Alanna has a burning desire to be a warrior, rather than conforming to the traditional role of a lady.

When her father decides to send her twin brother Thom to court to become a page, she seizes the opportunity and takes his place, cleverly changing her name to Alan.

Meanwhile, Thom disguises himself in her clothes and stealthily slips away to pursue the study of magic. Sadly, we don't get to hear much about his adventures.

This story was an absolute favorite of mine when I was around 9 or 10 years old. However, looking back now, I suspect that it might not seem as original to me as it once did.

Nonetheless, it still holds a special place in my heart, as it was one of the first books that introduced me to the exciting world of adventure and the idea of breaking free from gender norms.

Even though my perspective may have changed over the years, the memories of reading this book and being captivated by Alanna's story will always remain.

I'm being my petty self and engaging in research for a video that will bear the title The Real History of YA Fantasy: A Feminist Lens.

It's quite an interesting endeavor, really. I find myself delving deep into the annals of young adult fantasy literature, looking for those hidden gems and overlooked aspects that can be analyzed through a feminist perspective.

I'm curious to see how the portrayal of female characters has evolved over the years, and whether there are any patterns or trends that emerge.

Will I discover that there has been a significant shift towards more empowered and complex female protagonists? Or will I find that the genre still has a long way to go in terms of gender equality?

Only time will tell, but I'm excited to embark on this journey of exploration and discovery. LMAO, I hope it turns out well ;D

Just as wonderful as I remember.

Alanna and that wonderful pack of boys all came rushing back to me, more than a decade since I last read this. They are truly the definition of memorable characters.

And the pacing! I had completely forgotten how briskly this book MOVES. It's like a thrilling adventure that keeps pulling you forward.

I think I first discovered Tamora Pierce in high school, thanks to an upperclassman friend who took me under her wing. She introduced me to this amazing world of Tortall.

Lots of feelings are涌上心头 right now. It's been such a long time since I visited Tortall. I miss that place and the characters so much.

I still really want to read that 732-page adult version of the quartet, Tammy! I'm sure it will be just as amazing as the original.

I can't wait to dive back into this world and experience all the magic and excitement again.

Review also @Scaredy Engines End of Line Library

What a pleasant surprise it was to pick up this book! Despite not being very long and clearly targeted at a younger audience, it did not disappoint in the slightest. We are introduced to a feisty heroine, Alanna, and an ending that holds the promise of greater things to come.

Alanna, the main character, has quickly become one of my favorite heroines in children's literature. What I appreciate most about her is that she is both flawed and strong. This combination makes her character all the more realistic and believable. However, I did notice that the other characters seemed rather similar to one another, lacking significant development and having somewhat similar personalities. I truly hope that there will be more development of Jon's character in the future. After that ending, it is abundantly clear that his and Alanna's fates will be intertwined. I just hope that if there is any romance in the plot, it won't overshadow the other aspects too much.

One particular flaw that I must point out in writing a high fantasy novel of this short length is that it leaves very little room for character and world development. Don't misunderstand me; there is some world building later on in the book, but I felt that it could have been made much richer and more detailed. This world sounds truly amazing, with its complex religion and diverse climates, but these elements were not developed enough for my liking. Additionally, I would have loved to get to know all the characters a bit more. Perhaps more time could have been spent with them, and some background information or history about them could have been provided. Fortunately, there are three more books in the series, so there is clearly a lot more to look forward to.

Overall, this was a fast-paced, action-filled, light fantasy that, for the most part, lived up to expectations. However, it would probably have been even better if it had been a bit longer, allowing for more in-depth character and world development.

In a medieval fantasy world,

Alanna and her twin brother Thom find themselves on the verge of being dispatched to two distinct boarding schools by their emotionally detached father.

Tomboy Alanna is slated to learn magic and the ways of being ladylike, while the shy and bookish Thom is meant to train to become a knight.

Interestingly, it is Alanna who yearns to be a knight, and Thom who favors the comfortable study of magic and literature.

With a touch of clever maneuvering and the assistance of a witch, their roles are reversed as they desired.

Nevertheless, it is not all lighthearted fun.

Dark forces, strange magic, and political intrigue swirl around them, gradually thrusting them into a strange and terrifying world with little to rely on.

I was truly captivated by Alanna's character.

She is a passionate lass with lofty dreams.

Her act of disguising as a knight and masquerading as a boy is both noble and comical.

Experiencing puberty while constantly among boys who are oblivious to Alanna's true gender leads to some highly amusing situations.

It is gratifying to witness her fighting beside the boys and disproving all those who doubted her.

The introduction of demons and ancient civilizations towards the end of the book holds great potential for the expansion of the overall plot and world-building in the remainder of the series.

I eagerly anticipate the continuation of Alanna's journey.

It has been just 8 years since the first time I read Alanna: The First Adventure.

To be honest, there's a part of me that regrets not having the opportunity to encounter Alanna when I was young and full of hope. However, another part of me might be more satisfied reading it from this more cynical perspective.

In The First Adventure, Alanna decides to disguise herself as a boy and train to become a knight. She learns swordsmanship, the Code, and magic before a showdown with ancient beings that reveals her feminine secret to Jonathan, the prince. Overall, it's a straightforward trial-based book that provides Alanna with the building blocks that will serve her well in later books.

I should clarify immediately: I like these stories. Please don't let my negative comments overshadow that. I like Alanna, and Tortall, and the complexities that seep into the text and the world that is broader than what can be presented on the page. (Although I do wonder if sometimes I like the possibility of them more than the actual reality?)

I was particularly uncomfortable with the way Alanna's identity is dealt with. When she expresses her dislike for her impending womanhood, she is told, \\"[Y]ou cannot change what the gods have made you. The sooner you accept that, the happier you will be.\\" This sounds toxic to me. It sounds like the kind of rhetoric used to dismiss trans men and women. Even though I know this is a 33-year-old story for young adults, I can't quite get rid of my distaste.

In addition, I did find the selfless adoration of Alanna to be a bit excessive. Other than Ralon (who disappears midway through the book) and Duke Roger (who menaces from a distance), there are no layers of humanity. All of the main pages and squires are pure and loyal to Alan/na to a fault: there is no selfishness to contrast with Alanna's own selfishness. (To my older eyes, she is selfish in that she doesn't think about her friends beyond how they might react to her secrets one day. Her mind is focused on her ultimate goal: to become a knight. This is a very real flaw for Alanna.)

And I'm not sure if the following is because I know what comes next, but it felt as if the tone of the story changed once George and Jon found out Alanna's secret - not dramatically, but enough to make me uncomfortable. I guess I read it as if their adoration was suddenly \\"OK\\" because Alan became Alanna. It felt... predatory.

(I remember not being satisfied with how Alanna's romantic journey was handled when I read this series for the first time, so please take my complaints with a grain of salt.)

I'm very excited to read the next book in the series, and to reread Kel, and Daine, and even Aly.

This is such an admirable and strong female main character (FMC). The part where she gets her period is just incredibly relatable. It really tugs at the heartstrings

Probably a high 3.5-stars for me! I read it in one sitting (a long car ride), and really enjoyed it. It was such a captivating read that I couldn't put it down. The story had me hooked from the very beginning. I could feel myself getting lost in the pages, imagining the scenes and characters vividly in my mind.

I can tell that I'll probably like the later books even more. This one has definitely piqued my interest and made me eager to see what else the author has in store. I'm looking forward to delving deeper into this world and getting to know the characters better.

PS DON'T KILL ME FOR SECRET-READING THIS, ANGIE. I know I wasn't supposed to read it yet, but I just couldn't resist. I promise to keep it a secret until it's officially released.

So, this book and this series was my sister's absolute favorite when she was young and even now.

She's read it so many times over the years, and it was what began her longtime love and maybe even obsession of reading.

She's begged me for years to read it, and while it pains me to say, she was right, and I really wish I had read it when I was younger.

Even so, I could still appreciate the magnitude of it.

This was my first time reading a Tamora Pierce novel and... she definitely lives up to the hype!

The story was fantastic, filled with adventure, mystery, and heart.

The characters are the type that will leave a lasting impression on you, with their unique personalities and growth throughout the story.

While the writing is aimed at kids, it was still amazing to read as an adult and actually really refreshing!

I know that if my sister has kids, they will read it, and when I have kids, mine will read it, probably starting the love of reading for them as well!

It's really something special!

Amazing book; I will be rereading it!

I can't wait to experience the story and the characters all over again.

It's a book that I will recommend to anyone who loves a good adventure and a great story.

Overall, I'm so glad that I finally read this book and discovered the magic of Tamora Pierce's writing.

I still can't believe that I made it through my entire adolescence without ever reading a single Tamora Pierce book. I was aware of the books, obviously, but I never bothered to pick them up. This was mostly due to my childhood belief that once I found a book I really liked, there was no reason to read anything else.

For example, I read Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain series multiple times in elementary school, but never bothered to seek out similar series or even any other books by the author. In fact, I remember not being interested in Harry Potter until my best friend in sixth grade gave me the first book for my birthday, essentially forcing me to read it and find out that I loved it. I only wish someone had done this with the Alanna books as well, but better late than never.

Alanna of Trebond is eleven years old at the beginning of the book. She and her twin brother, Thom, are about to be sent away from home to start their formal education. Thom will be sent to the capital city to train as a knight, and Alanna to a convent. Since Alanna is a girl in a fantasy story, she's more interested in swordfighting and rejects all things girly. Luckily, Thom doesn't particularly want to be a knight either. So, the twins switch places. Alanna renames herself Alan and goes to the capital to be a page, while Thom goes off to the convent.

Alanna: The First Adventure actually covers the first two years of Alanna's training as a page and ends right when she's preparing to graduate to squire. The plot has to move quickly as we have to cover two years in roughly two hundred pages, but the essential characters and future plot arcs are properly set up. Alanna makes many friends and allies, with Prince Jonathan and George, the king of the thieves, being the most important ones. I'm pretty sure Alanna will have romantic encounters with both of them at some point in the series, and I'm really looking forward to that.

However, I have to admit that the writing wasn't as good as I thought it would be. It's a bit awkward and jerky at times when it should flow smoothly, and the story moves so fast that we don't get to linger on anything. The reader is thrown into the plot very quickly, which can be a little disconcerting. Also, the minor characters don't have enough time to be fully developed. The climactic final battle comes out of nowhere, with a haunted city in the desert being introduced just ten pages before they get there. But as other reviewers have pointed out, this book was written in the pre-Harry Potter days when publishers didn't trust kids to stay interested in a book for longer than two hundred pages.

Despite its flaws, I still had a great time reading about Alanna. Tamora Pierce seems to know exactly what little girls want in their heroines. Alanna has red hair, purple eyes, a palomino horse named Moonlight, she's good at swordfighting and can do magic. By the time she gets a sword with a magic jewel on the handle, I started to wonder if ten-year-old me had gone back in time and ghost-written this book. Because seriously, if you asked a hundred little girls what kind of book they would want to read, Alanna: The First Adventure would probably cover everything on their list. It doesn't matter if you think Alanna is a Mary Sue who is good at everything. That's the whole point. Little girls need heroines who can do anything and have supportive friends and guides along the way. Tamora Pierce understands this, and I just wish I had read this series when I was younger.

This is the initial volume in a series crafted for the younger segment of the young adult audience. However, it retains its allure for readers of every age group.

Alanna: The First Adventure is a captivating fantasy set in a realm where magic abounds and knights are schooled in the code of chivalry. Alanna, defying the limitations imposed on females in such a society, disguises herself as a boy and embarks on a journey to be trained as a page, harboring the dream of achieving knighthood in the future.

I thoroughly relished the story and its characters. As a book targeted at young people, it is relatively concise in length and uncomplicated in its structure and character interactions. It offers a delightfully pleasant, light, and effortless reading experience. I would highly recommend it to younger readers who are just beginning to explore the enchanting world of fantasy, as well as to those young at heart who seek a refreshing breeze in their reading materials.

A solid start, this book indeed follows some common tropes. However, it manages to hold its own with a few unique quirks. Alanna, the protagonist, is truly interesting. She is supported by a diverse cast of characters, each adding their own flavor to the story.

The magic system and the world building are only lightly touched on in this first installment. Nevertheless, you still get a pretty decent sense of your surroundings. It's as if you can almost feel the atmosphere and the energy of the place.

The writing is of high quality and the pacing is just right. It keeps you engaged from start to finish. In fact, I was so hooked that I finished the whole novel in one day and immediately started the next one. It's a real page-turner that leaves you craving for more.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fantasy story with a touch of uniqueness.