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Alanna wants to be a warrior, not a lady, so when her father sends her twin brother to court to become a page, she takes his place and changes her name to Alan. Her brother Thom disguises himself her clothes and sneaks off to learn magic (unfortunately we don't get much of his story). This was a favorite when I was 9 or 10; I suspect it wouldn't seem very original to me at this point.
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3.5
There are little things that are not perfect about this book, but overall I don't really care? For one, it was still delightful. But mostly, I think I am enjoying reading this so much because I read PotS first. Already being familiar with the characters' adult selves (even in just the barest sense and through a somewhat unreliable narrator--I love you, Kel) means learning about them as kids developing their relationships is so, so delightful. It's kind of like my peak period of obsession with ...more
There are little things that are not perfect about this book, but overall I don't really care? For one, it was still delightful. But mostly, I think I am enjoying reading this so much because I read PotS first. Already being familiar with the characters' adult selves (even in just the barest sense and through a somewhat unreliable narrator--I love you, Kel) means learning about them as kids developing their relationships is so, so delightful. It's kind of like my peak period of obsession with ...more
I adore Tamora Pierce's books. She writes original fantasy with very strong and believable female characters.
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I first read Tamora Pierce years ago and loved her books. I was so glad to see that she started writing again because all of her new books are great. However, her original Alanna series will always remain my favorite because the characters are so original and the story is so intriguing. This is a book/series I have re-read multiple times.
This barely feels like a fantasy for much of the book, focusing more on Alanna's desire to train as a knight than on her untapped healing magic. Alanna is the classic girl-disguised-as-boy character, attempting to become who she wants despite rules against it, navigating the world of boys while also staying true to herself. The fantastical plotline only comes in towards the end of the book and is much less effective than the rest of the story which focuses more on Alanna herself. The audio versi
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I really admire physically talented people, and determination, and Alanna is both those things. A fun trading places story, with Alanna going in disguise as a boy to be in training to be a knight at the castle, while her twin brother goes off to study magic. I wish we knew more about what happened to him!
If you like this, try Dragonsong and Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey.
If you like this, try Dragonsong and Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey.
A school serial with a fun setting.
Nov 05, 2010
Whitney
marked it as to-read
Mar 20, 2012
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
marked it as to-read
Sep 18, 2013
Kira
marked it as to-read
Aug 15, 2016
Anya Ballinger
marked it as to-read
Nov 04, 2018
Kate Thompson
added it
Mar 21, 2020
Flynn
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