Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Subversive, fun knight's tale has girl power, girls in love.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In LADY'S KNIGHT, Gwen receives some curious visitors at her blacksmith's market stall: a group of giggling ladies from the castle. She can't take her eyes off Lady Isobelle, their ringleader in a shockingly bright pink dress, and Lady Isobelle can't take her eyes off of Gwen. Isobelle figures out quickly that Gwen's father snoozing in the corner of the stall is not the one who forged their wares. And it's because Isobelle compliments Gwen's ornate sword that she discovers her secret. The mysterious and perpetually helmeted knight named Sir Gawain jousting in the tournament preliminaries miraculously carries the exact same weapon, and therefore .... Just as Gwen is ready to hang up her armor and retreat back to her old life, Lady Isobelle has a proposition for her: Gwen can move into the castle and pretend to be Sir Gawain's sister in exchange for training and access to the rest of the tournament as the mysterious Sir Gawain. What's in it for Isobelle? More time to flirt. But more importantly, if Gwen wins, Isobelle and her dowry cease to become the ultimate tournament prize for the lecherous Sir Ralph.
Is It Any Good?
While this lesbian knight's tale has a fun, flirty, and somewhat frivolous start, a deeper vibe takes over, one that heralds the power of women supporting other women. Lady Isobelle helps Gwen realize her dreams of becoming a knight, Madame DuPonte helps Gwen train, and they all help women villagers who are imprisoned after a dragon attacks their village. Of course the men in the castle don't believe them, and of course a dragon is coming. Sadly, the only decent male character of note in all of Lady's Knight is Gwen's father. Everyone else just wants to treat the girls like property and put them in their place. The wait for a dragon is a long one, and though readers are treated to one humorous montage by the tale's droll and insightful narrator, a few more of those would have moved things along at a better clip. Luckily, scenes of flirtations between stoic Gwen and vivacious Isobelle make the wait more than tolerable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the love story in Lady's Knight. What seems familiar about this romance? What's different about a queer love story, especially set in this time period?
What about Madame DuPonte makes her a good mentor to Gwen? How do other women in the story show empathy and teamwork in times of need?
What do you think is next for Gwen and Isobelle? What secrets will Olivia the maid finally reveal?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Animals , Fantasy ( Dragons ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Storytide
- Publication date : June 3, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 17
- Number of pages : 432
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : July 14, 2026
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