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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I had a good time reading this book, but I didn't vibe as much with it as I thought when I read the blurb. Maybe a bit too YA?
I think the setting is really strong - who doesn't love a good old medieval dinner-and-a-show - but the characters Pacton settled that setting with didn't totally work for me. Besides Layla, Jett (the love interest - the romance felt a bit meh to me, but it was ok, it wasn't the main focus), and Chris, the other side characters (like Penny and Mags) felt a bit like stock characters defined by one trait.
I read the book as a spin on pro-feminist fable, set in modern times, which is great, but the real-life setting undercut the message for me. I 100% believe that such policies would exist (and do exist the world over and in the US), but the sheer misogynistic resistance of Len feels like it's out of the 40s or 50s, especially in a major US city like Chicago. In the modern political climate, such a company policy and what Kit did when she fought in her brother's place would maybe cause attendance to go up, but it would probably also result in protests and calls for boycotts (justifiably so) from women's rights activists and organizations. I think that's the biggest issue for me with this plot - it feels like this fight is disconnected from any kind of feminist struggles in the past and present.
That's not to say that I don't buy that Len or the higher ups at the company are misogynistic. That is extremely realistic. It's just that what seems more realistic in terms of response is what they try at the very end of the book; they would immediately implement token changes - or just allow non-men to participate but pay them less, or make a hostile workplace for them, or allow one to exist. Or they would take Kit's suggestions for improvements and co-opt them and not credit her properly for the idea. But I think that all would be a bit more complex than the book sets out to be. Which is fine, it just really stuck in my craw.
I think the setting is really strong - who doesn't love a good old medieval dinner-and-a-show - but the characters Pacton settled that setting with didn't totally work for me. Besides Layla, Jett (the love interest - the romance felt a bit meh to me, but it was ok, it wasn't the main focus), and Chris, the other side characters (like Penny and Mags) felt a bit like stock characters defined by one trait.
I read the book as a spin on pro-feminist fable, set in modern times, which is great, but the real-life setting undercut the message for me. I 100% believe that such policies would exist (and do exist the world over and in the US), but the sheer misogynistic resistance of Len feels like it's out of the 40s or 50s, especially in a major US city like Chicago. In the modern political climate, such a company policy and what Kit did when she fought in her brother's place would maybe cause attendance to go up, but it would probably also result in protests and calls for boycotts (justifiably so) from women's rights activists and organizations. I think that's the biggest issue for me with this plot - it feels like this fight is disconnected from any kind of feminist struggles in the past and present.
That's not to say that I don't buy that Len or the higher ups at the company are misogynistic. That is extremely realistic. It's just that what seems more realistic in terms of response is what they try at the very end of the book; they would immediately implement token changes - or just allow non-men to participate but pay them less, or make a hostile workplace for them, or allow one to exist. Or they would take Kit's suggestions for improvements and co-opt them and not credit her properly for the idea. But I think that all would be a bit more complex than the book sets out to be. Which is fine, it just really stuck in my craw.
The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton is a story written for fans of Renaissance Festivals, live action role-playing, cosplaying, and medieval history.
Kit works as a serving wench at the Castle, a medieval themed restaurant and entertainment chain, but she dreams of overthrowing the Castle’s outdated gender restrictions limiting knight positions in the tournament to male applicants. An opportunity presents itself when Chris, her brother who regularly fights as the Red Knight, is too exhausted from work and school to compete. Her triumphant jousting session gains unprecedented media attention boosting her plans to bring the Castle into the 21st century. Becoming the first Girl Knight at the Castle would mean so much to Kit and her family. The wage increase would allow them to pay more bills, put food on the table, and maybe even help Kit pay for college so that she can keep studying medieval history. She attempts to take on this quest for social justice and the weight of keeping her family afloat alone, but she soon realizes that even knights need a little bit of help sometimes.
Pacton’s novel will entertain readers who enjoyed Geekerella by Ashley Poston, Caraval by Stephanie Garber, and Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan. Check out these and other great titles on the Overdrive by Libby downloadable app through Scottsdale Public Library.
Kit works as a serving wench at the Castle, a medieval themed restaurant and entertainment chain, but she dreams of overthrowing the Castle’s outdated gender restrictions limiting knight positions in the tournament to male applicants. An opportunity presents itself when Chris, her brother who regularly fights as the Red Knight, is too exhausted from work and school to compete. Her triumphant jousting session gains unprecedented media attention boosting her plans to bring the Castle into the 21st century. Becoming the first Girl Knight at the Castle would mean so much to Kit and her family. The wage increase would allow them to pay more bills, put food on the table, and maybe even help Kit pay for college so that she can keep studying medieval history. She attempts to take on this quest for social justice and the weight of keeping her family afloat alone, but she soon realizes that even knights need a little bit of help sometimes.
Pacton’s novel will entertain readers who enjoyed Geekerella by Ashley Poston, Caraval by Stephanie Garber, and Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan. Check out these and other great titles on the Overdrive by Libby downloadable app through Scottsdale Public Library.
I really enjoyed this book and thought it was super cute! There was a lot of representation that I loved getting to see and I thought the overall book was very fun and a quick read.
Full review + Giveaway here
Full review + Giveaway here
3.5 Stars
Delightful, fun little novel about tearing down gender roles in the workplace while also addressing poverty issues.
Features characters that are diverse in race, gender, and orientation.
Doused in pop-culture medieval fantasy references, from The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and even the excellent cheese-fest that is A Knight's Tale. Great for nerds!
Perhaps a bit too simple a solution, but fun nonetheless.
Thanks to Page Street Kids and Netgalley for the Advanced Reading Copy
Delightful, fun little novel about tearing down gender roles in the workplace while also addressing poverty issues.
Features characters that are diverse in race, gender, and orientation.
Doused in pop-culture medieval fantasy references, from The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and even the excellent cheese-fest that is A Knight's Tale. Great for nerds!
Perhaps a bit too simple a solution, but fun nonetheless.
Thanks to Page Street Kids and Netgalley for the Advanced Reading Copy
A funny and empowering read, and even better to read if you’re missing the ReFest this summer (thanks, ‘rona).
I think the only reason I didn’t like this as much is because I just really wanted it to be more from the Well Met world.
This book was so much fun! I can't resist a good girl-power story, and this novel had that in spades.
When Kit Sweetly replaces her brother for a night as a Knight in a show at a medieval-themed restaurant, she starts a revolution against the boys only hiring practice of the knights.
I've said it time and time again, my biggest pet peeve with characters is when they can't communicate and they lie to each other or keep things from each other. I found Kit to be frustrating because of her insistence on keeping things from her friends.
Despite that, I loved her tenacity. The pop culture references were abundant, but I found them to be quite charming. Overall the book was really sweet and empowering and I give it 4 stars.
When Kit Sweetly replaces her brother for a night as a Knight in a show at a medieval-themed restaurant, she starts a revolution against the boys only hiring practice of the knights.
I've said it time and time again, my biggest pet peeve with characters is when they can't communicate and they lie to each other or keep things from each other. I found Kit to be frustrating because of her insistence on keeping things from her friends.
Despite that, I loved her tenacity. The pop culture references were abundant, but I found them to be quite charming. Overall the book was really sweet and empowering and I give it 4 stars.