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Book One: First Test
“You know, ogres only sound stupid. Most are pretty smart.” “And it’s a shallow person who judges anyone by the way they sound. I’m so shallow I’m surprised I don’t reflect myself.”
Keladry of Mindelan – is a strong character, arguably one of the first strong female characters, in YA Literature. I’d go as far, as arguing for parents to allow their child to read this series – or any of Pierce’s series – simply for character building purposes. Kel, is a good person.
Recently, I decided to re-read my way through the world of Tortall, from Beka Cooper, to Daine. It’d been too long since I’d read through them, and it was refreshing to see female characters who weren’t exploited to the benefit of male characters.
For those who have not read the novel yet, do not be alarmed at its similarity to The Lioness Quartet – because yes the premise does majoritivley seem familiar – but where they differ is while The Lioness Quartet is designed to create strong-women in the face of adversity, breaking barriers, and establishing precedents. Alana, chooses to be a Knight as an escape, with the added benefit of her manservant, the heir to the throne, and her own magic. The Protector of the Small (Keladry of Mindelan), is exactly as it sounds, some-one who faces adversity – sexism and abuse – and yet, through their margin of privilege, still proceeds to defy all odds, while protecting the people who aren’t as well off as them. This, is the premise which shapes the entire series, Keladry of Mindelan seeks a shield, in order to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Despite the experiences Keladry is forced to endure, her character gains depth, and authenticity – the cornerstone to a good character and person – defying the odds, to be a better person. Tamora Pierce, has effectively set the standard (and set it high) for the heroine-female within YA Fantasy.
Book Two: Page
“A friend had commented once that Neal had a gift for making someone want to punch him just for saying hello.”
As the only female page in history to last beyond the first year of formal training to become a knight, 11-year-old Keladry of Mindelan has an uphill battle to fight. In addition to proving herself worthy of being a page, Kel spends her time defending first-year pages from bullies, staying on top of homework, conquering her paralysing fear of heights, and keeping up with Lord Wyldon’s gruelling physical training schedule. Kel’s detractors do everything in their power to thwart her progress, from tormenting her friends to sabotaging the Midwinter Festivities to kidnapping her maid and dog on the day of final examinations. The tide of resistance begins to turn slightly during the summer between Kel’s second and third years, when she leads a team of pages in defensive manoeuvres against renegade bandits–coincidentally on the same day that she gets her first period.
Again, we visit Keladry of Mindelan making us common-folk, seem inadequate, and lazy. In this novel, Tamora invests her time into story-telling, where a young hero (Kel) must prove herself even further – and of course to a higher standard than the males. Again, we touch on the difficult to swallow ideas – difficult, for those who are unable to admit this also happens in everyday life – death, abuse, discrimination etc.
Kel is developed further as a strong heroine, who fights the oppressive nature of the males she is surrounded with.
Without providing too much information – and therefore spoiling the entire novel – Keladry is forced to take charge, and face her fears. In the process, she unravels more back-story, and creates depth within her character, further proving why she is to be dubbed ‘Protector of the Small’. As usual, Pierce is brilliant at developing supporting character who are often more substantial than the MC’s of the series, we touch on Lalasa, who has grown/is growing into a strong young women. All characters introduced, are done so with purpose, no throw-away’s to prove a point or for a minor plot line, everything Tamora does is with purpose.
Book Three: Squire
“When people say a knight’s job is all glory, I laugh, and laugh, and laugh.”
In this particular instalment in the Protector of the Small series, we see Keladry aging. At the start of the book, Keladry is an eager 14-year-old, and by the end, she is a still eager 18-year-old. In this time, she sees, and experiences a plethora of things, which are not used in gratuity, everything – as usual – is derived through maturity, and purpose, Pierce does not use throw-away moments. Where Keladry, seemed to be the opposite of current day, her authenticity in this novel is solidified by her innate realistic portrayal, Kel is a teenager, a female teenager at that – and therefore it is no mistake to have her experience romance, in the form of multiple crushes. It was refreshing the way Pierce portrayed her inter-personal relationships, a heroine is ALLOWED to be unsure in her love life. It is OKAY. While Kel has crushes, she has no intention to marry – which is in complete character for her, and relatable on another level. Her mother, even goes out of her way to purchase a pregnancy charm – modern day birth control per-say – which is refreshingly normal. Or at least, realistically normal, fantastically a non-topic.
Kel, jumps through all the same hoop in this novel, she fights harder and proves herself to be stronger. She is the perfectly constructed role-model.
Book Four: Lady Knight
“Threats are the last resort of a man with no vocabulary.”
Firstly, I need to note I have never identified with the sarcastic, and sassy nature of a book-quote as I do with the one above. As such, this being the final instalment of Kel’s story, and perchance my favourite seems suited.
Kel – in contrast to Alana – proves in this series that anyone, female or not, can be a Knight if they simply put their mind to it. I adore Kel for this reason, her dedication to herself, and to others who can’t protect themselves as she can. She is created through her strength, it is where every aspect of her personality is derived – good and bad. Whilst her protective nature, can be seen as a strength and a weakness, it is what differs her from the other Knights, those who want the glory or to protect for the wrong reasons. She does not glorify war, she is realistic, and honest. Speaking of the people under her protection, the side characters in this book are very concisely and effectively created. Even the ones who get a brief dialouge are brilliant, they’re real people.
“You all know why we’re here,” she told them. “You know the enemy. He will be on us soon. When he comes, we will fight not for some glorious cause, but to survive.”
Topically, I really enjoyed the use and construction of magic within the novel – ranging from Numair and Daines appearances all the way through to the villain of the series, it was treated with a begrudging respect and fear, ordinary people understand its effects, and inclusion in the war.
Kel’s ending was one of the most refreshing I can note in recent YA Fantasy, is realism and movement away from the commonised prince-charming trope is something I value immensely.