What do you think?
Rate this book
The Knight and Her Emperor, Volume 1
Against all odds, a talented yet overlooked female knight joins forces with an ambitious young king to unite a divided empire in this slow-burn romantasy manhwa adaptation of G.M.'s hit webnovel, now available in English print for the first time.
When war erupts in the kingdom of Ehas, a terrible man sees an opportunity and sends his least-loved daughter, Pollyanna, to fight in the family's name. The young woman, however, also sees her own to become the most esteemed knight who has ever lived, thwarting her father's hopes that she die unnoticed and unknown.
In the enemy kingdom of Acrea, the newly crowned king Luxos plans to utilize the war to achieve his vision of a unified continent. When he captures Pollyanna, Luxos orders her execution – until she puts his knights to shame, showcasing her talent as a fighter and a strategist.
Seeing in each other a chance to make both of their dreams come true, Pollyanna and Luxos vow to work together to establish peace and build a grand empire. But what happens when the young king realizes, battle after battle, that this stalwart knight has conquered his heart?
Volume 1 collects episodes 1-18 of the webcomic The Knight and Her Emperor.
When war erupts in the kingdom of Ehas, a terrible man sees an opportunity and sends his least-loved daughter, Pollyanna, to fight in the family's name. The young woman, however, also sees her own to become the most esteemed knight who has ever lived, thwarting her father's hopes that she die unnoticed and unknown.
In the enemy kingdom of Acrea, the newly crowned king Luxos plans to utilize the war to achieve his vision of a unified continent. When he captures Pollyanna, Luxos orders her execution – until she puts his knights to shame, showcasing her talent as a fighter and a strategist.
Seeing in each other a chance to make both of their dreams come true, Pollyanna and Luxos vow to work together to establish peace and build a grand empire. But what happens when the young king realizes, battle after battle, that this stalwart knight has conquered his heart?
Volume 1 collects episodes 1-18 of the webcomic The Knight and Her Emperor.
272 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 12, 2026
One of my favourite themes in books last year was lady knights so you know, I absolutely LOVED THIS!!!
Volume 1 did a great job introducing the story and our FMC Pollyanna. Although she was born a Lady into a noble household, she doesn’t act like it or was ever treated as one by her family who sent her off to die in war! I loved her fierce no nonsense personality, she’s physically stronger than the average knight, loyal and intelligently well versed in strategy. All traits that make her a valuable asset in a war.
I wasn’t expecting the story to go into the darker topics of a woman in a male dominated environment, but I liked how well done the topic was handled, especially the discrimination and the way she had to be ten steps ahead of everyone to prove her strength and that she has earned the title as the emperor’s knight.
King Luxos, our ML, the only one who sees her skills and capabilities, chooses to keep her by his side despite the arguments from everyone else. He recognizes that her skill in combat and strategy is what he needs to unify the kingdom. As of right now he seems focused on political strategies but that seems to be slowly shifting.
I love their scenes together, this already feels like it's gonna be a really love slow burn romance and I’m all for it!
Thank you so much @inklorebooks for the gifted volume! ♡
Volume 1 did a great job introducing the story and our FMC Pollyanna. Although she was born a Lady into a noble household, she doesn’t act like it or was ever treated as one by her family who sent her off to die in war! I loved her fierce no nonsense personality, she’s physically stronger than the average knight, loyal and intelligently well versed in strategy. All traits that make her a valuable asset in a war.
I wasn’t expecting the story to go into the darker topics of a woman in a male dominated environment, but I liked how well done the topic was handled, especially the discrimination and the way she had to be ten steps ahead of everyone to prove her strength and that she has earned the title as the emperor’s knight.
King Luxos, our ML, the only one who sees her skills and capabilities, chooses to keep her by his side despite the arguments from everyone else. He recognizes that her skill in combat and strategy is what he needs to unify the kingdom. As of right now he seems focused on political strategies but that seems to be slowly shifting.
I love their scenes together, this already feels like it's gonna be a really love slow burn romance and I’m all for it!
Thank you so much @inklorebooks for the gifted volume! ♡
November 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this first volume and would definitely read on in the series! It follows a lady knight who faces misogyny at every turn, until she defects to an enemy emperor who sees her potential and mind for military strategy. The series will be a slow burn romance, but not too much happens in this first volume. But great characters and an engaging story! I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
April 23, 2026
one of those times where i did not have to hesitate even for a minute as to what rating this story deserves. i mean, i cried continuously in the last 10-15 chapters. and when i say cried, i mean i was weeping uncontrollably; there were snot and tears running down my face.
i’ve genuinely never come across such an exceptional manhwa which addresses patriarchy, feminism, and misogny in such a straightforward manner. the manhwa creator really did not shy away from these issues, to say the very least. i’m so glad i came across this story, i’m so happy to have met pauliana and lucius :’) truly, my dear paul is such a refreshing female lead, i love and respect her more than i can explain. and lucius, oh if only all the male leads in romance were more like him...the world would be such a better place.
i will be thinking about these two for a long long time--such great characters. even the side characters were so well-developed and had beautiful arcs of their own. i’ve grown so attached to every single one of them. i look forward to coming back to this story somewhere down the line.
i’ve genuinely never come across such an exceptional manhwa which addresses patriarchy, feminism, and misogny in such a straightforward manner. the manhwa creator really did not shy away from these issues, to say the very least. i’m so glad i came across this story, i’m so happy to have met pauliana and lucius :’) truly, my dear paul is such a refreshing female lead, i love and respect her more than i can explain. and lucius, oh if only all the male leads in romance were more like him...the world would be such a better place.
i will be thinking about these two for a long long time--such great characters. even the side characters were so well-developed and had beautiful arcs of their own. i’ve grown so attached to every single one of them. i look forward to coming back to this story somewhere down the line.
Want to Read
November 18, 2025Need this like air.
November 1, 2025
I absolutely loved this! I cannot wait till I can get my hands on volume 2 😫 Highly recommend
(Full review coming soon)
(Full review coming soon)
February 25, 2026
I read the webcomic version a few years ago, and back then I also made a reel for it when I first started posting more manhwa recommendations. Seeing this in print takes me back to that time!
Volume 1 was a nice start. I loved how capable and hardworking Pollyanna is. She is physically strong, loyal, and principled. She was also abandoned by her family and didn’t experience the normal life expected for a girl growing up in a noble household.
At the same time, the story shows the harsh realities she faces as a woman in a male dominated, war driven world. There is discrimination and a constant need to prove herself. Throughout her journey, she has to keep fighting harder than her peers/comrades for her right to live. It can be frustrating, but it highlights how much she has to endure just to stand where she is now. She becomes a knight of the emperor, as stated in the title.
The new emperor, aka the ML, is the only one who truly acknowledges her. While everyone questions Pollyanna, he sees her capability and chooses to value it. That said, he’s not perfect and currently prioritizes political decisions that don’t take emotions into account. But Pollyanna doesn’t need his sympathy. She wants to work alongside him, and she is able to contribute strategically.
The slow burn romance is also nice in this comic! While I can be impatient, this one was worth the wait to see their relationship progress over time since we get to delve into other aspects of the story.
I enjoyed the reread and do recommend it if it sounds like a comic you’ll enjoy!
Volume 1 was a nice start. I loved how capable and hardworking Pollyanna is. She is physically strong, loyal, and principled. She was also abandoned by her family and didn’t experience the normal life expected for a girl growing up in a noble household.
At the same time, the story shows the harsh realities she faces as a woman in a male dominated, war driven world. There is discrimination and a constant need to prove herself. Throughout her journey, she has to keep fighting harder than her peers/comrades for her right to live. It can be frustrating, but it highlights how much she has to endure just to stand where she is now. She becomes a knight of the emperor, as stated in the title.
The new emperor, aka the ML, is the only one who truly acknowledges her. While everyone questions Pollyanna, he sees her capability and chooses to value it. That said, he’s not perfect and currently prioritizes political decisions that don’t take emotions into account. But Pollyanna doesn’t need his sympathy. She wants to work alongside him, and she is able to contribute strategically.
The slow burn romance is also nice in this comic! While I can be impatient, this one was worth the wait to see their relationship progress over time since we get to delve into other aspects of the story.
I enjoyed the reread and do recommend it if it sounds like a comic you’ll enjoy!
March 17, 2026
I like the way how pollyana beats up those who go bitching around her😂. Absolutely new concept of showing how a female knight struggles in the male dominated army. Looking forward to the future developments between our ml and fml😌
This one is more realistic than any shoujo manhwa in existence🛐. The potrayal of camaraderie, the difficulties they face together, the fun that they have… Everything is so damn well done.
Even the politics, the way ml takes in 3 concubines even when he loves pollyana is so damn aligned with what actually happened in the medieval ages.
And I actually expected the 3 concubines to fight among each other but noo!!! They do not. Instead they connect and become friends in their efforts to befriend pollyana to get to know more about the ml.
Ahh the phantom pregnancy of empress Stra.. I felt a bit bad for her because all of this happened because of the enormous stress she went through😞
And I did not expect Empress rebecca to die like that😭😭😭. Being too realistic has its negatives also ig since in those times maternal death was really common.
This one is more realistic than any shoujo manhwa in existence🛐. The potrayal of camaraderie, the difficulties they face together, the fun that they have… Everything is so damn well done.
Even the politics, the way ml takes in 3 concubines even when he loves pollyana is so damn aligned with what actually happened in the medieval ages.
And I actually expected the 3 concubines to fight among each other but noo!!! They do not. Instead they connect and become friends in their efforts to befriend pollyana to get to know more about the ml.
Ahh the phantom pregnancy of empress Stra.. I felt a bit bad for her because all of this happened because of the enormous stress she went through😞
And I did not expect Empress rebecca to die like that😭😭😭. Being too realistic has its negatives also ig since in those times maternal death was really common.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2026
Thank you Inklore for the free copy! Lady knight books have become my entire personality. This book was particularly fun because it was my first manhwa graphic novel.
The story follows Pollyanna who is sent by her dad to become a knight when war breaks out. Sadly Pollyanna is the least loved daughter and I really felt for her. She also encounters a lot of sexism along the way. But she is one determined knight to prove she is the best knight to ever live. She joins a king named Luxos after he wanted her executed, but she proves she can outfight his knights.
I really enjoyed this book because it showed Pollyanna’s strength and the challenges she faces as a woman. The yearning and pining also had me flipping the pages. I loved the tension. The illustrations really added such a fun visual element as well. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump and this was exactly what I needed. I really look forward to reading the next one!
The story follows Pollyanna who is sent by her dad to become a knight when war breaks out. Sadly Pollyanna is the least loved daughter and I really felt for her. She also encounters a lot of sexism along the way. But she is one determined knight to prove she is the best knight to ever live. She joins a king named Luxos after he wanted her executed, but she proves she can outfight his knights.
I really enjoyed this book because it showed Pollyanna’s strength and the challenges she faces as a woman. The yearning and pining also had me flipping the pages. I loved the tension. The illustrations really added such a fun visual element as well. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump and this was exactly what I needed. I really look forward to reading the next one!
March 10, 2026
Oh my gosh, I am INTO THIS.
Female knight with smarts and tenacity, implied slow burn, cunning but open emperor to be, easy to follow plot, charming art. Give it all to me.
Recap: young Pollyana getting dropped off to training ground from dad bc they hope she gets killed in the war (tf), joins army, fights for 6 years, returns home for recon and family casts her out again, she doesn't care, goes back to the camp and tells them she thinks the neighboring country is going to surprise attack, the men don't believe her and then relegate her back to soldier, she leads her group to safety and then allows them to capture her, king tells his soldiers to execute her, but of course they try to rape her instead, she fights them off for three hours, king comes back out realizing that she's smart, he knights her, she stays with them from then on, enter some squire squabbles, then the across river siege attempts.
Female knight with smarts and tenacity, implied slow burn, cunning but open emperor to be, easy to follow plot, charming art. Give it all to me.
Recap: young Pollyana getting dropped off to training ground from dad bc they hope she gets killed in the war (tf), joins army, fights for 6 years, returns home for recon and family casts her out again, she doesn't care, goes back to the camp and tells them she thinks the neighboring country is going to surprise attack, the men don't believe her and then relegate her back to soldier, she leads her group to safety and then allows them to capture her, king tells his soldiers to execute her, but of course they try to rape her instead, she fights them off for three hours, king comes back out realizing that she's smart, he knights her, she stays with them from then on, enter some squire squabbles, then the across river siege attempts.
May 20, 2026
I had such a great time reading this first volume, and I’m excited to continue the series! This story features a slow-burn romance, but the first volume focuses more on setting the scene. It’s got an amazing start!
The politics in this story are explored in many ways, adding real depth to the societies in the novel. You get to see how a woman in the army is treated, and our main character handles it like a true champ! I absolutely adore her—she’s such a badass! It leaves you curious about where she’ll go next to prove herself.
It’s a fantastic introduction to a new world without overwhelming you with too much detail. The artwork is stunning, and the story is super intriguing. I can’t wait to dive into volume two!
The politics in this story are explored in many ways, adding real depth to the societies in the novel. You get to see how a woman in the army is treated, and our main character handles it like a true champ! I absolutely adore her—she’s such a badass! It leaves you curious about where she’ll go next to prove herself.
It’s a fantastic introduction to a new world without overwhelming you with too much detail. The artwork is stunning, and the story is super intriguing. I can’t wait to dive into volume two!
March 5, 2026
Pollyanna is a woman who becomes strong through hard work, dedication, and just a little bit of spite. Her struggles to be taken seriously as a woman knight are central to the plot, but these struggles are not a distraction to the world at large. I enjoy the fact that she's not knowledgeable about everything and isn't afraid to admit that. The romance undertones are just starting to take shape, and I look forward to them developing as the story goes on.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
3.5 It was enjoyable. Confused on the 16+ rating. I plan to read the next Volume
January 28, 2026
The artwork is beautiful. The story is really intriguing. The first half felt rushed, but the second half's pacing was done really well. The character interactions were really well done.
April 23, 2026
Amo amo amo… as Manga should be written and illustrated❤️ why do I keep starting amazing mangas that aren’t completed?🫠
![Profile Image for Amanda [Novel Addiction].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1415744673i/4886503._UX200_CR0,36,200,200_.jpg)
May 5, 2026
A good start to a series. Very girl-power without being overly "feminine" gendered.
May 7, 2026
3.5 / 5.0
The art is beautiful. This was fine, not to my taste but perfectly acceptable. I will not be continuing since it didn’t have much depth.
The art is beautiful. This was fine, not to my taste but perfectly acceptable. I will not be continuing since it didn’t have much depth.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Following a female knight through training to appointment to a King. The politics of such an individual is shown through multiple facets and gives true depth to the society of the countries within the novel. Leaves the reader wondering where she goes next to prove herself.
A grand introduction to a new world without being overwhelmed by the world building.
Won and received a copy through a Goodreads Giveaway!
A grand introduction to a new world without being overwhelmed by the world building.
Won and received a copy through a Goodreads Giveaway!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews