Fantasy Flashback Friday: Tamora Pierce

A look back at my pre blog fantasy author favourites!

 

One of my 2014 resolutions was to create more features and blog more about pre blog books. This feature will encompass both those goals!  I have been a huge fantasy fan ever since Enid Blyton convince me a chair could fly and grant wishes. I plan to feature a different author each post and give brief reviews of their books. First author is: Tamora Pierce!
 

How?

I was sent to my school library to pick a book for reading tutor as I'd forgot mine and just picked Wild Magic off the shelf! I quickly sped through The Immortals series and the rest is history!

Why?

Tamora is a talented world builder. Her novels are either set in Tortall or Emelan these worlds are completely different to each other from magic and Gods to basic social structure and within these worlds all the different countries are unique with different backgrounds and cultures. The attention to detail is phenomenal. World building aside, her characters are always well written and unique , her female characters in particular are very confident and independent. Tamora isn't afraid to confront bigger issues within her books, they contain LGBT characters, domestic abuse storylines, bullying, contraception and safe sex. Above all Tamora keeps her books and characters true to the time period she has set them in making them easy to read.
 

Book Breakdown

There will be two Tamora Pierce posts, This first one is going to focus on Tortall books, I've included the decade each series was published in as the Tortall books have spanned three decades. I am keeping this spoiler free where I can, obviously Daughter of the Lioness will give away some spoilers for Song of the Lioness though!
 
Song of the Lioness: published in the 1980s.
Goodreads summary: the Song of the Lioness quartet is the adventurous story of one girl's journey to overcome the obstacles facing her, become a valiant knight, and save Tortall from conquest. Alanna douses her female identity to begin her training in Alanna: The First Adventure, and when she gains squire status in In the Hand of the Goddess, her growing abilities make her a few friends -- and many enemies. Books 3 and 4 complete Alanna's adventure and secure her legend, with the new knight errant taking on desert tribesmen in The Woman Who Rides like a Man and seeking out the powerful Dominion Jewel in Lioness Rampant. 
SoTL spans a long period of Alanna's life so you can see how she gets through knight training and then out in the 'real' world which
Favourite book: This is a hard one! I think The Woman Who Rides Like A Man because it features the Bloody Hawk tribe and they were so interesting!
Favourite characters: Jon, I loved Jon, he was strong and fair but fun. George, King of thieves, the 'bad' boy of the series. Faithful, witty and snarky, exactly how you would expect a cat to be. To be honest I loved all the characters but I had to narrow it down.
Favourite element: Alanna's love life involves more than one guy and not in a love triangle but a realistic progression as she grows up. Alanna's determination to do things she's not allowed to or that are deemed impossible.
 
The Immortals: published in the 1990s
 Goodreads summary: The story of Veralidaine Sarrasri (known as Daine), a parentless girl with an extraordinary talent. Daine finds a job that takes her and her pet Cloud from her home country of Galla to the kingdom of Tortall where she finds a new life and a new family, and learns that she has the magical ability known as "Wild Magic," which enables her to speak to animals, heal them, and take their shape as well as bend them to her will. She makes new friends with creatures, including the black-robe mage Numair Salmalin, a young dragon named Skysong (nicknamed Kitten), the lioness
Favourite book: Emperor Mage because it mostly takes place in Carthak!
Favourite characters: Numair, who doesn't love a talented attractive mage? Kaddar, I absolutely loved Kaddar. He reminded me of Jon and I loved how well he adapted to living under his Uncle's rule while retaining his own views. I really want to see more of him. Rikash, I loved his wit and his relationship with Daine.
Favourite element: Wild magic, I loved this concept and how it developed throughout the series.

The Protector of the Small: published in the early 2000s. 
Wikipedia summary: The story features Keladry of Mindelan, the first girl to follow in Alanna's footsteps—legally and without disguise, after a law is passed allowing girls to try for knighthood. As she begins her training, Kel is constantly harassed, injured, plagued by doubters and put on probation by her training master, who thinks a girl will never succeed. Kel discovers the hazing of young pages and fights the bullies to put a stop to it. Kel makes memorable friends throughout the series, including the wry Nealan of Queenscove, and also Lord Raoul of Goldenlake, an old friend of Alanna's. She meets some key enemies, including Joren of Stone Mountain, her fellow page. The series follows Kel's training and the first year of her knighthood, a timespan of nine years.
Favourite book: Squire, I loved Kel's Knight master and all the developments as it spanned a long period.
Favourite characters:
Favourite element: Kel doesn't have any magical abilities or influential friends to start with, she's just an ordinary girl who wants to be a knight. I love that Tamora didn't make her 'the next Alanna'.

Daughter of the Lioness/Trickster's: Published early 2000s.
Wikipedia summary: The story of Alianne (Aly) of Pirate's Swoop, the 16-year-old daughter of the legendary Alanna the Lioness. Disallowed work as a Tortallan spy by her parents, Aly leaves home only to be captured by pirates and sold into slavery in the Copper Isles. Under the guidance of Kyprioth, the god of tricksters, Aly involves herself with a conspiracy of the native raka people against their luarin conquerors, in accordance with a prophecy made by Kyprioth himself through one of his priestesses, centuries earlier.
Favourite book: I'll be honest I never really clicked with this duet, I was so excited for it I badgered my technology inept Mum to make an amazon account so I could buy it but I just couldn't get into it!
Favourite characters: Nawat! I loved his backstory and his personality.
Favourite element: The Copper Isles it was great to explore a different country.
 
Beka Cooper/Provost's Dog: published late 2000s.
Wikipedia summary:The series is a prequel  two hundred years earlier. It details the adventures of Beka Cooper, a sixteen-year-old recruit of the Lord Provost, originally from a
lower city family and now in service to the Provost's Guard. This series is told from a diary-style first person perspective. Beka's entries detail how hard she works to try to make her home, the Lower City of Corus, safer. Beka's roots in the Lower City give her both a keen insight and a sense of empathy for the people she is there to protect.Favourite book: Terrier, I loved the mystery, the setting up of this medieval Tortall and the characters.
Favourite characters: Definitely Rosto! He reminded me of George

Final Thoughts

What I love most about Tamora Pierce is that despite the decades separating her series her characters remain relevant and that all their stories despite the different lifestyles/cultures are inspiring to readers. I love that the protagonists are all unique with different motives. I also love how well crafted and layered the Tortall.

Are you a Tamora Pierce fan? What's your favourite Tortall book?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Friday Favourites: August!

Hopefully I am on my way back to the Internet as you read this!

My last holiday post is my five favourites from August!

 

Setting

 Silver Strand~ Ties by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt.

Such a beautiful setting with a sense of community and fun characters! I love going back to this place for each book!

Character

Celaena Sardothien~ Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

I knew I'd like her but I completely love her after reading Throne of Glass! I love her courage, realism and determination.

Side Character

Chaol Westfall and Dorian Havilliard~ Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

I couldn't chose between them! They really add to the rich storyline of Throne of Glass. I love them both.

Reread

Faking It by Cora Carmack.

I definitely prefer Cade and Max to Bliss and Garrick. I really enjoyed rereading their story!

Genre 

Fantasy.

Throne of Glass reignited by old love of fantasy!

 

What were your August favourites?

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx

Friday Five~ Dystopia Characters

End the week with a few favourites!

 
This is one of my new ideas! I always love hearing about other people's favourites whether it's books or TV so I thought I'd share some of mine!
I was initially just going to do Dystopia characters but I could not narrow it down to five so I've spilt it into three categories; male characters, female characters and side characters!
Most dystopias I read are led by girls or dual viewpoints with the female character being introduced first. However the male characters are usually well crafted, supportive and enlightened 'sidekicks' so picking five favourites was a challenge!
 

Xander~ Matched.

I named him as one of the things I loved most about Matched and if I'm honest I think I loved him more than Cassia! There was so much more to him than met the eye. He was perceptive, competitive, loyal but also observant enough to know who or what to be loyal to! Don't know if my opinion will change on reading Crossed and Reached but as it stands I find him to be a good solid male character with value and flaws!

 

Four~ Divergent.

What an intriguing character! It's hard to discuss him without spoiling Divergent! I loved that I was able to guess his secret and still be intrigued and surprised. I really respected how he isolated himself from the harsher approaches to Dauntless, and how he adhered to the basic princples at the heart of Dauntless. I liked how Four was withdrawn and low key but knew how to command respect and always seemed to be adhering to the basic principals of Dauntless. I'm really looking forward to reading more of him and Tris in Insurgent.

Perry~ Under The Never Sky.

Like Aria I wasn't Perry's biggest fan at the beginning of Under The Never Sky- he was quite rough and harsh. I did like how mysterious he seemed to Aria with his heightened senses and different values. I loved how he crafted Aria shoes as gesture of apology- I think that was my turning point in liking him. I really loved him and Aria together they fit so perfectly.  In Through The Even Night, I think Perry showed himself to be a true leader at heart despite his own doubts. He always put his people's best interests first regardless of how unpopular some of those choices were initially. I liked seeing a more vulnerable side to Perry when he felt isolated and was separated from Aria, it softened his harsh characteristics from Under The Never Sky. I cannot wait to see how he grows further Into The Still Blue.

Alex~ Delirium

 

I've only read Delirium but I loved Alex. He was such a layered and complex character yet initially he seemed so simple! The way he slowly introduced Lena to his life and the world she was unaware of was, showed how sensitive he was to her feelings and how important she was to him. I loved how fearless he was with his approach to life and I cannot wait to discover more about his life!

Maxon~The Selection.

I enjoyed Maxon's naivety and mystery in The Selection. Seeing him through America's eyes he seemed sheltered but serious. What I loved most about The Prince was getting such an insight into Maxon's views and opinions. I liked seeing that he too was confusion over the Selection and how he could pick a good wife and a good Queen. He was very considerate of the girls not toying with the ones he had little interest in and focussing on those he found most intriguing. His relationship with his father was clearly strained due to his father's strict controlling nature so it explained a lot about how they had interacted in The Selection. Maxon came across just as dedicated and considerate as he had been in The Selection but it was obvious that he was more independent than he or America realised! I hope he continues to grow as a character in The Elite.

Which male characters are your favourites?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Lettie Loves Films!

Good Friday! I will be celebrating Good Friday like I always do with fish and chips at my Grandparents!
I mentioned the other week that I had a crazy film week so I thought I'd do a little post on them! 

 Jack the Giant Slayer!

Courtesy of Sky Rewards- 3D!

I really wanted to see this one so I was thrilled when I managed to get Sky Rewards tickets last minute!
I loved the premise, Jack and the Beanstalk is such a well loved tale! This adaptation was so clever. I loved the interpretation, the little aspects that linked back to the original tale as well as adding a new dimension were so well incorporated and the film flowed effortlessly. The ending was such a clever twist!
Jack was the perfect hero, witty and courageous I liked his backstory and how he was such a dreamer. The way he stepped up to plate to rescue Isabelle and do the right thing was portrayed as so natural for him.
Isabelle was one of those characters that grew on me. She initially annoyed me but as her relationship with her father and her reaction to her future were explored I really warmed to her. She was brave if s little naïve and I loved her feminist attitude to ruling.
Lord Roderick, typical villain. I liked the character and his little assistant who at times seemed harsh than Roderick! I do feel he did not think his plan through!
Actors who stood out- Nicholas Hoult as Jack- brilliantly acted and portrayed character. Ewan McGregor as Elmont- Such a comic hero!
Confusion- The monks- they seemed so important but once the beanstalk appeared they disappeared?
 

 Oz, The Great and Powerful!

I knew I wanted to see this the second I heard of it! I loved the Wizard of Oz so I was thrilled to see more of that world!
I've already mentioned my love of Wizard of Oz so I loved all the little links back to the original film especially the foreshadowing and how every major point of the original film was absorbed into this film. I loved the whole set up of the plot and the build up, the film managed to retain an element of surprise and suspense despite the fact most people have seen the final outcome.
The characters were fabulously created out of Frank Baum's imagination and small details added or enhanced to add originality.
I found Oz to be hilariously arrogant- I kind of loved what a con artist he was in the 'real' world. I enjoyed watching him grow as a character and use his former ways to really help the people of Oz.
Theodora was my initially favourite character, I loved her image and outlook. She did seem overly naïve for a witch but she was so nice it balance out.
I think Eva was the most evil character, her deception and lack of familial compassion was unnerving.
I loved Oz's two 'sidekicks'. Finlay was such a loyal character, I loved that he was a talking flying monkey. The relationship between Finlay and Oz was so entertaining because once Finlay pledges his irrevocable life debt to Oz he has to keep all his secrets which he finds so hard! I just loved his character.
China Doll was such a sweet character. I loved how gentle Oz was with her and how carefully he put her back together. She was at times much braver than Oz and Finlay and much more tough. I loved how she switched on tears to get Oz to let her stay. I felt for her as her whole village was destroyed but she remained strong and determined.
I loved the conclusion of the film it really set the scene for The original story and film.
Actors who stood out- Mila Kunis as Theodora- brilliantly acted, she brought so many different emotions to a complex character. Joey King as China Girl- Such good vocal acting for a young girl!
Confusion- Glinda- why didn't she use her powers more effectively.
 

Wreck-it-Ralph!

I love Disney so naturally I had to see their latest film!
Such a great premise! Arcade games were such a big part of childhood for so many people so it provided a link to that. I loved that it was from the point of view of the 'villain'. The community they built 'behind' the games was so well planned and it was so entertaining to see all the different character interacting. I loved the support group they ran for them so they could talk about how being bad made them feel so witty and funny. The actual plot was so cleverly layered that even if you figure out one part of it you still ended up surprised. The inclusion of modern space/violent games was very tongue-in-cheek, the way Ralph was so traumatised by the violence was a clever message as well as comical.
Ralph was a great character. I really felt for the way he was left out in his game, forced to sleep outside and rarely invited in. Ralph has a point because he was obviously very good at wrecking things which was his job so why wasn't he rewarded? I loved how he accidently went rouge and tried to become a hero. His relationship with Vanellope was so cute, I loved how it made both of them better people.
Vanellope was definitely my favourite character! She was tough  and confident in herself despite being picked on by everyone in her game and unable to leave. The other racers were absolutely awful to her! The way she teased Ralph was so funny to watch and her determination was really touching. I loved the twist!
The side cast was great as it always in Disney films. Fix-it-Felix was such a stereotypical nice guy who was genuinely confused as to Ralph's unhappiness. The Nicelanders were really quite mean but I could kind of understand them- loved how they eventually welcomed Ralph. Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun was so stern and militant she made me giggle. King Candy was slightly creepy and reminded me of an Alice in Wonderland character. Sour Bill really suited his name, his voice was so dour!
Actors who stood out- Sarah Silverman as Vanellope- brilliantly portrayed such a range of emotions. Jane Lynch as Sergeant Tamora Jean Calhoun- I loved how you could heard such a range of tones in her voice.
Cameo- Skylar Astin as a Nicelander- I loved him in Pitch Perfect.

What have you seen recently?
Let me know if you like this kind of post!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx