knight), fear of the Count and the fear of love. Alanna's adventures now transcend the bounds of physical battle as she learns to cope with her emerging feelings and relationships with others. 
 In the Hand of the Goddess stars because it lets Alanna confront the things she has feared, it's a story of Alanna maturing in more ways than one. For one, I found the romance quite endearing, even if Alanna did struggle with her own personal demons in the process. However I was pleased to find that Alanna did not completely reject her own sexuality - she accepts the her that wants to love, to love a man and accept his love in return. Too often this is a blunder in the kick butt female leads, women who are so concerned with physicality and power that they forget what it means to love. Alanna is truly our wondrous heroine to prove to the world that females can be kick butt and enjoy a bit of love too! 
 There's some episodes and altercations in this novel that I found a little downplayed. Some enemies seem to be too easily beaten, and in retrospect it makes the novel seem anticlimactic at points. I wish Pierce elaborated on certain physical struggles - not just Alanna burgeoning relationship woes. However, all in all In the Hand of the Goddess is a wonderful sequel that never disappoints fans of the first novel. My only major regret is that I wish I could've discovered this when I was a child!