Customer Reviews
The only girl that could 
2007-05-23
Following the footsteps of the heroine Alanna, Keladry of Mindelan wants to be a Knight. She is accepted to page's training, but is placed on probation until she can prove that she is just one of the boys. Determined, she begins impressively, but by no means easily. Taught early in the Yamani ways, she is already capable of fighting and working hard, despite what the training master, Lord Wyldon, thinks. Kel fends off the other boys' pranks and teasings knowing she would not succomb; she could not. Her future relies on her perfection.
This is a great intro to the Protector of the Small series. I read "Lady Knight" first, and truthfully, this was not what I was expecting (I definitely wish I'd read them in order). But I was still blown away by the confidence this gives to girls, and the strength of Kel's character. Sure, she is not without flaws, but it's nice to see modern girls have someone to relate to in a fantasy enriched medieval novel about change and perseverance. And I'm not even 12...
"Girls are fragile, more emotional, easier to frighten." WRONG! 2007-04-01
Keladry of Mindalen is a ten-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a lady knight like the kings champion Alanna the Lioness. When Kel gets a letter back from the palace that states if she wishes to become a knight she must go on a year probation to prove herself worthy of becoming an actual page. Keladry is of course shocked. The law was made more than ten years ago that girls had the right to become pages. It's just that Keladry was the first one to have the guts to do it. But...Kel is stubborn and accepts the probation and goes to the palace.
"Girls are fragile, more emotional, easier to frighten. They are not as strong in the arms and shoulders as men. They tire easily. The girl would get any warriors who serve with her killed on some dark night." Wyldon, the trainer of the pages said.
Um...yeah, right. Wyldon is going to see right away that Kel is not like that at all! In fact he will be surprised...
Read this enchanting book, FIRST TEST.
4 very different books in this series 2007-03-28
I won't go over what everyone else has already said. I will just point out that the 4 books in this series change in much the way that Kel is changing.
As others have pointed out, First Test is a book about life in a boarding school. It is similar to Harry Potter. In fact, the school bully reminds me of Malfoy.
There are some scary events in First Test but not too scary.
While First Test would be appropriate for grade school readers, in Page Kel reaches puberty so parents should have talked about that before kids read it, e.g., tell them about periods. The topic is handled tastefully.
I found the scary sections of Page emotionally scarier.
In the 3rd book, Squire, Kel learns that being a knight is not all about having sword fights with bad guys. Not very much exciting happens. That is the point.
In Squire, Kel is definitely having lots of sexual feelings. Parents may want to think about that before starting young readers on the series. (But everything about Kel is always honorable.)
Pierce finished the 4th book, Lady Knight, in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, blocks from the still smoldering World Trade Center. She writes that this had an impact on the book. It is much more violent than the first 3. And ugly, e.g., children are murdered and used as weapons of war. The bad guy is a psychopathic monster. There are strong hints that he is a pedophile. In the end, good triumphs, at least temporarily, over evil but at a terrible cost.
This would be an excellent series for a teen or preteen thinking about being a soldier.
Not your average hero. 2007-02-08
Tamora Pierce should be saluted for her many accomplished entries into the world of fantasy, not least of which is her steadfast reliance on capable, motivated, realistic FEMALE lead characters. Modern fantasy readers (especially us girls) have much to be grateful for - until pioneers like Pierce and McCaffrey broke through the 'crystal ceiling' seeing a HEROINE was achingly rare.
Besides her realization that ladies also like to have plucky role models, Pierce remains a talented writer. Fans of the Lioness Quartet will appreciate this "sequel" (but don't expect too much of Alanna - she's forbidden to speak to Kel!). Newcomers to the world of Tortall will find themselves welcomed, and making quick sense of a fairly traditional 'sword and sorcery' realm.
Other raters have noted the relative lightness of the tale, and the easy challenges that Kel must overcome. While I too have the same thoughts, I must remind readers that while these books can be read and enjoyed by ALL age groups, they were ORIGINALLY intended for the pre-teen group.
Personally, thinking back to childhood, the challenges seem quite age-appropriate, and could even relate to modern challenges. Kel sees and handles bullies, thinks about fairness and moral standards, sticks up for the underdog, and also deals with a personal phobia. Not bad for a 12 year old.
Other readers have taken issue with the 'flaws' in the medieval or derivative nature of the book. Even as an adult, however, people relate best to what they understand, and forcing a book for pre-teens into a 'realistic' portrayal of medieval society would be tiresome and BORING. Also, I find the inclusion of the Yamani (Japanese) culture to be refreshing, as it is treated as a source of strength for Kel, as well as a learning experience in dealing with culture differences.
As always, Pierce has done a wonderful job creating a girl-friendly world (even for a 26 year old girl!), written in a refreshing and engaging manner, without dumbing-down or condescending to her audience. Bravo.
** Very conservative parents, or those carefully monitoring their children's reading before "the talk" may wish to read this series (as well as the Alanna quartet, or ANY Pierce book) before letting their children start. As Kel grows older (the later books), her concerns naturally turn to teenage matters, and Pierce does not mince words. I found it still appropriate, and even sweet, but I know people are often careful of such things. Also later in the series, a fleeting mention is made of homosexuality. Finally, the later depictions of magic for defense and healing, and the use of necromancy (by the evil forces) are intense and fairly graphic. It is cruel to allow a child to start a series, then ban it later for containing information you'd rather not deal with. If these things bother you, be aware of them from the start and find other means to entertain your children.
Don't miss out on this one - you'll cheer for Keladry of Mindelan 
2007-01-05
Following the success of her The Song of the Lioness and The Immortals series, Tamora Pierce returns to her magical land of Tortall with the Protector of the Small, her third quartet of books featuring a cool, self-empowered young heroine. This time, Pierce chronicles the trials and adventures of Keladry of Mindelan as she undergoes the required passages en route to becoming a knight. FIRST TEST is the first in this series and is yet another engrossing, coming-of-age story about an underdog heroine who persists in the face of hostility, peril, and gender discrimination.
PLOT SPOILERS: Those who've read The Song of the Lioness books will be familiar with Alanna's story. Alanna became a knight but accomplished the act while passing herself off as a boy. Thereafter, in the wake of her cloudy ascension, a law was passed qualifying females for knighthood, providing they complete and pass all the requisite training. Ten years have elapsed, and, now, ten-year-old Keladry seeks to follow in Alanna's footsteps.
Even though women have already proven themselves to be capable warriors, there is still ample prejudice being harbored by the menfolk of Tortall. Kel, from the start, suffers the scorn and enmity of most of the pages, who very quickly make her feel unwelcome, some of whom even go as far as to actively set themselves against her. But, Kel, having spent much of her life on the Yamani Islands, where women are trained in warrior ways, is calm, cool, and scrappy in the face of hostility and is graced with surprising fighting skills. She suffers their taunts and tricks with quiet and determined aplomb. But her most daunting obstacle may be Lord Wyldon, the implacably doubting training master, who fervently believes that girls are far too weak to be knights. Lord Wyldon convinces the King to place an unheard of mandate on Kel's training: she is placed in a one-year probationary period, which she must pass, in order to become a page, the first step to knighthood. Kel grits her teeth at the unfairness of it all and takes up the challenge.
But she isn't without certain assets. Her time on the Yamani Islands (where displays of emotion are socially abhorred) has lent her a detached disposition which her detractors' jeers and acts of meanness fail to crack. Also, the Islands have taught her mastery of certain weapons, as well as skills in unarmed combat. Kel also makes friends with the ornery gelding Peachblossom and certain friendly sparrows, friendships which turn out to be very handy for her later on in the book. She also meets the impudent Neal, her sponsor who becomes her best friend.
Obviously, Tamora Pierce wrote this product, intending it to be read mostly by teenagers and those even younger. But, her writing is so clear and sophisticatedly accessible that FIRST TEST can be read by anyone of any age, providing the reader has an iota of imagination and a liking for an underdog story. Me, I'm in my late thirties and, personally, I tore thru this book in one sitting. The key to the author's success is that she doesn't condescend to her targeted audience. Her heroine doesn't at all have it easy. Kel struggles mightily as Pierce addresses the dilemma of a plucky young girl determined to compete in a male-dominated venue, where her attempts to match strength and stamina with the boys become something of an issue. Not as physically strong and burdened with a fear of heights, Kel must do more just to stay even. Honestly, she's one of the most rootable protagonists I've ever met. In a lot of ways, Kel reminds me of Menolly, the winning and self-sufficient young heroine of Anne McCaffrey's Harper Hall trilogy. FIRST TEST is a quick, vastly enjoyable read and is highly recommended for readers of ALL ages. Now, just where did I put that second book?
excellent book 2008-04-19
the first test shows the hardships that keladry faces as she earns respect from all mannor of people. i personally think its one of the best books ive read in a while...
This book is Fantastic! 2008-02-14
The First Test is the first book in a four book series, geniusely crafted by Tamora Pierce. This book follows the rambunctious ten- year old girl named Kelamdry. She has watched her two brothers and father go on and become knights, which more than anything she longs to do. There is just one problem.... she is a girl. There is only one other girl who has made it on to Knighthood... Alana the Lioness, her hero. After some arguing with the King, Lord Wyldon: The master trainer for the amateur Pages and Squires is forced to train her. He has only one condition...instead of having 4 years to complete the training, he is putting her on probation, which means she will have only one year to prove herself worthy of returning the following year. Kelandry is challenged with every obstacle imaginable: Teasing, Bullying, and worst of all Lord Wyldon picking on her to tears. Then when Spidrens {an evil half spider, half man, creature} invade on a near by town, the pages and squires are sent along with the warriors to fight them. Will Kelandry survive the gruesome battle? Find out in the First Test. I really enjoyed this book; it is filled with real life experiences, along with a suspending plot. This book is a really great book, for anyone who enjoys adventure, suspense and friendship. Anyone will enjoy this series, I know I did.
unexciting 
2008-01-29
I love Pierce's Trickster books, so I was excited to find this one. My excitement didn't last long. This book is flat and unimaginitive. In the two hundred-plus pages, the only real question addressed is whether or not Keladry will be allowed to continue her training the next year. (Keladry also has to figure out how to get along with the boys and stop some bullies, but the bullies' actions have so little effect on her [when they fight, she gets special medical attention; when they mess up her room, the maids take care of it] and making friends with the boys takes so little effort that this is a non-issue.) The focus on the gender issue at the exclusion of everything else makes the plot one-dimensional and Keladry seem whiney.
I won't be reading the rest of this series.
Amazing! 2007-11-25
Loved this book just like all of her other books. A great read for girls of all ages. I would even read this book to young children. Most of Pierce's books are centered around a strong female role model and this one follows suit.
What a great Role Model 2007-06-13
This is a great book that I bought for my Tween-age daughter, it held her interest so well that she went back and re reads them, I read them as well and found even an adult male could enjoy and relate to the characters. I especially like the many life lessons and moral that are weaved through the book they are presented in a non threatening no preachy way, I am not sure that my Daughter new she was being educated while she was entertained. I thought many of the school ( even though it was Knight school) issues that Kel and her friends face were very applicable to a 14 year old about to face High school and in the troughs of a Puberty, with out being too edgy or preachy. Time well spent for anyone.
