Alanna The First Adventure

A Middle Grade fantasy book like no other. Although it may have been originally published in the early 80’s it holds up through the trials of time. To this day the books from the Lioness Quartett are amongst my favorite children's books of all time - well... of my life, as far as I can tell. In Alanna we have a headstrong young girl who doesn’t let the circumstances of her birth dictate her life. Set to become a lady she swiftly switches places with her twin brother and instead starts her training to become a page, squire and eventually a knight to the kingdom of Tortall. Faced with both the usual hardships of training and the need to conceal her true identity she struggles to keep up (and surpass) the boys, make friends (and enemies), navigate her way around becoming a woman and saving prince Jonathan's life on multiple occasions. Filled with humor, magic and adventure this is a book I was very glad to read as a girl, teenager and to this day, time and time again. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventures or even “just” well written, empowered female characters. (✨And the sequels continue this trend. ✨) There is also a new graphic novel version coming in 2025 and I am so EXCITED !