Customer Reviews

Squire (Protector of the Small)

5 star:		(132)
4 star:		(47)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Well, first of all, I might be a bit biased, because the "Protector of the Small" series is my favorite out of all the Tamora Pierce series, but I'll just say now that I definitely recommend "Squire." In this book, Keladry of Mindelan, who has been the first openly female page at the Tortallan court for four years (since the age of 10) goes through four years of being a squire before becoming a full knight at 18. She becomes the squire of Alanna's friend Raoul of Goldenlake; faces down her old foe Joren of Stone Mountain; negotiates with the King and Queen to change laws that go against the rights of commoners such as Kel's maid Lalasa, who was wronged by Joren; falls in and out of love; and, finally, encounters the Chamber of the Ordeal. But...well, I suppose I will talk about individual things in the book. I absolutely love and admire Kel's determined, down-to-earth yet idealistic personality. However, in this latest installment, other characters' personalities became underdeveloped. For example, we barely ever see her old friends Neal, Owen, Merric and the others, and when we do, they are sort of skimmed over. I think Ms. Pierce was trying to concentrate on Kel's growth, but it was disappointing. I especially missed Neal and Owen!!! Kel has a romance with Cleon in this book. I thought that was really sweet, but I wondered...why him?!? He'd never been a fully developed character like Neal, and so it was sort of confusing why Kel was so attracted to him and why she fell in love with him after being in love with Neal (who was really more her type!) for years. I guess Ms. Pierce is doing the "well, nothing turns out the way we expect it" thing, and that's admirable... but still, it's as if Kel feels obligated to love Cleon because he loves her. Yet Kel's feelings through all of that seem realistic - the way she is taken aback and confused at first. I loved the parts about the nobles from Yaman (the islands where Kel lived for six years, from her very early childhood), which is based on Japan. (The Yamani nobles are in Tortall to introduce Princess Shinkokami or "Shinko," Kel's childhood friend, who is to wed Crown Prince Roald of Tortall.) I recently went to Japan, and the attitude of the Yamanis is much like that I observed in many Japanese. The language and names are extremely accurate, and Kel's relationship with the Yamanis ("Am I like them anymore?") is profound. Finally, I think that the way Tamora Pierce has improved her imagining of the Chamber of the Ordeal since her "Alanna" days is flabbergasting. In the Alanna books, even though the Chamber was supposed to be scary, it was hard to see just how exactly it was scary from Ms. Pierce's narrative. In "Squire," however, we experience first the visions Kel has through her squire years as she dares the Chamber by placing her hands on its doors, and then the actual experience, which brings up fears Kel thought were long since dead and buried. It also gives her a vision of a heap of dead children and a suspicious-looking man; those will no doubt come into play in the next book. It's all so well done! Well, that's about it. I think that the biggest pull of the "Protector of the Small" series is Kel's personality. In the end of "Squire," Alanna is talking with Kel. She says that though she (Alanna) is a hero, she had the Goddess and powerful magic to help her along. Therefore, the average girl can't really identify with Alanna and her accomplishments. "But you, bless you," says Alanna to Kel, "you are real." Girls in Tortall - and Tamora Pierce fans - can look up to Kel as one of them, as someone ordinary who became extraordinary. And that, of course, is a great accomplishment for Tamora Pierce in itself.

This is the most reacent book in Tamora Pierce's Protector of the small series. Now Kel is a squire and she has a new training master, one who is much more lenient on her. She can carry her Yamani glaive and he teaches new jousting skills. The Yamani princess arrives, Kel finds a baby Griffin and she meets up with all of her old friends again, including Neal of Queenscove. In short, because I know no one likes to read long reviews and to fit everything in this would be a LONG review, this is an excelent book from a renound author, who gets better with each book she writes.

First I need to defend the fact that I'm 23 and writing this review. I just want to point out that tamora pierce was around when I was a tween and a teen. Her books are so well written, I've just kept buying them.

I would first like to commend pierce on writing a much longer book than usual. Her thanks in the authors note go out to JK Rowlings (and if you're unfamiliar with Rowlings I must ask if you've been living in a cave) who wrote and succeeded with a 700+ page book for kids. I have long thought that childrens (well, tween and teen books) were much too short. We need to give kids the credit due them and realize that they can sit down and read these longer books.

Squire is the third book in the protector of the small series. Pierces protagonist is Kel (or Keladry) the first non-magic aided girl to want to become a knight of tortall (the only other being Alanna of Treborn--see her 4 book series for more info) and the struggles she faces because of it. Pierce deftly handles Kel's early teen years and honestly and frankly deals with Kel having a crush and then moving into kissing boys. She has Kel have a frank conversation about sex with her mother which I commend Pierce for again.

There have been criticisms of the almost triangle in this book. I liked it...Kel is a normal girl. She likes one boy but can't help but notice and have a crush on another...ladies don't you remember being 12-15? I do...and it still occasionally happens...I'm in a relationship, not blind.

Pierce writes her characters very well. They are well developed, (although cleon could be more developed and I hope he will be in the next book) and have personalities that are both believable and likable. I have read many adult writers who could not accomplish this, a major reason why I will continue to dart into the young readers section at my local bookstore and buy the new books as they arrive.

Unlike the other Protector of the Small books, this one lacks certain aspects that make the others incredibly appealing. However, the book is still an interesting read -- and I encourage most to do so.

Tamora Pierce's great aspects as a writer consists of her ability to implement humour, exemplify personal character traits, engage the reader through endless torments that lead to an unpredictable end. This book falls short of the aspects mentioned above. First off, there is an inconsistency in Kel's character, and maybe it's me, but her "affair" with Cleon seemed totally out of character, and perhaps not the best resolution for the budding tension between Neal and Dom. It also baffled me that the characters we loved from the first book, Neal (especially), Merric, Lasala, Roald, etc. were BARELY mentioned in the book. Cleon, of course, got the most attention. It was rather disappointing that these characters got such minor roles, there personality traits and significance lost and forgotten.

An author must keep certain constants, yet adopt changes as well. Tamora succeeds brilliantly in introducing new angles, however, the abruptness of the changes often leaves the reader incredulous -- the staples of personality traits and scene were often undermined as a result. Kel loses some of her frank Yamani characteristics, loses some of her innocence, and is immersed into this entirely different angle of life. She loses her love for Neal, and loses most contact with her friends. The book didn't make me cry out for joy or laugh heartily when Kel stubbornly set out to prove her abilities -- like the last books where she stood up to Joren and his friends and accepted a loss. The book loses steam often, however, this is similar of all of Ms. Pierce's books...maybe except for the Immortals Quartet, the 3rd book generally is the weakest, but then there is ALWAYS an explosive 4th book. However, some positive aspects of this book were: There is definetely more action, definetely more interesting adventures that Kel experiences with the King's Own. The world of Tortall is a great expanse, and although it's slightly disappointing that the world of the palace (one grand, constant, and comfortable) is abandoned, it is incredibly enjoyable to be immersed in such a world, when reading this book. I definetely recommend this book, and although it may not be the best, it certainly holds to the criteria that makes Tamora Pierce's book so desireable

Overall, this is a really good addition to the series. I would recommend this series to any parent looking for fantasy or any novels that feature a strong young girl that isn't about gossip, romance before its time and all those other "sweet valley high" things. The character starts in book 1 (first test) at 10 and by the end of this book is 17.

This third book in the series is an improvement from the second mostly because the longer length allows for more plot development. The second book, Page, seemed very rushed to me. Now squire to Lord Raoul of the King's Own, Pierce isolates Keladry and plunges her into the duties of a squire. Kel's friends from the previous books are seen less frequently; while that comraderie was one of the most enjoyable points of books 1 & 2 it makes sense given what we've seen before. Squires go off with their lord knights & they don't see their friends as often -- we saw that with Prince Roald and Cleon in the second book.

Kel's growing maturity is reflected by her increasing interest in boys. Her infatuation with Neal is rather abruptly replaced by interest in his cousin Dom (a member of the King's Own) and then with Cleon with whom she develops a kissing relationship. There is a glimmer of a conflict between Dom and Neal and her feelings for both but Pierce backs away from it to pursue this relationship between Kel and Cleon.

My regret is now i have to wait another year for "Lady Knight". Meanwhile i'll be reading Tamora Pierce's "The Circle Opens" series.

I was very satisfied with this book. I can't wait for the fourth one to come out. I loved how Raoul was incorperated into the book. He was my favorite character in the Alanna series, beating out Gary, George, and Jon, by a land slide. There were more characters introduced both funny and annoying (Wait what annoying characters. What am I talking about).

As I understand it many people are upset about Kel dropping her feelings for Neal and gaining feelings for Cleon (sorry about the spoiler.) but to be perfectly honest with you, I don't think a relationship with Neal would have lasted that long. You are supposed to have 2 best friends, one to love forever, and one to love forever - but only as a friend. Neal is the latter. Cleon on the other hand, is NOT a big, dumb, red-head. He's a sweetheart and I would give the world to find somebody who existed that treated me the way Cleon treats Kel. ::big sigh:: I could see that relationship coming in Page, when he told Kel that she looked fit, and with that random hug. (I must be reading these things too much. I predicted two relationships for this book last July. Kel and Cleon and Kel and Raoul.)

Anyway, overall this book is great read. Highly recommended.

I purchased "Squire" as soon as I could, knowing it would be a fantastic book, as Tamora Pierce's always are. I liked a lot of things about the book. For one thing, it was a longer than the others, which left more room for things to happen. It also gets a little bit more realistic as with what Kel has to go through. It isn't just getting bruised on the practice courts anymore. I also liked the aspect of the Chamber of the Ordeal giving Kel visions, and that the Ordeal was far more detailed than in the Alanna books. Kel grows a lot in this book and faces real problems: like the unfairness of the law, death, sex, taking care of a griffin she really doesn't want to take care of, and is reunited with Joren, her former bully. I loved Sir Raoul's return and I enjoyed meeting new characters like Dom and Lerant. There were a few things about the book that I didn't really like: The abscence of Neal was sad, but I could deal with that--this book is supposed to be her life, and in life, things change, people have to move away. I was upset at her growing romance with Cleon. He's a sweet guy but he never really was a developed character--it would have been kind of obvious if Kel hooked up with Neal (but it would have been much appreciated!), so it seemed the right choice to have her pair up with one of Neal's friends. But it seemed as though she didn't really WANT to be with Cleon, almost as though he kind of forced her into it (it probably would have been hard to say no to a sweet guy like him); while she was with him she still had feelings for Dom and Neal. That seemed a little bit weird. Kel had never had the fun-loving relationship with Cleon as she had with Neal, and even Dom. She seemed a little bit dazed when Neal was "going out" with the Yamani lady in waiting. But, who knows? The next book has yet to be published. Also, the characters of Daine and Alanna seem flat, not as they were in their own books. I hate having to wait for the next book, but if Tamora Pierce can write a finishing book as good as this one, I don't care how long it takes! :)

Keladry of Mindelan is no ordinary girl, but a squire who's anxiously waiting for the time where she'll be a knight at last. A great number of people hope that she won't be able to make it to such a title, but there are still supporters for her.

Squire, is the third book of the Protector of the Small series and Pierce certainly hasn't lost her touch for storytelling. From the minute I started reading the book, I could hardly put the book down. There¡¦s just this strange force that Pierce has that draws you into the story, and doesn't want you to stop.

This time round, Keladry gets sponsored by a knight, and goes on mini adventures, has a new love interest, and faces the Chamber of the Ordeal to. More is known about the Yamanis, (people from where she lived earlier before going to Corus to become page), and their customs due to a special reason. She's reunited with her dog Jump, and her pigeon friends into another adventure of this series. Once again, she gets expensive weapons from a anonymous benefactor, and finds out a lot of truths plus who are behind certain things. Years fly by fast in Squire, and a great many things happen, this is a book you definitely wouldn't want to miss.

I really enjoyed this particular book, because throughout the book, Keladry proves to her world that even though chances are slim, and the world seems to be against you and your decisions, with determination they will always be ways in which you can get around these obstacles to get to your goal and achieve what you want. There might be times where you might feel discouraged, but as long as you keep on trying at least you'll get somewhere. She's a very strong determined character and makes important decisions throughout this book. Keladry is also very down-to-earth because she doesn't look down to other people, apologizes when she's wrong, and tries to help when she can. There are also a lot of surprises that happen and with this book opened, there's never a dull second.

Personally, I think Squire is a highly addictive book, be sure to have some spare time sitting around you before flipping open the first page; definitely a true Pierce classic. If you truly enjoyed the other quartet sets by Pierce that are all set in the fantasy realm of Tortall, I'm sure that you will no doubt enjoy the Protector of the Small too.

Keladry of Mindelan, the first girl to serve openly as a page and squire in the realm of Tortall, is in her squire years. When taken on by Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak, who is the Knight Commander of the King's Own (the 300-man protection force of the realm), Kel quickly learns the many perspectives of battle. She aquires a baby griffin, in addition to her dog, Jump, and a fifty-odd flock of sparrows. An astonising kiss at Midwinter leads up to her confusing romance with Cleon of Kennan. Conservative challengers quickly mount to a admirable jousting record. But will she pass the final test to be a knight: going into the Chamber of the Ordeal?

This was the kind of book I truly couldn't put down all the way through. I'd like to mention Tamora Pierce's wonderful humor, and the fact that she intertwined the story plots of different charecters into one so well. Kel's crushes, which slowly grow into an unlikely romance (Cleon? Who would see that coming?)add a nicely normal pre-teen element to Kel's mostly abnormal world. Some may think Cleon was a big change, and that it was annoying how Kel was "hopelessly fickle" (which she was), but surely no one hasn't had many crushes throughout school, especially at her age. The likeable charecters (Raoul, Daine, Lalasa, ect;) are well set apart from the dislikeable ones (Joren, Garvey, Ansil of Groten) with a few in the middle, like Lord Wyldon and Duke Turomot, to connect them. Though I did think Kel's admiration of Lady Alanna was a tiny bit overdone. But nonetheless, Kel's sensible, determined nature makes her a great role model for pre-teen and teen girls.

I love ALL of Tamora Pierce's books... especially these. Okay. When I read all those other reviews out there, I kinda got miffed. 1), haven't some people noticed that every 3rd book in a quartet is different??? I mean, in TI, Daine went to Carthak. In the LQ, Alanna went to the Bazhir deserts. So it makes sense that this book is also slightly different. All right. Ket gets taken in as squire to Raoul (Kings Own) and they go traveling and getting into adventures. I will not spoil it... (as some do here, I hate that...) so go read it.