Song Of The Lioness

Tamora Pierce's Lioness series manages to touch on difficult issues without ever preaching them. Through Alanna, she explores both feminist and gender identity issues while weaving an epic story of action and knighthood.The hook comes in the form of ambition to step outside of society's boxes in a backward and medieval world. Alanna has always longed for adventure, but those kind of activities are restricted to boys. Her parents want to send her to a convent to learn magic, but instead, she switches places with her twin brother to begin training as a page.Pierces plot device works excellently. It creates a prevailing fear of discovery and naturally reduces the focus on romance. There's a sense of dedication and loyalty in Alanna despite her deception and a clear progress from a stumbling page. Ultimately, though, it's a reminder that it's okay to be different, and Alanna's own struggle to find a middle ground between her fake persona and the one society expects her to have.Read if you like: Strong female characters, adventure, sword and sorcery.

Booklists having this book

Top 50 Best Coming of Age Fantasy Books

Coming of age stories are one of the oldest themes in fiction, providing a sense of progression and growth that can't be rivaled. This is a theme that's as old... Read more

Other books by Pierce, Tamora

Wild Magic

This is Pierce’s best piece – a fantastic and touching tale about Daine, a young girl with the magical ability to speak to animals. It’s a perfect blend of adventure,... Read more

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Emperor Mage

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The Realms Of The Gods

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Alanna: The First Adventure

While Tamora Pierce's novels are mainly marketed towards younger readers, her Song of the Lioness series is still a worthwhile read, especially if you're looking for a break from some... Read more

Terrier

Beka Cooper is the latest addition to the Provost Guard, a group called the "Dogs." She's only called a "puppy," since she's new. Beka is painfully shy and has few... Read more

In The Hand Of The Goddess

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The Woman Who Rides Like A Man

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Lioness Rampant

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Song Of The Lioness

Tamora Pierce's Lioness series manages to touch on difficult issues without ever preaching them. Through Alanna, she explores both feminist and gender identity issues while weaving an epic story of... Read more

Song Of The Lioness Quartet

Many fantasy-loving women got hooked on fantasy with Alanna as teens. She has her heart set on being a knight, even though it's not "what girls do," and that passion... Read more

The Immortals

Couldn't leave this one out. Yes, it's another Tamora Pierce YA treasure set in the Kingdom of Tortall,; you can even cross paths with the Lioness herself. Yet Immortals takes... Read more

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The Realms Of The Gods

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Circle Of Magic

Tamora Pierce is one of the most respected women in fantasy, but attention tends to focus on her Song of the Lioness series. With Circle of Magic, she ventures into... Read more

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