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The Squire's Tales #6
The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight
“Grand storytelling style . . . Readers looking for page-turning adventure, a strong heroine, and some fun will find it all here.” — School Library Journal
Ever since that tragic night when her mother and guardian were murdered, thirteen-year-old Sarah has been living on her own and searching for the knight who was responsible. Her quest for revenge leads to an even greater adventure when she witnesses Queen Guinevere being kidnapped. Soon Sarah finds herself accompanying Sir Gawain and Squire Terence on a remarkable journey to rescue the Queen. In their travels they meet, among others, a mystery knight traveling incognito in a dung cart, a faery who becomes Sarah’s first friend in a long time, a reclusive monk who plans to spend the rest of his life building a tomb for Sir Lancelot, and a princess who might have a little more gumption than she appears to.
As the plot thickens, Sarah finds out more about the people she’s met and befriended, as well as about herself. She begins to learn the true consequences of vengeance and what it really means to be a princess.
“Morris reshapes traditional plot elements, infuses them with humor and fantasy, and creates a highly readable story . . . The novel is driven by a keen sense of justice and lightened by droll wit. A terrific cast of characters energizes the story, which plays out against a colorful, well-developed historical background.” — Booklist
“Another humorous and suspenseful tale of knightly intrigue.” — Publishers Weekly
Ever since that tragic night when her mother and guardian were murdered, thirteen-year-old Sarah has been living on her own and searching for the knight who was responsible. Her quest for revenge leads to an even greater adventure when she witnesses Queen Guinevere being kidnapped. Soon Sarah finds herself accompanying Sir Gawain and Squire Terence on a remarkable journey to rescue the Queen. In their travels they meet, among others, a mystery knight traveling incognito in a dung cart, a faery who becomes Sarah’s first friend in a long time, a reclusive monk who plans to spend the rest of his life building a tomb for Sir Lancelot, and a princess who might have a little more gumption than she appears to.
As the plot thickens, Sarah finds out more about the people she’s met and befriended, as well as about herself. She begins to learn the true consequences of vengeance and what it really means to be a princess.
“Morris reshapes traditional plot elements, infuses them with humor and fantasy, and creates a highly readable story . . . The novel is driven by a keen sense of justice and lightened by droll wit. A terrific cast of characters energizes the story, which plays out against a colorful, well-developed historical background.” — Booklist
“Another humorous and suspenseful tale of knightly intrigue.” — Publishers Weekly
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
33 people are currently reading
1137 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Morris
29 books496 followersGerald Morris is an award-winning author, best known for his retellings of Arthurian legends for preteen and teen readers.
His first series, The Squire's Tales, focuses primarily on a squire named Terence, alongside his knight, Sir Gawain. The ten-book series began with The Squire's Tale, first published in 1998.
His second series, The Knights' Tales, is for younger readers and began with The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great, published in 2008, followed by The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short in the same year.
Morris was born in Riverside, California in 1963, the son of Russell A. Morris. He was educated at the Oklahoma Baptist University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He married Rebecca Hughes, has 3 children, and now lives in Wausau, Wisconsin. He also lived for a short time in Oklahoma. Apart from writing, Morris teaches theology and serves as a pastor for church.
His first series, The Squire's Tales, focuses primarily on a squire named Terence, alongside his knight, Sir Gawain. The ten-book series began with The Squire's Tale, first published in 1998.
His second series, The Knights' Tales, is for younger readers and began with The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great, published in 2008, followed by The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short in the same year.
Morris was born in Riverside, California in 1963, the son of Russell A. Morris. He was educated at the Oklahoma Baptist University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He married Rebecca Hughes, has 3 children, and now lives in Wausau, Wisconsin. He also lived for a short time in Oklahoma. Apart from writing, Morris teaches theology and serves as a pastor for church.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
March 6, 2024
Okay this one was GREAT.
I was feeling a little bit jaded about this series; but I'm so pleased I hung around for book 6, because. I think Morris is at his best when writing female protagonists.
There are so many things I LOVED about this book! I loved that the relationships at the heart of the story are female friendships. I loved that in this book (finally) Queen Guinevere gets to be interested in gossip and fashion without being treated like a second-class person. I loved that Sarah gets given a sword, and uses it, in a way that centres her in the story without losing sight of her lack of training. I loved, loved, loved the way the central theme against revenge is handled, with astounding deftness and nuance. Sometimes a quest for justice can't be delicately disentangled from a quest for vengeance, and the sympathetic way that Morris allows both to exist all tangled up within his heroine without ever making his theme trite or heavy-handed, is really admirable and honestly not something I've seen even in books for adults.
I also loved the broader historical and literary contexts of the book. Morris uses this one to highlight the plight of Jews, taking obvious inspiration from the brutal pogroms that accompanied the Black Death (casting the Templars as anti-Semitic villains, on the other hand, showed a distinct lack of familiarity with that institution), and I really loved seeing little bits of genuine history getting a look into the anachronistic world of this story. Then, this book tackled a retelling of a romance by Chretien de Troyes which I was particularly fascinated to see Morris retell, since the hanky panky between Lancelot and Guinevere is a major part of the plot and one of the things I most loved about the first couple of books in this series is the way Morris recasts some of the spicier Arthurian stories in ways that are gentle to young readers without going down the path of complete bowdlerisation. I still felt Morris could have done more with this relationship, but I'll just hope to see that in future stories. I did love how matter-of-fact the story was about this relationship: here are a pair of flawed adults in a flawed adult situation, but that doesn't mean they don't need friends and help.
It's still a Gerald Morris book, so we still get a couple more things to add to the list of Things Real Men Don't Do (Housework or Gardening, apparently, along with Fashion and Love Songs), but overall this is one of the two or three best instalments in the series, as far as I'm concerned. Bravo, and I'll definitely be reading the next book!
I was feeling a little bit jaded about this series; but I'm so pleased I hung around for book 6, because. I think Morris is at his best when writing female protagonists.
There are so many things I LOVED about this book! I loved that the relationships at the heart of the story are female friendships. I loved that in this book (finally) Queen Guinevere gets to be interested in gossip and fashion without being treated like a second-class person. I loved that Sarah gets given a sword, and uses it, in a way that centres her in the story without losing sight of her lack of training. I loved, loved, loved the way the central theme against revenge is handled, with astounding deftness and nuance. Sometimes a quest for justice can't be delicately disentangled from a quest for vengeance, and the sympathetic way that Morris allows both to exist all tangled up within his heroine without ever making his theme trite or heavy-handed, is really admirable and honestly not something I've seen even in books for adults.
I also loved the broader historical and literary contexts of the book. Morris uses this one to highlight the plight of Jews, taking obvious inspiration from the brutal pogroms that accompanied the Black Death (casting the Templars as anti-Semitic villains, on the other hand, showed a distinct lack of familiarity with that institution), and I really loved seeing little bits of genuine history getting a look into the anachronistic world of this story. Then, this book tackled a retelling of a romance by Chretien de Troyes which I was particularly fascinated to see Morris retell, since the hanky panky between Lancelot and Guinevere is a major part of the plot and one of the things I most loved about the first couple of books in this series is the way Morris recasts some of the spicier Arthurian stories in ways that are gentle to young readers without going down the path of complete bowdlerisation. I still felt Morris could have done more with this relationship, but I'll just hope to see that in future stories. I did love how matter-of-fact the story was about this relationship: here are a pair of flawed adults in a flawed adult situation, but that doesn't mean they don't need friends and help.
It's still a Gerald Morris book, so we still get a couple more things to add to the list of Things Real Men Don't Do (Housework or Gardening, apparently, along with Fashion and Love Songs), but overall this is one of the two or three best instalments in the series, as far as I'm concerned. Bravo, and I'll definitely be reading the next book!
April 10, 2012
I don't feel words are the right way to transmit my feelings about this book.
A bit of this:
Followed by this:
Turning to this:
Summarized by these:
And people say perfection doesn't exist.
5 stars
A bit of this:
Followed by this:
Turning to this:
Summarized by these:
And people say perfection doesn't exist.
5 stars
February 24, 2013
Ah, Gerald Morris is back on safer ground here, sticking to what he understand -- Chrétien and Malory. Well, you have to be a bit of an ass, to my mind, to dismiss one of Chrétien's works as a "clinker", and as I recall Chrétien never finished the tale in question himself, so...
In any case, Morris' shocking inability to research aside, this one is quite fun and Lady Sarah is a fun character. There are quite a few strong, positive female characters in this one, which made it that bit more fun, and he actually writes a Lancelot I give two hoots about, so that's something.
Of course, if the Arthurian legend is serious business to you, don't touch this with a barge pole, but I do find the light tone refreshing, myself.
In any case, Morris' shocking inability to research aside, this one is quite fun and Lady Sarah is a fun character. There are quite a few strong, positive female characters in this one, which made it that bit more fun, and he actually writes a Lancelot I give two hoots about, so that's something.
Of course, if the Arthurian legend is serious business to you, don't touch this with a barge pole, but I do find the light tone refreshing, myself.
March 24, 2021
Not a light touch at all. This isn’t the story of someone who is passive-aggressively told to leave home already; it’s the story of someone whose home is stolen from her, and the path she chooses as a result. Sarah is more intense in personality than Dinadan (I don’t know if that’s a result of loss, though it could be) - she reacts more strongly to everything, and there’s a lot to react to, because this book has quite the busy plot. It starts with revenge and then folds in kidnappings, enchantments, the quiet younger sister, the forester still looking to redeem his honor, Terence and Gawain, and a theme about fraud and mob violence.
I don’t think it ever feels over-the-top, but it certainly is full.
Here’s the thing. There’s a central plot point straight out of the Dark Ages - the plague is coming to town, and the mob murders a Jewish peddler on its outskirts to “prevent” it. Is there a plague in Arthur’s time I’ve never heard of? Because mixing in an element so distinctly of eight centuries later creates a lot of dissonance. The setting doesn’t work for me as a result; the characters most closely related to Arthur don’t work in this book. They sort of float through, like fantastical anachronisms, and any time they have direct impact, or mention something specifically Arthurian, there’s a moment where I need to refocus - oh, right, this is an Arthurian novel, not a bubonic plague one. It helps that Lancelot is a focus, I think, since he’s never been a personality in the previous books. But there are these two disparate settings in conflict with each other, and even the force of Sarah’s personality can’t reconcile them.
She might possibly be too articulate and capable of a thirteen-year-old? Too sure of herself with everyone, too good at knowing exactly which questions to ask. I wasn’t that thirteen-year-old - but I’ll give her a pass, because I certainly wanted to be.
I don’t think it ever feels over-the-top, but it certainly is full.
Here’s the thing. There’s a central plot point straight out of the Dark Ages - the plague is coming to town, and the mob murders a Jewish peddler on its outskirts to “prevent” it. Is there a plague in Arthur’s time I’ve never heard of? Because mixing in an element so distinctly of eight centuries later creates a lot of dissonance. The setting doesn’t work for me as a result; the characters most closely related to Arthur don’t work in this book. They sort of float through, like fantastical anachronisms, and any time they have direct impact, or mention something specifically Arthurian, there’s a moment where I need to refocus - oh, right, this is an Arthurian novel, not a bubonic plague one. It helps that Lancelot is a focus, I think, since he’s never been a personality in the previous books. But there are these two disparate settings in conflict with each other, and even the force of Sarah’s personality can’t reconcile them.
She might possibly be too articulate and capable of a thirteen-year-old? Too sure of herself with everyone, too good at knowing exactly which questions to ask. I wasn’t that thirteen-year-old - but I’ll give her a pass, because I certainly wanted to be.
Read
August 27, 2024Review to follow
May 27, 2011
Oh! I loved it I loved it I loved it!!!!!
What amazes me about this series so far is how every book is as good as the one before it. I have yet to be disappointed. Perhaps I will be, with the eventual climax I assume will have to come, but right now I have nothing but giggles and the sweet taste of a good book. Packed with action, adventure, awesome characters...can you ask for more?
I suppose one might say a romance but whenever Morris adds a romance it is generally oddly done...so take my word for it, this book is excellent without one.
I loved the "sisterhood" feeling, how Sarah (the main character) goes from seeking revenge to caring about the group of women who end up surrounding her. So adorable.
All the characters are, really. It was great to "hear back" from Piers and Gawaine and Terence and Sir Kai and even Lancelot, who I previously disliked and have grudgingly come to appreciate.
I've always held a dislike for Arthinian legends but this series....
It is just to good to pass up. Well worth a read!!!
What amazes me about this series so far is how every book is as good as the one before it. I have yet to be disappointed. Perhaps I will be, with the eventual climax I assume will have to come, but right now I have nothing but giggles and the sweet taste of a good book. Packed with action, adventure, awesome characters...can you ask for more?
I suppose one might say a romance but whenever Morris adds a romance it is generally oddly done...so take my word for it, this book is excellent without one.
I loved the "sisterhood" feeling, how Sarah (the main character) goes from seeking revenge to caring about the group of women who end up surrounding her. So adorable.
All the characters are, really. It was great to "hear back" from Piers and Gawaine and Terence and Sir Kai and even Lancelot, who I previously disliked and have grudgingly come to appreciate.
I've always held a dislike for Arthinian legends but this series....
It is just to good to pass up. Well worth a read!!!
November 2, 2019
I would say this is one of the best, if not the best feminist books I have ever read. The males have a purpose and aren't idiot's, the protagonist goes through a hero's journey and isn't perfect from the beginning. Every character, has some sort of development.
Read
October 4, 2021DNF
I read several other books of this series and was charmed, but this one - nope. Didn't work for me.
I read several other books of this series and was charmed, but this one - nope. Didn't work for me.
February 14, 2014
Well, this was Book 6 of The Squire’s Tales series and I can confidently say that so far I love the whole series. There is no ‘bad’ book in Gerald Morris’ retellings of the Arthurian legends; they’re all great.
Although from the summary I expected Sarah to be a typical girl empowerment character, that was far from the truth. Her actions make sense and her character arc is gradual, but very powerful. Just as a warning to younger readers, let me say that this book is more graphic than the others and may offend sensitive readers. After all, the reason Sarah is looking for revenge is based on real, very tragic historical events. And the road to revenge is not without its victims, so just keep that in mind.
Once again Gawain and Terence show up near the end of the book, but it is Sarah and her Dung-Cart Knight that play a much more important part in the story. Gerald Morris certainly has an interesting take on Lancelot, who shows up later on. Lancelot has changed immensely from the first few books when he was a caricature of a proper knight: foppish, immersed in courtly love, etc. He has actually acquired some depth in this book and I look forward to seeing him in the next few books, if only to see how these changes affect his new life at court.
With a fast plot, amazing characters both old and new and hints at the tragic ending of the Arthurian legends, you won’t want to put down The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight. Even though it’s aimed at younger readers I loved it, which is why I recommend it to readers of all ages.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads rating purposes.
Although from the summary I expected Sarah to be a typical girl empowerment character, that was far from the truth. Her actions make sense and her character arc is gradual, but very powerful. Just as a warning to younger readers, let me say that this book is more graphic than the others and may offend sensitive readers. After all, the reason Sarah is looking for revenge is based on real, very tragic historical events. And the road to revenge is not without its victims, so just keep that in mind.
Once again Gawain and Terence show up near the end of the book, but it is Sarah and her Dung-Cart Knight that play a much more important part in the story. Gerald Morris certainly has an interesting take on Lancelot, who shows up later on. Lancelot has changed immensely from the first few books when he was a caricature of a proper knight: foppish, immersed in courtly love, etc. He has actually acquired some depth in this book and I look forward to seeing him in the next few books, if only to see how these changes affect his new life at court.
With a fast plot, amazing characters both old and new and hints at the tragic ending of the Arthurian legends, you won’t want to put down The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight. Even though it’s aimed at younger readers I loved it, which is why I recommend it to readers of all ages.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads rating purposes.
February 21, 2025
Oh yes, this one holds up.
The Dung-Cart Knight is Morris’ take on Chrétien’s The Knight of the Cart, and, in my opinion, vastly improves the source material. Instead of Lancelot and Guinevere’s adulterous love, subject to all the societal codes of Courtly Love, here we are given a Lancelot and Guinevere post-affair. In their time apart, Lancelot and Guinevere have become older and wiser, and their only desire is now to do the right thing, even as the shadows of the past (and their affection for each other) still linger.
Lancelot himself has undergone a total transformation--gone is the foppish knight who cares only for his own honor and reputation. This Lancelot no longer desires worldly praise, thinks nothing of the humiliation of riding in the dung-cart. This is the Lancelot one wishes Malory’s Lancelot could have become. This is the version of Lancelot that made me believe in Lancelot.
While Morris’ presentation of Lancelot and Guinevere is restrained and mature, his description of Sarah’s journey is similarly deft. Sarah is not a girl who will give up her vengeance simply because someone tells her to be nice and forgive--. Instead of vengeance, it is love and the friendship of good people that will bring healing.
While the ending of Dung-Cart Knight is a little too pat and ties everything off with too neat a bow, the rest of the book is so good it hardly matters.
5 stars.
***
[First Review]:
As someone who has never liked Sir Lancelot...I now love Sir Lancelot.
5 stars, best in the series so far.
The Dung-Cart Knight is Morris’ take on Chrétien’s The Knight of the Cart, and, in my opinion, vastly improves the source material. Instead of Lancelot and Guinevere’s adulterous love, subject to all the societal codes of Courtly Love, here we are given a Lancelot and Guinevere post-affair. In their time apart, Lancelot and Guinevere have become older and wiser, and their only desire is now to do the right thing, even as the shadows of the past (and their affection for each other) still linger.
Lancelot himself has undergone a total transformation--gone is the foppish knight who cares only for his own honor and reputation. This Lancelot no longer desires worldly praise, thinks nothing of the humiliation of riding in the dung-cart. This is the Lancelot one wishes Malory’s Lancelot could have become. This is the version of Lancelot that made me believe in Lancelot.
While Morris’ presentation of Lancelot and Guinevere is restrained and mature, his description of Sarah’s journey is similarly deft. Sarah is not a girl who will give up her vengeance simply because someone tells her to be nice and forgive--. Instead of vengeance, it is love and the friendship of good people that will bring healing.
While the ending of Dung-Cart Knight is a little too pat and ties everything off with too neat a bow, the rest of the book is so good it hardly matters.
5 stars.
***
[First Review]:
As someone who has never liked Sir Lancelot...I now love Sir Lancelot.
5 stars, best in the series so far.
April 27, 2011
(More like 3.5 stars.)
OH EM GEE TEH CUTENESS!!1!!1
I'm very fond of this series in general. They stick close to the more well-known versions of these tales (particularly the crazy-ass Chretien versions! yay!), but the author isn't afraid to put his own spin on things. I'm still amazed Morris made THE SWORD BRIDGE (I will never forget the all caps from the poem, never) sound vaguely plausible. Granted there was some magic involved, but Lancelot and Sarah being like "what the actual fuck?" about that whole thing ended up being highly amusing. And, as always, I will always have some fondness for a story with (a) numerous female characters who (b) enjoy one another's company. It shouldn't be a lot to expect from fiction. AND YET. Also worth noting: while this is a more idealistic Camelot than most modern retellings, Morris doesn't shy away from darker aspects either.
The books in this series have a pretty obvious formula. Main character goes on an adventure, there are a number of episodic struggles while they Learn Important Lessons, and at the end there's an exposition party, during which the main character is amply rewarded. Still, the overall storytelling feels lively enough that it feels unique each time. NOT easy to accomplish with a myth that's been retold literally hundreds of times. I've been working my way through this series slowly, over the years, because I'll be sad when I'm finished.
Sidenote: LOL FOREVER at the author's note where he talks about how perplexing he finds Chretien's The Knight of the Cart. My thoughts exactly.
OH EM GEE TEH CUTENESS!!1!!1
I'm very fond of this series in general. They stick close to the more well-known versions of these tales (particularly the crazy-ass Chretien versions! yay!), but the author isn't afraid to put his own spin on things. I'm still amazed Morris made THE SWORD BRIDGE (I will never forget the all caps from the poem, never) sound vaguely plausible. Granted there was some magic involved, but Lancelot and Sarah being like "what the actual fuck?" about that whole thing ended up being highly amusing. And, as always, I will always have some fondness for a story with (a) numerous female characters who (b) enjoy one another's company. It shouldn't be a lot to expect from fiction. AND YET. Also worth noting: while this is a more idealistic Camelot than most modern retellings, Morris doesn't shy away from darker aspects either.
The books in this series have a pretty obvious formula. Main character goes on an adventure, there are a number of episodic struggles while they Learn Important Lessons, and at the end there's an exposition party, during which the main character is amply rewarded. Still, the overall storytelling feels lively enough that it feels unique each time. NOT easy to accomplish with a myth that's been retold literally hundreds of times. I've been working my way through this series slowly, over the years, because I'll be sad when I'm finished.
Sidenote: LOL FOREVER at the author's note where he talks about how perplexing he finds Chretien's The Knight of the Cart. My thoughts exactly.
May 27, 2008
Closure for Sir Lancelot.
Sarah's mother and caretaker, a Jewish cloth merchant, were killed because of hatred of Jews. So Sarah made a vow to avenge their deaths by seeking out the knight who prompted the villagers to kill them. But first she needs a sword. Opportunity strikes when she crosses paths with Sir Kai and Queen Genievere. She attempts to steal Sir Kai's sword, but when she is caught, instead of harming her for stealing, Kai gives her a sword made for his son and teaches her the basics of sword fighting. Then Sarah is thrown off of her quest when the queen and Sir Kai are kidnapped by a knight and she is the only witness. She travels to Camelot to tell King Arthur and is asked to travel along with Gawain and Terence as they set out to find the queen.
Along the way, Sarah becomes separated from Gawain and falls in with knight who looks less than desirable but can fight better than anyone she has ever seen. Soon she finds out that the knight is none other than Sir Lancelot. Together, they travel to a magical castle where the queen is being held. As they attempt to rescue her, Lancelot comes to terms with himself, and Sarah finds that revenge is not always so sweet.
One of my favorite of the Squire's Tale series.
Sarah's mother and caretaker, a Jewish cloth merchant, were killed because of hatred of Jews. So Sarah made a vow to avenge their deaths by seeking out the knight who prompted the villagers to kill them. But first she needs a sword. Opportunity strikes when she crosses paths with Sir Kai and Queen Genievere. She attempts to steal Sir Kai's sword, but when she is caught, instead of harming her for stealing, Kai gives her a sword made for his son and teaches her the basics of sword fighting. Then Sarah is thrown off of her quest when the queen and Sir Kai are kidnapped by a knight and she is the only witness. She travels to Camelot to tell King Arthur and is asked to travel along with Gawain and Terence as they set out to find the queen.
Along the way, Sarah becomes separated from Gawain and falls in with knight who looks less than desirable but can fight better than anyone she has ever seen. Soon she finds out that the knight is none other than Sir Lancelot. Together, they travel to a magical castle where the queen is being held. As they attempt to rescue her, Lancelot comes to terms with himself, and Sarah finds that revenge is not always so sweet.
One of my favorite of the Squire's Tale series.
September 14, 2013
She is just thirteen when she sees Queen Guinivere kidnapped. Having met the kind queen and the knight accompanying her, Sarah realizes that her new friends what has happened. Alone, since her mother was murdered, Sarah understands that the knight asking her to report the kidnapping to Arthur so she travels to Arthur's camp.
Sarah's adventures begin as she accompanies knights to rescue Guinevere. Viewed through her eyes, we see a different view of Arthur, Guinivere, and some of the knights of the Round Table. In her travels she meets interesting individuals, both honorable and not. I liked this little read for the young who I think will enjoy the story.
Sarah's adventures begin as she accompanies knights to rescue Guinevere. Viewed through her eyes, we see a different view of Arthur, Guinivere, and some of the knights of the Round Table. In her travels she meets interesting individuals, both honorable and not. I liked this little read for the young who I think will enjoy the story.
August 11, 2024
This one is pretty heavy, dealing as it does with medieval antisemitism and the lynching of Jews. A wonderfully nonallegorical retelling of the dung-cart knight story.
April 3, 2023
Queen Guinevere and Sir Kai have vanished, and there is only one witness to their disappearance-- thirteen-year-old Sarah. As King Arthur's greatest knights set off to rescue their queen, Sarah and her valuable information are swept along on the quest, but Sarah has a dark and private mission of her own. For months she has thought of nothing but revenge for the brutal murder of her family, but the friendships she makes along the way challenge her to look at life through many different viewpoints. She comes to know the humble knight Jean Le Forestier, a bitter and possibly magical crone who encourages her thirst for revenge, the young fairy Ariel with her childlike exuberance and innocence, and of course Sir Gawain and Terence. When Sarah's little band finally reaches the place where Guinevere and Kai are being held, Sarah finds the final outcome in her hands, and she must choose whether to live for her past or her future.
This book marked a change in the tone of the series, as evidenced by the fact that it was significantly thicker than the first five. It was slower-paced and less lighthearted. For the first few chapters, I couldn't get into it, and I wondered if Gerald Morris had finally struck out. Thankfully, I was wrong! By the time I was about a third of the way in, I was just as hooked as I had been with all of the previous books. In fact, this is definitely among my top two or three. The slow build allowed for deeper character development, and I especially loved the threesome of Sarah, Jean, and Ariel. All three went through growth, and Sarah's inner turmoil was balanced on either side by the gentle if somewhat jaded Jean, and hopelessly optimistic Ariel. As usual with Morris's books, the new characters were engaging, while our familiar old friends continue to develop, and the overarching dark plot against Arthur thickens. A worthy addition to a series that has yet to disappoint.
This book marked a change in the tone of the series, as evidenced by the fact that it was significantly thicker than the first five. It was slower-paced and less lighthearted. For the first few chapters, I couldn't get into it, and I wondered if Gerald Morris had finally struck out. Thankfully, I was wrong! By the time I was about a third of the way in, I was just as hooked as I had been with all of the previous books. In fact, this is definitely among my top two or three. The slow build allowed for deeper character development, and I especially loved the threesome of Sarah, Jean, and Ariel. All three went through growth, and Sarah's inner turmoil was balanced on either side by the gentle if somewhat jaded Jean, and hopelessly optimistic Ariel. As usual with Morris's books, the new characters were engaging, while our familiar old friends continue to develop, and the overarching dark plot against Arthur thickens. A worthy addition to a series that has yet to disappoint.
January 9, 2020
This series is so reliable! I've actually never read this volume before (I think I must have left off at Parsifal's Page or A Ballad for Sir Dinadan when I was a kid?), but as always, Morris somehow manages to combine extremely gory Arthurian legend with an endearing protagonist and humorous dialogue to come up with a light-hearted middle grade read. This particular book touches on the deadly consequences of medieval antisemitism -- the heroine, already orphaned at the beginning of the book, eventually reveals that she had been adopted by a Jewish cloth merchant, and both he and her mother were murdered by villagers incited by claims of blood libel, a fate which she herself only narrowly avoided. While Sarah is willing to tag along on the quest to rescue Queen Guinevere, she is mainly motivated by the desire to get revenge. My one primary qualm with this book, and this is certainly not uncommon in children's books, is that Sarah's desire to kill the people who have caused her absolutely incalculable harm (and have shown zero repentance) is framed as... not evil, exactly, but bloodthirsty and worthy of reprimand. I don't think it's really up adults who have been allowed to form their own moral codes, or those who have not suffered in general, to impose a policy of forgiveness or nonviolence on other people! But I think it's hard to have a coherent message about violence in general in books about Arthurian legend, especially one for children.
April 20, 2022
The only reason I would take points off for this book would be because it’s too short (good books should never end). Along with The Quest of the Fair Unknown and The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf, this is my favorite of the Squire’s Tales , and one of my go-to reads for when I need something good – light, funny, but also so realistically full and serious.
The main character in this book is Sarah, a young girl full of hate and a desire for revenge after her mother and guardian are murdered before her eyes. Usually I don’t go in for revenge stories, but somehow Morris pulls it off as so much more than that.
As always, in typical Gerald Morris style, it’s a character-driven story, focusing primarily on character growth. There’s a realistic mix of good and bad on all sides – in a story that could be told as of knights and glory, the heroes make mistakes and all that good stuff. It never comes off as preachy, just lighthearted fun in a realistic way. (Well, as realistic as you can be in a realistic fantasy set in a world of historical legend…)
Some of the best characters (e.g. Gawain, Terence, Kai…) are in it, there are some fabulous one-liners, the characters are “3 dimensional” and have palpably amiable bonds (on the ‘good-guy’ side; I can’t say the ‘bad-guys’ have much in the way of ‘bonds’).
Some minor violent content but handled in a way that’s kid-friendly. References to love affairs. I would probably start recommending it to kids starting at 10.
The main character in this book is Sarah, a young girl full of hate and a desire for revenge after her mother and guardian are murdered before her eyes. Usually I don’t go in for revenge stories, but somehow Morris pulls it off as so much more than that.
As always, in typical Gerald Morris style, it’s a character-driven story, focusing primarily on character growth. There’s a realistic mix of good and bad on all sides – in a story that could be told as of knights and glory, the heroes make mistakes and all that good stuff. It never comes off as preachy, just lighthearted fun in a realistic way. (Well, as realistic as you can be in a realistic fantasy set in a world of historical legend…)
Some of the best characters (e.g. Gawain, Terence, Kai…) are in it, there are some fabulous one-liners, the characters are “3 dimensional” and have palpably amiable bonds (on the ‘good-guy’ side; I can’t say the ‘bad-guys’ have much in the way of ‘bonds’).
Some minor violent content but handled in a way that’s kid-friendly. References to love affairs. I would probably start recommending it to kids starting at 10.
June 4, 2024
This is one of the two or three books from this series that has stuck with me through the years, and I think about it often. Sarah is a wounded girl, mourning the loss of the people who raised her and dead set on vengeance despite knowing that it's not what they would have wanted for her, those people who loved her. Her tenacity and courage really stand out as a strong female heroine from my childhood, and her growth over the course of the book to allow herself to rely on others and accept help from others is a slow, tender journey.
Of course, we see the return of some fan favorites - Gawain, Terence, , Kai, and even Piers and Ariel! Morris's trademark humor is on display again, as Sarah asks Kai however does one curtsy while holding a sword after a lesson, and real world topics are treated with care and respect. This book highlights the very real effects of medieval anti-semitism through the blood libel that was prevalent at the time of the Black Death and the violence of the crusades. However, I felt it was very well handled (and one of the few times I have ever seen this particular topic handled in a children's/tween book, if not the only time).
Morris revisits the infamous love story between Guinevere and Lancelot in a tender way, acknowledging their human flaws and mistakes while allowing them both to grow as individuals.
Of course, we see the return of some fan favorites - Gawain, Terence, , Kai, and even Piers and Ariel! Morris's trademark humor is on display again, as Sarah asks Kai however does one curtsy while holding a sword after a lesson, and real world topics are treated with care and respect. This book highlights the very real effects of medieval anti-semitism through the blood libel that was prevalent at the time of the Black Death and the violence of the crusades. However, I felt it was very well handled (and one of the few times I have ever seen this particular topic handled in a children's/tween book, if not the only time).
Morris revisits the infamous love story between Guinevere and Lancelot in a tender way, acknowledging their human flaws and mistakes while allowing them both to grow as individuals.
February 1, 2018
It's incredible that even though Lancelot went into hiding 7 years ago, anyone and everyone knows who and where he is if they need to find him. Buddy... you're not as slick as you think you are.
I'm so glad Gerald Morris didn't shy away from actual historical middle ages stuff here, like mass murders of Jews. Kind of a bummer that Sarah didn't turn out to actually be Jewish, and that she didn't actually even kill the guy who orchestrated her parents' deaths, and also kinda a bummer that Lancelot and Arielle were judging her so harshly for killing the dude who was physically responsible for her parents' deaths.
I'm glad Guinevere was more of a grown-up in this novel than the first two Squire books, because her idiotic behavior felt like a cheap/easy shot, especially when Morris gave so much more heart and understanding to Gawain. Lancelot got some really good motivation in this, but I still feel like Morris did him a bit dirty.
This book felt like a "return" to the Squire books, much closer in spirit to the first 2 in the series. Although... Terrence has become such an inscrutable, non-human kind of guy that I kind of don't like him anymore. Also, if Lady Eileen was in this book, I literally don't remember it at all.
I'm so glad Gerald Morris didn't shy away from actual historical middle ages stuff here, like mass murders of Jews. Kind of a bummer that Sarah didn't turn out to actually be Jewish, and that she didn't actually even kill the guy who orchestrated her parents' deaths, and also kinda a bummer that Lancelot and Arielle were judging her so harshly for killing the dude who was physically responsible for her parents' deaths.
I'm glad Guinevere was more of a grown-up in this novel than the first two Squire books, because her idiotic behavior felt like a cheap/easy shot, especially when Morris gave so much more heart and understanding to Gawain. Lancelot got some really good motivation in this, but I still feel like Morris did him a bit dirty.
This book felt like a "return" to the Squire books, much closer in spirit to the first 2 in the series. Although... Terrence has become such an inscrutable, non-human kind of guy that I kind of don't like him anymore. Also, if Lady Eileen was in this book, I literally don't remember it at all.
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November 18, 2024Yes guys, I also read this lmfao. I was lured by the promise of yet another infidelity because the mention of the cart knight is very obviously a reference to Chrétien's Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart.
AND GUESS WHAT. WITHIN A FEW CHAPTERS I WAS MAD AGAIN LMAO.
I present to you, this absolutely stunning piece of literature:
WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN. BITCHASS. WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT MEAN. OH SO NOW THAT HE'S REPENTED OF HIS INFIDELITY HE GETS TO BE GOOD AND NOBLE NOW? BITCH IN CHRÉTIEN HE RODE THAT CART FOR LOVE HE GOT ON THAT CART FOR THE GOOD CAUSE OF CHEATING. My brother in CHRIST. Just because you don't like cheating doesn't mean you can mangle the poem wholesale. Take it up with Marie de Champagne!! If Chrétien could ignore his own (probable/theorized) abhorrence for cheating and courtly love for the sake of the bag then you could have literally done the same.
Sarah was a good main character, at least. Fuck this guy though and his inability to render any sort of sympathy to the entire genre of courtly love. This poem literally like. INVENTED courtly love. God's sake.
AND GUESS WHAT. WITHIN A FEW CHAPTERS I WAS MAD AGAIN LMAO.
I present to you, this absolutely stunning piece of literature:
Jean shook his head. "No. I am a woodcutter with a sword. I am Jean Le Forestier. Sir Lancelot... he did not ride in dung carts. I do."
WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN. BITCHASS. WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT MEAN. OH SO NOW THAT HE'S REPENTED OF HIS INFIDELITY HE GETS TO BE GOOD AND NOBLE NOW? BITCH IN CHRÉTIEN HE RODE THAT CART FOR LOVE HE GOT ON THAT CART FOR THE GOOD CAUSE OF CHEATING. My brother in CHRIST. Just because you don't like cheating doesn't mean you can mangle the poem wholesale. Take it up with Marie de Champagne!! If Chrétien could ignore his own (probable/theorized) abhorrence for cheating and courtly love for the sake of the bag then you could have literally done the same.
Sarah was a good main character, at least. Fuck this guy though and his inability to render any sort of sympathy to the entire genre of courtly love. This poem literally like. INVENTED courtly love. God's sake.
December 30, 2021
The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung Cart Knight is the sixth book in the Squire’s Tales series and introduces Sarah — a mysterious young girl seeking revenge on the knight who brutally murdered her family. After witnessing the kidnapping of Queen Guinevere and Sir Kai, Sarah’s plans for revenge take a detour and she finds herself on a quest to save the queen with the legendary Sir Gawain and his squire Terence. Along the journey, Sarah’s understanding of the world expands and she discovers that exacting revenge on her enemies is going to be far more complicated than she anticipated.
Although full of intense moments and deep moral quandaries, The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung Cart Knight doesn’t take itself too seriously. Morris tackles complex topics with a deft hand and includes plenty of his trademark wit. This book is incredibly imaginative and is full of thrilling adventure, surprising twists, and lots of heart. Sarah is a compelling and memorable heroine and the supporting cast of characters are wonderful.
✨MINOR SPOILERS✨ My favorite aspect of this book has to be how Morris writes the aftermath of Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot’s notorious affair and then redeems both of those characters. Unlike most traditional tellings, Morris never glorifies the affair and instead gives great consideration for King Arthur’s point of view and the fatalistic pressures of courtly romance. I love his take on their relationship and it will forever make this series my favorite Arthurian retelling.
Although full of intense moments and deep moral quandaries, The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung Cart Knight doesn’t take itself too seriously. Morris tackles complex topics with a deft hand and includes plenty of his trademark wit. This book is incredibly imaginative and is full of thrilling adventure, surprising twists, and lots of heart. Sarah is a compelling and memorable heroine and the supporting cast of characters are wonderful.
✨MINOR SPOILERS✨ My favorite aspect of this book has to be how Morris writes the aftermath of Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot’s notorious affair and then redeems both of those characters. Unlike most traditional tellings, Morris never glorifies the affair and instead gives great consideration for King Arthur’s point of view and the fatalistic pressures of courtly romance. I love his take on their relationship and it will forever make this series my favorite Arthurian retelling.
November 17, 2018
This series is one of my favorites! Not only is it about King Arthur's knights told in a Medieval-y manner that is absolutely delightful and all I want in life, but also a little bit of practical modernism in there to make it easier to read. The author shows new light on lovely classic tales and makes them his own in amazing and beautiful ways. I love all of his characters, made-up as well as classic ones, so much that when ones (namely Terence, Piers, Gawain, etc.) from previous stories show up later on my inner fangirl completely loses it with happiness. The writing and handling of the tales are also done marvelously and I CANNOT WAIT to read the rest of the series but I also don't want it to be over!!
March 29, 2021
This is one of Gerald Morris’ less lighthearted works. It deals a lot with loss, revenge, consequences, and regret. However, he still includes many of his recognizable characters as well as new characters you grow to love. Although this one is less humorous than his others, it still has very funny moments and memorable dialogue. The main reason I gave it four stars is because the ending felt slightly rushed and fell a bit flat. You do see leaps in the development of the main character, but it doesn’t end on a “hope for the future” note, but rather a “I am who I am and don’t question it” note. But, Gerald Morris is still an incredible storyteller and I’ll keep this one on my shelf.
August 5, 2024
I am working my way through reading this series a second time after many years, so, when I was not falling asleep well the other night so I stayed up until 1 in the morning reading this one. I love Sarah as the heroine, she has much needed help along the way but it is her character and her decisions that move the story along and save the day in the end.
This entry in the series deals with a sad and all too real situation along with the fantasy elements, and the humor never quite overcomes that serious side, which is perhaps appropriate, but it means it is not quite the escapist fiction some of the other titles in the series are.
This entry in the series deals with a sad and all too real situation along with the fantasy elements, and the humor never quite overcomes that serious side, which is perhaps appropriate, but it means it is not quite the escapist fiction some of the other titles in the series are.
March 26, 2025
This entry into the Squire's Tales has been one of the first that I was thinking about reading when I wasn't reading since the first two in this series. I think this one felt like there was something at risk, where the previous entries were a little lite and fluffy, not bad. But when they had veered from the two characters you started with, it felt a little like a let down.
While I don't love the portrayal of women, at one point after the girls save the day the author makes sure to have them sit in a room drinking tea together and chattering away about nothing. Morris maintains a very 2000's look at "ladies like to chat, and boys like to fight" - but at least he also writes about how some boys don't like to fight and some girls do, even if it doesn't feel all that "groundbreaking" today.
While I don't love the portrayal of women, at one point after the girls save the day the author makes sure to have them sit in a room drinking tea together and chattering away about nothing. Morris maintains a very 2000's look at "ladies like to chat, and boys like to fight" - but at least he also writes about how some boys don't like to fight and some girls do, even if it doesn't feel all that "groundbreaking" today.
October 25, 2025
I am enjoying this series so much and this one was a lot of fun! In fact, this series has inspired me to pick up my copy of Le Morte d'Arthur and to finally read the originals, and to read more Stephen Lawhead.
I think these are a great introduction into the older tales already told. The author clearly loves these legends and that makes them truly enjoyable to read. Also check out the Knights Tales by the same author. Though targeted to a young audience, they are just as enjoyable for the whole family.
I think these are a great introduction into the older tales already told. The author clearly loves these legends and that makes them truly enjoyable to read. Also check out the Knights Tales by the same author. Though targeted to a young audience, they are just as enjoyable for the whole family.
November 30, 2019
Although this is book 6 in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone story. The protagonist, Sarah, is a plucky, independent girl who takes charge of her life and inadvertently helps everyone around her. I enjoyed the spin on the King Arthur tale, as well as the way traditional knights, magic, and gallantry are handled in a more modern (feminist) way.
Themes of loyalty, revenge, friendship, and good vs. evil.
Themes of loyalty, revenge, friendship, and good vs. evil.
August 24, 2020
I enjoy Sarah as a narrator, I quite like how focused the events are, and I love Lancelot's and Morgan's extended appearances here.
HOWEVER. The Dioneta reveal is unsatisfying, Mordecai is an anti-Semitic caricature who somehow has fire-and-brimstone Christian religious beliefs, and I will never not be angry that Sarah isn't Jewish. IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE THIS PLOTLINE, WHY CAN'T SHE BE JEWISH? UGH.
HOWEVER. The Dioneta reveal is unsatisfying, Mordecai is an anti-Semitic caricature who somehow has fire-and-brimstone Christian religious beliefs, and I will never not be angry that Sarah isn't Jewish. IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE THIS PLOTLINE, WHY CAN'T SHE BE JEWISH? UGH.
August 20, 2022
An interesting take on a classic story from the Arthurian legends. The author inserts Sarah into the story of the Knight in the Cart, making her integral to the story. After all, Sarah is on a quest, a quest for vengeance. But when she witnesses the kidnapping of Queen Guinevere, along with Sir Kai, she sets off for Camelot. And that is just the beginning of her adventures. Adventures that result in a great deal of growth for Sarah, as she comes into her own.
February 7, 2024
Another win for Gerald Morris. We live upstanding gentleman, and women supporting women.
(I need another book about Piers, and Ariel too. If i don’t get to see them again in another book with more of a spotlight i will be upset)
(I love all the characters so much and the Lancelot character growth is everything to me)
(I need another book about Piers, and Ariel too. If i don’t get to see them again in another book with more of a spotlight i will be upset)
(I love all the characters so much and the Lancelot character growth is everything to me)
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