Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by caitcoy
Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
5.0
The Song of the Lioness series is one of those book series that I remember falling head over heels for when I was in grade school and have read countless times since then. That being the case, it's a bit difficult for me to write even a slightly unbiased review of it. However, since I re-read the series for a class on young adult literature, I'll try to be a little more even-handed with my review.
Alanna: The First Adventure is the story of a young girl from an obscure and reclusive noble family named Alanna of Trebond. Alanna is a tomboy and her worst nightmare is being sent to learn how to be a lady and marry well. She wants to learn to joust, learn swordwork and defend the weak like any proper knight! When her mostly absentee father plans to send Alanna off to the convent to learn to be a lady and to send her studious twin brother Thom to be a knight, Alanna decides that a little deception is in order. She and Thom switch places, with Alanna taking on the name of Alan and Thom going off to the convent to learn to be a sorcerer. The First Adventure covers Alanna's first year as a page, the first step on the way to knighthood. Will Alanna be able to fool everyone into thinking she's a boy and attain her dreams of being a knight?
As a rather tomboyish kind of girl myself, Alanna was one of the few fantasy heroines when I was growing up that I felt like I could identify with. She didn't want to be a princess and wear dresses and learn manners, she wanted to fight and go on adventures. She's a strong female character who knows her own mind and isn't afraid to be herself. I think Pierce does an excellent job of showing Alanna's frustration with the role assigned to her by her gender and her refusal to accept this. In a world of strict gender roles, Alanna acts an exception to the rule.
However, it is one of those fantasy stories that's clearly meant for younger readers. There's almost nothing here that any parent would object to (it does mention menstruation and being naked but in a nonsexual way) and it's just a sweet sort of adventure that emphasizes the importance of bravery even if you're the little guy and the value of being true to yourself. It won't be the sort of fantasy novel that will suit everyone but it's a good pick for younger readers who want an adventurous story without too much darkness or violence.
Alanna: The First Adventure is the story of a young girl from an obscure and reclusive noble family named Alanna of Trebond. Alanna is a tomboy and her worst nightmare is being sent to learn how to be a lady and marry well. She wants to learn to joust, learn swordwork and defend the weak like any proper knight! When her mostly absentee father plans to send Alanna off to the convent to learn to be a lady and to send her studious twin brother Thom to be a knight, Alanna decides that a little deception is in order. She and Thom switch places, with Alanna taking on the name of Alan and Thom going off to the convent to learn to be a sorcerer. The First Adventure covers Alanna's first year as a page, the first step on the way to knighthood. Will Alanna be able to fool everyone into thinking she's a boy and attain her dreams of being a knight?
As a rather tomboyish kind of girl myself, Alanna was one of the few fantasy heroines when I was growing up that I felt like I could identify with. She didn't want to be a princess and wear dresses and learn manners, she wanted to fight and go on adventures. She's a strong female character who knows her own mind and isn't afraid to be herself. I think Pierce does an excellent job of showing Alanna's frustration with the role assigned to her by her gender and her refusal to accept this. In a world of strict gender roles, Alanna acts an exception to the rule.
However, it is one of those fantasy stories that's clearly meant for younger readers. There's almost nothing here that any parent would object to (it does mention menstruation and being naked but in a nonsexual way) and it's just a sweet sort of adventure that emphasizes the importance of bravery even if you're the little guy and the value of being true to yourself. It won't be the sort of fantasy novel that will suit everyone but it's a good pick for younger readers who want an adventurous story without too much darkness or violence.