You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
loganslovelylibrary's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the start to this series!! Pierce does an excellent job introducing Keladry. The plot was engaging and fast paced - I blazed through this in 24 hours. Excited to see where the rest of this series goes; I’m expecting big things from Kel!!
whichthreewords's review against another edition
3.0
Predictable, but pretty fun and the world has some unusual features.
sarahlopod's review against another edition
4.0
#1: First Test ★★★★
#2: Page ★★★★
#3: Squire ★★★★★
This review can also be found on my blog.
I read this quite some time ago, but only owned the first book and never continued with the series. For Christmas, I received books 2-4 and decided to re-read this so that I could jump into the rest. I had forgotten most of the plot, although all of it felt familiar to me. While I couldn’t have predicted anything that happened, once it happened I thought to myself “oh yeah, I remember that.” Luckily, I enjoyed it just as much as Tammy’s other books and am very excited to finally finish the series!
One of the things I love about Tammy’s writing is that she’s able to create such distinct characters. While most of her books focus on “strong” women, they’re not all the same. Where the Lioness is hot-tempered and loud, Daine is timid yet stubborn, Aly is quiet and calculating, and Kel is even and impenetrable. Each of her characters have different strengths and weaknesses, and I think that makes it possible for girls to find representation they are able to relate to.
This book follows Kel in her initial (probationary) year as a page, the first female page to enter the program since girls were allowed to join. There are plenty of obstacles along the way: a lot of the boys think that a girl doesn’t belong there alongside them. Kel’s advantage is that she and her family had lived with the Yamanis as an ambassador for most of her early life. The Yamani culture is much different from the one Kel has transitioned back into and one of the biggest things she has learned is to “be as stone” and hide all of her emotions behind a smooth mask.
Overall, I found the pacing to be great and the story fun to follow. I worked through the book fairly quickly and am looking forward to what comes next, although I plan to wait until Fantastic February in the Devour Your TBR group to continue reading since this series is obviously perfect to put on my TBR for it. I recommend this to all Tamora Pierce fans, as well as anyone looking for some YA fantasy with a strong female character.
#2: Page ★★★★
#3: Squire ★★★★★
This review can also be found on my blog.
I read this quite some time ago, but only owned the first book and never continued with the series. For Christmas, I received books 2-4 and decided to re-read this so that I could jump into the rest. I had forgotten most of the plot, although all of it felt familiar to me. While I couldn’t have predicted anything that happened, once it happened I thought to myself “oh yeah, I remember that.” Luckily, I enjoyed it just as much as Tammy’s other books and am very excited to finally finish the series!
One of the things I love about Tammy’s writing is that she’s able to create such distinct characters. While most of her books focus on “strong” women, they’re not all the same. Where the Lioness is hot-tempered and loud, Daine is timid yet stubborn, Aly is quiet and calculating, and Kel is even and impenetrable. Each of her characters have different strengths and weaknesses, and I think that makes it possible for girls to find representation they are able to relate to.
This book follows Kel in her initial (probationary) year as a page, the first female page to enter the program since girls were allowed to join. There are plenty of obstacles along the way: a lot of the boys think that a girl doesn’t belong there alongside them. Kel’s advantage is that she and her family had lived with the Yamanis as an ambassador for most of her early life. The Yamani culture is much different from the one Kel has transitioned back into and one of the biggest things she has learned is to “be as stone” and hide all of her emotions behind a smooth mask.
Overall, I found the pacing to be great and the story fun to follow. I worked through the book fairly quickly and am looking forward to what comes next, although I plan to wait until Fantastic February in the Devour Your TBR group to continue reading since this series is obviously perfect to put on my TBR for it. I recommend this to all Tamora Pierce fans, as well as anyone looking for some YA fantasy with a strong female character.
moonspren's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
garnetofeden's review against another edition
4.0
In First Test Tamora Pierce introduces us to Kel. Unlike the previous two publication-order heroines in the Tortall universe, Kel is not gods-touched; she’s more just like everyone else. It’s been years since the law changed to allow girls to try for knighthood again, but Kel is the first one to apply, and for political reasons, the king allows the training master to put her on probation. Despite this discrimination and other obstacles (such as being afraid of heights), Kel exemplifies the knight’s code of chivalry from the get-go. As an example of a fantasy heroine whose story more reflects the ongoing gender inequity of reality, Kel’s story hits close to home but provides an excellent example of perseverance despite unfair obstacles.
Rating reviewed 1/20/2023.
Rating reviewed 1/20/2023.
jesassa's review against another edition
5.0
What a book! These books hold such a special place in my heart. Although I've reread Alanna and Immortals multiple times, I only read Protector the one time, this felt fresh and I got stuff out of it that I'm sure I missed.. I'm looking forward to rereading the series. And of course, eagerly anticipating TEMPESTS. (Nobody makes me miss writing as much as Tamora Pierce. 😍)
deranged_pegasus's review against another edition
5.0
An inspiring tale and excellent addition to the world of Tortall. The handling of certain aspects of female life was excellently done and the characters full of personality.
nhelregel's review against another edition
4.0
Where was this book when I was a preteen girl?!?! I'm in love with this series. It is wonderful and lovely. The main character manages to break through misconceptions and expectations while *also* being herself and not abandoning everything along the way. My *only* criticism would be that this character occasionally seems a bit too wise for her years (although that's also just one of her character traits, so I'm not too mad about it). I'm also really into the mixture of medieval and fantasy/magical elements. Knights and mages and OK on to the next book!
annagoldberg's review against another edition
5.0
Rereading this series for the first time since I was a child. They’re just as good now as they were then!