Rating: 
Summary: Why is it so popular?
Review: Even as a children's book, it's overly simplistic and trite. Girl is seized by misguided feminism that is all too rampant among teenage girls of our own world, girl disguises self as boy, girl goes to become a knight and is bullied, girl proceeds to train and beat up the bully, girl is additionally compassionate and has hidden, special uber-powers. Where have I heard it before? Oh -- wait for it -- from another hundreds of other books of the same ilk.Okay, so it's said that there are only so many stories to tell, and you always find a unique twist in each author's presentation of it. Sadly, Pierce's take on this same-old cliche isn't unique in the least. It's absolutely, utterly, formulaic and predictable. A children's book doesn't *have* to be so simple; works such as, say, Michael Ende's A NEVERENDING STORY or MOMO are evidence that a children's book can be complex and detailed. My priority when rating a book is in this order: character, plot, then setting. The characters in ALANNA: THE FIRST ADVENTURE are stereotypical and as deep as cardboard cut-outs; the plot I have already commented; the setting has nothing special going for it. It's just another bland fantasyland. For the record, I'm female, and I find Alanna's being oh-so-independent and determined and "feminist role model" fake and laughable. That is all.
Rating: 
Summary: It Keeps on Getting Better
Review: This book is amazing. I think I first read it when I was 13 and now I'm 17 and I still love these books. So what if they're for middle schoolers? I love the stories, and even though they're not chock full of symbolism or other "intellectual" things, they are so wonderful and inspiring. Truly, truly amazing books. I've read them 4 times, each. But "Alanna" will always be my favorite. Then "In the Hand of the Goddess" that on'es really good too!! Any fantasy reader will love these!
Rating:
Summary: MY FAVORITE BOOK!!(15 year old book worm)
Review: I read this book when I was in 6th grade. I hated reading before I got my hands on T.P.'s books. She can write books that abosorb you totally to the point you don't want to stop reading even if it is 2o'clock in the morning(I'd know!). If people say anything about it being not age approiate for young readers they are wrong. By middle school girls go boy crazy and this book kept me at home not out with the boys doing none age approiate things! I love this book and you will have to read it to find out about the wonderful violet eyed worror witch going though life.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read
Review: This book is great! It's about a 10-year old girl, Alanna, who wants to be a knight. In her world, only noble boys can learn to be knights, and noble girls must learn to be ladies. Her twin brother, Thom, is to be a knight, but his dream is to become a great sorceror. Alanna comes up with the idea to pose as a boy, and be a knight, and Thom can go be a sorceror. Their father pretty much forgets about them once they're gone, so their plan works, but for how long? Read the book to find out! This is my absolute favorite book! It's very inspirational, and if you think about some advice people give Alanna, it may help you, even if you think you're happy. Whatever you do, get your hands on this book and read it! Espicially pre-teen and teen-aged girls!
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down!!!
Review: Alanna, the First Adventure is great! If I could, I'd give this book more than five stars. I recommend it to everybody, but especially people who like to read about strong, intelligent women. So if you're reading this right now (of course you are) STOP! Buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: Great books!!!!!
Review: I BOUGHT THIS BOOK AS A 4 IN 1.These book are great.Like books when they is a strong women lead.Tamora Pierce really did a good job with this book.Only promble was that I didn't think that this books should be read by YOUNG teenagers,maybe a young adult.But beside that it was a great read if you like fanasty.
Rating: 
Summary: Enthralling and Facinating
Review: ALANNA: THE FIRST ADVENTURE is a must-read for teens as it is very involving and entertaining; audiences will undoubtedly fall in love with Alanna as she is skillful, stubborn and spunky. Using a limited-omnicient point-of-view, Pierce allows readers to not only enter the mind of Alanna, but to also sympathize and relate her character as well. Alanna becomes even realer as readers see her struggle in perspiration, as to eventually attain the title of "Knight". However, it is best recomended that girls read this book, as boys will hardly relate or understand a story about the problems and struggles of a female aspiring to be a knight.
Having read THE PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL SERIES prior to reading THE SONG OF THE LIONESS QUARTET, I have noticed too many similarities in the the personalities and book plots of the two quartets. We see that Keladry's perils are all too familiar when compared to Alanna's. In each, there is the classical "school bully", and the immediate attainment of a close friend. Here, Ralon parallels Joren, as Prince Jonathan parallels Neil. As in LADY KNIGHT, in ALANNA there is a prophetic vision that leads to the final battle in the book. Although these similarities make the book slightly dull, Alanna's first adventure is definately more enthralling than Kel's battle with the spidrens, as readers are itching to know about the secret of the Black City. Readers will be slightly dissapointed when the books are read sequentially and become somewhat predictable. Although ALANNA suffers the minor flaws, the book is overall, exaclty what Booklist says it is: "A lively, facinating tale."
Rating:
Summary: Good but too short
Review: Alanna knows she doesn't have what it takes to be a proper lady and she'd much rather be a knight. She comes up with a plan to switch places with her twin brother and enter knight training school disguised as a boy. Her plan gets her into the school but she has to learn to be as strong as the boys. Her problems only begin there. Because of a dark power that is brewing, Alanna must learn to use her magic, a power she fears. This book was ok but not really as in depth as some of Tamora Pierce's other books I've read. It's also stretched over too long a time for such a short novel. Still, it is a fun read. I read it in one sitting actually. The best part of the book is the characters, most of whom are lively and fun. I don't really think that many adult readers will enjoy this book too much but I plan to continue with the series.
Rating:
Summary: Alanna Series
Review: I LOVE this book!!! It is one of my favorite fantay novels and I reccomend it to anyone who likes colorful teen fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I loved this book! It started out really mysterious and then ended with a great ending! I would recommend this book and all of Tamora Pierce's books to anyone who loves to read mysterious, adventurous, fantasy books! I sure do and I recommend all of her book series!
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