Day 12: book meme

[liaku]

Day 12 – A book or series of books you’ve read more than five times

The Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce. Accept no substitute. (Except her Circle of Magic quartet, which is basically superior in every way. Not as classic though, but originality is generally considered a virtue, so I suppose that's not even a point in her favor.)

Tamora Pierce writes fantasy, generic medieval magic stuff with knights and etc. The only twist, and it was a twist back when she published her first Tortall books, was that her protagonist was female. This didn't happen much in young adult/children's literature back in the day. The Lioness Quartet is about Alanna, a noble's daughter that masquerades as a boy to become a knight. A classic tale, sure, but it's done right. DISCLAIMER: um, at least my childhood memories claim it's done right, I haven't read it since middle school.

I don't normally care much for girl power, but it was seriously craptastic for me as a kid to read book after book where the story always follows a boy. There are some girls for main characters, but they were either wusses or effectively a boy with a girl's name anyhow. Alanna was a revelation for me. She's strong and smart and obviously female, and that was unheard of for me at the time. I loved Alanna. She was my hero. She's kind and good-hearted without being a doormat, and her drive to achieve her dreams is something I think every girl should admire.

The tragedy is that I don't like Tamora Pierce anymore. Alanna, I adored. The Immortals felt like a Mary-Sue power-trip. Keladry was boring (sorry, but she was). It's rather upsetting, really. If I had any excuse to set Tamora Pierce upon an altar, I would, but as it stands, I can't.

Day 01 – A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!)
Day 02 – A book or series you wish more people were reading and talking about
Day 03 – The best book you’ve read in the last 12 months
Day 04 – Your favorite book or series ever
Day 05 – A book or series you hate
Day 06 – Favorite book of your favorite series OR your favorite book of all time
Day 07 – Least favorite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise
Day 08 – A book everyone should read at least once
Day 09 – Best scene ever
Day 10 – A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 – A book that disappointed you
Day 12 – A book or series of books you’ve read more than five times
Day 13 – Favorite childhood book OR current favorite YA book (or both!)
Day 14 – Favorite character in a book (of any sex or gender)
Day 15 – Your “comfort” book
Day 16 – Favorite poem or collection of poetry
Day 17 – Favorite story or collection of stories (short stories, novellas, novelettes, etc.)
Day 18 – Favorite beginning scene in a book
Day 19 – Favorite book cover (bonus points for posting an image!)
Day 20 – Favorite kiss
Day 21 – Favorite romantic/sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 22 – Favorite non-sexual relationship (including asexual romantic relationships)
Day 23 – Most annoying character ever
Day 24 – Best quote from a novel
Day 25 – Any five books from your “to be read” stack
Day 26 – OMG WTF? OR most irritating/awful/annoying book ending
Day 27 – If a book contains ______, you will always read it (and a book or books that contain it)!
Day 28 – First favorite book or series obsession
Day 29 – Saddest character death OR best/most satisfying character death (or both!)
Day 30 – What book are you reading right now?

Comments

[merigreenleaf.livejournal.com]

I really liked the Daine books and thought Kel was pretty cool, but the books I don't like as much are the Aly ones (well "book"- I've only read the first one so far). But you're right- the Alanna ones are definitely the best! :) I didn't read Tortall until I was an adult, though, so I don't have childhood memories making them seem better, ya know? (That's why I haven't read Phantom Tollbooth lately; I loved that as a kid and I'm afraid that now that I'm grown, it won't be as I remembered it.)

[liaku.livejournal.com]

I think I would've liked them if Daine ever seemed like she was in real danger for me. Her powers were just so all-encompassing that it seemed like she could get out of every situation (and if she couldn't, Numair would help). In general, after Alanna, I felt like the sense of danger wasn't very real anymore. Maybe I just got too old. :(

Actually, The Phantom Tollbooth holds up beautifully upon a reread, and in fact it's coming up tomorrow for my favorite children's/YA book!

[jesatria.livejournal.com]

The Alanna books! I love them so much. The Tortall books in general will always have a special place in my heart.

[liaku.livejournal.com]

♥ I honestly can't imagine what I'd be like without them. I don't think I'd ever have gotten as interested in reading and writing if I forever believed female characters are inherently pathetic, and then it's scary to wonder how I'd have grown up.

[tabacoychanel.livejournal.com]

i shipped alanna/jonathan SO HARD back in the day.

also, i loved circle of magic and thought immortals was .... not that bad?

[saramon.livejournal.com]

DUDE YOU LIKE JUST YEAH.
when i was a kid i wanted to BE alanna so freaking hard.

[caliypsoe.livejournal.com]

Love these books! I haven't read them since middle school either but I remember reading them over the course of a summer and being completely enthralled.

Definitely agree with you about Daine. Did you read the Trickster books about Alanna's daughter? Those two were pretty good.