First Test

Protector of the Small: 1

ISBN: 0679889175 Order from: Amazon.com

While using a common coming-of-age theme, this one featuring a fashionable mechanism of a girl in a male military school, this fantasy is written with sufficient deftness to provide enjoyment and anticipation.

Reviewed by David on January 01, 2001 (rev. 1)

Genre: Fantasy (Juvenile, Coming of Age)

Synopsis: In the Kingdom of Tortall, female heroes are not unknown. In fact Alanna, the heroine of the "Song of the Lioness" quartet Alanna: The First Adventure, is the King's champion. However, the traditional knightly training: page school to squire to knighthood, has always been preserved for men. Fiercely traditional aristocracy is dubious about the ability of girls to go through the rigorous military training. Thus, despite the King's proclamation that girls are welcome, the social resistance to a girl page is very high.

Kel is the first girl to brave the famous page school. Without any magic talent, but propelled by the family tradition of service and military training, she enters the school. But can she survive against not only the rigors of training, but intense opposition, overt and covert?

Full Review: Tamora Pierce has written several coming-of-age stories set in this realm. While fairly standard in their use of girl, they are oriented at diffirent maturity levels. This one, while clearly juvenile, id sufficiently entertaining to appeal to adults. For a change, the heroine has no magical talents, and much of the story has no fantastic elements. The conventions of such a story are all here: the gruff, conservative teachers, the physically exhausting training, the school bullies.

Kel is sufficiently well described to intrigue and involve the reader, despite the predictability of the plot. As a setup for later adventures, this book works very well, and prepares a solif and interesting environment. Perhaps the most serious flaw—that the 10-year-old protagonist appears sugnificantly more mature—bothers this reader less than a fairly common opposite problem.

In general, this proved to be an enjoyable, solid novel, with cameo appearances of Pierce's earlier characters; telling a complete story but clearly preparing for a sequel.

Universe: Tortall

Overall: 6; Plot: 5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 4.5;

ISBN: 0679889175 Order from: Amazon.com