Reviews

First Test by Tamora Pierce
Tarma Black (Hufflepuff)

First Test, by Tamora Pierce, is the first book of the series Protector of the Small. The books in Protector of the Small are First Test, Page, Squire, and Lady Knight. First Test follows along the path set in The Song of the Lioness and The Immortals, also written by Tamora Pierce.

Set in the country of Tortall, First Test follows the adventures and life of Keladry of Mindelan, a young girl who wishes to become a knight. She encounters difficulties from the start, when she finds out that, unlike the boys, she will be put on probation for her first year. The royal training master, Lord Wyldon of Cavall, intensely dislikes the idea of girls training to be a knight.

"Wyldon was not flexible: he'd proved that to the entire court over and over. If he were any stiffer, Alanna thought wryly, I'd paint a design on him and use him for a shield. He's got no sense of humor and he rejects change just because it's change."

Not only will Keladry have to undergo a period of probation, but the Lioness is forbidden to have any contact with her.

"The king thought it over. At last he sighed. "Lord Wyldon has the right of it. You must stay away from Keladry of Mindelan, Alanna."

As Alanna stalks out of the room, slamming the door behind her, King Jonathan and Lord Wyldon look at each other. Little do they know that Keladry is able to meet and surmount any challenges that will be thrown in her way -- and there will be many!"

This is a very enjoyable book, and series of books. Tamora Pierce's writing becomes richer and has more depth the more she writes, without losing the simplicity, elegance and imagination of her first stories.

(First Test follows along the path set in The Song of the Lioness and The Immortals, also written by Tamora Pierce.)

The book review graphic has been provided by Ireth Halliwell.