Books › Alanna
Alanna
The First Adventure
First published 1983 · 494 pages
A spirited, sword-swinging coming-of-age tale about sheer stubbornness and the thrill of forging your own destiny.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a classic, sunlit training montage where sheer grit triumphs over every obstacle. It moves at a brisk, engaging clip, sweeping you up in the daily bruises, triumphs, and camaraderie of castle life. There is an earnest, empowering warmth to the narrative, balancing the constant, thrumming anxiety of keeping a massive secret with the deep satisfaction of mastering a difficult skill. The prose is direct and unadorned, stepping out of the way to let the protagonist's fierce stubbornness shine. It is a deeply comforting yet spirited read, perfect for anyone who delights in stories of found family, quiet rebellion, and the hard-won journey of proving your worth to the world and to yourself.
- Mood
- spirited
- triumphant
- nostalgic
- Tone
- earnest
- determined
- empowering
- adventurous
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- forging identity · the burden of secrets · overcoming limitations · camaraderie and found family
- The writing
- Direct, accessible, and unadorned, the writing focuses on action, physical sensation, and internal resolve.
- The arc
- The protagonist moves from anxious determination and fear of discovery to hard-won confidence and self-acceptance.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave classic, empowering coming-of-age fantasies where grit, stubbornness, and loyalty win the day.
Content notes
- bullying
- fantasy violence
About the book
"From now on, I'm Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I'll be a knight.
And so yound 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 magin. So one day they decide to switch places. Disguised as a girl, 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 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 discern her enemies from her allies.
Filled with swords and scorcery, 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 mke her a legend in her land.
Description from Open Library.
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