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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
That was a really quick, fun story. I love the aspects of feminism and the will they/wont they of the romance.
This book was... fine. The plot of the book was super fun. I mean, I am fully behind a feminist revolution at Medieval Times. But the characters felt a little flat to me. On the other hand, the book was total popcorn, easy and fun to read, even if there are a few dark moments. If you are looking for something entertaining and bingeable, this may be a good choice.
The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly is a cute book about a girl wanting to be a knight at a Medieval Times-esque restaurant and being told that only cis-male people can become knights. The book has a good message at heart, and is rather entertaining at parts.
HOWEVER -- I was blown away at the descriptions of smoking in this book. It's projected as something cool to do around other people, and done socially. At one point, I think the main character even mentions craving a cigarette. Am I insane in thinking this is AWFUL? This book isn't years and years old. It came out LAST YEAR in 2020. We should not be hyping cigarette smoking up anymore, I don't care if it's in a fictional book. Honestly, the smoking sections of the book are not necessary plot-wise, and frequently tugged me right out of the fantasy of the book.
So, yeah, mostly-cute book about gender representation and feminism that was partially ruined for me by depictions of smoking.
HOWEVER -- I was blown away at the descriptions of smoking in this book. It's projected as something cool to do around other people, and done socially. At one point, I think the main character even mentions craving a cigarette. Am I insane in thinking this is AWFUL? This book isn't years and years old. It came out LAST YEAR in 2020. We should not be hyping cigarette smoking up anymore, I don't care if it's in a fictional book. Honestly, the smoking sections of the book are not necessary plot-wise, and frequently tugged me right out of the fantasy of the book.
So, yeah, mostly-cute book about gender representation and feminism that was partially ruined for me by depictions of smoking.
Jamie Pacton’s The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly is a cute but strong book about Kit, a teenager working as a serving wench at The Castle, a medieval themed restaurant in the suburbs of Chicago. Kit has wanted to move up to being a Knight for a long time now, however due to corporate policy, only cis males can be Knights. Kit does not agree with these patriarchal rules and decides to break a few of them.
Kit goes through struggles many teenagers can relate to. From a deadbeat dad who left their family without anything, to loving her best friend even though they promised to only remain friends.
Since I am no longer a teenager, it felt a little difficult to connect with the characters myself but I can see how actual young adults could.
This book has a strong feminist vibe, which isn’t always everyone’s jam. However, I think more books could pick up from this. There were also characters with all different backgrounds and love interests, not just your normal cis male and female relationships/views.
The author mentioned the movie A Knight’s Tale in the book, which made me instantly want to watch it. I am watching it now as I write this review! The book also really made me crave a turkey leg but there’s no way I can find one of those with this quarantine.
If you are wanting a quick YA read, this one is for you!
Thank you Page Street Publishing for an ARC of the book in return for an honest review.
Kit goes through struggles many teenagers can relate to. From a deadbeat dad who left their family without anything, to loving her best friend even though they promised to only remain friends.
Since I am no longer a teenager, it felt a little difficult to connect with the characters myself but I can see how actual young adults could.
This book has a strong feminist vibe, which isn’t always everyone’s jam. However, I think more books could pick up from this. There were also characters with all different backgrounds and love interests, not just your normal cis male and female relationships/views.
The author mentioned the movie A Knight’s Tale in the book, which made me instantly want to watch it. I am watching it now as I write this review! The book also really made me crave a turkey leg but there’s no way I can find one of those with this quarantine.
If you are wanting a quick YA read, this one is for you!
Thank you Page Street Publishing for an ARC of the book in return for an honest review.
funny
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
Kit has a lot on her shoulders, so wanting to break through the gender barriers and play the knight rather than a wench at the medieval-themed place she works at isn't just a whim.
The knights earn much more than the roles women can play. Kit needs money to help pay the mortgage, for food, to get the lights turned back on at the house she shares with her mom and big brother.
The knights get to save the day, showcase their bravery without fear. Kit quietly busts her butt every day to keep her family from falling apart, withholds her feelings for her BFF because his friendship is one thing she can count on, and has dreams of going places her mom never could due to the lack of continued education but no financial stability to actually go.
And it's not just about her. It's about standing up for others, too. Something her deadbeat dad never did. Something her brother can't always do at work because they need him to stay employed. Something her uncle (her boss) won't do even though he loves her, because he puts his needs first.
This is a girl-power book (one that doesn't "woe is me" about being poor, which is appreciated) that's about using your smarts and friends to make change for the better that lifts others right along with you.
The knights earn much more than the roles women can play. Kit needs money to help pay the mortgage, for food, to get the lights turned back on at the house she shares with her mom and big brother.
The knights get to save the day, showcase their bravery without fear. Kit quietly busts her butt every day to keep her family from falling apart, withholds her feelings for her BFF because his friendship is one thing she can count on, and has dreams of going places her mom never could due to the lack of continued education but no financial stability to actually go.
And it's not just about her. It's about standing up for others, too. Something her deadbeat dad never did. Something her brother can't always do at work because they need him to stay employed. Something her uncle (her boss) won't do even though he loves her, because he puts his needs first.
This is a girl-power book (one that doesn't "woe is me" about being poor, which is appreciated) that's about using your smarts and friends to make change for the better that lifts others right along with you.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It served nothing particularly great, but it was alright, I guess.
I found this to be extremely cute! There were some moments things seemed a little rushed and some details to me didn’t feel like they were necessary to go over, but all in all it was a good book. I loved all the pop culture and history references especially the ones related to Tolkien. I really want a sequel and see how live goes for them in the castle even more!