Song of the Lioness: Alanna: The First Adventure

Reader reviewed by Flaky


The Song of the Lioness is a quartet of fantasy novels written by Tamora Pierce, which was first published in 2004. It is a narration of the life story of a girl who would let nothing stop her in the pursuit of an ambition to become a knight in a realm where girls are not allowed to do virtually anything.
Alanna of Trebond wants to train as a knight at the palace in Tortall, but girls are not permitted to train as knights so she disguises herself as a boy and swaps with her twin brother Thom. There at the palace Alanna learns that things arent as easy as she had thought they would be.
She goes through rough times growing up into a lady and concealing her feminity while she continues her fights against foes. Her father and brother die and she gets adopted by one of her teachers and a tribe. Though sad at heart Alanna is able to overcome her grief and continue life perfecting her combat skills and learning to love. The story is told in third person and it captures ones imagination making it difficult for the reader to leave the book until the story ends.
The Song of the Lioness is a very pleasant narrative portraying the struggles people undertake to achieve their goals. There is not a part of the novel that is not engaging and interesting. I would recommend this book to readers above the age twelve.

Reader reviewed by Ali

Oh my god! a great book in the series of the lioness quartet. About a girl alanna training to become a knight disguised as a man. I love this book and all the other books written by Tamora Pierce. Also another great series the immortals quartet by Tamora Pierce. I recommend these books for all ages.

Reader reviewed by A Fellow Reader

I thought this was an excellent series. It was about these twins (mainly about the girl). Thom,(the boy) didn't want to be a knight, but Alanna (the girl) did. Thom wanted to go to the convent and become a sorcerer so he forged his father's letters and they both went in each other's place; Alanna as a boy (Alan) and Thom as himself. Alanna goes on and becomes the first female knight in almost 100 years. This novel is exciting, funny, hereoic, blah blah blah (just read it, if you like fantasy and medievil times, you like this book.)

Reader reviewed by Theresa

I absoutly LOVED this series i like the 3 I have read. I have read the Immortals series 2 times From the first book Wild magic, then Wolf-Speaker, then Emperor Mage, the last, The Reams of the gods. then the Alanna series( the Lioness rampant series) The first one being 'Alanna: the firs adventure', then 'In the hands of the Goddess', then 'the woman who rides like a man', then 'Lioness rampant' I also read the Protector of The Small series the first one as 'First Test' then the second one 'Page' ad the third one (i havent read its not out yet) is 'Squire' and the fourth one i dont know what its called. Well i highly suggest ths series and any other of her books she has writen they are all good.

Reader reviewed by Sarah

Luv it! This series is for the lovers of fine fantasy, for anyone from the age of 12 to 16! I'm 15 and have loved this book scince I was ten! If you love fantasy about a girl warrior, this quartet is for you! Guys may not like this book, however it and it's sequel series (Wolf speaker) are absolute classics in my mind and I recommend them to anyone.

Reader reviewed by Daine

I am absolutely suprised that Alanna hasn't had more reviews! It (in my opinion--for what that counts as since I am biased and have devoted myself to Ms. Pierce's books--it is one of the greatest YA books that I have read). Of course, if you are undeniably devoted to Alanna after reading the first, (it's a given that you will read the first, of course!) you have to read the rest, which in order go from:
Alanna: The First Adventure
In the Hands of the Goddess
The Woman who Rides Like a Man
Lioness Rampant
Wild Magic
Wolf-Speaker
The Emperor Mage
In the Realms of the Gods
First Test
Page
Squire
Lady Knight (Coming out in 2002
And if you have younger sisters or brothers, they might be interested in The Circle of Magic series. Believe me, I've read these books so many times and have seen so many good ratings for her books that you won't (believe me, WON'T) want to just pass these wondrous books up!!

Reader reviewed by Ari

Okay i know that this is not a bookk review but i just wanted to tell everyone that these books are so goood. They are intresting and such a good book(s) to read. Loved the books and I know that if you are gonna read this, you will love them!!!

Reader reviewed by Amanda

Alanna:The First Adventure is a wonderful novel for young women who are searching for themselves. It describes a pre-teen girl, Alanna of Trebond, who wants direction in her life. She doesn't want to become an old woman on her spinning wheel or an enchantress. So, Thom, her twin brother, and herself trade places. She goes to become a knight, disguised as a boy, Alan. Meanwhile, Thom goes to a monastery to become a magician. While in training, Alan discovers that it isn't easy, but she will fight for her knighthood. She becomes friends with many boys, Gary, Myles, and even the prince of Tortall, Jonathan. Alanna will have fun, become scared, and fiercely combat with evil. Meet Alanna or "Alan" in Alanna: The First Adventure.


I loved Alanna. She was courageous, brave, and strong. She tries hard to fairly be inducted into this community. She is a normal girl being a normal boy. Any young adult girl will love this novel. I give it 5 stars!

Reader reviewed by Amber

Alanna is the first book of one of my favorite series the Lioness Rampent. I also love tamara pierces series that are called the Imortal and Protector of the Small tamara pierce is a great author

Reader reviewed by Spartanx1x

This is one of my favourite books. It is a story about a girl called Alanna who swaps places with her twin brother Thom so that she can become a knight. She befriends the Prince and other people like a thief called George. It is set in medieval times and is quite entralling.