First Test (Protector of the Small, #1)

First Test (Protector of the Small #1)

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4.18 of 5 stars 4.18  ·  rating details  ·  21,898 ratings  ·  567 reviews
In the medieval and fantastic realm of Tortall, Keladry of Mindelan is the first girl to take advantage of the decree that permits females to train for knighthood.
Paperback, 256 pages
Published May 23rd 2000 by Laurel Leaf (first published June 7th 1999)
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Allison
Jul 18, 2008 Allison rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: basically anyone.
Recommended to Allison by: fond memories.
Recently I decided to reread all of Tamora Pierce's books, because, well, it's been too long since I read them. For her Lioness Quartet, Circle of Magic books, and The Immortals series, I was refreshing my memory, but with the Protector of the Small series, it was almost like reading them for the first time. I read this series only once, when I was a preteen, and I had honestly forgotten just how much I love Kel.

At first glance, the story of Keladry of Mindalen seems like a rewrite of Tamora Pie...more
Ashleigh Paige
Also appears on The Screaming Nitpicker.

It has been ten years since the decree was made that women could train to become knights in the realm of Tortall and one girl is finally taking advantage of that: Keladry of Mindelan, a ten-year-old girl with three other knights in her family. The chauvinistic Lord Wyldon, who is a fantastic teacher despite his attitude towards Kel's wish to train for knighthood, forces Kel to undergo a one year probationary period to determine whether or not she can keep...more
Kat
I started this series with the thought that it was going to be a do over of Pierce's previous, successful Alanna the Lioness Quartet, which followed a girl (named Alanna, of course) who dressed like a boy and took her twin brother's place in page training while he took her place in magic school (not dressed as a girl). The four books of that quartet follow her progress from page, to squire, to knight and king's champion--with her sex being discovered along the way. I was pleasantly surprised to...more
Stephanie E
Apr 21, 2008 Stephanie E rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anyone 13+
**Full Review 4/22/08**

First Test was about an 11-year-old who wants to be a knight. She gets let into a school that trains people but she was on "probation" because the leader of the school didn't like the idea of having a girl join an all-boys school. Ladies didn't become knights. Almost all of the boys in that school were against having a girl in their presence, so they did things to sabotage her and try to get her kicked out of the school. The older boys made the first-year boys (and girl) d...more
Madison
Arrived, she discovered just how horrible some boys could be. All except one didn't give her a chance. Nealan of Queenscove was her best friend from the beginning.
But Kel wasn’t just some little girl, her family lived in the Yamanis Islands for nearly half of her life and the Yamanis' ways were a big part of Kel's culture.
Everywhere she went she used her Yamani skills to ignore the tormentors and keep her going. Her steadiness with her glaive helped her in the training yards and slowly but sure...more
Crystal
This story follows the story of the first girl after Alanna to pursue knighthood in Tortall and the first to be able to do so openly. But it poses the interesting question of how many barriers did Alanna actually break down? How would Keladry's pursuit be different?

I like that Pierce writes realistically about Kel's time as a trainee. That she's put on probation, although none of the boy candidates for knighthood ever were. That some of the trainees are friendly, but that there is an openly host...more
Annette
I just finished the Rebekah Cooper series (first book Terrier), which has put me in the mood for my yearly fantasy kick. I was frankly disappointed in this one. It simply wasn't as well written as the Cooper series - which benefited greatly from being written in first person, IMHO. In addition, the author's feminist ax was out for a serious grinding: unlike the Cooper series where the general equality of women in traditional male pursuits such as policing and knighthood was presented more or les...more
Bridget Mckinney

Before starting to read the Protector of the Small quartet, I read that Kel was just another Alanna and that the books are basically Song of the Lioness all over again. I was actually okay with that going into this series, since I love Alanna and think that there are far worse things Kel could have been than just like her. I'm happy to report, however, that although there are similarities between Alanna and Kel, their experiences are extremely different and Kel's story expands upon and continues

...more
Minie
First off.. From reading most of the reviews here... Seems like most people have read the series for Alanna... I want to disclose that I came by this series through the library.. Picked it up one day to give it a try without having any history prior. This is also my first Tamora book.

With that said. This series have a lot of potential. It's in it's introduction and setting up stage..with first test... Not much is happening other than the typical training and hazing mentioned. I like Kel.. She's...more
Jason
Notes While Reading: (view spoiler)[Well, this starts out promisingly. Pierce acknowledges that there are some who feel that Alanna has been handed unfair advantages, though mostly mentioning the magic, not a goddess stepping in to help her with multiple gifts, being BFF and lovers with the heir to the throne and the king of thieves, and a kind brilliant immediate father figure who helps her acquire a powerful magical sword. Basically Specialness just to up the Intended Import and Heroism. And t...more
Samantha
What I liked:
-Keladry. She was different than normal female characters. She was a little larger than normal girls, and she already had some weapons training on account of her stay in the Yamani Islands with her parents. She was headstrong
-Neal. I really liked that Keladry’s best friend was a boy that was a few years older than her. One that she didn’t have any attraction to. They had a close relationship that wasn’t sexual or romantic in any way, and it was very refreshing. Neal was intelligent,...more
Ryan
The realm of Tortall has been the setting for many of Tamora Pierce's book series. First Test is the beginning of the third quartet set in Tortall, but it was the first book set in that world that I read. Despite referencing events and characters from the eight books that came before it, the Protector of the Small quartet does not alienate newcomers by relying on such references.

This book focuses on a brand new character, Lady Keladry of Mindelan, who wants to become a knight. Women used to be f...more
Margo Berendsen
Why did I wait so long to pick up something by Tamora Pierce?

Maybe because I thought it would be too much of a "feel good" book, a light and smarmy fantasy. I feared that the fantasy land of Tortall would be just another world patterned after medieval Europe, like so many others.

I love it when a book smashes my expectations in a good way.

This is not a light fantasy. I knew that within the first chapter when Keladry encounters one of the evil creatures of Tortall, a spidren (half spider, half...more
Kathy Davie
First in the Protector of the Small fantasy adventure series about the second girl to ever train to become a knight in the kingdom of Tortall.

You may want to read the previous (short) sets of Tortallan series before starting this one (in this order):

Song of the Lioness begins with Lioness Rampant
Immortals begins with Wild Magic


My Take
I was back to being confused as to whether I was in Valdemar or Tortall!

Truly, this is an excellent series for kids as it promotes the fact that girls can and sho...more
Merricart
Pierce takes us back to the land of Tortall for another roaring adventure. This time we are introduced to Keladry, the first girl to try out knighthood after it became legal to do so.

Previously an all-male institution, the page school doesn't take kindly to a new-comer. Keladry encounters bullying and sexism from both fellow pages and the training master. Time and again people tell her to quit or try to sabotage her training. However, Keladry takes it all on with dignity, and never complains abo...more
Mark L.
This was a bok that i read back when I was still in high school. I was bored of reading the same old thing and went out into the library to find a fantasy series to get into. It had been awhile since I had stopped to look at what was big in fantasy and so I had no idea what I wantd to read. I came across this book by chance, I had vaguely heard about Tamora Pierce (back then that basically meant I had heard her name at some point in my life)I decided to check the book out and over the course of...more
Emily
I have read this series at least once a year since the first time I got it. Pierce's portrayal of a young girl striving to accomplish a dream while being looked down on by many because of her gender was something that I, although having never personally experienced sexism at that level, understood and appreciated. Keladry is a great heroine and her ability to remain calm in the face of enormous obstacles is inspiring to me each time I read the series. The books aren't perfect, there are a few in...more
Robbie
This story was really interesting. This particular book by Tamora Pierce is about a girl who wants to become a knight, and is given half a chance to prove herself. I like her headstrong attitude and her die hard will, she really doesn't give up and she can realize what needs to be done. She did not back down on what she thought was right, even when it would have been easier to do. She took the punches thrown her way and dealt a few of her own to those who bullied others.
This book was not as good...more
Sarah
I was given the opportunity to read this book again, thanks to my boyfriend's sister. I have always been in love with Tamora Pierce's books ever since I was in middle school. I don't do reviews that much, so forgive me if this isn't as well-written as it could be. I need to brush up on this anyhow.

This book is about a girl named Keladry who had decided that she wanted to train into knighthood. Along the road, she deals with problems that she was alerted to before she even took a step in the cas...more
Allison
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Rhiannon Ryder
So I'm 1/2 way through the Tortall books (well actually as I write this I’m about 3/4 through them), in the Pursuing the Lioness challenge hosted by Chelle over at Tempting Persephone. I've been particularly looking forward to the last eight books of the series; Protector of the Small series, the two Trickster's books and the two Beka Cooper books.


Protector of the Small books follows Keladry of Midelan, the first girl since Alanna to attempt to become a Knight of the realm. It's been 14 years s...more
Mark Dewey
This book was all right. The characters and things in it were pretty interesting. It was written fairly well. The story didn't seem like anything new, especially after reading the first book of the previous series (I think I preferred that one, although the books do have quite a different character to them).

The narration of the audiobook was good.

That thing about the spider-creature eating kittens seemed a little galling. I mean, why was it doing it? I doubt if it was just hungry. Kittens don't...more
Cayleigh
One of the more recent series by Tamora Pierce. I am an avid lover of her books and this one is no exception. First Test is set in the realm of Tortall, same as Song of the Lioness Quartet & The Immortal Series and features many characters from these two series. Keladry is the first girl who has come forward to become a knight since it became legal for girls to do so. She has to contend with many people who think she shouldn't be there from other pages to nobles.
Like most of Pierce's female...more
Debbie
The Protector of the Small series is a favorite of mine (an adult) and the 12-year-old girl I mentor. Kel is a determined young woman who stands up for what's right, works hard to achieve her dreams, and uses her strength to protect rather than bully those who can't stand up for themselves. I love this girl, while my mentee mainly talks about all the animals in the book.

First Test is the first book of the series. The pacing and world-building were very good, and the situations were realistic--Ke...more
Lv2readB
Pierce, T. (1999). Protector of the small: First test. New York: Random House.

Summary:
Ten year-old Keladry of Mindalen has to prove herself worthy of passing the “first test” on her way to reaching her dream of becoming a knight. Surrounded by males, Kel has to be strong enough to withstand their preconceptions, abuses and threats to show everyone that she can do it.
First Test is the first book in the quartet Protector of the Small. All four books are recommended.

Reviews/Awards:
Voice of Youth...more
Vivian
3.5 STARS

Being immersed in this world once again brings back all of these dear and familiar feelings-- love, affection, amusement and the all too familiar indignation from the brilliantly frustrating portrayal of sexism that seems to be a prevalent theme in her of her books.

The premise is much like that of the series Song of the Lioness, but that's just about the biggest similarity. There are a lot of distinguishing factors, especially with Keladry's character. It was wonderful and heart warming...more
Monica&spikey
Okay, this is probably soemthing that EVERYBODY on goodreads should know about me: Tamora Pierce was my FIRST favorite Author. She is a large part of my reading identity and also the reason I decided I wanted to be a writer when I grow up.

That being said, of course I loved this book.

**my book grading system has been adjusted for this book, since i can not grade the romance as there is none. The MC is only 10, after all.

The Characters: 9/10
Kel is only ten in this book, but she's a very strong cha...more
Mark Philpot
My word of warning: I'm probably far from Tamora Pierce's intended audience for these books set in the Tortall universe. I read the Alanna quartet a long time ago and rather enjoyed them. Pierce has obviously spend a long time researching medieval combat and society and it shows in her writing. I liked the characters from the Alanna quartet, so when I saw Immortals and Protector of the Small series on the shelves focusing on different characters, it didn't entice me enough to pick them up.

First...more
Annie
This is another quartet about a girl in Tortall who wants to be a knight. At first I didn't really think it would be that good. I like it when authors write a series about a character mentioned in a different series but I only found one mention of Kel in any of the other books that I read of her. I didn;t know who she was or what she was like aside from someone who fought the lioness. I decided to try reading it anyway and fell right into it. I particularly enjoyed learning what happened to the...more
Victor
Keladry of Mindeland has decided that she will attend Knight School when suddenly she is put on probation by the Training Master, Lord Wyldon of Cavall. This dissapoints Kel as she feels she is not treated equally by her fellow pages, who only think of her like a girl.

Although marketed to young adults, I found this book very entertaining, in which it challenges the readers to make a difference, even when everybody else considers them different and unfit. A timid Kel wants to be accepted as the r...more
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favorite tamora pierce series/YA series? 36 72 Feb 10, 2013 05:40pm  
Test 4 27 Jan 29, 2013 09:09am  
First Test (Protector of the Small, #1)
First Test (Protector of the Small, #1)
First Test (Protector of the Small, #1)
First Test (Protector of the Small, #1)
First Test (Protector of the Small, #1)

8596
Hey, 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 gro...more
More about Tamora Pierce...
Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, #1) In the Hand of the Goddess (Song of the Lioness, #2) Lioness Rampant (Song of the Lioness, #4) Wild Magic (Immortals, #1) The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (Song of the Lioness, #3)

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“I'd like to find whoever taught the Stump that extra work builds character and push him down the stairs," Neal told Kel at lunch.” 184 people liked it
“You know, ogres only sound stupid. Most are pretty smart."
"And it's a shallow person who judges anyone by the way they sound. I'm so shallow I'm surprised I don't reflect myself.”
178 people liked it
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