Book 4 of the Protector of the Small Quartet - Lady Knight

Ms. Pierce tries to cook too many morals into this book. YES, we know Kel is upright and commanding and frank and clean and compassionate and all that, but I think she's TOO virtuous. Alanna was a misanthrope and had much more snap to her. Ms. Pierce's Advice for Writers on her website suggests that when you're bored, you introduce a new character. I am positive that Tobe was born this way, because he's useless to the story, except for being another small creature that Kel protects. She could protect him and relocate him, instead of dragging this unrealistic, useless cow-eyed kid around with her.
Ms. Pierce's website expresses relief that since Harry Potter, children's books are allowed to be longer. (Sigh.) Now that she doesn't have to edit as much, she leaves in long, boring battle marches, cliches, useless characters (Tobe!) and longwinded morals (don't drink! and with the Court of the Rogue, she had pretty liberal ideas about alcohol before she succumbed to parents' complaints.)

I went to a Tamora Pierce signing in November of 01. At the signing, she gave us a preview of the forth book in the series Protector of the Small. Since then, I have been waiting for Lady Knight to come out. When it did, I bought it right away. I wasn't dissappointed. I think Lady Knight was the second best book in the Kel series (the first being Squire).
At last, Keladry of Mindelin has become a knight. As the first lady knight in centuries, she has become well known. Her country is at war with Scanran, a country to the north. Every knight gets an assignment. Kel gets a dud, and she is sure that her old trainging master is trying to keep her safe, but, as Wyldon tells her, she's the onlt one for the job. Manning a refugee camp was not what she wanted to do as a knight, but it's what's she's doing. When the Scanrans attacks her camp when she is away, she is willing to do treason to get them back. They trust her, and she could never let them down. So she sets out at night, alone, and goes after her refugees. On the road the Kings Own catch up to her under Raoul's order. Later on, Owen, Neal and Merric catch up and they start the adventure of their lives togerther.
Lady Knight tells little of Kels personal life, but that's understandable; she's busy 24-7. Kel's, unlike all of Tammy's other quartets, quartet ends with her without a suiter. We'll just have to wait and see!

Okay, so Kel doesn't have a major romance here, and the ending seems a little flat, but the villain is actually more realistic than most. He's a small man that does big (and terrible) things. Most thugs are. And I think there is still another Kel book in the wings. Pierce has hinted as such, and the way this book ends with so much left unanswered seems to promise more in the future. And to be honest, I find I like Kel more and more the more and more I read. She's a very normal girl. Not in the girl-next-door or everyman way touted by Hollywood, but in the sense that she doesn't have any abilities that a normal girl in our world couldn't have. Not to mention she much more personable than Pierce's characters usually are. We love our loners like Alanna and Daine, but a team player like Kel is a nice change. Being a leader instead of a hero isn't exactly the norm for fantasy genre protaganists, and to have that "Captain of the Gaurds" sort of figure as more than an interesting bit character makes for a more "realistic" feel to the storytelling. While there's still plenty of magic and Tortallian references for us old timers, there's also the feeling that with a few tweaks you could put Kel in the Red Cross and have her refugees be from Eastern Europe rather than Norther Tortall without skipping a beat. Classic Pierce with some fresh twists.

If you're expecting Ms. Pierce's best work in LADY KNIGHT, I'm sorry to tell you that you'd better read ALANNA or WOLF SPEAKER again. I like the idea of Keladry as a commander, but the epic war scenes are dry and too long. I have nothing against books that are long, but LADY KNIGHT is *unnecessarily* so. For instance, if you've read this book, do you agree that the three pages devoted to Kel's cold/Neal's healing it/her still feeling crummy/etc. is necessary to the story? There are many other scenes like this that could be eliminated or shortened: Kel's adoration for the clerks and Raoul's saying something like "I must go by the palace barber and get my ears cleaned out...I could've sworn you just said you wanted to go back in the Chamber again" sounds stretched and phony. Why couldn't Pierce just mention that Lord Raoul looked shocked, or better, SHOW his surprise in a reference to body movement? Also (and I don't mean to spoil this for you, but it happens very early on) Cleon is dismissed as another temporary crush, like Neal, when she had us thinking in SQUIRE that he was really for her. This is not a good plot twist; it doesn't make sense. If she'd hinted all along that Cleon wasn't perfect, then maybe it would work.
However, LADY KNIGHT does have some redeeming qualities. I like the way she hints that Kel will fall in love with a certain young man (I won't spoil that for you) without having them kiss and so forth. Kel's capability and commanding-ness make her different from Alanna, which is good. Some authors change their character's name but keep her personality, but Pierce has created a new, spunky heroine in Keladry.
Don't buy this book, but do check it out from the library and finish Kel's story--you may not love it, but if you enjoyed the other books, you must read it.

The Protector of the Small quartet has come to an end. After Kel was knighted, she received a quest from the Chamber of the Ordeal. She had to find Blayce, the man who was creating these killing devices, and kill him and his bodyguard, Stenmun. However, it seems that Lord Wyldon has another plan for her. Instead of participating in the war against Tortall and Scanra or going after Blayce, the Nothing Man, she will be the leader of a refugee camp.
Though the ending isn't that surprising, it's quite a good story and I have come to like Kel more and more. She is less of a hero and relies more on her friends to help her out. She is simple and, unlike Alanna or Daine, does not have powers or too much of a strong character. She is also a very independant woman, and I think she is more realistic than Tamora's previous heroines.
All in all, a very good book and the fans won't be disappointed about the way this quartet finishes.

Keladry of Mindelan, having achieved her goal of becoming a knight is disappointed at how things are turning out. The war between Tortall and Scanran is growing and before Kel knows it Lord Wyldon is assigning her to a refugee camp where she will lead it and take charge. Kel doesn't want to at all. She wants to be in the battle where she is truly needed but Wyldon disagrees and in the end Keladry goes to the refugee camp.

But Kel does not want to be there. In her Ordeal, it told her to go after a man named Blayce who is killing children in order to make killing machines that are tearing Tortall apart. What to do?

Read 'Lady Knight'! It's a great ending to a great series.

Many, many people who wrote reviews of this book said that the ending wasn't worth it. My dad bought this book for me and I read it and I LOVED IT!!! I actually thought that the ending was satisfying. It was quite clear that Kel loved Cleon very much, and he loved her very much, but Cleon went off and married another equally nice girl, as he says in the story, and helped his fief, which was facing financial ruin.
This book is really worth buying if you don't mind a lot of violence. It seems that Pierce has a pattern - in the last book, there is a lot of death and destruction. Now I don't mind this, but some people do.
This book is worth reading, and I suggest that you read it today!!

First off, this book I just love. It is packed with adventure, and I loved the entire thing. I couldn't put it down. I placed a hold on it at Borders, so that when it came in they would notify me. I was furious when they sent me a postcard saying that it wasn't published, though I knew it was, since I had read it. I had to travel to a different state to get it. I didn't go just for that purpose though, but I did buy it there. Kel is finally a knight, her dream come true. She is put in charge of the refugee camp, which she calls Haven. When she is gone, an army attacks the camp, and though the refugees put up a worthy fight, they were captured. Kel is forced to not chase after them, but we're talking about the girl who risked repeated her page years for her maid. She sneaked away and went after them, and finally completed the task that the Chamber of the Ordeal set before her.

When I read this series for the first time quite a few years ago I was so wrapped up in it that I felt like I was going through Tortall withdrawals. Kel is relatable but also the kind of character that makes you want to be like them. She kicks butt, but fairly and without prejudice. I love the interactions with her and Tobe, he cracks me up. Well worth the read!

Yet another fantastic book from Tamora Pierce, the last book in the quartet, Tortall is at war with Scanra and we seesthe heroine Kel as commander in charge of Haven, a refugee centre, but what can she do about the visions that the Chamber of Ordeal gives her?
Aiding her along the way are some old friends and acquaintances who all bring their particular personalities to the story. Much of the book focuses on fighting and the likes instead of characterisation, this isn¡¯t a major drawback as the new characters introduced are all supporting.
The plot itself is nothing to rave about, it¡¯s obvious what¡¯s the ending, there¡¯s really no surprises anywhere and at times it does feel a bit bland and like nothing important is happening. The ending felt a bit simple and too easy which gave me an impression that something surprising is going to happen, but didn¡¯t, which I half expected but still a letdown.
The writing is clear and to the point with humour dotted here and there. If you liked her previous works you¡¯ll like this one too. This book might not be the best, but it¡¯s definitely not the worst, far from it.

LADY KNIGHT is the greatest book I have read in a long time; I was never bored while reading it. Pierce has the fantastic ability to create what many authors have forgotten how to do: real characters. Kel work diligently for her title as "Lady Knight" as she experience both losses and triumphs in her quest to find herself and her greater purpose. (She even gets a cold!) Not only do the books character's become real, but the scenery and the plot comes to life with Pierce's vivid descriptions. Another unique aspect of her writing is that her heroines are all women while the majority of the world's books pose another male figure as the protagonist. It was a wonderful experience to read a book that shows the passion of the human spirit and the courage that lies within each of us. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves action, adventure, (even a little bit of magic) and stories about finding one's place in the world. I have not yet read the other three books in the PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL series, but I am very anxious to do so!

Really i'm not writing any details because the other reviews have all that. I im just writting to point out that 1.fantacstic read, 2. cleon is removed without any acward scilences, and kel isn't broken hearted about it, good because i didn't like cleon and he was just too clingy. 3. Kel is placed with neal and all the humor and dry remarks are back. 4. Kel breaks the rules!!!!:) 5. Dom is still a crush... she doesn't do anything about it but the ending... leads you on, no doubt we will find out in another characters life. I HOPE! they would be a wonderful couple don't you think? and finally 6. the book lacks nothing. Oooooohhhhh!!! _____ gets married to ______ in squire that was ehem... in his room. don't tell anyone i said that.

This series isn't near as good as Tamora's other series. Yet of the four P.O.T.S. books this one is the best so if you like the series you'll like this book. more of a book to get from the library if you ask me. Still ,this book has a great plot and message about sticking things out even if you don't like doing them, and also about being true to your friends since Kel risks her own life to save the children of her refugee camp from the diabolical plots of an evil necromancer. Kel learns alot about being a knight and I think you'll be pleased with the ending. Overall this is a pretty good book.

This book is very reminiscent of the war sequences in Alanna's story In the Hand of the Goddess. However, it lacks the personalization that Pierce gave Alanna and Kel in past books. I'm not saying that writing about war is a bad thing, it's should be expected in a series about knights, but Pierce loses her character in the overall view. We know less of Kel's feelings and personal life than ever before. It is disappointing to a reader who has followed Kel closely through past trials and troubles to be outside looking in at her character. Unlike others, the lack of romance did not bother me. Kel is after all a young woman. She has plenty of time to fall in love and get attached- if indeed that is what she wishes. A woman does not have to have a man to feel complete, no matter what the public thinks. Overall, I felt Kel's story was incomplete at the end. Mrs. Pierce did not tie up Kel's story as completely as she did her other Tortallion quartets. This makes me very sad, because I know that as far as Mrs. Pierce is concerned, Kel's story is over. If we're lucky we will get snippets of gossip about her in future books as we have had about Daine and Alanna. However, for me- I will always wonder and worry a bit about Kel.

Kel has never been my favorite of the Tamora Pierce heroines, but I love Neal (I really think he is her best written character). So I was quite disapointed with Squire. But Neal is back in this book with great lines such as "You do realize we should all be put in a nice, cozy room somewhere with muscular people to keep us from harming ourselves?" Part of me was disapointed with the lack of romance in this book, but the thing is that it is good to have a strong female character who doesn't need a man. Also at 18 I know quite a few people who want to take it easy on romance (it is less novel and they want to become their own person) so it is also realistic. So I think that I am happy that there is basically no romance in this installment. It makes it different from the other Tortall books. One thing though, at the end I think she set up what might be the next quartet alittle too nicely. I think it is a very good book though, and a nice final installment.

This was a good book in its own right. I'll admit to crying at the end at a certain moment involving a kiss. While great for a normal fantasy young adult novel, it just didn't seem to live up to Tamora Pierce's usual standards. I would even rate this below the "Circle of Magic," which didn't seem to capture the magic of the Tortall books.
Keladry has probably become my favorite Pierce heroine, if only because, as Alanna herself puts it, Kel is real. Alanna was Goddess-chosen, and Daine fathered by a god, but Kel was a real girl who survived because of her determination and her will to survive. Squire was an incredible book, but Lady Knight seemed tired. There were brilliant moments, especially involving Raoul and Lord Wyldon, but this book didn't seem to give Kel the ending she deserved for her quartet. And this had nothing to do with the lack of romance, the shoddy handling of Cleon aside.
Recommended as a closing to Squire, but beyond that... Hopefully we'll see more of Kel in the future.

Really lovely...however, the ending so hazy! The whole THING so hazy! ... Kind of annoying...
Don't get me wrong, it's an awesome book. If you like the other Kel books, you've just got to read it. Aside from the love interest factor, the ending's very nice. I hope Pierce will do what she did with the Circle books and pick Kel's story right back up--maybe a year or two later, but she SHOULD! Maybe with less emphesise on war--as it really is a war book.
But a good war book!

The tale was told from the view point of a young girl growing into a woman was very insightful. Particularly her bouts with the males who maligned her drive and competence. Enjoyed the tale very much even though it was geared to a younger reader. Good job.

Well written and more detail than previous books. Will there be more about the protector of the small? I still don't have a clear image or what Kel looks like? Buts that's just my imagination not developing her character. Honor, noble, just, honest and humble are amazing character traits I hope all can appreciate and emulate.

Throughout the series of Protector of the Small you follow Kel, who is battling her way in an almost exclusive male run buisness (that being war). In the first two books you follow a young girl, who learns that there are times that you must battle to achieve your goals. In the third book, when Kel becomes a squire, you watch her learn the reality of what she has chosen to become. Finally in this last book, you no longer see Kel as a girl, but you see her as a woman who knows her way in the world, and is willing to battle and defy anyone in order to uphold the vows that she chose to take on the other side of the Chamber of Ordeal.
This is a powerfull novel that address the problem about doing what is right, verses what everyone else is doing. There are many times through out the story that the main charecter could have done what was popular, instead she chooses the more difficult journey, making you want to cheer and encourage her all the more.
There are some people that may be disappointed that this series does not end with a romantic twist, as all of Pierce's other series have. However, I felt that this simply made the charecter even stronger and more realistic. True, you want her to find the right someone, as you wish for all fairy tale happy endings for most of your favorite charecter, but this charecter dosen't need one for you to know that everything will work out all right.
One other theme in this series must be discussed. As with all of Pierce's books, the subject and discussion of war is quite strong through out this series. Lady Knight, however introduces the young adult to more then just the deaths that are due to war, it also discusses what happens to civilians during a war.
I feel that this is Pierce's third best book to Alanna and Lioness Rampant. Of course, I would encourage readers out there to read any of Pierce's writtings, guranteed, you will enjoy them.

I was waiting for what seemed like years for the fourth and final book of Kel's series to finally come out, and when I got it, I read it in two days. It's a thrilling, gripping ending to an amazing series.
Kel has finally gotten her shield, and she's sent with all the knights of the realm to the northern border to fight in the war against Scanra. But she's disappointed when she's put in command of a refugee camp instead of getting to fight and go on her personal quest to find the maker of the horrible machines being sent against Tortall. But she does what she's told, just like the Kel we know.
I was very pleased when Tamora Pierce got rid of Cleon, who I didn't like. I missed her usual romance in this book, but it did seem like Kel to not want a lover. Although I'm thinking about Dom...
I was also happy to find that all the characters that had seemingly been forgotten in the third book appeared again, like Neal, Owen, and her other year-mates. I loved all the new characters in this book, like Kel's servant boy Tobe, and the refugees she had to take care of. There was a lot of adventure and fighting in this book, but just enough to make you love it. And everything was done in a humorous and realistic way.
Kel acted just like herself in this book, which really made up for the mistakes in the third book. This is definitely a worthwhile read. This is my favorite of all of Tamora's series, and she's my favorite author. This is a must-read, and once you pick it up, you can't put it down.

I have been a Tortall fan since the beginning, and I must say this book was severely disappointing. No romance, barely any comedy, the book seemed to have one focus; war. In a time when all one has to do is turn on their television set to invite war into their livingroom, most of us really enjoy those fleeting moments when we can immerse ourselves in a land of fiction. We don't need war there too. I am really hoping that there will be a 5th book--not to offset Pierce's set-in ways about only having 4 in each series--but to try and make up for the pitiful ending she left this one with. Very disappointed.

Compared to all of Ms. Pierce books, I don't think this is her best writing. The plot isn't very exciting and it's very predictable. The fourth book in the Protector of the Small series, Keladry or Kel, of Mindelan is now a knight. She is sant to command and train a refugee camp to help with the war with Scanra. Kel quickly gains the refugee's respect and trust. But when many of Kel's refugee children are kidnapped to make killing devices, Kel must stop an evil mage and become the protector of the small.

In Lady Knight, Lady Kel is finally being assigned a post as a full fledged knight. The only problem is that the chamber of ordeal has given her a vision, a task to complete. She has no idea how to go about it and her present command seemingly takes her from her goal. Watching over refugees and protecting a camp from harm is hardly the action of war she thought she would see. And in her mind, fighting the battle is the quickest way to the enemy the chamber has shown her. However, deep down, she fears she may have to abondon her sheild and follow her baser instincts... ones that say she alone can tackle and vanquish this evil. Much like Alanna, she is given visions and suffers from nightmares until she finally does begin her quest as the chamber ordered. In doing so she fulfills her destiny and becomes known as "Protector of the Small."
This novel, wonderfully full of character development is long (Yippee). It takes time to introduce new characters to care for... especially Tobe, Kel's new charge. Once again, Daine and Numair are there to help Kel. Her love for animals has made her friendship with Daine a great asset. In fact, Daine frees much of her magic on the animals around Kel knowing she will do everything in her power to protect them. We meet Neal, Raoul of Goldenlake, Dom (Neal's cousin), Neal's father, Owen and many others from the Song of the Lioness and Wild Magic Quartets that mean so much to those of us that love the Tortall series.
In fact that was what made this book so amazing. It brings together all my favorite characters. They are so loyal to each other and seeing them grow up, or watching others who are already growing up and having children. It makes me sad to know that the series is ending. I hate the thought of having to say goodbye to any more stories about them. While Kel doesn't end up with any love interest... there's plenty of potential for her to find one. There's always... maybe another quartet for us to find out. Overall, though it was a fine farewell to fictional people I have come to love. And a commendable story to dedicate to the strength of New York after September 11th. Thanks Tamora for giving me characters to love and cherish and respect.

When Tamora Pierce started out writing about Tortal, her work was not excellent, but it made for an enjoyable read and the characters were easy to empathize with. She seems to have lost touch with that writing style somewhere along the way. This final book is pretty boring. It is difficult to empathize with any of the characters because they all seem to lack any genuine emotions. Everything seems fake and forced. A good rule for writers is 'show, don't tell;' a rule which seems to have been utterly abandoned by Pierce. She over-describes everything, spending far too much of her time and the reader's on unnecessary details that only hurt the story. She uses choppy sentences and spells everything out instead of letting the story flow. I had really hoped for better from her.

Lady Knight is a fantastic story about a knight named Kelardy. The twist is that Kel is the second female knight in all the realm of Tortall. Unfortunately, Kel can not get help or advice from the first knight, Alanna the Lioness becase the Crown believes that Alanna will put a spell on Kel to help her suceed.
This book in particular tells how Kel is sent to run a refugee camp called Haven. But Kel would much rather be fighting in the war with Scanra. Fortunately her good friends Merric, Nealan, and Dom are there to help. Not to mention the entertaining villagers.
Throughout the book many obstacles and suprises appear. One of them is a new servant for Kel, whose name is Tobe. Kel rescued him from an abusive inkeeper when she saw that he possesed horse magic, and could deal with her tempermental horse, Peachblossom.
This book is geat at teaching lessons because the whole way Kel is battling Scanrans, evil metal giants called killing devices, and the urge to leave her people and follow the chambers quest for her by destroying the Nothing Man.
I love this book! I enjoy the drama, humor, and characters Kel meets on her way. This book completes the quartet; Protector of the Small brillantly.
Other books in quartet:
~First Test
~Page
~Squire

I really enjoyed this series, and it is one of my favorite Tamora Pierce series. Kel is the most real of the heroines in the Tortall universe, being not Gifted, and accomplishing her goals with a great strength of will. I would have to say to the concerned parents of the world, that it isn't really reading for 8 year olds. But it also isn't written for 8 year olds anyway, but for young adults. AND it is doing a great disservice to not allow somebody to read her books when it is more appropiate for their age.

That being said, I thought that it was a bit anti climatic... Granted it stated that in the book, but I felt that was kind of an easy out. But it was still really quite wonderful otherwise. And I thought it was REALLY great that Kel didn't need a man to have a happy ending. SO many of the other series have a man in their happy ending. I just like to see that once in a while people can be happy in their life without needing romantic love to complete themselves.

Kel is the type of person that I strive to be, and is a good role model for anybody, female or male.

Lady Knight, the fourth book in the Protector of the Small, follows Kel as she goes to war with Scanra in the North. She gets assigned to protect refugees at a refugee camp. In the beginning she feels this is a petty assignment. By the end of the book she is happy with the assignment. This book by itself was very good. I enoyed it a lot. But in the sceme of things, I find that it wasn't enough of a conclusion for all of the other 3 books. It left too many loose ends hanging. But it was still a good book.

Protecter of the Small #4 Lady Knight by Tamora Peirce

Possibly my favorite book, this is a definite must-read. It provides a satifying conclusion to the Protecter of the Small quartet, and is, in my opinion, Tamora Pierce's best book yet. Keladry of mindelan is a beliveable character, her feelings andimperfections creating an entirely human character.

Keladry of Mindelan has just been knighted, and is expecting combat when she goes to fight in the war. So, she's less than delighted when she is assigned to oversee a refugee camp. This also keeps her from being able to hunt the mysterious Blayce, who uses dead children to create killing devices. But, when "Haven"is raided, Keladry must make an awful decicion. To rescue the children would be to disobey her orders and risk losing her shield, but she feels she has a responsibility towards her charges. Also, to miss a chance to kill the awful Blayce would be unbearable.

My favorite part is when Keladry has found the children, and must confront Blayce and his henchman Stenmun. This book is very exciting, and is sure to grab you right away. It definetly deserves a 4.8 star rating.

This is the final story in the Protector of the Small series. Kelladry is now the second female knight in Tortall, after Alanna. During the chamber of the ordeal a goal is set before Kel, she is to stop a wizard who is making killing machines in Scanra. These killing machines live off of dead children's soles and could destroy all of Tortall's warriors in their fight against Scanra. Kel's final story will lead her on an adventure to save her friends, family, and Tortall. This story takes place in Tortall under king Jonathan and Queen Thayet, Human Era.
I really enjoyed this book because it brought back characters from the Song of the Lioness and the Immortals which both took place in Tortall. Another reason I enjoyed this book was it kept me interested the whole time . Anyone would be able to keep up with this fast paced adventure for two reasons. First, there is a list of characters in the back for refrence. Also, there is a dictionary for any words you come across and don't understand. This book would be great for any teenage girl.

I was really looking forward to Pierce's new book a long time before it hit the shelves. When I picked it up on August 24, I had plans of starting it immiediately after I got home.
'Lady Knight,' the fourth installment in the Protector of the Small quartet, follows Keladry of Mindelan, now eighteen and fresh out of her training for knighthood, through her first adventure as a knight of the realm of Tortall. I was pleased that the final book did not forget the supporting characters we fell in love with in the earlier books (Neal in particular) and kept them as an important part of the story.
The story chronicles the bulk of Tortall's war with Scanra, the nation bordering it to the north. Kel and her friends are assigned to a position that mainly involves keeping civilian refugees as safe as possible from harm, especially at the hands of the montrous killing machines manufactured by a virtually unknown mage for the army of Scanra.
Though the book was fantastic, I did not put five stars on my review because I felt ther was something missing. Perhaps I felt that in the final book, Kel should have a somewhat defined love interest. And even though Pierce hinted slightly at Sergeant Domitan, it didn't seen to be enough for me.
But all in all, 'Lady Knight' is a fine conclusion to the brilliant quartet, filled with humor, emotion, and of course, lots of adventure. I believe at the end of the story, many will join me in waiting hopefully for another tale of Tortall, so we can fall in love with new characters, and have a great time with the old ones as well.

I am a veteran of the Tortall series and this superb edition is one of the finest yet. This book flows smoothly through the pages in perfect harmony and the use of magic and sword is marvelous. The story goes with the beginning starting as a small intro to the main character, Keladry, who is recently having nightmares. After a scene with the Chamber of Ordeal she and a group of others are summoned to a fort where Keladry is assigned to look after refugees. The story goes on with her having to leave and going to report to her Lord Wyldon, but while away the enemy lead a devestating attack against her post and takes the refugees as prisoners. Keladry is furious and gives two men the slip to search for her people, two groups head after her and help along the way. In the end Keladry succeeds in her task and heads home.
I would, however suggest that the reader reads the Lioness quartet first and then the Immortals before reading Protecter of of the Small series. It is an outstanding series and a very good book.

This book was a great story written by my all-time favorite author, Tamora Pierce. It's about Keladry "Kel" of Mindelan, who wanted to become a knight of Tortall.. In the previous book, she did. In this book, it's her first adventure as a knight, where she learns that what the orders are aren't always right....and that sometimes you need to let go to follow what you belong to.
I strongly reccomend this book!

I've been waiting for months for this book to come out. So I was disapointed to see the results. The book wasn't bad, but it was not as good as the rest of the series. Things didn't go as I had hoped with Cleon. There wasn't enough romance ether. And the book ended too fast. Don't get me wrong, the book was still good. Kel saved many lives and she finaly got to command. I just exspected better.

ok, i love this author and i loved this quartet overall, but i think this book was probably the worst one. it was a long book in which Kel only had two thoughts; protect refugees and attack wierd guy.
they was almost nothing about kel's personal life. (ie- you learned more about Neal's feeling toword Yuki than about Kel's feelings for dom) and a huge letdown when cleon decides to be nobel and help his fief out by marrying another woman! everyone was too nice.
i think that tamora got bored with kel when she started her new small series, (about alianne, george and alanna's daughter). she seemed to end the book in a hurry after wrapping up most loose ends, then leaving the reader with several questions about what kel would do next, she proptly ended the book. there is some great news about lord Raoul though!

Although, not surprisingly, things do wind up okay in the end, there's a lot of really horrible stuff that happens before we get there - much more than in any of the other Pierce books that I have read (the explanation in the acknowledgments might be part of it). I'm glad that I still have a couple more Tortall books to look forward to. This is definitely a world I am eager to return to.

I discovered "First Test" (the first book in this series) last year, and eagerly devoured each book in turn. I started "Lady Knight" last night and am already halfway through. Unlike another reviewer, I was delighted at the way Pierce handled Kel and Cleon's relationship -- no matter how much of a Knight she is, Kel is still a teenage girl, and it's realistic for passionate crushes to fade into friendship over time. It's marvelous to meet a female protagonist who is courageous, determined, and strong, yet still compassionate. Kel is a very real young woman. Yes, the battle scenes are horrifying, and rightly so. I wouldn't recommend these books for anyone under, say, 14, but older teens and adults should give them a try!

I thoroughly loved this book! It showed Kel's unequaled perserverence at a new level. I've been a fan of this series because Kel is without magic, making her an actual person that you can relate to (in most cases). But this book showed her excelling in something that she didn't want to do. As you can see I REALLY enjoyed this book and encourage everyone to read it.

I have to say, this quartet doesn't at all match up with the rest of Tamora Pierce's. This is my least favourite book of hers so far. The usual *spark* just isn't there...basically the whole book is about Kel's days as a knight and her leadership over Haven, the fort that she has been assigned to run. When disaster strikes, she goes to the rescue. She and Cleon split up, and she never does get together with anyone else...I was rooting for Dom, lol. Anyways, if you've read the other 3 Protector of the Small books, you should read this one just to finish it off, but don't expect anything great.

fine, the ending got to me a little. I was dissapointed cause i wanted more ending. But it was my favorite quartet of TP and i loved it! I was also dissapointed Neal was betrothed to Yukimi. He and Kel are so better off together. But Dom's okay i guess. he is neal's cousin, after all. I was left gloomy after reading all four books cuz i wanted more and felt like i was losing my friends when i didn't hav any more to read about kel. So i hope in trickster's choice, the book about alianne, alanna's daughter, which sounds like alien and is sort of a stupid name, they hav kel and neal in there. they're my favorite characters in the quartet! this book has great action when kel, finally a knight, gets sort of a task from the chamber of the ordeal and is left to command a refugee camp. SHe teaches the civilians to fight and when she leaves to visit sir wyldon, she finds out the camp has been attacked! Although wyldon commanded otherwise, she left the squads on her own to take back her refugees who were kidnapped to be fed to evil metal killing machines a mage named Blayce was making. Her friends join, wanting to help her rather than save their shield as what they were doing was basically treason. So they head onto Scanra where war takes place to get back the children, that was what they spent eight years training for! Grate!!!! wonderful book, i luuuuuvved it!!!

My only disappointment with this book is that I have no more Tortall series to read.

I read Allana's & The Immortals series about 5 years ago, and for reason I had decided not to read the Protector of the Small. BIG MISTAKE!!! I've recently bought all the books and litteraly ate them up in a couple days.

I've enjoyed this quartet just as much, if not more, as I enjoyed reading The Long of the Lioness & the Immortals.

P.S. I`m a 30 years old male, these books aren't just for young readers ;P

This book is probably my favorite of the Protector of the Small Quartet. It has a lot of sad and happy and outraged areas that are important to the eventual completion. In among all the emotion and
other ideas that are included in the book, there is Tamora Pierce's usual laugh in your head humor. I thought this book was a definite must read!

Tamora Pierce is one of my all time favorite authors who could only improve upon her writing skills by turning out her books a bit faster. This book like most of her books has wonderful characterization and story line. The world she creates is intriguing and everyone in it seems real and fascinating.

I loved the book. I've heard complaints about how there should have been a love interest, she's too fickle, etc, but I have to say that's what brings relaity to this charachter. If you've read The Song of Lioness and The Immortals, two other fantasy series by Tamora Pierce, you realize that both series end with an engagement or a proposal. I personally liked the difference, and if you want adventure, this book is definatly the way to go. If you'd like to discuss your ideas, might I suggest ... to do so? Information is there, but I'm sure that the author wants feedback- and since it's a forum where her fans go, she often explains the always present why. I personally loved this book- I'm sure you will, too.

So it wasn't as dramatic as the Alanna books, none of Pierces books have been. I too was a little annoyed at the non-romance part at first, at the same time I feel like it was one of the first books that Kel actually does something hugely important. I loved it, and I think out of all the books about mindelen this one had the best characters. Truth is though its been long time since I've read the other three. I must admitt I do wish there was one more book, doesn't have to be long, that explains more of what happens to her. The epiloge was good, but it didn't leave me feeling as though the most exciting tales of Kel's were over yet like it did at the end of both Daine's and Alanna's. I hope Pierce writes a book about Neal's daughter.

i really enjoyed this book but i felt that this series (protector of the small) wasn't finished.i would really like another novel about Kel. another problem was the complete lack of romance! in all her other tortall series the last book was the one with all the romance and this one had nothing.i was really surprised and quite disapointed but the book was still great and very moving.i'd give it 4 and a half if i could

LADY KNIGHT is the best book I've read in a long time; I was never bored while reading it. Pierce has the ability to create what many authors have forgotten how to do: real characters. Kel works diligently for her title as "Lady Knight" as she experiences both losses and triumphs. (She even gets a cold!) It was a wonderful experience to read a book that shows the passion of the human spirit and the courage that lies within each of us. I would definitley recommend this book to anyone who loves action, adventure, (even a little bit of magic) and stories about finding your place in the world. I have not yet read the other three books in the PROTECTOR OF THE SMALL series, but I am very anxious to do so!

This was a great book that I think made kel grow into herself very well. I rhink that if you are looking for romance, and don't find any in this book,don't complain. this is not a romance novel. I also like this ending better than the oh-so-perfect endings to Allana and Daines books.

While there isn't much romance in Lady Knight, it's not really missed. There's tons of action, which more that accounts for the lack of romance! There was just one thing that bothered me a little...I WANT MORE!!! While the book provided an excellent plot and character development, it kinda left the reader hanging, as if it was the third book, and not the last in the series. I also would have like to see more of Neal (sigh...) but a reader can't have everything. I personally loved it and hope that while not everyone is as obsessed with Tamora Pierce's books as I am, that at least others can enjoy her books

Lady Knight, the conclusion to The Protector of the Small series was one of the best books iv read. Its a gripping tale of adventure and excitement. Kels friends never cease to Amaze me in their loyalty, while Kels growing knoweldge as a commander is inspiring. Its a great book that every Tamora Pierce fan should read, as well as all fanasy lovers. The characters grow on you and kels friends become your friends. As always, Tamora Pierce's books are some of the best on the market.

I must admit, until I read Lady Knight, I thought that Squire was undoubtedly the best of the Protector of the Small quartet. Then, just days after I got it, I was hooked, I fell in love with Kel, Neal, Merric and Cleon (although there was no where near as much of him as I wanted!) as knights, not pages and squires!
Now, I know that the empty space on my bookshelf is filled by a book that can keep me entertained and amused for hours (sad, I know!) by a single sentence from Neal's mouth.
A must have for all Tamora Pierce fans, and new readers alike!

Once again, Tammy has given us another excellent book! The final book in the Protector of the Small Quartet proves to grant every wish we had for Kel and gives us some things to think about. Her third Tortall quartet follows Kelandry as she becomes the second Lady Knight in the Realm of Tortall. We endure her pains and we rejoice along with her happiness. By the end of Lady Knight you are as in love with these characters and you were with Alanna and Daine. Some shocking events prove Kel's worthiness of her title and her friends prove to her she is cared about. Filled with battle, magic, romance, and fatalic events, Lady Knight is a superb read for all!

I thought this book was good,but not as good as Pierce's previous books. In Lady Knight, it seemed that Kel's attitude changed,and she seemed less human. The book did not play as heavily on her faults as the others did. There was no mention of her fear of heights. While it was a wonderful tribute to those who died in 9-11, the book itself was sadly lacking. The climax was built up remarkably well, but the book just. . . ended. In this book, Kel seems more superhuman, and less kind towards people. Her treatment of Tobe and several of the others in the camp reflects this. I didn't like that part. The book also doesn't mention some of the things that were very important to Kel in Squire, Page, and First Test. It was like Kel was truly a noble, and not someone who was kind and fair to people. Though she was very fair in her treatment with people in this book.

It's a grand conclusion to the series, but every few chapters there's something that leaves the head shaking. Is Faleron in the infirmary, or hundreds of miles away? I think a scene in which Owen talks about dogs must have been cut, but a later mention of it was left in. Distracts from the story.

This book is fantastic, for more information, read other reviews. For all you wondering whether this is the last you read of Kel, it sounds like its not. I was at a event in Corvallis, OR, yesterday and Tamora Pierce said that she was considering a book about Kel when she is done with the six or more books currently scheduled. This information will likely change, but it gives us some hope, since there were many people who wanted to hear her response to that question, given the cheers when she announced the idea.

I loved this book but the romance level of zero upset me. I never thought that Kel loved Cleon. He was just the first guy 2 show interest in her. Cleons was too silly about love 2 actually b in love i think. Dom seems just right. Watever Kel lacks he makes up 4, and visa-versa. He is like Neal, but there are some differences in them that makes me able 2 c Dom and Kel together but not Kel and Neal, hes perfect as her frend. Another book should b written bout kel and dom. it wood b bad 2 hear about them in the back round because i want 2 c how they act alone 2getha and stuff. If those kind of scenes wer put in the next tortallan books i gess iot wood b kk but no as good. if ur readin this mrs. pierce please write anotha story about Keladry! any1 can email me @ chinchillacraze2

Well, being a Tamora Pierce fan, I naturally loved this book, and the series that it belongs in. The series is all about a girl who wants to become a knight, dispite of what people say, int this book, she becomes a knight and proves that she could do it.
It is really a great book, and I think everyone who likes this genre should read it.

A heartwarming adventure of danger and drama. Lady knight is a great book for all ages. Kel is in a war running a refugee camp. That's right. A refugee camp. It's put up north, in harm's way. And harm comes a callin'. A daring adventure. To recapture her people, defeat an evil mage, and turn the tide of a war, Lady Knight is a great book.

I am used to male hero's. This and the other books in this series promote a sense of worth, girl's able to do anything. Teaching at the same time morality. And adding a great twist magic. Wish there were more sequels. Great read

I couln't wait for this book to come out! and when it did I read it in two days. It follows Kel to Scanra, where she is put in charge of a refugee camp. ALthough it may no be the most exciting work, Kel does her job greatly! I was so excited to see all the OLD characters as well, such as Daine and Numair, although I wished Alanna was in it more! My only other regret was that she and Cleon broke it off and that was it! I would have loved to see them get together!

Everyone is saying they were dissapointed in this book by the lack of romance. I'm glad Tammy didn't write the book the way she knew we wanted it, and instead wrote it as if it were following a real person's life, where things don't just happen when you wan them too. I am a big Dom fan, so the hints at a later romance and her crush still existing were amazing for me. I can't wait to see if they get together. I am glad Tammy made him a main character in the last and my favorite installment in POTS.
PS> The little details are what make a story interesting. Without them it's more like reading a script than a story.

I agree with some of the reviewers about the ending, but I like how Tamora Pierce added the Chamber's voice so that killing Blayce too quickly wouldn't seem cheesy.

I think it's great that Kel isn't together with anyone. That's exactly what I want in a 'strong female heroine'...she doesn't need men. Go Tamora!

Honestly, i wasnt really expecting this book to be good. Usually tamora peirce writes well, but the book previous to this one (Squire) i didnt find that exceptional. so i figured this one would be the same sappy mushy "i dont know who i love" kinda book. i was very wrong. i started reading it, and was very excited! it wasnt like that! it was very well written. howerver, everything got really easy in the end. it was TOO easy. also, instead of minimising the amount of romance, she eliminated it entirely... it doesnt really match up and the reader is left feeling like the story is unfinished. she should write another to tie it up

It left me hanging, I guess I got use to Pierce writing the romance into all her books that I just wanted to know who Kel ended up with in the end. Though it does suggest Dom in a slight way.
But it is definitly a MUST read, I couldn't keep my eyes off it, I even forgot to babysit my brother because I got too into it. It has soo much action and really shows the true side to a knight, what with Alanna's being a lot about her magic and Daine's being about animals.
You have to read this book! I hope Tamora Pierce keeps up this world's series. I love Tortall and all the characters!

I loved this book! It was sooooooooooooo good. Not much romance but, the GREAT stoy line more than enough made up for the lack! Like I said this book is great,and any Tamora Pierce fan would llllllllloooovvvee it!

I can hardly believe this is Tamora Pierce's! What happened to Cleon? Maybe Kel doesn't have to "end up" with someone at eighteen, but it would have been nice to know that she would not have ended up an old maid. I didn't like the violence, partially because it happens too much in OUR world- why stuff it into books, too? But all in all, a good book with a surprising ending, most definitely.

i LOVE this book. if i could, i'd give it 100 stars. i've read almost read all of tamora pierce's books, and i love them all. the only problems are there it's not long enough and i couldn't put it down.

Tamora Perices fourth book of the Protector of the small series. Awaited by many! It is a letdown though. All it talkes about is her Knight dutys and war. The best part of the 401 page book is the EPILOGUE! It has none of Tamora Perices usual carm in her characters personal life...very disappointing.

I really loved this book, just as I loved the others. However, I only gave it a four because, like others have written, I felt that Pierce should have included a new love interest for Kel. The break- up with Cleon was kind of expected, and even though the author hinted at Dom, I would have preferred the book if she had included bits of Dom and Kel getting together. Maybe Pierce should write a 5th book??
But overall, it was brilliant! A wonderful conclusion to the series.

This is a great book. It has enough action to keep the reader reading, yet enough description to give a vivid picture of what is going on. This series is as good if not better than the Alanna series. Kel doesn't even have the Gift to help her. She gets by just fine with the Yamani teachings and weapon skill.
I recommend this for anyone, especially those of you who love action with a female protagonist. See ya ;)!

I first met Tamora Pierce while visiting my daughter's family in another state. I wanted something to read and my granddaughter loaned me the first book in The Circle of Magic. When I got home I bought the whole set. When Ms. Pierce showed up in by book club with her adventures in Tortall I promptly purchased them. They were equally captivating. I am a Christian and there were a couple of things that bothered me. I can accept the pagan view of multiple gods as a story hook with no problem. I have no trouble with, and in fact relish, the fantasy aspects of "gifts" and magical abilities. It was some of the things that our culture accepts as okay in real life that the Bible calls a sin that I was sorry to see in these books. Teenage girls don't need to jump in bed, or desire to jump in bed, with their current love to make the story better, even if it is "off screen." The unnatural attraction between same gender people also isn't necessary to the story line. Lastly, some young readers have tender hearts and could be disturbed by the mental image of the slaughter of children and babies to further the evil plans of the evil mage. Can you even imagine what it would be like if an entire village had all of their children stolen from them and killed? Reality has really bad things happen all the time. Couldn't fantasy be more fantastic?

I really loved that book, it was great! Filled with action, suspense and a little bit of drama. The only bad part was I really didn't feel it ended the series all that well. I mean Kel never did find a guy like Daine and Alanna (even though Numiar is strange). I don't know, it just bugged. Well mabey Pierce will break her routine and add a fifth book, I hope she does!

This book was great, but I didn't love it as much as Squire. There was 0 romance, and I would have like there to be more, I just love romance! Well, on to the review!
Kel is now a knight!! Woohoo! In this book Kel is not what you might think of when you hear 'fighter' but she does fight! i loved this book, but I think one book was waaaay batter, that was Squire, but you can't blame me, for I am tooo much in love with Squire...

This book was the best yet (and longest). I got through it so fast... I couldn't put it down. Then I read it again! This book was action-packed, and I kept on finding out even more stuff about Kel each time I read it. This book was great!

I must regret that for all of the fnas that finally one of Tamora's heroines does not end up with a man at the end of a series. With all of the Flirting between Dom and Kel all she hints at is there "may" be a future with him...tear* i liked Dom so much better than the other guy she got involved with.

Tamora Pierce will again amaze you with Lady Knight. Although it didn't seem to end the way I had though that it would, it's ending was perfect! Also, if you have a weak heart, don't read chapter 3!

Kel just seems so dumb. Like the other books in this series the plot line moves along slowly and then something will happen and Kel will save the day. There really aren't any surprises. I couldn't even get through this last book. Just so disappointed since the Lioness books and The Immortals books were soooooo great!

Don't think I'm giving this one star because I hate fantasy or Tamora Pierce. (i love fantasy, which is why I spent around 20 dollars buying it) I loved Squire, and read it many times, and was eager to read this book just like a the store shopper, but after the first few chapters and the story stops moving I began to have my doubts. First of all I thought Tamora pierce thought towards the end oh no this isn't going any where I need kel to do something the readers will love: I'll have her try to save all the "small/poor" people in a dangerous land, but I'll just have them all hanged, and when kel fights the bad guy, who I forgot to develop, her friends will be there for her. O i guess i forgot to have Kel get together with someone and that was what I was best at, oh well I'll let the readers know she might get together with Dom.

The series started out great, but from the beginning what bothered me was, ho-hum, no romance, sure Kel developed a crush on Neal, not that it ever turned into anything. But the story witheld my interest long enough for "Squire" the third book in the sereis. Well, I loved it! There was just as much, if not more action, than the first two books, all while Kel's romance with Cleon was blossoming into something wonderful and true. Then, comes Lady Knight. I personally was very excited to read it. Well, when Cleon walked in during supper one night, I just smiled because I was glad that our heroine would now have him back after over a year without him. WRONG. Cleon moreorless 'broke-up' with Kel, and she was GLAD about it, because or else she feared that she would have to tell him herself. After the romance died, so did the rest of the story. Sure the action scenes were great, but without the assurance that if Kel did get hurt during battle she would have Cleon (not just her other friends) to worry about her, I was overall disappointed. Our poor Keladry, a lady knight with no love....

This book was alright, I'll grant you that, however it is sorely lacking in some areas that made the other Books by Pierce so great. On the surface, there was no romance or intrigue, but also Kel's story started off with a bang and ended with a puff. It was almost as if Pierce had created a character, and then not known what to do with it. Anway, I would not suggest you buy it it.

this book shouldn't be labeled as for young adults it should be labeled for little kids and maybe young adults who are followers. these type of stories get the volume turned down after you've read books like fight club, and a clockwork orange. if you truly want to start reading things that are less predictable and less trite read those two books, then see if you want to return to this stuff

My husband bought this series thinking that it would be a good book for our 8 year-old who is a voracious reader and is very capable of reading this level book. There was no suggested reader age on the back, but after a quick scan of the book and the cover it seemed appropriate. Looks can be deceiving, however. Half way through the third book, my daughter began to ask what it means to "bed a man" after reading:

"Kel visited her mother. They talked about lovers and pregnancy, how these things happened, and how important it was to decide if she wanted children when she chose to bed a man".

There were also refrences to "slum wench" and rape. There were several pages talking about long passionate kisses:

"His grip on her fingers got tighter, the stops in alleys and corners for kisses more frequent, as the afternoon wore on...They found one last doorway. Wrapping their arms around each other, they kissed long and hard. Kel felt Cleon's heart beating against his ribs. She clung to him with all her strength as he clung back. A street boy saw them and chanted obscene rhymes until they seperated..."

Needless to say, our daughter will not be finishing this book, the series or any other Tamora Pierce books. the store rates this for 12 years and up, but I think even that is too young. Apparently, we cannot rely on authors to use common sense and good conscience when writing, designing and marketing to children. I think we need children's books to be rated like our movies and records so that parents can make better choices in choosing books for their children.