Squire (Protector of the Small, Book 3) (original 2001; edition 2001)

A fun read in the Protector of the Small series. Tamora Pierce revisits several themes, especially the ability of girls to become knights in the fantasy kingdom of Tortall. Kel proves her opponents wrong, time and again, as she prepares for the ordeal which will make her a knight. A good read for fans of young adult fantasy. ( )

In Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small series, set in Tortall, Keladry's become a squire for Lord Raoul, commander of the King's Own. Here is her chance to prove her worth in the real world and prove all of her doubters wrong. Fans of Pierce's other books, fantasy, and smart, tough heroines will love this series. This story does begin to touch on the topic of sex, but there are no graphic scenes. Ages 12-16. Recommended purchase. ( )

Keladry of Mindelan has finally become a squire, defying all those who did their best to force her out. She isn't home-free, however. She worries about who will be willing to take her on, and she still hasn't outgrown her tendency for gathering strays, but this time, with the stray in question being a baby griffin, the risks may outweigh the benefits.
Squire is a wonderful continuation of Keladry's story; as she advances towards adulthood (and knighthood) it becomes obvious to everyone around her that she has the beginning spark of the ability to command. It is such a pleasure to read this story of a girl who keeps her head in the most terrifying situations and has the makings of a leader.
Also, "Squire" finally gives Kel a slightly larger story arch than merely gaining her knighthood. Tortall is edging towards war with their northern neighbors, but there is something different behind their enemy this time. Something larger, and more heartless than mere material greed.
This is a roundly satisfying installation in this quartet of books, and I definitely recommend it to fans of Pierce and to "girls who do things". ( )

This is, by far, my favorite of the Kel books. You get to spend a lot more time with old friends from the Alanna books in this one, compared to the first two in the series.

Kel's worked hard for 4 years, to become a squire, and now she is one, and her Knight Master, Raoul, is a good one. Her position is an interesting one, and she's able to show that it wasn't a fluke that she made it to squire. It always amused me how Kel didn't know how good she was at various things, like tilting, despite how much effort she put into becoming the best she could at it, and how she, only reluctantly, capitalized upon it.

A beloved book from my childhood that I hope my own eventual children would appreciate one day. ( )

I loved the portrayal of Lord Raoul and Kel's relationship in this installment of the "Protector of the Small" series. I loved that there was so much respect and openness from Raoul not only for Kel's skill as a fighter, which is to be expected, but for her emotions as well. There were no taboo subjects in their conversations, and hardly any significant events passsed in regard to which Raoul did not share his feelings and opinion and ask about Keladry's in turn. He even volunteered to discuss sex with her, despite the fact that it made him feel embarassed!

I was also impressed with the complex political world emergent in these books much more so than in the previous Tortall series. We learn about about the division between so-called conservatives and progressives, the oppression of the lower class by the nobility, the relationship between crown and the upper class.

Other than these high points, the book was unfortunately forgettable. I find myself turning to it for comfort like you would to an old friend, but there wasn't anything I deeply connected to about it. ( )

In this novel Kel has to go through four years as a squire before she can become a knight. For those of you who have read the first two books you will understand what I mean when I say: Yes! One step closer Kel just get through this and you will be a knight!!! Not to say that the adventure ends when she becomes a knight because in Lady Knight you realize the adventure is only just beginning but that is for my next review. In Squire Tamora Pierce as always hits the ball out of the park and makes ...more In this novel Kel has to go through four years as a squire before she can become a knight. For those of you who have read the first two books you will understand what I mean when I say: Yes! One step closer Kel just get through this and you will be a knight!!! Not to say that the adventure ends when she becomes a knight because in Lady Knight you realize the adventure is only just beginning but that is for my next review. In Squire Tamora Pierce as always hits the ball out of the park and makes a run for home base, passing wide mouthed catchers and players who are all stunned at her talent.

In addition, Kel has a little romance in this novel with a young man whose name I won’t say so that I don’t spoil the surprise! Did I mention there is a baby Griffon in this one? Because that is one of my favorite parts! Well… okay one of my many favorite parts. All I can say is again that Tamora pierce is a wonderfully talented author and her novels are never out of style or out of place. This novel is something that most girls will be able to relate to and shows the emotions under Kels solid controlled exterior. She also gets to use her Yamani Glave!

Sincerely,
Emma Michaels
http://EmmaMichaels.Blogspot.com ( )

A great book and a great series. Really worth reading. ( )

Squire is the third book in the Protector of the Small quartet and I found it to be the best book yet. Kel really comes into her own and the danger and adventure is riveting.

In Page, Kel continued her struggles with the bullies, but it only got worse and more complicated because the bigotry spread to include Lalasa, Kel's friend and servant. In this following book, Keladry continues to grow up, which means that her focus continues to waiver as boys become of more interest. And they might have overwhelmed her for awhile except that war threatens and the upcoming royal marriage and 'the procession' looms.

As the years roll by, so does The Ordeal. And matters aren't made any better when one of the original characters goes mad and kills himself. Kel, of course, survives, but she and the rest of the squires are left fretting as it comes time for the knights to choose their trainee. Kel becomes particularly fretful when Alana chooses a boy and it looks like no one will choose her.

There's more warfare in this book. And a great deal of adventure. I highly recommend this series.

Pam T~
mom and reviewer at booksforkids-reviews.com

The third installment in the Protector of the Small series, which I am greatly enjoying, more so than the Alanna series by the same author. This book is just as engrossing as its predecessors, if about one hundred pages longer. Kel has finally become a squire, to none other than the famed Sir Raoul of Goldenlake, the Giant Killer. She joins the King's Own along with him and enters the gritty work of being a knight. Of course, as the first openly female knight in a century, she faces more handicaps than her fellow males, but handles it all with her Yamani aplomb. A fun series that always keeps me wanting more; I look forward to reading the last book in the series. ( )

This was another good one in the quartet, this one being book 3. In this book, Kel is now a squire, but the only problem is no knights will take her on. When someone does finally take her on as their squire, its not who she expected and everyone is in an uproar that they have to work and fight alongside The Girl.
This is a good book filled with a lot of fighting and with Kel working hard towards becoming a knight. ( )

Well, this book is just like the rest of Tamora Pierce's wonderful books. There's some added romance (which was nice) and I can't wait to read the last book in the quadrilogy. ( )

Tamora Pierce's newest feminist icon enters her squire years faced with battles on and off the field. Keladry continues her training under the infamous Lord Raoul of Goldenlake, head of the King's Own, dealing with discrimination, love, battles, testy griffins, and the looming Chamber of the Ordeal. In the field, Kel faces bloody raids by savage immortals, bone-jarring escapades in the jousting ring, and making friends and allies among her fellow soldiers. Against the rich tapestry of life at the Tortallian court, Kel plays diplomat with old friends from the Yamani Islands, battles against bullying and sexual harassment, and best of all, is knighted. The “perseverance, hard work, and skill” (School Library Journal) that precedes Kel’s knighthood makes the crowning moment all the sweeter. Unlike Pierce’s other protagonists, Kel’s non-magical status makes her accomplishments more accessible to the reader. Pierce once again brings to life the distinctive cultures and relationships that ground this low-fantasy extravaganza. A great addition to any school or public library. ( )

Kel passed the big exams and has become a squire. Lady Alanna is still not allowed to be near her (for fear that she'll enchant Kel to succeed), dashing Kel's hopes of being her squire, but instead Kel is chosen by Alanna's friend Raoul to squire for him and travel with the warriors of the King's Own.

This is one of my favorite Tamora Pierce books - Kel is my favorite, in my opinion the most realistic and the least Mary-Sueish of Pierce's heroines, in part because she has no innate magical ability and therefore must figure everything out without that kind of help (or crutch). Squire is my favorite of the Protector of the Small books, possibly because Kel is such a quiet and serious character most of the time and in Squire, with Raoul and the men of the Own around, her sense of humor comes out. ( )

I love Tamora Pierce's books, this one is about Keladry, one of the first female knights. She is trying to make it through training while helping those smaller than her. ( )

>. ( )

I enjoyed this book much more than the previous two in this series. Part of that is surely the plot - the first two dealt with life as a page, which is essentially just classes and practice, even with the added drama thrown in. This book takes in the four years of Kel squiring for Lord Raoul of Goldenlake, up to and through her ordeal for knighthood... much more interesting. I also really enjoyed watching Kel and her friends grow up... Pierce deals with young romance much more maturely and realistically than most authors out there, and Kel's a great role model - strong, independent, hard-working, and determined. Really enjoyable (if slightly escapist) read. ( )

Kel has successfully passed her big examinations to become a squire, but she has no knight-master until she joins the King's Own to prove herself in the field and as a commander.

Kel is reunited with some of her Yamani friends, has to deal with her first relationship all while she's forcing the conservatives to accept her as an equal and dealing with the care of a baby griffin. I enjoyed seeing some of the lighter sides of Kel. No worries the action certainly doesn't take back seat. Like most of the others in this series this one seems to be simply build-up to something big (the last book) rather than each being a complete story on its own. ( )

As a squire to Raoul of Goldenlake, Kel participates in the king's progress throughout Tortall. The unexpected acquisition of a baby griffin complicates her life while continuing jealousies plague her on the jousting field. And the Chamber of the Ordeal looms ahead as she works toward becoming a knight.

After Kel passes her exams and becomes a squire, she is terrified that none of the knights will have her. Fortunately, Sir Raoul of Goldenlake, Alanna's good friend, sees Kel's talent and takes her on. What follows is an intense period of activity, as Sir Raoul is to escort the Prince of Tortall and his Yamani fiancee in a tour of the kingdom. Kel learns to hold her own in the jousting tournaments (she is frequently challenged, and must repeatedly prove her worth as a fighter), rescues an orphaned gryphon, and has her first taste of war. She also falls in -- and out -- of love for the first time, which brings me to one of the things I really love about Pierce: her female characters almost never end up with the first person kiss, or even the first person they fall in love with. It's such a refreshing change from the way romance is often portrayed in YA novels (and in novels in general). The romances are important, but they're definitely not the only thing going on. ( )

very readable book 3 of 4. Keladry is finished with her page training, she's been selected as Squire and she has to still deal with the discrimination. ( )

IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS, SKIP THIS REVIEW! I can't really complement this well without mentioning specific events. The most moving part was the death of Crown. I had to hold back tears in my math class. But I could do nothing to contain my laughter when I read, a few moments later, Cleon's reaction to her second match with Lord Wyldon. I like the added touch of the "Griffon story arc" in the book. It was comical but also gave a little insight to the motherly side of Keladry. Her romance with Cleon was a nice touch and one I hadn't remembered from the first time I read this series. And her relationship with the Chamber of Ordeal. The personification of this work of magical art was very intriguing part of the book. Two things I look foreward to in Lady Knight are how her relationship with Cleon goes and what are the metal beasts? They are the only thing I remember of that book. ( )