NetGalley Review: First Test Graphic Novel by Tamora Pierce, Devin Grayson, and Becca Farrow
Hey all, Sam here.
Back in the early days of my blog, long before it became Free State of Geek and long before Mondays became Manga Mondays here…it used to be Middle Grade Monday. Even now, as an almost 36 year old woman, I still hold a great affection for Middle Grade books. They are so fun and adventurous and filled with friendship and beginning to figure out who you are and maybe who you want to be (although there’s no time limit on figuring all of that out).
So, in lieu of a manga review post today, let’s have a nice little throwback to talking about MG books, specifically by talking about a very cool upcoming release, for this Middle Grade Monday. Today’s book review is for a book that will be out in the US on July 2nd, so there’s not much longer to wait…although, since this is a graphic novel adaptation, you can already get the novel that inspired it.
Let’s get started.
My Thoughts
This eagerly awaited graphic novel adaptation of the iconic fantasy novel, First Test, reimagines the classic knight’s tale, but with a twist. In a world not quite ready for her ambition, a determined girl seeks knighthood and finds herself on a mission to prove it.
Keladry is the first girl who dares to take advantage of a new rule in her homeland, Tortall–one that allows women to train for knighthood. She knows she’s ready for the traditional hazing and grueling schedule of a page, but standing in her way is the Knight’s training master, Lord Wyldon.
The training master is dead set against girls becoming knights, and in an attempt to further hold Kel back Lord Wyldon decides that she must pass a one-year trial that no male page has ever had to endure. But she is not to be underestimated. She will fight to succeed, even if the test is purposely unfair.
The Protector of the Small series gets its first graphic novel adaptation, bringing to life Tamora Pierce’s best-selling First Test in an exciting new format. This graphic novel story about believing in yourself and overcoming all odds, combines action and adventure in a way that new and old fans of the series will love.
Rating: 5 stars
I read quite a bit of Tamora Pierce when I was younger. I know I read the Immortals and The Circle Opens, and I think I read the Song of the Lioness books, but I don’t have any recollection of The Protector of the Small series…which is a shame, because this was GREAT. Rest assured, I do plan to start picking up Tamora Pierce and reading/re-reading them.
This was a lovely and quick read, with very nice art throughout. The characters and the story were quite compelling, and I just had such a good time reading it…even if I was annoyed by how some of Kel’s fellow pages and some of the training masters treated her. Honestly, I love a main character who knows what their goal is and is determined to find a way to make it happen.
Kel wants to be a knight, and darn it, she’s going to work as hard as she needs to in order to make it happen. No matter what challenges they put in front of her, no matter what anyone else thinks or says or does to try and hamper her progress, Kel refuses to give up.
Honestly I wanted more. This story was great and easy to follow, but I wanted more details and descriptions (which obviously means I need to go read the novel–it’s not a criticism of the graphic novel at all).
I don’t know how quickly I’m going to get around to reading/re-reading Tamora Pierce, but I know it is something on my to-do list, so perhaps I’ll be bringing back Middle Grade Monday and alternating between Manga and Middle Grade on Mondays. We’ll just have to see what happens.
All righty…well that is all from me for today. Thank you so much for stopping by, and I’ll be back soon with more geeky content.
