Alanna: The First Adventure
by Tamora Pierce
Book Summary Information
Author: Tamora PierceEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown)
Published: 1984-12
ISBN: 019271502X
Number of pages: 242
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Book Reviews of Alanna: The First Adventure
Book Review: Good, but not great
Summary: 4 Stars
So, the first book of Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness Series. What did I think of it? It was all right, better than most formulaic fantasy, but not quite great. An enjoyable, casual read.
I'll start with the faults. The prose is nothing extraordinary, and there often isn't quite enough description. At the same time, things always happened quickly, as if the characters were in a mad rush. If you like your fantasy quick and to the point, and just can't slog through heavily descriptive novels like the Wheel of Time, then this book may be perfect for you.
Secondly, magic was handled a little bit casually. Even children can use it, and its treated more like a handy tool to keep at your belt rather than a mystical, arcane force. The magic system was pretty basic and not much more complicated than you'd expect to see if you were playing an RPG like Dungeons and Dragons.
Thirdly, and this is the most criminal, Thom(the best character) barely gets any page time. I hope Pierce rewrites this series from his POV sometime, because that would make for an interesting read.
Finally, the climax was rather abrupt, quick, and didn't carry much weight. The Ysandir(the final enemies) were pansies, as easily dispatched as flies to be swatted, with the exception of the leader, Ylon. The final battle could definitely have done with being drawn out a bit more, given a bit more suspense. It would probably have been more dramatic if the fight was just against Ylon, minus the underlings who is uses as fodder.
Besides these flaws, however, this is a fairly good read. Nothing deep or groundbreaking, nothing fantastic, but consistently entertaining and adaquately written. The characters were pretty good, I can't recall ever being bored with the story, or wincing at the dialogue. Hardcore fantasy fans, however, might want to look for a series with a little more meat to it, though.
3.5 stars.
Summary of Alanna: The First Adventure
Alanna: The First AdventureBecoming a legend is not easy, as young Alanna of Trebond discovers when she disguises herself as boy and begins training to be a knight. But it takes more than hard work to stop this heroine, whose skills and stubbornness help her make friends with Prince Jonathon and enemies with his uncle, Duke Roger. Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, this book is a rousing introduction to the intensely satisfying story of Alanna.
IN the Hand of the Goddess
Alanna has won the honor of being Prince Jonathon's squire. Now it will take all of her awesome skill and power to protect him from the mysterious, evil sorcerer who is bent on his destruction -- and hers! An aptly adventurous and magical sequel to Alanna.
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
Alanna sets out on her own across the desert of Tortall. The only female knight in a hostile land, she is captured by desert tribesman and forced to prove herself in a magical duel to the death. She triumphs and goes on to become the tribe's first female shaman. But, in Alanna's heart, another battle rages. Prince Jonathon, her first love, wants her to marry him. But Alanna is not sure that being a queen is her destiny ... and she's grown very fond of her longtime friend George, the handsome, charismatic King of Thieves. What's a lady warrior to do?
Lioness Rampant
Alanna has achieved her dream of becoming the first female knight errant of the kingdom. Now she sets out on a quest to find the Dominion Jewel, a legendary gem which, in the right hands, possesses limitless power for good. As she is battling the elements and mythical creatures, her nemesis, the evil Duke Roger, returns from the dead to wreak havoc on the kingdom. Only Alanna has the power to prevent utter destruction ...
Call it fate, call it intuition, or just call it common sense, but somehow young Alanna knows she isn't meant to become some proper lady cloistered in a convent. Instead, she wants to be a great warrior maiden--a female knight. But in the land of Tortall, women aren't allowed to train as warriors. So Alanna finds a way to switch places with her twin, Thom, and take his place as a knight in training at the palace of King Roald. Disguising herself as a boy, Alanna begins her training as a page in the royal court. Soon, she is garnering the admiration of all around her, including the crown prince, with her strong work ethic and her thirst for knowledge. But all the while, she is haunted by the recurring vision of a black stone city that emanates evil... somehow she knows it is her fate to purge that place of its wickedness. But how will she find it? And can she fulfill her destiny while keeping her gender a secret?
With Alanna: The First Adventure, veteran fantasy author Tamora Pierce has created a lively, engaging heroine who will charm middle-school readers with her tomboyish bravado and have them eagerly searching for the next book in the Song of the Lioness series. Like Brian Jacques's tales of Redwall, this popular quartet is an entertaining fantasy series for younger teens. (Ages 10 to 13) --Jennifer Hubert
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