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First Test: Book 1 of the Protector of the Small Quartet Audiobook
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(4.00) - 21,813 listener ratings
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Kel will not allow this first test to be her last. Her adventure begins in the New York Times bestselling series from the fantasy author who is a legend herself: TAMORA PIERCE. Keladry of Mindelan is the first girl who dares to take advantage of a new rule in Tortall—one that allows females to train for knighthood. After years in the Yamani Islands, she knows that women can be warriors, and now that she’s returned home, Kel is determined to achieve her goal. She believes she is ready for the traditional hazing and grueling schedule of a page. But standing in Kel’s way is Lord Wyldon. The training master is dead set against girls becoming knights. He says she must pass a one-year trial that no male page has ever had to endure. It’s just one more way to separate Kel from her fellow trainees. But she is not to be underestimated. She will fight to succeed, even when the test is unfair. More timely than ever, the Protector of the Small series is Anti-Bullying 101 while also touching on issues of bravery, friendship, and dealing humanely with refugees against a backdrop of an action-packed fantasy adventure. "Tamora Pierce's books shaped me not only as a young writer but also as a young woman. She is a pillar, an icon, and an inspiration. Cracking open one of her marvelous novels always feels like coming home." —SARAH J. MAAS, #1 New York Times bestselling author "Tamora Pierce didn't just blaze a trail. Her heroines cut a swath through the fantasy world with wit, strength, and savvy. Her stories still lead the vanguard today. Pierce is the real lioness, and we're all just running to keep pace." —LEIGH BARDUGO, #1 New York Times bestselling author
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"Where has this book been? How did I miss it? I love the matter of fact story telling. Gritty girl heroine, a little magic and weapons. All the good elements for a coming of age book set who knows where or when. The best part is that it is a quartet of books and I've got three more to read."
— Murphy (4 out of 5 stars)
First Test Listener Reviews
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Aerlyn O'Brien, 8/3/2024
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Fowler Alexandra, 5/31/2022
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" not having an ability to read for long it is wonderful to have it read to me. keladry is a wonderful message to both boys and girls "
— colleen, 7/24/2017 -
" a book of another awesome series by tamora pierce. This one is about Kel of Mendalin who wants to be a knight like the legendary Alanna. Unlike Alanna who is descised as a boy during her training, Kel braves it as a girl. "
— Wafia, 2/8/2014 -
" it was a good book and i love it how tamora pierce takes charactors from older books and puts them in newer ones. "
— Kelly, 2/2/2014 -
" I much prefer Alanna's story but Kel does a decent job. I wish it had more of George and Alanna in it though. "
— RainaK, 1/24/2014 -
" You also learn about combat and equipment, along with a bit of animal knowledge. "
— Merenwen, 1/23/2014 -
" Pierce's latest Lady Knight book. I can't say I enjoyed it as much as Alanna: the First Adventure. While I like Kel, she isn't my favorite. Neal, on the other hand, is a funny, smart, all around great supporting character... "
— Alice, 1/22/2014 -
" Why do I enjoy books about female heroines? I don't know I just do. This is about a young girl on the path to knighthood (a man's occupation). Throw in some trauma and drama, hard work and magical creatures and I am happy! "
— Jim, 1/16/2014 -
" kel is great..i love this series "
— Ellie, 1/5/2014 -
" Great book. I definitely want my daughters to read this. Kel is a strong 10 year old girl who overcomes much with her strong spirit. "
— Jayne, 1/1/2014 -
" Madeline LOVED this and it was totally fine to read with her. "
— Katrina, 12/25/2013 -
" An Excellent start to a fantastic series! After I read the first I just had to buy the whole set! I love Tamora Pierce's work! She has her own style that sets her apart from most other authors. Highly Recommended! "
— Tessa, 11/2/2013 -
" It is one of my favorite books. It is a mixture of fantasy,mid evil,and it shows the power of ladies! "
— Olivia, 9/27/2013 -
" This was such a good book "
— Jacob, 9/26/2013 -
" nothing fabulous, and kind of formulaic. i didn't know it was an offshoot of another series, but other than some initial questions which don't really matter, there wasn't a ton of intersection as far as i could tell. "
— J, 9/14/2013 -
" Definitely a strong start to a series that could have just been Alanna 2: Kel edition. But Kel is different enough, and her challenges different enough, that it's not an imitation at all. Very enjoyable! "
— Anna, 9/5/2013 -
" I think this is my favorite Tamora Pierce series. It reminds me of the news stories we heard about the first woman to attend West Point. Such a kick-ass heroine, with great ethics and integrity. "
— Darceylaine, 5/25/2013 -
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mike totten, 4/5/2013
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" I loved the character of Mel, she is strong without being hardened. "
— Foggygirl, 3/1/2013 -
" I loved this book :-) I love Tammy and her wonderful stories! "
— Juliana, 12/21/2012 -
" Fun series. Still not my favorite. "
— Kara, 9/10/2012 -
" I really enjoy her books and this was a really fun series. "
— Kylara, 7/17/2012 -
" A young girl with amazing discipline and drive, and more mature than most adults, this 10 year old is inspiring and never dull. A great read! "
— Loretta, 4/29/2012 -
" YA fantasy. Heroine is 11, wants to be a knight. "
— Lois, 2/23/2012 -
" I want to be a knight after reading the series! "
— Izabella, 2/5/2012 -
" The story of Kel,though similar to that of Alanna is a good,light read. "
— Anu, 10/25/2011 -
" Sadly only read once and that was a while ago. "
— Lellan, 5/26/2011 -
" Just as wonderful as the Allana books.. This book really reminds me of the Alanna books just where the both had to make people believe that they are just as good as the other boys and that their is an enemy for Kel as well. "
— Deanna, 5/7/2011 -
" Fun book, with a strong young girl character! "
— Tiffany, 4/22/2011 -
" I really liked this author and found another series by her. This group is read by the same reader so very entertaining. It's a good coming of age, women can do anything they set their minds to story. YA. "
— Anndee, 4/17/2011 -
" I loved the character of Mel, she is strong without being hardened. "
— Foggygirl, 3/21/2011 -
" I love all of Tamora Pierce's stories, but this is my favorite. I love the charcter Keladry, and I enjoy following her through her first year as a page all the way through to her first year as a knight. Such a fantastic series! "
— Kelsey, 3/12/2011 -
" I recommend this book entirely to others. It has such woman power and bravery you can't help but be inspired by Kel as she endeavours towards knighthood. "
— Lucy, 2/19/2011 -
" Wonderful, as usually for Pierce. "
— Wilma, 1/11/2011 -
" This series is food for the soul. Rereading after years, still love it. <br/> <br/>Kel's a great character. "
— mybluesunset, 1/7/2011 -
" Similar tale to Alanna's, very interesting dialog, and definitely a favorite series. "
— Kaidee, 1/6/2011
About Tamora Pierce
Tamora Pierce has published more than two dozen novels, including the New York Times bestseller Bloodhound. She has authored eighteen novels set in the fantasy realm of Tortall, winning her much acclaim. Emperor Mage was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. She is the winner of the Romantic Times Book Reviews Career Achievement Award, the Skylark Edward E. Smith Memorial Award for Imaginative Fiction, and the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her “significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.”
About Bernadette Dunne
Bernadette Dunne is the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Audie Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London and the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway.