Alanna

Even though the topic is something that usually appeals to me (a "strong female heroine proving herself an equal to ay man", the execution leabes a lot to be desired.

First, some good points: I lied that the heroine is not quite Mary sue (despite having the telltate purple eyes) who easily bests everyone - she is in fact not the best in her class, somewhat without social grace, and her being smaller, weaker and having no "natural" talent for fighting is often brought up. She makes up for it with training and determination, not by being better than anyone else from the start.

The bad points:

1) The other Mary Sue traits galore. For absolutely no stated reasons the two most important people in the kingdom take a liking of her (it's not that she is unlikable. It's just there was absolutely no interaction whatsoever to establish that. Indeed, the Kind of Thieves decides to take her under her wing after seeing her on the street exactly once), she has a strong gift of healing, and is apparently chosen by the gords themselves - no reason given.

2) None of the characters have any motivation or characterisation or even anything to make them memorable. They are not even caricatures or cardboard cutouts, because cardboard cutouts are at least intended to present a type - those characters do not have a type at all. Including the heroine - after reading the book I've got no idea what is her personality like.

3) Events simply happen. Rather slowly, I must add - the actual "adventure" part of the book is started and resolved on the final pages. But mostly, they happen for no reason or explanation.

If any book ever deserved 5 stars, it is this one. It would not be an exaggeration to say I have read this book 50-60 times, and I would guess it's closer to 100-150. This was my security blanket throughout my pre-teen and teen years. Alanna was my best friend, my hope, my role model, my inspiration that being a young girl didn't have to mean being as powerless over my own life as I felt. The Song of the Lioness quarter and Alanna the First Adventure shaped me in more ways than I can count. I give this book to every pre-teen and young teen girl I know.

As an adult reader, i will admit the writing does not stand up entirely, however it is such a good friend I don't mind at all. As a child and a teen, it was perfect. (I think a lot of Tammy's more recent work does stand up even as an adult reader. I've enjoyed reading her writing mature in pace with my reading.
I recommend giving this book to every little girl you know. Alanna is too awesome, strong, and interesting to pass by.