Book Review: First Test by Tamora Pierce [edit]

When I think about female authors who wrote some of the most amazing fantasy worlds, the first two names to pop into my head are JK Rowling and Tamora Pierce. Rowling is, as we all know, one of five self-made female author billionaires and actually was the first (read it FIRST) author to ever become a billionaire. Pierce, I think got the short end of the stick and here is (at least in my mind) why:  Pierce’s books feature female main characters that are amazing role models. Now don’t get me wrong, Hermione, Luna, and Ginny (just to name a few) are absolutely spectacular role models. The difference here is that they take the back seat to the male protagonist. I recently read a list of 40 books every woman should read on Hello Giggles. These are books by women, and while I’m not bashing the list, I was stunned to see no mention of Tamora Pierce. They also have another list of 25 books every girl should read before she turns 25 that is complete with Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted, Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart, Roald Dahl’s Matilda, and Kristin Cashore’s Graceling. Absolutely no mention of Tamora Pierce.

Okay, I realize I am ranting on about how I feel Pierce us being served a huge injustice here, but I just can’t help it.  It is an injustice!  We live in a time where women as a whole are stepping up and saying “Wait now, we can do this too.” and one of the possibly best heroine authors in fantasy is being neglected. We want little girls to realize they can do anything and are equal to boys and we are looking for good role models in every avenue that culture provides, but so few people know of Pierce’s books. 

It’s a conspiracy I tell you!

Let me take a second from my rant to talk about Pierce’s book First Test.