Ladies of the Knight

by Fiona Marchbank

Ladies of the Knight is a collection of works by illustrator FionaCreates featuring the valiant and noble beknighted ladies of a quasi historical League of Knights.

The League is a remnant of when knights were soldiers, only such acts of war are no longer necessary so the skills remain as sports and the Knights are famous, and bountiful participants (if you’re good at it that is!)

The illustrations, sketches and short comics will mostly follow the Knight Serafina, her overenthusiastic squire, Georgiana, and her patroness and long term partner, the Lady Minerva.

Read at: ladiesoftheknightcomic.com

Genres: Graphic Novels, Lesbian, Fantasy, Queer, LGBT, Young Adult, Historical

256 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 7, 2026

Reviews

[Helene Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn, Serafina’s hot. I have a soft spot for ice queens who slowly melt. Anyway, this isn’t a romance comic. The story centres on Serafina and her young squire, George, and all the cute interactions that happen in the course of their friendship. The characters are exceptionally well-designed and unique; I never had any issues telling them apart. Plus, the representation is fantastic! The only character who fell a bit flat was actually George because we didn’t learn enough about her past and ambitions, but I still loved her bubbly attitude and… that hair… I had that hair as a kid! Plot-wise, this is a solid 4 stars. I was expecting a bit more plot development, but this is first and foremost a character-driven comic. If you’re going into this expecting loads of action, you’ll be disappointed. Come for the ladies, and you’ll have a great time.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access to the ARC. All my opinions are my own.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!

A roller derby mash up with medieval fantasy. These ladies are here to FIGHT and WIN!! A funny and fascinating and brilliant story of a young squire who has everything to learn, but brimming with enthusiasm and optimism, and a champion knight whose is an old hand at all of it - and still has a lot to learn about teamwork.

A great cast of characters, showing how one can be a champion jouster - and do it with style.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Selling Pitch:
A YA graphic novel about queer lady knights and their squires

Pre-reading:
I LOVE a pun.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
I dunno about that black is not my color line here.

The art in this is gorgeous. I love ponies. I love the cool vs warm color palette.

I like that line about her hair covering.

Post-reading:
This was really cute, and the art is gorgeous! It’s pretty similar to Nimona, so if you liked that one, you're pretty much guaranteed to like this. My only complaint is that the plot isn't totally resolved. Rivalries aren't completely tamed, and George doesn't achieve her goal to become a winning knight. I don't think this was done to leave room for a sequel. I think it was just trying to emphasize that winning isn't everything, which is all well and good, but it's a little disastisfying to not see a character’s hard work pay off. I liked that the queer couple subverted stereotypes in that the more femme character is the breadwinner, and I enjoyed the comment about covering her hair being about how she feels about her wife rather than her caving to societal pressures. It’s a solid little graphic, and the art’s so good that I'd love a copy for my shelves.

Who should read this:
Lady Knight fans
Nimona fans
Tamora Pierce fans

Ideal reading time:
Summer

Do I want to reread this:
I think I'll just remember it.

Would I buy this:
Yes, I'd like a copy for my shelves.

Similar books:
* Nimona by ND Stevenson-graphic novel, dystopian fantasy, queer, revenge thriller
* Alanna by Vita Ayala-graphic novel, YA fantasy romance
* Marrying the Dark Knight (For Her Money) by Sometime-graphic novel, campy, fantasy romance, family drama, queer, autism
* Assistant to the Villain by Hannaah Nicole Maehrer-campy, fantasy romance, family drama, revenge thriller
* Beat Every 1-Up by Lan Pitts-campy, fantasy romance, family drama, revenge thriller, queer
* Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan-campy, satire, fantasy romance, meta fiction, family drama, revenge thriller, queer
* Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree-campy, cozy fantasy romance, queer

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Azael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy !!
I have nothing to say other than that this graphic novel was excellent. The artwork is gorgeous ( and I loved the bonus content at the end to learn more about the drawing process!), the story is wonderful, the characters are unique, and the book is delightful.

I may be biased because I love lady knights, but when it’s sapphic lady knights?? Outstanding, 10/10, no notes !

Bonus points for the adorable ponies and very fashionable clothing !!

I cannot wait to get the physical version of this story in July, and I can’t recommend this book enough!!

[Lucsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading "Ladies of the Knight" for the first time will be the experience I will be comparing other books to. This was so fanfic/Webtoon coded, and you know I consider that a stamp of the highest quality.

I think we can all agree that the best knightcore is sapphic, and this is one of the best examples of the trope. Fiona grounded the world in the medieval setting, knightly ideals and aesthetic, that endured in the collective imagination, which revealed, if not huge amounts of research, huge amounts of interest in the subject and that was obvious in how detailed this world was. This is a story about the hard work necessary to follow your dreams, playing to your strengths, working on your shortcomings and being a good friend, spouse and person.

At the same time, she brought a uniquely original spin to her world, making it queer normcore, diverse, playing with gender expression and making the cast overwhelmingly female. And there are lesbians!!!

The romance is not central to the story, but Serafina and Minerva's marriage is one of the most beautiful I've seen. I loved that they were a couple that had been together for a long time. There are a few flashbacks where we see them being young, newly married and broke, in contrast with the wealthy merchant and successful tournament knight we meet.

One of my favourite details in their dynamic is that Minerva goes from a small merchant on the brink of financial ruin to a successful one, which allows her to, among other things, fully support her wife's career as a tournament knight. Serafina never has to deal with pleasing sponsors or anyone else around her and gets to be singularly focused on being the best knight she can be.

I loved their dynamic, how devoted they were to each other, but still fought and disagreed over small and big things, in the way that people who have been together for a long time do. I don't think I have the words to explain how magical their relationship was to me. It's so important to see older LGBTQ folks being happy, and we rarely get to see it, so I treasured every scene they were in.

Another of the strong points in this graphic novel was the art and colouring that were so unique and left me hungering for more. The fashion in particular was amazing, and I loved the author's explanation at the end, giving us insight into the story and characters, taking us through her creative process and why she drew them the way she did.

I need more of this. Please, Fiona, give us more!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for this DRC.

[The Sapphic Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC ***

First off, I love that there's an established sapphic relationship that's healthy! It feels so natural the way they may disagree with each other or call each other out, but it doesn't threaten the stability of their relationship. I really appreciate the setting of boundaries, that disapproval can be made known, and that forgiveness is open as long as the person who made the mistake is willing to genuinely reflect and change/make amends for the hurt they caused.

It's especially nice that the knight and her wife are older, with greying hair, wrinkles, and scars from a life of experiences. We don't get enough representation of leading women who aren't in their twenties or younger. Serafina is at the peak of her career as a knight, nearly undefeated and efficient. Her wife, Minerva, owns a successful business and is Serafina's boss/manager.

I really like the art style. It's simple in a way that matches the medieval setting. The colours are earthy and less saturated. Every page has thoughtfully chosen palettes that look cohesive and make the whole book a pleasure to look at. Each facial expression conveys exactly the emotion it should, even when the face is just two dots for eyes!

The story is lovely. There's character development that feels natural and challenges the characters in a way people can relate to in regular life. Each person has a different personality, and they interact differently with each other. Over the course of the story, a community develops around Georgiana because she's so warm and doesn't draw lines between who she should and shouldn't talk to. In turn, she's able to learn from everyone around her to improve her own skills. She's a perfect contrast to Serafina, who starts off hard and isolated because she's solely focused on winning.

At the end of the book, there's a set of bonus content pages that go into the creator's process and decisions. I usually just skim these, but here I actually really enjoyed learning about it.

Ladies of the Knight is a true delight. The artwork strikes the perfect balance between pops of colour and earthiness to match the tone of the story. The characters are distinct and diverse, and their development feels natural and authentic. This is one of the freshest, most endearing comics I've read in a long time!

[Audrey S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last graphic novel to have me fall in love with a world so quickly was the Tea Dragon Society. And I know that those are stunning shoes to fill but hear me out. The characters and art style, while a bit darker, are absolutely charming from page one and compliment each other utterly. Every page is rich in colour and story in every choice of style design - even the pages that have a few boxes filled with single colour backgrounds are still frilled or storytell in such a way that you don’t feel like you’re just staring at blocks with different character activities in them. It is enthralling to read and the only reason I didn’t read this in one sitting was because I had to get up and move somewhere so I could continue to read it undisturbed.
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George is a spindly little teenager who is desperate to become a squire and join the ranks of the tourney knights. Serafina is a renowned knight known for having little tolerance for nonsense and being impossible to defeat - except by her old knight school nemesis - Æthelburg. When Serafina’s wife forces her to select a squire, she picks the one her cranky warhorse likes best - George. I’m a sucker for a reluctant mentor that grows soft over time for their awkward ward and this gave me everything I wanted.
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I especially enjoyed how Marchbank used her art to display the various ways people can present themselves: Serafina has long braided, traditionally feminine hair, but presents masculine in her dress. Æthelburg enjoys jousting in big poofy outfits while still being the best Knight in the realm. And Floriant, a non-binary character, appears on page equally in masculine or feminine clothing. It was all refreshing to watch these different aspects reveal more about the characters themselves. Not to mention how the story itself touches on disability, burnout, and finding humility in curiosity.
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Ladies of the Knight is a charming and enchanting debut that will have me thinking about this world and these characters for a long while to come. I can’t wait to see what this author-illustrator does next!
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*I received an eARC from Oni Press & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
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Hisses & Kisses 🐍

[Tiffany Seward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic Novel | LGBT+ | Diversity

Thank you to One Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

• Plot:
Ladies of the Knight features full-color illustrations. The MC battles other knights and has a win streak. Her wife gets her a squire, which is like an assistant/apprentice.

• What I Liked:
The art style is nice, and the text layout is easy to read. The bonus content at the end of the book gives information on how the characters were created.

• What Didn’t Work for Me:
The knight MC is a bit self-centered & the squire is a bit clumsy, besides being good at one thing. Although it’s mostly a day-to-day living as a knight with challenges, it was a little tough to enjoy because of the slow pacing. It felt like not much happened.

• Themes / Ideas:
Challenges, teamwork & women.

• Who I’d Recommend It To:
For readers who enjoy diverse female-led stories with LGBT+ and slower slice-of-life pacing.

• Overall Thoughts:
The graphic novel is female-dominated. The Mc's are both female along with the supporting cast. Men appear as background characters without much dialogue. The story focuses on how Serafina (knight) & George(squire) interact with others and face challenges. Between chapters, there are snippets of their past lives before the two met, so you can understand them more. I was interested in reading this because I like knights and highly curious to see how a female knight would be. Serafina looks cool, but she's definitely rough around the edges and not super friendly besides to her wife which is understandable. There's a part in the story that doesn't make sense to me and because of it happening she becomes a bit more softer in her approach. Just weird that had to happen for her to change I guess because it felt too dramatic.

[Off Service Book Recs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different sort of knight's tale for the world weary - a land where glamorous knights compete in showy tournaments for fame and fortune, a legend loafs around, an underdog sees her big chance, and everyone has a chance to see their better selves through! Plucky George has known all her life that she wants to be a knight - and despite her small size, she knows she has what it takes. That's why she wants Serafina - the best knight around, no questions asked - to be her mentor. But Serafina would rather be left to her own devices - she's a stellar knight, but her personality and lack of flash in the face of her rivals leave her stuck. When her wife insists she take on a mentee, George's happy-go-luck attitude and Serafina's prickly pear personality may just clash harder than knights in a jousting tournament. If they can work together, though, they may just take the league of knights by storm.

I know Lady Knight Summer was in 2025, but we need to bring it back specifically for this graphic novel! This was SUCH a fest for the eyes and the heart, full of medieval tournament vibes; determination and pluck in the face of staggering odds; the cheerful indomitable will of those who believe in themselves; lady knights and lady loves; a riot of colors and costumes; sassy animals; collectivity > being a stubborn individualist; and mending more than just tears in your jousting outfit. I loved the story, could sit and stare at the gorgeous illustrations all day, and hope this book finds its way into the hands of everyone who needs a pick-me-up as well as the hands of an animation studio - give me the screen adaptation!!!

[Elaine White · Rating 4 out of 5]

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

~

Ladies of the Knight, by Fiona Marchbank
★★★★☆
256 Pages



This was a super cute slice-of-life story about friendship, found family, and perseverance. It's about being yourself, even in the wake of overwhelming odds against you, standing up for what's right, trusting yourself, and having faith in others – even if that doesn't come naturally to you.

This is an all-female, queer normative world. In fact, I think I only remember one male, and I'm quite sure that it was strongly hinted that Frances was non-binary – there was a lot of use of they/them, except for one instance late on when one character used the she pronoun for the first and only time. I'm not sure if that was a mistake gone unnoticed during edits, a previous version slipping through, or deliberate. It's hard to tell, since most of the time Frances never had any real pronouns attributed to them.

The story covers a lot of interpersonal politics, rivalries and frenemies within a close network of friends. I really loved the angular art, which isn't often something I say, but it really fitted well with the story and the medieval timeline.

For me, the only downside was that I kept expecting the story to take me somewhere exciting, to pick up pace and really get into something complex or intriguing, but that never happened. It's definitely more about a slice-of-life as George begins her training, learns about herself and others during the process, and proceeds through a pretty calm, placid and steady pace throughout.

[ฅ^•⩊•^ฅ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Ladies of the Night mainly because of its absolutely stunning cover. It was basically calling out to me from afar “take me, read me” and I’m so glad that Oni Press gave it to me in exchange for an honest review.

When it comes to graphic novels, I usually focus more on the artwork, because that’s what draws me in and keeps me engaged even more than the story itself. But in this case, both the art and the story were equally beautiful.

The story follows a knight whose wife insists she take on a squire to help with her daily responsibilities like cleaning her armor, taking care of her horse, and assisting her during tournaments. Our main character, Serafina, is reluctant at first, but eventually gives in because she loves her wife.

That’s how George enters their lives. She’s not exactly the most skilled or talented at the beginning, but we gradually see her grow and improve. At the same time, her relationship with Serafina develops in a really satisfying way, especially since Serafina isn’t too fond of her at first.

Overall, this is a really lovely book. If you enjoyed Fiona’s art style, I would definitely recommend checking out her Disney retelling graphic novel, Fairest of All. This one is perfect for fans of LGBTQ+ stories, featuring strong representation and an almost entirely female cast. It’s empowering in a way you don’t often see, especially since it gives women the spotlight in traditionally male-dominated spaces like jousts and knight tournaments.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, standalone, graphic novel about a grumpy knight being forced to take on a wildly cheerful apprentice.

Seraphina is forced into taking on a knight apprentice by her wife, after taking too many risks in the area. What at first seems like a chore and a hassle eventually grows into a charming mentorship. Her new apprentice, George, will stop at nothing to become a knight, despite Seraphina's negative attitude.

This graphic novel was fairly enjoyable and great for the teen audience. It features a sapphic couple, and a non-binary character that uses they/them pronouns, so there is plenty of LGBTQ rep. This story uses the grumpy sunshine trope in a non-romantic way (the mentor was grumpy and the mentee was the sunshine), so if you enjoy that dynamic, this may be for you. The artwork was super fun, fairly bright colors (lots of reds, greens, and purples) and for the most part I could tell what was going on.

I think sometimes the paneling detracted from my enjoyment because I wasn't able to figure out which order to read the panels in (sometimes they went in a circle or zig zagged). I also thought the pacing was SO FAST and sometimes I could barely keep up with what was happening because they author was trying to fit a ton of ideas into one book. The jousting scenes especially were hard to follow.

Overall, this was a fun quick read great for the YA audience.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing and ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jada Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a Queer normative world, and I loved every minute of it.

This was such a cute comic about a girl who isn’t the best at being a knight, but she tries her best 🥹🤍
No high stakes or Intense storyline, but just good wholesome vibes and meaningful lessons.

George is just a cutie. I love her upbeat attitude, and she’s obviously the breath of fresh air everyone needed in that knighthood. I can’t wait to see what other things she gets up to 🏹

And she was such a good friend to Floriant. I loved that they didn’t let their mentor’s beef get in the way of their friendship 🫶🏽
But instead bring everyone closer together, and hone their talents. Aethelburg was also such a good friend. I just feel like things got misunderstood. Especially w/ her just wanting Fina to get sponsors, and to play into the competition more.
She was a good sport, and I’d love to see them represent for their kingdom in a tournament again in that 5 v.s 5 w/ the squires, of course lol!!

Serafina and Lady Minerva 🫶🏽 They just compliment each other so well. Minerva is so patient, and the voice of reason, obviously lmfao. Serafina is so broody, but she also has an understanding side to her that Minerva and George bring out so well.

Frances was probably my fave 😭🤍 She was such a mood. The way she put up w/ Fina’s bs lmfao, that’s a real friend right there. And I’m so glad George was able to bring a different side of her out.

Overall, this was a cute comic. I enjoyed the story, and the art was fab.

[Caitlin Teaches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies of the Knight delivers a surprisingly deep, beautifully illustrated story of growth and different kinds of strength. Also it's just ridiculously fun.

We are first introduced to Serafina, a knight who is relentlessly talented in her chosen field but resentful of the media and social trappings of her work. Her life is greatly complicated when her wife hires a squire for her in an attempt to provide a new challenge and focus to Serafina. George, the squire, is small, charismatic, and admirably stubborn in her determination to be a knight. What follows is a beautiful depiction of the two women going through different phase of growth and change as Serafina is forced to grow and gain perspective as a mentor and a person while George goes through her own coming of age story. They are supported by a fascinating cast that feels very lived in with tantalizing hints of interpersonal history and rivalries.

The story is set in a world that is predominantly populated by women and queer people who cheer on celebrity knights as they compete in various trials of combat. This fantasy medieval society is also racially diverse and thoughtfully designed. The illustration style is lush, beautiful, and wonderfully evocative of medieval art. It's a delight to see a graphic novel full of women who are visually distinct and who's character design helps tell the story. It makes for a more beautiful and interesting novel and I'm all here for it.

Would and will highly recommend!


Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for the Arc of this book.

[Esme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t tell you how charming Ladies of the Knight is; you really just have to experience it for yourself! If you’re at all a fan of knights (particularly lady knights, which do seem to be trendy right now), tourneys, underdogs, rivalries, comics, and especially comics that thoughtfully and joyfully explore the the expressiveness of form and color—do yourself a favor and pick up this graphic novel.

Fiona Marchbank’s characters are a delight to get to know. Her art captures a nuance of expression and an eloquence of body language that, along with the dialogue and plot, create three dimensional characters bursting with determination, frustration, impatience, persistence, grumpiness, sunshine, and some seriously large egos. I could eat them all up (just like Jam Sandwich).

While you can read much of the Ladies of the Knight comic online, I recommend picking up the graphic novel from Oni Press so you can read the full story AND get access to the bonus content: Marchbank walks us through her thoughtful character design, original chapter covers, process, and more. (100% here for all the chapter title puns.)

My only disappointment with Ladies of the Knight is that there’s not more for me to read immediately, and I do hope Marchbank revisits this setting in the future! I’d love to see a squire for Frances and for George and Floriant to continue coming into their own.

Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for the ARC to review.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to the e-ARC for review purposes.

I want to start with addressing the 2 star rating:
1) It would be more of a 2.5 or 2.75 if I was able to do those ratings.
2) This rating comes from the lack of a strong plot. (I explain below.)
3) I've read so many graphic novels and have gave many a 3. This book, for me, was just short of the level those books were on.
4) Sorry! I really don't like giving anything below a 3.

The cover of this book is what immediately drew me in. I also saw the title and was like, lady nights… sign me up.

The art is definitely stunning and was the true star of this novel. The character designs were really fun and intricate. I especially loved the panels where they were at competitions so I could see a lot of background characters and how they were designed. A lot of the panels could be pulled out and framed. Such a stunning and unique art style.

Now we’ll unfortunately have to get to the plot. For me this plot was not quite where I needed it to be. I think the pacing was a bit slow and there wasn’t much to look forward to in the story. The characters weren’t that interesting to me and seemed very one note. Even after Serafina had her little bit of character growth I was not the biggest fan of her.

I did have a fun time reading this but my high expectations weren’t quite met. If you are an art lover and like a slower paced story I would say give this one a go, it just didn't work for me.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies of the Knight is a fun, engaging, and beautiful graphic novel that completely pulled me in from the start. Set in a world of glamorous knights and competitive tournaments, it follows George, an aspiring squire determined to prove herself, and Serafina, a talented but reluctant mentor who would much rather be left to her own devices.

I thought this was a fabulous read. It kept me engaged the entire time and I ended up finishing it in one sitting (having a newborn who loves to contact nap certainly helps with this). The storyline was entertaining and well-paced, with just the right balance of action, humour, and character development.

One of the highlights for me was the relationships throughout the book. There were several different dynamics at play; friendships, mentorships, and romance, but each one felt distinct and purposeful, which made the story feel well rounded without becoming overwhelming. I especially loved the queer representation through Serafina and her wife, which was seamlessly woven throughout the story.

Overall, this was such an enjoyable graphic novel, an easy 5 stars from me and I would absolutely read any future volumes if they release any.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS!!! This is what I want in my life always. A queer normative world with badass characters who are gorgeously depicted in beautiful artwork. Not only was the story itself pushing me to read faster, but the incredible talent of the artist who created it kept me reading faster, because I just couldn’t stop.

I sometimes feel like anytime there is a lady knight, the story is going to be LGBTQIA+, but that isn’t true at all. There is a fight against ancient stereotypes that help to prove that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, you can be anyone you want to be. And in Ladies of the Knight, that feels like it’s even more true. You see knights of all genders, happy couples of every sex, sexuality, color, ethnicity, and beyond, as well as a world of people existing in what is essentially pure joy. That isn’t to say there aren’t ups and downs to the story; it is a world within a book. But the ending and the overall story/the characters are happy, which in turn leaves me feeling fulfilled.

You can tell that author spent tiiiiiiiiiiiime making sure that all who read this are welcome, will enjoy their time here, and feel seen. I appreciate that immensely.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted eARC.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A graphic novel about lady knights set in a queernormative world? Couldn't request this book fast enough!!!
We follow Knight Serafina as she begrudingly trains her new squire Georgiana, hired by Serafina's wife Minerva. Serafina is the cold and stoic type while Georgie is a rainbow in human form. A grumpy/sunshine story, friendship flavored! Serafina is one of the most talented knights in The League, a sports-like organiztaion where the knights of the realm compete for GLORY! But what's this? George, while sweet and ready to learn, is rather weak in most knight skills. Can Serafina train her up, or is she a lost cause?
I requested this graphic novel for three reasons. 1) Lady Knights. 2) The cover was gorgeous. And 3)...did I mention LADY KNIGHTS?!?!?! I loved the queernormative world, the art is just stunning and the clothing...uuuuuuugh so good!!! The story is low stakes while still being interesting and relying on characters to drive the story. The cast is excellent. I only wish we knew the lore behind the beef between Serafina and Æthelburg.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Oni Press for the ARC of this stunning graphic novel!!!

[Raisa (TBRaisaa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/✨ for Ladies of the Knight by Fiona Marchbank.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Fiona Marchbank for the eARC of this absolutely stunning graphic novel.

This colorful book was truly fantastic! I read it in one sitting because I simply couldn’t stop reading and laughing. Not only is the artwork incredibly beautiful, vibrant and captivating, but the story itself also made me genuinely happy. George is a character who, with her sunny personality and hard work, not only wins over the hearts of the other characters, but mine as well.

I already had a feeling I would love this graphic novel because it centers around female knights, but it also turned out to be a beautiful story about friendship and realizing that life has more to offer than just working hard and being “good” at something. Participating, making friends, celebrating love and growing into what you enjoy are just as important, if not more so.

If you’re looking for not only a visually stunning graphic novel, but also a story that features strong LGBTQ+ relationships, puts women in the spotlight within knighthood and makes you smile because of its humor, then you should 100% read this one.

[Chira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to shove this at everyone I know, I feel like this has such a wide audience and range of people who will love this. I love the concept of taking jousting and tournaments and knight training and looking at it as almost a sports series, as athletes who are training for competition or glory, rather than war or politics. It's so fun, but particularly allows the story to focus on the characters and all of their growth.

Because it really is about how George and Seraphina shape each other (and lbr, it's more George bringing joy and gumption to everyone, but Seraphina gives her confidence and purpose). I love the art style, I love the antics, I love the tournaments, I love THE SCRUNGLY OWL DEVICE AND I LOVE THE IN-UNIVERSE REASON FOR WHY IT'S SCRUNGLY. I love how everyone just gets to exist in their identity, I love that Aethelburg is the rival but also 100% a magical girl, I love all of the background art and all of the little chaos happening back there. The whole book is just so charming and heartwarming; you can't help but fall in love with all of the characters and root for them.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore female knight stories and requested this graphic novel from Netgalley because of the title. I'm absolutely glad I got the chance to read this fantastic story!

It's the story about Serafina, a grumpy seasoned knight who takes on a new squire George. George is a delightful vibrant girl who works really hard to be a knight. The story takes place in a time where jousting tournaments, sword fighting and various other activities were sports/competitions to partake in. It's a fun atmosphere.

What I liked:
- The gorgeous artwork! The vivid colour choices for each character! It's the kind of sharp, bright colours that stands out from the page.
- The progression of the story was very smooth with lovely character development.

What I thought could've been better:
- Sometimes the speech bubbles were drawn really close together and I couldn't tell who was speaking. Some of the speech bubbles had " quotation marks too which felt odd to me.

All in all, a great read that I enjoyed!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

George wants to be a knight. She has wanted to be a knight for as long as she can remember. Her family breeds and trains horses. She has seen Serafina and wants to be her squire. One must be a squire first, to work your way up to knight. Sarafina has her doubts. George is not good at anything. But she knows horses, and that is more than any of the other wanna-bes have been, so she takes her on.


This is an interesting world where both women and men can be knights, and it is rather like professional sports. There are interviews of how each tournament will go, and people come to see the tournament, and follow the fan favorites.


There is a lot more going on than that, but the basic story is George trying her best to be a good squire, despite Safaina not carrying.


This was a quick read, and quite enjoyable. I loved how fierce the ladies were. Mch more interesting than just having guys have all the fun.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 7th of July 2026.

[cidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

George has a dream of being the best knight, but she’s small and untrained. That’s where Serafina comes in - she IS the best knight around and is now George’s mentor, even though she’d rather not be. George is clumsy. Follow these two while they learn how to help each other grow!

First off, the artwork is just … exquisite! Every single page had me absolutely captivated!

Serafina is a deeply layered and flawed character, and I loved to “hate” her. She has many walls up and doesn’t want to be a showy, caring person. She says she has no friends and only cares about winning, and it makes it that much more rewarding to see her slowly thaw.

George balances Serafina out so well and vice versa. I also ADORE Serafina’s wife for meddling and pushing her to be better.

I love the message that it’s very brave to work hard at something that doesn’t come easily to you. That type of growth in a story makes me so emo. I just love it so much.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read in exchange for an honest review!

[kyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

unconventional knights take center stage. instead of being actual warriors, in this story, they compete and show off their skills for fame. and did I mention they're women too? on one hand there's George, an aspiring knight who has a [very] long way to go; and then there's Serafina, the one of the best knights in the area. things take a turn and George ends up as Serafina's squire. who doesn't want to learn from the best?

the story's themes center on personal growth and determination. there's a lot to learn from a passionate youngster, especially if you feel like you're in a rut yourself. however, it's not just limited to the main character, most of the ones we meet go through their own journeys of rebirth making it eligible for hopecore content.

the illustrations are beautifully inspired by the medieval period and i really loved the bonus content section where we get to take a peek behind the curtain and learn the inspirations and early stages of the graphic novel's creative process.

thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for the eARC!

[K.C. Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queer? Very. The aesthetic? Flawless. The plot? Personally, I felt like the plot was not in the room with us.

The images are gorgeous, the characters are delightful, but the only tension comes from a very silly and rather pointless feud that never gets a satisfactory backstory. There wasn't much of a driving found, the the conflict comes in the form of characters saying mean things for basically no reason and then having their feelings hurt.

I didn't know when I picked this up that it was based on standalone art that became a webcomic, but the origin makes a lot of sense. Between the limited plot and the (imo) underdeveloped worldbuilding, I was left a bit lukewarm. That said, I do love a queernormative story, and a tall brooding cranky lady who still presents femme? Yesssss please.

No plot just vibes, but the vibes are sapphic knights and sassy horses, so if that's your jam, this is worth a read. Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so freaking good - I loved every single panel of this graphic novel!

We follow George, who desperately wants to become a knight and begins her journey as a squire for Knight Serafina, known for being a bit mean and not very talkative. The story and its characters mean everything to me. The growth and relationships, whether it’s George and Serafina as mentee and mentor, Serafina and her wife, or George and Floriant as friends, were so beautiful to read. Watching the characters grow together and bring out the best in each other was truly heartwarming.

"Its not pathetic to work hard at something that doesn't come easily to you. - No. It's very brave."

And the ART STYLE!!! Don't get me started! So so beautiful. I fell in love with the first few pages and it stayed that way!

If you love Lady Knights, many great diverse characters, a lot of fun and whimsy - THAN THIS IS THE BOOK YOU NEED TO READ!!!

[Sara Sidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute. Thank you so much, Netgalley, for this advanced copy!

This was funny and fun. The illustrations are beautiful, the characters are all great, and the story is so delightful. This had me at Lady knights and it fulfilled exactly what I wanted. I have absolutely no notes because you can't best perfection.

This comic was just such a nice breath of fresh air in the medieval genre! The knights enter a tournament, and Serafina's wife gets her a squire. Serafina is grumpy, negative, and really wants to win. George is passionate and super excited. She was so refreshing!! 🥹

We got badass characters, a sapphic couple, women knights, a beautiful story, beautiful colourful illustrations, a medieval setting. I mean, what more could you want?

I also thought it was really cool how the character building and art design process was included as some bonus content. I love seeing the process!

[rebeccareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies of the Knight is a heartwarming, gorgeously illustrated tale of bravery, mentorship, teamwork, and finding one's place in the world. The graphic novel follows Lady Serafina and her overeager new squire George as they learn to work together to navigate the knight-squire relationship and succeed in tournaments. With beautiful, sumptuous illustration (I loved how most characters were normal, everyday-looking, not-perfectly-beautiful, and I am obsessed with the color choices!), sharp and witty dialogue, a wonderful and diverse cast of side characters, and a sweet queer romance, Ladies of the Knight is a wonderful addition to the growing pantheon of lady-knight literature, and a must-read for fans of cozy fantasy and sapphic romance alike. I hope we'll get to see more adventures from the Ladies of the Knight!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Ladies of the Knight” by Fiona Marchbank was such a fun and sweet knightly coming of age tale! I had a lovely time reading, and I enjoyed all the characters. Serafina the grouchy tournament knight pairs well comedically with the overly-enthusiastic George, her new squire. Not only does George come into her own as an under-dog squire, but Serafina also grows as a person. George helps Serafina to find joy in the game, more than just winning, and inspires her to collaborate with her fellow knights instead of remaining individualistic. The periphery romance between Serafina and her wife and sponsor Minerva was also cute! The art was beautiful and detailed, and flowed through the pages. I will definitely be recommending this book to my graphic novel readers at my library.

Thank you Netgalley and Oni Press for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!