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As the only female page in history to last beyond the first year of formal training to become a knight, 11-year-old Keladry of Mindelan has an uphill battle to fight. In addition to proving herself worthy of being a page, Kel spends her time defending first-year pages from bullies, staying on top of homework, conquering her paralyzing fear of heights, and keeping up with Lord Wyldon's grueling physical training schedule. Kel's detractors do everything in their power to thwart her progress, from tormenting her friends to sabotaging the Midwinter Festivities to kidnapping her maid and dog on the day of final examinations. The tide of resistance begins to turn slightly during the summer between Kel's second and third years, when she leads a team of pages in defensive maneuvers against renegade bandits--coincidentally on the same day that she gets her first period.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2000
452 people are currently reading
6074 people want to read
About the author
Tamora Pierce
99 books85.1k followersHey, folks! I just discovered that apparently I have given some very popular books single-star ratings--except I haven't. How do I know I haven't? Because I haven't read those books at all. So before you go getting all hacked off at me for trashing your favorites, know that I've written GoodReads to find out what's going on.
I return to my regularly scheduled profile:
Though I would love to join groups, I'm going to turn them all down. I just don't have the time to take part, so please don't be offended if I don't join your group or accept an invitation. I'm not snooty--I'm just up to my eyeballs in work and appearances!
Also, don't be alarmed by the number of books I've read. When I get bored, I go through the different lists and rediscover books I've read in the past. It's a very evil way to use up time when I should be doing other things. Obviously, I've read a lot of books in 54 years!
I was born in South Connellsville, PA. My mother wanted to name me "Tamara" but the nurse who filled out my birth certificate misspelled it as "Tamora". When I was 8 my family moved to California, where we lived for 6 years on both sides of the San Francisco peninsula.
I started writing stories in 6th grade. My interest in fantasy and science fiction began when I was introduced to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien and so I started to write the kind of books that I was reading. After my parents divorced, my mother took my sisters and me back to Pennsylvania in 1969. There I went to Albert Gallatin Senior High for 2 years and Uniontown Area Senior High School for my senior year.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I wrote the book that became The Song of the Lioness fantasy quartet. I sold some articles and 2 short stories and wrote reviews for a martial arts movie magazine. At last the first book of the quartet, Alanna: The First Adventure was published by Atheneum Books in 1983.
Tim Liebe, who became my Spouse-Creature, and I lived in New York City with assorted cats and two parakeets from 1982 - 2006. In 2006 we moved to Syracuse, New York, where we live now with assorted cats, a number of squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and woodchucks visiting our very small yard. As of 2011, I have 27 novels in print, one short story collection, one comic book arc ("White Tiger: A Hero's Compulsion") co-written with Tim, and a short story anthology co-editing credit. There's more to come, including a companion book to the Tortall `verse. So stay tuned!
I return to my regularly scheduled profile:
Though I would love to join groups, I'm going to turn them all down. I just don't have the time to take part, so please don't be offended if I don't join your group or accept an invitation. I'm not snooty--I'm just up to my eyeballs in work and appearances!
Also, don't be alarmed by the number of books I've read. When I get bored, I go through the different lists and rediscover books I've read in the past. It's a very evil way to use up time when I should be doing other things. Obviously, I've read a lot of books in 54 years!
I was born in South Connellsville, PA. My mother wanted to name me "Tamara" but the nurse who filled out my birth certificate misspelled it as "Tamora". When I was 8 my family moved to California, where we lived for 6 years on both sides of the San Francisco peninsula.
I started writing stories in 6th grade. My interest in fantasy and science fiction began when I was introduced to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien and so I started to write the kind of books that I was reading. After my parents divorced, my mother took my sisters and me back to Pennsylvania in 1969. There I went to Albert Gallatin Senior High for 2 years and Uniontown Area Senior High School for my senior year.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I wrote the book that became The Song of the Lioness fantasy quartet. I sold some articles and 2 short stories and wrote reviews for a martial arts movie magazine. At last the first book of the quartet, Alanna: The First Adventure was published by Atheneum Books in 1983.
Tim Liebe, who became my Spouse-Creature, and I lived in New York City with assorted cats and two parakeets from 1982 - 2006. In 2006 we moved to Syracuse, New York, where we live now with assorted cats, a number of squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and woodchucks visiting our very small yard. As of 2011, I have 27 novels in print, one short story collection, one comic book arc ("White Tiger: A Hero's Compulsion") co-written with Tim, and a short story anthology co-editing credit. There's more to come, including a companion book to the Tortall `verse. So stay tuned!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,044 reviews
September 17, 2008
Everyone should read Tamora Pierce. Not just fantasy readers, not just young readers, but anyone who enjoys a good tale. And who doesn't? If you've read Tamora Pierce, then you already know what I mean.
Tamora never tries to win an award for the most confuscated use of the English language. She never lets language get in the way of her story. She writes her books in a simple, honest way to hook her readers into a fascinating tale. And she succeeds brilliantly in doing so.
In Page, Tamora Pierce gets back to the very essence of storytelling - a young hero must prove herself in the face of seeming unbeatable odds to achieve her goal. In this case, the hero is a female page struggling to gain her knighthood. Tamora is not afraid to touch on difficult subjects such as discrimination, abuse, and death. She creates strong, unique female heroines who fight against oppression, and yet the appeal of her books is not limited to a female audience. Who among us has not felt held down by seemingly unbeatable odds? Who has not wished for the strength to pursue an impossible-seeming dream? Tamora's characters pursue their dreams with strength and grim determination, and in doing so, make us believe that we too can achieve our dreams if we stick by them.
I read Tamora's books as a child and found myself unable to put them down, and even a decade later I get the same thrill as her characters fall in love, escape from danger, or rush into battle. Rare is the author who can so completely captivate a reader's attention.
It's no wonder that Tamora's books have all recently been re-released. And to boot, Tamora is kind to fans and frequently appears at conferences, book-signings and conventions! If you're looking for a new author to love, look no further.
Tamora never tries to win an award for the most confuscated use of the English language. She never lets language get in the way of her story. She writes her books in a simple, honest way to hook her readers into a fascinating tale. And she succeeds brilliantly in doing so.
In Page, Tamora Pierce gets back to the very essence of storytelling - a young hero must prove herself in the face of seeming unbeatable odds to achieve her goal. In this case, the hero is a female page struggling to gain her knighthood. Tamora is not afraid to touch on difficult subjects such as discrimination, abuse, and death. She creates strong, unique female heroines who fight against oppression, and yet the appeal of her books is not limited to a female audience. Who among us has not felt held down by seemingly unbeatable odds? Who has not wished for the strength to pursue an impossible-seeming dream? Tamora's characters pursue their dreams with strength and grim determination, and in doing so, make us believe that we too can achieve our dreams if we stick by them.
I read Tamora's books as a child and found myself unable to put them down, and even a decade later I get the same thrill as her characters fall in love, escape from danger, or rush into battle. Rare is the author who can so completely captivate a reader's attention.
It's no wonder that Tamora's books have all recently been re-released. And to boot, Tamora is kind to fans and frequently appears at conferences, book-signings and conventions! If you're looking for a new author to love, look no further.
June 25, 2022
Oh these books, every time I read them it's like visiting a best friend. I adore Kel today as much as I did when these books were first published; I will forever be grateful to Tamora Pierce for creating this fantastic heroine because "bless [her], [she is] real." Kel doesn't have the Gift or any wild magic to help her. She gets everything only through grimy, hard work and persistence just like the rest of us and I admire her so much for it. I reread these books ALL THE TIME because I need that. I need to know that I can crawl out of the mud and be my own hero - no magic required.
February 20, 2019
#1: First Test ★★★★
#2: Page ★★★★
#3: Squire ★★★★★
This review can also be found on my blog.
cw: past abuse, attempted assault
For the first time she could understand how someone in a rage might do murder. “How dare you touch an unwilling woman?” she asked.
This book follows Kel through her second, third, and fourth years as a page. I was surprised that this was all to be packed into one book, but it made sense that there was only so much to be covered once the probationary period was out of the way. We get to see the return of all Kel’s friends along with meeting some new ones, including her new maid Lalasa.
Lalasa is a great character in her own right, a young woman who has suffered from great abuse at the hands of men. She is timid when she first enrolls in Kel’s service, but quickly comes into her own with the page’s encouragement. We get to see Lalasa develop alongside Kel in a mirror image of sorts. It’s really nice to see this friendship between women blossom in such a male-centric environment.
Kel also has to deal with the beginnings of puberty while undergoing her trials as a page. One thing I love about Tamora Pierce is that she’s not afraid to write the real stuff. She’s blunt and honest without being crude. Kel begins to grow breasts, experiences several jumps in height, and gets her first period. If only we also lived in a world where a magical talisman was the solution, but I guess we have birth control!
It’s also really great to see Kel further dealing with her phobia. As revealed in the first book, her terror of heights came out of previous emotional abuse she experienced from her brother. While resistant at first she knows that overcoming, or at least confronting, these fears are key to her becoming a knight. As someone who has dealt with severe anxiety, I think it’s really important to see strong characters who struggle with it as well.
Overall, I continue to adore Kel as a character and find her story fun to follow. I usually don’t tend to like lawful good characters as I find them a bit boring, but Tammy is a master of developing people you love to read about. I mean, how can you not love a girl knight-to-be taking down abusers? I’d definitely recommend this book, and the series, to any lovers of Tamora Pierce as well as readers of YA fantasy.
#2: Page ★★★★
#3: Squire ★★★★★
This review can also be found on my blog.
cw: past abuse, attempted assault
For the first time she could understand how someone in a rage might do murder. “How dare you touch an unwilling woman?” she asked.
This book follows Kel through her second, third, and fourth years as a page. I was surprised that this was all to be packed into one book, but it made sense that there was only so much to be covered once the probationary period was out of the way. We get to see the return of all Kel’s friends along with meeting some new ones, including her new maid Lalasa.
Lalasa is a great character in her own right, a young woman who has suffered from great abuse at the hands of men. She is timid when she first enrolls in Kel’s service, but quickly comes into her own with the page’s encouragement. We get to see Lalasa develop alongside Kel in a mirror image of sorts. It’s really nice to see this friendship between women blossom in such a male-centric environment.
Kel also has to deal with the beginnings of puberty while undergoing her trials as a page. One thing I love about Tamora Pierce is that she’s not afraid to write the real stuff. She’s blunt and honest without being crude. Kel begins to grow breasts, experiences several jumps in height, and gets her first period. If only we also lived in a world where a magical talisman was the solution, but I guess we have birth control!
It’s also really great to see Kel further dealing with her phobia. As revealed in the first book, her terror of heights came out of previous emotional abuse she experienced from her brother. While resistant at first she knows that overcoming, or at least confronting, these fears are key to her becoming a knight. As someone who has dealt with severe anxiety, I think it’s really important to see strong characters who struggle with it as well.
Overall, I continue to adore Kel as a character and find her story fun to follow. I usually don’t tend to like lawful good characters as I find them a bit boring, but Tammy is a master of developing people you love to read about. I mean, how can you not love a girl knight-to-be taking down abusers? I’d definitely recommend this book, and the series, to any lovers of Tamora Pierce as well as readers of YA fantasy.
September 1, 2020
I'm back with Kel and her pals as she makes her way through the four years of being a page. There's still not too much here to distinguish it from the Alanna quartet, even if it is better paced.
Kel's still having to deal with idiots of all ages who can't understand why a girl would want to be a knight and keep expecting her to quit. Joran (sp?) finds new ways to mess with her . She acquires a dog here, instead of a cat like Alanna, and this dog can't talk, so there's that. It's a bit Disney Princess that all the animals can understand her - I thought they could only talk to Daine?
The best part is her maid that she takes on, Lalasa, who is timid and abused when she meets Kel and really comes into her own throughout the story. I like that just a little attention is made to her first crush, Neil, and we see the different ways the boys react to her as they all reach their awkward adolescent stage. :) Oh, and gay people officially exist in this world! They got a whole line mentioning them!
The ending is on the predictable side, but it was still nice to see Kel defeat her fears and how her support of her friends came back to provide her support when she needed it most.
Kel's still having to deal with idiots of all ages who can't understand why a girl would want to be a knight and keep expecting her to quit. Joran (sp?) finds new ways to mess with her . She acquires a dog here, instead of a cat like Alanna, and this dog can't talk, so there's that. It's a bit Disney Princess that all the animals can understand her - I thought they could only talk to Daine?
The best part is her maid that she takes on, Lalasa, who is timid and abused when she meets Kel and really comes into her own throughout the story. I like that just a little attention is made to her first crush, Neil, and we see the different ways the boys react to her as they all reach their awkward adolescent stage. :) Oh, and gay people officially exist in this world! They got a whole line mentioning them!
The ending is on the predictable side, but it was still nice to see Kel defeat her fears and how her support of her friends came back to provide her support when she needed it most.
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December 18, 2023
2023 reread I LOVE this quartet so much. Everything about it is perfection.
2021 rerad It's hard to say how much I love The Protector of the Small quartet. Even though so much is compressed into so few pages, each word is carefully selected, each sentence maximized for its full effect. The descriptions are spot-on, the action and climax fantastic, and the world-building is amazing.
2021 rerad It's hard to say how much I love The Protector of the Small quartet. Even though so much is compressed into so few pages, each word is carefully selected, each sentence maximized for its full effect. The descriptions are spot-on, the action and climax fantastic, and the world-building is amazing.
August 13, 2011
Here is another book that I love too much to really review, and since I'm trying to save all my reminiscing about how important this series has been to me for the third book, I'm going to keep this short, with just a few of the things I loved about this entry:
- Kel's friends, and particularly Neal. From page 13 of the trade paperback: "Neal had taught Kel to know the palace the year before, assisting her with classwork and cheering her worst moods with his tart humor. In return she tried to keep him out of trouble and made him eat his vegetables."
- Lalasa, Kel's maid and a new addition to the cast. From page 126: "To his cousins Owen said, 'That's Lalasa, Kel's maid. She sews, and she knows all kinds of ways to hurt you.'"
- The way Kel doesn't let anything slow her down, including puberty (which sucks enough when you're not undergoing rigorous physical training; I can hardly imagine how hard it would be to deal with in her situation.)
- How most of the cast are genuinely good people, even the ones who represent Kel's abstract antagonist.
And with that, this brief reflection must end lest I veer into reminiscing one book too early.
- Kel's friends, and particularly Neal. From page 13 of the trade paperback: "Neal had taught Kel to know the palace the year before, assisting her with classwork and cheering her worst moods with his tart humor. In return she tried to keep him out of trouble and made him eat his vegetables."
- Lalasa, Kel's maid and a new addition to the cast. From page 126: "To his cousins Owen said, 'That's Lalasa, Kel's maid. She sews, and she knows all kinds of ways to hurt you.'"
- The way Kel doesn't let anything slow her down, including puberty (which sucks enough when you're not undergoing rigorous physical training; I can hardly imagine how hard it would be to deal with in her situation.)
- How most of the cast are genuinely good people, even the ones who represent Kel's abstract antagonist.
And with that, this brief reflection must end lest I veer into reminiscing one book too early.
March 27, 2016
I need to take a moment to point out that Kel, at eleven, is five foot three - in other words, taller than I'll ever be. Anyway:
This book starts off with two projects for Kel, and on this reread, I thought that was - convenient. Very convenient. First Jump, then Lalasa, and obviously both have bearing on the final big conflict. Eh. Eventually they're woven into the fabric of the series (I really like Lalasa's arc), but here they're Chekhov's guns: there because they're necessary.
Quick commercial break to bring up a Neal comment, apropos of nothing:
Side note: When Imrah of Legann chooses Roald to be his squire (breaking with tradition, blah blah - do we think Jon told Imrah he wanted to do things differently? How else did Imrah know to approach Roald?) - what does he call Roald?! Technically, Roald's in his service. And does Roald wear Legann colors?
(VERY IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: Gary gives Kel a note to bring to the king atop Balor's Needle, even though it could wait until morning. ONLY GARY.)
Balor's Needle, though - I liked that plotline a lot, even though it's a bit of a Chekhov's gun, too. Somehow, Neal mentioning they can't be late to the exams and that a page once jumped off Balor's Needle doesn't feel as heavy-handed as Lalasa and Jump showing up within three pages of each other. And Kel's fear of heights is already established, and Gary casually makes her go up there - maybe it's just good writing, the way it's all intertwined.
The king gets Kel off the tower by taking her mind off what her body is doing: that's an interesting spell, and probably a powerful one (and one that we never see again, speaking of Chekhov's guns). It reminded me of the Imperius Curse, this time around.
Time passes strangely in this book. The first book focused on a year; this goes through the remaining three years of Kel's page training, and it's only slightly longer than First Test.
But I like the description of the training. I like it a lot, even though there's a lot of "Kel is better than everyone her age." I especially like it when Wyldon finds out Kel's been using weighted training weapons and has no idea how to react. (That's some of the "Kel is better than everyone else" stuff that's actually earned. Joke's on you, Joren.)
(The archery master, in the middle of introducing their exciting new arrows, abruptly asks Quinden to name their three dangerous neighbors. I read that thinking about Legally Blonde and Emmett saying the professors use the Socratic method. Random references abound in this review!)
On Joren: he tries to be friendlier - lol, Neal being "I myself have noticed my growing resemblance to a daffodil" - and yet he does so by assuring Kel that really she wants to get married, because all women do. I mean, obviously he's hopeless, and obviously we're supposed to take this as a sign he hasn't changed, because it's so stupidly sexist, but also: it's so stupidly sexist. I wish Joren was a slightly more nuanced character.
All these are miscellaneous points. I don't have any particular thoughts on the overarching plot, mostly because I think the plot is next-to-irrelevant and it's the character development that's important. That said, I do have one question on the plot:
Anyway, despite sundry niggling concerns, I liked this a lot, because I like these people a lot. Cannot wait to reread Squire.
No stranger, looking at her, would have thought this disheveled girl was the sort to cause a storm of argument at court.This is interesting, because Kel is sheltered from this stuff, at least through this book. Pierce drops this in, but doesn't go anywhere with it yet.
This book starts off with two projects for Kel, and on this reread, I thought that was - convenient. Very convenient. First Jump, then Lalasa, and obviously both have bearing on the final big conflict. Eh. Eventually they're woven into the fabric of the series (I really like Lalasa's arc), but here they're Chekhov's guns: there because they're necessary.
Quick commercial break to bring up a Neal comment, apropos of nothing:
"Neal, will the Wildmage take him?"NEAL'S THE BEST. Also, do we think Pierce got some angry feedback on Daine and Numair?! She made a crack about the age difference in First Test, too.
"Daine? Of course," he replied. "She's here - I saw her last night. Ask her after supper."
"Did you maybe want to go with me?" she offered gingerly...
"No," he told Kel nobly, and sighed. "It just tries my heart, to see her with that old man."
Roald of Conte was a fourth-year page, quiet and contained, with his father's very blue eyes and black hair that could have come from either of his parents. He was so polite that he appeared stiff, and he made friends with difficulty, but when he spoke, he was listened to.I'm not even going to comment on "when he spoke, he was listened to" - of course people listened, he's the prince. I'm guessing this was supposed to link him to Jonathan as a boy, and that authority Jon had even when Alanna first met him, but eh. (Oh, look, I ended up commenting on it.) What I really want to say, though, is that I love how two outspoken people like Jon and Thayet produced a very quiet son. In fact, I really like Roald, and I wish he'd been in Kel's books more. I know he couldn't have been, because Kel's story has to be different from Alanna's somehow (and it is!): STILL. There's a comment later, when the pages confront Joren and Co. for making life a misery at Midwinter, that says he's every bit as stubborn as his famous parents, and I just wish we'd gotten to see that more.
Side note: When Imrah of Legann chooses Roald to be his squire (breaking with tradition, blah blah - do we think Jon told Imrah he wanted to do things differently? How else did Imrah know to approach Roald?) - what does he call Roald?! Technically, Roald's in his service. And does Roald wear Legann colors?
(VERY IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: Gary gives Kel a note to bring to the king atop Balor's Needle, even though it could wait until morning. ONLY GARY.)
Balor's Needle, though - I liked that plotline a lot, even though it's a bit of a Chekhov's gun, too. Somehow, Neal mentioning they can't be late to the exams and that a page once jumped off Balor's Needle doesn't feel as heavy-handed as Lalasa and Jump showing up within three pages of each other. And Kel's fear of heights is already established, and Gary casually makes her go up there - maybe it's just good writing, the way it's all intertwined.
The king gets Kel off the tower by taking her mind off what her body is doing: that's an interesting spell, and probably a powerful one (and one that we never see again, speaking of Chekhov's guns). It reminded me of the Imperius Curse, this time around.
Archery class followed weapons, then tilting. None of the pages ever expected anything new. In the fourth week of Kel's third year, however, Lord Wyldon turned creative.(What does it say about me, that I read this thinking, "Hmmmm, not so conservative after all, huh?")
Time passes strangely in this book. The first book focused on a year; this goes through the remaining three years of Kel's page training, and it's only slightly longer than First Test.
But I like the description of the training. I like it a lot, even though there's a lot of "Kel is better than everyone her age." I especially like it when Wyldon finds out Kel's been using weighted training weapons and has no idea how to react. (That's some of the "Kel is better than everyone else" stuff that's actually earned. Joke's on you, Joren.)
(The archery master, in the middle of introducing their exciting new arrows, abruptly asks Quinden to name their three dangerous neighbors. I read that thinking about Legally Blonde and Emmett saying the professors use the Socratic method. Random references abound in this review!)
On Joren: he tries to be friendlier - lol, Neal being "I myself have noticed my growing resemblance to a daffodil" - and yet he does so by assuring Kel that really she wants to get married, because all women do. I mean, obviously he's hopeless, and obviously we're supposed to take this as a sign he hasn't changed, because it's so stupidly sexist, but also: it's so stupidly sexist. I wish Joren was a slightly more nuanced character.
All these are miscellaneous points. I don't have any particular thoughts on the overarching plot, mostly because I think the plot is next-to-irrelevant and it's the character development that's important. That said, I do have one question on the plot:
Anyway, despite sundry niggling concerns, I liked this a lot, because I like these people a lot. Cannot wait to reread Squire.
August 5, 2022
Overall Rating : B+
"She couldn't solve all the world's problems, after all. Not yet, at least."
Beautiful, simple, inspiring. And that's all it needed to be.
"She couldn't solve all the world's problems, after all. Not yet, at least."
Beautiful, simple, inspiring. And that's all it needed to be.
December 4, 2016
I don't even think I have words to describe how I am feeling right now. Kel was always my favourite, having been the first set of books I read by Tamora Pierce, but rereading this series for the 3rd time (I think?), I'm just in love with everything!
The characters, the writing, the plot...the funny banter between the pages and the squires. But most of all, Keladry. She's so strong, and resolute, intelligent and calm, and she has the makings of an incredible leader! I just want to read Lady Knight now cause I'm so excited for her leadership skills to fully show.
Neal kills me as always with his flowery long speeches about love. He's such a romantic and I love that about him cause it's totally the opposite of who Kel is (and who I am). Cleon definitely grew on me in this book and I absolutely love his terms of endearment hahaha
I spent so much of this book just laughing constantly, mostly because Tamora Pierce is amazing at adding lightness to a somewhat darker story. Owen is adorable! He's so cute and chubby and I just want to squeeze his cheeks and give him a hug!
The ending was something I had been waiting for since my reread of First Test and I wasn't disappointed. It was horrifying and maddening – I seriously want to kill someone but I won't name him because of spoilers!
Also, Raoul made an appearance and so did Jon and I died a little inside seeing Jon being so caring and fatherly.
Lalasa's character arc was amazing! Her backstory is just so sad, but I'm so glad she's found a friend in Kel!
I think that's all I'm going to say cause I don't want to spoil anything!
The characters, the writing, the plot...the funny banter between the pages and the squires. But most of all, Keladry. She's so strong, and resolute, intelligent and calm, and she has the makings of an incredible leader! I just want to read Lady Knight now cause I'm so excited for her leadership skills to fully show.
Neal kills me as always with his flowery long speeches about love. He's such a romantic and I love that about him cause it's totally the opposite of who Kel is (and who I am). Cleon definitely grew on me in this book and I absolutely love his terms of endearment hahaha
I spent so much of this book just laughing constantly, mostly because Tamora Pierce is amazing at adding lightness to a somewhat darker story. Owen is adorable! He's so cute and chubby and I just want to squeeze his cheeks and give him a hug!
The ending was something I had been waiting for since my reread of First Test and I wasn't disappointed. It was horrifying and maddening – I seriously want to kill someone but I won't name him because of spoilers!
Also, Raoul made an appearance and so did Jon and I died a little inside seeing Jon being so caring and fatherly.
Lalasa's character arc was amazing! Her backstory is just so sad, but I'm so glad she's found a friend in Kel!
I think that's all I'm going to say cause I don't want to spoil anything!
June 30, 2018
I really love Kel. Lalasa and Tianine should have been gay though tbh.
May 4, 2025
I'm really enjoying rereading these.
July 4, 2012
WHYYY isn't "Squire" waiting at the library for me yet? MUST READ NOW.
I continue to love this series. This one was the Puberty Book, in which Keladry grows breasts, gets her period, and starts attracting male attention. She's kind of oblivious to it, though, which is amusing. I hope she and Neal get to make out at some point.
Anyway, Kel gets a dog and a maid on the same day. The maid is Lalasa, a timid woman who slowly learns how to defend herself thanks to Kel's persistent teachings. The feminist threads woven through these books are a constant source of delight for me. (It might be cheesy, feel-good feminism, but I don't care. I love it.) Even Lord Wyldon, Kel's sexist training master, begins to respect her after she shows him several times that she's awesome.
The dog is Jump, and Kel rescues him from certain death by the butcher's axe after he's caught stealing sausages. She tries to give him to Daine, but Jump is having none of that and keeps coming back to her. Once again, it might be cheesy, but I can't get enough of the animals in these books, either. Pierce knows how to hit all my favorite buttons.
At the end, when
There were a lot of great humorous moments in this book. Lalasa trying to figure out a tactful way to tell Keladry that she's grown breasts was hilarious. And I loved Owen introducing Lalasa later as someone who "is good at sewing and knows a lot of ways to hurt you."
I'm still convinced that Alanna is behind the anonymous gifts Kel continues to get, and I'm having a lot of fun imagining George's network of spies reporting back to him about how Kel is doing.
NEXT BOOK PLEASE.
I continue to love this series. This one was the Puberty Book, in which Keladry grows breasts, gets her period, and starts attracting male attention. She's kind of oblivious to it, though, which is amusing. I hope she and Neal get to make out at some point.
Anyway, Kel gets a dog and a maid on the same day. The maid is Lalasa, a timid woman who slowly learns how to defend herself thanks to Kel's persistent teachings. The feminist threads woven through these books are a constant source of delight for me. (It might be cheesy, feel-good feminism, but I don't care. I love it.) Even Lord Wyldon, Kel's sexist training master, begins to respect her after she shows him several times that she's awesome.
The dog is Jump, and Kel rescues him from certain death by the butcher's axe after he's caught stealing sausages. She tries to give him to Daine, but Jump is having none of that and keeps coming back to her. Once again, it might be cheesy, but I can't get enough of the animals in these books, either. Pierce knows how to hit all my favorite buttons.
At the end, when
There were a lot of great humorous moments in this book. Lalasa trying to figure out a tactful way to tell Keladry that she's grown breasts was hilarious. And I loved Owen introducing Lalasa later as someone who "is good at sewing and knows a lot of ways to hurt you."
I'm still convinced that Alanna is behind the anonymous gifts Kel continues to get, and I'm having a lot of fun imagining George's network of spies reporting back to him about how Kel is doing.
NEXT BOOK PLEASE.
December 19, 2020
I enjoyed this second book in this series as Kel progresses in her journey to be a knight, now an official page. Rather than a pivotal plot that drives the story, it felt like more of slice of life as Kel's body changes as she is a female and the demands her training has for her, including killing those who would kill her, and doing whatever she can for those she loves. Also there is an awesome dog in this book, who is the best dog, loyal, sweet, and ruthless to his enemies.
March 12, 2013
What I liked:
-Keladry. She grows on me with each book I read. She’s just such a normal girl trying so hard to prove to everyone that she can be as good as any boy, and she’ll stop at nothing until everyone sees it. She trains harder and longer than the others, and it really shows how dedicated she is to the life of a hero. And in this book, Kel shows that she really thinks those below her should be treated with respect.
-Lalasa. She begins the book as a timid little mouse, and she slowly begins to open up thanks to Kel and Kel’s friends. She really grows, and that character growth doesn’t seem fake or rushed—I really believed that Lalasa was becoming her own woman.
-Secondary characters. Neal is a personal favorite of mine, but I also like Merrick, Wyldon, and Daine when she makes her little appearances throughout the series. They add some humor to the series, and they all shape Kel and help her grow as a person. I also love Neal and Kel’s relationship with one another—despite the age difference, they’re like best friends, and it seemed only natural that Kel would develop feelings for him eventually.
-The ending. It was perfect. It showed that not everyone is being won over by Kel’s perseverance and dedication and that there are still people who want her to fail. I knew that Kel would do the right thing, and I think her willingness to save Lalasa was the final thing that proved to Wyldon that Kel had earned her place at the palace.
What I disliked:
-Pace. There were chunks of this book where it seemed like not a lot happened, but I was pretty easy to overlook since there was always some interesting character interaction or training segments.
Overall, this was a pretty awesome book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone with a love of fantasy, magic, strong female heroines, and Tamora Pierce. It has action and character development and drama, and I’ve reread this series several times, and I’ll probably reread it again. 4.5
-Keladry. She grows on me with each book I read. She’s just such a normal girl trying so hard to prove to everyone that she can be as good as any boy, and she’ll stop at nothing until everyone sees it. She trains harder and longer than the others, and it really shows how dedicated she is to the life of a hero. And in this book, Kel shows that she really thinks those below her should be treated with respect.
-Lalasa. She begins the book as a timid little mouse, and she slowly begins to open up thanks to Kel and Kel’s friends. She really grows, and that character growth doesn’t seem fake or rushed—I really believed that Lalasa was becoming her own woman.
-Secondary characters. Neal is a personal favorite of mine, but I also like Merrick, Wyldon, and Daine when she makes her little appearances throughout the series. They add some humor to the series, and they all shape Kel and help her grow as a person. I also love Neal and Kel’s relationship with one another—despite the age difference, they’re like best friends, and it seemed only natural that Kel would develop feelings for him eventually.
-The ending. It was perfect. It showed that not everyone is being won over by Kel’s perseverance and dedication and that there are still people who want her to fail. I knew that Kel would do the right thing, and I think her willingness to save Lalasa was the final thing that proved to Wyldon that Kel had earned her place at the palace.
What I disliked:
-Pace. There were chunks of this book where it seemed like not a lot happened, but I was pretty easy to overlook since there was always some interesting character interaction or training segments.
Overall, this was a pretty awesome book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone with a love of fantasy, magic, strong female heroines, and Tamora Pierce. It has action and character development and drama, and I’ve reread this series several times, and I’ll probably reread it again. 4.5
June 22, 2017
It's no secret that Keladry of Mindelan is one of my all-time favorite fictional characters, nor is it a secret that I reread these books almost every year (sometimes more). All I can say is this: whenever I think I can pick a favorite book of this series, I am proved wrong when I start rereading; there is not a single chapter in this series that I dislike.
Page has long been a favorite, and remains so after this most recent re-read. I first read it in seventh grade (finished it during a boring Language Arts class by keeping it under my desk). I remember subtly (or maybe not so subtly; sorry, Mr. Hudson!) turning pages and trying not to cheer as I read the scene with the bandit fight in hill country; I remember being so engrossed I physically could NOT put the book down (thus the reading during class, which I had never previously done).
So, yes, I love this book. I have for over ten years. More than even that, though, this book reminds me WHY I can't pick a favorite Kel novel, and that's down to the characters. Every dynamic is thoughtfully created, and I always look forward to remembering why I love them--Kel's relationships with Neal, Owen, Lalasa, Wyldon, her mother... they're all carefully written and made, and each one fills this book with a certain joy it's hard to find elsewhere.
ANYWAY TL;DR: DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ TAMORA PIERCE'S PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL SERIES and then come talk to me about them because they are very near and dear to my heart.
Page has long been a favorite, and remains so after this most recent re-read. I first read it in seventh grade (finished it during a boring Language Arts class by keeping it under my desk). I remember subtly (or maybe not so subtly; sorry, Mr. Hudson!) turning pages and trying not to cheer as I read the scene with the bandit fight in hill country; I remember being so engrossed I physically could NOT put the book down (thus the reading during class, which I had never previously done).
So, yes, I love this book. I have for over ten years. More than even that, though, this book reminds me WHY I can't pick a favorite Kel novel, and that's down to the characters. Every dynamic is thoughtfully created, and I always look forward to remembering why I love them--Kel's relationships with Neal, Owen, Lalasa, Wyldon, her mother... they're all carefully written and made, and each one fills this book with a certain joy it's hard to find elsewhere.
ANYWAY TL;DR: DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ TAMORA PIERCE'S PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL SERIES and then come talk to me about them because they are very near and dear to my heart.
August 7, 2017
4 Stars!
Page picks up in the summer immediately after First Test. It moves a lot faster and covers the second and third years of Keladry's time as a Page. It continues with many of the same themes as the first book, but expands to touch on subjects outside of focusing solely the Pages' training.
Becoming a woman and being a woman in a man's world are issues not shied away from. I love how Keladry still insists on wearing her dresses to dinner so that the boys do not forget that a girl can do everything they can, as well as still be a lady. It does not have to be one or the other. We continue to see Keladry in a fighter and protector role, not only for herself, but for those who cannot fight as well. Here is where we really start to see why this series is the Protector of the Small quartet.
Keladry also continues to grow in her Page skills, learning strategy and facing down her fears as often as she can. Her friendships continue to grow and change, as well as her relationships with her teachers and even the animals. (Yay! More Peachblossom, sparrows, and Jump!)
Overall, another solid Tortall book that would be great for middle grade girls and boys alike.
Page picks up in the summer immediately after First Test. It moves a lot faster and covers the second and third years of Keladry's time as a Page. It continues with many of the same themes as the first book, but expands to touch on subjects outside of focusing solely the Pages' training.
Becoming a woman and being a woman in a man's world are issues not shied away from. I love how Keladry still insists on wearing her dresses to dinner so that the boys do not forget that a girl can do everything they can, as well as still be a lady. It does not have to be one or the other. We continue to see Keladry in a fighter and protector role, not only for herself, but for those who cannot fight as well. Here is where we really start to see why this series is the Protector of the Small quartet.
Keladry also continues to grow in her Page skills, learning strategy and facing down her fears as often as she can. Her friendships continue to grow and change, as well as her relationships with her teachers and even the animals. (Yay! More Peachblossom, sparrows, and Jump!)
Overall, another solid Tortall book that would be great for middle grade girls and boys alike.
November 3, 2016
I like the character better in this book, it's true. Kel grows on you, even if she is a portmanteau mashup hybrid thing of Daine and Alanna.
However, the structure in Page is abysmal. There's a chronological order to things, but while she goes through two years of her training, there's only enough plot for one. Summer break happens in the middle. She gets taller. Whoopee.
The climactic event comes out of nowhere because never is there any indication her aggressors are smart enough to pull anything like it off, and it isn't clearly resolved that the suspects are the perpetrators (well, the masterminds anyhow) in the first place. I suppose this means that will be formally settled in later books.
Also, the dramatic irony of Kel's rampant ignorance in even guessing that Alanna could be sending her gifts is thin and not at all a source of tension or even interest at this point. I wish there had been more on how Alanna is receiving information about Kel, rather than how expensive and beautiful her gifts are.
(Yes, I'm going through my and my roommates' bookshelves for things I haven't yet read and a lot of that is Young Adult fiction. My library's copies of my to-read list are checked out until after Christmas. Deal with it.)
However, the structure in Page is abysmal. There's a chronological order to things, but while she goes through two years of her training, there's only enough plot for one. Summer break happens in the middle. She gets taller. Whoopee.
The climactic event comes out of nowhere because never is there any indication her aggressors are smart enough to pull anything like it off, and it isn't clearly resolved that the suspects are the perpetrators (well, the masterminds anyhow) in the first place. I suppose this means that will be formally settled in later books.
Also, the dramatic irony of Kel's rampant ignorance in even guessing that Alanna could be sending her gifts is thin and not at all a source of tension or even interest at this point. I wish there had been more on how Alanna is receiving information about Kel, rather than how expensive and beautiful her gifts are.
(Yes, I'm going through my and my roommates' bookshelves for things I haven't yet read and a lot of that is Young Adult fiction. My library's copies of my to-read list are checked out until after Christmas. Deal with it.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2023
But I like being a girl.
Keladry of Mindelan is the strong, tough girl who doesn't shun typical feminine things and supports girls who are different to her that you need in your life. It's fun, moving, feminist YA and middle grade fantasy.
Like all of Pierce's books, it's low fantasy and very traditional, and modern readers might struggle to enjoy it as much because of that.
Stop sleeping on Tamora Pierce. I don't love everything she's written, I DNFed the Immortals series for reasons, but this series and The Song of the Lioness are really great!
Keladry of Mindelan is the strong, tough girl who doesn't shun typical feminine things and supports girls who are different to her that you need in your life. It's fun, moving, feminist YA and middle grade fantasy.
Like all of Pierce's books, it's low fantasy and very traditional, and modern readers might struggle to enjoy it as much because of that.
Stop sleeping on Tamora Pierce. I don't love everything she's written, I DNFed the Immortals series for reasons, but this series and The Song of the Lioness are really great!
March 5, 2024
Overall Rating : A-
"God's all bless, Lady Page"
Finally a Page and kicking more ass!! That's Keladry of Mindalen for you. The way that she stays true to herself even when other people think it's a weakness just proves how much Kel belongs.
I love this world so much guys!!!!
"God's all bless, Lady Page"
Finally a Page and kicking more ass!! That's Keladry of Mindalen for you. The way that she stays true to herself even when other people think it's a weakness just proves how much Kel belongs.
I love this world so much guys!!!!
Read
December 13, 2023Page follows the next three years of Kel's page training. Still the only girl page, Kel continues to fight bullies and train harder than anyone else. Passing her probationary year, Kel's peers now accept and look up to her. However, her life is not without challenges.
There is some mention of sexual assault in this book, as Kel hires a maid who has been the target of male violence. It's not explicit, but this book may be more appropriate for a slightly older (middle grade) audience than First Test (juvenile).
In this book, Kel goes through puberty. Unlike her female acquaintances, Kel does not welcome her body changing. While she firmly identifies as female, she feels like her body is betraying her. Which is relatable--puberty can be a really traumatic experience! She also starts having crushes and has to confront her own internalized misogyny when she fears she is becoming too 'emotional' and 'girly' (non-spoiler: she ends up accepting herself as she is).
There is some mention of sexual assault in this book, as Kel hires a maid who has been the target of male violence. It's not explicit, but this book may be more appropriate for a slightly older (middle grade) audience than First Test (juvenile).
In this book, Kel goes through puberty. Unlike her female acquaintances, Kel does not welcome her body changing. While she firmly identifies as female, she feels like her body is betraying her. Which is relatable--puberty can be a really traumatic experience! She also starts having crushes and has to confront her own internalized misogyny when she fears she is becoming too 'emotional' and 'girly' (non-spoiler: she ends up accepting herself as she is).
August 12, 2024
"Rulers are seldom nice people, Kel...Even good ones make choices that hurt somebody."
Keladry of Mindelan is one of Tamora Pierce's most believable, unique heroines. I forgot how much happens in book 2! I get a hankering to reread the first three Tortallan quartets every few years and they never get old. Kel has inspired me since I was a kid.
Keladry of Mindelan is one of Tamora Pierce's most believable, unique heroines. I forgot how much happens in book 2! I get a hankering to reread the first three Tortallan quartets every few years and they never get old. Kel has inspired me since I was a kid.
October 1, 2021
I think I liked this one better than the first now that I'm used to the writing style and the narration. It was easier and quicker to read than the first one even though it was 50 pages longer. I liked the time skips and the extra life scenes.
Read
January 27, 20235 Perfect Stars Again!!!
Even more amazing follow up to the first in series. I've already fangirl'd really hard so if if you are interest in this series this is the review to read: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I don't have the heart to do another GIF/quote-ladden review so just trust me, if you loved the first Kel book the second only gets better.
Even more amazing follow up to the first in series. I've already fangirl'd really hard so if if you are interest in this series this is the review to read: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I don't have the heart to do another GIF/quote-ladden review so just trust me, if you loved the first Kel book the second only gets better.
March 31, 2024
I love this series with my whole heart.
October 3, 2025
Oh, that was a quick read. A natural continuation of the training to be a knight for Kel. Now, she has a dog and a maid to protect. It's a good addition, but it's pretty obvious the maid is just there to be constantly victimized so that Kel can step in to protect her. That's my one complaint about the novel. There's one major adventure against bandits. Actually, there is a bit of a problem of "these bandits are bandits because of wealth disparity, but Kel can't fix the world's problems so she stops thinking about them after their chapter is over". I keep hoping for a bit more exploration or thought put into some of these systematic problems
December 12, 2022
Kel is literally the best and, much like her, this series is very powerful and fun - I highly recommend it!
October 21, 2022
This book felt a lot like filler to me, then a really sudden climax in the last 50 pages...
I still love you Tamora but this one fell a little flat for me.
TWings: sexism, sexual harassment
I still love you Tamora but this one fell a little flat for me.
TWings: sexism, sexual harassment
October 2, 2018
Good story line! I quite liked Owen! Lord Wyldon finally admits that Kel has proved him wrong!
July 16, 2015
‘Page’ is a worthy follow-up to First Test. The characters make it shine, and while Kel is a wonderful hero, it’s the cast of secondary characters I’m especially fond of. I simply adore Neal, who is funny and quirky and just awesome. I love amiable and humorous Cleon and the way he uses flowery figures in his speech while talking with Kel. And I like Jump, the dog who is as much courageous and loyal as he is ugly. Most of all I love Lalasa. She isn't a warrior; she is shy, meek and soft-spoken maid who loves to sew, but she is still a great character, because you don't need to be a kick-ass fighter to be a good person.
I love Tortall books, and I love ‘Protector of the Small’ series, but there is a problem I’m having with them. So far, they are too similar to Alanna's series: there is a girl training to be a knight, facing challenging training and classwork and bullies. Even the very personalities of Kel and Alanna are somewhat alike. Yes, Kel is more patient while Alanna is impulsive, but they share the same determination and stubbornness. However, In the Hand of the Goddess, the second book of Alanna's series, had a war and a plot to overthrow the king, and ‘Page’ has no serious plot except for Kel proving herself again and again… what is something she had already done in ‘The First Test’. As a point to Tamora Pierce, I should say that she came up with really creative training which doesn’t feel like Alanna’s. In Alanna’s series pages and squires’ training consisted mainly of swordwork, while here there are jousting, group exercises and classes on tactics and strategy. True, the fight with the bandits near the middle of the book was quite exciting, but only episodic, and the climax of the story was excellent, even if not action-filled… but I missed having the grand plot in the book.
I love Tortall books, and I love ‘Protector of the Small’ series, but there is a problem I’m having with them. So far, they are too similar to Alanna's series: there is a girl training to be a knight, facing challenging training and classwork and bullies. Even the very personalities of Kel and Alanna are somewhat alike. Yes, Kel is more patient while Alanna is impulsive, but they share the same determination and stubbornness. However, In the Hand of the Goddess, the second book of Alanna's series, had a war and a plot to overthrow the king, and ‘Page’ has no serious plot except for Kel proving herself again and again… what is something she had already done in ‘The First Test’. As a point to Tamora Pierce, I should say that she came up with really creative training which doesn’t feel like Alanna’s. In Alanna’s series pages and squires’ training consisted mainly of swordwork, while here there are jousting, group exercises and classes on tactics and strategy. True, the fight with the bandits near the middle of the book was quite exciting, but only episodic, and the climax of the story was excellent, even if not action-filled… but I missed having the grand plot in the book.
June 10, 2011
Kelandry of Mindelan has done it - though, of course, knowing Tamora Pierce, there is no doubt that her female characters will always (sometimes miraculously) surpass all obstacles, prejudicies and/or acts of God in order to end at the finish line.
Of course, for eleven-year-old Kel, the journey is only beginning. She has to fight to maintain the harsh regimen of a page, while dealing with the constant trials a chauvinistic world has to offer. And then, predictably, there is her growing affection for her best friend Neal, even as it seems her other friend Cleon also desires her attention.
Tamora, Tamora, Tamora. You start them off so young.
A planned sabotage and kidnapping, a maid that seems to have "Attack me! I'm sweet and helpless!" written on her forehead, and a mangy dog that doesn't take no for an answer are just some of the new difficulties Kel must battle, along with her fear of heights and a fearsome training master who doesn't seem to be able to look past her Y chromosome.
At least King Jonathan seems to be having a good year.
It was okay, I guess. A bit of a yawn in the middle, and I'm pretty sure I'm only moving on to the next book just so I can know what happens next. Otherwise, if you really want a strong girl-hero read, I'd suggest browsing elsewhere.
From the writer's point of view, I must admit that all this information about feudalism and the life of a knight is giving me a little flesh for some bare-boned ideas I've been hoarding away. At the very least, I'm keeping notes of what interests me.
Of course, for eleven-year-old Kel, the journey is only beginning. She has to fight to maintain the harsh regimen of a page, while dealing with the constant trials a chauvinistic world has to offer. And then, predictably, there is her growing affection for her best friend Neal, even as it seems her other friend Cleon also desires her attention.
Tamora, Tamora, Tamora. You start them off so young.
A planned sabotage and kidnapping, a maid that seems to have "Attack me! I'm sweet and helpless!" written on her forehead, and a mangy dog that doesn't take no for an answer are just some of the new difficulties Kel must battle, along with her fear of heights and a fearsome training master who doesn't seem to be able to look past her Y chromosome.
At least King Jonathan seems to be having a good year.
It was okay, I guess. A bit of a yawn in the middle, and I'm pretty sure I'm only moving on to the next book just so I can know what happens next. Otherwise, if you really want a strong girl-hero read, I'd suggest browsing elsewhere.
From the writer's point of view, I must admit that all this information about feudalism and the life of a knight is giving me a little flesh for some bare-boned ideas I've been hoarding away. At the very least, I'm keeping notes of what interests me.
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