Song of the Lioness: Alanna: The First Adventure

The First Adventure is about a girl living in a magical, medieval world, who wants to really be a knight but is forced to practice the arts of magic. Her twin brother really wants to be a mage but is forced to be a knight. In a rush, the two twins swapped, meaning Alanna could become what she always wanted to be, a knight. Forced to pretend she is a man, Alanna survives through many adventures, proving that women can just good as men.

I wouldn't recommend this book for 10+, where it has been placed in, especially the next few books. This book should be more for 12+, as they get older, you know, things happen.

I loved this book, I fell love with Alanna's determination. I had read first test and that quartet before reading this, even though I enjoyed them greatly, I definitely preferred these books. I powered through them and when I had finished them I went straight to the Wild Magic ones. I got bored of them as I got to the last one. Nothing can beat this book and it's sequels. Read it!!!

Reader reviewed by Kyla

Song of the Lioness: Alanna the First Adventure is about a girl in medieval times who wants to be knight so she pretends to be a boy. In this book she finds friendship, confidence, and love with the prince. I read this book in fifth grade and it had me asking questions. Because of that, I would not reccemend this to anyone in sixth grade or younger. All around, though, it was a good book.
~Kyla  : )

Reader reviewed by Flaky


The Song of the Lioness is a quartet of fantasy novels written by Tamora Pierce, which was first published in 2004. It is a narration of the life story of a girl who would let nothing stop her in the pursuit of an ambition to become a knight in a realm where girls are not allowed to do virtually anything.
Alanna of Trebond wants to train as a knight at the palace in Tortall, but girls are not permitted to train as knights so she disguises herself as a boy and swaps with her twin brother Thom. There at the palace Alanna learns that things arent as easy as she had thought they would be.
She goes through rough times growing up into a lady and concealing her feminity while she continues her fights against foes. Her father and brother die and she gets adopted by one of her teachers and a tribe. Though sad at heart Alanna is able to overcome her grief and continue life perfecting her combat skills and learning to love. The story is told in third person and it captures ones imagination making it difficult for the reader to leave the book until the story ends.
The Song of the Lioness is a very pleasant narrative portraying the struggles people undertake to achieve their goals. There is not a part of the novel that is not engaging and interesting. I would recommend this book to readers above the age twelve.

Reader reviewed by Mary

Alanna is the outgoing one who loves fighting. Her twin brother, Thom, is the quiet one who wants to learn magic. Alanna wants to become a knight. However, Thom is the one who is going to be sent to become a knight and Alanna is off to become a lady-that is until they decide to switch places. Alanna disguises herself as Thom and heads off to become a warrior. Thom goes off to the nuns to learn magic. Alanna discovers that it isn;t as easy as it looks. But of course, that doesn't mean she'll give up...

This book is well-written and stunning. Alanna is a character who will earn the reader's respect. The story is a magical adventure that will leave the reader wanting more. Luckily for the reader there is more in this quartet...

Reader reviewed by TA

Great begining of the many series, I started this book in 8th grade and now I have read all of them, this is a great book, with action and strong will.

Reader reviewed by Stella

Alanna, the first book in the Song of the Lioness series, is a superbly written book that causes you to cringe, laugh, and cheer for the extremely likeable main character.

Set in a time similar to the middle ages in a fantasy kingdom called Tortall, Alanna is the story of a young girl, Alanna, who wants more than just the marriage and childbearing that is expected of her, she wants to be a knight. Along with her brother Thom, Alanna devises a plan to desguise herself as a boy and become a page. Th story follows Alanna's physical and emotional struggles as she tries to fit in with the boys while not giving away her true identity.

An absolutely wonderful first in an entire series of brilliant novels by one of the best young adult authors, Tamora Pierce.

Reader reviewed by Marion

It was an absolutely amazing book, I recommend it to all people of all ages. It's a real page-turner, I wouldn't (or couldn't) put it down unless forced to. The plot is engaging, the characters are charming and witty, and there's always that touch of humor to make you laugh. A wonderful start to the series!

Reader reviewed by Spartanx1x

This is one of my favourite books. It is a story about a girl called Alanna who swaps places with her twin brother Thom so that she can become a knight. She befriends the Prince and other people like a thief called George. It is set in medieval times and is quite entralling.

Reader reviewed by Amber

Alanna is the first book of one of my favorite series the Lioness Rampent. I also love tamara pierces series that are called the Imortal and Protector of the Small tamara pierce is a great author

Reader reviewed by Amanda

Alanna:The First Adventure is a wonderful novel for young women who are searching for themselves. It describes a pre-teen girl, Alanna of Trebond, who wants direction in her life. She doesn't want to become an old woman on her spinning wheel or an enchantress. So, Thom, her twin brother, and herself trade places. She goes to become a knight, disguised as a boy, Alan. Meanwhile, Thom goes to a monastery to become a magician. While in training, Alan discovers that it isn't easy, but she will fight for her knighthood. She becomes friends with many boys, Gary, Myles, and even the prince of Tortall, Jonathan. Alanna will have fun, become scared, and fiercely combat with evil. Meet Alanna or "Alan" in Alanna: The First Adventure.


I loved Alanna. She was courageous, brave, and strong. She tries hard to fairly be inducted into this community. She is a normal girl being a normal boy. Any young adult girl will love this novel. I give it 5 stars!