Tamora Lovers discussion

Chapter 6 is called "Womanhood" and for a good reason, Alanna gets her period also called a "woman's monthly cycle" or "fertility cycle". Alaana, panicked, goes to George and tells him that she needs a woman healer, and that she is a girl ("Do you want me to take off my clothes?" my favorite line from Alanna in this chapter). This makes George the first person that Alanna tells about her being a girl. George takes Alanna to his mother, who explains everything. Mistress Cooper also says that the Goddess has Her hand on Alanna.

Alanna goes with Myles to his place, Barony Olau. While in the ruins, Alanna dicovers she can access part of the cave that myles has always had trouble with. In there she finds her sword, Lightening.

(If there are any inaccuracies, please forgive me. I'm exhausted)

heehee, i loved alanna's reaction to her period! it was hilarious! i was laughing the entire section, and was just like, wow, that girl needs a mom!

also, george isnt the first person who knows, just the first person allana told. you find out who else knew later on it the series, i believe, so i wont spoil it.

same.

hmmm.. I wonder what Alanna WOULD have been like with a mother in her early life? Would she have sought knighthood? She probably wouldn't have been so clueless and afraid of becoming a woman.

Lighting is a fascinating part of this chapter. It remains fairly mysterious throughout the series, and I can't help but wonder what that blackness down there really was and why the sword reacted and who compelled Myles(the Goddess?).

Roger's interest in swords and sharper interest in Lightning is also fascinating. In this chapter we also see more evidence that Roger is not as good as most people think. I have had an instant and unreasonable disliking for certain people a few times in the past, but I don't know if they were based on anything. I wonder if the gods' shielding kept Alanna from being charmed by Roger or if they gave her her suspicions or if it was her own instinct? Anyone want to make an educated guess?

Anyway, what do you all think of the Black City excursion? And Roger's "dare"?