First Test (Protector of the Small Book 1) by Tamora Pierce, graphic novel adaptation by Devin Grayson and Becca Farrow

Posted on December 18, 2024 at 6:27 am by Gene Ambaum

First Test (Protector of the Small Book 1) by Tamora Pierce, graphic novel adaptation by Devin Grayson and Becca Farrow. RH Graphic, 2024. 9780307931566. 160pp.

It’s been over 20 years since I read one of Pierce’s YA fantasy novels, but I continue to recommend her books to kids and their parents. I’m happy to say this graphic novel adaptation captures the spirit of the original, particularly the friendships.

Keladry is the only girl accepted into training as a knight. Despite Alanna’s martial prowess — she’s a female knight — Lord Wyldon, who is in charge of the new pages, puts Kel on probation for a year. If she can’t convince him she belongs with the boys in her class, he’ll send her home. But from the way Kel handles herself at home in Mindelan — she takes on several boys trying to drown a bag of cats, and then a giant spider creature — it’s clear there’s no reason to worry about how well Kel can fight. The bullies she has to deal with are awful, it’s clear she’s had more martial arts training than the other pages, and she’s forced to work harder than everyone else. (I never doubted for a moment that she’d find a way to hang on.)

This book takes place after Pierce’s Song of the Lioness series, which is about Alanna. A graphic novel adaptation of Page, the first book in that series, will be released in 2025.