Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston

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Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith

43 reviews

betweentheshelves's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A lovely middle grade fantasy that's all about finding yourself, being true to yourself, and fighting for those that are different from the norm. Callie is such a great main character, and they are not afriad to jump into the fray, especially if they see an injustice happening. They fight for what's right, and have acquired some great friends along the way.

The pacing was pretty good for this one, as well as the world building. My only complaint is the details about the outside force attacking Helston seemed a little fuzzy, but since it semes like this is the first book in a series, there's time to expand on that in later books!

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321zeggy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

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katebrownreads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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emily_mh's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This book was admittedly light on the fantasy plot. The reader knows there’s a “threat” from within a forest, though exactly of what scale and for what reasons is uncertain. While the book’s ending made it clear that this aspect of the plot will be centred in the sequel, I was certainly expecting a few more events of direct involvement with the threat in THIS instalment, but instead it was left to loom in the background. This made it hard to believe in the stakes associated with this part of the plot, particularly as Callie and their father go through the forest (wherein lies the threat) and emerge relatively unscathed with relatively little effort.

The above is a fairly significant criticism. However, I couldn’t rate this less than 4.5 stars which I think speaks to the HIGH quality of the rest of the book. The characters are incredibly dynamic, and I mean ALL of them, not just Callie. Every main and side character had an emotional and at times confronting arc, and every character’s development was earned (rather than just a sudden change in character). As a reader you bear witness to the conversations that progressed the characters, the events that shaped their change. It was truly incredibly done.

The found family element of this book was immaculate. I think some authors think that they’ve achieved this trope simply by having a friend group present in the story, but Symes-Smith clearly knows you have to write this dynamic super carefully to make it believable. Through their writing they convey such intimacy between the characters, both physical and emotional, and once again the reader is privy to the moments which develop and strengthen these bonds. The love that Callie, Nick, and Neil had for one another, and how they extended this to the other children unconditionally, made me feel so warm and happy.

This story is written in a way that is allegorical, so that modern middle-graders (and other readers) will be able to recognise our own binary, oppressive world in that of Callie’s, and so be encouraged by Callie and their friends to enact change. I also think it’s incredibly important for MGs to see healthy and happy family and friend relationships modelled as they are in this book. I really wish I had had this book growing up, as it puts into words the difficulty of being different in your identity, and strongly asserts how exactly how well you should be treated by those around you. It’s safe to say this made me cry multiple times.

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thewordsdevourer's review

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adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

This was an enjoyable read. Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston is a rollicking adventure full of heart and wisdom, tactfully tackling its very relevant message and themes.

The fantasy setting is nothing new, but Symes-Smith uses it cleverfully to literally but also symbolically reflect the real world and explore the book's themes. The symbolism is perhaps my favorite thing about this novel: it elevates the story on technical, character and emotional levels. I also like how there are constant important information and revelations revealed throughout the book; it keeps things surprising and adds depth to the story. The characters and their individual arcs are great as well, each different, some with more privileges than others, yet all have been affected by Helston's rigid hierarchy and now band together to change the place for the better. Neal and his story are a favorite.

And while I mostly like how the characters are handled, I have minor qualms with Callie and Peran. For the former, they're overly brash at times, their impulsive actions without thought for consequences + initial dislike for all things remotely feminine are annoying. I wish we learned more about how they realized they were non-binary, especially as the concept should be almost alien in the rigid world of the story. It's also relevant to how others treat them, as I don't think repeatedly saying "I'm not a girl" -- even though outwardly they look like one -- to people who have never known of anything aside from the binary was helpful. It's like talking about astrophysics to a bunch of kids. I also think Peran could've been more nuanced. He's certainly evil through and through but the lack of nuance makes him a boring character, let alone the villain. The middle chunk of the book was a little repetitive as well, dragging the pacing.

Nevertheless, this is a fun yet wise book with a lot of heart, whose themes of family, courage and identity are precious. I'm happy that many young people will get to read this book, not only comforted by seeing it reflect themselves but also see how diverse the world truly is.

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aansano's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

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lindsaythelibrarian's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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traeumenvonbuechern's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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robin_leeann's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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rileyswan's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I would like to begin with a thank you to this wonderful book's author for an advanced reader's copy.

This review will contain spoilers and quotes.

I've not explored the realm of middle grade books since I was the target demographic of their narratives, and Sir Callie's story was the perfect re-beginning. Filled with heart, soul, friendship, and bravery, Esme Symes-Smith delivers a delicate story wrapped in sharp edges and tied with the queerest of all bows.

The nonbinary representation found in Callie, the protagonist, is like nothing else I've seen. Their identity is flawlessly embedded into the second world society, reflecting many realities to our own earth while pulling a new twist in the context of fictional kingdom, Helston. Even better, this is all done in a way that is digestible for our youth.

I wasn’t a she, and I wasn’t a he, I was just . . . Callie. Eventually, I put on “they,” and I haven’t taken those shoes off since.

Despite Callie's horrible mama, they find acceptance in their papa, who always defends them and accepts their identity.

“Mm-hmm. And how old is she?”

“They,” says Papa pointedly, “are twelve, and more proficient than most squires about to be knighted."

Speaking of Callie's papa, also known as Sir Nicholas... he is one of the best fictional fathers in the history of scruffy, himbo bisexual men. He has always stood up for Callie, even when it meant abandoning the very place he lived, and continues to love them unconditionally. Better yet, this parental bond extends to Nick's partner, Neal, a magical man who grows to love Callie as his own flesh and blood—if not more.

All the people I love the most.
Who love me.
Exactly as I am.

The friendship between Callie, Elowen, and Willow was astoundingly emotional. From the secret practices and lessons Callie shared with each of them, all the way up until the moments wherein Callie become the prince's champion and fought their biggest battle yet, they had a strong hold on my heart.

"Friends are better than heroes."

Not only that, but Esme managed to deliver such a closely bonded friendship in a middle grade novel, while still managing to appeal to people outside of the intended audience, like myself. It felt as though the message underlining the importance of friendship transcended the age group it was intended for, and delivered a story that can resonate with any soul, no matter how old.

"We can be different together.”

As a useless lesbian, I must briefly comment on what I assume to be a blossoming romance between Callie and Elowen because oh my god. Every stolen glance and delicate touch and carefully chosen word reminded me of my first ever crushes. I saw so much of my young self that has never once been represented before.

Elowen laughs, open and bright, and I know I'm staring but I can't help it. I want to make this world better for her. I want her to have everything she wants.

Of course, the narrative was beautiful, too. Aside from the inspiring and vital themes, the plot at its simplest was wonderfully engaging. Personally, I am less a fantasy reader than I am a romance or contemporary one, but Sir Callie and their story was one of those books with a can't-put-it-down feeling intertwined with every word.

Please, do yourself a favour, and read this book, gift this book, sit side by side with your child or sibling or cousin and let them learn the ways a world can be broken as well as the ways a world can be fixed.

Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston have the potential to change the hearts, minds, and lives of a new generation.

Callie is the role model every child needs.

A real Helston knight...
I punch the sky with a whoop!
And I'm going to do it as myself.
As Callie.

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