I was truly and deeply disappointed in this book.

I had thoroughly enjoyed the first two installments of the story about a young girl who ingeniously disguises herself as a boy in order to pursue her dream of becoming a knight. She works incredibly hard, with unwavering determination, to overcome her weaknesses and eventually blossoms into a superior knight. The story up until then was simply great, filled with adventure, growth, and excitement.

However, I was completely turned off by the extra events that took place in this book, which really bothered me to no end. First of all, I had found this book in the children's section of the library, so naturally, I did not expect to encounter any elements of sex within its pages. Anyhow, the main character, Alanna, begins a sexual relationship with a close friend, Jon. Although the details are not explicitly mentioned, the author writes very clearly that they are intimate. When Jon asks Alanna to marry him, she refuses. As a result, he promptly breaks off their relationship. Then, rather soon after ending her first relationship, she enters into another sexual relationship.

I felt that this completely ruined the story that had begun so delightfully. It was as if a beautiful tapestry had been torn and stained. I was so disheartened that I wasn't even able to finish the series. It was a real shame, as the initial premise had so much potential.

YES!!! YES!!!

Alanna, I love this! I love her adventures. This was so wild.

This book was so hard to put down. It was like a thrilling roller coaster ride that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Alanna's character is so engaging and full of life. Her determination and courage in the face of challenges are truly inspiring.

Every page was filled with excitement and unexpected twists. I found myself completely immersed in her world, experiencing every emotion right along with her. Whether it was her daring escapes or her heartwarming friendships, I couldn't get enough.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves adventure and excitement. It will transport you to a world you'll never want to leave.

This book didn't possess the adventure that the other two novels had. However, it was still extremely enjoyable for me.

Throughout the story, Alanna continues to mature. She remains strong and fights for what she desires (or doesn't desire) just as she always has. But what truly intrigued me in this one is that we witness Alanna really learning to accept more of who she is.

Since she ultimately becomes a shaman, she has to focus on another aspect of herself that she had previously sort of tucked away and never wished to deal with, which forces her to bring it back to the surface. It was wonderful to see that expansion of the idea that you can be more than one thing.

Since this book is really targeted at a younger audience, I thought that was an incredibly excellent message. There were also other elements throughout it that would involve spoilers, so I won't mention them.

3.75 Stars

I truly relished this third installment featuring Alanna. The element of magic in it was particularly captivating. She is typically so fixated on being a knight that she doesn't often embrace the magical aspect of herself. So, this exploration of her magic was a real treat for me.

However, I was somewhat disappointed. In the previous books, she has endured so much to overcome the stigma of being a woman warrior. But here, she unexpectedly encounters a group that doesn't accept women in roles such as being a warrior or a shaman, or participating in community events. I felt as if she had already paid her dues, and I wasn't eager to witness that same cycle repeating. It's not that changing minds doesn't require multiple challenges; it's just that my expectations were different.

I was also let down when Alanna goes off 'adventuring' but then ends up staying with the first group of people she meets. She takes on responsibilities there and can't leave until other shamans are trained. This didn't seem like true 'adventuring' to me; rather, it felt like getting trapped by a new set of rules. Fortunately, this was addressed later in the book, and I did enjoy her time there, so I can overlook it.

Nonetheless, I really appreciate that she didn't allow herself to be pressured into marrying Jonathan, especially when he began to assume things she had never agreed to.

These books progress at a rapid pace while still maintaining a strong sense of place and tension. It's truly impressive. It's hard to believe that there is only one more book left in this series. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them.

Ih, den var fin

I first read this quite a while ago. Ten years, I'd say, give or take. To be honest, I did not particularly enjoy it. I think it was me. At that time, I struggled with putting together a good mindset for young adult/middle grade books. I was 20 then, and I wanted more complexity from my characters and stories. But everyone ranted and raved about the Alanna books, so I felt like I had to give them a try. I slogged through the first three, and then gave up.

A few years later, I tried some of Tamora Pierce's other books - her Circle of Magic, her Beka Cooper series, and the Protector of the Small series - and enjoyed them much more. Then I had the opportunity to see Tamora Pierce herself speak at a convention about a year ago. It cemented that I really wanted to try and read all of her books. Alanna seemed like the ideal place to start. Needless to say, I've been enjoying these books a lot more than I did the first time. However, this one was still the weak link in the chain. The story felt more disconnected to me than the previous ones did. Things happen, but they don't feel like a cohesive whole. Since these are some of Tamora Pierce's earliest books, I guess I can understand some pacing issues.

I think my original discontent also partially stemmed from my crush on Jonathan. He doesn't act very well in this book, and I think that made it harder for me to read. George is better, but I'm not a huge fan of the romance between him and Alanna. The age gap is quite hard for me to deal with. So I think that was a big factor in my original dislike. I didn't mind those things as much this time around, so my enjoyment was definitely more.

Still, I feel like the Alanna books are definitely weaker than some of Tamora Pierce's later offerings. I hope to finish up my read of this series really soon, and move on to some of her other books. I'm curious to see how her writing has evolved over the years and if I'll enjoy her later works even more. Maybe with a different perspective and a more open mind, I'll be able to appreciate the Alanna books for what they are.

1.5 stars rounded down.

This series has truly taken a nosedive since its inception. The first book was an engaging, albeit rather simplistic, tale of a girl who masqueraded as a boy to fulfill her dream of becoming a knight. After being knighted in the second book and disclosing her true gender, Alanna embarks on an adventure.

This third installment chronicles her escapades with the Bazhir desert people (yet another standard portrayal of an oppressively patriarchal Middle Eastern culture through Western eyes). I use the term 'adventure' advisedly as it makes for a rather tedious read: Alanna battles the tribe's malevolent shaman and is compelled to assume his role until she insists on training three young outcasts as the new shamans (yes, the plural of shaman is shamans, not shamen, I verified). Regrettably, Jonathan, the prince with whom Alanna began a sexual relationship in the previous book, arrives and proposes marriage; when she requests time to deliberate, their relationship sours.

To be honest, it didn't seem like much occurred in the book. The plot is agonizingly predictable and blatantly laying the groundwork for a purportedly thrilling climax in the final book. There was also a strong undertone of the 'white savior' in Alanna's interactions with the Bazhir, which I truly disliked; the notion that she was teaching them how women could be as powerful as men and that they needed to reform their ways was cringe-worthy.

Perhaps the most exasperating aspect, however, is Alanna herself; she has transformed from a resolute girl fighting for what she desires into an entitled Mary-Sue who has things handed to her or simply has everything work out in her favor. And of course, she is superior at just about everything compared to everyone else - oh, except for magic - that distinction belongs to her twin brother, who I suspect will be the villain in the last book.

I'm at a loss to determine the age group for which this book is intended; surely not adults, but the plot is so simplistic that I'm not certain it should be classified as YA, yet I'm also not convinced it should be read by younger children due to the sexual content (nothing explicit, but it's evident that Alanna is in a physical relationship). Maybe very early teens? Although this book is considered a classic by some, I wouldn't bother; other books have surpassed it.

I actually only thought this book was okay.

It all takes place in the desert, which is far away from the castle and the familiar setting of the first books. For some reason, I liked the castle setting better.

There were a few chapters that feature George only and not Alanna. I found these chapters boring as I don't really care about George and his thieves. What I truly want is for her to end up with Jonathan.

I do wish the author had omitted the parts where it's inferred that Alanna sleeps with Jonathan and George. Although nothing is described explicitly, it still makes me a bit uncomfortable.

However, despite these drawbacks, I'll still finish reading the series. I'm curious to see how the story will unfold and what will happen to the characters in the end. Maybe there will be some surprises that will change my opinion of this book.

Okay,

of all of them, this one is the one that's least stood the test of time for me so far. And that's saying a lot because the romances in this series are questionable to say the least! But wow.

The misogynistic arab-coded society whom Alanna teaches to accept women's rights (complete with a spiel about wearing a veil) is quite a complex and thought-provoking aspect. It shows the challenges and prejudices that exist in such a society and how one person can try to make a difference. And the fact that they choose Jon to rule over them adds another layer of interest. It makes one wonder about the qualities and leadership skills that Jon must possess to be chosen by this society. Overall, this part of the story really makes you think about gender roles, cultural differences, and the power of one person to change the status quo.

I think about the impact of the books we read in childhood and their influence in adulthood. When I reread this book, it was clear to me how much Alina had been a model for me and how much I had emulated her behaviors and choices.

I'm glad that instead of seeing Disney princesses, I grew up by reading the stories of this great and revolutionary Shahnameh.

The Shahnameh is a rich and profound epic that has shaped the Iranian culture and identity for centuries. It contains countless stories of heroes, heroines, and mythical creatures that have inspired generations of Iranians.

Reading these stories as a child not only entertained me but also taught me valuable lessons about courage, honor, and sacrifice. It showed me that being a hero doesn't mean having superpowers but rather having the strength of character to do what is right.

As I grew older, these lessons stayed with me and influenced my decisions and actions. The Shahnameh will always hold a special place in my heart and will continue to be a source of inspiration for me throughout my life.

Oh, this series.

In this installment, Alanna has achieved her dream of becoming a knight. She then embarks on a journey to the desert, where she spends a significant amount of time immersing herself in the Bazhir culture. For those who were initially disappointed by the lack of diversity in the first couple of books, there is some relief as the Bazhir, who are not as white as the other characters, make their appearance. They were briefly introduced in the last book, but here, readers get a more in-depth look at their unique culture. Alanna meets new people during her stay and manages to form genuine friendships. Unlike some of her previous friends who were infatuated with her, these new friendships are based on mutual respect.

Alanna then takes it upon herself to teach the Bazhir a plethora of things they are unfamiliar with. She becomes their shaman and imparts her knowledge about the ways of the world. In essence, she is engaging in what can be considered missionary work. However, reading about this aspect of the story can be just as unsettling as real missionary work often is.

As for the adventure element, this is more or less the extent of it. Alanna doesn't engage in wild and fantastical escapades as she did in the first two books. Instead, she remains with the Bazhir throughout the story. This departure from her previous behavior may have been a turn-off for some readers who preferred her more action-packed adventures. Personally, I thought it was okay, but I understand that not all readers are as invested in these stories as I am.

In other Alanna-related news, by this book, she has become well-versed in the ways of the sexual world. She and Jonathan have a passionate relationship that lasts for most of the story. However, their relationship hits a snag when Jonathan tells Alanna that he wishes she could be more like a lady. This comment is essentially another way of saying "You're so much prettier when you smile," which is both condescending and annoying. Jonathan, being a prince, may think he has the right to make such remarks, but in my opinion, he can shut his trap.

Thankfully, there is still George waiting in the wings. For those readers who have been rooting for him and Alanna to get together, there is still hope!

Shamans and sex. That's pretty much the essence of this story.

I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of the title. Alanna is frequently referred to as "the woman who rides like a man," which is supposed to be a positive attribute. However, it can be quite annoying, similar to hearing phrases like "you run like a girl" or "you throw like a girl." These kinds of comparisons are not only unhelpful but also reinforce gender stereotypes. While I understand that Alanna is challenging the Bazhir's perception of what girls can do by showing them that they are capable of the same things as boys, the title still leaves something to be desired. A title like "The Woman Who Rides Like a Woman" might be more confusing, but it would also convey a better message, especially for those who only judge a book by its title (which, unfortunately, happens more often than we think, especially among kids who are browsing bookshelves looking for something that catches their eye).

Anyhow, Alanna continues to be amazing at everything she does, including sex. Now that I've finished this book, I'm about to begin the fourth one to see what kind of mischief and adventures Alanna will get into next.

I am always extremely proud that Alanna firmly turned Jonathan down.

In this book, he is truly a spoiled and presumptive ass. However, it should also be noted that he is brave, intelligent, and has the qualities of a leader.

But Alanna doesn't hold back and directly calls him out on his attitude. She refuses to accept the responses that somehow imply the fight is "her fault."

What really heartens me is that Pierce vividly shows what brats hormonal and hot-tempered teenagers can be. It gives a realistic portrayal of their flaws and immaturity before they eventually grow into respected adults.

This aspect of the story adds depth and authenticity, making it more engaging and relatable.

It shows that even the most promising individuals have their rough patches and need to learn and grow.

Overall, this dynamic between Alanna and Jonathan is a fascinating part of the book that keeps readers hooked.