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Page (Protector of the Small #2) Tamora Pierce

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Brief synopsis (no spoilers): Through fiery determination Kel has made it into her second year of training for knighthood. This book covers her second and third years as a page. She continues to fight against the same grueling schedule and prejudice as the previous years. Kel must deal with growing up, learning to conquer her fears, and decide what it means to be a leader.  

Category: Juv/YA

Why I chose this book: Second in the series

My personal opinion: I continued to enjoy this series immensely. I love Tamora Pierce's writing style and I love Kel as a character. This book does dive into the topics of Kel going through puberty, but as with other books by the author, I feel that Pierce does a wonderful job of being realistic without being graphic. These things do happen and do affect Kel's manner of dressing and training, but the descriptions are never excessive or overly awkward. 

Warnings
Language: None
Violence: Combat situations with fists and various weapons
"Adult" situations: None
Death: Yes, especially in combat

Movie rating equivalent: PG-13 

Protagonist description: I continue to love Kel. She never backs down from what she wants, even if it means extra work, physical pain, or facing her fears. It is in this book that she really begins to show the beginnings of her affinity for military leadership. 

Point of view of story:  Kel's perspective

Book length: Short

Story flow: Fluid (more gaps as it covers more time, but it still flows nicely)

Grammar and spelling issues: Some weird names, but nothing that disrupts the story 

Character connection (no spoilers): Kel's yamani background, Numair, and Dane

For series:
Independent or integral: Integral, second in series

Series review as a whole: I enjoyed the series. Worth the read. I will say the first and second are pretty mild, but the violence as well as adult themes get stronger in the third and fourth books as Kel gets older  



If you only have time for one, read: First Test, as first in the series. 

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