Helpful Score: 3
This is a great book for teenage girls. Loved this book. Age appropriate and the main charecter is a stong female figure.
Helpful Score: 2
A great fantasy adventure, Alanna is a girl who decides to masquerade as a boy to join the elite ranks of the King's Knights. But hiding her gender and controlling her magical abilities seems harder than she could have thought. Not to mention falling in love with another knight-in-training...
Great book! Fantasy and plot twists were excellent - I couldn't put this book down!
Great book! Fantasy and plot twists were excellent - I couldn't put this book down!
daedelys -
Helpful Score: 2
This story was very interesting and fast-paced. A little short (I didn't want it to end so soon!) but very enjoyable regardless. I this this would be a great read for fans of Harry Potter-like books or any stories that have that type of world.
Helpful Score: 1
Tamora Pierce opens 'The Song of the Lioness' quartet with a vivid description of Alanna (Sir Alan) and her trials in becoming a page in the Tortallan Court. Hiding the fact that she is actually a girl so that she can get her shield and be the only lady knight in Tortall, Alanna has many reasons to prove herself before all of her fellow pages and squires, one of whom is Prince Jonathon.
A captivating read that is hard to put down, Pierce takes the reader through the physical and mental struggles that Alanna faces in a "man's" world.
A captivating read that is hard to put down, Pierce takes the reader through the physical and mental struggles that Alanna faces in a "man's" world.
Reagan H. (horselover419) reviewed Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I love this book-actually this entire series! Got me first hooked on fantasy series when I was younger!
Alison H. (Alison-H) -
Helpful Score: 1
A great beginning to an epic fantasy tale for anyone who ever wanted to live in a world of magic and mystery. I reread this book and its sequels at least once a year growing up. Tamora Pierce is a MUST read for any YA fantasy enthusiast.
As an adult reader the book remains a swift entertaining read with intricate plotting, but it is not as detailed or developed as some adult focused fantasy stories.
As an adult reader the book remains a swift entertaining read with intricate plotting, but it is not as detailed or developed as some adult focused fantasy stories.
Anna S. (annapi) reviewed Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1) on + 334 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Alanna wants to be a knight, but her father is sending her to the convent to learn to be a lady. Her twin brother Thom wants to be a sorcerer, but he is to be sent to earn his knighthood. Then Alanna has a brainstorm - they will switch places.
This was a lively children's fantasy, simplistic but fun, full of black-and-white characters, straightforward character conflicts, and enough chivalry, valor and magic to please young readers. I wish I'd read this when I was younger, and I'm pretty sure my daughter (for whom I bought it) will enjoy it.
This was a lively children's fantasy, simplistic but fun, full of black-and-white characters, straightforward character conflicts, and enough chivalry, valor and magic to please young readers. I wish I'd read this when I was younger, and I'm pretty sure my daughter (for whom I bought it) will enjoy it.
Tiffany-Lane S. (Skye) reviewed Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1) on + 61 more book reviews
This is my favorite series by my favorite author. You should read all of Tamora Pierce's books!
Candace G. (Ogre) reviewed Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1) on + 1568 more book reviews
This is a delightful YA sword and sorcery book, but equally fun for 'older' adults, too. Alanna doesn't want her noble father to pack her off to the convent to learn stitching and deportment, while her twin brother doesn't want to be sent off from Trebond castle to learn to be page, then squire to some musclebound knight. So the nearly identical twins swap places. As much as Alanna is determined to be the first maiden knight in a century, Thom is determined to be a sorcerer.
From back cover: "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. Though a girl, Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys; her twin brother yearns to learn the art of magic. So one day they decide to switch places: Disguised as a girl, Thom heads for the convent to learn magic; 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 discrrn 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 the magical destiny that will make her a legend in her land.
From back cover: "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. Though a girl, Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys; her twin brother yearns to learn the art of magic. So one day they decide to switch places: Disguised as a girl, Thom heads for the convent to learn magic; 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 discrrn 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 the magical destiny that will make her a legend in her land.
Katie E. (kadiraa9) reviewed Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1) on + 25 more book reviews
This is a great YA series; I read it in middle school and loved it. Alanna disguises herself as a boy in order to be trained as a knight, and over the course of the 4 books becomes a strong woman, warrior, and sorceress; saves the kingdom; and just generally kicks butt. I'm definitely passing these books on to my nieces when they get a little older.
Jessica P. (celestial-winter) reviewed Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1) on + 31 more book reviews
Very creative and interesting. I loved Alanna's strong willed character and her determination to be just as good as the boys. I'm already hooked on the series and reading the second book, awaiting to recieve the last two. I'm so glad my friend recommended the series to me and now I recommend it to anyone who wants a good adventure novel.
Lauren C. (bookchick07) - reviewed Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Amazing book!It is one of those books were Girls are the heros for once!!!
Cassandra B. (kala) reviewed Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
I adore these books, my copy was read multiple times and I've gotten to the point where I can read it in an hour or so just from the sheer number of times I've read it. Alanna and her twin brother switch places so Alanna can become a knight, obviously something forbidden ;) She proves herself worthy and is allowed to continue knights training. The books have many twists and turns and through out the whole series' set in the realm of Tortal I have yet to find one that I don't love. Recommended great read!
It was AWESOME!!!!
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
Alanna is determined to be a warrior but of course, only boys can be warriors. Thus starts a deception that will allow Alanna (Alan) her dreams. She meets wonderful friends - Jon, Alex, Gary and George - who help her through her first few years as a page. She hates her magical abilities but they will save her life as well as Jon's in the near future.
This is a great adventure and a terrific start to the Song of the Lioness series. Very well written with great real-life characters and challenges.
This is a great adventure and a terrific start to the Song of the Lioness series. Very well written with great real-life characters and challenges.
Emily G. (knightslady) reviewed Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1) on + 96 more book reviews
Very enjoying read.
Allison S. (amsibert) reviewed Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
if you are interested in reading books by Tamora Pierce, this is where to start. It is the first of the Lionness Quartet, which is the first quartet of many in Pierce's the world created by Pierce.
Tamora Pierce can create some wonderful, loveable characters. This is a book where you want nothing more than the success of the heroine. The only problem I had is that the climax felt a little too tame. It doesn't quite cliffhang into ithe next book, either, like I would expect. All in all a good weekend read, though!
Tamora Pierce can create some wonderful, loveable characters. This is a book where you want nothing more than the success of the heroine. The only problem I had is that the climax felt a little too tame. It doesn't quite cliffhang into ithe next book, either, like I would expect. All in all a good weekend read, though!
A really easy read that is packed with action and a strong female heroine.
Lisa F. (x0xbookwormx0x) reviewed Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Bk 1) on + 100 more book reviews
From Amazon.com:
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.
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.
