Squire & Knight
Scott Chantler
First Second
Published May 9, 2023
Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
About Squire & Knight
A young squire tackles mysteries, monsters and magic, but the inept knight he serves takes the credit. Every time.
Squire is brainy, bookish, and terribly under-appreciated by the brawny, inept knight Sir Kelton, who somehow always gets all the glory. So when the two mismatched heroes find themselves in a cursed village plagued by a demonic dragon, Kelton rides off to slay it and Squire stays behind to catch up on some reading. But Squire starts to notice that something isn’t quite right about this town . . . Can he uncover its strange secrets?
My Review
I tend to be really picky about the artwork in graphic novels that I read. The cover of this one really drew me in. There’s so much going on in just that one image. The knight wrapped in the dragon’s tail and held upside down. The squire holding up the lantern and looking thoughtful– I love that the cover conveys this part of his character. He’s a thinker, which is probably harder to draw, since it is an internal process. Then there’s the skeleton dog standing beside the squire and the dragon’s face, behind him as if he’s sniffing a trail of some kind.
I loved the dragon’s character and how he talked. It’s different than the way the other characters talk, and that kind of cracked me up. I like the way the pieces of this story fit together, and the fact that it’s the squire who solves it. Brains over brawn for the win!
I think readers who enjoy fantasy graphic novels like THE LEGEND OF BRIGHTBLADE will like this one. I always read graphic novels thinking of my nephews and niece, who prefer them, and I think this is one I’ll add to my shelf for them to read.
Content Notes
Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.
Representation
Most human characters are white. One family from the town Squire helps has bronze skin and pointed ears.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used once.
Romance/Sexual Content
None.
Spiritual Content
The squire hears rumors of a ghost haunting the town’s well. The town was founded by a wizard, and appears to be under some kind of curse. The townspeople blame a local dragon for their problems.
Violent Content
Situations of peril. The townspeople rally, intending to kill the dragon. The knight intends to kill the dragon. The dragon intends to eat the knight.
Drug Content
None.
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support this blog. I received a free copy of SQUIRE & KNIGHT in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.
Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays
Check out other blogs talking about middle grade books today on Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle with Greg Pattridge.
I don’t read many graphic novels nor do I read much fantasy, but I have a special love for stories set in medieval times. I will look for this one. It sounds fun.
It is a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy it!
I’m a huge graphic novel reader, and I hadn’t seen this book, so I appreciate you bringing it to my attention, Kasey! I always hate stories where the lazy/incompetent characters prevail over the thoughtful/hardworking ones, and this sounds like a delightful reversal of that plot line. Thanks for your thoughtful review!
Thanks, Max! I hope you get a chance to read this one. I had a blast reading it, and I totally agree. I loved the way the author flipped some of the usual tropes or expectations about stories like this with knights and dragons. 🙂
What an intriguing story line. I always enjoy a good plot with a dragon so I will have to check this one out. Thanks for featuring on MMGM.
Thanks, Greg! I hope you get a chance to read it. It’s so much fun. 🙂
Nice cover and this sounds amusing too. Happy MMGM to you.
Happy MMGM! Yes, it definitely had me giggling. 😀
Sounds a fun story! I love anything with dragons (and I’m not alone 🙂 ) thanks for sharing!
Yes! Haha! Dragons are awesome. Thanks, Valinora. 🙂