I'm not quite sure how, but somewhere along the way in my fantasy reading I totally missed out on the perfectness that is Tamora Pierce. Most likely this omission is due to my not reading teen books while a teenager. That said, I've had several people recommend I start with Pierce's Alanna series and I am happy to report these books are as wonderful as everyone told me they were. Surprise, surprise.Neither Alanna nor her twin brother Thom want to be what their father (and the rest of the world) want them to be. Thom has always preferred books and sorcery to outdoor pursuits while Alanna isn't happy unless she's out riding, hunting, or in general behaving like a boy. Both Alanna and Thom are more than disappointed when their bookish father decides to send them away - Thom to the castle to learn to be a Knight and Alanna to a local convent to study. Desperate to be spared their fates, Alanna chops off her hair and forges letters from their father sending Alanna as a boy to the castle and Thom to the convent to learn sorcery. Upon arriving at the castle, no one guesses Alanna's secret and she is free to train as a page. Though small, the other boys and adults are impressed with the spunky 'Alan' as she is now known and through hard work earns the respect of everyone around her.Alanna is wonderful - she never understands her true worth or why those around her love her so much but it's immediately obvious to the reader. She works much harder than anyone else to become the best, especially since she much smaller than the other boys. I also loved Tamora Pierce's frank narrative style that seems to follow Alanna's mental development as well as her physical. Her world building is also a standout - a whole pantheon of gods and intriguing political relationships that continue to lend more maturity to the books as Alanna develops. This series was truly a revelation to me and I can't believe I have waited so long to read them. You can be sure I'll be finishing them in a hurry. ( )

Since the semester is almost over, I thought nothing sounded better than reading some youth fiction. It's fun and doesn't require me to read with a dictionary sitting next to me, as did some of the harder stuff I read this year. When browsing the stacks at the library, I came across this series and couldn't resist grabbing the quartet. These were a favorite of mine when I was younger and the urge to reread them in an effort to procrastinate in writing my paper was irresistible!

Alanna of Trebond isn't what one would call an ordinary girl. She's more of a tomboy than a lady and wants nothing more than to be a knight. Of course, this isn't allowed. But mischievous and crafty as she is, she decides to switch places with her twin brother. She'll go to the palace, disguised a boy, to become a knight. He'll go to the convent, the place where all young men who dream of becoming a sorcerer must go to begin their studies.

Alanna's a strong female character, even if she is a bit foolish and headstrong at time. She's incredibly witty and fun to read about and several parts of this book had me laughing. I also think, apart from just being a great read, the book also has a lesson in identity. Alanna at first dislikes her femininity, thinking it a weakness. But as she grows stronger and stronger, surpassing many of the other male pages, and as more of her friends realize her secret and accept her anyways, she comes to accept herself. The book is very heart-warming in this regard and I look forward to continuing Alanna's adventures. ( )

This book was a fun read, and one of my favorites as child. Looking back, the heroine is a bit of a Mary Sue, but it's definitely a good read for children. ( )

I loved this book and I loved Alanna. She is tough, loyal, and smart and she wins the loyalty of her friends despite being a girl. ( )

Perhaps I'm a bit biased because we share the same name, but Alanna is one of my favourite characters in fantasy literature. This book started my obsession with Tamora Pierce and the Tortall world, and I am forever thankful.

A great book with a strong female role model in the world of men. Just the right amount of magic brings the medieval world to light. One of my favourite books of all time!

A great book for preteens, but parents be warned that there is a strong love story line in the later books, however Pierce is not graphic about it, it is merely implied. ( )