Cricket Readers Recommend

This is the story of a girl named Daine, who has a "knack" with animals.  She meets up with the horse dealer Oona, the powerful magician Numair, the famous Alanna, and many more lovable characters (leaving out her beloved mare, Cloud, and other animal friends).  Her knack with animals is actually a form of magic called wild magic, with which she can comunicate with animals.  The sorcerer Numair proceeds to teach Daine how to control her newfound magic, and to accompany her on many dangerous adventures throughout the four books.  To find out more, I highly recommend reading the quartet (just pick up The Song of the Lioness Quartet first!) to anyone who has a love for animals, adventure, magic, and headstrong young women.