Song of the Lioness: Alanna: The First Adventure

Reader reviewed by Marion

It was an absolutely amazing book, I recommend it to all people of all ages. It's a real page-turner, I wouldn't (or couldn't) put it down unless forced to. The plot is engaging, the characters are charming and witty, and there's always that touch of humor to make you laugh. A wonderful start to the series!

Reader reviewed by Stella

Alanna, the first book in the Song of the Lioness series, is a superbly written book that causes you to cringe, laugh, and cheer for the extremely likeable main character.

Set in a time similar to the middle ages in a fantasy kingdom called Tortall, Alanna is the story of a young girl, Alanna, who wants more than just the marriage and childbearing that is expected of her, she wants to be a knight. Along with her brother Thom, Alanna devises a plan to desguise herself as a boy and become a page. Th story follows Alanna's physical and emotional struggles as she tries to fit in with the boys while not giving away her true identity.

An absolutely wonderful first in an entire series of brilliant novels by one of the best young adult authors, Tamora Pierce.

Reader reviewed by TA

Great begining of the many series, I started this book in 8th grade and now I have read all of them, this is a great book, with action and strong will.

Reader reviewed by Mary

Alanna is the outgoing one who loves fighting. Her twin brother, Thom, is the quiet one who wants to learn magic. Alanna wants to become a knight. However, Thom is the one who is going to be sent to become a knight and Alanna is off to become a lady-that is until they decide to switch places. Alanna disguises herself as Thom and heads off to become a warrior. Thom goes off to the nuns to learn magic. Alanna discovers that it isn;t as easy as it looks. But of course, that doesn't mean she'll give up...

This book is well-written and stunning. Alanna is a character who will earn the reader's respect. The story is a magical adventure that will leave the reader wanting more. Luckily for the reader there is more in this quartet...

Reader reviewed by Kyla

Song of the Lioness: Alanna the First Adventure is about a girl in medieval times who wants to be knight so she pretends to be a boy. In this book she finds friendship, confidence, and love with the prince. I read this book in fifth grade and it had me asking questions. Because of that, I would not reccemend this to anyone in sixth grade or younger. All around, though, it was a good book.
~Kyla  : )

The First Adventure is about a girl living in a magical, medieval world, who wants to really be a knight but is forced to practice the arts of magic. Her twin brother really wants to be a mage but is forced to be a knight. In a rush, the two twins swapped, meaning Alanna could become what she always wanted to be, a knight. Forced to pretend she is a man, Alanna survives through many adventures, proving that women can just good as men.

I wouldn't recommend this book for 10+, where it has been placed in, especially the next few books. This book should be more for 12+, as they get older, you know, things happen.

I loved this book, I fell love with Alanna's determination. I had read first test and that quartet before reading this, even though I enjoyed them greatly, I definitely preferred these books. I powered through them and when I had finished them I went straight to the Wild Magic ones. I got bored of them as I got to the last one. Nothing can beat this book and it's sequels. Read it!!!

Reader reviewed by Laura Loeb

Great adventure, I love Tamora Pierce's books this may not be my favorite of her quartets but it is my second choice (first being the following Quartet starting with Wolfspeaker.) Alanna is a great character and if you like fantasy and adventure these are the books for you and if you ask me the right guy got the girl.

Reader reviewed by Spartanx1x

This book is a good intro. to a captivating series. It takes place in an imaginary world in the land of Tortall. It is about a young girl switching places with her slightly egotistical twin brother so he can learn magic and she can become a knight. Her name is Alanna

Reader reviewed by Katrina

Hiding the truth from everyone, mingling with rogues, seperation from all those close, venturing into and unknown and sometimes scary world. Indeed, Alanna is a very brave girl. But also very ambitious.

Reader reviewed by linda

Tamora Pierce does not disappoint in this historic series about the adventures of a girl struggling to become a knight. Alana is like the Mulan of Tortall (the kingdom where she lives), she has to pretend to be a guy to get into knight school and then falls in love with two guys who are unaware that she is a girl. She also battles many fierce creatures and the evil duke who comes back to life. The last book was the best in my opinion because Alana decides who she will marry (after the two men figure out that she is a girl), finds a wife for the prince of Tortall, and helps defeat Tortall's foes.