Squire

Squire follows Keladry of Mindelan's journey as a squire in the realm of Tortall. After completing her page training, Kel becomes apprenticed to Lord Raoul of Goldenlake, commander of the King's Own elite military force. Under Lord Raoul's guidance, Kel develops her combat and leadership skills through real-world missions with the King's Own. She faces challenges ranging from dangerous creatures to natural disasters, while also caring for a rescued baby griffin that brings its own complications. The story tracks Kel's growth from age fourteen to eighteen as she proves herself in tournaments and earns respect from peers and former critics alike. Her position with the King's Own exposes her to both the practical and political aspects of knighthood. This coming-of-age tale explores themes of perseverance, gender equality, and the responsibilities of leadership. The narrative examines what it means to be both a warrior and a compassionate human being in a changing society.

Readers call this book their favorite of Pierce's Protector of the Small series, noting its deeper character development and more complex plot compared to the earlier books. Readers liked: - Kel's growth into a leader and commander - The realistic depiction of training and hard work - Strong female friendships - The romance subplot's understated nature - Details about page and squire duties Common criticisms: - Slower pacing in the middle sections - Less action than previous books - Some repetitive training sequences Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (44,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) From reviews: "Shows the unglamorous side of knighthood training" - Goodreads reviewer "The best character development in the series" - Amazon review "Too much focus on daily routines and not enough excitement" - Barnes & Noble review "Perfect balance between coming-of-age story and fantasy" - LibraryThing review

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce A girl disguises herself as a boy to train as a knight in a medieval fantasy realm where she develops combat skills and magical powers while navigating palace intrigue.

Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan An orphan trains as a ranger in a medieval kingdom, learning archery, stealth, and combat through a mentor-apprentice relationship.

Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith A young noble learns swordplay and politics as she fights to protect her homeland from an oppressive monarchy.

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley A girl from a colonial outpost discovers her destiny as a warrior-mage who must master an ancient sword and unite two cultures.

Page by Catherine Jinks A medieval servant boy trains to become a squire while uncovering conspiracies in a monastery where not everyone can be trusted.

🛡️ The magical creatures in Tortall, including the infamous killing devices faced by Kel, were inspired by medieval bestiaries and Japanese folklore. 🏰 Tamora Pierce worked as a housemother at a group home before becoming a full-time writer, an experience that influenced her portrayal of mentorship in the series. ⚔️ The training sequences in "Squire" were meticulously researched, incorporating authentic medieval combat techniques from historical documents and modern-day historical reenactors. 👑 The character of Keladry was partially inspired by historical female warriors like Joan of Arc and the Japanese onna-bugeisha (female samurai). 📚 "Squire" marked a significant shift in young adult fantasy literature by focusing on the practical aspects of knighthood training rather than just magical elements, influencing many subsequent works in the genre.