This is my very first Tamora Pierce novel, yet I have been seeing her name here and there for a very long time.

It is a classic sword-and-sorcery fantasy that is based on medieval England. Aimed at young readers, it serves as an excellent introduction to fantasy for middle-schoolers. Even as an older person, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing was clear and effective, not overly complicated.

Rather than following a traditional arc, it is more of a series of events. There is a large and exciting battle at the climax, but there is no foreshadowing or anything of the sort. It simply appears out of nowhere. Alanna is a great character. She has both strengths and weaknesses and learns how to utilize her strengths and work hard on improving her weaknesses. She has to earn her skills through hard work, not just be given them because she is "Chosen" or something similar.

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Alanna and her twin brother, Thom, make a bold decision to switch identities. Alanna dreams of becoming a knight, while Thom desires to study magic.

After the switch, an exciting training montage takes place. Alanna proves to be a determined and stubborn young girl. She is willing to put in a great deal of extra effort to achieve her dream of being a warrior.

However, physical strength alone is not sufficient to protect the kingdom. A magical sickness spreads throughout the land, threatening everyone. Alanna realizes that she must come to terms with her femaleness and embrace her own magical ability if she hopes to save the people.

Alanna has many unique features. She has purple eyes, as does her horse and kitten. Her magical sword flashes purple, and her magic is not only purple but also extremely powerful. By some standards, she could be considered a Mary Sue, but she is still a deeply satisfying character.

Her story was captivating for me as a tween, and it remains a favorite to this day. Despite the improbability of her extraordinary gifts, her tale is engaging and inspiring. I highly recommend this book to fans of young adult literature.

I truly despise myself for having overlooked this series for so many years! It's quite shameful on my part considering I've heard such wonderful things about it.

This particular book served as a really excellent introductory one. It did an outstanding job of establishing the world within the story.

Undoubtedly, it has managed to get me extremely hyped and eager to pick up the remaining books in the series.

I am now filled with excitement as I anticipate reading more about Alanna's adventures.

I can't wait to immerse myself further into this captivating world and follow Alanna on her thrilling journey.

It's clear that I've been missing out all these years, but now that I've discovered this gem, I'm determined to make up for lost time and explore every single installment of this amazing series.

As one of my childhood favourites, how could I not rate this 5 stars!? This item holds a special place in my heart. It has accompanied me through many precious moments of my childhood. Every time I think of it, a warm smile spreads across my face.

The memories associated with it are like a precious treasure chest. I can still vividly recall the excitement and joy it brought me. Whether it was playing with it alone or sharing it with my friends, it always added a touch of magic to those days.

Its quality is outstanding, and it has withstood the test of time. Even now, after all these years, it still looks as good as new. It is not just an ordinary item; it is a symbol of my childhood innocence and happiness. That's why I毫不犹豫地 rate it 5 stars. It truly deserves this high praise.

OK look, I simply cannot provide a remotely objective review of this book.

I am rereading it for what feels like the umpteenth time. I first read it when I was a younger teenager and I adored it with all my heart.

During this reread, I can notice some issues. Alanna is perhaps a little too extraordinary, with the gods frequently intervening in her life. And the whole Alanna-and-Jon-in-the-Black-City situation has a bit of a white savior trope to it.

But at the end of the day, this book holds a truly special place in my heart. I cherish Alanna's stubbornness and her eagerness to work hard and persevere to achieve her goal. Even though Alanna does have the gods stepping in and a plethora of magic, none of that is what makes her remarkable.

It's her attitude of, "Oh, am I bad at sword fighting? OK. I'm going to borrow Coram's sword, which is far too big for me, and I'm going to practice with it every day, when no one is looking, over and over again, until I am strong enough." If she didn't have that determination to put in the effort, get beaten up but keep standing up to her bully, and refuse to give up no matter how much she might desire to, then all the gods in the fictional world of Tortall couldn't make me love this character as much as I do.

I also love how she spends a significant portion of the book not even realizing how amazing she is, but then at the end, she can turn around and say, "Actually, I'm great. I'm the best there is." And Jonathan is just like, "Yup, I agree." I love Alanna's small group of core friends. I love George the thief with a heart of gold, even if he's a bit unrealistic. I love Sir Myles, the best surrogate dad a girl-pretending-to-be-a-boy-to-become-a-knight could ever hope for. I just love this book <3.

I really enjoyed this!

It was such a great experience that I can't help but highly recommend it to you.

Especially if you are someone who is always on the lookout for a quick read, this is definitely the one for you.

It doesn't take up a lot of your time but still manages to provide an engaging and interesting story.

You'll find yourself getting lost in the pages and before you know it, you've finished reading.

So don't hesitate, give it a try and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Whether you're on a commute, taking a break at work, or just relaxing at home, this quick read will be the perfect companion.

Trust me, you'll love it as much as I did!

Initial Impressions 12/16/15: The actual rating of this book is probably around 4.5 stars.

This book was extremely cute. I had a teensy bit of worry, and there were two reasons for it. One: Although the series develops, it begins more in the middle grade range. I have liked some middle grade books, but I usually don't get as deeply invested in them as I do with young adult books. Two: This is everyone's favorite series from their childhood, and I was very worried that it would be like those where I'd say "EH, not for me thanks." Thankfully, my worries were unfounded!

ALANNA was super cute, full of fun, and had wonderful characters. I loved Alanna from the start - she was feisty, determined, brave, and ambitious. Alanna goes after what she wants immediately and doesn't waste time listening to people tell her what to do. She knows what she wants and achieves her goals no matter what. I loved the introduction to the magic systems. Although I don't know a lot about them yet (such as the how and the why), I'm excited to learn more as the series progresses, and I definitely want to continue the series!

I adored the character relationships in this book. Alanna came across as a bit of a tomboy since she was disguising herself as a boy. This led to the wonderful friendships that I grew to love in the book. I love boy-girl friendships, and I love it even more when the boys aren't afraid of hurting a girl's feelings or holding back because a girl is around. Since they don't know Alanna is a girl, it really allows the friendships to be honest and free.

I especially enjoyed the friendship between Alanna and Jonathan. Personally, I'm hoping that it will only grow throughout the books (maybe into something more!?), and their friendship gave me all kinds of happy feelings.

This book left me with feelings similar to those I had when reading Harry Potter - Harry arriving at Hogwarts, the golden trio friendships, the brave battles, and just all those happy emotions. I can't wait to read more of this series! I'm already a big fan.

Re-reading this as an adult,

I am truly amazed by what a classic gem this is of the YA era. Back when it was published, YA was not nearly as expansive a genre as it is today. In fact, books 'for girls' were predominantly about horses. Do you remember that? This particular book was a game-changer as it introduced a generation of young women to the captivating world of fantasy and empowered them to pursue their dreams, regardless of gender.

Also, a huge thank you to Queen Tammy for not shying away from depicting Alanna's period or her changing body as she grows. When I was younger, reading this book was an absolute revelation. It not only inspired me to explore the realm of fantasy but also motivated me to strive for greater things. I firmly believe that this book is the very foundation of my love for reading.

This is the first book in a quartet and also the first in the Tortall series. Alanna, a young and determined girl, dreams of becoming a knight, yet women are prohibited from doing so. Undeterred, she switches places with her twin brother and embarks on the arduous journey of knight training. From there, she carves out her place as a page, forging friendships with the squires along the way. Alanna makes no excuses and works tirelessly. Her unwavering goal is to prove that with proper training, women can indeed be knights, and no one will stand in her way.

4 Stars!


I'm reviewing this series as a whole since I devoured them in such a short time and they have truly established themselves over the years.


I truly relished the Song of the Lioness series. I have a feeling that if I had come across Tamora Pierce's books during my middle school days, I would have been completely enamored with everything she wrote. Sadly, I only read my very first Tamora Pierce book just last year, and I'm now far beyond my middle school years.


While reading these books, it became abundantly clear that Pierce's stories have served as the foundation for numerous novels today. The plots are ageless and remain relevant even after 30+ years since their initial publication. With elements like magic, thrilling sword fights, captivating myths, and so much more, it's nearly impossible to go wrong. But what's even more crucial are the powerful messages of girls yearning to be more than what society deems them capable of and having the courage to go out and make it a reality!


I adored how we accompanied Alanna on her journey of growth throughout this quartet. Pierce didn't shy away from addressing the real and often challenging issues that a girl faces while growing up in a male-dominated world. From binding her breasts to dealing with her emerging feelings for the boys who regarded her as one of their own, to grappling with menstruation and fertility (hello, birth control charm! I would definitely be all for that!), and most importantly, shattering gender stereotypes, this series laid the groundwork for strong female main characters in a truly significant way.


One of the aspects I cherished the most was how Alanna was unapologetically herself. She wasn't pressured to conform to being either "a girl" or "a boy" but was instead able to embrace both her roles as a knight and a lady. She even fell in love and took on the role of protecting her knight, defying the traditional norms!


I can't believe I almost forgot to mention Faithful! He's seriously the best. <3 <3


Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this series to everyone, especially middle grade girls. Let's instill in our girls the belief that they can be anything and everything they desire to be!




Gorgeous fanart by this amazing artist.

This book holds a special place in my heart as it is truly my childhood. Even now, it has the power to transport me back to those precious times when I would eagerly sneak off to the school library at every available opportunity.

The character of Alanna is simply remarkable. She is a strong-willed individual whose story embarks on a profound journey. It is a journey of self-acceptance, of coming to terms with who one truly is. And it is also a journey of growth, of striving to become the person one desires to be.

For a more in-depth look at this wonderful book, be sure to check out the video review. The link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co6Ug.... It offers valuable insights and perspectives that will enhance your understanding and appreciation of this captivating story.

OH MY GOD. SO. GOOD.

I am extremely angry with myself for not starting this series earlier!!! It bears a striking resemblance to Harry Potter in that it is a feel-good book filled with interesting characters, the best of friendships, and, of course, MAGIC.

The story is so captivating that it has completely drawn me in. The characters are well-developed and their relationships add depth and warmth to the narrative. The magical elements are both enchanting and exciting, making it a truly immersive reading experience.

Anyway, on to book two! I can't wait to see what adventures await the characters and how their stories will unfold.

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My longest and most terrible reading slump is FINALLY OVER.

[Of course, right when school's starting -.- but oh well]

  

I'm so relieved to have found a book that has reignited my love for reading. It's like a breath of fresh air after a long period of stagnation. I'm looking forward to many more wonderful reading experiences in the future.

Solid 4*. Meet Alanna:

Beating boys' asses since medieval times. Rocking a short haircut since the dawn of horses. Being the special snowflake since the fantasy genre began.

Well, the concept of a girl dressing as a boy to have amazing adventures and pursue her dreams isn't novel. It has been repeated numerous times before (even in GOT Arya dresses like a dude). However, Tamora Pierce crafts a rather captivating story that, while not always fully developed, is entertaining to read. At times, it's as cheesy as a cheese pizza, but it has it all - friendship, first period, sword fights, growing boobs, horseback riding, magic, hair problems, finding your true self, fighting the supernatural evil, romance, and most importantly, naming your horse Moonlight.

It leans more towards the YA younger audiences' side. As a prolific (hahahaha) reader, I would have preferred a more sophisticated plot and characters. But I'll join the chorus and say - I would have truly adored it as a child. It's a quick, non-boring read that can transport you to a world of fantasy and adventure.