Alanna and her twin brother, Thom, are heirs to the feudal fiefdom of Trebond. Thom wants to study magic; Alanna wants to be a knight. In a world that forbids female warriors, they switch places. Alanna, disguising herself as "Alan," travels to the royal palace of Tortall to begin training as a page. Over the course of the novel, she must hide her identity, survive bullying, make her first loyal friends (including the heir to the throne, Prince Jonathan), master her emerging magical Gift, and face an unnatural evil lurking in the Black City.

The story follows Alanna, a young and ambitious 13-year-old girl who disguises herself as a boy to become a page in the household of Sir Kay of Tortall. Her goal is to become a knight, despite the societal norms that prohibit women from pursuing this path. Alanna faces various challenges, including her own identity, friendships, and romantic feelings, all while keeping her true self hidden.

As a page in the royal court, Alanna must master the arts of combat, chivalry, and the "Gift"—a mysterious magical power she is reluctant to use. Along the way, she earns the respect of Prince Jonathan and navigates the dangerous underworld of the city, all while keeping her true identity a secret from her peers and mentors. Why Readers Love It