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vixenreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It is a product of its time, but it is still a comforting read with a strong central character and lots of fun mythology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Bullying, Violence, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Death, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Slavery
Minor: Islamophobia and War
The ending has some dated ideas about the Middle East, and the discussions about gender are still in terms of a binary. Also, be aware of a scene involving menstruation.enya_ce's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A woman wrote this, and it shows.
I think the book does show some of the deeply ingrained self-doubt that Alanna has, in a way that most women can identify with.
Not only did she feel like she had to perform better than everyone else, and felt like it was her responsibility to prove women can do just as good as men, but there were also moments when she doubted her own skill, despite having proved herself several times, simply because she's been told repeatedly that a woman wouldn't be as good at it as a man.
Now, this does lead to some moments which really frustrated me, especially all of the times she, whether because of her dislike/fear of magic, or her own feelings of worthlessness, refused to listen to Destiny and the calling of the gods.
It kind of felt like a stubborn child covering their ears and eyes every time there's a sign, but maybe that was the point. She is still a child, after all. Maybe she simply feared destiny.
Despite that, it was a light and enjoyable book, and I'll keep searching for copies of the rest of the saga.
I think the book does show some of the deeply ingrained self-doubt that Alanna has, in a way that most women can identify with.
Not only did she feel like she had to perform better than everyone else, and felt like it was her responsibility to prove women can do just as good as men, but there were also moments when she doubted her own skill, despite having proved herself several times, simply because she's been told repeatedly that a woman wouldn't be as good at it as a man.
Now, this does lead to some moments which really frustrated me, especially
It kind of felt like a stubborn child covering their ears and eyes every time there's a sign, but maybe that was the point. She is still a child, after all. Maybe she simply feared destiny.
Despite that, it was a light and enjoyable book, and I'll keep searching for copies of the rest of the saga.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Violence and Physical abuse
Minor: Death of parent
charm0nix's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Bullying
Moderate: Physical abuse and Violence
Minor: Child death and Sexism
iviarelle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
With a caveat that this book has one scene that might be quite harmful/triggering to trans folks, I still really adore this book. If Pierce had handled Alanna's feelings about getting her period another way, it would be perfect for what it is. Unfortunately, instead of asking Alanna if she REALLY wants to be a boy, or if she just thinks it would be more convenient to becoming a knight even though she really does feel like a girl, the book just states that there is no way to change the body the gods gave you, so no matter how you really feel in it, you're trapped... I wish there could be a new edition to change that, I really do, because I'd love to recommend the whole of Tortall to basically everyone I know. It's not about Alanna really wanting to be a boy, it's a messy way of confirming that she really is a girl, and one that is, however unintentionally, harmful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Alcoholism
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