Series: Protector of the Small | Publication Date: August 26, 2003
Protector of the Small #4
Keladry of Mindelan has finally achieved her life-long dream of being a knight. But it’s not turning out as she imagined at all. With the land of Tortall at war with the Scanrans, she has been assigned to oversee a refugee camp. But Kel has had a vision in the Chamber—a vision of the man behind the horrific battle machines that her fellow knights and friends are now fighting without her. She is torn between a duty she has sworn and a quest that she feels could turn the tide of the war. . .
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In the final thrilling installment of Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small series ( First Test, Page, and Squire), our sturdy young heroine, Keladry of Mindelan (a.k.a. Kel), has finally been knighted. Never one to rest on her laurels, Kel champs at the bit, ready to tackle the horrific magic killing devices she was shown in the Chamber of the Ordeal during her knighthood initiation. The huge, insectlike machines, "made of iron-coated giants' bones, chains, pulleys, dagger-fingers and -toes, and a long whiplike tail," feed on the souls of dead children and are systematically killing off the citizens and warriors of Tortall.
Thoroughly disgusted to discover that not only is she not going to be assigned a combat post, but she has been placed in charge of a refugee camp instead, Kel, in her usual noble, stoic way, swallows her disappointment and sets out being the best refugee camp commander possible. Of course, destiny has a way of sneaking up on a young woman like Kel, and soon she is fulfilling the ordeal the Chamber set out for her... and then some.
Tamora Pierce once again draws her legions of fans into her story, blending humor, pathos, exhilarating battles, and gripping drama with a very real, very appealing protagonist. It's easy to make war appear black and white, a matter of good versus evil. Pierce finds the shades of gray. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
Older readers and followers of the Tamora Pierce series, Protector of the Small, will welcome the fourth and final installment, Lady Knight. In this compelling conclusion, Keladry of Mindelan Kel, for short realizes her dream of becoming a knight but soon discovers that her new position brings unforeseen responsibilities. (Aug) Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Tamora Pierce is a bestselling author of fantasy books for teenagers. Her books, known for their teenaged girl warriors and wizards, have received critical acclaim and a strong fanbase.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tamora Pierce was drawn to books from a young age. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, the child of a "long, proud line of hillbillies," her family never had much. "We were poor, but I didn't know it then. We had a garden where my folks grew fruit and vegetables and our water came from a well," she explains. But one thing they did have was plenty of books. So Tamora read.
A self-proclaimed "geek," she devoured fantasy and science fiction novels, and by the age of 12 was mimicking her literary idols and writing her own action-packed stories. It was thanks to her father that Tamora began writing. "He heard me telling myself stories as I did dishes, and he suggested that I try to write some of them down," Pierce says.
But Tamora's novels had one major difference: unlike the books she was reading, her stories featured teenaged girl warriors. "I couldn't understand this lapse of attention on the part of the writers I loved, so until I could talk them into correcting this small problem, I wrote about those girls, the fearless, bold, athletic creatures that I was not, but wanted so badly to be."
Seventeen years later, after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, a brief career in teen social work and some time spent writing for radio, Tamora Pierce held true to her childhood crusade, and published Alanna: The First Adventure, the first in a quartet about a valiant, young, female warrior. Pierce's heroine struck a chord with readers across the country and quickly earned her a loyal following.
Pierce is now a #1 New York Times bestselling author and has written twenty-five books, including her newest, BEKA COOPER #2: Bloodhound. "It's a pretty good life, if I do say so myself. Struggling along as a kid and even through my twenties, it's the kind of life I dreamed of but never believed I would get. Yet here I am, after a lot of work, a lot of worry, a lot of care for details, and a massive chunk of luck, the kind that brought me such strong friends and readers. Pretty good for a hillbilly, yes? And I never take it for granted," she says.
Pierce lives in upstate New York with her husband Tim and their three cats and two birds.
PRAISE
"[Tamora Pierce's heroines] faithfully reiterate an ideal of feminine power that relies on brains, not beauty; of feminine attractiveness that relies on competence, not helplessness; and of feminine alliances that grow stronger, not weaker, in the face of conflicts." -The New York Times
BEKA COOPER #1: TERRIER
"With its rollicking adventures [and] appealing characters . . . Terrier will be in strong demand by Pierce's fans. It will keep readers on the edge of their seats." -School Library Journal, Starred
YOUNG WARRIORS "Memorable characters and well-drawn settings. . . . This timely and appealing anthology will surely help swell the ranks of teenage fantasy readers." -School Library Journal
TRICKSTER'S QUEEN "The plot sweeps readers along in a whirlwind of court intrigue, deception, murder, and romance. The humor is wicked, and the plot twists will keep the pages turning to the supremely satisfying end. Teens will be inspired by Aly's determination, her resourcefulness, and her heart." -School Library Journal
TRICKSTER'S CHOICE "Aly arrives fully formed, a snarky, talented uber-heroine. Cameos of old favorites complement a rich cast of new characters. Aly's difficulty with the complexity of colonialism adds surprising, welcome depth." -Kirkus Reviews
LADY KNIGHT "Unrelentingly realistic in its depiction of the horrors of war, this novel draws the reader into a complete and believable fantasy world. Pierce provides exquisite details of the weaponry, topography, and culture of her world, and her control of a voluminous cast of characters is masterful." -Voice of Youth Advocates
Lady Knight concludes the Protector of the Small series beautifully. Kel has grown into a wonderful knight who is bright, witty and freshly knighted. Unfortunately, the chamber of ordeal won't leave her alone even though she's come out unscathed. The chamber of ordeal has given her a task. The task may interfere with her new orders which everyone feels is wimpy orders. They will keep her from the actual war with Scanran. She's having to watch over a refugee camp. In the end, she realizes she may have to walk away from all her dreams of knighthood to truly fulfill her destiny.
Although, in true Pierce style, Kel's destiny means her friends stick by her side despite the fact they could be branded deserters and face dire consequences. Owen, Neal, Dom, Diane and Numair are all back and helping out in their unique ways. And she makes many new allies among the refugees.
It's wonderful to see all the old characters back. I applaud Pierce for her amazing ability to make me care and love about these characters even after all these years. If this is the end of the Tortallan Series, it's an amazing book and brings very nice closure for the reader.
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Having bought this book at far more than its going price, I was determined not to find it a disappointment, as some of my friends seemed to have done. And you know what? I didn't. I LOVED it. This wonderful final installment is a must-read for all Tammy fans. Lady Knight proves that Kel is in her element as a commander as she takes charge at a refugee camp. She does well, but is restless, knowing that she needs to carry out the task that the Chamber of the Ordeal has set her. But when something goes terribly wrong, she knows that she has to take things into her own hands. The book rarely focuses on Kel's personal life, which I missed a little, but she's a knight, her country's at war, and she has other things on her mind, so I can't blame her. If you're looking for romance, this isn't the book you'll find it. The book doesn't answer all your questions- especially about Kel's relationship with a certain King's Own sergeant (hint hint!)- but if it did, it wouldn't be half as much fun. The return of Neal, Owen, and other characters that were missed in Squire is a definite plus. Read it!
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I went to a Tamora Pierce signing in November of 01. At the signing, she gave us a preview of the forth book in the series Protector of the Small. Since then, I have been waiting for Lady Knight to come out. When it did, I bought it right away. I wasn't dissappointed. I think Lady Knight was the second best book in the Kel series (the first being Squire).
At last, Keladry of Mindelin has become a knight. As the first lady knight in centuries, she has become well known. Her country is at war with Scanran, a country to the north. Every knight gets an assignment. Kel gets a dud, and she is sure that her old trainging master is trying to keep her safe, but, as Wyldon tells her, she's the onlt one for the job. Manning a refugee camp was not what she wanted to do as a knight, but it's what's she's doing. When the Scanrans attacks her camp when she is away, she is willing to do treason to get them back. They trust her, and she could never let them down. So she sets out at night, alone, and goes after her refugees. On the road the Kings Own catch up to her under Raoul's order. Later on, Owen, Neal and Merric catch up and they start the adventure of their lives togerther.
Lady Knight tells little of Kels personal life, but that's understandable; she's busy 24-7. Kel's, unlike all of Tammy's other quartets, quartet ends with her without a suiter. We'll just have to wait and see!
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