I honestly can’t remember how old I was when I first came across Tamora Pierce's Tortall Books, but from the first reading, I was hooked. Strong female heroes, magic, battles, enemies worth hating… what more could a girl want?
Now, I also know that they’re THE go-to-books when referencing strong female characters in Young Adult Fantasy. A Google search for heroines in YA fantasy: Pierce. A scan of goodreads lists: Pierce. When people are talking about heroines in YA fantasy: Pierce. Tamora Pierce's books inevitably come up, and with good reason.
Pierce started writing these in the 80’s (before it was fashionable to do such things) and has been writing them ever since. With 17 novels set in Tortall and a further 10 set in an alternate universe, she’s prolific. She creates well-rounded heroines who achieve great things, who break the rules and who even, sometimes, (gasp) fail.
Alanna disguises herself as a boy in order to become a knight. Daine learns to use her unique bond with animals to shape-shift. Kel is the first known girl in over a century to try for her shield. Aly plots and brings about the downfall of a government.
Alanna also breaks the rules. Daine thinks she’s going mad the first time her shape-shifting begins. Kel, well, Kell doesn’t make that many mistakes. Her Yamani training works to prevent that, though to her, mistakes abound – like trying to keep her temper in check. Aly, to her folly, is tricked, by the tricksters she emulates.
These girls aren’t perfect, but they’re making their own way...
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