Alanna: The First Adventure
Tortall • Book 4
by Tamora Pierce
Narrated by Trini Alvarado
Why Listen to This Audiobook?
Alanna was secretly training female knights before it was a YA trope — and hearing it on audio feels like rediscovering something that should have been handed to you as a kid.
- Great if you want: a classic coming-of-age story with a fierce, determined protagonist
- Listening experience: brisk and adventure-driven — 5 hours flies by
- Narration: Alvarado captures Alanna's grit and vulnerability without overdoing either
- Skip if: you need complexity and moral ambiguity over straightforward heroics
About This Audiobook
In the medieval kingdom of Tortall, eleven-year-old Alanna of Trebond refuses to accept the limitations placed on girls of noble birth. When her father arranges for her twin brother Thom to train as a knight while she enters a convent, the determined siblings secretly switch places. Disguised as a boy named Alan, Alanna begins the grueling path from page to knighthood at the royal palace. As she navigates the physical demands of combat training and the complex politics of court life, she must carefully guard her true identity while discovering her own emerging magical abilities. The stakes grow higher when she encounters both loyal friends and dangerous enemies who could expose her deception or threaten the kingdom itself.
Trini Alvarado brings remarkable depth to this beloved fantasy adventure, skillfully capturing Alanna's fierce determination alongside her moments of vulnerability and doubt. Her nuanced performance distinguishes between male and female characters without relying on exaggerated vocal changes, making Alanna's disguise believable while maintaining the protagonist's authentic voice. Alvarado's pacing allows listeners to fully absorb the rich world-building and character development that made this series a cornerstone of young adult fantasy. The audio format particularly enhances the story's action sequences and magical elements, creating an immersive experience that draws listeners into Tortall's vivid medieval setting.