Customer Reviews

First Test: Book 1 of the Protector of the Small Quartet

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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First of all, I'm a girl posting this review. I was in junior high when I first picked up this book and I haven't put it down. Kel is a spledid character and, in my opinion, the most believable in the Tortall series. She's quiet, thoughtful, energetic, and the only main character in the four series who doesn't have magic. In her stories, Kel represents the ordinary girl trying to accomplish something extraordinary. This one doesn't have the big adventure aspect to it, but make no mistake. With a strong cast of characters, friend and foe, this story is great. Each of the main supporting characters, such as Neal, Roald, Joren, and Wyldon, feel like real people and have a great depth about them. People of all ages trying to fit in with whatever will be able to relate to Kel and her struggles.

I liked this book a lot. I liked the book because I like a strong female character, someone who believes girls can do just as well as boys can. Kel is like me. I can see myself doing the same things as her. The book was exciting so I had a hard time putting it down. This is the first book of a series and I can't wait to read the next book.

In the story Keladry (Kel) of Mindelan is going to train to become a knight. It has been ten years since the law was past that allowed girls to be knights. The King and the training master have given a year probation to see how well she does. As well as training, she does her schoolwork, working hard to be as good as the boys. Only, some boys will make it hard as they can make it for her. She proves herself to others in the end by saving somebody's life.

If you are a girl in fifth grade or up I recommend this book. If you like strong, female characters, fantasy or you're a Tamora Pierce fan you'll love this book.

Keladry is a brave girl who it seems can withstand anything. She soon teaches the boys that she is not someone to be messed with. Soon she gains a chatter box friend named Nealan. She also becomes friends with a horse called Peachblossom. In fact Kel's whole year is an adventure. I'd recommend this book for ages 10 & up.

Pierce takes us back to the land of Tortall for another roaring adventure. This time we are introduced to Keladry, the first girl to try out knighthood after it became legal to do so.

Previously an all-male institution, the page school doesn't take kindly to a new-comer. Keladry encounters bullying and sexism from both fellow pages and the training master. Time and again people tell her to quit or try to sabotage her training. However, Keladry takes it all on with dignity, and never complains about her situation. Nevertheless, when she sees injustice done to others, she fights to correct it. She becomes the protector of fellow students who are bullied, even though they initially reject her as well.

Keladry is everything one wants in a heroine. She is brave and resourceful, she is compassionate, and she is a champion of justice. If she were real, I'd be honored to know her. The credit goes to the author to create such a relatable character, and to keep her consistent through every situation. Even though this is a fantasy story, the trials Keladry go through is familiar. Even if you've never experienced bullying and discrimination, you've certainly heard of it. The way Kelady deals with it may not apply to everyone (she never complains), but the resilience she displays is certainly inspiring.

This book is a fun quick read. The engaging lead character, Kel, is the first "probationary" page accepted to Tortall's knight training program. She has a great deal of inner strength and more training than most of her colleagues, but she must prove herself to the master of the training program in order to lose her "probationary" status. She must also grapple with the antagonism of most of the other pages. The realistic details of the daily grind of the pages balance out the fantastic (in the literal sense) world they inhabit. Pierce's pacing is excellent. There is a wonderful supporting character, Neal, and there is a lot of depth to Kel's personality, but the other characters are not very deeply drawn. I also found that Kel seems older than 10 years old (at least 12), due to her intense self-control and forethought, and also that the man-eating "Immortals" are a bit dark for a children's book. The final glimpse of the spindren babies is truly grisly. Additionally, there are several references to women needing to protect their chastity and the use of the word "Lover" referring to a woman living with her boyfriend. I found this shelved with middle-grade novels, but it really is more appropriate for kids 12 and older.

Tamora Pierce is one of my all time favorite authors who could only improve upon her writing skills by turning out her books a bit faster. This book like most of her books has wonderful characterization and story line. The world she creates is intriguing and everyone in it seems real and fascinating.

I needed a series to keep me busy in between waiting for another series to come out. I really enjoyed it. Its a little younger than I normally read, but I really enjoyed the characters! I read all of the books in a couple of weeks.

Another excellent book by Tamora Pierce where a girl is the main character. We get a different perspective of things from a girl's point of view and what she has to tolerate with.

Tamora Pierce is amazing I have been reading her since I was 13 and I hope she continues with Tortall and expecially Daine and Numair. I love love love those two.