Protector of the Small Quartet by Tamora Pierce

Quartet Title: Protector of the Small

Author: Tamora Pierce (American, 1954- )
Originally published: 1999-2002

Page count: 228+ total (still counting)

Dates read: 2/19/25-present

2024 book goal progress: 2, 3, 4, 5 out of 25

Read my other book reviews for my 2025 goals HERE.

Read my other Tamora Pierce book reviews HERE.

1. First Test (1999) - 299 pages

Description:

In the medieval and fantastic realm of Tortall, ten years after knighthood training was opened to both males and females, no girl has been brave enough to try. Keladry of Mindelan is the first girl to take advantage of the decree. Up against the traditional hazing of pages and a grueling schedule, Kel faces one roadblock that seems insurmountable: Lord Wyldon, the training master of pages and squires. He is absolutely against girls becoming knights. So while he is forced to train her, Wyldon puts her on probation for one year. It is a trial period that no male page has ever had to endure and one that separates the good-natured Kel even more from her fellow trainees during the tough first year. But Kel Is not a girl to underestimate, as everyone is about to find out.

First sentence:
"Alanna the Lioness, the King's Champion, could hardly contain her glee."

Favorite quote:
"Gods of fire and ice, bless my new home. Keep my will burning as hot as the heart of a volcano, and as hard and implacable as a glacier."

CAWPILE Rating: Overall - 7/10 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters      - 8
Atmosphere   - 8
Writing Style - 7
Plot                - 7
Intrigue          - 6
Logic             - 6
Enjoyment     - 7
What is a CAWPILE Rating?

Mini-Review:

This was a breath of fresh air after getting through the chore of my previous book. As a children's/young adult book, the language was simple and much of the story was predictable. Right now, I appreciate those things because they help me relax. One of my biggest complaints of the previous series by Tamora Pierce, was that the student started a romantic relationship with her teacher about 15 years older than her. This book called that out and a character expressedly said, "He's way too old for her." Overall, I enjoyed the familiar tropes of a female becoming a knight and I look forward to the rest of this quartet.

2. Page (2000) - TBD

Description:

First sentence:

Favorite quotes:

CAWPILE Rating: Overall - X/10 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters      - 
Atmosphere   - 
Writing Style - 
Plot                - 
Intrigue          - 
Logic             - 
Enjoyment     - 
What is a CAWPILE Rating?

0-3 = very poor
4-6 = mediocre
7-9 = really good
10 = outstanding

1.1-2.2 / 2.3-4.5 / 4.6-6.9 / 7-8.9 / 9-10

Mini-Review:

3. Squire (2001) - TBD

Description:

First sentence:


Favorite quotes:

CAWPILE Rating: Overall - X/10 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters      - 
Atmosphere   - 
Writing Style - 
Plot                - 
Intrigue          - 
Logic             - 
Enjoyment     - 
What is a CAWPILE Rating?

0-3 = very poor
4-6 = mediocre
7-9 = really good
10 = outstanding

1.1-2.2 / 2.3-4.5 / 4.6-6.9 / 7-8.9 / 9-10

Mini-Review:

4. Lady Knight (2002) - TBD

Description:

First sentence:

Favorite quotes:

CAWPILE Rating: Overall - X/10 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Characters      - 
Atmosphere   - 
Writing Style - 
Plot                - 
Intrigue          - 
Logic             - 
Enjoyment     - 
What is a CAWPILE Rating?

0-3 = very poor
4-6 = mediocre
7-9 = really good
10 = outstanding

1.1-2.2 / 2.3-4.5 / 4.6-6.9 / 7-8.9 / 9-10

Mini-Review:

Overall Review:

TBD

Embroidery update:

Now I'm off to read another book... but since a review should be more about the author of the book than about the writer of the blog, I will let Tamora Pierce have the last words:

" 'I got tired of thinking and worrying myself sick. I knew what had to be done, and I did it.' She signed happily. 'I love it when that happens.' "

-First Test