A knight in distress. A damsel in shiny armor. A city to protect.Knights are supposed to rescue damsels. So when Nathair, a knight in training, finds himself rescued by the princess he’s supposed to save, he’s annoyed. And when the princess proves she can fight like a knight? Well, that’s enough for a boy to think about a career change.
Steampunk Arthurian Fantasy—What’s Not to Like?
I occasionally like to read fantasy, and I adore steampunk. This book surprisingly combines a traditional medieval-like fantasy quest story with steampunk—and all that with an Arthurian base. What fun! I was drawn into the book right away because of what I first felt was the mistreatment of the young would-be knight at the heart of this book and the touches of humor here and there. I loved the Arthurian references, too. The names of the training academies are funny allusions to it. This book has both your typical fantasy creatures like dragons and steampunk ones like robots! An awesome but unusual mashup for sure. The author flips other things on their heads as well. Despite the quest, the damsel doesn’t seem to truly be in distress at all, while our knight in training would seem to be (at least now and then). Just who needs saving. Fun stuff, and I am looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
All Nathair ever wanted was to become a knight, but after doing poorly on his final exams and being accused of cheating, his only hope of redemption was dashed when he was assigned an impossible task. What’s worse was that his father was dead, his sister crippled, and his family part of the Snake people, a race that faced constant discrimination. The only way to help them was to accept the quest, so he did. The quest? Enter enemy territory alone (apart from the useless automaton that monitored him and his mentor who trailed several miles behind) and singlehandedly rescue a princess. Needless to say, he gets into trouble almost immediately and the princess rescues herself and him which is only the beginning of the surprises he will encounter.
A Knight in Distress was a pleasant surprise. Not only did Princess Bryhannon rescue the knight, she understood her strengths and weaknesses and chose the battles she thought were worth fighting. In a society where women were not allowed to use magic (witches are evil while wizards are good) or weapons (although some men see the advantage of training their daughters in self-defense), several of the knight trainees were very open to the idea that the common beliefs were wrong. The villains were unexpected and had motivations that made sense. And the way the Round Table mythology was woven throughout the story was continuously surprising and wonderful.
The story wrapped up neatly – at least the main characters seemed to think so, which was odd for me since there were a lot of things left unfinished and unexplained. But it is only the first in the series, so it would be odder still for everything to be resolved. I am definitely curious to see where the story goes.
I received a free ARC from Booksprout and have reviewed it willingly.
Barbara Russell breaths a fun new twist to the King Arthur era, with adding steampunk elements, and a damsel who saves the distressed. When Nathair never expected questioning his qualifications to becoming a knight. Princess Bryhannon just wanted to escape but she didn’t realize she would be rescuing her rescuer.
I couldn’t put this read down, I found my self riveted to know what happens next, laughing to being shocked, and just plain caught up in the story.
I can’t wait to see what Russell brings us next!
I recieved an ARC copy of this book from the author and here are my thoughts –
A version of Camelot with both magic and technology creates a vivid picture of what it might be like to live in such a time. A knight in training sent on a quest to save a plucky princess who may or may not need saving. A twisted view of the future-past. The characters are well rounded and believable and the world descriptions are enough for you to really imagine being there. A great first book in a series that promises more of the same great writing.
Barbara Russell
In order to become a full knight, Swan cadets have to go on a quest. But the knight-hating wizards make these tasks all but impossible. Nathair has to rescue Princess Bryhannon from an evil warlord. But she’s no ordinary princess, and by the time he gets through all the nasty traps and mazes and poisonous plants, he runs across the darned princess who managed to rescue herself and is on her way out. Worse yet–she ends up rescuing him. He’ll never live it down.
If ever there was a character born under an unlucky star, it’s poor Nathair. In a world of steampunk automatons and dragons and magic-gone-wrong, he must be cursed. Because he has the worst luck of anyone I’ve ever met. He fights prejudice by people thinking a Snake clan member has no business becoming a Swan knight, is right in the middle of an undeclared war between knights and wizards, and just wants to graduate by surviving the quest-from-hell designed to set him up for failure.
There’s so much to admire about Nathair. I love the characters, right down to the annoying little mind-wren who blurts out Nathair’s innermost thoughts at the most inopportune times! By turns funny and tense and sad and scary, this is a rollicking good tale of good vs. evil, with honor, betrayal, heroics–and dragons. What’s not to love?
This is an amazing story that flips the whole damsel in distress on it’s head. The character Nat a knight in training has to go on a mission to save a princess Bryhannon. Before he can become a full knight. Neither character is who they seem to be and, just who is saving who? Along the way they are caught up in an adventure that if they don’t succeed could destroy their home of New Camelot.
I love positive stories with strong characters who can provide role models for young adults. This is that king of story. Oh, and, it even has dragons. So what’s not to love.
This is a fun read about a young knight coming of age and discovering things aren’t black and white, especially when it comes to gender. It’s steampunk in a medieval setting rich in details. The characters are wonderfully flawed and entertaining.