Second Reflections – alanna: the first adventure (Tamora Pierce)

Ahoy there me mateys!  While drawin’ up me lists of 2016 for me log, I realized a curious thing – out of 134 books read, not a single one was a re-read.  In me enthusiasm of discovery and taking suggestions from me crew, I did not revisit a single old port for plunder!  And part of what I love about readin’ is re-visitin’ old friends.  So I decided to remedy that and thus created me new category where I take a second look at a previously enjoyed novel and give me crew me second reflections, as it were, upon visitin’ it again . . .

alanna: the first adventure (Tamora Pierce)

Now I had touched upon this novel and the author in me previous log post, Broadside No. 4.  I adore Tamora Pierce and have read over 25 of her books.  I had a hankering for a feel-good favourite and so I listened to this one in audiobook format narrated by actress Trini Alvarado.  I have to admit that when I listened to this, I didn’t recognize the narrator’s name.  But I did enjoy her reading.

I honestly couldn’t say how long it has been since I re-read this book.  Over the years I tended to reread the Immortals series and the Protector of the Small series most often.  And then of course read each new Tortall book as they were published.

So the first thing I realized upon listening was that I had really squashed the details of the books together overall.  I honestly forgot how young Alanna is when the first book starts.  I also forget how much bullying there is and how Alanna chooses to deal with it on her own and not ask for help.  Even though people want to help her.  As a younger reader that made sense to me.  Now I look back and find disgruntlement in how it’s handled.

But ultimately listening to this brought back me sense of love for Alanna and the world that Tamora created.  I like that important issues like puberty and menstruation are discussed in this book.  I love that Alanna is strong, intelligent, determined, and fierce.  I love that girls can be the heroes.  I love magic and nobility and friendship and fun.  So basically I am so glad to have revisited Alanna in her first adventure and will likely listen to the remaining three stories some time soon.  Arrr!

Goodreads has this to say about the novel:

From now on I’m Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I’ll be a knight.

And so young Alanna of Trebond begins the journey to knighthood. Though a girl, Alanna has always craved the adventure and daring allowed only for boys; her twin brother, Thom, yearns to learn the art of magic. So one day they decide to switch places: Thom heads for the convent to learn magic; Alanna, pretending to be a boy, is on her way to the castle of King Roald to begin her training as a page.

But the road to knighthood is not an easy one. As Alanna masters the skills necessary for battle, she must also learn to control her heart and to discern her enemies from her allies.

Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna’s first adventure begins – one that will lead to the fulfillment of her dreams and the magical destiny that will make her a legend in her land.

To visit the author’s website go to:

Tamora Pierce – Author

To buy the book go to:

alanna: the first adventure – Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

Yer Ports for Plunder List

Previous Log Entries for this Author

 Broadside No. 4