Rating: 
Summary: Not enough stars . . .
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: A Great End
Review: So Keladry is finally a knight; we all knew she'd get there. Pierce does a wonderful job of setting up Kel's mission- rescuing her refugees from a death magic working mage. Readers also get new insight into familiar characters like Neal, Owen, and Wyldon. I know that some readers were disappointed with the lack of romance in the story. With good character development and a great plot, Lady Knight did not need romance to make it a thrilling end to the quartet.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Way to End a Great Series
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book, Bad Ending to the Series.
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing End of Series
Review: Lady Knight concludes the Protector of the Small series beautifully. Kel has grown into a wonderful knight who is bright, witty and freshly knighted. Unfortunately, the chamber of ordeal won't leave her alone even though she's come out unscathed. The chamber of ordeal has given her a task. The task may interfere with her new orders which everyone feels is wimpy orders. They will keep her from the actual war with Scanran. She's having to watch over a refugee camp. In the end, she realizes she may have to walk away from all her dreams of knighthood to truly fulfill her destiny. Although, in true Pierce style, Kel's destiny means her friends stick by her side despite the fact they could be branded deserters and face dire consequences. Owen, Neal, Dom, Diane and Numair are all back and helping out in their unique ways. And she makes many new allies among the refugees. It's wonderful to see all the old characters back. I applaud Pierce for her amazing ability to make me care and love about these characters even after all these years. If this is the end of the Tortallan Series, it's an amazing book and brings very nice closure for the reader.
Rating: 
Summary: If you want an impersonal view of war - this is your book.
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: a huge letdown
Review: Tamora pierce had been one of my favorite authors for 4 years. Every year, twice a year I getexcited waiting for one of her books (that I'd pre-ordered) to come out. They've always been excellent before. This one was the last in a series, and quite possibly the last tortall series. I was jumping up and down in excitement when i got it. Then, I read it. I didn't get too far before my excitment ebbed. Kel seemed a less likeable person than before, and the entire book dragged, while being totally predictable. Considering how good Pierce's books have been in the past, I was disapointed and upset, and wish that such a good series had come to a better end.
Rating:
Summary: Why I loved this book
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Very good final installment
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Hate to say Goodbye
Review: 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.
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