Squire

(Protector of the Small #3) Protector of the Small (3)

by Tamora Pierce

mass market paperback, 432 pages

English language

Published Aug. 27, 2002 by Laurel Leaf.

ISBN:: 978-0-679-88919-9

(19 reviews)

Fourteen-year-old Keladry of Mindelan is not your average squire. For one thing, she's a girl. For another, she's almost six feet tall. And most important of all, her ability to pass the Ordeal that soon confronts her may determine her kingdom's future.

When Kel is chosen by the legendary Lord Raoul to be his squire, the conservatives of the realm hardly think she’s up to the job. Kel earns respect and admiration among the men, as well as the affection of a fellow squire.

15 editions

Mark Philpot reviewed Squire by Tamora Pierce (Protector of the small)

Review of 'Squire' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

The most satisfying book of the series (thus far). As a mature teenager, Kel joins the King's Own and continues to excel in her mission to become a knight. Pierce steps up her writing and also dedicates a sufficient number of pages to this book to make it exceptionally detailed -- much longer than any of her previous works to date.

I like that Kel doesn't have a "mortal enemy" like Alanna had. It makes her journey and development more believable (though that doesn't stop Pierce from dropping some hints at the end). Pierce obviously has a strong grasp of medieval combat and life in general, and I hope the last installment in the series lives up to this one.