From the book jacket In the medieval and fantastic realm of Tortall, Keladry of Mindelan (known as Kel) is the first girl to take advantage of the decree that permits females to train for knighthood. Up against the traditional hazing of pages and a grueling schedule, Kel faces only one real roadblock: Lord Wyldon, the training master of pages and squires. He is absolutely against girls becoming knights. So while he is forced to train her, Wyldon puts her on probation for one year. It is a trial period that no male page has ever had to endure and one that separates the good-natured Kel even more from her fellow trainees during the tough first year. But Kel is not a girl to underestimate, as everyone is about to find out...

"This girl would get any warriors who served with her killed on some dark night."
                            - Lord Wyldon, Training Master of Pages and Squires

If you haven't read the previous Tortallian works such as The Song of the Lioness Quartet or The Immortals Quartet I suggest you do before you read Protector of the Small. It's much more enjoyable to read up on characters you already knew and how they are doing now at an older age. I read PotS before the former works. The way First Test opens up is by re-introducing past characters so I was somewhat confused at first since I never read the former Tortallian works. But, no worries, if you can't get your hands on the former PotS is still a great read on its own. Pierce makes sure that you don't need to read her former novels to understand PotS.

First Test is basically the first trial, first year of being a page for Kel. She is immediately introduced as someone who is a protector and especially of the small...in this case kittens. Throughout Kel's first year as a page she must prove herself worthy to Lord Wyldon, the training master, as well as her fellow pages.

"Then here is a king's: we desire this girl to train as a page"
- King Jonathan chapter 1, page 3

"I know women can be warriors."
- Nealan of Queenscove chapter 2, page 36

"I learned to read lips. The masters at the university were always whispering about something."
- Nealan of Queenscove chapter 2, page 40

"Anything new gives my lord of Cavall a nosebleed."
- Nealan of Queenscove chapter 2, page 41

"But they do have reasons," Sir Myles pointed out. "Pressing ones that send them against us year after year. Put the Carthakis aside for now. Consider our gentle neighbors to the north. What riches do they have?"
"Furs?" suggested Faleron.
"Rocks," added Cleon, who got the laugh he'd intended.
chapter 4, page 67

Neal propped his chin on one hand and gazed at her. "You aren't a bit romantic, are you?" he asked, amused.
She sat back and stared at him. She was beginning to think that Neal required a keeper. He seemed to have the craziest ideas.
chapter 4, page 77

"Eat your vegetables. They're good for you."
- Keladry of Mindelan chapter 4, page 78

"Where's the sunny smile? The 'Hello, Neal, isn't it a wonderful day to be alive in the royal palace?' pain-in-the-bum greeting I usually get?"
- Nealen of Queenscove chapter 5, page 94

"If you need a friend- if you need someone to talk to- the servants can tell you where to find me."
- Sir Myles of Olau chapter 6, page 111

"I'd like to find whoever taught the Stump that extra work builds character and push him down the stairs."
- Nealan of Queenscove chapter 7, page 115

Baird let go of her and rubbed his hands. "I am impressed, young lady," he told her with a wry smile. "You have been royally pounded."
Kel smiled at him. "You should see the other fellows."
"There!" cried Neal, holding up his hands. "You see what I have to deal with!"
"You may have noticed my son has an endless capacity for drama," Baird told Kel.
chapter 7, page 125

Baird opened the door to his waiting room. Neal stood in the middle of it, hands on hips. "I've decided," Neal announced. "She's insane. The entire palace is insane."
His father lifted reddish-brown eyebrows. "Does this mean that you have come to your senses and will return to the university?" he asked mildly.
Neal choked, glared at his father, and stalked out of the room.
chapter 7, page 128

"Oh, wonderful. You're on a hero's quest to get rid of bullies."
Nealen of Queenscove chapter 9, page 149

"You're the oldest ten-year-old I've ever met...I'm trying to justify to myself the fact that the best lesson I ever had on chivalry came from someone five years younger than me."
Nealen of Queenscove chapter 9, page 151

"I keep telling you, these tests have to be easy enough that even a noble with ogre blood could pass."
Nealen of Queenscove chapter 9, page 164

"I'm so shallow I'm surprised I don't reflect myself."
Nealen of Queenscove chapter 9, page 164

"This is what I've come to. Following little birdies."
Lord Raoul of Goldenlake and Majorie's Peak, Commander of the King's Own chapter 11, page 191

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