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

This is the first book in the series that has been my favorite for over ten years. Alanna is a strong female character who fights for what she believes in and achieves her goals. It is a fantastic read full of surprises and characters you come to love, and some you love to hate. I recomend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy and amazing heroines.

We're big fans of the Alanna series. Unfortunately, this narrator does such a poor job that the book seems lifeless, which it most definitely is not. Skip the audio version -- it's a waste of time. Read the book.

This is an excellent book, the first writing done by it's author. This book is a true measure of her talent, and it's story almost impossible to stop for more than a few minutes. I'm now on the third book and I listened to the second straight through. If adventure, magic, and chivalry are of interest to you then the whole series is a must read. In fact i'm buying the fourth book now, and intend to listen to everything Audible has of hers.

Alana & her twin brother Tom have a problem. Alana is to be sent to the convent to learn to be a lady and Tom is to go to the palace to learn to be a knight. The trouble is, Tom hates the fighting arts and wants to be a sorcerer. Alana loves the fighting arts but only boys are allowed to be trained. Determined to get their way, the twins switch places, Tom going to the convent to learn magic, Alana posing as a boy and going to the palace. Thus begins Alana's first adventure.

The adventure follows Alana (known as Alan) as she struggles to fit in with the other boys and overcome her own physical limitations. Being smaller than the other boys and being a girl makes "Alan" fearful that she will never be good enough to win her shield. But she refuses to give up. She meets each challenge with renewed determination. She tries harder, trains longer, and pushes herself to the edge of her endurance to prove that she belongs. She struggles to overcome her fear of using her magic, the truth that she has no control over the changes in her body, and the guilt of having to lie to people she has come to love and respect. In spite of it all, "Alan" manages to earn the respect and approval of most of the people around her... even her enemies.

I ran across this book on tape at the library, when my boys were in their early teens and we all loved it. The pace was fast enough to hold my boys interest but not so juvenile that I got bored. I was very impressed at how the author handled the physical changes of growing up. Touching on the subject, making it a real part of the story without getting overly graphic or involved.

If you prefer more complex adult books, you may not like this series, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the characters, the story, and felt that the reader did an excellent job of bringing the story to life.

I listened to Alanna: the First Adventure via my subscription with Audible, and I found this story to be pleasantly entertaining (if at a few times) simplistic.

Alanna is a young girl with red hair and violet eyes. When her father dictates she must enter a convent, she trades places with her brother Thom who is to become a page and eventually a knight.

I read the Alanna series as a teenager and was fascinated by her adventures. Now as an adult some of this story seems a tad predictable. Pierce's writing lacks detail and some of her characters (such as the prince, George etc.) are rather clich? for the fantasy genre. Still, this is a great series of books that young girls and adults will enjoy... I only wish that Pierce had fleshed out her characters a bit more. Although I liked the characters I never got the sense that they were anything other than stereotypes.

Yes, I really like this book. Tamara Peirce is my favorite author I read most all of her books about two of three times a year. (She has a lot of books)

Yes, however I wasn't exactly sitting since I like to listen to audio books while I cook and clean.

(This review is for the complete series)
I came across the Lioness books in a public library in the childrens section when I was in my mid-tweens and loved the story from the beginning. This books belong to the few I reread regularly over the years and they entertain me still.
I greatly enjoyed the reading by Trini Alvarado who gave a fresh performance fitting the young main character, growing up into a self-secured woman over the four books of the series.
Under all the adventures it is a story about taking responsibility for your actions, friendship and loyalty. Even if the story is aimed at young girls, it is neither simple nor soppy romantic, so adults (like me) can enjoy it too.

Really awesome story.

The characters seemed real. They had the same kinds of problems that anyone could have, and it made the story come alive.

Gary, I think. I loved what she did with Gary's voice.

Yes, definitely. I highly recommend it.

At first, I wasn't impressed by how Trini Alvarado differentiated voices. I thought she wasn't doing a good job. Then I realized that she was doing a really good job. The subtle changes in her voice take a little getting used to, but it's really nice.

The world that Tamora Pierce creates in her first series is fascinating and enveloping. It's a wonderful foundation for the books to come.

It's a toss up between Gorge Cooper, Sir Miles, and Alanna herself. Each has a sharp tongue and mind that I admire.

She brings life to the story. I particularly like how she portrays Alanna and Gary, though some times her narration gets a bit dull.

Yes. I've listened to and read this book almost 30 times now and each time I can't stop myself from smiling as I read/hear it.

A very enjoyable book. I recommend reading all of Tamora Pierce's books. I know I have.

Knights, magic, adventure, friendship, and all about a girl. Have reread many times and my daughter has listened multiple times.