Daring You to Read - Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

Daring You to Read is hosted every week by Tynga over at Tynga's Reviews.

Here's how it works:

- You choose a book you’ve read, loved and would dare your readers to read!

- The book you choose must be an older release (at least 6 months ago), because let’s be honest, we’re all quite aware of the latest releases.

- Write your own blog post, using the button and linking back to Tynga’s Reviews, inviting your readers to read your chosen book.

- Come back on Tynga’s Reviews and put your link in the linking tool.

- Browse other bloggers Dare and let them know if you’ve read their featured book, or plan on reading it.

- Super easy and an awesome way to discover that special book who might have slipped off your radar!

This week I'm daring you to read Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness #1) by Tamora Pierce.

"From now on I'm Alan of Trebond, the younger twin. I'll be a knight."

And so young 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 magic. 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 her 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 to discern her enemies from her allies.

Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, Alanna's first adventure begins -- one that will leard to the fulfillment of her dreams and the magical destiny that will make her a legend in her land.

Originally, my dad purchased this book because of the name Alanna. That just so happens to be my oldest daughters name. He read the series and then gave it to me. And I have to say, it was amazing.

Alanna knows what she wants and she's not going to let a silly little thing like gender get in her way. Determined to become a knight she disguises herself as a boy and makes her way to King Roald's castle while her brother, who is completely uninterested in knighthood, disguises himself as a girl and heads off to learn magic. Things are going well at first. It seems her secret is safe. It takes her a while to get into the swing of things being a Page but she manages and is soon content in her duties. She befriends the Prince and the two grow as close as two friends can. But then there's George. The cunning thief who steals your heart in three seconds flat.

It couldn't get any better. Until... she's forced to make the decision to either keep her true identity a secret, or help one of her friends. What will she choose?

This story is the first in a series of four. I thought the entire tale of Alanna and Thom and Jonathan and George was absolutely wonderful. From beginning to end. And I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something easy to read.

So go borrow it from someone. Or check it out from your local library.

I dare you.