Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Trinidad "Trini" Alvarado (born January 10, 1967) is an American actress best known for her performances as Margaret "Meg" March in the 1994 film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women and Lucy Lynskey in the comedy/horror film The Frighteners. She also has notable stage performances to her credit and considerable singing talent. Her latest appearance was on the Fox show Fringe. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: John G. Brennan, Trini Alvarado, Julia Campbell, Sean Patrick Flanery, Campbell Scott, Peter Jacobson, D. L. Hughley, Cynda Williams, Brian Robbins, Michelle Johnson, Kim Richards, C. Jay Cox, Monique Edwards, Jason Scott Lee, Valente Rodriguez, Meredith Monroe, Gigi Rice, Corey Johnson, John Franklin, Melissa de Sousa, Cathy Moriarty-Gentile, Susan Featherly, Shae D'lyn, Griffin O'neal, Ron Rogge, Kevin Spirtas, Titus Welliver, Nancy Travis, Kim Walker, Craig Sheffer, Alexandra Hedison, Kathy Long, Robert Wahlberg, Alexandra Wentworth, Wendell Pierce, Christopher Hart, Mitch Rouse, James Urbaniak, Lucinda Dickey, Jenette Goldstein, Farrah Forke, Bryan Johnson, Ricco Ross, Ian Roberts, Donovan Leitch, Kim Myers, Megan Cavanagh, Billy Gardell, Leslie Landon, Tracy Griffith, Joseph Fuqua, Amy Hunter, Kiersten Warren, Jeremy Applegate, Steve Bridges, Chris Spencer, Nick Scotti, Lezlie Deane, Holly Wortell, Vincent Spano, Phyllis Allen, Andrew Wilson, Robin Stille, Wendi Mclendon-Covey, Larry Zerner, Rick Worthy, Mason Reese, Tobe Sexton, Laura Silverman, James With, Darcy Lapier, Sommore, Fred Weller, Michael Gilden, Ariane Koizumi, Melanie Smith, Khalil Kain, Robert Bella, Dawn Lyn, Danny Woodburn, Cornelia Guest, Dan Bucatinsky, Kelly Reno, Jim Bray, India Allen, Jessica Lundy, Lindsay Frost, James Waterston, Corey Parker, Mark Mccracken, Sam Whipple, Ruth Winona Tao, Chris Barnes, Lee Curreri, Lori Pfeiffer, Hilary Shepard Turner, Beverly Randolph, Alexandra Bokyun Chun, Lew Temple, Thomas Jay Ryan, Tony Longo, Tyra Ferrell, Daniel Travis, Robert Macnaughton, Jonathan Breck, Peter Dante, Bill Cusack, Leighanne Wallace, Steve Van Wormer, Gavin Grazer, Chris Eigeman, David W. Harper, Monique Gabrielle, Schuster Vance, Rick Porras, Frankie Thorn, Diana-Maria Riva, Bradford Tatum, Joe Stefanelli, Traci Lind, Matt Mcgrath, Brennan Howard, Thomas Mills Wood, Heather Rattray, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Ggreg Snyder, Lisa Cannin...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=4220602 ... Read more

Product Description
Four cassettes, 6 hrs.

Cut-out: A third person used to conceal the contact between two people-usually an agent and a handler who do not want to meet because one or both may be under surveillance. A pawn.

As thousands watch, the American Vice President is kidnapped from the streets of Berlin, and in the midst of the fire and terror, a dead man comes back to life.

Eric Carmichael was a risk-taking CIA agent obsessed with a terrorist organization called 30th April- until they got him first, bombing the jetliner on whih he was a passenger. Caroline was once Eric's protegee. She became his wife, and then his widow. but whe the tapes of the VP's abduction show Eric alive, it is Carline who must discover whether his obsession has driven him into playing the ultimate double game. Caught in the intricate snare of lies and deceit, she is plunged into the deadliest assignment of her career-becoming the perfect cutout to spearhead the desperate search for Eric and the dying Vice President. And, in doing so, she begins an ever-more intimate dance of sexual attraction and murdeous intent, a dance which leads her to the dark heart of a ruthless man's vision- and a deadly plot whose implications are stunning.Amazon.com Review
Former CIA-analyst-turned-author Francine Mathews delivers the goods in this page-turning debut of a husband-and-wife agent team involved in aterrorist plot, one that results in the kidnapping of the Americanvice president and a threat to destabilize the entire European continent. Caroline Carmichael's husband, Eric, died when the terrorist group known as 30 April blew up a plane full of innocent travelers. Two years later a massive explosion in Germany's new capital city results in the capture of U.S.vice president Sophie Payne. A man who looks suspiciously like Eric isphotographed leading the kidnappers. Caroline's colleagues in theintelligence community set her up to be the so-called cutout: the pawn whoseinvisible presence will conceal the risky contact between a man who maybe a rogue agent and the handler who set him on his bloody path. Fansof the spy genre who've been languishing in the literary wastelandcreated by the death of the Evil Empire will be delighted with Mathews'snail-biting narrative, great pacing, and ability to createcomplex, multidimensional characters in this novel of revenge, betrayal,and global politics. Her secondary characters, especially Sophie Payneand the conflicted young son of the psychopath--who will sacrifice anyonewho stands in his way, including his own child--are very well-drawn. But it's Caroline we hope to see again in a sequel to this suspensefulthriller. --Jane Adams ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

A narrative that propels the reader forward
"The Cutout" redeems this trashy genre by giving us a plot created like historical fiction, even if in the relatively present tense, and characters who are not personally believable but their motivations are. Into this falls a plot that is not so much complex and twisty-turny but a deepending of involvement, a gradual entrenchment into this world of deceit and the necessity of survival. Some aspects of it are unrealistic and even cartoony but one senses that is to avoid dealing with the density of detail required for the actual backstory, as well as to avoid offending foreign nations. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be reading more from this author.

Four + stars. Overall excellent read. Recommended.
With The Cutout, Ms. Mathews has written an enthralling, captivating, and intelligent spy thriller. There are minor distractions in the book, such as perhaps too much introspectional dialogue from the main female character, but that only harms the novel if you, the reader, lets it. Speaking for myself, this book started slow, but picked up pace rapidly after the character developement was established and was a real thrill ride to the end. The author's experience as a CIA operative paints a brilliant background as you travel to foreign countries in this book. Our culture is turning away from individual achievement and intelligence, but if you still value these things, give this one a try. Her sequel to this one, Blown, is coming out in ppbk in June. I look forward to investing the time to read it as well.

The CIA.. on the Lifetime Channel
No doubt, author Francine Mathews knows her stuff when it comes to forming a well-tuned spy novel - as previous reviewers have mentioned, her experience (as a former employee of the CIA) shows.

However, from start to finish, I felt like I was watching (reading) a spy story made by the Lifetime channel. Caroline, aka Mad Dog (which made me think of the horrid, cheap wine the entire time I'm afraid), seemed to go from shocked and devastated widow to suddenly G.I. Jane at end of the book.. and then back to tough analyst while laying in a hospital bed. Her husband Eric seemed to be nothing more than a cardboard cutout (no pun) of a tough guy. And the ending was something I would expect out of some kind of sad and dramatic Lifetime show.

Mathews has potential, but this novel is not something I can see pleasing many previous spy novel fans. Her knowledge of tradecraft and the intelligence community reflected in the book, but her characters are overly cliche and dramatic. If you're new to the genre and want an okay read, then try this novel out. Otherwise, I would suggest something else.

A Compelling Novel Of International Politics & Espionage
US Vice President Sophie Payne is on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany. As she begins a controversial speech to crowds gathered near the US Embassy in Berlin, a terrorist attack is launched. A bomb goes off in front of the Brandenburg Gate, killing and wounding many, including Ms. Payne's bodyguard. In the midst of the ensuing chaos, a helicopter lands, terrorists grab the vice president and make an effortless get-away. Later, as the CIA director and her associates review the videotape of the kidnapping, they recognize the face of the pilot and are stunned into silence. And these folks, who have seen and heard just about everything, are not easily shocked.

Caroline Carmichael is a CIA intelligence analyst specializing in European terrorist groups. Her husband, Eric, former CIA operative and European station chief, had been killed two years before when the plane he was on exploded over the Aegean Sea. Since then, all Caroline's work for the Counterterrorism Center, (CTC), has focused on one disciplined, deadly group of Eastern European killers, the "30 April Organization." Their agenda is to cleanse Europe of all non-Aryans and their MO is terror. Croatian Mlan Krucevic, is the organization's leader. He is a trained geneticist who uses biological agents in human experiments. A fanatic, like his father before him, he is a former director of prison camps in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and responsible for the murder and torture of thousands of Muslims and Serbs. His file reads like sadistic horror fiction. It was Krucevic who had a bomb placed on MedAir 901, Eric Carmichael's fatal flight. The 30 April Organization, under Krucevic's command, is also responsible for kidnapping Sophie Payne.

Caroline's expertise on everything pertaining to 30 April, its history, methods, motives and the psychology of its members, leads to her active involvement in the plan to rescue the Vice President. However, as the complex plot unwinds, and Central European governments begin to crumble, the reader discovers that much more than the life of a high ranking US official is at stake.

"The Cutout" is an outstanding novel of espionage and international politics - chillingly realistic, especially given Francine Mathews' personal knowledge of her subject. She is a former CIA analyst. Her descriptions of the intelligence community are fascinating and credible, as is her tour through the killing fields of Bosnia, and the glimpses she provides of the savage results of religious and ethnic hatreds which have existed in this region for centuries.

"Cutout" is an Intelligence term for a go-between, a pawn. I found "The Cutout" to be more than just an intelligent action thriller and a riveting read. Ms. Mathews' presents a fascinating political scenario, where a German chancellor is assassinated. His replacement is a representative from Germany's Social Conservative Party, with a hidden agenda to annex Central Europe, and the means to do it. This overriding plot is gripping, as is the kidnapping of the US Vice President. The author masterfully juggles and merges various storylines. Her characters are strong and well developed. "The Cutout" also brings into play a moral topic which has been discussed widely, especially since 9/11. It's that old Machiavellian, "Does the end justify the means?" How far should our Intelligence operatives go, whether in dealing with evil, (working with people like Saddam Hussein, or former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega), or in perpetrating it themselves, (i.e., as inside agents, performing terrorists acts themselves, so as not to blow their cover), in order to wipe-out the larger evil? "The Cutout" makes for a compelling read and I highly recommend it. I just ordered the sequel, "Blown."
JANA

Twists and Turns
I was sorry when Ms. Mathews gave up on her Merry Folger series, and I still am.This book is completely unrelated, but a fantastic read.A lot of the plot premise is hard to believe, but her portrayal of agents and terrorists alike are chilling and believable.Lots of plot twists ending with a really delicious turn.I wonder if she will write a sequel?I hope so. ... Read more

Product Description
Read by Trini Alvarado
approx. 5 hours
3 cassettes

This third book in the Song of the Lioness quartet continues Alanna's saga as she strikes out alone and discovers herself anew.

A knight at last, Alanna of Trebond heads out to seek adventure in the desert of Tortall. Captured by desert tribesmen, she is forced to prove herself in a magical duel to the death. But her real challenge doesn't come until after she wins. As the first female shaman, Alanna must fight to change the ancient traditions of the stubborn desert tribes -- for their own sake and for the sake of all Tortall.

Trini Alvarado’s film credits include Meg in the most recent movie version of Little Women and Helen Ruth in The Babe.She has also appeared on television and the stage.Ms. Alvarado also narrated Alanna: The First Adventure and In the Hand of the Goddess for Listening Library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

this is awesome
i loved this book. it was almost as good as the first book. if you haven't read any tamora pierce books then i sugget you do so

The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
This book is so cool. Tamora Pierce really knows how to write.I stayed up really late trying to finish it!After I did, I kept reading it over & over again, it was that good!I think I'm on my fifth time now.If you love fantasy, you HAVE to read this book!

Good? No,Great!!
i must say that this is one of my Fav books!! Alana is a Knight, and on Travels!! the book is sooooooooooo good! There is sex in it, but, for thoose who complain, it's no more than an implied sentance!! So, anyway, [don't] deprive your chiled of a good book ... ! ... Read more

Product Description

They were sisters once.

Customer Reviews (29)

Changing Habits
Debbie Macomber has outdone herself in Changing Habits. It is a very touching story, full of sad and happy twists. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a story that really means something!

OMG, an amazing book!
This book was one that I kept passing over each time I went to the library.For some reason, I was thinking that it wouldn't interest me, but recently, I had run out of things to read and decided what the heck, I'd take a chance on this one.

I'm so glad I did!! It hooked me from the get-go, and I was actually sad when I finished it because I wanted it to continue!Absolute best book I've read in a while!

A must-read, for sure!

Habit Forming
Angelina Marcello, Kathleen O'Shaughnessy, and Joanna Baird all had different reasons for becoming nuns but all shared one thing in common - their love of God and their faith.Nothing about their journey into sisterhood is easy and it is a continual struggle for all three to remain nins in a changing world.All of them will eventually leave the sisterhood, again for different reasons and all must adjust to a world they have long been sheltered from.

"Changing Habits" is a different type of book from Debbie Macomber's usual style, but it is quite good.You know from the very beginning of the book that all three will leave the sisterhood, but it is still interesting to read as each of them decide to become nuns, how they react to their new restricted life, the day-to-day struggles of each to remain faithful, and why they eventually leave the sisterhood. Macomber has created three completely different characters in Angelina, Kathleen, and Angelina and I like the way the three had completely different reasons for becoming nuns (and leaving the sisterhood). Of the three, I thought Joanna's story was the strongest and Kathleen's the weakest - although all three were good.

As for the religious elements - although I was never a nun, I was raised Catholic and to me the religious elements ring true.Macomber does an excellent job of showing how the nuns had to adapt to a new life after the events of Vatican II.Their struggles accepting some of the church teachings is also very believable (and at times heartbreaking) as the struggle of one with her attraction to men. Macomber shows how the church has always covered up certain things, but this book is not really an attack on the Catholic Church but more of appointing out of the flaws.Interestingly enough (perhaps because it was first published in 2003) she doesn't really touch on the pedophile scandal, and only alludes toward homosexuality among priests at the end of the book.

"Changing Habits" is another nice book by Debbie Macomber.

Used hardback,Macomber
I devoured this book in a short time.It arrived on time. Prices was excellent.I love Macomber.

DEBBIE MACOMBER
LIKED THIS BOOK I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT READ FOR ME,BUT REALLY ENJOYED IT DEBBIE MACOMBER DOSE IT AGAIN WITH ANOTHER GREAT READ ... Read more

Product Description
The fourth and final book in the "Song of the Lioness" series sees Alannna face her greatest challenge as she returns to the court from her adventures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (183)

classic ya series
So many reviews already, just wanted to add my rating to the overall score.

Good series, overall. but prefer the Immortals series.

I think the reason I both liked and disliked this series is George.He was the only character in this series I actually liked wholeheartedly and felt he deserved better than Alanna finally coming back to him after doing everything else on her list.

My favorite series
Its been years since I've read this series. I recently repurchased the books for my Kindle. I read and reread these books until the covers fell off. *Spoiler* Thinking about Liam still makes me sad, I was so attached to these characters.

best series by a wonderful author
I read Tamora Pierce years ago and loved her books.I was so glad to see that she started writing again b/c all of her new books are great.However, her original Alanna series will always remain my favorite b/c the characters are so original and the story is so intriguing.

love it
I first read this book a long time ago in middle school and I still have the full series both Lioness and the Immortals they are no joke bound with duck tape because over the last 11 years or so I have read them soo many times that they are indeed falling apart and I just had to replace my In the Realm of the Gods copy because half the book fell out.Once my kids get a little bit bigger these books will be read to them and I hope that when they get even older that they will pick up these books and read them over and over again like I did!

disappointed after the first two books
I really enjoyed the first two books in the quartet; they were amazing. The author brought the storyline together and built likable characters. Alanna's character was solid and endearing as well as the other characters. Made me want to go out and purchase the other two books. Having read a few of Pierce's other works, I had no qualms about buying these last two books in the quartet. I was aghast. A strong, determined woman does not have to be one who is also promiscuous. My goodness! Was Alanna willing to sleep with anyone who was interested?? Would not want our young girls getting it confused. A female does not have to be a bed hopper in order to be successful or strong. So, if you have issues with unrestrained sexuality, do not read these last two books. Just enjoy the first two and call it a day. ... Read more

Product Description
Disguised as a boy, Alanna of Trebond becomes a squire -- to none other than the prince of the realm. But Prince Jonathan is much more to Alanna; he is her ally, her best friend, and one of the few who knows that she's really a girl. Now it will take all of Alanna's awesome skill, strength, and growing magical powers to protect him from the mysterious evil sorcerer who is bent on his destruction--and hers!

Here continues the story of Alanna, a young woman bound for glory who is willing to fight against enormous odds for what she believes in.


From the Paperback edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (236)

classic ya seires
So many reviews already, just wanted to add my rating to the overall score.

Good series, overall. but prefer the Immortals series.

best series by a wonderful author
I read Tamora Pierce years ago and loved her books.I was so glad to see that she started writing again b/c all of her new books are great.However, her original Alanna series will always remain my favorite b/c the characters are so original and the story is so intriguing.

More Good YA Adventure from Tamora Pierce - book 2 (The Song of the Lioness)
"In the Hand of the Goddess" is the second book in "The Song of the Lioness" quartet.In book One, Alana and her brother Thom exchange identities and leave their home estate.Thom goes off to learn magic, and Alana pursues the path to knighthood.She does this by hiding her gender.And while her secret is more or less still intact at the end of the first book, she finds herself grappling with 'the lie' that dominates her life.

In book Two, In the Hand of the Goddess, this problem persist.And actually becomes more complicated as Alana finds herself maturing and desiring different relationships with her friends.

But that's not the only danger.The neighboring king brings about a minor war, and then of course, there is Duke Roger.He still lurks, vying his time trying to figure out how to grab the crown.

With all these dangers about, Alana picks up two new allies to help her: the Mother Goddess, and a black kitten.

Talking Points:::
A nice continuation, the story zips along quickly and is well written with a strong female lead.

Unlike some of Tamora Pierce's books for juveniles, this one has a more adult tilt, with bedroom dilemmas.

Pam T
(booksforkids-reviews)

alanna's heartfelt story
i have read the first and second alanna book, and i CANNOT stop reading! This story has love, adventure, and plenty of kisses. I would recommend this series to ALL girls who have learned about thier body(hint hint).

For young people
These are well-written lovely books for young folks - especially girls aged 9-16 or so.A bit too boring and simplistic for adults.Tamora Pierce has done a great service for young people and I highly recommend them for anyone 16 or younger. ... Read more

Product Description
Tamora Pierce brings readers another Tortall adventure! Alianne is the teenage daughter of the famed Alanna, the first lady knight in Tortall. Young Aly follows in the quieter footsteps of her father, however, delighting in the art of spying. When she is captured and sold as a slave to an exiled royal family in the faraway Copper Islands, it is this skill that makes a difference in a world filled with political intrigue, murderous conspiracy, and warring gods. This is the first of two books featuring Alianne.


From the Hardcover edition.Amazon.com Review
To the great joy of her many fans, Tamora Pierce with this book begins a new saga of Tortall to add to The Song of the Lioness Quartet, the Immortals Quartet, and The Protector of the Small tetralogy. At the center of each of these books is always a strong and resourceful young woman who masters the arts of swordplay and knightly warfare in the magical medieval country of Tortall. Alianne, or Aly, daughter of the warrior queen Alanna the Lioness, has all these skills, but also a delicious sense of humor, which serves her well when she is chosen by the trickster god Kyprioth to serve as his secret agent and a slave for a year in the embattled Copper Isles. There the dark-skinned natives, or raka, have been conquered and crushed by the laurin, light-skinned people from the mainland. The burning raka resentment is fueled by prophecies of a twice royal queen who will free them, aided by the "wise one, the cunning one, the strong one, the warrior, and the crows." Just how each of the colorful characters and Aly herself fit into this prophecy and Kyprioth’s tricky plan keeps readers guessing. Aly plots to show her skill at spying as she flirts with the god and is courted by Nawat, a crow transformed into a handsome young man, who is puzzled when she rejects his attempts to mate-feed her with grubs and ants.

The pages of this long but fast-paced adventure zip by, enlivened by intrigue, skirmishes, comedy, romance, and lots of dramatic clothes. (Ages 10 to 14) --Patty Campbell ... Read more

Customer Reviews (204)

not a warrior, a spy
I love Tamora Pierce's books set in the imaginary land of Tortall, and this one is delightful. It is the first of two about Aly, daughter of Alianna, the warrior heroine of the "Song of the Lioness" quartet. Unlike her mom, Aly is a spy. After being sold into slavery, Aly gets caught up in an effort to overturn the rulers of the Copper Isles and return the islands to a queen who will unite and strengthen them. Aly is clever, the plot is compelling, and the adventure captivated me completely.

Trickster's Choice by Sara Robinson
Tamora Pierce is a great writer!I read the series before this one which is equally cool.In this one, Alanna, the first girl knight and the King's Champion, has a daughter, Alianne (Aly).She starts with blue hair, sixteen, and a want to be a spy for her father, George the King of Thieves.When her Mother refuses to let her be a spy, Aly runs away and is made a slave by pirates.Are you hooked yet?
She is eventually given to good owners "luckily."It turns out a god effected this on purpose.She soon makes a wager with the trickster god to get home.The gods also make a wager with the crows to make them help too.She helps other slaves protect their owners, the Duke, Duchess, and their 3 daughters and one son.The two older girls, Dove and Saira, are the main people to be protected because they are heirs to the raka and her people.Raka are basically black people or Native Americans. Their mother was a raka queen who married the duke.When Aly is freed George comes and she decides to stay with her old owners to put a raka on the throne.
She is eventually given to good owners "luckily."It turns out a god effected this on purpose.She soon makes a wager with the trickster god to get home.The gods also make a wager with the crows to make them help too.She helps other slaves protect their owners, the Duke, Duchess, and their 3 daughters and one son.The two older girls, Dove and Saira, are the main people to be protected because they are heirs to the raka and her people.Raka are basically black people or Native Americans. Their mother was a raka queen who married the duke.When Aly is freed George comes and she decides to stay with her old owners to put a raka on the throne.

extreemly good
I was amazed at how good this book was. Seeing how the Protector of the Small books were such a letdown from Allana. The plot was full of twists that left me spinning. I loved Aly she was a great improvement, I really didnt want to rerad another series about knights. I think spycraft is much more intriguing. The Song of the Lioness books were so good that her daughter just hade to be awesome too.loved every part of this series, except that it was only two books long. Thelength of the series dissapointedmewould have loved another quartet

Finally found another great author
My daughter has been reading the Harry Potter Series and the Twilight books over and over, nothing I brought home could hold a candle to those until I discovered Trickster's Choice.We both think this book is fantastic and the sequel is solid.Agree with the cover of the book comment, Tamora Pierce's other books look like dreadful run of the mill dreck (based on the cover).This cover was more grown up and intriguing.We will now get her other books and read them.

I highly recommend this book.

great characters
Tamora Pierce is one of my all time favorite authors who could only improve upon her writing skills by turning out her books a bit faster.This book like most of her books has wonderful characterization and story line.The world she creates is intriguing and everyone in it seems real and fascinating. ... Read more

Product Description
Becoming a legend is not easy, as young Alanna of Trebond discovers when she disguises herself as a boy and begins training to be a knight.Alanna's skills and stubbornness help her befriend Prince Jonathan but alienate his evil uncle, Duke Roger.Filled with swords and sorcery, adventure and intrigue, good and evil, this book is a rousing introduction to the intensely satisfying story of Alanna.Amazon.com Review
Call it fate, call it intuition, or just call it common sense, but somehow young Alanna knows she isn't meant to become some proper lady cloistered in a convent. Instead, she wants to be a great warrior maiden--a female knight. But in the land of Tortall, women aren't allowed to train as warriors. So Alanna finds a way to switch places with her twin, Thom, and take his place as a knight in training at the palace of King Roald. Disguising herself as a boy, Alanna begins her training as a page in the royal court. Soon, she is garnering the admiration of all around her, including the crown prince, with her strong work ethic and her thirst for knowledge. But all the while, she is haunted by the recurring vision of a black stone city that emanates evil... somehow she knows it is her fate to purge that place of its wickedness. But how will she find it? And can she fulfill her destiny while keeping her gender a secret?

With Alanna: The First Adventure, veteran fantasy author Tamora Pierce has created a lively, engaging heroine who will charm middle-school readers with her tomboyish bravado and have them eagerly searching for the next book in the Song of the Lioness series. Like Brian Jacques's tales of Redwall, this popular quartet is an entertaining fantasy series for younger teens. (Ages 10 to 13) --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Customer Reviews (594)

the struggle to make it in a man's world
So many reviews already, just wanted to add my rating to the overall score.

I actually read this in high school and it made quite a huge impact on me since it was the first of its kind that I read.Since then, there have been many stories with similar elements.This one is still very good but I prefer the Immortals series which was somehow less gritty and depressing (to me, there is very little humor, but you follow her growth and struggle to reach her dreams in a man's world.)

I loved these when I was a teenager, and they still entertain.
I really enjoyed this whole series.I read it when I was about 13, and devoured the whole series in a few days. But, now that I'm a mom, I don't think I'd let my kids read it-- it has been a while since I've read them, but I think I recall that the author has the whole "casual sex is cool, just don't get pregnant" type of mentality that Mercedes Lackey also writes about-(I also love Mercedes Lackey, I've re-read her Talia/Vanyel/Kerowyn/Tarma & Kethry books more times than I can count), and it's a mentality that I don't want my daughters exposed to until they are old enough to understand that Mommy and Daddy say that's WRONG (Buffy flashback, anyone? The episode where Faith took over Buffy's body?? Anyone??)

The Best Series Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I read this book in third grade and wasimediatley hooked and have now read all of Tamora Pierces books but the Circle of Magic.This series is my favorite series ever and I love Alanna and George.Tortall is a world I would love to live in!!!

Be careful o f the age of girls you're giving this book to
After reading several reviews of this book, I picked and ordered the book for my daughter's 10 year old book club. I thought it would be an exciting change of pace for them. I didn't realize the chapter "Womanhood" would be in there - several girls haven't learned everything about "growing up" yet and I felt terrible I was starting the discussions. So although several reviews say every 10 year old should read this - I would up the age to 12!

A truly amazing fantasy.
If you are looking for a sequel based, easy to read fantasy, THIS IS IT! ... Read more

Product Description
Esperanza Ortega possesses all the treasures a young girl could want: fancy dresses; a beautiful home filled with servants in the bountiful region of Aguascalientes, Mexico; and the promise of one day rising to Mama’s position and presiding over all of El Rancho de las Rosas.
But a sudden tragedy shatters that dream, forcing Esperanza and Mama to flee to California and settle in a Mexican farm labor camp. There they confront the challenges of hard work, acceptance by their own people, and economic difficulties brought on by the Great Depression.  When Mama falls ill from Valley Fever and a strike for better working conditions threatens to uproot their new life, Esperanza must relinquish her hold on the past and learn to embrace a future ripe with the riches of family and community. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (323)

Ezperanza Rising by Jenny Fig (d33)
The book Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan is a really emotionally and touching book. The main character, Esperanza, has a lot of risky chances and challenges to survive in America. Who ever that is out there that likes to read about families who faces challenging situations that they could barely obtain, this the right book for you. But if you are looking for a heart, warming story ending this is also a great book for you.
Esperanza used to be in a rich family, until her father was killed by robbers leaving her with her mother, grandma, and the servants. Esperanza and her mother had no choice but to leave Mexico and flee to a migrate camp in California leaving behind Abuelita and their riches and privileges.With the help of Miguel and his parents they were safely brought to the migrate camp without harm. But after getting there things weren't getting better but worse. Esperanza's mother got sick and had to go to the hospital. But that's not all, follow by that was the hospital fees. Will Esperanza mom get better? And how in the world is Esperanza going to find the money to pay for the hospital fees? Read the book Esperanza Rising to know what happens next.
I really love this book. There is a lot of emotion and feelings in this book .In some parts I actually almost cried. Pam Munoz Ryan had me pulled into the book. I felt like I was in some of the characters' brains or hearts since there was a lot of strong thinking and emotion. Also I felt like I was in the scenes of the book too. Once you read this book you'll know what I mean.
This will be the BEST book you'll ever read!!

Esperanza Rising
I loved this book.The descriptive writing paints a well detailed picture for the reader.THe uniqueness of the plot line works to be interesting as well.A great book for literature circles.

Esperanza Rising
Have you ever loved someone with all your heart? Esperanza Rising is a Sad because how her
father dies the night before her birthday. Esperanza is a beautiful book because how Esperanza goes
from having other people do things for her to serving others as a servant. In the story Esperanza Rising,
Esperanza is the richest girl in town because her father owns a large ranch and earns lots of money.
When her farther leaves at night to get avocados, he gets killed. They were going to lose the house. But
her evil uncle, Tio Luis comes to ask Ramona, Esperanza's mother for her hand in marriage only to
become mayor of Mexico. Ramona refuses to marry Tio Luis and he tells her she will regret her decision.
The next day the entire ranch caches on fire. Ramona agrees to marry Tio Luis I wonder why? Ramona
and Esperanza move to California to do field work to avoid the marriage. Meanwhile Esperanza learns
how to sweep and do other chores. Esperanza is an amazing book I hope you read it!!

Esperanza Rising by Jenny Leo (d33)
The book Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan is a really emotionally and touching book. The main character, Esperanza, has a lot of risky chances and challenges to survive in America. Who ever that is out there that likes to read about families who faces challenging situations that they could barely obtain, this the right book for you. But if you are looking for a heart, warming story ending this is also a great book for you.
Esperanza used to be in a rich family, until her father was killed by robbers leaving her with her mother, grandma, and the servants. Esperanza and her mother had no choice but to leave Mexico and flee to a migrate camp in California leaving behind Abuelita and their riches and privileges.With the help of Miguel and his parents they were safely brought to the migrate camp without harm. But after getting there things weren't getting better but worse. Esperanza's mother got sick and had to go to the hospital. But that's not all, follow by that was the hospital fees. Will Esperanza mom get better? And how in the world is Esperanza going to find the money to pay for the hospital fees? Read the book Esperanza Rising to know what happens next.
I really love this book. There is a lot of emotion and feelings in this book .In some parts I actually almost cried. Pam Munoz Ryan had me pulled into the book. I felt like I was in some of the characters' brains or hearts since there was a lot of strong thinking and emotion. Also I felt like I was in the scenes of the book too. Once you read this book you'll know what I mean.
This will be the BEST book you'll ever read!!

Esperanza Rising
This is a wonderful book for students to read. It was required reading for my 4th grader. I thought the subject matter and themes were too advanced for this grade level. I would recommend all girls read this book in 7th grade and up. The lead character is Mexican, however her experience transcends cultural backgrounds and really is a tale of survival. A+ ... Read more

Customer Reviews (121)

classic ya series
So many reviews already, just wanted to add my rating to the overall score.

Good series, overall. but prefer the Immortals series.

best series by a wonderful author
I read Tamora Pierce years ago and loved her books.I was so glad to see that she started writing again b/c all of her new books are great.However, her original Alanna series will always remain my favorite b/c the characters are so original and the story is so intriguing.

What's Alanna to do?
In Alanna's 3rd book, she becomes a Bazhir shaman. Not only that, but she doesn't know whom to pledge her love to. Jon or George? Who will it be?

love it
I first read this book a long time ago in middle school and I still have the full series both Lioness and the Immortals they are no joke bound with duck tape because over the last 11 years or so I have read them soo many times that they are indeed falling apart and I just had to replace my In the Realm of the Gods copy because half the book fell out.Once my kids get a little bit bigger these books will be read to them and I hope that when they get even older that they will pick up these books and read them over and over again like I did!

Encountering the Bazhir
Book 3 in the Song of the Lioness series
An excellent third book in the series which moves away from the court of Tortall and sees Alanna, now a recognised knight and revealed as a woman, encountering the Bazhir. The Bazhir are a proud people who do not traditionally value women as warriors but who accept Alanna as one of them.
This book explores the rights of people from different backgrounds as well as expanding upon the rights of women. It becomes easier to identify with Alanna as she deals with her bad temper but has to learn to fit in even whilst she maintains her individual identity.
Girls of all ages and backgrounds will find encouragement here to learn to fit in yet also find out who they are. ... Read more