Customer Reviews

Page: Book 2 of the Protector of the Small Quartet

5 star:		(102)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since I gave "First Test" 5 stars, I really need 6 for this one. It's even better! The second book in the Protector of the Small series, "Page" covers Keladry's last three years as a page in knighthood-training school. We meet several new characters: Lalasa, Kel's maid, whom Kel hires in order to protect her from ill treatment by others; Owen, the young page whose favorite word is "jolly"; and a new animal friend (in addition to Kel's cranky yet loyal horse, Peachblossom, and her helpful flock of sparrows), the faithful dog Jump. Kel continues to stand up to bullies and works to conquer her fear of heights. Her mysterious benefactor bestows more gifts on her. Keladry of Mindelan is an admirable and likable heroine, and in this book she shows her courage, resourcefulness and leadership ability. If you haven't read the two previous Tortallan series, The Song of the Lioness Quartet and The Immortals, don't delay! These are all well-written, exciting, fun fantasies that can be enjoyed by both young readers and grown-ups.

Although this book was a LITTLE all over the place, year wise, it was WONDERFUL! it tells of Kel's remaining years as a Page -- and what she has to STILL deal with. It was wonderful. I must admit I was always a kinda Neal+Kel person (like i wanted them to be together sometime in the future)... i'm not as much anymore. Cleon is really sweet to her (as you'll see when you read this book!) And JOREN'S surprising turn of events? I wasn't expecting that! Well, it's a REALLY good book and i'd suggest it to anyone!

Page is better than First Test. Daine is featured a little more prominently for all you Immortals fans and the pace here is more comfortable than in First Test. Kel is becoming a really interesting character, and I can't wait for the next book!

~*~ Well,all of you know the first book : Forst Test was great, but this was even better! Well... in Page, Kel grows not only into her body but also her feelings. She starts having these strange yet (to her) unexplainable feelings and emotions toward Neal (which i am saying FINALLY, Kel... what took you so long) =) Even so, Nealy doesn't notice =( and thinks of her as the greatest friend he has, and insted falls in love with others besides Daine... like Kel's SISTER! Kel hides her jealousy well but you can tell she's fighting hard to keep those strange and new feelings under control. *Sigh* I guess i am TOTALLY into the maybe in the future neal/kel relationship... going on, Cleon as we find out has a special reason to those flowery names he calls her cuz he has a crush on her... and i hate to admit it but he is sweet and kind to her. It also involves embarrassing moments for Kel such as when the boys are staring and making comments about her slightly grown breasts. *sigh* guys will never learn! the book also has slight talk about very light rape, and harassment. I think that Joren likes her since he's nicer to her, and was discussing marraige to her (no he DID NOT propose) and how she would be pretty if she lost some weight... <open mouth, insert foot>, and want to be friends. She said she wouldn't want to marry anyways, but thinks secretly that if NEAL asked her she would say yes... but dismisses the issue in her mind. It still has the normal adventure and stuff with page turners so don't worry! It;s a must read! Starry wishes, ~*~*~*~* Tiffani*~*~*~*~* p.s i know you know that i am not one years old! =)

Kel is back with the her second and third years of being a Page ahead of her. Finally her feelings towards a certain older page is revealed and she is growing into a sensitive, yet strong woman warrior. The new characters are great. Owen, a year behind her grows into a close friend after surprising her by fighting back against hazing and bandits when everyone else remained in shock. Jump, her new dog companion adds a lot and Peachblossum her mount and Queen and her group of Sparrows return. Plus Neal, Daine, and all the old group have roles in this story too. You'll find it funny, exciting, but more likely it will make you want to know more of what's going to happen to Kel.

Keladry of Mindelin (or "Kel" to her friends ) has completed her first year of training to be a knight, and conquered the unfair probation that the training-master Wyldon inflicted on her. Now she hopes she can finally get on with her life-long dream of following in Lady-Knight Alanna's footsteps, and take the next step in becoming a knight of Tortall.

But things are never as easy as that, and there are still those among her who are determined to see her fail. Yet, as in her first year, Kel is helped by old friends Neal, Merric, Owen, Cleon and Prince Roald, her stallion Peachblossom and the flock of friendly sparrows outside her window. As well as this are two new allies; the timid maid Lalasa whom Kel takes into her employment, and Jump the mongrel who has `adopted' Kel as his own. When the year starts the work begins, along with page-duties of serving the court, summer camps in the wilderness, skirmishes with bandits and the dreaded end-of-year exam. Should Kel fail, then she'll have to repeat her entire training...and it's the perfect opportunity for her enemies to sabotage her chances...

"Page" is thicker, deeper and altogether better than its predecessor "First Test". Kel seems a bit more relaxed this time around, but still has her trademark qualities of calmness, loyalty, stoicism and her fear of heights - as I share this phobia I could certainly relate to her terror.

There are some components of the book that make it more appropriate for slightly older readers; such as Kel's developing body and some allusions to sex which are mostly used in rather negative ways (Kel's virtue is questioned and Lalasa is assaulted), as well as some blood and gore on the battle field. Tamora Pierce is perhaps the only YA writer I know that openly discusses a woman's period in the context of a fantasy novel, and in this case Kel's monthlies are placed alongside her growing crush on Neal - all of which create a sense of realism that works wonderfully well compared to the magical elements of the story.

In my review for "First Test", I described this series as being more in the way of the school story than a fantasy story. There is more magic and battles in this installment, but even now, there are still some homages to the old school-story genres found in Enid Blyton and J. K. Rowling's famous books; such as a young page who keeps using the word "jolly" and a range of school bullies (predominantly Joren, who bears a striking similarity to one Draco Malfoy - they even have the same hair colour!) Likewise there are other fun and familiar moments, such as Neal's long line of `true loves' - here is a young man who loves being in love more than any particular woman.

Kel's story is growing nicely, and most will be eager to read "Squire", especially those that are familiar with Tortall and know that at the end of her training, the Ordeal is waiting for Kel...

"Page" the second book in "Protector of the Small" continues the story of Keladry of Mindalen, as she progresses in her studies as the first openly female page in Tortall. Now that her year of probation is over, Keladry is a full-fledged page. Unfortunately, the harassment hasn't stopped yet, but does slow down as she demonstrates her abilities again and again.

Some new characters appear, Owen, a younger page with a strong case of hero worship, and Lalasa, a young palace servant whom Keladry hires to protect from ill-treatment. Nice to know Keladry hasn't slackened on her ongoing quest to protect those around her from bullies. One minor point: I still find myself wondering what happened to Princess Kalysin? Wasn't she going to become a knight? But, that aside, this is a terrific book, and one point, toward the end, nearly reduced me to tears! I look forward to Tamora Pierce's next offering.

This book was great. I love the order of events and surprises in it. Romantic allusions aside, Kel and her friends are growing by leaps and bounds. If you've read the other books refering to Tortall, you'll know the Knighthood has changed a lot, which is a good thing since everything needs to evolve once in a while...even the "Stump". This is a must read just like every other Pierce novel (which I've been obsessively reading since 10 years old, I'm 22 now). The plot is a little disjointed because the book is trying to fit in 3 years of growing up, but it is still easy to read. This series is different than Alanna because in that series a lot of the characters weren't dealing with the "knighthood" and "nobility" which this series seems to delve into whole-heartedly. It's different but it gives you insight into an amazing fictional world. LOVED IT. (and all the others)

After surviving her first year in training to become a knight, Kel returns to the palace to finish her last three years as a Page. Unfortunatly for Kel she has more to deal with than the classes, the weapons training, protecting her sparrows, and helping out 1st year pages that are being unrightfully hazed. In this book she has to deal with growing up as a woman. Not only is she sprouting up inches in months, she's going through that tricky "becoming a woman" stage, and she finds her feelings for her best friend Neal reaching beyond friendship. As the protector of the small she also finds herself constantly helping others. Wheather it's a abused young woman in the arts of self defense, a ugly little dog, or a bunch of first year pages who's knowledge of staff fighting is... limited. Kel has 3 very busy years in front of her, each one looking more thrilling than the last. Personally I was happy with this book. I've really grown to like Kel when I wasn't so sure about her in the first book. Regardless of what others say I think she's a great charecter. Personally I was happy not to get another Alanna. While Alanna was impulsive, Kel is calm. While Alanna is a loner, Kel is a leader. While Alanna was short and quickly, Kel is tall and strong, etc, etc. If you're a fan of Tamora Peirce's works and have already read first test, I reccomend this book.

While I remain a big fan of the Lionness series, this current Protector series is impressive as well. Both the first and second books are extremely well-written. It could have been boring as the author explored all the years that Kel went through as a page.. Instead, she manages to make the reader to look forward to each year and root for Kel's success.. Expecting similar experiences to Alanna's years at the palace, I was pleasantly surprised with the twists and turns of the plot of "Page".. You will not regret buying this book.. I simply can't wait to see what her third book will be like..