By: Amie Kaufman
Illustrated by: Meagan Spooner
Genre: YFHR - Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy romance
Published by: A&U Children's
Published: 03 Jun 2025
ISBN: 9781761069284

Description

A blacksmith's daughter with a secret.


A lady with a plan.


We're in for one unforgettable knight...


Gwen has spent the past several years manning the blacksmith's in place of her father, an open secret in the village in which she lives. A much more covert secret, however, is that she knows not only how to craft but also how to wield a sword, and an incognito stunt at the local jousting tournament manages to catch the eye of the wily Lady Isobelle.


Isobelle has secret dreams too, but she's been promised in marriage to the winner of the whole stupid tournament, which means an end to any freedom or choices for her. Desperate to avoid this fate, when she connects the newcomer knight to the female smithy she saw earlier that day, she begins to hatch a scheme...


Petty knights. Backstabbing noblemen. A prison breakout. Cheesecake on a stick. One particularly large and angry dragon.


Will our ladies survive the night? And can our knight save the day?


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Review

Gwen is the daughter of a blacksmith and a noble woman from France. Her mum died when she was young, and her father needs her help, so Gwen learns to be blacksmith. In her village they pretend that her dad is making things and not Gwen - because woman can’t do things like men can. Gwen is an excellent rider, and learns to fight with a sword and joust. Oh, how she would love to be a knight and be taken seriously!


Gwen decides to enter the Tournament of Dragonslayers at the local castle, pretending that she is knight called Sir Gawain. The hand of Lady Isobelle is the prize for winning the tournament.


When Lady Isobelle discovers that Sir Gawain is actually Gwen, she ropes her into a crazy plan for Gwen to win the tournament. This will mean Isobelle won't be married off, and Gwen can prove she is as good as the men. They plan for all contingencies but forget to include them falling love with each other, which was definitely not part of the plan. Although, neither was Gwen being exposed as a girl in the final battle and being arrested, or a dragon turning up and burning down a village...


Will the knights save the castle? After all, they were competing in the Dragonslayers tournament ... Or will it be left to Gwen and Lady Isobelle to save the day?


This is a wonderful story full of adventure, fun, wit and a romance between Gwen and Lady Isobelle. With a collection of great female characters, who have intelligence and charm that the men in their lives seem not to notice. Superbly written with six brilliant narrator chapters slotted throughout, this is a book to read in one sitting. Bursting with friendship, honour, duty, bravery, laughter, a feminine take on old-world England and one very angry dragon.


A perfect fantasy novel for those who like to see women shine. Will be best suited to readers aged 15 and up.


Reviewed Michelle