Alanna: The First Adventure (The Song of the Lioness, Book 1)

A conversation between Lucie Dess and Bella Mackey

Lucie: Bella and I both wanted to write the review for the Alanna series. It was actually my idea to pick it for the Young Adult Classic of the Month, but because I got to review the Kids Classic last month, it was suggested Bella should do it instead. I disagreed … So, naturally the only way to settle the argument was an arm-wrestle. Of course, I won! No need to applaud. But then Elke, our fearless Readings Monthly editor suggested we write the review together, and being the gracious winner that I am, I agreed.

Bella: Thank goodness – it would have been a personal tragedy for me not to be able to share my love for Alanna and Tamora Pierce, but it was foolish of me to ever agree to an arm-wrestling match. Lucie destroyed me almost immediately … But that doesn’t matter now, because I still get to sing the praises of this timeless fantasy adventure!

Alanna: The First Adventure follows Alanna, who swaps places with her twin brother and disguises herself as a boy so she can become a knight. She’s got natural skill and a determination to prove herself, but Alanna soon finds herself up against gruelling training, mind-numbing lessons and relentless bullies. It’s not until she makes friends that the years of training ahead start to feel possible … as long as no one finds out about her secret identity.

Lucie: I first discovered Alanna in the school library. The book was tatty and the pages had yellowed. There were even a couple of pages missing, but that didn’t matter. I devoured it and then the next three books in the series. Alanna’s adventures are action-packed and utterly captivating. It has everything you could possibly want in a fantasy coming-of-age! There’s strong friendships, evil sorcerers, handsome princes, charming thieves, love triangles and twists that you will not see coming! The Song of the Lioness Quartet is a series I’ve returned to many times over the years, and it never fails to warm my heart and give me butterflies.

Bella: I was introduced to Alanna when I was in primary school, and it became pretty much my entire personality for the next few years. I absolutely fell in love with Alanna and her friends, and devoured the rest of the quartet (not to mention everything else Tamora Pierce had written). The fast-paced plots and magical world make her books incredibly engaging, while the wonderful characters will find a place in your heart and keep you coming back for more. Lucie and I are both proof that this book can inspire a lifelong passion! (and yes, we will now be re-reading the whole quartet, because it’s all we can think about after re-reading the first book).

We both recommend this series for any fantasy lover aged 12+, especially those who love Mulan and girls who can wield a sword.