Her Story: Ladies In Literature is a special, month-long series on Pop! Goes The Reader in which we celebrate the literary female role models whose stories have inspired and empowered us since time immemorial. From Harriet M. Welsch to Anne Shirley, Becky Bloomwood to Hermione Granger, Her Story: Ladies In Literature is a series created for women, by women as twenty authors answer the question: “Who’s your heroine?” You can find a complete list of the participants and their scheduled guest post dates Here!
About Swati Teerdhala
Swati Teerdhala is a storyteller at heart. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BS in finance and BA in history, she tumbled into the marketing side of the technology industry. She’s passionate about many things, including how to make a proper cup of tea, the right ratio of curd to crust in a lemon tart, and diverse representation in the stories we tell. The Tiger At Midnight is her debut novel. She currently lives in New York City.
I was a voracious reader as a child, devouring just about every type of book or writing in sight. I’d even read the back of shampoo bottles if you let me. But it wasn’t until I picked up Alanna: The First Adventure that I found my literary home and my literary role model.
Alanna of Trebond may not have been the best of role models at first glance. She had a famous temper and the entire premise of her story is lying and pretending to be a boy so she can become a knight in place of her brother. All she’s ever wanted is to be a knight, but she’s expected to be a lady. Clearly, Alanna doesn’t take that lying down. Instead, she seizes the opportunity to switch places with her brother and to become the knight she’s always wanted to be. She wasn’t going to miss her one shot.
Her determination and ambition seeped into me as a child and told me a story I wasn’t hearing very much in the real world. That girls could be whatever they wanted to be – they could wield swords and defeat monsters and do whatever they wanted – if they fought for it. And that it was okay to fight for it. More than okay, it was necessary to fight for it and demand the right. That’s what Alanna did.
More importantly, Alanna of Trebond was the first girl character I met in my literary journeys that defied expectations and had no problem with it. In fact, she wanted to be who she was despite, or maybe because, everyone said she shouldn’t be. Something about that defiance sparked a little fire inside my chest as a young girl. I was a shy child, but I had bookcases of stories and desires within me, if only I could find the courage to let it all out. To be me and to go after what I wanted. To be who I wanted to be without apology or worry.
Plus, the sword didn’t hurt! Alanna’s first adventure was my first adventure into fantasy. It was the start of a lifelong love with the genre of fantasy, and all of the swords and magic and adventure. Alanna shaped my journey as a woman as much as she blazed a path for her own, unique form of womanhood in her story.
Alanna of Trebond, and later, Alanna the Lioness, was a trailblazer in many different ways, not just in her story, but in fantasy fiction of that time period.
And she convinced me to go forth and be one as well.
Find Alanna: The First Adventure on Goodreads ● Amazon ● Chapters ● The Book Depository ● Barnes & Noble ● IndieBound
Title The Archer At Dawn
Author Swati Teerdhala
Intended Target Audience Young Adult
Genre Fantasy
Publication Date May 26th 2020 by Katherine Tegen Books
Find It On Goodreads ● Amazon ● Chapters ● The Book Depository ● Barnes & Noble ● IndieBound
Romantic intrigue and electric action fill the gripping sequel to The Tiger At Midnight, a world inspired by ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology. Perfect for fans of Sabaa Tahir and Victoria Aveyard.
A stolen throne. A lost princess. A rescue mission to take back what’s theirs.
For Kunal and Esha, finally working together as rebels, the upcoming Sun Mela provides the perfect guise for infiltrating King Vardaan’s vicious court. Kunal returns to his role as dedicated soldier, while Esha uses her new role as adviser to Prince Harun to seek allies for their rebel cause. A radical plan is underfoot to rescue Jansa’s long-lost Princess Reha — the key to the throne.
But amidst the Mela games and glittering festivities, much more dangerous forces lie in wait. With the rebel’s entry into Vardaan’s court, a match has been lit, and long-held secrets will force Kunal and Esha to reconsider their loyalties — to their countries and to each other.
Getting into the palace was the easy task; coming out together will be a battle for their lives. In book two of Swati Teerdhala’s epic fantasy trilogy, a kingdom will fall, a new ruler will rise, and all will burn.
