Book Investigation Case#: 0001 Subject:Alanna,The First Adventure, Song of the Lioness Series Creator:Tamora Pierce
Greetings friends, I’d like to introduce you to a close bosom buddy of mine, Emcee Macintosh. She’ll be bringing you investigations into the literary cases past, present, and soon to be published. Take it away Emcee.
Thanks M.C.! Hello out there. Investigative Reporter Emcee Macintosh on the case.
With this being my first assignment, I can’t say there is a better book than the classic
Alanna: The First Adventure the first book in the Song of the Lioness Series by the Legendary Tamora Pierce. (Queue echoing applause.)
I sat down with The First Adventure for an to really get between its pages to see what’s going on. Here are my notes from the interview:
Questions for the Subject:
Emcee:What do you think you’re about?
I’m about an eleven-year-old girl, Alanna of Trebond, who pretends to be a boy and goes to court as a page in order to achieve her dream of becoming a knight. She makes mysterious and noble friends, courts dangerous enemies, and must overcome physical and magical obstacles that stand between her and the future she’s risked everything to gain.
Where do you find the greatest sources of conflict?
There’s the fear that Alanna’s big secret, being a girl, will be discovered, the physical demands of dealing with her training and big older, meaner squires. The mental challenge that accompanies school and learning her magic on the way to knighthood, the ways relationships can make life’s journey a joy and dread, and of course all those who might threaten the kingdom. All features a knight-in-training must be prepared to face.
Tell me more about this so-called threat to the kingdom?
Alanna becomes acquainted with Prince Jonathan, a squire and the only child of the king and queen of Tortall. So, of course,
So Tortall is a land where danger comes not only by sword and arrow but through magic, or the gift as it is called. Alanna has it. And she Sees a vision in the first chapter indicating grave danger she will face that frightens her caretaker. So the threat is imminent, though I shouldn’t say exactly what is it.
What is this Alanna girl’s story?
She has a twin brother, Thom. Their father planned to send Alanna to a convent so she would learn to be a lady and Thom to the palace in Corus and knighthood. But Thom doesn’t want to be a knight. He would rather become a sorcerer. And Alanna dreams of learning to fence, and slaying dragons. So the two switch places. Alanna becomes Lord Alan and goes to the palace as a royal page.
She’s got a very strong character. She knows her own mind and has a bit of temper that won’t tolerate nonsense or the mistreatment of others. Which is exactly why becoming a knight might suit her.
And she’s up to the challenges you mentioned, keeping her secret, magical training, and kingdom threats?
That would be spoiling. But I will say, I like her very much.
(Emcee note – this reporter detects this is a biased opinion – though she secretly agrees.)
Emcee: So you like Alanna. Do you have any other characters you particularly like?
I could never tell if I did.
(Emcee, here, suspects the clever thief clever George Cooper, and upstanding Prince Jonathan would rank high if it did)
What do you expect readers, I mean other fellow investigators, will take from studying your contents?
It will certainly depend on the reader, but perhaps a strong desire to create greater justice in their worlds, a determination to pursue their own hard-worn goals, and, hopefully, a similar urge to go read book 2, In the Hand of the Goddess.
Oh yes, you have sibling-works correct?
Yes, I’m the eldest, but the creator, Tamora Pierce, made four others in my line. I also have many step-siblings. You can see them at her home address. http://www.tamora-pierce.net/
I think I’d like to sit down with them too to do a thorough inspection.
I’d recommend them.
It looks like you’ve gone through several cover-styles since your publication in 1983. Do you have one you like best?
I could never choose. A book must keep up with the times and the locale.
(Emecee, aside, I’m a fan of the 1989 version, and 2005 versions, personally.)
Further Notes:
Content: Other book investigators can expect content on bullying, female development and maturity, and magic.
Summary and Conclusion:
In Alanna the First Adventure, book investigators can expect a thrilling introduction -– and real ride–into the stunning world Pierce has created. It’s filled with brave, stubborn, and capable characters you’ll definitely want to root for as they go up against the sinister and scheming oppositions.
Reporters Opinion:
“A must read Or a great re-read if you have already”
The subject may be questioned further at any of these locations: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indie Bound, Kobo,
Details Summarized
Title: Alanna: The First Adventure, Song of the Lioness Series
Author: Tamora Pierce
Original Publication Date: 1983
Current Edition Publication Date: 2010
CASE CLOSED
