Lady Knight

The exciting conclusion of Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small trilogy (First Test, Page, and Squire) features the knighting of our resilient young heroine, Keladry of Mindelan, also known as Kel. A self-starter at heart, Kel is eager to take on the terrifying magic killing apparatuses she saw in the Chamber of the Ordeal during her knighthood initiation. The massive, insect-like devices, which are "made of chains, pulleys, dagger-fingers and -toes, and a long whiplike tail, and iron-coated giants' bones," eat the souls of deceased children and are methodically eradicating Tortall's soldiers and populace.

Disgusted beyond measure to learn that not only will she not be given a fighting station, but that she would instead be put in charge of a refugee camp, Kel swallows her displeasure and sets out to be the finest refugee camp commander she can be. Naturally, fate has a way of ambushing a young lady like Kel, and before long, she is completing the task the Chamber set for her—and then some.

Once again, Tamora Pierce captivates her devoted audience with a novel that combines comedy, tragedy, thrilling combat, and suspenseful drama with a very likable and relatable heroine. It is simple to portray war as a simple question of good against evil, black and white. Pierce discovers the gray areas. (Over the age of 12) The Emmie Coulter