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toni_winchester's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
harpersona's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
babsidi's review against another edition
4.0
I see Kel is still my fave. As an adult I picked up a lot more of the missing Dane books, though, than I did as a kid. I should read those one of these days...
Kel's such a spectacular character, and I see now why I related so hard to her. She doesn't want to care what other people do, though secretly she does. She wants to do everything the guys can, and with some work, she can. I suspect her Yamani people's similarity to the Japanese helps too, and may be one of the reasons I latched so hard to her.
(Also loving the parallels between the Yamani and C.J. Cherryh's atevi. Kind of curious if the two affected each others' work at all.)
The plot is simple, but somehow so much more compelling than Alanna? I feel like Kel's much more real as a character than Alanna, even though Kel is good at all this stuff. Alanna's failings were few and far, while Kel hasn't a magical bone in her body, can't believe why anyone would want to be friends with her, and loses most fights she starts. I just... she's the best. And definitely one of my few female childhood heroes.
Kel's such a spectacular character, and I see now why I related so hard to her. She doesn't want to care what other people do, though secretly she does. She wants to do everything the guys can, and with some work, she can. I suspect her Yamani people's similarity to the Japanese helps too, and may be one of the reasons I latched so hard to her.
(Also loving the parallels between the Yamani and C.J. Cherryh's atevi. Kind of curious if the two affected each others' work at all.)
The plot is simple, but somehow so much more compelling than Alanna? I feel like Kel's much more real as a character than Alanna, even though Kel is good at all this stuff. Alanna's failings were few and far, while Kel hasn't a magical bone in her body, can't believe why anyone would want to be friends with her, and loses most fights she starts. I just... she's the best. And definitely one of my few female childhood heroes.
aeap's review against another edition
5.0
This was my very first Tamora Pierce book. I read it at age 12, and it started a love for this author that has not swayed to this day.
sambadoll's review
4.0
so much less painful to read than Mercedes Lackey. Strong female lead, though hard to believe she's a 10 year old. not ground breaking, but a pleasant read. not funny or thought provoking, but moved along. might want to try a series with an older heroine, or continue until this one is grown up.
tani's review against another edition
4.0
Once upon a time, I started reading Tamora Pierce's Alanna books. I'd been hearing all over the place how good they were, so I thought I'd give them a try. Well, I wasn't really thrilled. Sure, the premise was fun. Sure, the characters were interesting. But the thing, I just didn't like Alanna that much.
So, for the longest time, I kind of forgot about Tamora Pierce. As I'm learning recently, this was a mistake. First, I ended up reading the Circle of Magic series, which I loved. Then this. I really enjoyed First Test. So much so, in fact, that I'm thinking of running out tomorrow and picking up the next couple books. Kel is a great character and I had a lot of fun reading about her adventures. I keep thinking that I should stop wasting time reading all these young adult things when I have so many other books just waiting to be read, but then I read things like this and change my mind. I guess I'll be sticking with my young adult interest for a while longer. :)
So, for the longest time, I kind of forgot about Tamora Pierce. As I'm learning recently, this was a mistake. First, I ended up reading the Circle of Magic series, which I loved. Then this. I really enjoyed First Test. So much so, in fact, that I'm thinking of running out tomorrow and picking up the next couple books. Kel is a great character and I had a lot of fun reading about her adventures. I keep thinking that I should stop wasting time reading all these young adult things when I have so many other books just waiting to be read, but then I read things like this and change my mind. I guess I'll be sticking with my young adult interest for a while longer. :)