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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
Ugh it's so good. Reading it feels like childhood and I'm so glad I had this awesome feminist hero as a kid. I try to recommend this series to any little girl I run into.
Still holds up on reread as an adult. Has some tender moments dealing with gender identity and self confidence. Also really like the no-nonsense frank scene involving periods.
The only place where it doesn't quite age is where George's mom has a discussion with Alanna about how she needs to accept the body (sex) the gods have given her and that it is futile to change. In that way, it isn't trans friendly, but for the time it was written, I can accept that.
The ending scene with the large magic climax is kinda wishy washy since no real magic rules have been defined. It's literally a deuce ex machina.
But overall, it's great pacing, compelling characters and conflicts. And mostly ages well.
The only place where it doesn't quite age is where George's mom has a discussion with Alanna about how she needs to accept the body (sex) the gods have given her and that it is futile to change. In that way, it isn't trans friendly, but for the time it was written, I can accept that.
The ending scene with the large magic climax is kinda wishy washy since no real magic rules have been defined. It's literally a deuce ex machina.
But overall, it's great pacing, compelling characters and conflicts. And mostly ages well.
It was a pretty good book! I can't wait to read the next one. :D
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sometimes you read a book as an adult that you knew would have greatly impacted you if you had read it as a child. This was one of those books for me. Swords, knights, magic, adventures, and a young girl fighting for her right to prove herself? I would have eaten this up as a kid.
The story really holds up, and I love Alanna as a character. The book is such an epic start to the series and I cannot wait to continue it
The story really holds up, and I love Alanna as a character. The book is such an epic start to the series and I cannot wait to continue it
I absolutely loved this series when I was a youngish teen. I re-read them untold numbers of times. The story telling is a little patchy, but this didn't bother me at all at the time - I would just make up filler bits about the characters based on what is actually written. This first one is a little baby-ish, but it's when she meets all the boys and is establishing herself in the castle. I loved returning to this after so many years! Totally wanted to pretend to be a boy and train as a knight!
adventurous
Had these books on constant repeat as a kid, and still read the entire Tortall universe every year. Girl disguises herself as a boy to become a knight, is amazing, and has magic and adventures and delightful friends and difficult challenges. It was the first series I'd read that actually talked about getting a period and growing up, and was unapologetic about Alanna being adventurous and self-sufficient and unsure and feminine all at the same time.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
this was so fucking good tamora pierce was so based for writing this