From Tamora Pierce, the first book in the Song of the Lioness Quartet, honored with the Margaret A. Edwards Award. “From now on I’m Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I’ll be a knight.” And so young Alanna of Trebond begins the journey to knighthood. Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys; her twin brother, Thom, yearns to learn the art of magic. So one day they … the art of magic. So one day they decide to switch places: Disguised as a girl, Thom heads for the convent; Alanna, pretending to be a boy, is on her way to the castle of King Roald to begin her training as a page. But the road to knighthood is not an easy one. As Alanna masters the skills necessary for battle, she must also learn to control her heart and to discern her enemies from her allies. Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna’s first adventure begins–one that will lead to the fulfillment of her dreams and make her a legend in the land.more
Alanna
By tamorapierce
I can pinpoint the origin of these books with the most clarity. I remember being handed the first one by a librarian, and begging my parents to buy it for me when I had to turn it back in. I remember then begging the librarian to tell me the date the next one was expected to release (that was the only way to find out, in those days). I remember the look and location of each new book, in the bookstore, when I went to pick it up. I still have all my first editions. Tamora Pierce is the only author I have ever expressly tried to meet, and she is the only author who’s book I stood in line to have signed. This series actually did change my life.
Oooh tricky QOTD. I have always wanted an Alanna movie, though of course that would be expensive. Once I had dinner with Tamora Pierce (oh excuse me just buffing my nails over here) and a bunch of other writing students, and when the subject of movie adaptations came up she said people had been interested before, but she was very particular about how she wants the movie to be (good) and so hasn’t sold them yet. One day, though!
Also, I dunno, maybe some historical romances? Like P&P goes over super well folks. I am pretty sure we could stop mining Austen’s juvenelia and maybe base something on a Mary Balogh or Julia Quinn or something.
The brilliant Tamora Pierce’s earlier work, Alanna, is part of a quartet “The Song of the Lioness”. I found this about 2 decades ago and reread it about once a year, if not more.
The story’s heroine is very matter-of-fact in her goal of becoming a knight, in a time when women were not allowed to be knighted. She bravely exchanges places with her twin brother, and off we go into her adventures! This book covers her first few years as a page. Alanna is feisty, spunky, courageous, and suffers the same self-doubt as we all do in our teenage years. Nevertheless, she gains friends and a community to which she belongs. A very well-thought-out character who I admire greatly, yes even though she is fictional. Her cat, Faithful, is a great additional character, and always offers fun tidbits to break up the drama.
Strong heroine, fast paced storyline, good vs evil, romantic elements
A strong female lead, magic and adventure!
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness #1) by Tamora Pierce – Tamora Pierce is one of my favorite writers of all time. This series is her twist on Twelfth Night meets King Arthur. Alanna really wants to be a knight, and her twin Thom wants to be a mage. Magic and the Mother Goddess help them switch places, and Alanna finds herself some unusual friends. As always, the animal sidekicks are the best! Enjoy the adventure! Happy Reading!
Hands down my favorite book for the last 15 years of my life. I’ve reread this entire series probably 12-15 times over the years, as well as everything else set in the same world. The main character is the perfect example of continued growth, the world is expansive and fleshed out, the magic system is consistent and interesting, and the medieval historical accuracy is good. 5.5 would recommend to anyone who loves fantasy, and definitely to young girls in particular. This book shaped who I am as a person.
This is the first Tamora Pierce book I’ve read. it’s the first in a 4-part series. This is a teen/young adult series, so each book is fairly short, about 3 or so hours each.
The story did start out a little slow for me, but soon picked up the pace and I couldn’t put it down once I got into it. Alanna wants to be a warrior maiden and her twin brother, Thom, wants to be a sorcerer; however, their father is oblivious and intends to send Alanna off to a convent to be a proper lady and Thom off to be a warrior. The children decide to trade places and convince their caretakers to let them.
Some parts of the story were a little slow for me — describing normal life in a palace, some of the hardships; but I was very much caught up in the intrigue and mysteries.
I do intend to finish the series. I picked up the second book about 30 seconds after finishing the first.
4 star
This is a young adult-teen series. My now grown daughter loved this series when she was younger and tried getting me to read it several times. And so now have taken the time to start it and will continue to read this series and the others in the ‘series within the series’ books.
If you like stories about strong willed young women who doesn’t allow their ‘sex’ or traditions hold them down; you will certainly like these books. A young girl doesn’t want to have to be a ‘traditional girl’ doing all the ‘girly’ things required of her; and her twin brother doesn’t want to be a warrior. So they devise a plan and she goes ‘undercover’ to train as a warrior and they switch places so he can become what he would like as well.
Very well written and a fun adventurous read you will want to have the next in line to continue with
This is the first book of one of my favorites fantasy series of all time. What an enjoyable read! I adored this book when I was a teen and would recommend it to anyone, especially girls seeking an empowering read and entry into a beloved fantasy world with characters that catch your heart. Highly recommended!
It was really weird in a creepy way. Was a weird nude scene.
Written for young adults, this story is well done and all readers will enjoy it! I read it in my 50s and absolutely fell in love with the series! Read it!
This is my favorite book of all times. I first read as a young adult, 12 years old, and have since reread many times.
This is a childhood favourite and always makes my top 5 books of all time. It has a strong, determined female lead, magic, horses, swords and intrigue. What more could a young girl want? (besides a magic sword of her own)
Absolutely the best book I’ve ever read. My all time favourite author.
I have read every book in Tamora Pierce’s Tortall universe, and I have loved every single one of them. But this is the one that started it all, and that brought me into this wonderful world. I love it to bits and I wish everyone would read it. It has pretty much everything I love in a book, with strong feminism, powerful magic, compelling characters…I could go on but I just don’t know how to put everything I love about it in here without descending into madness. It may be a bit more on they young side of young adult, but I don’t think I’ll ever stop enjoying it and I hope more people read it too!
A great children’s book who’s main character defied her culture’s norms, proving that women can be and do anything a man can do.
This just wasn’t what I was expecting, but I felt the need to read it because so many of my favorite fantasy authors have listed this as an influence. It was obviously geared toward a younger reader, and I’m surprised I didn’t pick this up as a kid, but it was a quick read at least.
Another author who has written a female-lead dragon series. Anyone who likes such books will love the series.
One of my all-time, top favorite YA fantasy reads, ALANNA: THE FIRST ADVENTURE (and the entire series) has a strong-girl character who becomes a female knight when it’s not allowed by disguising herself as a boy, magic, and is a gripping, entertaining read. It’s one of my go-to comfort books. Highly recommended!