Squire

In so many ways, this fantasy is more realistic than many other stories where it refers to the aspiration of a girl gaining a position in a man's world. From the mentorship (albeit silent) of another woman knight, the frank talk about sex with her mother, friendship with boys changing to a sexual attraction, and even the mention of feminine needs, this book accurately charts the way a girl has to work and fight to prove herself in a man's world.

The fantasy aspects of the story are absolutely charming. The way Kel communicates with animals and has a flock of sparrows flitting around her is such a contrast to her life full of injuries, dirt, and violence.

I came into this series with this book and I wish I had started at the beginning.

I had no idea until reading Pierce's credits that the popularity of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series had such a vast influence on the YA publishing industry, but thank goddess it did because there's no way that we would have gotten this fanastic book if it hadn't! My complaints from the previous book in the series (Page) are all solved by the longer format which gives Pierce a real chance to explore Keladry's growth as she squires for Raoul of Goldenlake, Commander of the King's Own. Keladry runs into the expected naysayers to her chosen life path, but in true fashion she rises to the occasion and gains her knighthood! We even get to see her finally meet the famous Alanna, but more importantly, we're set up for the major Tortallen show more events which are set to play out in the final novel, Lady Knight. show less

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 show more 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". show less

Love it. Lots of my favorite scenes, including the one that bugged me into reading the series this time - the fan game. And Kel gets whole bunches of new responsibilities, from the griffin baby to her squire duties, training for command, Raoul, and Cleon (in very different ways). She continues dealing with various types of idiots who want to put her down, but also encounters a few who really look up to her - a very different experience. And the royals listen to her, and agree, at least in part - again, a new experience, her voice directly making a difference. The Chamber's visions are weird - I don't know if her pretrials helped or hurt her in the real thing. And a happy not-ending, leading to a new set of experiences. Funny - Kel show more thinks she's perfectly straightforward and doesn't understand all the complications of politics and people - but over and over, she reads a situation and handles people so that everyone (who deserves it) is as happy as possible - from Roald and Shinko to Lerant. It's a skill I wish I had. OK, next... show less

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 show more 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. show less

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 show more 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 show less

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 show more the men of the Own around, her sense of humor comes out. show less