What do you think?
Rate this book
Bestselling fantasy author Tamora Pierce continues to challenge Keladry of Mindelan in her quest to become a knight. Keladry of Mindelan, 14, is a squire. A squire serves and learns from a knight for four years, then faces a final test. That final test is the Ordeal, which takes place in a magical room called the Chamber. There, a squire encounters the parts of him or herself that the Chamber deems to be the most difficult to face—fears, failings, or wicked deeds. Does Kel have what it takes to survive?
Length 10:49:20
Length 10:49:20
11 pages, Audiobook
First published May 22, 2001
479 people are currently reading
6185 people want to read
About the author
Tamora Pierce
99 books85.1k followersHey, 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 groups, I'm going to turn them all down. I just don't have the time to take part, so please don't be offended if I don't join your group or accept an invitation. I'm not snooty--I'm just up to my eyeballs in work and appearances!
Also, don't be alarmed by the number of books I've read. When I get bored, I go through the different lists and rediscover books I've read in the past. It's a very evil way to use up time when I should be doing other things. Obviously, I've read a lot of books in 54 years!
I was born in South Connellsville, PA. My mother wanted to name me "Tamara" but the nurse who filled out my birth certificate misspelled it as "Tamora". When I was 8 my family moved to California, where we lived for 6 years on both sides of the San Francisco peninsula.
I started writing stories in 6th grade. My interest in fantasy and science fiction began when I was introduced to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien and so I started to write the kind of books that I was reading. After my parents divorced, my mother took my sisters and me back to Pennsylvania in 1969. There I went to Albert Gallatin Senior High for 2 years and Uniontown Area Senior High School for my senior year.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I wrote the book that became The Song of the Lioness fantasy quartet. I sold some articles and 2 short stories and wrote reviews for a martial arts movie magazine. At last the first book of the quartet, Alanna: The First Adventure was published by Atheneum Books in 1983.
Tim Liebe, who became my Spouse-Creature, and I lived in New York City with assorted cats and two parakeets from 1982 - 2006. In 2006 we moved to Syracuse, New York, where we live now with assorted cats, a number of squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and woodchucks visiting our very small yard. As of 2011, I have 27 novels in print, one short story collection, one comic book arc ("White Tiger: A Hero's Compulsion") co-written with Tim, and a short story anthology co-editing credit. There's more to come, including a companion book to the Tortall `verse. So stay tuned!
I return to my regularly scheduled profile:
Though I would love to join groups, I'm going to turn them all down. I just don't have the time to take part, so please don't be offended if I don't join your group or accept an invitation. I'm not snooty--I'm just up to my eyeballs in work and appearances!
Also, don't be alarmed by the number of books I've read. When I get bored, I go through the different lists and rediscover books I've read in the past. It's a very evil way to use up time when I should be doing other things. Obviously, I've read a lot of books in 54 years!
I was born in South Connellsville, PA. My mother wanted to name me "Tamara" but the nurse who filled out my birth certificate misspelled it as "Tamora". When I was 8 my family moved to California, where we lived for 6 years on both sides of the San Francisco peninsula.
I started writing stories in 6th grade. My interest in fantasy and science fiction began when I was introduced to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien and so I started to write the kind of books that I was reading. After my parents divorced, my mother took my sisters and me back to Pennsylvania in 1969. There I went to Albert Gallatin Senior High for 2 years and Uniontown Area Senior High School for my senior year.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I wrote the book that became The Song of the Lioness fantasy quartet. I sold some articles and 2 short stories and wrote reviews for a martial arts movie magazine. At last the first book of the quartet, Alanna: The First Adventure was published by Atheneum Books in 1983.
Tim Liebe, who became my Spouse-Creature, and I lived in New York City with assorted cats and two parakeets from 1982 - 2006. In 2006 we moved to Syracuse, New York, where we live now with assorted cats, a number of squirrels, birds, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and woodchucks visiting our very small yard. As of 2011, I have 27 novels in print, one short story collection, one comic book arc ("White Tiger: A Hero's Compulsion") co-written with Tim, and a short story anthology co-editing credit. There's more to come, including a companion book to the Tortall `verse. So stay tuned!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,104 reviews
August 24, 2011
This was supposed to be the one where I let myself reminisce, and I had all sorts of ideas for things I wanted to say, but now they all sort of sound like oversharing and I don't feel like making you uncomfortable, so I'm not going to do that.
Instead...
It has come to my attention that certain people don't think this is a particularly 'moral' book. Not to name any names, but there are only two one-star reviews for it so I think you'll be able to find the one I mean pretty easily. I don't believe in trolling, and I'm not sure I could respond to that review without trolling, so I choose to write my rebuttal here.
Point One: Kel knows too much for her age.
First off, she isn't fourteen for the entire book; by the end, she's had her eighteenth birthday. Second, the world she lives in and the life she's chosen to lead mean that she sees a lot of nasty things, but the way Pierce presents it is in no way gratuitous; it's wrapped up in maturity, which is one of Kel's strong points.
Point Two: She has crushes on multiple boys.
OH THE HORROR. I mean, MY GAWD, who ever heard of a girl who liked more than one boy? We all find our ONE TWU WUVS in our teens and live babies ever after, right?
I doubt I'm the only one who finds it refreshing to read about a heroine who has more than one love interest. I mean, how many crushes have I had in the past four years? Apparently, an immoral amount. Go figure.
Point Three: Kel has no intention of marrying anyone, but she does have relationships.
If I remember right, Alanna made the same declarations and, well, there are two books about her daughter now so...
But anyhow, in this day and age? Women get to have relationships that don't end in marriage. Just as they get to have crushes on multiple guys. And for the record, at no point in all four books does Kel have a sexual relationship. The closest she ever gets is kissing Cleon.
Point Four: Ilane, Kel's mother, buys her an anti-pregnancy charm.
Which is actually inaccurate - Lady Ilane tells Kel that she might want one, but Kel's the one who makes the decision and purchases it.
And I quote:
Clearly, my multiple crushes have made me immoral anyway, so maybe my opinion doesn't count for much, but I think that's one of the most empowering ideas of our time. That's what contraception is about, after all: giving a woman the freedom to choose when she has children.
(And seriously, DID YOU MISS THE MEMO? Kel's dedicated years of her life and ridiculous amounts of effort to becoming a knight. If her choices were either complete abstinence or babies and giving up her dreams, I would be pissed, personally.)
Yes, this is the future of 'heroine-ism', or at least it should be. Maybe some people would prefer Bella Swan to take up that standard, and I'm not going to outright say that they're batshit crazybut I'm going to think it. The fact is, Kel is the heroine modern girls should be looking up to - she knows who she is, what she believes; she fights for her dreams; she takes control of her personal life and her sexuality; she is smart and brave and flawed and human. She is the kind of woman I want to be when I grow up.
Some choice quotes:
Lady Ilane: "They know a woman's body belongs to herself and the Goddess, and that's the end of it."
Kel: "Maybe I'm the same whatever I wear, she thought. It's just easier to fight in breeches."
(Now, I will grant that this book is a little light on plot. The main point is showing how Kel gets to the Chamber of the Ordeal to become a knight, and the experiences that help determine what kind of knight she is. That's the arc of the novel; most of it feels fairly episodic.)
By the way, Veronica Roth: Chamber of the Ordeal > fear simulator. Times about a gazillion. You should have read these books and taken notes.
Instead...
It has come to my attention that certain people don't think this is a particularly 'moral' book. Not to name any names, but there are only two one-star reviews for it so I think you'll be able to find the one I mean pretty easily. I don't believe in trolling, and I'm not sure I could respond to that review without trolling, so I choose to write my rebuttal here.
Point One: Kel knows too much for her age.
First off, she isn't fourteen for the entire book; by the end, she's had her eighteenth birthday. Second, the world she lives in and the life she's chosen to lead mean that she sees a lot of nasty things, but the way Pierce presents it is in no way gratuitous; it's wrapped up in maturity, which is one of Kel's strong points.
Point Two: She has crushes on multiple boys.
OH THE HORROR. I mean, MY GAWD, who ever heard of a girl who liked more than one boy? We all find our ONE TWU WUVS in our teens and live babies ever after, right?
I doubt I'm the only one who finds it refreshing to read about a heroine who has more than one love interest. I mean, how many crushes have I had in the past four years? Apparently, an immoral amount. Go figure.
Point Three: Kel has no intention of marrying anyone, but she does have relationships.
If I remember right, Alanna made the same declarations and, well, there are two books about her daughter now so...
But anyhow, in this day and age? Women get to have relationships that don't end in marriage. Just as they get to have crushes on multiple guys. And for the record, at no point in all four books does Kel have a sexual relationship. The closest she ever gets is kissing Cleon.
Point Four: Ilane, Kel's mother, buys her an anti-pregnancy charm.
Which is actually inaccurate - Lady Ilane tells Kel that she might want one, but Kel's the one who makes the decision and purchases it.
And I quote:
"Kel wore the charm anyway, as a declaration that she could decide some things for herself."
Clearly, my multiple crushes have made me immoral anyway, so maybe my opinion doesn't count for much, but I think that's one of the most empowering ideas of our time. That's what contraception is about, after all: giving a woman the freedom to choose when she has children.
(And seriously, DID YOU MISS THE MEMO? Kel's dedicated years of her life and ridiculous amounts of effort to becoming a knight. If her choices were either complete abstinence or babies and giving up her dreams, I would be pissed, personally.)
Yes, this is the future of 'heroine-ism', or at least it should be. Maybe some people would prefer Bella Swan to take up that standard, and I'm not going to outright say that they're batshit crazy
Some choice quotes:
Lady Ilane: "They know a woman's body belongs to herself and the Goddess, and that's the end of it."
Kel: "Maybe I'm the same whatever I wear, she thought. It's just easier to fight in breeches."
(Now, I will grant that this book is a little light on plot. The main point is showing how Kel gets to the Chamber of the Ordeal to become a knight, and the experiences that help determine what kind of knight she is. That's the arc of the novel; most of it feels fairly episodic.)
By the way, Veronica Roth: Chamber of the Ordeal > fear simulator. Times about a gazillion. You should have read these books and taken notes.
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 20, 2023
2023 reread Here me out, but Raoul carries this book. Kel is fantastic, but Raoul is the special sauce that makes this book one of my absolute favorites in the entire Tortall series and also the world.
2021 reread I love this book so much. It's one of my all time favorites.
I don't even have words for how much I love it.
2021 reread I love this book so much. It's one of my all time favorites.
I don't even have words for how much I love it.
May 1, 2013
Squire is basically everything I could ever want in a Tamora Pierce book, and if this series ended here, I would be okay with that. Kel really is a wonderful heroine, and I loved getting to see her finally achieve her dream in this novel.
Things about Squire:
- I was very happy that the trial for Lalasa's attackers wasn't forgotten, and I really liked the way that played out.
- King Jonathan is a great character, and it's been really interesting to see how he has grown and changed over time through the eyes of multiple different heroines (Alanna, Daine, and now Kel) who all view him from very different perspectives.
- I love Raoul. I also love how right he is as a mentor for Kel.
- I have mixed feelings about the Cleon/Kel romance. However, I like that we get so many of Kel's thoughts on it all. I also like that Kel models responsible behavior by thinking of and obtaining birth control even though she's not sure if she wants to or plans to have sex.
- I was happy that Raoul talked with Kel in such a non-judgmental way about her relationship with Cleon and how that might affect her career. Raoul's giving her advice and information that she needs to be able to make the decision that's right for her, and I like that he was willing to do that since she doesn't have access to women who might be able to tell her what she needs to know. Also, Raoul's awkwardness about talking to Kel about sex was adorable.
- Kel's discussion with her mother about sex is really interesting and gives a fuller picture of what Tortall's sexual mores are like.
- I have never cried so much over birds before.
- Kel finally gets to meet Alanna and it's everything I hoped it would be. Their conversation is so perfect in so many ways, and there were more tears.
- Kel's shield sounds awesome.
- The Chamber of the Ordeal is an asshole.
June 25, 2022
Oh these books, every time I read them it's like visiting a best friend. I adore Kel today as much as I did when these books were first published; I will forever be grateful to Tamora Pierce for creating this fantastic heroine because "bless [her], [she is] real." Kel doesn't have the Gift or any wild magic to help her. She gets everything only through grimy, hard work and persistence just like the rest of us and I admire her so much for it. I reread these books ALL THE TIME because I need that. I need to know that I can crawl out of the mud and be my own hero - no magic required.
July 21, 2011
It's 2 am and I'm writing reviews.
I rarely revisit books I read in my childhood, partly because I'm deathly afraid they'll be visited by the suck fairy and partly because I rarely have time to re-read. Not so with these books. I began reading Tamora Pierce when I was eleven, and unlike so many others, I started reading her Circle of Magic books first. While I enjoyed them, I didn't understand why she inspired such fervent love in other fans--until I read her Tortall books.
And yes, I enjoyed the Alanna and Daine books, but until I got to Kel I did not love them. Alanna and Daine had their own, very powerful brands of magic--Alanna had the Gift and Daine had wild magic, and Kel? What did she have? Blood, sweat and tears, dammit!
I remember being thirteen and waiting, waiting for Lady Knight to come out. The Kel books were my books, and I will defend them to the death. If you don't want to hear about why I think the Kel books are the best Tortall books EVER and Kel is the best heroine EVER, then you probably want to skip this.
- I love how Kel sweats. She doesn't have a goddess helping her, nor is she a demi-goddess herself (ahem!), she has NO MAGIC WHATSOEVER. Her only magic is hard work and a huge capacity for compassion.
- This girl has got the strongest moral core I can think of, and she's so internally solid that, when faced with a dilemma, I sometimes think: What would Kel do?
- I'm a pretty tiny person, but I have read so many girl heroes who are runty and svelte, and I love how Kel is tall and muscled.
- The big one--this book is about openly being a girl in a male-dominated field. While I don't pretend Alanna's path was easy, I can't imagine anything more difficult than facing the same challenges as a knight-in-training with your sex exposed to everyone. Conservative politicians. Asshole boys. And worst of all, other women. And these people say so many nasty things, and get under your skin in all the most horrible of ways that can never go reported, that hit harder than punches and cut deeper than swords. It's the same hit you feel when you hear you can never be good enough because, well, you'll never be a physical match as the boys, and you must only be doing this to get a husband, right? It's facing all the other invisible things--like your hair or your period or people whispering that you're a slut--that boys don't have to think about because they're the neutral default.
My junior year of college, I went from a male-dominated field of study to a field with a lot more females. I now work in an office of almost entirely women, which I really enjoy. But a big part of me remembers what it feels like to be the token girl. Even though I was never overtly harassed, the "under your skin" insults don't get reported... much.
- Yet, despite the obstacles, Kel ultimately triumphs. Duh. But she has a lot of help--very important help--along the way. Her family is amazingly supportive, which I loved reading about, and she had a best friend who stood behind her from day one. While she had to deal with ornery Lord Wyldon, she also had the nurturing and easygoing Lord Raoul, two wonderful instructors that both shaped her into the kickass warrior she became in the end. There are the parts where she triumphs and defeats the bad guys, and then there are the parts that she can't do anything about, because people are so ingrained in their beliefs and will always believe what they believe, and it sucks out loud.
- Also, this book is so contemporary because it's one of the few high fantasy YAs that is about leadership, and not a hero from the darkness or the Chosen One, etc. I shan't ever forget the speech Lord Raoul gave Kel about commanders, or Wyldon giving her the bum job because she's the only one who really--really!--cared about refugees. Kel is both a warrior and a social activist.
- And finally, I love how, while there's some romance and swoonytimes, it's not the main focus and Kel is very determinedly unattached at the end of the series. (Oops, sorry, spoiler.) I'm pretty sure this is what turns a lot of people off of these books, and they are LAME. Because LOOK AT ALL OF THIS OTHER AWESOME STUFF.
This review is attached to Squire but is meant to be for the entire Protector of the Small series. I love every book in it, especially Page for the majority of academy training, but Squire is my favourite for the Grand Progress and Lord Raoul. And the crazy griffin.
I rarely revisit books I read in my childhood, partly because I'm deathly afraid they'll be visited by the suck fairy and partly because I rarely have time to re-read. Not so with these books. I began reading Tamora Pierce when I was eleven, and unlike so many others, I started reading her Circle of Magic books first. While I enjoyed them, I didn't understand why she inspired such fervent love in other fans--until I read her Tortall books.
And yes, I enjoyed the Alanna and Daine books, but until I got to Kel I did not love them. Alanna and Daine had their own, very powerful brands of magic--Alanna had the Gift and Daine had wild magic, and Kel? What did she have? Blood, sweat and tears, dammit!
I remember being thirteen and waiting, waiting for Lady Knight to come out. The Kel books were my books, and I will defend them to the death. If you don't want to hear about why I think the Kel books are the best Tortall books EVER and Kel is the best heroine EVER, then you probably want to skip this.
- I love how Kel sweats. She doesn't have a goddess helping her, nor is she a demi-goddess herself (ahem!), she has NO MAGIC WHATSOEVER. Her only magic is hard work and a huge capacity for compassion.
- This girl has got the strongest moral core I can think of, and she's so internally solid that, when faced with a dilemma, I sometimes think: What would Kel do?
- I'm a pretty tiny person, but I have read so many girl heroes who are runty and svelte, and I love how Kel is tall and muscled.
- The big one--this book is about openly being a girl in a male-dominated field. While I don't pretend Alanna's path was easy, I can't imagine anything more difficult than facing the same challenges as a knight-in-training with your sex exposed to everyone. Conservative politicians. Asshole boys. And worst of all, other women. And these people say so many nasty things, and get under your skin in all the most horrible of ways that can never go reported, that hit harder than punches and cut deeper than swords. It's the same hit you feel when you hear you can never be good enough because, well, you'll never be a physical match as the boys, and you must only be doing this to get a husband, right? It's facing all the other invisible things--like your hair or your period or people whispering that you're a slut--that boys don't have to think about because they're the neutral default.
My junior year of college, I went from a male-dominated field of study to a field with a lot more females. I now work in an office of almost entirely women, which I really enjoy. But a big part of me remembers what it feels like to be the token girl. Even though I was never overtly harassed, the "under your skin" insults don't get reported... much.
- Yet, despite the obstacles, Kel ultimately triumphs. Duh. But she has a lot of help--very important help--along the way. Her family is amazingly supportive, which I loved reading about, and she had a best friend who stood behind her from day one. While she had to deal with ornery Lord Wyldon, she also had the nurturing and easygoing Lord Raoul, two wonderful instructors that both shaped her into the kickass warrior she became in the end. There are the parts where she triumphs and defeats the bad guys, and then there are the parts that she can't do anything about, because people are so ingrained in their beliefs and will always believe what they believe, and it sucks out loud.
- Also, this book is so contemporary because it's one of the few high fantasy YAs that is about leadership, and not a hero from the darkness or the Chosen One, etc. I shan't ever forget the speech Lord Raoul gave Kel about commanders, or Wyldon giving her the bum job because she's the only one who really--really!--cared about refugees. Kel is both a warrior and a social activist.
- And finally, I love how, while there's some romance and swoonytimes, it's not the main focus and Kel is very determinedly unattached at the end of the series. (Oops, sorry, spoiler.) I'm pretty sure this is what turns a lot of people off of these books, and they are LAME. Because LOOK AT ALL OF THIS OTHER AWESOME STUFF.
This review is attached to Squire but is meant to be for the entire Protector of the Small series. I love every book in it, especially Page for the majority of academy training, but Squire is my favourite for the Grand Progress and Lord Raoul. And the crazy griffin.
Read
January 27, 2023Buddy Reread 1/29/15-1/30/15 w/Monica (the other Tamora Pierce lover who thinks Alanna is still more legendary, hmmph!)
Read this series. If you love fantasy and action and light but worthwhile romance with a strong protagonist and amazing worlds and believable characters and awesome friendships and epic pets and straight-out-of-a-movie battle sequences then read this series.
5 STARS AND THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT.
Read this series. If you love fantasy and action and light but worthwhile romance with a strong protagonist and amazing worlds and believable characters and awesome friendships and epic pets and straight-out-of-a-movie battle sequences then read this series.
5 STARS AND THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT.
March 12, 2024
Overall Rating : B+
Commanders are as rare as heroes...You've shown flashes of being a commander Keledry. It's my job to see if you will do more than just flash.."
These books are rife with lore and magic and wonder I loved every second of it.
Commanders are as rare as heroes...You've shown flashes of being a commander Keledry. It's my job to see if you will do more than just flash.."
These books are rife with lore and magic and wonder I loved every second of it.
March 5, 2017
04/13: it doesn't matter how often i read these books, i inevitably spend half the time clutching the book to my chest and declaring my love for all of the characters and crying about how much i love everyone.
-----
09/10: oh my god raoul, there aren't enough heart-hands IN THE WORLD. he is so good and smart and funny and amazing! he has such faith in kel and in the system, and i mean, seriously, people with stupid amounts of honor are such a turn-on for me, and hfurevhreu RAOUL.
neal telling kel who his knight-master is = ♥. end of story. and the scene at the end with alanna is so fabulous! it made me cry a little.
i also cried a little when wyldon resigned. kel's little speech to him and his response just KILLS ME. but his new squire brings me dumb amounts of happiness, so.
jon is still an ass, but thayet is awesome enough to make up for it. i really want the story behind jon talking his daughter out of becoming a knight, mostly because i want to see alanna threaten to stab him in the throat. (kel's conclusions about jon- that he is a great king, but not a great man- are my conclusions about jon. except i think he would be a terrible king without thayet and alanna and raoul making sure he isn't a dickface all the time.)
i love yuki and shinko a lot, and i wish there was more of them. neal/yuki is so fucking cute though (THE SCENE WITH THE FAN TOSSING) that i will settle for what we get.
-----
09/10: oh my god raoul, there aren't enough heart-hands IN THE WORLD. he is so good and smart and funny and amazing! he has such faith in kel and in the system, and i mean, seriously, people with stupid amounts of honor are such a turn-on for me, and hfurevhreu RAOUL.
neal telling kel who his knight-master is = ♥. end of story. and the scene at the end with alanna is so fabulous! it made me cry a little.
i also cried a little when wyldon resigned. kel's little speech to him and his response just KILLS ME. but his new squire brings me dumb amounts of happiness, so.
jon is still an ass, but thayet is awesome enough to make up for it. i really want the story behind jon talking his daughter out of becoming a knight, mostly because i want to see alanna threaten to stab him in the throat. (kel's conclusions about jon- that he is a great king, but not a great man- are my conclusions about jon. except i think he would be a terrible king without thayet and alanna and raoul making sure he isn't a dickface all the time.)
i love yuki and shinko a lot, and i wish there was more of them. neal/yuki is so fucking cute though (THE SCENE WITH THE FAN TOSSING) that i will settle for what we get.
March 7, 2021
Overall Rating : A
"So long as there are nobles and commoners, the wealthy and the poor, those with power will be heard, and those without ignored. That's the world."
"I don't except that."
Everyone should aspire to be like Kel. To stand up for what's right, even when it seems like the world is against you. I love ya girl!
"So long as there are nobles and commoners, the wealthy and the poor, those with power will be heard, and those without ignored. That's the world."
"I don't except that."
Everyone should aspire to be like Kel. To stand up for what's right, even when it seems like the world is against you. I love ya girl!
June 19, 2019
This is probably my favorite of the Tamora Pierce books I've read to date. Everything was incredibly well executed. Nice development, tie ins to past books in this series and past series in this universe, plot moved at a quick pace and rarely seemed to drag, and the scenes we've been waiting for came with the emotional impact I had hoped for.
Kel has really come into her own and stepped out of Alanna's shadow. The last two books were a bit tiring for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one and have high hopes for the last book in this series!
Kel has really come into her own and stepped out of Alanna's shadow. The last two books were a bit tiring for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one and have high hopes for the last book in this series!
September 18, 2020
Despite how Disney Princess Kel has become (she now has a dog who cleans her shield, 50 fricking sparrows, and a gryphon ), I am enjoying this.
Kel becomes the squire to Raoul, and even though she's initially disappointed to not be Alanna's squire, she quickly realizes she's better off with Raoul and enjoys his company and tutelage. Love is also in the air, though it's not easy with both of them being squires for different knights and rarely in the same place at the same time.
No surprise at all who was responsible for but it was neat to see Kel learn that she has to speak up, she can't always be the "Lump" when it really matters, even if that means challenging her king. And she actually loses her temper, proving she is human after all, lol. Also no surprise that it was I hope that was only supposed to be a mystery for Kel and not the readers too. ;)
I've been waiting for this quartet to finally pull out of the shadow of the Alanna quartet, and it does here. There have always been differences from the start, of course, because Kel is openly training as a girl while Alanna had to pretend to be a boy, but that just changes the nature of the abuse Kel has to deal with. So finally getting out of the academy setting helped to at last set this apart as its own story. And of course, it's much better paced.
Kel becomes the squire to Raoul, and even though she's initially disappointed to not be Alanna's squire, she quickly realizes she's better off with Raoul and enjoys his company and tutelage. Love is also in the air, though it's not easy with both of them being squires for different knights and rarely in the same place at the same time.
No surprise at all who was responsible for but it was neat to see Kel learn that she has to speak up, she can't always be the "Lump" when it really matters, even if that means challenging her king. And she actually loses her temper, proving she is human after all, lol. Also no surprise that it was I hope that was only supposed to be a mystery for Kel and not the readers too. ;)
I've been waiting for this quartet to finally pull out of the shadow of the Alanna quartet, and it does here. There have always been differences from the start, of course, because Kel is openly training as a girl while Alanna had to pretend to be a boy, but that just changes the nature of the abuse Kel has to deal with. So finally getting out of the academy setting helped to at last set this apart as its own story. And of course, it's much better paced.
July 30, 2015
Funnily enough, Squire follows our heroine, Keladry of Mindelan, through her years as a squire. I know, right? Who'd have guessed.
I'm not sure why I'm being so snarky about this, the book was lovely. At this point in the series, I'm not sure if there's any more apt of a word to describe Kel than to say she's 'steadfast.' She not only survives her (3-4?) years as a squire -- and she squires for no less of a knight than Raoul of Goldenlake, the commander of the King's Own, protectors of the realm -- she thrives. Not to say that she isn't presented with challenges, because she is. She has to prove to almost every person she encounters that she deserves to be where she's at. They come at her with derision and violence, and she defeats them by doing nothing more than being herself: a skilled fighter and commander in training with a knack for winning the loyalty of others (be it human, animal, or immortal).
Squire also serves as a sort of pivot point for the series. Kel's old adversaries either admit defeat (Lord Wyldon ) or are defeated, but not always by what you would expect (Joren and Vinson, the bullies from books one and two ). But as soon as old adversaries are removed from Kel's path, new ones begin to show their faces. Scanran raids grow ever more frequent during Kel's years as a squire until finally they are on the brink of all out war. The appearance of a mysterious, strong, and new mechanical foe on the side of the Scanrans heralds things to come in book four. Kel, newly knighted, will no doubt have a place in those events.
Oh, and also, there be some romance in the mix for the adolescent Kel. I can't say that I'm all attached to the idea of , but I do like that Pierce is so dedicated to providing Kel with an authentic teenage experience, even as the rest of her life is so different, not only from our experiences in the real world, but from the experiences of girls in her own fictional world.
I'm not sure why I'm being so snarky about this, the book was lovely. At this point in the series, I'm not sure if there's any more apt of a word to describe Kel than to say she's 'steadfast.' She not only survives her (3-4?) years as a squire -- and she squires for no less of a knight than Raoul of Goldenlake, the commander of the King's Own, protectors of the realm -- she thrives. Not to say that she isn't presented with challenges, because she is. She has to prove to almost every person she encounters that she deserves to be where she's at. They come at her with derision and violence, and she defeats them by doing nothing more than being herself: a skilled fighter and commander in training with a knack for winning the loyalty of others (be it human, animal, or immortal).
Squire also serves as a sort of pivot point for the series. Kel's old adversaries either admit defeat (Lord Wyldon ) or are defeated, but not always by what you would expect (Joren and Vinson, the bullies from books one and two ). But as soon as old adversaries are removed from Kel's path, new ones begin to show their faces. Scanran raids grow ever more frequent during Kel's years as a squire until finally they are on the brink of all out war. The appearance of a mysterious, strong, and new mechanical foe on the side of the Scanrans heralds things to come in book four. Kel, newly knighted, will no doubt have a place in those events.
Oh, and also, there be some romance in the mix for the adolescent Kel. I can't say that I'm all attached to the idea of , but I do like that Pierce is so dedicated to providing Kel with an authentic teenage experience, even as the rest of her life is so different, not only from our experiences in the real world, but from the experiences of girls in her own fictional world.
April 23, 2021
God, I really love Raoul and the Kings Own. Like really love them and I'm so glad Kel got to spend her squire years with them because she deserved to have a good experience as a squire. I loved everything about this book, literally everything, and really my only gripe with it is that I wish it were longer because I would have loved to have more. I'm still content with what were given though.
June 6, 2016
Once upon a time in college, a friend and I realized we'd had similar experiences with this book. Specifically, we both started at book 3 in a series after finding it on a bookstore shelf and snapping it up on a whim.
I go back and forth about whether Protector of the Small or Trickster's Choice represent my favorite Tamora Pierce books, but this one's definitely my favorite within the Protector of the Small framework.
The entire series revolves around Kel, beginning at age 10 when she's the first girl to commit to knight's training while actually admitting she's a girl. They are school/training the hero stories at heart - and wonderful in that respect - if a little childish when the main plots of 1 & 2 revolve around bullies.
Books 3 & 4, however, have a more YA (or traditional fantasy) feel, with Kel significantly older, taking on bigger responsibilities and concerns, and juggling a more mature plot and lengthier tome at the same time.
If "girl training to be a knight" sounds like it might be up your alley, I can highly recommend this series. I can also recommend Squire as a starting point. Enough of the backstory is explained.
Hell, I never even got to read book 2 (Page) until I was at least 3 rereads in. Lots of mentally filling in blanks there, and I ultimately didn't miss anything.
I go back and forth about whether Protector of the Small or Trickster's Choice represent my favorite Tamora Pierce books, but this one's definitely my favorite within the Protector of the Small framework.
The entire series revolves around Kel, beginning at age 10 when she's the first girl to commit to knight's training while actually admitting she's a girl. They are school/training the hero stories at heart - and wonderful in that respect - if a little childish when the main plots of 1 & 2 revolve around bullies.
Books 3 & 4, however, have a more YA (or traditional fantasy) feel, with Kel significantly older, taking on bigger responsibilities and concerns, and juggling a more mature plot and lengthier tome at the same time.
If "girl training to be a knight" sounds like it might be up your alley, I can highly recommend this series. I can also recommend Squire as a starting point. Enough of the backstory is explained.
Hell, I never even got to read book 2 (Page) until I was at least 3 rereads in. Lots of mentally filling in blanks there, and I ultimately didn't miss anything.
July 13, 2014
This review was from my snarky early teen years. I only kept it up to keep a trail for myself of how I've grown, figuratively and mentally.
Since people see fit to stumble on it once in a while and leave long comments telling me how wrong/ignorant/prudish I am, I'm removing it.
And I'm removing those comments as well. Because I don't have time for that.
Since people see fit to stumble on it once in a while and leave long comments telling me how wrong/ignorant/prudish I am, I'm removing it.
And I'm removing those comments as well. Because I don't have time for that.
July 6, 2023
4.5 stars
May 1, 2014
Okay, I meant to do a review of the entire series, but Squire made my heart soar that I couldn't just step away and say: "Will review the series at the end."
Squire Keladry is a diamond. She's a girl undergoing her knighthood training some century after lady knights have grown out of fashion in Tortall. Save Alanna, of course; but to Tortallans, the Lioness is an entity in herself. So it's up to Kel to turn the conservatives' heads the other way by making her own statement: that girls can be knights, too. And as Kel is pitted against bandits, militarized Scanran, and knight-bullies on and off the tourny field, it becomes obvious that Kel is here to stay.
I frelling loved this book. It wasn't because old characters came along for the ride (though that helped). It wasn't because there was a lot of the Tortallan land that got covered during the Great Progress and then-some (that also helped). Heck, it wasn't even the fact that there were more badass Yamani females with their weaponized fans and glaives (though that really helped). I loved it 'cause I loved Kel's growth in all of what's happened. And I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear at that last moment, when she realizes who her "mystery benefactor" was. That was a supremely amazing moment.
And gosh, with how the Scanrans ended their feud with Tortall in this book, I can only imagine what amazingness Kel's going to be on come the final book of the quartet.
Okay, I can stop blathering on now.
Squire Keladry is a diamond. She's a girl undergoing her knighthood training some century after lady knights have grown out of fashion in Tortall. Save Alanna, of course; but to Tortallans, the Lioness is an entity in herself. So it's up to Kel to turn the conservatives' heads the other way by making her own statement: that girls can be knights, too. And as Kel is pitted against bandits, militarized Scanran, and knight-bullies on and off the tourny field, it becomes obvious that Kel is here to stay.
I frelling loved this book. It wasn't because old characters came along for the ride (though that helped). It wasn't because there was a lot of the Tortallan land that got covered during the Great Progress and then-some (that also helped). Heck, it wasn't even the fact that there were more badass Yamani females with their weaponized fans and glaives (though that really helped). I loved it 'cause I loved Kel's growth in all of what's happened. And I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear at that last moment, when she realizes who her "mystery benefactor" was. That was a supremely amazing moment.
And gosh, with how the Scanrans ended their feud with Tortall in this book, I can only imagine what amazingness Kel's going to be on come the final book of the quartet.
Okay, I can stop blathering on now.
May 27, 2019
I was going to rate this 4 stars until I cried during the last scene between Kel and Alanna. I hope they get to interact more in Lady Knight. I really enjoyed watching Kel grow up even more, travel throughout the realm, and interact with some new characters. I particularly loved the relationship between Kel and Raoul. Can't wait to see how Kel's story wraps up.
June 3, 2020
Damn, this was a fantastic book. Pierce has outdone herself here. The quality of the writing was leaps and bounds above Song of the Lioness, and the attention to detail given to combat, particularly tactics and strategy, was superlative. Kel herself matures exponentially throughout this book: we see her relationships with certain key figures, including Wyldon and her knight-master, change according to her newfound abilities. The jousting contests were particularly fun to read about. We also meet some of Kel’s Yamani friends and get cameos from Buri and Lalasa as well as Joren. The Roald/Shinko moments alone are worth the read. I mean... sure, the Yamanis are kind of tokenistic, but that’s a very small point. And it’s to be expected from Pierce for Tortall.
If I had a criticism, it would be that, although Kel’s Ordeal is more intense than Alanna’s, it still feels anticlimactic for the Chamber to simulate situations in the way it does. After what Kel goes through in this book, the Ordeal loses most of its power to scare. It also acts as a sort of deus ex machina in Squire, in a way that it hasn’t in other books.
The one sour note was Kel/Cleon. Kel does not read as aromantic or even ace to me.
If I had a criticism, it would be that, although Kel’s Ordeal is more intense than Alanna’s, it still feels anticlimactic for the Chamber to simulate situations in the way it does. After what Kel goes through in this book, the Ordeal loses most of its power to scare. It also acts as a sort of deus ex machina in Squire, in a way that it hasn’t in other books.
The one sour note was Kel/Cleon. Kel does not read as aromantic or even ace to me.
Read
December 13, 2023Completing her page training, Kel has been selected as squire by Lord Raoul, Knight Commander of the King's Own! Though Lord Raoul is truly an excellent mentor for Kel, she still confronts prejudice. Despite her many achievements working within the accepted societal framework, conservatives reject any success Kel ekes out. When she bests them in combat they perceive it as 'luck;' when their sons are rightfully punished for their own misdeeds they blame Kel and accuse her of 'witchcraft'.
However, not everyone in Tortall opposes Kel. In this book, Kel also starts seeing the positive social impact her training has had. Finally, at 17, she meets other young girls who she has inspired to train as knights. Now, she has the chance to support these girls in a way that no one supported her.
The novel--and Kel's training--culminates in "The Ordeal", the final trial before knighthood in which squires face up against their deepest fears.
Appropriate for a middle grade/young teen audience.
CW: discussion of sex and sexual assault
However, not everyone in Tortall opposes Kel. In this book, Kel also starts seeing the positive social impact her training has had. Finally, at 17, she meets other young girls who she has inspired to train as knights. Now, she has the chance to support these girls in a way that no one supported her.
The novel--and Kel's training--culminates in "The Ordeal", the final trial before knighthood in which squires face up against their deepest fears.
Appropriate for a middle grade/young teen audience.
CW: discussion of sex and sexual assault
April 9, 2016
This is confirming my conviction that Kel would stand up to rereading.
This is a delight. I'd somehow forgotten that Raoul is Kel's knight sponsor (RAOUL). This one is five stars because it just works. I'm not going to be able to explain it more than that. Everything about it just works.
I adore Raoul as knight master. He's the teacher Kel always needed. I love that she's to be a Commander in training. I love his relationship with Kel. Just as I love her relationship with the Yammani women, having contemporaries while being in one of these stories, I enjoy it.
Also, to go with my RAOUL. I would also like to offer a MYLES (Myles is the best). And a BURI. Because they are all awesomesauce.
Oh, and Cleon's pet names are a delight. Favourite might be "my sunrise."
Everything about this is good, in other words.
The only slight flaw is that the animal thing feels a little like TP wanted to combine Alanna and Daine. It's a bit weird. The whole "Protector of the Small" thing does save it though.
To sum up, I thoroughly enjoyed this on reread.
This is a delight. I'd somehow forgotten that Raoul is Kel's knight sponsor (RAOUL). This one is five stars because it just works. I'm not going to be able to explain it more than that. Everything about it just works.
I adore Raoul as knight master. He's the teacher Kel always needed. I love that she's to be a Commander in training. I love his relationship with Kel. Just as I love her relationship with the Yammani women, having contemporaries while being in one of these stories, I enjoy it.
Also, to go with my RAOUL. I would also like to offer a MYLES (Myles is the best). And a BURI. Because they are all awesomesauce.
Oh, and Cleon's pet names are a delight. Favourite might be "my sunrise."
Everything about this is good, in other words.
The only slight flaw is that the animal thing feels a little like TP wanted to combine Alanna and Daine. It's a bit weird. The whole "Protector of the Small" thing does save it though.
To sum up, I thoroughly enjoyed this on reread.
May 14, 2018
THIS WAS SO FREAKING GOOD. I really shouldn't be surprised how much I end up loving the later books in Tamora's series, but here we are.
I loved seeing Raoul in this book with more of a role than secondary character. I loved getting to know him and he was probably the best mentor for Kell. He reminded me so much of a dad, I laughed at a lot of the things he said. At the same time, he did such a good job training and preparing Kell for a future as a knight.
I liked how this book was different than the first two. I loved the field practice that Kell got as a squire. She's also a fantastic jouster. Kell also gets another "pet" for a while in this book and I love her random ass collection of animals that protector her. Kell learns about her some more womanly things in this and I ship her so hard with a certain someone. Argh I just loved this so much.
I loved seeing Raoul in this book with more of a role than secondary character. I loved getting to know him and he was probably the best mentor for Kell. He reminded me so much of a dad, I laughed at a lot of the things he said. At the same time, he did such a good job training and preparing Kell for a future as a knight.
I liked how this book was different than the first two. I loved the field practice that Kell got as a squire. She's also a fantastic jouster. Kell also gets another "pet" for a while in this book and I love her random ass collection of animals that protector her. Kell learns about her some more womanly things in this and I ship her so hard with a certain someone. Argh I just loved this so much.
August 5, 2014
This is my favourie in the series. I love this book!! Kel is now a squire to Lord Raoul, at first she is nervous but the two soon become very close. Kel gets better and better at fighting and leading people. Kel even starts a budding romance. I love the relationship her and Raoul have, I love reading about the realationships between a young person and their mentor! Plus I just love Raoul in general , he is such an awesome character! One of my favourite Tamora Pierce books yet and a favourite in general!
July 12, 2021
Finished this in a second sitting today, it's absolutely fantastic. The best book yet in an incredible series, written intelligently and featuring prescient conversations on consent, sex/uality, and misogyny. Prepare yourself for weird fantasy racial stereotypes and ableist language, though. This was published in 2001, and though the themes are just as relevant....it shows.
January 3, 2016
How do you rate a book if you were annoyed at its first half and loved the second half? In this case, I rate ‘Squire’ 4.5 stars – because the second half made up for it and because it’s definitely better than ‘First Test’ and ‘Page’.
I think one of the reasons I wasn’t invested in this book and I didn’t enjoy this series as much as, say, ‘The Immortals Quartet’, is because Kel’s personality doesn’t click with me. In this book, it becomes especially apparent since most of the characters I loved in the first two books – Neal, Lalasa, Lord Wyldon, - appeared only for short periods of time, and the main focus was on Kel. Kel has a lot of fine qualities – her determination, her bravery, her faith in doing what is right, - but she has plenty of flaws as well. She is often being harsh and judgmental, especially if her expectations aren’t met, and once she had her opinions on a person, she hardly ever changes it. I had that feeling in the back of my mind that Kel isn’t exactly my type of hero for a while, but it was after this episode that my enjoyment of the book was dampened:
Yes, Kel did just judge a person she barely met and barely interacted with by his appearance. When I read this I actually sat there dumbstruck for a minute or so. To make matters worse, Kel herself had been teased because of her not lady-like looks, and her father was described as average looking while her mother as very beautiful. One would think that Kel of all people would know that there is more to a person than their appearance. To make it worse, Kel is becoming such a hypocrite on her own. She keeps a grudge against King Jonathan for not letting her become a page without a test, and she doesn’t let herself see all his other qualities - to her, it doesn’t matter that he can’t just change laws with a wave of his hand and that he is one of the best rulers you can find. She feels bad when forced to attend execution of some bandits – but wishes the worst kind of punishment for the kidnappers of Lalasa, even though their fault wasn’t as grave.
Besides, I find it severely unfair how everyone praises Kel for what she had accomplished, thus unwillingly belittling all the other heroes before her, and that goes from both the readers and the characters inside the series.
So, did Alanna just say that she got her shield easy? Despite the fact that she never used magic to cheat or provide herself an advantage, despite her discovering she didn’t have talent for swordfight and still working daily on it with sword way too heavy for her, despite her being bullied so hard that she once had her right arm broken – and despite her keeping training and learning to swordfight with her left arm? Does that cost so little now? As for Kel setting an example for other girls, what about Thayet and Buri’s Queen’s Riders, a group of fighters dedicated to protecting the citizens of Tortall that accept both men and women alike? They were led by the Queen herself – how is that not an example that you can become whatever you want to?
So, what else was in this book for me to love? Amazing new characters? Not exactly – even though Kel joins the King’s Own, the force of the King’s soldiers, as Lord Raoul’s squire, hardly any of the men get a good focus, leave alone development. Domitan or just Dom, Neal’s cousin, is featured more, but even after the whole book we know nothing of him save that he has beautiful blue eyes and warm smile. Examples of Thayet, Buri, Onua, Lalasa and others show us that Tamora Pierce can write a good, multidimensional character in the span of one book, so not having any insight in Dom was a disappointment. In fact, I think that Lerant, Raoul’s standard-bearer that was jealous of Kel for ‘replacing’ him and developed a rivalry with her, was a better and more interesting character. Some more characters were introduced when an envoy of the Yamani Islands arrived in Tortall, bringing with them Princess Shinkokami, betrothed to prince Roald, and Yukimi, Kel’s old friend. They both were good characters, even if they didn’t win my heart, and Yuki and make such an amazing couple. It’s Yamani culture itself that I have problem with. It’s not unusual to base fantastic countries on real cultures – but before, Tamora Pierce would always add her own twist to it, making the new culture different and unique. For example, the Bazhir are basically Bedouin nomads, but their city of Persopolis, their shamans and the custom of the Voice makes them stand out, and Carthak is such an unusual and curious mix of African and Indian. But Yamani culture is basically Japanese one without any originality, except for the strong warrior culture that requires both men and women to know how to fight due to frequent Scanran raids. I didn’t see anything interesting or new in Yamanis, and I wasn’t invested in learning more about their country because it was so generic, and that was a pity.
Still, there were things for me to love – enough to raise the rating so highly. A lot of that has to do with the old characters I loved, especially the ones from the first series – Raoul, Buri, Alanna and others. Raoul and the King’s Own have a big role to play in this book, and it’s good. Raoul is an awesome mentor figure to Kel, and he is such a likable character on his own. It was very good to see Buri again, though I wish we had more insight into , though it was good enough as it was. And I’m very grateful for another side of knighthood that this book showed me: Alanna the Lioness was a lone hero who could afford herself to ride out into sunset looking for adventures and searching for artifacts. Raoul and the King’s Own are more closely connected with the people of Tortall, and it is their duty to protect them, a task that can involve both blood and steel, like fighting off bandits, - and more prosaic sweat and mud of hunting for local villages and pulling down buildings after earthquakes.
Plus, there was that one side of Kel’s character development that I absolutely loved: her budding romance with . Tamora Pierce really portrayed that mutual awkwardness, the light sweet romance and the mixed feeling of the first love masterfully. I just like how surprised and confused Kel was when she realized likes her and that she really likes him back! Also, I certainly love the way treats their relationship seriously and doesn’t push Kel into something she doesn’t wish. There are still some obstacles between them in the end, but I do hope they find a way for it to work out.
And let’s not forget about the ending! It builds up slowly – Raoul and Kel are called up to protect the northern borders of Tortall against Scanrans, but the threat is considered to be no more serious than usual raiding bands that are almost regularly sent by Scanra. Until it becomes clear that something more is involved, as usually disconnected Scanran clans are unified and something that was never seen before enters the battle – and Tortall has to prepare for this new challenge. But regardless of what would happen next, the world is going to change…
I think one of the reasons I wasn’t invested in this book and I didn’t enjoy this series as much as, say, ‘The Immortals Quartet’, is because Kel’s personality doesn’t click with me. In this book, it becomes especially apparent since most of the characters I loved in the first two books – Neal, Lalasa, Lord Wyldon, - appeared only for short periods of time, and the main focus was on Kel. Kel has a lot of fine qualities – her determination, her bravery, her faith in doing what is right, - but she has plenty of flaws as well. She is often being harsh and judgmental, especially if her expectations aren’t met, and once she had her opinions on a person, she hardly ever changes it. I had that feeling in the back of my mind that Kel isn’t exactly my type of hero for a while, but it was after this episode that my enjoyment of the book was dampened:
Kel watched him [George] intently. She wanted to know why the Lioness had married this man, who wasn't even handsome, for all that he was well muscled for someone in his late forties. The only attractive thing about him was a pair of humorous hazel eyes. Nice eyes hardly seemed to Kel like grounds for marriage.
Yes, Kel did just judge a person she barely met and barely interacted with by his appearance. When I read this I actually sat there dumbstruck for a minute or so. To make matters worse, Kel herself had been teased because of her not lady-like looks, and her father was described as average looking while her mother as very beautiful. One would think that Kel of all people would know that there is more to a person than their appearance. To make it worse, Kel is becoming such a hypocrite on her own. She keeps a grudge against King Jonathan for not letting her become a page without a test, and she doesn’t let herself see all his other qualities - to her, it doesn’t matter that he can’t just change laws with a wave of his hand and that he is one of the best rulers you can find. She feels bad when forced to attend execution of some bandits – but wishes the worst kind of punishment for the kidnappers of Lalasa, even though their fault wasn’t as grave.
Besides, I find it severely unfair how everyone praises Kel for what she had accomplished, thus unwillingly belittling all the other heroes before her, and that goes from both the readers and the characters inside the series.
“Yes,” the King's Champion said firmly. “I had the magic, don't you see, and the hand of the Goddess on me. Everyone could and did say I was a freak, one of those once-a-century people. No one else needs to strive for what I did, because they couldn't reach it.” Alanna smiled crookedly. “But you, bless you, you are real. Those girls watched you, and talked about your style in the saddle, and the things you did. They swore they'd take up archery, or riding, or Shang combat, because you had shown them it was all right.”
So, did Alanna just say that she got her shield easy? Despite the fact that she never used magic to cheat or provide herself an advantage, despite her discovering she didn’t have talent for swordfight and still working daily on it with sword way too heavy for her, despite her being bullied so hard that she once had her right arm broken – and despite her keeping training and learning to swordfight with her left arm? Does that cost so little now? As for Kel setting an example for other girls, what about Thayet and Buri’s Queen’s Riders, a group of fighters dedicated to protecting the citizens of Tortall that accept both men and women alike? They were led by the Queen herself – how is that not an example that you can become whatever you want to?
So, what else was in this book for me to love? Amazing new characters? Not exactly – even though Kel joins the King’s Own, the force of the King’s soldiers, as Lord Raoul’s squire, hardly any of the men get a good focus, leave alone development. Domitan or just Dom, Neal’s cousin, is featured more, but even after the whole book we know nothing of him save that he has beautiful blue eyes and warm smile. Examples of Thayet, Buri, Onua, Lalasa and others show us that Tamora Pierce can write a good, multidimensional character in the span of one book, so not having any insight in Dom was a disappointment. In fact, I think that Lerant, Raoul’s standard-bearer that was jealous of Kel for ‘replacing’ him and developed a rivalry with her, was a better and more interesting character. Some more characters were introduced when an envoy of the Yamani Islands arrived in Tortall, bringing with them Princess Shinkokami, betrothed to prince Roald, and Yukimi, Kel’s old friend. They both were good characters, even if they didn’t win my heart, and Yuki and make such an amazing couple. It’s Yamani culture itself that I have problem with. It’s not unusual to base fantastic countries on real cultures – but before, Tamora Pierce would always add her own twist to it, making the new culture different and unique. For example, the Bazhir are basically Bedouin nomads, but their city of Persopolis, their shamans and the custom of the Voice makes them stand out, and Carthak is such an unusual and curious mix of African and Indian. But Yamani culture is basically Japanese one without any originality, except for the strong warrior culture that requires both men and women to know how to fight due to frequent Scanran raids. I didn’t see anything interesting or new in Yamanis, and I wasn’t invested in learning more about their country because it was so generic, and that was a pity.
Still, there were things for me to love – enough to raise the rating so highly. A lot of that has to do with the old characters I loved, especially the ones from the first series – Raoul, Buri, Alanna and others. Raoul and the King’s Own have a big role to play in this book, and it’s good. Raoul is an awesome mentor figure to Kel, and he is such a likable character on his own. It was very good to see Buri again, though I wish we had more insight into , though it was good enough as it was. And I’m very grateful for another side of knighthood that this book showed me: Alanna the Lioness was a lone hero who could afford herself to ride out into sunset looking for adventures and searching for artifacts. Raoul and the King’s Own are more closely connected with the people of Tortall, and it is their duty to protect them, a task that can involve both blood and steel, like fighting off bandits, - and more prosaic sweat and mud of hunting for local villages and pulling down buildings after earthquakes.
Plus, there was that one side of Kel’s character development that I absolutely loved: her budding romance with . Tamora Pierce really portrayed that mutual awkwardness, the light sweet romance and the mixed feeling of the first love masterfully. I just like how surprised and confused Kel was when she realized likes her and that she really likes him back! Also, I certainly love the way treats their relationship seriously and doesn’t push Kel into something she doesn’t wish. There are still some obstacles between them in the end, but I do hope they find a way for it to work out.
And let’s not forget about the ending! It builds up slowly – Raoul and Kel are called up to protect the northern borders of Tortall against Scanrans, but the threat is considered to be no more serious than usual raiding bands that are almost regularly sent by Scanra. Until it becomes clear that something more is involved, as usually disconnected Scanran clans are unified and something that was never seen before enters the battle – and Tortall has to prepare for this new challenge. But regardless of what would happen next, the world is going to change…
October 31, 2023
Despite being the third book of the quartet, Squire feels like the true second book. Maybe because the first 2 books are about being a page? Whatever though, this is my review so I'll treat this book how I would like it to be.
A Schafrillas video states that there are certain criteria in judging the perfect sequel, and Squire fits the bill:
1. Expands the universe of the first [book] in meaningful ways: We're finally introduced to the Yamani people, and Kel and everyone else trudge across the lands because the country is now in the middle of a war. We get our first taste of totally fucked up wizardry that's completely unheard of from the enemy's side.
2. Continues the story in a new, compelling way: As a squire, Kel travels with her knight-master Raoul of Goldenlake for months on end. He starts training her to lead others.
3. Introduces new, compelling themes or expands on the themes of the original
4. Leaves an undeniable impact on the [series] (in a positive way)
These last two are what I feel most strongly about. An important theme is the systemic bias towards nobles. Previously, Kel's maid Lalasa was kidnapped. The perpetrators are later found and punished. The theme had already been covered when Lalasa had said that reporting assault would favor the noble, but a new point was added in the form of Joren of Stone Mountain receiving a meager fine, whereas the commoners he hired to get their hands dirty were given over a decade of hard labor. Kel is infuriated that the root hadn't been pruned as it should, and pushes King Jonathan and Queen Thayet to change the laws. There's your undeniable impact!
As for sexual harassment: Vinson, the who sexually assaulted Lalasa in the previous book is found guilty of raping other women. It's a victory, but a bittersweet one because of this new addition to the whole "debate" about reporting vs. not reporting:
It further elaborates the complications that come with reporting sexual harassment. Yes, reporting it might bring negative attention to the survivor, but it could keep other women safe from the abuser. It's not quite morally gray, but it's enough to give anyone in the situation pause. But as Buri said, in the end, we need to see the bigger picture and do what we can despite the hopelessness of the situation. We can't let our guilt about the past prevent us from taking action for the future people we want to help.
---
SHALLOW BREAK
PRAISE!!!! Kel's first romance is not with big-brother-figure Neal, but with Cleon who is only a couple of years older, and they are cute. I'm happy there's no unnecessary drama keeping them from being together. Only their duties keep them apart. Otherwise, they're surprisingly mature for teenagers.
I have no critique.
---
Raoul grooming Kel into becoming a commander of the troops is the perfect next step! Alanna the hero works alone (or if she's with others, she doesn't manage them). Raoul is right; we need more commanders. It suits Kel. Thank goodness for her Yamani and Mindelan upbringing, right? And of course, the climax fits this new character development perfectly: Kel takes over the command of one of the groups when its designated leader is out of commission.
Kel and Alanna finally meet after Kel is finally dubbed lady knight. It is here that Tamora Pierce's voice comes through, and it's not unwelcome since she addresses possible "Chosen One" critique that might've been lobbed at the Song of the Lioness quartet way back when:
It's a great end to the book. If Protector of the Small had ended here, I'd honestly be fine despite the enemies still being a mystery and despite Kel not yet becoming a full-fledged commander, but it was just that good. I love this book.
A Schafrillas video states that there are certain criteria in judging the perfect sequel, and Squire fits the bill:
1. Expands the universe of the first [book] in meaningful ways: We're finally introduced to the Yamani people, and Kel and everyone else trudge across the lands because the country is now in the middle of a war. We get our first taste of totally fucked up wizardry that's completely unheard of from the enemy's side.
2. Continues the story in a new, compelling way: As a squire, Kel travels with her knight-master Raoul of Goldenlake for months on end. He starts training her to lead others.
3. Introduces new, compelling themes or expands on the themes of the original
4. Leaves an undeniable impact on the [series] (in a positive way)
These last two are what I feel most strongly about. An important theme is the systemic bias towards nobles. Previously, Kel's maid Lalasa was kidnapped. The perpetrators are later found and punished. The theme had already been covered when Lalasa had said that reporting assault would favor the noble, but a new point was added in the form of Joren of Stone Mountain receiving a meager fine, whereas the commoners he hired to get their hands dirty were given over a decade of hard labor. Kel is infuriated that the root hadn't been pruned as it should, and pushes King Jonathan and Queen Thayet to change the laws. There's your undeniable impact!
As for sexual harassment: Vinson, the who sexually assaulted Lalasa in the previous book is found guilty of raping other women. It's a victory, but a bittersweet one because of this new addition to the whole "debate" about reporting vs. not reporting:
[Lalasa]’s eyes burned with a fierce light; there was a triumphant smile on her lips. She doesn’t realize it, Kel thought, feeling sick. She hasn’t seen that if we’d reported his attack on her, he might not have hurt those girls. She begged me not to—but I knew it wasn’t right. And I kept my mouth shut anyway.
[...]
"You're an idealist, Kel. See, I try to beat idealism out of Rider trainees. It just ruins their abilities to give a fair report. So long as there are nobles and commoners, the wealthy and the poor, those with power will be heard, and those without ignored. That's the world."
"I don't accept that," Kel said grimly.
"I didn't say you should," Buri replied. "Three nights a week your Lalasa closes her shop early. She teaches city girls - commoners - holds, blows, and kicks that will help them to escape and attacker She learned all that somewhere. And it does the girls more good than your courting frostbite to shoot a bow you don't even like. There's now a demand for arms teachers for young noblewomen. Seven female Riders this year asked me for references to get them such posts. And may I remind you that a particular law is being revised right now because you had the nerve to tell King Jonathan it should be changed?"
"I still should have reported Vinson at the Temple of the Goddess," Kel said stubbornly.
"Very well, you should have done," Buri agreed, her face sober. "Next time, you will. [...] The world is imperfect, Kel. But you do more than your share to set things right. Next time, report it. Even if nothing is done because the one reported is too powerful, a record will be made. And when he does it again, the record will show he won't stop."
It further elaborates the complications that come with reporting sexual harassment. Yes, reporting it might bring negative attention to the survivor, but it could keep other women safe from the abuser. It's not quite morally gray, but it's enough to give anyone in the situation pause. But as Buri said, in the end, we need to see the bigger picture and do what we can despite the hopelessness of the situation. We can't let our guilt about the past prevent us from taking action for the future people we want to help.
---
SHALLOW BREAK
PRAISE!!!! Kel's first romance is not with big-brother-figure Neal, but with Cleon who is only a couple of years older, and they are cute. I'm happy there's no unnecessary drama keeping them from being together. Only their duties keep them apart. Otherwise, they're surprisingly mature for teenagers.
Kel’s mouth popped open when she read her [jousting] opponent’s name. “You’d better see the coffin maker and order me a box,” she told Cleon.
He straightened, confused, and read the name she pointed to: Wyldon of Cavall.
“Gods protect me, you’re going to die a virgin,” he whispered. “What say we find a nice private haystack and take care of that?”
[...]
On came Wyldon as Kel’s focus narrowed to his shield. She barely felt Peachblossom under her, barely noticed Wyldon or his mount, just his shield as she rose, balanced, and hit. Again a splintering crash: Kel’s lance went to pieces; a third of Wyldon’s snapped off. They returned to their start points for new lances.
I’m doomed, Kel thought. I should have bedded Cleon before I died.
I have no critique.
---
Raoul grooming Kel into becoming a commander of the troops is the perfect next step! Alanna the hero works alone (or if she's with others, she doesn't manage them). Raoul is right; we need more commanders. It suits Kel. Thank goodness for her Yamani and Mindelan upbringing, right? And of course, the climax fits this new character development perfectly: Kel takes over the command of one of the groups when its designated leader is out of commission.
Kel and Alanna finally meet after Kel is finally dubbed lady knight. It is here that Tamora Pierce's voice comes through, and it's not unwelcome since she addresses possible "Chosen One" critique that might've been lobbed at the Song of the Lioness quartet way back when:
“I had the magic, don’t you see, and the hand of the Goddess on me. Everyone could and did say I was a freak, one of those once-a-century people. No one else needs to strive for what I did, because they couldn’t reach it.” Alanna smiled crookedly. “But you, bless you, you are real. Those girls watched you, and talked about your style in the saddle, and the things you did. They swore they’d take up archery, or riding, or Shang combat, because you had shown them it was all right. I was so proud.”
It's a great end to the book. If Protector of the Small had ended here, I'd honestly be fine despite the enemies still being a mystery and despite Kel not yet becoming a full-fledged commander, but it was just that good. I love this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2024
oh the way I BLUBBERED LIKE A BABY AT THE FINAL CHAPTER!!
truly impressed with how much of an improvement this is over the Alanna series, which I still greatly enjoyed but found the plot perfunctory and nonsensical and several elements dated and cringey. this series has improved book after book in portraying the trials, both internal and external, of Kel’s journey to becoming a lady knight. there are some quibbles still but for a 2001 middle grade/YA book I appreciated the casual acceptance of homosexuality (altho there are still no gay people in sight), the frank discussion of birth control and sexuality, and an introduction to civics and disenfranchisement. I loved loved loved Kel’s relationship with her mentor Raoul. Tamora Pierce also writes such interesting romances that would not be in romantasy today but are so true to life and introduce confusion about attraction and how to pursue romantic relationships. nervous to read the next book because this was such a perfect installment to the series.
truly impressed with how much of an improvement this is over the Alanna series, which I still greatly enjoyed but found the plot perfunctory and nonsensical and several elements dated and cringey. this series has improved book after book in portraying the trials, both internal and external, of Kel’s journey to becoming a lady knight. there are some quibbles still but for a 2001 middle grade/YA book I appreciated the casual acceptance of homosexuality (altho there are still no gay people in sight), the frank discussion of birth control and sexuality, and an introduction to civics and disenfranchisement. I loved loved loved Kel’s relationship with her mentor Raoul. Tamora Pierce also writes such interesting romances that would not be in romantasy today but are so true to life and introduce confusion about attraction and how to pursue romantic relationships. nervous to read the next book because this was such a perfect installment to the series.
September 2, 2017
These books are so dear to me! This is only my first reread of POTS, but they absolutely make my heart swell with joy. So special. I already have an Alanna in my life (my two year old palomino mare) and I think a Kel is in my future.
Reading Tamora Pierce make my fingers itch to write! Maybe I'll be prepared by NANOWRIMO.....
Reading Tamora Pierce make my fingers itch to write! Maybe I'll be prepared by NANOWRIMO.....
January 2, 2024
Excellent on reread of course, although it remains weird that neither Pierce nor editors caught that Kel had already learned tilting/jousting at another person and pretended she'd never done it before for this book. I did notice how much she accomplishes with clear, efficient prose - the feeling she gets with Peachblossom tilting at Wyldon got me in particular. An excellent growing-up middle book that covers a lot of ground but doesn't let you get bored.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2014
It's feminist, it's fantasy, and its alternately funny or full of feelings. What's not to love?
I also find it a lot easier to relate to the characters when their older- while I enjoyed the first two books of Kel's series, and indeed Alanna's as well, having them grow up and encounter adult situations and choices is a lot more interesting that their exploits as a child.
Reasons why this book rocks:
1. Periods are something that almost all teenage girls have to deal with. And when you're an ass-kicking knight-in-training, this can be a tad inconvenient. Pierce doesn't shy away from the fact that yes, our heroine is a girl who gets periods and she has to deal with them accordingly. The only other fantasy book that I can think of offhand that deals with this is Throne of Glass.
2. Kel is passionate about helping other people. Injustice gets her riled, and she simply cannot stand people/animals being mistreated, and sets about rectifying unfair situations as much as it is in her power to do so. She also manages to do this WITHOUT being a Mary Sue. Passive and goody-two shoes she is not.
"The world is imperfect, Kel. But you do more than your share to set things right. Next tine, report it. Even if nothing is done because the one reported is too powerful, a record is made. When he does it again, the record will show he won't stop.
3. It's political. The right decisions are not always good decisions, or popular decisions, and vice versa. Political manuovering is essential for stability, but is not always savoury.
Kel wasn't surprised. She didn't think much of the man, though she had to admit he was a good king. Maybe her father was right, and good kings weren't always good men.
&
"Change the law, the king repeated. "Squire, what do you think her majesty and I have done ever since we took the thrones? No, don't answer - I dread to think what you might have the courage to say...The problem is that monarchs who wish to live until their grandchildren are born do not hand down any law they like."
4. Mentorship. is a fantastic mentor for Kel - he genuinely respects her abilities, cares for her and stands up for her. He also recognises the double standards that exist, and tries to mitigate these for Kel.
"Nobody makes men surrender private life when they take up arms, Kel," Raoul said, filling their cups. "We only ask that such lives happen off duty. It's more complicated for women. It's not fair, but I think you already know the world isn't."
5. Feminist! Women who have control over their own bodies! Sex as something enjoyable and on your own terms! Sex education! Birth control!
"Our families are so determined to keep their bloodlines pure that they insist their daughters remain virgins before marriage, poor things. You don't see that nonsense in the middle and lower classes. They know a women's body belongs to herself and the Goddess, and that's the end of it...Perhaps you should see a healer," Ilane suggested. "Get a charm to keep you from pregnancy, until you're certain you'd like to be a mother. Then, if you do get carried away, you can surrender to your feelings." Ilane grinned wickedly. "Goddess knows your father and I did."
6. Snark! Comebacks! Burrrrrrrn!
"Yield," she advised, her voice even. Or I carve my initial right there."
He raised gauntleted hands. "I yield."
Kel smiled coldly. "And they say conservatives can't learn."
7. Kel is strong, certainly, but she's not infallible. Or magical. She has to work for every bit of strength and muscle and stamina, and while she does well, she also doesn't win all of her battles or challenges. And Kel herself knows this.
Kel's mouth popped open when she read her opponent's name. "You'd better see the coffin maker and order me a box," she told Cleon as he threw a stick for Jump to chase.
8. It tells it like it is.
"You're an idealist, Kel. I've noticed that about you. See, I try to beat idealism out of Rider trainees. It just ruins their ability to give a fair report. So long as there are nobles and commoners, the wealthy and the poor, those with power will be heard, and those without ignored. That's the world."
9. Kel may be tough, but she still has feelings. And crushes. And insecurities.
She had decided years before that she was no prize on the romance market. Being away from Cleon for so long, she forgot the things about herself that made him like her.
I also find it a lot easier to relate to the characters when their older- while I enjoyed the first two books of Kel's series, and indeed Alanna's as well, having them grow up and encounter adult situations and choices is a lot more interesting that their exploits as a child.
Reasons why this book rocks:
1. Periods are something that almost all teenage girls have to deal with. And when you're an ass-kicking knight-in-training, this can be a tad inconvenient. Pierce doesn't shy away from the fact that yes, our heroine is a girl who gets periods and she has to deal with them accordingly. The only other fantasy book that I can think of offhand that deals with this is Throne of Glass.
2. Kel is passionate about helping other people. Injustice gets her riled, and she simply cannot stand people/animals being mistreated, and sets about rectifying unfair situations as much as it is in her power to do so. She also manages to do this WITHOUT being a Mary Sue. Passive and goody-two shoes she is not.
"The world is imperfect, Kel. But you do more than your share to set things right. Next tine, report it. Even if nothing is done because the one reported is too powerful, a record is made. When he does it again, the record will show he won't stop.
3. It's political. The right decisions are not always good decisions, or popular decisions, and vice versa. Political manuovering is essential for stability, but is not always savoury.
Kel wasn't surprised. She didn't think much of the man, though she had to admit he was a good king. Maybe her father was right, and good kings weren't always good men.
&
"Change the law, the king repeated. "Squire, what do you think her majesty and I have done ever since we took the thrones? No, don't answer - I dread to think what you might have the courage to say...The problem is that monarchs who wish to live until their grandchildren are born do not hand down any law they like."
4. Mentorship. is a fantastic mentor for Kel - he genuinely respects her abilities, cares for her and stands up for her. He also recognises the double standards that exist, and tries to mitigate these for Kel.
"Nobody makes men surrender private life when they take up arms, Kel," Raoul said, filling their cups. "We only ask that such lives happen off duty. It's more complicated for women. It's not fair, but I think you already know the world isn't."
5. Feminist! Women who have control over their own bodies! Sex as something enjoyable and on your own terms! Sex education! Birth control!
"Our families are so determined to keep their bloodlines pure that they insist their daughters remain virgins before marriage, poor things. You don't see that nonsense in the middle and lower classes. They know a women's body belongs to herself and the Goddess, and that's the end of it...Perhaps you should see a healer," Ilane suggested. "Get a charm to keep you from pregnancy, until you're certain you'd like to be a mother. Then, if you do get carried away, you can surrender to your feelings." Ilane grinned wickedly. "Goddess knows your father and I did."
6. Snark! Comebacks! Burrrrrrrn!
"Yield," she advised, her voice even. Or I carve my initial right there."
He raised gauntleted hands. "I yield."
Kel smiled coldly. "And they say conservatives can't learn."
7. Kel is strong, certainly, but she's not infallible. Or magical. She has to work for every bit of strength and muscle and stamina, and while she does well, she also doesn't win all of her battles or challenges. And Kel herself knows this.
Kel's mouth popped open when she read her opponent's name. "You'd better see the coffin maker and order me a box," she told Cleon as he threw a stick for Jump to chase.
8. It tells it like it is.
"You're an idealist, Kel. I've noticed that about you. See, I try to beat idealism out of Rider trainees. It just ruins their ability to give a fair report. So long as there are nobles and commoners, the wealthy and the poor, those with power will be heard, and those without ignored. That's the world."
9. Kel may be tough, but she still has feelings. And crushes. And insecurities.
She had decided years before that she was no prize on the romance market. Being away from Cleon for so long, she forgot the things about herself that made him like her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,104 reviews