A review by wardenred
Tristan and Lancelot: A Tale of Two Knights by James Persichetti

adventurous 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

5.0

You don’t do it because you’re a knight. You don’t do it for a title or glory or for Arthur to pat you on the back. I don’t do it just because I’m getting paid. We do it because it’s the right thing to do.

This was so fun! Not a particularly original story, but truly a great fantasy adventure with romance and friendship, hitting all the right beats at all the right times. I loved the author’s interpretation of the familiar Arthurian archetypes. Lancelot, Morgan, Guinevere, and Merlin in particular really captivated me for all sorts of different reasons. And the fairies! As beautiful and dangerous as they should be, and I’m so intrigued with those small hints at the sequel. Whatever else might Mab and Nimue have planned for Albion?

The artwork is perhaps the biggest selling point. It’s just plain gorgeous. Such bright colors! Such striking moods! Perfectly fitting for a classic fantasy quest with fairy tale vibes. I read this graphic novel super quickly, but I’ll certainly be paging through it again and again over the coming days simply to appreciate the drawings. The artist is SO talented, I just can’t.

Overall, this is a perfect heartwarming fairy tale where the knights are honorable, the power of goodness and friendship saves the day, and at the same time the villains aren’t irredeemable and the central conflict has depth and complexity to it, discussing the cycles of violence and how they might be stopped. I so hope there’ll be more!