Publisher: Laurel Leaf Publishing
Source: Bought from B & N
Overview
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Ten long years have come and gone since the Kingdom of Tortall proclaimed that girls could take on a page's training. At long last, one young girl has come forward: Keladry of Mindelan.
Kel and her family spent several years in the Yamani Islands, where she received warrior training in the arts of self-control and weaponry. Now her aptitude seems clear, but the training master, Lord Wyldon of Cavall, fears that women are too weak to serve. Since her parents are highly regarded by the court, Lord Wyldon gives in, but on one condition: Kel must serve a one-year probation.
Kel is furious, but she feels compelled to accept. She longs to become a knight like her heroine, Alanna the Lioness, the King's Champion. Drawing on her Yamani training, Kel braces herself against the hazing of her classmates, who believe that no girl is good enough to serve side by side with a boy.
But this girl is determine to succeed. Kel refuses to let anyone or anything -- including fearsome Immortal monsters such as the Spidren, Tauros or Hurroks -- prey on the weak or the small.
And this determination will stand her in good stead, as she readies herself for a future that includes an evil sorcerer who is the greatest monster of all
Kel and her family spent several years in the Yamani Islands, where she received warrior training in the arts of self-control and weaponry. Now her aptitude seems clear, but the training master, Lord Wyldon of Cavall, fears that women are too weak to serve. Since her parents are highly regarded by the court, Lord Wyldon gives in, but on one condition: Kel must serve a one-year probation.
Kel is furious, but she feels compelled to accept. She longs to become a knight like her heroine, Alanna the Lioness, the King's Champion. Drawing on her Yamani training, Kel braces herself against the hazing of her classmates, who believe that no girl is good enough to serve side by side with a boy.
But this girl is determine to succeed. Kel refuses to let anyone or anything -- including fearsome Immortal monsters such as the Spidren, Tauros or Hurroks -- prey on the weak or the small.
And this determination will stand her in good stead, as she readies herself for a future that includes an evil sorcerer who is the greatest monster of all
My Opinion
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First Test - This book sets up the world Keladry, or Kel as she's known in the book, lives in. Tortall resembles the renaissance of our world, full of knights and skirmishes and honor. In First Test, she is the first noble girl to attempt to her knighthood (only nobles are allowed to be knights). Because of this she is put through Hell. Tamora Pierce does a fantastic job showing the strength and intelligence hat girls posses. Kel is a reliable, funny, kick-butt protagonist, and you cheer for her through the whole book!
Page - When Page opens, Kel has passed into her training as a knight. Going through the four years of training to become a squire, the reader follows her through even more dangerous trials: fights with bandits, sabotaging by fellow pages, and underestimation by everyone. But again, Tamora Pierce creates such an intriguing world that you want to keep reading! I learned a lot about what exactly it took to become a knight, and I wish I could be one (only in my dreams though).
Squire - Kel finally makes squire and goes on the road with the royal procession. This is the part of the series that the reader sees Kel really growing up. She experiences her first love, and her first real battle. She takes command when needed, but also has to learn a couple of hard lessons. The best thing about this series is that Tamora Pierce does such a fantastic job in "raising" Kel that I feel like I'm right there besides her through everything.
Lady Knight - War has come to Tortal and to Kel. She is given her first command, and this is where she really learns the value to of the skills she both naturally has and has been taught to her. Facing a quest set down by the Gods, Kel must defeat her most terrifying enemy. Through this trial she becomes the Lady Knight she was meant to be. Kel is a fantastic role model for young girls, and this is one of the reasons I love her. She is the embodiment of strong female, just like all of Tamora Pierce's female protagonist. The mix of fantasy and realism makes the series a fantastic read for everyone!
Page - When Page opens, Kel has passed into her training as a knight. Going through the four years of training to become a squire, the reader follows her through even more dangerous trials: fights with bandits, sabotaging by fellow pages, and underestimation by everyone. But again, Tamora Pierce creates such an intriguing world that you want to keep reading! I learned a lot about what exactly it took to become a knight, and I wish I could be one (only in my dreams though).
Squire - Kel finally makes squire and goes on the road with the royal procession. This is the part of the series that the reader sees Kel really growing up. She experiences her first love, and her first real battle. She takes command when needed, but also has to learn a couple of hard lessons. The best thing about this series is that Tamora Pierce does such a fantastic job in "raising" Kel that I feel like I'm right there besides her through everything.
Lady Knight - War has come to Tortal and to Kel. She is given her first command, and this is where she really learns the value to of the skills she both naturally has and has been taught to her. Facing a quest set down by the Gods, Kel must defeat her most terrifying enemy. Through this trial she becomes the Lady Knight she was meant to be. Kel is a fantastic role model for young girls, and this is one of the reasons I love her. She is the embodiment of strong female, just like all of Tamora Pierce's female protagonist. The mix of fantasy and realism makes the series a fantastic read for everyone!
Final Rating for the Series
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Book Cover: 4/5
Book Title: 4/5
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Overall: 47/50: A
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