Alia Waking

by Laura Williams McCaffrey

Alia wants nothing more than to be selected as a keenten, a warrior woman. Her friend Kay, strong and fierce, is sure to be chosen, but Alia is not nearly as certain about herself. When Kay stumbles upon a shelter in the woods belonging to two Beechians, enemies of their people, the girls see a perfect opportunity to prove their courage and worth. But then strange events unfold, and Alia begins to question everything that has always been certain in her life—her friendship with Kay, her opinions of the Beechians and of war, even her singular desire to become a keenten.

A vividly portrayed, perfectly realized world and elements of the supernatural provide a magical setting for this stirring story, which will resonate long after the final page is turned.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Childrens, High Fantasy

214 pages, Hardcover

First published March 25, 2003

About the author

I read, I write, I teach. I've published short stories in Cicada, YA Review Network, Solstice Literary Magazine, and Soundings Review. In 2016, Clarion Books released my YA dystopian fantasy MARKED, which Kirkus Books called "an original, textured page-turner." My other fantasy novels are WATER SHAPER and ALIA WAKING (both published by Clarion Books). For more information, it's best to visit my website: http://www.laurawilliamsmccaffrey.com

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SUCH a great book! I loved it a ton, but what first got me to read it was the beautiful art on the cover. Isn't it so pretty and woodsy? Anyway, it was so engaging - I zipped right through it. I really love books with strong female characters who fight for what they believe in, and Alia was one of those. I sort of was sad about the ending a bit, but then I guess that's realistic, right? I recommend this to girls ages 10 and up. ;)

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alia wants nothing more than to be selected as a keenten, a warrior woman. Her friend Kay, strong and fierce, is sure to be chosen, but Alia is not nearly as certain about herself. When Kay stumbles upon a shelter in the woods belonging to two Beechians, enemies of their people, the girls see a perfect opportunity to prove their courage and worth. But then strange events

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was great up until the end, where the author suddenly went, "shoot, I'm close to the page limit, better finish everything off quickly!" This is still worth reading, and I'm hoping there's a sequel around somewhere, but I am warning you.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the most unresolved, unsatisfying books I've ever read. The events of the book just made life worse for everyone and no one got an even remotely happy ending.

[Emily Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes when you read a children's book, you applaud the messages more than the writing. ALIA WAKING is a good example of this. Alia has been working diligently towards her dream of being a woman-warrior and leaving domestic drudgery behind. As the book progresses, she begins to see and understand the nuances of the adult world--a world she thought she understood and trusted completely. I really appreciated the positive and complicated coming-of-age issues the author tackled, but the writing was sometimes flat when describing events/society and the pacing was lumbering at times. HOWEVER, in other places the writing was vivid and interesting--usually when there were scenes involving description.

[Hannah Goodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alia was an incredible book. I will admit, I am
reluctant about fantastical fiction but McCaffrey's world actually
didn't seem that fantastical as I read. It really reflected the tests
that young people face as they come into their own skin. What came to mind after was....this is a book that belongs on the summer reading/required
reading for 8th and 9th graders, when a girl's struggle with
friendships and wanting to please others but stay true to themselves
peaks. Wow. I don't know why I waited so long to read it! I smelled a
sequel as I finished it!

[Alia · Rating 3 out of 5]

a well-written YA novel about growing up and finding one's path in life. Alia learns that things aren't always what they seem and one must stand up for what one believes in, even if it's not looked well upon.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A likeable fantasy with some familiar plot lines. Alia would like to be chosen as a woman warrior when she is 13, but she finds another calling by helping two captured Beechian teens that may be spies from a country that is at war with Alia 19s nation.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fantasy-- would like to read more by this author.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Alia's fearlessness and the world Mccaffrey created

[Jill]

Another book I found on a list of books I read as a teenager but don't remember. I read it in a day over winter break, so it must have been fairly engaging.

[Alexis]

And this book! I've been looking for the name of this book for forever!

[Jadin · Rating 4 out of 5]

really want a sequel but w.e