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cleverruhs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism
seulgireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
wartse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Misogyny and Violence
purplepenning's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Misogyny/sexism: Single use of "girls" as a slur and main character hates (and hides) being a girl (hates her developing body as well as the role women are assigned in her society) but also specifically wants to be a woman knight-warrior.totallywickedruth333's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying and Sexism
Moderate: Violence
fuchsiarascal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
All that said, I still think Alanna’s books are SUPER important. Alanna’s journey is wonderful and resonates strongly with many who have ever been at odds with their assigned gender, for whatever reason. I simply didn’t want to do the “girly” things, but transgender and nonbinary people will find a lot of similarities, especially as she enters puberty. (And this evolves further as she grows up in later books.) As a 12 year old, reading a book in which the main character deals with her first period was unheard of! That definitely stuck with me. (It’s also one of the many reasons that I think everyone, regardless of gender, should read these books. Imagine normalizing menstruation!)
And, of course, there’s all the stuff of Alanna training to be a knight, facing struggles (both inward and outward), finding lifelong friends, and overcoming everything. This is just the first book in her accepting who she is, and she’s got a lot still to come, but seeing her build her confidence and hint at the bigger issues in later books is a great ride.
Graphic: Bullying and Violence
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Alcohol
vixenreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Medical content, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Islamophobia and War
The ending has some dated ideas about the Middle East, and the discussions about gender are still in terms of a binary. Also, be aware of a scene involving menstruation.art_books_chemistry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Bullying and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Infertility, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
stormbringer52's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Violence, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
sevensableyes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Alanna is a great character, surrounded by more great characters. I feel like this is one of the most fast paced books in the quartet, as it covers 4 years.
I don't really know how to put how I feel about this book into words. It's just good. It's my favourite from Alanna's series. Getting to see Alanna's determination and temper is always entertaining.
The world of Tortall is by far my favourite. Highly recommend!
Moderate: Bullying and Violence