Lady’s Knight by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner
Published by Harper Collins / STORYTIDE on June 3, 2025
ISBN: 0062893394
Pages: 416
Genres: LGBTQ+, Romance, Historical Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Gwen has always wanted to be a knight but, aside from the fact that she’s a woman and only men can be knights, she was forced to become a blacksmith when grief over her mother’s death left her father unable to work (technically she wasn’t supposed to do that either, but townspeople turned their heads, because a smithy is, after all, a village necessity). That said, she just might have fashioned herself some armor and be planning to compete in the first round of eliminations at the Dragonslayer Tournament, simply to experience jousting once in her life. She’ll wear her helmet, and nobody will know.

Castle-dwelling Lady Isobelle, on the other hand, is used to having the freedoms bestowed upon the wealthy. Until her dowry and hand in marriage are offered up as the grand prize in the Tournament. For the first time, she can’t power her way through a problem by sheer force of will.

When Isobelle discovers Gwen’s secret, she enlists her – disguised as Sir Gawain – to be her champion. Winning could mean Isobelle’s freedom, and Gwen’s triumph – but being found out would spell disaster for them both.

A fabulous, irreverent, feminist sapphic romance in mostly-medieval-but-sometimes-not setting where there might just be dragons left to fight after all – and not just metaphorical ones. A fun and engaging read with two terrific main characters and distinct, three-dimensional secondary characters. Fans of Tamora Pierce and Lex Croucher will love this epic tale of daring, bravery, betrayal, heartbreak and – maybe, because no spoilers here! – a happy ending.

5 stars/cream

–   Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library