Let's go back to the days of hair scrunchies and pop rocks. How about After School Specials and high waisted jeans? Memories..... This is a book I read in junior high that I thought was pretty amazing. It was all girl power and Alanna was my hero. I remember begging the librarian to purchase the next book in the series. Alas, it never happened and I moved on to other books. I saw this book in our library the other day and really wanted to read it again. Was it as special as I remember it being? Yes! It's still a great story and Alanna is still a kick ass character. The best part is that the library actually has the rest of the books in the series! Very nice for a girl who was left hanging for about 20 years!
If you are looking for an oldie but goody check this book out.
ALANNA-Song of the Lioness
By Tamora Pierce
1983
216 Pages
From Back of Book:
Alanna of Trebond is no ordinary girl-her dream is to become a knight. So she disguises herself as a boy and begins training at the palace of King Roald. Alanna quickly finds out that the road to knighthood is not an easy one, but her skills and stubbornness help her become friends with Prince Jonathon and his followers. At the same time, Alanna makes an enemy of the prince's uncle, the overly charming Duke Roger. Here begins Alanna's first adventure-one that will lead not only to the fulfillment of her dreams but to a magical destiny that will make her a legend.
My Thoughts:
Alanna and Thom of Trebond are twins. Both with red hair and purple eyes. There is little difference between them other than the length of their hair. It's the perfect set up for and identity trade! Which of course happens because Alanna wants to be a knight and Thom wants to be a sorcerer. So a plan is hatched, Alanna disguises herself as a boy and her adventure begins. It's a great story with plenty of action, emotion and of course a few close calls where Alanna true identity is almost discovered! I look forward to reading the next book in the series- In the Hand of the Goddess.
I recommend this book for readers 10 and up. It is available for check out at The Salmon Public Library.
So this is one of my top 5 favorite book series- you should read all of Tamora Pierce's Tortall books. As for the Alanna books, the first one is good, but the rest are better. Significantly better. I think that the Alanna books are the first of the Tortall books, and T. Pierce's writing goes from good to amazing by the time you get to the books about Alanna's daughter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I will definately be checking out her other books!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had found these when I was younger. I read them for the first time a couple of years ago and I enjoyed them. I know that as a younger reader I would have loved them though. And it would have been great to read about Alanna after ODing on the Sweet Valley Twins!
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