Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Reading these books makes me feel very weak

Page by Tamora Pierce

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It’s now been a day and I have read almost 70% of the entire series. One of the things I like best about all of Pierce’s work is how much detail and time she gives to the little things, the everyday rhythms of life. Both First Test and this book are short (<250 pages, I believe) but you don’t feel like you were cheated out of journeying alongside Kel. Now, to be fair, the first book is only slightly shorter than the second and yet covers only […]

Once again, this time with feeling(s kept hidden)

First Test by Tamora Pierce

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I re-read the entire Alanna: The First Adventure series sometime last year (bought all the paperback books second hand, the same covers I had as a kid and everything). The order of Tamora Pierce’s books set in Tortall go: 1. Alanna 2. The Immortals 3. Kel’s books 4. ??? As you can tell, I did not get all the way to the end, because I instead started reading the Circle of Magic books which I think are excellent. I often wish that the two worlds one day […]

Take that pink ribbon off my eyes, damn it

First Year by Tamora Pierce

Page by Tamora Pierce

Squire by Tamora Pierce

Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce

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I was introduced to Tamora Pierce and the realm of Tortall in 1986 by a classmate of mine named Alec Deleon. He was reading a copy of Alanna: The First Adventure while in the library at lunchtime. I asked him why he was reading a book about a GIRL when he was a BOY in that know-it-all way that ten-year-olds have. He said I should try it since I liked The Hero & the Crown by Robin McKinley. Evidently that little jerk was actually paying […]

An introduction to Tortall

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce

In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

The Woman who Rides like a Man by Tamora Pierce

Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce

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The 4 books that make up the Song of the Lioness series are Tamora Pierce’s first exploration of her world of Tortall. A western medieval society with chivalry and magic of many kinds. I read the first book in this series (Alanna) when I was a child and for many years never even realised it had sequels. But it stuck with me over the years and about 10 years ago I found the books again and read them all with new eyes. I come back […]

Double Cannonballing with a Messy Author

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Twelve years ago I was sharing a house in Annapolis, Maryland. My housemate had 3 kids who visited every other weekend. Her youngest, Rosemary, introduced me to Tamora Pierce and I introduced her to Joan of Arcadia. I have since read most of Pierce’s books, both her Tortall and Emelan worlds. She has a gift for writing characters that stick with you. She has written some wonderful female characters. However, as a person, Pierce has revealed herself to be messy on race and representation. She […]

Meeting new friends and reuniting with old

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This is a collection of short stories, most of which take place in Tamora Pierce’s Tortallan Universe.  Well, six do, and four take place in other fantasy settings, and there’s one nonfantasy story that was inspired by one of Pierce’s early jobs.  I liked all of them, although one of them was a bit spoilery for me, as I haven’t read the books that it follows.  (They’re sitting in my TBR pile right now, actually.)   “Student of Ostriches” This story follows Kylaia, a young […]



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