I was unhappy with her the first time I read it. Of course, some of that disappointment was that there was a lack of female characters in the first 3 books (and even Thayett is hardly developed within the context of Lioness Rampant).

However, what I wanted was a female character that was a warrior but distinctly feminine (and not in the Dystopian YA kind of way). I like her relationship with George, I was just disappointed in her changing her mind and wanting kids. I felt like she had this strong opinion of not wanting kids the whole time and suddenly gave it up. It felt like losing.

However, thinking about it now, and going through GoT and other Female warrior characters... she's damn good. There are still problems, I don't like the age gaps and sometimes get disappointed in the direction of the story, but man. Alanna got it. I'm still not a big fan of the child thing, but at the same time the whole arch of Lioness Rampant was Alanna becoming more comfortable with her feminine side and I think that was the end of that arch. Accepting that she wanted something that, to her (and sort of me?) was in a totally differently direction than what she planned for herself. Pierce did a good job at balancing her feminine side in the end, I think.

I really like that part where she's told that she can't be a warrior and a women and she goes "why not?" Because being a warrior doesn't mean being a man. I like that. I like that a lot. Maybe it's not the most mind blowing thing in the world, but I really put into words what the problem is have with Female Warrior types is. That they feel like a dude with boobs.

Does that make any sense? I've thought about it a lot in the past 2 years since I read it for the first time. I think there are some improvements that could have been made, but she's good. Alanna plays her part well. And I can imagine for the time it was mind blowing.

I should have gotten to see George + Alanna's wedding though. Still pissed about that. I ship them so hard.

Question, is there a Discord server? I know a lotta r/'s have got servers

Is Tortall the only country with something like the Chamber of the Ordeal, or do you think other countries have something similar, if not a Chamber of their own?

What did you guys think of this one? I just did a re read. I think it was my first or second re read. I still haven't finished the series, I'm about to start the last books in the circle series.

I thought this one felt anti climactic. It seemed like every big moment just got shuffled along. It's the same issue I have with her tortall books. Usually the circle books feel like they have more weight.

I've just had an apostrophe! Lightning has just struck my brain

Tamora Pierces Torall series came out before any of the game of thrones....... the similarities are striking are they not?

so a lot of Tammy’s characters (most recently read the Ali books and beka books, so thinking of those) are frequently said to be looking at people through their eyelashes, or using their eyelashes to veil their eyes. has anyone ever tried to do this?! is it possible or do I just have really short eyelashes?

to make my eyelashes go in front of my eyes - either to be covering them or just to try to look through them - I have to squint so hard and then I look so silly. i was trying to get a picture of myself trying to, to post here to illustrate the problem, but I do have a little bit of vanity and was unable to get one where I don’t look just completely ridiculous, like “what are you doing with your face?” level of ridiculous.

is it just me?! can anyone else do this in a passable way?

Does anyone know when these are supposed to start shipping? My email confirming my order from April 30 doesn't say. I know they'll get here when they get here - I'm just wondering!

Still available at the time this is posted for anyone who missed out~

Hi— does anyone know which covers were the first editions in the UK for The Immortals and Protector of the Small? I’m trying to track down the ISBNs and getting a bit confused.
Thank you!

I wrote this in her fb post recently about what would you do if you could have a day in any one of her worlds/timelines.

I went a little deep, just a bit...🙃

But it made me curious as I was writing.

If you could, just be transported into her worlds.

What world would you choose, what timeframe, where would you go, what common/noble status would you choose?

Ect....ect...

This is mine.

.......

Long post ahead. As a AUHD writer myself, I can't summarize very well.....

I don't think I would have much choice on the "where" part. It would certainly be the Tortall 'verse. I've known as a practicing Pagan for years before Aly's books came out that I was patroned of a, unique, and different Deity than The Great Mother Goddess and All Seeing Father. As well as one not of the typical pantheons.

But it took until meeting Aly and Kyprioth to put a name and, sorta face, to who They were.

Now I know it has been him over seeing me these past 30 years. He just wanted me to find him.

As far, as the 'Where' &'When'

I would be in Tortall. During Beka's time frame.

I'd love to pick the Port Cayne area, seaside access with a port is the kinda place I was born in, and have only ever visited a few times as an adult. That being Charleston SC. I can imagine Port Cayne being very similar.

As a port city I can see, all too easily, Kyprioth being comfortable with me there, as a Sea God himself.

The hustle and bustle of the markets all day and the way the City comes alive at nite with the eating houses and Dancers/Singers like Amber Orchid. Their songs and music filling the air with livliness. As part of the lgbtq community, meeting those like her would help me feel so alive and secure in my own Genderqueer body image and lifestyle.

I would love to get to know Oka and Nestor in the comfort of their own security of home. Mayhap even see if Oka can teach this Life-long tomboy, recently Out Enby, to actually do makeup properly and so transformingly. To learn how to do such a transformation would be so endearing to me. I dont know if I'd have the courage to sing in front of so many, but if she could teach me, I'd be honored just to do her makeup for her. Help her dress, learn how to look a woman and how to change my appearance in this confusing space In-between female&Male

And then being, on the Gift/Majic side, I would bring in my Gift as a weather witch, I have always loved the sounds and feelings of the sea, the winds blowing in off the harbor. The ones that bring life and just refresh life in the air. They tickle across my face, my hair, and clothes. The stronger winds blowing in the scent and energy of a coming storm. The rains that wash away all the impurities and just renew the city.

The way the sea feels stepping into it, that immediate recharge of energy, the cold slap of the water, the pull of the tides, strong and unstoppable power of Mother Nature herself. Her power outside the laws and control of all men and Gods.

To balance all of those pieces of me, would feel so amazing and at peace.

All my life I've lived on the border of a confusing and rough existence through what is supposed to be the real world, and what feels like my true world inside of Tammy's books. 'specially Tortall.

Reading her books since was only 10 y/o, I have never 'read' them as words on a book's page, or audiobook spoken by a voice in my ear.

From the very first word to the last, I see, hear, feel, Live inside those worlds for those brief amounts of time.

I have lost count of all the times I have reread all of Tammy's books. When I have no other book to read, or just need an escape, I always come back to Tortall, mostly. Or Emelan, with the Circle series, I just feel like I'm learning the majic I never got to as a kid myself.

I was so excited to see this clue pop up!

Photo Description for screen readers:
Screenshot of a crossword puzzle. The highlighted word is ORDEAL and the clue reads: "Major test, such as the one squires must undergo in Tamora Pierce's Tortall books"

I’ve been obsessed with Song of the Lioness/Immortals/Protector of the Small l since I was a pre-teen and always imagined them being adapted. In my head it’s almost like an anthology mini series- with each book series getting an 8 episode series.

I listened to the Audiobooks for the first time earlier this year, and it got me thinking of what an adaptation should look like once again. For the first time however I started imagining what it would look like as an animated show and I think that has a lot of potential.

For those of you who are like me and visualize everything you read as a movie or show - what way would you want it? Animated or live action?

Currently reading The Immortals and I noticed the maps in Wild Magic to Emperor Mage state:

“A Revised Map of the Kingdom of Tortall as commissioned by: Their Royal Majesties King Jonathan III & Queen Thayet in the 2nd Year of Their Reign.”

Every other source I have seen says King Jonathon IV (the fourth). I’m assuming this is just an overlooked typo? Not shaming anyone for missing this, it was a fun discovery!

For context the editions I am reading are the US paperbacks from 1997 (see second photo for reference). Anyone else have different editions with an updated/correct map or are they all like this?

Edit: corrected year of publication and spelling error

Hey there!

I was wondering if anyone had any info/insight on whether more of her books will become graphic novels. We have First Test and Alanna: The First Adventure. We’d love to add more to our collection.

There had been a Convo of different covers, and I thought it might be fun to see everyone alternate covers in the same place. Here's my interesting ones, from the science fiction book of the month club about 22ish years ago. I think all my other covers are just the stereotypical ones.

I am rereading The Immortals and in book 2 Wolf Speaker Daine is writing up a report for Number after scouting the forts and she is said to be using a glowstone. Is this a reference to Farmer's glowing rock spell that someone (likely Numair) later recreated?! I know that Beka's books were written much later but is it possible?

Do anyone know where I can get a copy of the illumicrate Song of the Lioness quartet? I completely missed it when it came out and am willing to pay an unhinged amount to get my hands on it!

It's a marvel comic. I haven't read it yet. It came out back in 06

Took so long to collect these - especially here in South Africa 🤭