theletterdee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mysticforestcrafts's review against another edition
4.0
Pros:
Kel is a worthy main character. I love that she makes it a point to look out for those who need it, it seems to be something she comes by naturally possibly even from her mother.
Cons:
I don’t remember seeing so much hazing in the Song of the Lioness. I know that Alanna had one main bully and there were expectations but it seemed like the pages were kept too busy with serving at dinner and finishing their work after to go pestering each other needlessly. I would like for someone to have discussed this change, possibly Miles.
I don’t care for the accents this narrator picked for characters. It was rather grating after getting used to Trini then a full cast.
Kel is a worthy main character. I love that she makes it a point to look out for those who need it, it seems to be something she comes by naturally possibly even from her mother.
Cons:
I don’t remember seeing so much hazing in the Song of the Lioness. I know that Alanna had one main bully and there were expectations but it seemed like the pages were kept too busy with serving at dinner and finishing their work after to go pestering each other needlessly. I would like for someone to have discussed this change, possibly Miles.
I don’t care for the accents this narrator picked for characters. It was rather grating after getting used to Trini then a full cast.
youjor's review
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
phantaseus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lucrezi's review
5.0
If I'm understanding the timeline right, Protector of the Small is Tamora Pierce's fourth series, published 16 years after Song of the Lioness. Clearly she's honed her craft in that time, and it shows in this newer protagonist, Keladry of Mindelan. Alanna of Trebond had been a spitfire, the stereotypical female character thrust into male-dominated roles, but Kel is not. She's passionate, but she is stone. She is steadfast and resilient, logical and efficient. She wishes to protect those who can't (or won't) protect themselves, but she does that without a hint of condescension. She takes action:
Her attitude towards obstacles is admirable but I couldn't help feeling bad for this ten-year-old. She held her head high, but even Sir Myles of Olau expressed concern:
Like Alanna, Kel deals with being the lone female page among boys, but this time her sex isn't a secret. It therefore tackles a brand new batch of issues that are more socially oriented (discrimination from peers) rather than Alanna's reproductive (puberty was a bitch) and internal ("my friends will hate me when they find out") struggles. Any girl would find Kel relatable; who hasn't been told by boys and men that girls and women can't do what they can?
I also appreciate the overhaul of the training they get thanks to the Immortals War that introduced fantastical beasts and monsters they must now learn to fight. Had we gone through another quartet of a girl learning to fight mere humans, the fights and danger would've been a bit stale.
I feel sad saying this: Had I read Alanna: The First Adventure as an adult, without the wool of childhood nostalgia, I never would have picked up another Tamora Pierce book. Thank god I read it as a child, because I got to read First Test which is its superior in every way. If I were to have children, I'd have them read this book because Kel is honestly a great role model not only for girls but also for boys. Honestly, for adults too.
"Warriors get hurt. You don’t have to like it, just live with it. And last night I got tired of thinking and worrying myself sick. I knew what had to be done, and I did it." She sighed happily. "I love it when that happens."
Her attitude towards obstacles is admirable but I couldn't help feeling bad for this ten-year-old. She held her head high, but even Sir Myles of Olau expressed concern:
"What does it take to be a Yamani warrior?" Myles inquired. He seemed genuinely interested.
"It takes a great deal of running up and down mountains in the rain, and not complaining about it," Kel said instantly.
"I’ve heard of this odd behavior," he admitted. "But you admire the Yamanis."
"Oh, yes, sir!" she replied, nodding. "They keep going through anything."
Myles sighed. "It’s my misfortune to be dumped amid so many warrior stoics," he remarked, shaking his head.
"Sir?" she asked, confused. That sounded like the best company in the world.
Like Alanna, Kel deals with being the lone female page among boys, but this time her sex isn't a secret. It therefore tackles a brand new batch of issues that are more socially oriented (discrimination from peers) rather than Alanna's reproductive (puberty was a bitch) and internal ("my friends will hate me when they find out") struggles. Any girl would find Kel relatable; who hasn't been told by boys and men that girls and women can't do what they can?
I also appreciate the overhaul of the training they get thanks to the Immortals War that introduced fantastical beasts and monsters they must now learn to fight. Had we gone through another quartet of a girl learning to fight mere humans, the fights and danger would've been a bit stale.
Spoiler
Another character I appreciated was Sir Wyldon. He starts out as a skeptical and unbearable hard-ass, but he means well. There are so many people like him in real life who, though good and intelligent people, are simply slower to accept change. You can see it in how he educates and disciplines those who disobey or give lip. Admittedly he was pretty awful at the start, but his quiet development as Kel's probation goes on is something to behold. When he learns of Kel's fear of heights later in the story, instead of shaming her, he tries to help her by having her climb a tree every day to slowly get over the fear.I feel sad saying this: Had I read Alanna: The First Adventure as an adult, without the wool of childhood nostalgia, I never would have picked up another Tamora Pierce book. Thank god I read it as a child, because I got to read First Test which is its superior in every way. If I were to have children, I'd have them read this book because Kel is honestly a great role model not only for girls but also for boys. Honestly, for adults too.
aemkea's review against another edition
5.0
This was my very first Tamora Pierce book. I read it at age 12, and it started a love for this author that has not swayed to this day.
musen_henning's review
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, War, and Bullying
Minor: Vomit
finalefile's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting premise, but it felt really lacking in detail. I would have liked to know a lot more about Kel's connection with animals, and more about why she wanted to be a knight. I was confused about her decision to go train to be a knight at age 10, vs. waiting a few years to go train to be one of the queen's riders - I don't recall any explanation of what the difference was, or why Kel wanted to be a knight specifically, beyond her just being bored with her current life and wanting to go fight at such a young age. The whole sexism aspect also seemed really shallow - it seemed like everyone just thought "girls aren't meant to be knights" with no explanation as to WHY they thought that, especially when there were numerous examples of women in leadership positions in the book. It felt more like "girls have cooties" than anything. I also didn't like that the pages were allowed to constantly fight and abuse one another (including specific abuse toward Kel) with little punishment - there was this whole "code of silence" thing where the pages would say they "fell" instead of admitting they were involved in a fight. Kel certainly didn't set a very good example herself, going around beating up the bullies instead of taking a less violent approach.
I also had a hard time imagining TEN-YEAR-OLDS going through weapons training and fighting deadly enemies! Plus the fact that Kel was better at some things than her peers because she'd already been trained in Yamani fighting at a younger age! I know a lot of children's literature involves kids doing things that seem "too old" for them, but this one really fell flat for me. I think I would identify more with protagonist who's at least in her teens.
I also had a hard time imagining TEN-YEAR-OLDS going through weapons training and fighting deadly enemies! Plus the fact that Kel was better at some things than her peers because she'd already been trained in Yamani fighting at a younger age! I know a lot of children's literature involves kids doing things that seem "too old" for them, but this one really fell flat for me. I think I would identify more with protagonist who's at least in her teens.
bookworm87's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5