Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce


The first book in the Song of the Lioness quartet introduces readers to a land filled with fantasy, adventure, and a girl masquerading as a boy. Alanna of Trebond wants to become a knight while her twin brother, Thom, wants to become a sorcerer. While they want to follow a path chosen by themselves, their father has other plans. Alanna is to become a lady and take her place at court and Thom is to become a knight. The day before they are set to leave, Alanna and Thom make the decision to switch places. They are to pretend that they are twin brothers. With the help of the village healer the twins make the switch and Alanna is off to the palace under the name Alan.

The book follows Alanna's first four years at the palace as a page. She faces becoming a woman, saving the prince, becoming friends with the king of thieves, and fighting an evil older than the land she calls home.

This book has it all, adventure, excitement, and just a little bit of fleeting romance. It is a fast and easy read and leaves the reader wanting more (good thing there are three other books). Alanna is a lovable character. She is strong and even when she is uncertain about her path, she makes the tough choice to do the right thing. The book is in third person and mostly follows Alanna as Alan, but there are times when you see things from another character's point of view (just small snippets, but enough to know how other characters view Alan/Alanna). This is a great book for teens and adults and a story that readers will want to read over and over again.

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