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nyame002's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
robotnik's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The first time I read Protector of the Small, I was in middle school and it quickly became my favorite series ever. It still is. I love Kel so much. She stands out so much in typical medieval fantasy stories by being a female protagonist who gets where she is by actual training. She's not your pretty, slender female hero who somehow manages to swing swords around that she shouldn't be able to lift and attracts all the hot guys to her because she's just so beautiful. Kel's tall and muscular and gets places by pure hard work, not because she just happens to always be right all the time.
First Test covers one year in Kel's knight training when she becomes the first female page since Alanna, and the first open one. It really shows that, despite covering the same sort of situation as Song of the Lioness did, Kel is a markedly different person than Alanna, and that she's definitely not having the same sort of journey that Alanna had had.
One of my favorite things about PotS, though, is its supporting cast, which is my favorite out of all of Pierce's casts. Kel's fellow pages are all interesting, as are all the adults we see coming and going through her life - including the ones who were pages in the beginning of Alanna's own journey.
All and all, First Test is a really strong beginning to the PotS quartet and highly recommended by me.
First Test covers one year in Kel's knight training when she becomes the first female page since Alanna, and the first open one. It really shows that, despite covering the same sort of situation as Song of the Lioness did, Kel is a markedly different person than Alanna, and that she's definitely not having the same sort of journey that Alanna had had.
One of my favorite things about PotS, though, is its supporting cast, which is my favorite out of all of Pierce's casts. Kel's fellow pages are all interesting, as are all the adults we see coming and going through her life - including the ones who were pages in the beginning of Alanna's own journey.
All and all, First Test is a really strong beginning to the PotS quartet and highly recommended by me.
chelsealouise07's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rambleroam's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
flexpotential's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
burningupasun's review against another edition
4.0
Yearly re-read: Daine will always be my favorite, but I do really love Kel. She works so hard, and it's so inspirational.
laserdiscreader's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Just as good as when I first read it as a kid. I love how Pierce imagines Tortall and writes her characters, they all feel so real. Kel's a great representative for 10 year old girls
heloise_lifeinbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
4.25
Reread of a childhood favorite - and it’s still just as great. It has the least amount of plot of the books in the series, but it’s a good foundation for what’s to come, and who doesn’t like a training montage?
dvanderw's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoying the variety in character development that Pierce has written. You can see the similarities between Kel and Alanna, but also appreciate the differences between them. A refreshing read! Love the story development.