Title: Bone’s Day Out
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Protector of the Small #4.5, Tortall #22
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Free online short story
Publisher: Tamora Pierce online
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Bone tottered over to her and squawked.

Bone spends a day free in the streets of Tortall. Causing mischief and mayhem everywhere he goes.

Bonedancer has been an incredibly cheeky enigma of a character since his conception in The Emperor Mage. So, as with all series, it was incredibly fun to read a short story that featured this slightly obscure creature. That it is also pared with the reproductive cycle of Spidrens, and an eventful day out that involved pursuit, rogue mages and theft just helped to make this short story all the more enjoyable.

Whilst this story is all about Bone’s day out and about without the supervision of Lindhall, it was nice to also have him appear within the story. Even Bones realises that he is in over his head, and the appearance of his friend in the midst of battle is a welcome respite for this character. I loved that this short story combined so many favourable traits and characters from the rest of the Tortall series. The unique way in which the Spidren life cycle is explained just makes this short story even better.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Lady Knight
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Protector of the Small #4, Tortall #21
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: Her flag looked very brave.

Kel is finally a knight. The first girl to make it in decades. She’s dealt with the hazing and prejudice of her year-mates, and the terrifying Ordeal. Now she faces the real thing: Tortall is at war.

The Scanran raiders have united to form an army and they’re invading. Refugees are flooding away from the northern border, destitute and terrified, with stories of the fearsome metal creatures that the invaders have brought with them. Kel is posted to the border refugee camp, where the Scanrans and their monstrous weapons will be waiting for her…

Lady Knight is a fantastic conclusion to Protector of the Small quartet. All of Kel’s hard work has finally led to becoming the first recognised Lady Knight in a hundred years (that is, after Alanna’s secret journey to this position). And, although it means travelling to the war-torn border, Kel is finally on her journey to complete the quest outlined to her by the Chamber of Ordeal. The hand of fate is on this story, and although it twists and turns in so many ways, it is a journey that is almost impossible to put down.

Throughout the Protector of the Small quartet Kel constantly chooses to stand up for her friends and family. Those she considers under her protection, regardless of their standing in life. She carries this to a whole new level when she is entrusted with the care and protection of the Scanran and Tortallan refugees. Her constant need to protect and care for others is such an admirable trait, and I love that although she is the knight to follow in Alanna’s footsteps, she does it in an entirely different way. Where Alanna is a solitary hero, Kel is a natural born commander, someone who is able to naturally lead and care for those under her. Even in today’s society, this is so immensely rare that I could count on one hand the amount of true leaders that I have come across in my lifetime.

Not only is Lady Knight about Kel’s first year as a knight and her incredible protective instincts, it is also about the loyalty and comradery that her friends feel for her. They are willing to sacrifice their livelihoods and their futures to join her on some incredibly hair-brained adventures. Although they may not believe in her cause, they are willing to believe in, and follow their friend. A testament to the degree of friendship which these characters have constantly shown each other throughout this wonderful series.

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Title: Squire
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Protector of the Small #3, Tortall #20
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 2001
5th sentence, 74th page: The morning she had climbed down the frail, rusted outer stair of Balor’s Needle had marked the end of her fear of height, though she still disliked them.

Keladry has finished her page training. She’s passed the exams and now she’s a fully fledged squire. Which is great – except that she needs a knight to take her on…

And her luck is in. After weeks of waiting, a knight-master has come forward. A true warrior to follow, if she can cope with the gruelling life on campaign. Bandits and renegade centaurs are just what she’s trained for – it couldn’t be better. But eventually Kel will have to return and face the Chamber of the Ordeal, the final test of a squire. One boy has already died in the chamber this year…

Kel’s years as a squire help to build upon all of her many adventures in First Test and Page. Although her one epic battle (which every main character really requires) doesn’t get revealed until the very end of this novel, the entire journey to this point is full of twists and turns. Her position as the King’s Own Squire and new friendships help to weave a new tale of a life full of learning, hard work and joy.

Although Joren still makes numerous appearances throughout the tale, and his true motivations remain hidden (at least until about halfway through the novel), it quickly becomes evident that he isn’t the arch nemesis of the series. Instead, it is the brewing war with Scanra that takes centre-stage. That’s not to say that Kel doesn’t continue to experience the prejudice and judgement which comes with being a woman pursuing a career that is generally considered a “man’s job”. But, it is something, that has become a background in the storyline. After all, a quartet can’t continuously hash over the same issues – eventually they will settle down in real life, and the same can be said for this storyline.

Kel also begins her first romance throughout this story. And, as is politely pointed out to her, there will be judgement. Where men are able to publicly pursue their relations, she is again forced to toe the line. It is this constant reminder of the double standards that we as women face that makes this story (and indeed, series) so poignant. These double standards are faced in our everyday lives and I love the way in which Kel is able to stoically accept this, work around it, and move on with her life. There is never any fuss, just a simple acceptance.

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Title: Page
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Protector of the Small #2, Tortall #19
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 2000
5th sentence, 74th page: Kel tried to smile, but something in Adie’s eyes worried her.

Even after a year, some of the pages still don’t think a girl should be training as a knight. For a time it seems they will try anything – insult, trick, brawl – to get Keladry thrown out.

But then the bullying stops and Kel hopes she can concentrate on honing her warrior-skills. Test-day will be the most important in her life. And it’s the perfect moment for those who loathe her to strike…

I remember how difficult it was to go through puberty, as would almost everyone out there who is reading this. Now, imagine what that would be like as a young girl, surrounded by a bunch of lads who want to whack you with sticks day in and day out.

Alright, that’s not just what Page was about, but it definitely took a lot of my attention. The idea of a woman in a man’s world, fighting for her own place isn’t a new story, and it will be one that never truly get old. But, what happens when you’re going through experiences that your comrades can’t ever possibly understand? How is a girl who is already having to fight for everything millimetre of respect that she gets supposed to then cope with the added complication of boobs, monthlies and all of the inconvenient emotions that come along with this? Where First Test highlighted the inequality between the treatment of men and women, Page is a great reminder of what it’s like to come of age.

I loved the easy, open pace of Page. Encompassing Kel’s final three years as a page, the time ebbs and flows as it does in real life. There are moments of high energy, passion and drama which quickly give way to times of peace and prosperity. Although overhanging all of this is Kel’s last tests as a Page, and Joren’s continuing disapproval of her station in life, the daily grind can be felt throughout this story. And it is this that makes Kel so damn relatable – not every moment is a stunning coincidence leading to a dramatic ending, there are moments of joy and frivolity throughout the story that are there purely for that – a reminder that not all in life needs to be serious.

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Title: First Test
Author: Tamora Pierce
Series: The Protector of the Small #1, Tortall #18
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Medieval fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scholastic
Year: 1999
5th sentence, 74th page: His eyes were a deep, brilliant sapphire blue, framed by long lashes.

It’s ten years since royal decree permitted girls to train as knights. No one applied – until now. Keladry of Mindelan is determined to follow in the footsteps of the nation’s greatest legend: Alanna, the Lioness of Tortall. She’s in for a nasty surprise.

The royal training master, Lord Wyldon of Cavall, thinks girls should stick to embroidery. If Keladry doesn’t meet his exacting standards, she’s out.

It seems so unfair. Keladry knows she’s equal to any of the boys, but how can she hope to succeed when Lord Wyldon’s mind is already made up?

There is an inequality in the way men and women are treated in modern society. Although this has become slowly reduced over the past century, the inequality is evident in our everyday lives. First Test is a great reminder of this. As the first girl willing to take up the mantel of knight (something which is regaled to a man’s role in popular history), Keladry is forced to overcome obstacle after obstacle. Hurdles which none of her male counterparts are required to conquest.

The idea that a young girl, who must work harder to be as physically adept as the other young men her age, must also work harder to become accepted is difficult and incredibly frustrating to read about. She is up an hour before the men, and goes to bed an hour after. There is a never ending march of tasks and challenges which she is forced to meet flawlessly – the threat of dismissal a constant cloud to the probationary page. Yet, in spite of this, she is able to thrive in her new reality and find a home for herself at the palace.

First Test is a great beginning to the Protector of the Small quartet – it is the first year of an incredibly challenging career choice. The realm of knights, mages and mystical creatures combines to create a fantastic journey that will make you laugh and grind your teeth in frustration.

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