LADY'S KNIGHT

Two medieval teens smash the patriarchy.

Gwen only desires to prove herself as a knight. But entering the men’s-only Tournament of Dragonslayers as “Sir Gawain” is difficult for a blacksmith’s daughter. Meanwhile, blond, blue-eyed Lady Isobelle desires agency, but as the prize for this year’s tournament, she knows her future looks grim. A chance encounter between the two young women sparks a scheme: Gwen will stay with Isobelle, posing as Gawain in the tournament and as his sister when she’s not disguised by a suit of armor. In exchange for training and funding, pale-skinned Gwen, who has black hair and green eyes, will try to win the tournament and Isobelle’s hand, thus rescuing Isobelle from a future with any of the other knights, whose behaviors exhibit textbook toxic masculinity. As their plan gains momentum, the pair soon realize their desire for success is only matched by their desire for each other. But the triple life Gwen leads can last only so long under the scrutiny of the patriarchy. Will she and Isobelle get the chance to be their own heroes? Compelling subplots center their fight against misogyny and classism, and several interludes by an unnamed narrator directly address readers, adding additional depth and intrigue to the worldbuilding. The authors insert abundant intentional anachronisms that successfully inject the story with levity, and Gwen and Isobelle’s chemistry is swoonworthy. There’s some racial diversity among secondary characters.

A thoroughly enjoyable Sapphic romp.