Alanna: The First Adventure/Stardust Review

[@mikitea68]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOREVER FOR THIS YAYYYYYYYYYY. Tamora Pierce is the best.

[@fozlove3010]

100% agree all her books are auto buys

[@erinsanderson7742]

The wild magic series and the circle opens is amazing!!

[@sleestack13]

My take on the writing of Stardust is that Gaiman is trying to stay true to the feel of our popular Fairy Tales (Grimm and Perrault) and Fables (Aesop) as they were ORIGINALLY written. By today's standards, most every one of those stories has a "broken" moral compass at best. The capture and "imprisonment" of Yvaine and characters making seemingly nonsensical decisions is absolutely in line with feel of an original Fairy Tale.

[@rebeccametcalf4448]

Tamora Pierce and the Alanna series made me love fantasy in high school

[@tahlialysse]

^^^ exactly this. I "got into" fantasy by reading the fantasy books that my dad had on his shelf, and they were alright but I mostly read them because I wanted to be like my dad and like the things he liked. That led me to discovering the Alanna stories (and Tamora Pierce in general) at the library when I ran out of books at home...and it blew my mind. I started liking fantasy as a genre because *I* liked it, not because I wanted to like it. There's a whole thing to get into with my own issues with my dad and how he wanted a boy and so spent extra energy seeking his approval in other ways...so Alanna also helped me break out of that trend so much and was a recurring comfort that I would return to again and again as I grew up.

[@nicolehorstman9020]

People sleep on Tamora Pierce so much, and I guess it’s because most of her books came out in the 80’s and 90’s. It seems like the majority of Booktube is slightly younger, so the Middle grade/YA focus starts with Percy Jackson and Twlight and moves on from there to more recent authors? I grew up in the 90’s, and authors like Tamora Pierce, Dianna Wynne Jones, and Patricia C Wrede were *such* an important part of who I was as a reader. Back then it really felt like there just weren’t many options for middle grade/YA fantasy, so no only was it great that they really targeted those audiences, but they did it so *well.* Nothing felt like I was being talked down to as a reader, or like fluff. There were still important themes and gripping stories, just told in a way that meets you where you are as a reader. Even now, as a Lit major with a masters in library science who works primarily in archives and research (which I mention only to point out that reading is still a huge part of my life), these are still some of the most important books to me personally.

[@bibliophilecb]

Right? I’m glad people are talking about Percy Jackson and all, but I don’t know why Pierce’s books aren’t in the same conversation!

[@Drizztgeass]

YESSSSS Tamora Pierce. Shes my second favorite author right after Jim Butcher. I loved all her books as a kid and still enjoy rereading them all now. FYI on the editor trimming down thing. It was worse than that. THe entire four book series Song of the Lioness was originally one book. Her editor made her take one book and split it into four. Her later books get a lot longer which Tamora Pierce attributed to the success of Harry Potter and her editors allowing longer books.

[@narflet]

It was an adult fantasy! Her editor suggested splitting it and tweaking it for young adults, which I think was a good call. The length of each book was just the publishing norms of the time (thinking that young people wouldn’t read long books!). There’s one detail that I do think I’d a great shame that was lost (again, because of being published in the 80s): spoilers for Lioness Rampart Thom and Roger were originally lovers. You can still see it in the subtext (and also with Alex). It’s a shame that the same sex relationships weren’t allowed for young adults at that time. 😩

[@estir6972]

Tamora Pierce was such an enormous part of my childhood, her Tortall books were always some of my favorites. The Immortals series and Protector of the Small are also wonderful and I highly recommend checking those out after you finish with Alanna

[@mikitea68]

And then after that get into the Trickster dualogy then Beka Cooper oyyy so good.

[@mardzipanpan]

I read the Lioness Quartet when I was 10 in school and I loved it! What I found amazing was how the book was willing to explicitly discuss what it was like to develop as a girl (keeping it vague) and how it did not have to feel like it stands in your way. I continued to read other quartets by Pierce. I loved the Immortals quartet the most.

[@sofiaford2201]

i remember ADORING the protector of the small series by tamora pierce! she is able to write books that can be read by any age group (kinda like avatar the last airbender)!

[@FairladyZ2005]

Welcome to Tamora Pierce fandom! Fun fact - Alanna's Song of the Lioness Quartet was was originally written as one big novel that was divided into four parts for the younger audience because it was published in a pre-Harry Potter world (the 80s).

[@chestersnap]

I read a lot of Tamora Pierce as a kid and absolutely love her writing. I've been meaning to reread her stuff

[@PetalsAndPlague]

I'm so excited that you're reading these! I would also recommend Protector of the Small quartet in the same world. Also it's pronounced A-lon-uh like rhymes with Donna.

[@reizak8966]

The Alanna books are so good! Read them in middle school and they still stand up to this day.

[@Frogface91]

Stardust is one of those rare occurrences when the film is better than the book. The film is one of my favourites ever, I've watched it countless times since it came out in 2007(?).

[@ivylilybasket]

I watched the movie, didn't read the book, but the way Merphy presented it, it seems the movie cut out some of the toxicity of the original, i.e. the human girl didn't love Tristan so he let her go realizing he shouldn't be a simp for a girl who has someone else lined up, and Tristan also realized in the end he should care about the Star instead of just treating her like an object.

[@Frogface91]

@@ivylilybasket Absolutely. I read the book shortly after falling in love with the film and was very surprised to hear Merphy detail those plot points as I'd completely forgotten them. I remember some differences with the ending but I don't want to spoil the story for her 🙂

[@Frogface91]

@@ivylilybasket Oh, also, Captain Shakespeare is barely in the book, which was a huge surprise for me after seeing how important his character was in the film. Hopefully Merphy will do a follow up video after watching it!

[@katkag.1799]

I also love the film. I've seen the film several times before reading the book and didn't like the book, which is very rare for me. The cast is absolutely amazing, plus Ricky Gervais as Ferdie was a great bonus in the film. I can only recommend it :)

[@F1nnlander]

I'm really confused about this. I listened to the audiobook last year, and it went nothing like what Merphy said. The girl did not love the boy, she felt obligated to marry him because of promise and 'cause the boy had went on such lengths for her. She regretfully was ready to marry him because of that. The boy realises his feelings for the Star (which had been growing and hinted at throughout out book) and tells the girl she had not promised to marry him, but to give him whatever his heart most desired. And now that was for her to marry the man she was engaged with. Are there different versions this book, or is my memory completely wrong?

[@kimbeverly8960]

I loved Tamora Pierce growing up. Especially the Circle of Magic series and the Circle Opens. Intestesing magic system where everyone has a unique way they can use their magic (example: channeling it through dancing or weaving).

[@vic70ria]

They are my preferred world! I’m trying to write a book with those vibes.

[@narflet]

I adore the Circle books! 💛💙❤️💚

[@silvin_ink]

In hopes of getting Murphy to read these excellent books I'll drop this comment: contains "found family" trpoe ;)

[@annelooney1090]

Those were my favorite!

[@F1nnlander]

I felt the relationship between the boy and the Star was relatively well built. Classic first they dislike each other but by surviving through thick and thin, each saving the other, spending time together etc. They come to know and care for each other. The boy had been having doubts about his feelings for the first girl throughout the book. But since he's kind of a simple guy and those feelings are the whole point of his quest, he continues. When he learns about the girls betrothal, he only feels relief and is finally able to fully realise his feelings for the Star.

[@litlbucky]

Loved the movie for Stardust , book was just ok. I too was disappointed in it but wanted to like it because of the movie.

[@LightningRaven42]

The relationship between the protagonist, the star and the girl in the village is much better. Merphy should definitely check out the movie, the main issue she had is made different.

[@beccierae]

Same

[@andrewannotates]

Yeah that movie is one of my favorites and I haven’t read it. It sounds like the movie fixed some of her complaints

[@wingracer1614]

Yeah it's one of those rare moments where the movie was actually better. And I don't really love the movie, it was kinda fun but that's about all I can say for it.

[@banjotiki3910]

Yeah the movie is cool

[@Rivkah.Gamble]

Omgosh! The memories! I used to love the Tortall books. 💜. *goes to shelf to drag the books out, again*

[@monaschimmelschmidt6610]

All my wishes have come true! Merphy read Alanna and she loves it too! 😍

[@whereinthewrld8]

I grew up reading the Alanna books and recently my husband and I started listening to them together. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@anicealien]

Aaaaa, it's so weird seeing my name on a book. And hearing Merphy pronounce it wrong :D

[@sabrinacrandall5216]

Yes yea yes!!! Tamora Pierce is so great. Love every one of her series. Tortall ties together so nicely throughout them. :)

[@platinumbubbles6152]

I’m so glad you liked Alanna! My friend only recently got me into Tamora Pierce’s works and honestly they’re all so good. Alanna’s actually one of the few cases where I can hold up the love triangle (becomes a quadrilateral but whatever) as a good version because there’s not the usual drama. Each of the men represent a different aspect of her and they all are ok with her taking time to figure it out (also because the romance takes a hard backseat to Alanna’s personal goals). I hope you keep reading the Tortall books because I think you’ll like the other protagonists in the series!

[@kateeliason7191]

I read the illustrated version of Stardust and I think it's one of the reasons I actually really enjoyed it! The illustrations were beautiful and really brought out the beauty of the prose and the 'fairy-tale'-esque feeling that Gaiman is so famous for. if there is one author that is BUILT for illustrated versions, it's him

[@keeleymorgan9697]

Tamora Pierce’s books were always my favorite

[@cheshire261]

Sing of the Lioness is my FAVORITE book! (I have an edition with all 4 books in one). I've loved it since I was gifted it at 11. I usually reread it once every year or so. I'm so glad you liked it!

[@Hazel-C]

So glad you loved Alanna, Tamora Pierce is one of my favourite authors and I think all her Tortall stuff is fab!

[@sophiemurphy9711]

I’m so glad you loved Alanna bc this was one of my favorite series growing up!! I read every book Tamora Pierce wrote set in this world!! The series and characters were amazing!! The setting was fantastic! I’m so excited to see what you think of the rest of the series!!

[@LU-qr3kh]

I didn't get a notification but jokes on youtube I clicked the notification tab by accident!!! Love your reviews glad to see another one!❤

[@yashkags4eva]

I'm so excited you read this!!! These books were my favorites growing up and even today I adore them!!

[@missusdr]

I’m so glad you enjoyed the start to the Song of the Lioness! Tamora Pierce practically defined my childhood, and Alanna was definitely one of my favorites. I recall doing a couple book reports on these lol. Can’t wait to see your reactions to the next ones! I need to dig out my copies and try a reread...

[@sackmet]

Yay Tamora Pierce. You are right about the editor wanting her to trim the books down. Especially Alanna's serie suffers from this. But Tamora Pierce is an author who just keep getting better. Also when you have read the Tortall series you should read her Emelan series, the first chapter in that series will make you cry.

[@lostschedule51]

I'll start by saying that I watched the Stardust movie before reading the book and while Yvaine was alright, I loved the other charactere like the witches, the royal and the pirates. It was like a fairy tale with everything

[@reizak8966]

The pirates turn this 3 into an 8. I love the pirates. 🤣

[@micaylalynn9281]

I was so worried when I saw you were reviewing Alanna because I love that series and I love Tamora Pierce so much and I know you aren't a big fan of middle grade. Alanna was one of her first books, so her later books are a bit better paced in my opinion. I love them all though.

[@kathrynehiersche1817]

YOU READ A TAMORA PIERCE BOOK!!!!!!!!!! Everyone here is surgesting Protector of the Small, but no one's mentioning any of her other series... I think it's best to read them all in publishing order and to not forget about the Winding Circle books

[@azurastar3223]

I loved the Song of the Lioness Quartet. It is one of my favorite series by Tamora Pierce, but one of her weaker as well. Her writing only gets better and more diverse over time. If you fall down the rabbit hole like I did you have many more books. I will say that the audio books for her books are good and she even narrates the Realm of the Gods Quartet which is a fully voices cast. You might have some issues with that series though. The age gap between the main couple is...a bit much but still a great story over all. Her Beca Cooper books are some of her best works and are all three prequels to the Song of the Lioness about George Cooper's ancestor and this family's connection to the dancing dove.

[@DryBooks]

Stardust spoilers: I listened to this last year, so I might be remembering it wrong. But I always took the ending as: she (the girl he wanted in the first place) would marry him just bc she made him go and get the star and she felt guilty about it. But she had already found her love and so had he, so they just agreed to love their lives separelty. I liked that ending.... but yeah, maybe I got is wrong and just made my own headcannon for it hahah

[@ThomasAnderson1111]

You definitely remember it correctly. It stuck out to me because it was so much more touching than what happened in the movie.

[@DryBooks]

@@ThomasAnderson1111 yeah right? I really love this book and that part is like, half the reson haha

[@geeves3118]

Alanna is one of my faves!!! It's one I just like to go back to again and again!! ❤

[@stephkitten]

I literally just gasped out loud that you read Alanna. I grew up reading Tammy's books as they were published, and I am so, so happy that you liked Alanna. I love everything she has written, although I will say Alanna was her first series, and was originally written as a single adult novel and was re-written as a series of YA books before being published. So I generally find it more adult in its themes than most of her follow-on writing which was intended to be YA from the start (with the probable exception of her second series, The Immortals quartet). The other comment I'll leave is that in a meet and greet i once attended, the author acknowledged that her earlier writing was stuff she didn't like to re-read as she felt her early writing wasn't her best. I was rather offended at the time since I love them so much, but it actually makes perfect sense. So, I can't say if you would find the pacing/writing better in later books, as I can't see past my love for the story and characters to critique the writing, but hopefully you would also find things improve if you read more of her stuff (which i wholeheartedly recommend, of course).

[@AndxxNatalie]

Tamora Pierce was (is) so important to me. I can't imagine my childhood without that series or that author.

[@timothiturner5218]

YESSS Tamora Pierce is my favorite author. I love her Circle of Magic series I’m reading it now

[@DaBlackRose]

Thank you SOOOO much for reviewing Alanna. This is a book a grew up on and i think it is one of the classics nobody talks about. I'm so happy to see it getting some attention.

[@read.write.drinktea]

I read all of Tamora Pierce’s books growing up and it’s awesome to see you review the first book she published 🤩

[@zephy64]

I was glad I found Alanna when I was a young reader, I just got a collection of Tamora Pierce short stories and they are good fodder for D&D game ideas.

[@mastelsa]

I'll heartily pile on and suggest the Protector of the Small series--Kel is a great protagonist and her story is a really interesting continuation of the world set up in Alanna's books.

[@vic70ria]

Yay!!! Tamora Pierce!!! Actually joined your Patreon this month because I think someone said you were doing it this month. Oh well. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@bookandmakeuplover4263]

I've loved the "Song of the Lioness" series since middle school. One of my favorite books of all time is "In the Hands of the Goddess" which is the second book in the series and I would really suggest reading the entire series. I love the Wild Magic series that comes after it as well.

[@kidakaen]

We just had a little girl on St Patrick’s day and we named her Alanna after these books. They were so influential to me growing up and I hope her namesake gives her all the fierceness she’s going to need to live a life of courage and kindness.

[@vickybrowne6104]

I’m so glad you love Alanna! Tamora Pierce has been my favourite author for such a long time!

[@charlierose9831]

Stardust the movie is absolutely fantastic!!! I love it as a child (still do) it’s just so magical!

[@lindsey5714]

I never thought I’d see a Tamora Pierce review on KZbin! Love the lioness series, although I found the immortals series stuck with me from childhood to adulthood and I can still read and enjoy now. Thanks for posting this!

[@LadyLightningstorm]

Tamora Pierce is brilliant. Definitely one of my favourite authors.

[@CakedCrusader9]

Omggg yes Alanna!! Finally someone talks about it! Have loved this series since I was 12, it’s still a comfort read even at age 30 ♥️

[@Imaginetheday1967]

How funny. I just finished Alanna yesterday and I absolutely agree with you. I loved it! :)

[@CimoreneTheRebel]

I am so glad you loved Alanna! It was one of the first books I ever loved, back around kindergarten, and at this point I can't tell if it was the perfect book for me or if I completely shaped my personality around Alanna. I also reread it this year and (excluding some stuff in the third book) still holds up pretty well!

[@heather9130]

I loved Alanna when I was in high school, and today it's my least favorite of Tamora Pierce's Tortall series. Pierce and her world grow so much in later series. If you loved Alanna, you absolutely must read the series and continue into the Immortals and Protector of the Small quartets. It's got the most amazing world building, and the world changes so much over these series. I return to them year after year.

[@freedom4anime]

!!!! Ahhh the Tortal series is actually what hooked me into reading! I read books and I liked certain ones as a child but after reading the Tortal series (I actually read Wild mage/Daine's series first) that was it for me, book nerd for life. Happy to hear you loved it I hope you continue and read more of Tamora's works.

[@absurdentropy]

Oh hey I also read (listened) to Stardust recently. My first Gaimon book. I didn't have the same reaction at all to the relationship stuff. I felt like the final reversal was earned, and I would say the initial quest was given with playful flirting rather than some scornful dismissal. I read it because I liked the movie so much, so I hope you enjoy it :) It has some great effects too

[@blaimingtoad]

Tamora Pierce is the reason I'm such a Fantasy Nerd Today. can't wait to share these books with My Niece and Nephew

[@sarahweiner6924]

I’m so happy you’re reading Tamora Pierce! I’m doing a re-read right now. She’s incredible.

[@amywalker8447]

Oh my goodness! I loved Tamora Pierce books when I was a teen. She lived a portion of her life in the same town I grew up in and made periodic visits to my school to speak about her writing process, class by class. I was just amazed by her! I even wrote her a fan letter as an English assignment once and she responded with a handwritten letter. Sweet memories.

[@JessicaStellmann]

Aww, yay, I'm so glad you loved Alanna! I was lucky enough to find Tamora Pierce when I was about 8 or so, and in the 22 years since have re-read this series and her others set in this same world (Immortals & Protector of the Small) many times. They're the book equivalent of comfort food to me! Glad to know they still make an impact even reading for the first time as an adult.

[@Jessica_Little]

Ahhhhhhhhhh! I LOVE the Tamora Pierce books and absolutely tore through them in my middle school years! All of her books in the Tortall and other lands series have beautiful storylines, world building, and characters! The books do get longer which does help with pacing issues and usually get bigger as each individual series progresses.

[@kr._.lambert3287]

I literally just finished the 'Song of the Lioness' series the other day! So glad you liked the first book! The pacing definitely took some getting used to, but I think it gets better or easier in the sequential books. I can't wait to hear what you think of the other books!

[@bibliophilecb]

Yes!! Tamora Pierce was so important to me as a kid/teen! I feel like nobody ever talks about her online, even though her books are fantastic for what they are, and the author herself seems pretty great online as well. I re-read the Alanna series recently and adored it just as much, especially the part you mentioned about embracing your femininity. Also, yes the Mulan-esque trope is one of my all-time favorites as well!

[@raimavadhanam3275]

Merph after watching this video I highly recommend the School For Good and Evil series by Soman Chainani. It’s one of those books you’ll either hate or love and I’m interested to see your take on it!

[@narflet]

Oh the relief that you liked Alanna! It’s more like A-lah-na btw, not Elena. The quartet was originally written as a one volume adult fantasy but Tammy’s editor suggested she split it into four and tweak it for young adults. It was the publishing standard at the time that children’s and teen books were around 200-250 pages, nothing longer. I really hope you continue with all the Tortall books, it’s such a good journey seeing Tammy’s writing improve, the world expand and develop, and when you hit the point in time when YA books were allowed to be longer (thanks Harry Potter) you then get much more plot and character development and it’s fantastic. I love Alanna because it was the first I read but overall the Protector off the Small series might be my favourite (I think you’ll prefer the pacing of that series). With regards to Stardust it was originally published as illustrated prose. It was published as four premium format comic issues and then collected into a graphic novel size volume. I wonder if you’d preferred it in that format because the story by Charles Vess is sublime. The text is very slightly tweaked for the prose-only version to clarify what you miss by not having the artwork.

[@heathwitch]

Great review! I loved Pierce's books -- I read them in school but still return to them regularly despite being in my 40s now. Also, it's pronounced "A-lan-ah", which is why it's shortened to "Alan" when Alanna goes to train as a knight. The whole Song of the Lionness Quartet is great but I adore the Immortals Quartet even more, and Pierce goes deeper into the land of Tortall with lots of other series so it's worth checking them all out! I hope you do continue with Song of the Lioness (at least) because it's so good!

[@matthewchrist287]

I just read the Lioness Quartet (Alanna) last year! My wife said it was her favorite book series, so I decided to open one day and was hooked! I'm excited for you to read them!

[@Lynn-CA]

Totally agree that I wish I'd read Alanna when I was younger!

[@alixboyer8202]

I just did a Tamora Pierce collection reread last year!!!! Thanks so much for talking about it, I always wish they got mentioned more! I thought the Crown of Feathers books has a ton of her influence!!!! Yay Mulan trope!!!!!

[@annadavis5585]

I love the movie! It addressed a lot of the issues that you have with the book! It's one of my favorites!

[@RKStumblingbear]

I've so happy that you liked Alanna! I do think this book has held up really well. I still read them (and I'm in my 30s.)

[@ramblingsofgabby]

I am so happy to see all the love for Tamora Pierce in the comments! Its great to see adults unabashedly love middle grade favorites and not just recommend them for younger readers.

[@spongend181]

I really love both the book and film of Stardust (maybe ever so slightly prefer the film), but your criticisms with the book are VALID! The love is so abrupt!

[@jetkirby]

Big fan of alanna glad to see you covering her story and hope you read more pierce

[@aoifemuller3751]

I loved Alanna! All four of them! So cool that Tamora Pierce and Neil Gaiman are in the same video, from you no less, just made my day!

[@emilyreads5207]

I love Tamora Pierce! You don’t see much of her on booktube, but she is so great as an intro to fantasy

[@birdkingcaw2492]

Alanna was one of the first books I remember fully reading and loving. Even now, I can still go back to these books and find myself falling in love all over again.

[@august1837]

“Because Gaiman” is a really good reason to enjoy an audiobook. I only read through audiobooks, and I’m having trouble getting into American gods because it’s not narrated by him

[@eivor9097]

I literally *just* read most of Tamora Perce's books one after each other in a month. I got through them so fast I don't even remember if I had problems with the pacing at all. I do think the pacing gets better at least for the Protector of the Small series tho

[@kaberroneill94]

Hi Merphy! Really enjoyed this video. Thank you. I know this shouldn't matter, but my OCD won't let me not say something. Since you are continuing with the series, her name is pronounced "Ah-Lan-Ah". Sorry to be so picky. Don't hate me please.

[@whiteraven562]

I love me some Tamora Pierce, but I definitely love the Circle of Magic books more than the Tortall books

[@lindsaymorrison7519]

My favorite middle grade authors with incredible prose: Robin McKinley and Diana Wynne Jones.

[@cuhamm]

Song of the lioness quartet is one of my favorites still. Read it several times growing up and still go back to it

[@SholindreanTales]

I LOVE Alanna. Actually, I love everything Tamora Pierce has written. Her books were what got me reading again after public school reading assignments killed my love of reading. I started with her second series though, The Immortals which follows Daine. Then I went back and read Alanna's story. Both are so good! I'm so glad you loved Alanna. I think you're going to enjoy the rest of the series. Definitely check out Immortals though too. The first book is called Wild Magic. Daine is wonderful and her teacher Numair is one of my all-time favorite book characters. Gah. I just love them all so much.

[@liaberyl8380]

Tamora Pierce is one of my absolute favorites! I read her when I was a teenager and continue to read her even now in my 30’s! I love how this series is older but can still apply to people and young women today! Love her! I liked Stardust but honestly I like the movie better. Which is super rare for me. Still a well written book though.

[@christopherwells2125]

Pierce writes some amazing female leads. Alanna, Keladry, and Rebakah are superb. My oldest is only 6, so we have a few years before she'sold enough, but I can't wait to share these with her.

[@sabrinat.2511]

This is one of those rare times when the movie expanded on the book and ended up being infinitely better.

[@theresasofia_]

Agreed! Saw the movie first when I was younger (didn’t know it was a book when I saw it) and then when I read the book I was super disappointed with the ending.

[@kalismith4074]

I love Tamora Pierce's books so much that I often revisit them every few years. My favorites are the Trickster series, Ali who is the daughter of Alanna and George, becomes a spymaster for a rebellion. Such a DIFFERENT take on being a female hero. I just gotta say, I love Ali's snark!

[@subhakhan1900]

I loved reading the whole Alanna song of the lioness series when growing up. It was the first time reading fantasy from the viewpoint of a protagonist like me an adolescent girl. I loved watching how Alanna struggled and grew up into a strong woman. The themes really resonated with me back then and I remember thinking how the tropes of respecting other woman, self respect, and being comfortable in your own body really seemed so fresh from other largely male dominated high fantasy novels.

[@lenansidhe9946]

Alanna has been a fav of mine since middle school!!! 15+ years ago. :3

[@brittanywetherill472]

I feel like I can recommend all of Tamora Pierce's work- I love "Wild Magic" in particular, although for a long world building series, her "Circle of Magic" series is incredible as well. I can also say, the Movie Stardust is so much better. I love Neil Gaiman's style, but sometimes the movie versions end up with more satifying endings. At least for my taste.

[@bumblebun6328]

omg. I AM SO FUCKING EXCITED YOU ARE READING THE TORTALL BOOKS. I literally own every single book of this series, and I have reread each one at least 4 times now. Every character is amazing. Older characters pop up in each book, and just aaaahhhh I really hope you continue reading all the books. I feel you will like Beka Cooper too. DX And Kel! omg goodness I am so excited. And Ooooooo Aly too! Just ugh. Seriously each new series is so good. I love the magic system too.

[@shizueigaki702]

On the contrary, I think Stardust is one of the best novels I have ever read. It follows motifs of European Folklore - so the Rash Promise is part of it. Tristran Thorn is young and foolish, and he wants to to be off doing something impossible. These are standard events of a Folk story. He captures the star, but then releases her - something that people of Faerie don't seem to be willing to do. The talking Tree tells Tristran just so. Over the journey, he realizes his wrongs, and falls in love with Yvaine. His ending is bittersweet. He made a promise that isn't to his liking to be kept: and he wisely remembers the right words (words being important in a fair tale) and asks that his desire be one of Victoria becoming a Monday. So, two Monday's meet, the prophecy is fulfilled, all through his actions. The epilogue really sets us down for what Yvaine really is: she is a star, in the Faerie, forever away from her native place. Tristran is a human in Faerie, and he will forever be away from his native place. That's what it is about. Faerie for both of them, is a place of sadness, that they have to come accept. It's why the epilogue has this faint tinge of grief. ---- SPOILERS ---- -------------------------- "She says nothing at all, but simply stares upwards into the dark sky and watches, with sad eyes, the slow dance of the infinite stars." - Epilogue, Stardust. -------------------------- And that is I think the essence of all Fairy Tales. On the outlook, they seem simple and neatly done, but on the deepest level have a complicated skeleton of motifs and allusions. That's why it works so well for me. There are of course problems: Tristran meets his mother and just accepts (?) that yes, there she is. They argue about silly things of importance like Elephants for a procession. Nothing about the emotional connection with his mother after the first time he was born. But, otherwise, the book really works as a great fairy tale, the like of which C. S. Lewis would be happy about.

[@kathleen.l]

Time to reread Alanna! I loved that series so much! And I should finish the other series of books by Pierce that I have. Was going to let go the others where I only read the first or first two books but now I'm inspired to read them all. 💖

[@KierTheScrivener]

I read Alanna when in high school! I need to read it again sometime. I did love that she hides her femininity but doesn't hate it. I grew up with the film (Stardust), so I knew the ending, so when I read the book I saw the development of the relationship. It definitely is terrible I overlooked all the captor/captive thing but it takes them a good four-six months to return and 98% of that is them being friends and falling but not realizing they are falling and I like the ending that there's a difference between what you idealized as love and what you actually want. And that Victoria might be a little vain but she isn't bad, she knew what she wanted and it was Monday but she couldn't tell Tristram that he was not cool about listening to her no (so gave him a quest instead), but still willing to honour the quest when finished and feels terrible about putting him in danger for not being able to communicate. And returning to Yvaine (is that how you spell her name) isn't a second rate thing but him realizing he never wanted Victoria, he wanted the idea. That this whole time he was falling in love with her, I also love that they don't go immediately to rule, instead travelling and getting to know each other better and the end with the witch is so good, again subverting expectations. And her being the ruler of Stormhold forever, literal tears everytime. I also adore the ghosts so much. I love the movie and adore the book. Filming when voxer sounds comes. Have had this happen, but I was in the zone and jumped and yelled my friend's name.

[@magiquephantasy]

I never read the Alanna series but I did read the Immortals series, which is based in the same world, that I really loved. Strong female protagonist like Alanna who is smart, independent, and able to get stuff done on her own. Stardust, the movie, is one of my favorite movies. May be one of the few instances where the movie is better than the book based on your review (I haven't read the book). The love story is much more palatable there and believable. Would be interested in a follow-up video after you watch it. Thanks for an engaging video as always.

[@Gon_Din]

i read stardust in highschool after watching the movie, which i loved, and all i can remember from the book is that i liked the movie end better

[@emilymoran9152]

I actually had the opposite response! One of the things I liked about this book is that there are prices and consequences to things (eg. if your leg gets set by someone who isn't a doctor, you're gonna have a messed up leg - no magically fixing it!) and the movie made the ending too Hollywood happy for my tasted. But I can totally see why someone might prefer that ending, because the book is rather bittersweet.

[@bulletbeau9300]

Did you ever read the other books? I was lucky to read these while growing up and adore the tortall universe. I still reread these. They have huge nostalgia feels for me. Shes also still adding to the world and with each book you get a little cameo of someone or glimpse into another corner. They’re fantastic. I would love to know your thoughts!

[@skycolinregan]

Hey Merphy! Did you ever make reviews for the rest of the Alanna books?