Reviews

First Test by Tamora Pierce

emzy_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

c_gg_c's review

Go to review page

adventurous inspiring slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

An easy read, with characters making choices appropriate to their ages 

seaglasspoet's review

Go to review page

4.0

I love how Pierce puts us in the same universe and grows new characters along old beside each other. Reading her books is visiting with old friends. While I love the "Song of the Lioness Quartet" more, this adventure is lovely and fun as well. The differences between the protagonist between series (Keledry vs Alana) are quite nice, for despite their similar goals, the characters have different strengths and weaknesses and different journeys over all; while still retaining the iconic Pierce style of fantasy and developing excellent world building.

melolee's review

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

sarahsmiles16's review

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

3.5

alannabarras's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I really appreciate the distinct characterization of Kel as she's introduced in this book. The vast majority of Strong Female Characters I read fit one of two tropes - quick tempered, loud, and brash (Alanna the Lioness, Aelin, etc), or quiet, devious, and often very sexual (the prostitute/courtesan spy is the classic trope coming to mind here). With Kel you get a heroine who is still very straightforward and says what she thinks, but has enough restraint to only pick the battles worth fighting. She has a rein on her temper but won't abide a bully, and I love it.
This series is also missing a Major Love Story, which I personally love. I think this is an ideal series for any young adult (or older!) to read.

mephistosa's review

Go to review page

3.0

I was missing the wonderful character development in comparison to the Alanna story. Maybe I could identify myself a bit more with Alanna than with Kel. I was much less drawn into this new story.

casscamp's review

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

sylvatica's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

kitlovesmedia's review

Go to review page

5.0

Keladry is a feminist icon and I love her. The writing of her character is amazing and the pacing through the series was done very well. Neal is so funny and a great friend to Kel. Their friendship might be my favorite thing about the series. His loyalty to her knows no bounds.

Spoilers Below


































I love that she doesn’t end up with someone in the end. I do think she deserves a happy relationship if she wants it in the future, but I’m glad she had normal childhood “crushes” that seemed to end once she was away from them for long enough. I think I saw somewhere that she’s actually aromantic and asexual which if that’s true makes a lot of sense given her behavior. I would love that to be true in a book that came out when this did.