4.5 stars!!! I love Tortall and all of Tamora Peirce's writing. I am so happy that her series is being adapted into graphic novel form for a new generation to discover and enjoy.

That being said, out of all the different series, Protector of the Small is one of my least favorite. That is mainly to do with the main character of Kel, who I have found also more bland and boring than other Peirce main characters. I know that, in the universe, she was raised not to show emotions and had to be challenged in a world that wanted her to fail, but it does not lend to a character I personally connect well with.

The art of this adaptation is wonderful, and I love the diverse characters shown in this version. I especially think depicting all the bruises and fights was well done. Some of the finer details of the character's thoughts and context were lost, like how old characters were (I forgot how old Kel was and how many years older Neil was) and some details of the world you won't understand if this is your first venture into Tortall.

Overall, I am excited that this book exists and that more people will learn about the beautiful world of Tortall, and I hope some of the finer details get ironed out in the next one!

Tamora Pierce fans, rejoice! Our beloved Protector of the Small is back!

I read "First Test" back in the late 2000s (I think) and have only reread book 4, "Lady Knight" (my favorite), ever since, so I'd forgotten some things and names. But it was easy enough to re-acclimate back to the Tortall universe. I appreciate the inclusion of a cast list of characters and a glossary that's included at the end. Reading "First Test" in graphic novel format was a wondrous experience - I loved it!

Ten-year-old Keladry of Mindelan wants to be a knight and protect others like her mother. There haven't been any female knights for a long time and women haven't been allowed since. But that doorway has opened once again thanks to Alanna the Lioness (read the Song of the Lioness series which predates this one to learn more and for an equally epic adventure).

Kel will be the first female page - an endeavor riddled with bullies, saboteurs, and nay-sayers alike. She is put on probation and has a year to prove to the training master of knights, Lord Wyldon, that she belongs there just as much as anyone else and is worthy of training for knighthood.

Kel's kindness and compassion for people and animals, and her determination to succeed are what I love most about her. She's not afraid to stand up to bullies and defend others from them even when it ends in cuts, bruises, and punishment for her. She already represents not only how a true, honorable knight of Tortall conducts themselves but also what it means to be a true friend and comrade.

Reading "First Test" made my bookish heart oh-so happy - the nostalgia was real! The adapter and illustrator did a great job bringing Kel's story to life. Much of what Kel experiences in "First Test" and beyond is still happening in today's world, unfortunately. Readers will easily be able to connect with and relate to Kel.

I really hope this adaptation continues and gets picked up by a new generation of readers. I can't wait to read the graphic novel version of "Page" (book 2)! It's so good to be back in Tortall!

Thanks again Random House Graphic and NetGalley for the e-arc to read in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Graphics for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

I grew up reading the Tamora Pierce books. This is such a wonderful addition to her world! I think it’ll make her books so much more accessible to younger kids, and I loved the art style. I cannot wait to see other graphic novels of her stories!

An excellent adaptation of one of my favorite middle grade fantasy books! The art was great, and Kel’s personality was captured beautifully. I’m so excited to get my physical copy!

As a fan of Tamora Pierce, I was so happy to see this new version of First Test out for new readers! It is hard for me to know exactly how it would read to someone new to the story, as I can essentially recite the book in my head.

I did find aspects of the story a little muddled (not all the first year pages are introduced, so there are scenes where you don't know who is who), and I would have loved more focus on Kel's daily routine (this is something Pierce does better than anyone else I know), but I loved seeing the artist's interpretations of characters, and I so hope they develop the entire series!

My aunt always encouraged me to read these books when I was a tween and teen but I never picked them up. When I saw this graphic novel, I thought it would help me decide if I should finally read them. What it did was make me deeply regret not listening to her. I would have loved these books as a teen.

One of the parts that really made me love this fantasy world is the magic system. I always love when little magic is used and it’s not central. Like everyone basically has one talent. The author also doesn’t overwhelm the reader with new terms or names. Everything was introduced as a good pace.

Another aspect I loved was how the main character was the center of the plot but not of the world. Not all characters took notice of the main character and not all conflict revolved around her. I loved how problems usually were solved by grouping up or finding the right person. Not just about the main character developing a skill.

Ahhh there is so much more I could talk about. This book is just cozy old fantasy, less of the themes of fae and deep magic used in a lot of modern fantasy. I really enjoyed as a now new fan.

What a great adaptation of such a wonderful story. I will definitely add this to our library. The art is great and so descriptive.

The original First Test by Tamora Pierce is one of my all-time favorite books, so when I saw there was a graphic novel adaptation coming out, I knew immediately I had to read it. That said, I had my misgivings: just like when I see a movie adaptation of a book I love, I was sure it couldn’t remotely compare to the original story.

Instead, I found myself instantly engrossed in one of the best novel adaptations I’ve ever encountered.

For fans of the original First Test, there is so much to love in this book—most of the dialogue is pulled directly from the novel, and it felt much more like a visual representation of the novel than a new story with elements of it, as too many adaptations often do. Although of course cutting some scenes or sequences was necessary, I loved how Devin Grayson and Becca Farrow used panel arrangement to convey a sense of time or a montage of scenes, creating the sense of all those scenes without narrating them all individually. The art really captures the spirit and personality of all the characters, particularly Kel and Neil, and I found myself hoping as I devoured this book that there would be adaptations of the rest of the series, too!

Especially at the beginning, some of the worldbuilding might be a little confusing for readers unfamiliar with Tortall, so I highly recommend checking out the character guide and glossary in the back. Although I’m often a little leery of supplemental materials like these, Grayson and Farrow did an excellent job of creating thorough and readable guides that allow new readers to orient themselves, without making previous Tortall readers feel bogged down by pages of worldbuilding.

An excellent, fast-paced fantasy graphic novel that I highly recommend to both old and new fans of Tamora Pierce’s books.

Keladry is one of my all time favorite heroines and I was beyond excited to receive this ARC. I think this is a fantastic adaption and addition to the Tortall universe. I think the nature of graphic novels means some of the written details are lost but I’m still so glad to see this version of Kel’s story out there and this adaption captured the heart of Kel’s story. I’ve already read through this edition once, but I plan on a reread with my 8 year old daughter and I’m so excited to share this with her. If you're looking for a strong role model for kids, especially girls, Kel is my number one recommendation. I think for younger, newer readers and readers who might be struggling with reading, this edition will be perfect. I will update my review to add my daughters’ thought when we finish reading it together. While I would recommend reading the original novels as well, I would not suggest skipping this one, they make a lovely set and I already can’t wait for the next one.

A great adaption of the first book of the Protector of the Small series. The art was detailed and the essence of the story came through well, if a bit condensed. Fans of the book will appreciate the graphic novel format and new readers to the series will find it a decent entry point. Overall, it does well in showcasing Pierce's main themes of believing in yourself and looking out for others. Would like to see the The Song of the Lioness and the Immortals series also adapted into graphic novel format.

Keladry wants to be a knight. She would not be the first female knight, but she would be the first openly female one. There was another before her, who had disguise herself as a man, because women were forbidden to be knights. But when she finally revealed who she was, the kingdom has reconsidered allowing girls to train, and so Keladry will be the first to be allowed in.

We don’t have to know the backstory, though it is referred to, so that we know how high the stakes are, and how much the other boys don’t want her there. She doesn’t care. It is what she wants to be, and they can go pound dirt if they don’t like it. You are not supposed to get into fights, but it happens. And so, each time she is beaten by the other boys she says she fell. Because that is what she has to say to stay.

I don’t remember when I first read Tamora Pierce, but do remember devouring her books once I did. Strong female characters who had to fight for what they wanted. I would have thought that the Lioness series would be the first one to become a graphic novel, but I really liked the Defender of the Small series, so that will be just fine.

What I really love about this version is that Tamora Pierce was involved in this. Her introduction to the book confirms this. And it is an excellent adaptation of the story, and it may make me go back and read the rest of the series again.

Thanks to Netgalley for making tis book available for an honest review. This adoption will be published on the 2nd of July 2024.

I first discovered The Protector of the Small series decades ago, when a generation of young girls valued the positive message that they could do anything that boys can do. Its been a while, so I do not remember the full content of the books well enough to compare the graphic novel to the original work in detail. However, the overall feeling of this delightfully illustrated comic matches what I remember as the plot and message of the novel . Moreover, the format is fantastic for pre-teens and teens who don't always get excited about reading books, somehow a novel is too much like schoolwork but a comic is entertainment. And I did enjoy this format for revisiting Kel and following her as she embarks on her first year toward her goal of knighthood. This book is a treat to introduce a new generation to Tortall, as well as a nostalgic revisit for those of us who grew up on the books some years ago. I hope they continue the adaptations for the entire series.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Children's, Random House Graphic) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

As an avid Tamora Pierce fan, I’ve been looking forward to a graphic novel version for quite some time. It manages to capture the original spirit of the book, with Kel as a strong and determined lead. While there are limits to what can be included in a graphic novel format, I would have loved to see more detail and development of the characters and their interactions, as it felt very brief. Beautiful artwork and a fun new way to visit the world of Tortall that readers both new and old will enjoy.

Tamora Pierce was a huge part of my childhood growing up. I don't know how many time I read The Immortals and Alanna series. When Keladry came about, I was so excited for new hero to read about. And Tamora did not disappoint.

Now we have the first book of Keladry's story told through graphic novel. I had to read this. The artwork is gorgeous and though the characters don't look exactly how I imagined them they are still those characters. It's crazy how they were able to tell the first book in fewer pages but still get the full impact of First Test. The author and artists did such a good job with this.

Any one who loves the world of Tortall needs to pick up this comic. It's everything I could have wanted from a new version of First Test.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of First Test graphic novel.

This was a great graphic novel adaptation of a story that I grew up reading. I loved getting an idea of what all the characters are supposed to look like!

This is one of my favorite authors and stories in the entire world. The graphic novel is a delightful adaptation with beautiful art! This story of a headstrong girl who wants to be a knight is made even more accessible to younger/reluctant readers and is another wonderful form for the casual reader. I am just pleased to pieces to buy this when it comes out! I hope they do the whole series!

"Keladry is the first girl who dares to take advantage of a new rule in her homeland, Tortall--one that allows women to train for knighthood.. She knows she’s ready for the traditional hazing and grueling schedule of a page, but standing in her way is the Knight’s training master, Lord Wyldon.
The training master is dead set against girls becoming knights, and in an attempt to further hold Kel back Lord Wyldon decides that she must pass a one-year trial that no male page has ever had to endure. But she is not to be underestimated. She will fight to succeed, even if the test is purposely unfair."

Tamora Pierce is a staple of my childhood reading list and I was so excited to finally see a graphic novel adaptation of ANY of her books. Kel's journey in the Protector of the Small series is a great one to start with. The artwork was stellar, the pacing was really well done and I loved how Numair was designed even for the few pages he appeared. I am eager for the whole series to be finished and released so I can introduce more young people to Tamora's work. Well done!

It’s hard to review this for what it is rather than as a constant comparison to the original book, which I read and loved when it first came out. A graphic version needs to cut and simplify a novel in order to fit it into a reasonable length, with the hope is that the new version still tells a compelling story.

I think this managed it? There are certainly some abrupt cuts and characters that lack context, but it covers the main story of the first book well. The art style keeps the action clear and fun. I’d like more of the fun moments and side characters to have a bit more time, but overall it was an enjoyable read.

<i>I’m just trying to justify to myself the fact that the best lesson I ever had on chivalry came from someone five years younger than me.</i>

Devin Grayson’s graphic novel adaptation of Tamora Pierce’s long published book <i>First Test</i> was actually surprisingly difficult to get into at first.

The graphic novel opens up to an argument, the heavy handed discussion on whether or not to admit a young 10-year-old girl into pagehood to become a knight. Dialogue was stilted, the argument felt out of context, and I genuinely felt like I was reading a sequel I shouldn’t have started without having first read the previous story.

This feeling, I’m happy to report, does not last very long.

Kel’s story was one that dragged at first, at least here in this graphic format. For something that was likely very novel during the original book’s publication, we’ve been living in a world where the barring of women and girls from a particular space and story of the first one to eke through is one celebrated simply by virtue of having been first isn’t something that is as lauded as it once was. So, in a weird way, it felt rather contrived at first.

But what’s brilliant about this story and therefore its adaptation is the strength of character that Kel shows in subtle ways as she continues through her path for the single year she’s been given to prove herself. You see foreshadowing for how she will conduct herself, the reasoning behind why made rather clear. And then, despite her initial haughtiness—or perhaps, precisely because of it—she becomes exactly who we need her to be.

I chose to quote <i>First Test</i> at the top of this review for two reasons: first, because of the way in which chivalry is referenced—not as something we offer to women simply because they are women, but rather as something that everyone is entitled to and second, because of the importance of <i>First Test</i> secondary title, <i>Protector of the Small</i>.

This was not the book I was expecting, truth be told. I’d never read the source material of Tamara Pierce’s novel, but I had a general guess as to what would happen in this book. I’m actually quite thrilled at having been wrong. I mean, I certainly picked this up for a reason. But I think the story we would have gotten would have far subceeded the quality of the story we did get.

And I think it all comes back to this lesson—the best lesson, mind—on chivalry.

It is a lesson I shall not soon forget.

Milady Keladry of Mindelan is a page and a knight in training. However, being a lady, many believe she cannot become a knight and should just quit. Yet, soon, she realizes that many knights mistreat the pages. Pages are expected to do whatever a knight commands, but a cruel knight named Joren purposely drops objects, forces pages to clean them, and sometimes even beats them up. Keladry decides to stand up for the pages and try to put an end to the mistreatment. She must face the challenges of being a knight while defending the other pages from abuse.

If you're a medieval-themed book fan, check out this graphic novel! Based on a classic book by Tomar Pierce (that you don't even need to have read, I didn't ;), it features knights, brave female warriors, and a solid motivational message that inspires you.

The main character, Keladry, is an exceptional knight who stands up for others and fights for what's right. Throughout the story, you'll root for her as she faces challenge after challenge. And the art in the graphic novel is top-notch - the illustrations are just as captivating as the story itself.

What sets this book apart, though, is its message. It shows that even in a world filled with horrible people, we can all be the ones who help the victims of their cruelty. It's a powerful reminder that we can make a difference, no matter how small we feel.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be inspired and uplifted. It's perfect for anyone who loves medieval tales, strong female characters, or a motivational story. So please don't wait; oops, yes, you have to wait until July 2 to pick up a copy and get ready to be swept away by the adventures of Keladry and her fellow knights!

Happy Reading, Laly ❤️ 📚

Thank you, @netgalley, @rhkidsgraphic for the complimentary e-ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.