What do you think?
Rate this book
Knight Training
The Special Forces of Steampunk!
Airships, Guns, and Gadgets! The Knights of the Crystal Spire are more than ordinary fantasy knights.
Life as an apprentice knight hasn’t been easy on James Gentry. As a commoner and an outsider, he’s been ridiculed, picked on, and shunned by the other boys. But he’s determined to become one of the finest knights Rislandia has ever seen.
During his training, James stumbles upon a master knight selling information on Rislandian troop movements to a Wyranth spy. To keep Rislandia safe, he must root out the traitor and put a stop to the enemy's schemes. Does he have what it takes?
“Knight Training” is a stand-alone sequel novella to the award-winning steampunk novel, For Steam And Country!
Airships, Guns, and Gadgets! The Knights of the Crystal Spire are more than ordinary fantasy knights.
Life as an apprentice knight hasn’t been easy on James Gentry. As a commoner and an outsider, he’s been ridiculed, picked on, and shunned by the other boys. But he’s determined to become one of the finest knights Rislandia has ever seen.
During his training, James stumbles upon a master knight selling information on Rislandian troop movements to a Wyranth spy. To keep Rislandia safe, he must root out the traitor and put a stop to the enemy's schemes. Does he have what it takes?
“Knight Training” is a stand-alone sequel novella to the award-winning steampunk novel, For Steam And Country!
84 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2018
40 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Jon Del Arroz
78 books449 followersJon Del Arroz is a powerhouse in speculative fiction and comics, celebrated as "the leading Hispanic voice in science fiction" by PJ Media, and a #1 Amazon bestselling author whose works resonate with fans craving bold, unapologetic storytelling. His novels, like the swashbuckling steampunk adventure For Steam And Country and the space opera The Stars Entwined, have earned accolades for their fast-paced plots and richly drawn characters. He is a Dragon Award finalist and 2018 CLFA Book of the Year Award winner, as well as N3F Speculative Fiction winner for best graphic novel.
Beyond the page, Jon Del Arroz is a prolific journalist and cultural commentator, with incisive pieces in outlets like The Federalist and Fandom Pulse that tackle the intersections of pop culture, gaming, and politics with fearless clarity. His investigative work and YouTube livestreams have built a loyal following, offering a sharp alternative to mainstream narratives.
Beyond the page, Jon Del Arroz is a prolific journalist and cultural commentator, with incisive pieces in outlets like The Federalist and Fandom Pulse that tackle the intersections of pop culture, gaming, and politics with fearless clarity. His investigative work and YouTube livestreams have built a loyal following, offering a sharp alternative to mainstream narratives.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 29, 2018
Our hero is a young apprentice Knight named James. (I approve. I find all guys named James to be both awesome and humble. Yes, that is my name. What does that have to do with anything?) He has a problem: He's good at what he does and he has the favor of the royal family. Why is that a problem? Because the other apprentices hate him. They basically see him as a teacher's pet. His life is hell.
I found myself identifying with this kid. I was the guy in high school whose teacher gave him a pet name (I spent my freshman year answering to “Scribble” in my biology class. Yes, my handwriting is that bad.) and check tests. A lot of people hated me as well. The difference is that this James can't just go home at the end of the day to get away from the crap. He spends his nights in a dorm with the people who are tormenting him. I couldn't help but to feel bad for the kid.
The fact remains that this not some “Woe is me. My life sucks. I'm being bullied.” story. James's solution to being tormented is to work harder and make his fellow apprentices eat their words. And, put bluntly, he really is that good. His instructors love him because of his talent and work ethic. He puts in the time. A competition is announced. It's just when that happens that James stumbles onto something...
I don't want to give too much away here, so I won't say what it is or where it leads, but James ends up doing even more than I expected him to when I picked this Knight Training up. I really like this kid. He's the kind of person I wish I had been at his age. He has been through a lot but he keeps persevering. What didn't kill him really did make him stronger. James is a real dynamo.
James and friends do not have it as bad as the characters in a George R.R. Martin novel, but they don't have it easy either. In a way, James himself almost has a Harry Dresden feeling to him. Either that, or he's a Timex watch. Regardless of how you view it, he takes a beating and keeps on fighting. This kid can absorb more punishment than a quarterback for the Detroit Lions. If he were any tougher, he'd be your mama's pot roast. The lost thing I saw get beaten like that was my...
Uhh...
Nevermind.
The thing is, he's not that super competent, Honor Harrington type, ominpotently awesome dynamo that some other characters are. He's willing. He's able. He wants to do what he needs to do. The problem is that James is an apprentice. He knows that he doesn't know everything but that knowledge, in and of itself, is not enough to save him. He has to get some help from his friends sometimes and is not always smart enough to seek it. There is a bit of Harry Potter in this kid and it's not because he has a lightning shaped scar or gets treated like The Chosen One. No, James wants to do it all but can't always get 'er done. The thing is, he never stops trying.
I hear a lot of people complain about the boarding school cliché in Young Adult literature but it works here. Knight Training starts at the knight training academy. James states (the book is in first person) early on that he has the goal of becoming the youngest Journeyman knight in history. I find myself wondering if that's because of flat out ambition or if he's just trying to escape all of the assholes. It may actually be a little bit of both. Either way, the reason the boarding school has become so common in these types of stories is because they provide a big enough place to tell a story and a place small enough to keep things from getting out of control, especially in a novella where the author may not have room to introduce an entire planet full of people.
You know, I keep telling myself I'm going to read more Steampunk and then not doing it. That's sad because this really is a great genre and I am looking forward to reading more Steampunk by Jon Del Arroz soon. I love this setting and others like it. I confess to being more of a fan of the “electronic stuff hasn't been invented yet” thing than the “all the electronics have failed” gimmick but the former is what Del Arroz uses here. It really does work. Because electronics haven't been invented yet, Knight Training is able to focus on the future instead of constantly pining for a lost past.
Del Arroz also avoids the trap that some Steampunk works fall into. Any good story focuses on the people in it. Don't get me wrong. Any Steampunk novel needs to have Steampunk tech in it, but the author needs to keep in mind that the tech is part of the setting and not the whole story. The 1999 version of Wild Wild West fell into this trap, but Knight Training didn't. You might read about horseless carriages in the background or a special gun but the tech is kept in its place. Kudos to him for getting the balance right.
I found myself identifying with this kid. I was the guy in high school whose teacher gave him a pet name (I spent my freshman year answering to “Scribble” in my biology class. Yes, my handwriting is that bad.) and check tests. A lot of people hated me as well. The difference is that this James can't just go home at the end of the day to get away from the crap. He spends his nights in a dorm with the people who are tormenting him. I couldn't help but to feel bad for the kid.
The fact remains that this not some “Woe is me. My life sucks. I'm being bullied.” story. James's solution to being tormented is to work harder and make his fellow apprentices eat their words. And, put bluntly, he really is that good. His instructors love him because of his talent and work ethic. He puts in the time. A competition is announced. It's just when that happens that James stumbles onto something...
I don't want to give too much away here, so I won't say what it is or where it leads, but James ends up doing even more than I expected him to when I picked this Knight Training up. I really like this kid. He's the kind of person I wish I had been at his age. He has been through a lot but he keeps persevering. What didn't kill him really did make him stronger. James is a real dynamo.
James and friends do not have it as bad as the characters in a George R.R. Martin novel, but they don't have it easy either. In a way, James himself almost has a Harry Dresden feeling to him. Either that, or he's a Timex watch. Regardless of how you view it, he takes a beating and keeps on fighting. This kid can absorb more punishment than a quarterback for the Detroit Lions. If he were any tougher, he'd be your mama's pot roast. The lost thing I saw get beaten like that was my...
Uhh...
Nevermind.
The thing is, he's not that super competent, Honor Harrington type, ominpotently awesome dynamo that some other characters are. He's willing. He's able. He wants to do what he needs to do. The problem is that James is an apprentice. He knows that he doesn't know everything but that knowledge, in and of itself, is not enough to save him. He has to get some help from his friends sometimes and is not always smart enough to seek it. There is a bit of Harry Potter in this kid and it's not because he has a lightning shaped scar or gets treated like The Chosen One. No, James wants to do it all but can't always get 'er done. The thing is, he never stops trying.
I hear a lot of people complain about the boarding school cliché in Young Adult literature but it works here. Knight Training starts at the knight training academy. James states (the book is in first person) early on that he has the goal of becoming the youngest Journeyman knight in history. I find myself wondering if that's because of flat out ambition or if he's just trying to escape all of the assholes. It may actually be a little bit of both. Either way, the reason the boarding school has become so common in these types of stories is because they provide a big enough place to tell a story and a place small enough to keep things from getting out of control, especially in a novella where the author may not have room to introduce an entire planet full of people.
You know, I keep telling myself I'm going to read more Steampunk and then not doing it. That's sad because this really is a great genre and I am looking forward to reading more Steampunk by Jon Del Arroz soon. I love this setting and others like it. I confess to being more of a fan of the “electronic stuff hasn't been invented yet” thing than the “all the electronics have failed” gimmick but the former is what Del Arroz uses here. It really does work. Because electronics haven't been invented yet, Knight Training is able to focus on the future instead of constantly pining for a lost past.
Del Arroz also avoids the trap that some Steampunk works fall into. Any good story focuses on the people in it. Don't get me wrong. Any Steampunk novel needs to have Steampunk tech in it, but the author needs to keep in mind that the tech is part of the setting and not the whole story. The 1999 version of Wild Wild West fell into this trap, but Knight Training didn't. You might read about horseless carriages in the background or a special gun but the tech is kept in its place. Kudos to him for getting the balance right.
July 23, 2018
This is an exciting and quick read (a novella at 88 pages). I hadn’t read the book leading up to this and yet had no problems plunging right into the story. James is a likeable MC and I would highly recommend this book to a teen or young adult audience. But, if you like steampunk adventure, any age … I’m in my sixties and enjoyed sharing James’s experiences.
March 14, 2019
Summary:
First, let me say that none of what I’ll say in this section couldn’t be found on the back copy of the novel. Heck, I cribbed this summary from the back, and then I added my own twist! And not even much of one, since most of the books I read have kick butt descriptions (aka blurbs). If the blurb doesn’t catch my eye, then I tend to skip the book unless a friend recommends it. Generally speaking, my goal is to provide a spoiler-free review, so here goes nothing!
The Special Forces of Steampunk! That’s what you get from The Knights of the Crystal Spire. Oh, and airships, guns, and gadgets! These knights are more than ordinary fantasy knights. During this tale of adventure, we meet James Gentry, an apprentice in training to be a master knight. Life as an apprentice knight hasn’t been easy on James, a commoner and an outsider among the ranks of his noble peers. He’s been ridiculed, picked on, and shunned by the other boys. But he’s determined to become one of the finest knights Rislandia has ever seen.
During his training, James stumbles upon a master knight selling information on Rislandian troop movements to a Wyranth spy. To keep Rislandia safe, he must root out the traitor and put a stop to the enemy’s schemes. Does he have what it takes? Read this action-packed steampunk novelette to find out!
I know this seems like a short summary, but hey… it’s a short novelette!
Characters:
The main character, James Gentry, is a survivor who wants to become a warrior to avenge his family. At first, he comes across as a Mary Sue, but Jon Del Arroz neatly avoids this label by showing James working harder than everyone else in his determined bid to become a Journeyman Knight so he can get into the war against the Wyranth Army. He’s driven to prevent other peaceful Rislandian villages from being destroyed like he had been. A hero rising from the ashes of his or her ruined family is a standard trope, but in this Del Arroz pulls it off. I found that I did like this character, I could relate to his quest for vengeance and desire to serve his family. Surprisingly, given that this was only a novelette, James Gentry was a well-rounded character. We also met James’ childhood beau, Zair-bear and his current romantic interest, Princess Reina. Those characters are given just enough personality to make them likable. Despite the length of this story, we really connected to all three of these people in a way that leaves us wanting more.
Plot:
The basic plot is about a warrior in training trying to avenge his family through service to his king. During this training, James Gentry stumbles upon a brother knight selling out the Rislandian Army to their enemy. Not one to leave things well enough alone, James follows the spies and foils their efforts to destroy their kingdom from within. This story was a bit of a slow burn, but once I got going, I was hooked. It was fun and kept me interested throughout the rest of the adventure. I did have a little bit of trouble following this tale of intrigue, mostly because it felt like I was dropped into the middle of a series, instead of reading book one of a new one. I think that this series would make more sense if I’d read the main series first, but I was familiar enough with fantasy and steampunk to follow along. Here the author accomplished his goals as a storyteller!
Worldbuilding:
There was a lot of world building in this short novelette, setting up a steampunk universe. I felt like I missed a lot of the references because this story referenced the other series so much, but once I got into it, I could follow along. The author, Jon Del Arroz, went lite on some of the worldbuilding, but I was able to fill in the blanks on my own. There were a lot of callbacks to The Adventures of Baron Von Monocle, but those ceased to be a huge issue as I got more into the story. This novelette set the scene for a larger universe that left me wanting more. I could buy the premise of a knight in training rising up from the peasant classes so I would say that here the author accomplished his goals.
Description:
The author was lighter on descriptions than I would prefer, but it was never so sparse that I couldn’t picture the action. I feel like the amount of description was just about right for a novelette. If or when Jon Del Arroz makes this a novel, I’ll expect more so I can better visualize it all. Where the author truly shone was his description of the life of a knight apprentice. This descriptive skill saved him in the worldbuilding category and really sold Rislandia to me. I was able to form a picture of the setting in my mind, though partly because I’ve served in the Army and there are some universal truths about life in the barracks. This was not the case with the guns his soldiers used, but this could be because I’m relatively new to steampunk. I could picture the swords, I could imagine the dirigibles or airships, but guns seemed odd to me. I did like how Jon described the rookies apprentice being shocked at the recoil, it was a nice touch, but I found myself picturing standard historic black powder rifles instead of these weird steampunk ones. Despite this minor complaint, for a novelette, it was enough. Jon Del Arroz proved his literary chops with this category, but now I’ll expect a lot when I transition into reading his full novels.
Book Cover:
Since I’ve been mentioning the covers in every single review, I decided to make that a part of the format going forward. As usual, a disclaimer that I’m colorblind so your mileage may vary. The cover designer stayed true to the steampunk aesthetic, creating an effect of the image being painted onto leather with the cover model surrounded by gears and cogs that fit into this unique subgenre of science fiction. I couldn’t see any of that, being colorblind, but my wife thought the image needed more contrast with the color scheme. The first thing that jumped out at me was the typography used, it had a steampunk vibe, one that evokes images of giant machines and the age of steam. The blocky text spoke to me, I seriously enjoyed it. Maybe because it was all I could see? Overall, I can’t fairly judge this one other than to say that it had a pretty font!
Overall:
I absolutely loved this novelette! I don’t normally go for steampunk, but this story left me wanting more! I’m not quite at the level of wearing those fancy outfits you see at comic cons, but I definitely enjoyed this fun romp in an airship universe! I found Jon’s prose to be easy to read, though it was a tad clunky at first. Once the story grabbed me, I stopped noticing any of those pesky details. It was written in a way to keep the story entertaining and prevent it from lagging. As for the story itself, I found the basic premise to be highly entertaining. My only real complaint was that I was a bit lost in the beginning, it felt like I was jumping into the middle of something, instead of starting at book one. I also felt like this plot line would be better served had it been expanded into a full-length novel, but otherwise, I couldn’t find anything worth whining about! Jon Del Arroz crafted a perfect blend of evocative imagery and an imaginative universe that made me want to know more. More importantly, this story was the perfect ambassador to the steampunk genre writ large! The author’s passion for the genre shines throughout the entire story, it practically drips off of the page. Jon used his love for all things steam-powered to tell a fun spy story, building tension and keeping the story moving in a highly entertaining way. In conclusion, I would recommend this story to everyone who loves fun science fiction and give it 4 out of 5 grenades. But don’t take my word for it… if this book sounds like it’s right up your alley, check it out!
First, let me say that none of what I’ll say in this section couldn’t be found on the back copy of the novel. Heck, I cribbed this summary from the back, and then I added my own twist! And not even much of one, since most of the books I read have kick butt descriptions (aka blurbs). If the blurb doesn’t catch my eye, then I tend to skip the book unless a friend recommends it. Generally speaking, my goal is to provide a spoiler-free review, so here goes nothing!
The Special Forces of Steampunk! That’s what you get from The Knights of the Crystal Spire. Oh, and airships, guns, and gadgets! These knights are more than ordinary fantasy knights. During this tale of adventure, we meet James Gentry, an apprentice in training to be a master knight. Life as an apprentice knight hasn’t been easy on James, a commoner and an outsider among the ranks of his noble peers. He’s been ridiculed, picked on, and shunned by the other boys. But he’s determined to become one of the finest knights Rislandia has ever seen.
During his training, James stumbles upon a master knight selling information on Rislandian troop movements to a Wyranth spy. To keep Rislandia safe, he must root out the traitor and put a stop to the enemy’s schemes. Does he have what it takes? Read this action-packed steampunk novelette to find out!
I know this seems like a short summary, but hey… it’s a short novelette!
Characters:
The main character, James Gentry, is a survivor who wants to become a warrior to avenge his family. At first, he comes across as a Mary Sue, but Jon Del Arroz neatly avoids this label by showing James working harder than everyone else in his determined bid to become a Journeyman Knight so he can get into the war against the Wyranth Army. He’s driven to prevent other peaceful Rislandian villages from being destroyed like he had been. A hero rising from the ashes of his or her ruined family is a standard trope, but in this Del Arroz pulls it off. I found that I did like this character, I could relate to his quest for vengeance and desire to serve his family. Surprisingly, given that this was only a novelette, James Gentry was a well-rounded character. We also met James’ childhood beau, Zair-bear and his current romantic interest, Princess Reina. Those characters are given just enough personality to make them likable. Despite the length of this story, we really connected to all three of these people in a way that leaves us wanting more.
Plot:
The basic plot is about a warrior in training trying to avenge his family through service to his king. During this training, James Gentry stumbles upon a brother knight selling out the Rislandian Army to their enemy. Not one to leave things well enough alone, James follows the spies and foils their efforts to destroy their kingdom from within. This story was a bit of a slow burn, but once I got going, I was hooked. It was fun and kept me interested throughout the rest of the adventure. I did have a little bit of trouble following this tale of intrigue, mostly because it felt like I was dropped into the middle of a series, instead of reading book one of a new one. I think that this series would make more sense if I’d read the main series first, but I was familiar enough with fantasy and steampunk to follow along. Here the author accomplished his goals as a storyteller!
Worldbuilding:
There was a lot of world building in this short novelette, setting up a steampunk universe. I felt like I missed a lot of the references because this story referenced the other series so much, but once I got into it, I could follow along. The author, Jon Del Arroz, went lite on some of the worldbuilding, but I was able to fill in the blanks on my own. There were a lot of callbacks to The Adventures of Baron Von Monocle, but those ceased to be a huge issue as I got more into the story. This novelette set the scene for a larger universe that left me wanting more. I could buy the premise of a knight in training rising up from the peasant classes so I would say that here the author accomplished his goals.
Description:
The author was lighter on descriptions than I would prefer, but it was never so sparse that I couldn’t picture the action. I feel like the amount of description was just about right for a novelette. If or when Jon Del Arroz makes this a novel, I’ll expect more so I can better visualize it all. Where the author truly shone was his description of the life of a knight apprentice. This descriptive skill saved him in the worldbuilding category and really sold Rislandia to me. I was able to form a picture of the setting in my mind, though partly because I’ve served in the Army and there are some universal truths about life in the barracks. This was not the case with the guns his soldiers used, but this could be because I’m relatively new to steampunk. I could picture the swords, I could imagine the dirigibles or airships, but guns seemed odd to me. I did like how Jon described the rookies apprentice being shocked at the recoil, it was a nice touch, but I found myself picturing standard historic black powder rifles instead of these weird steampunk ones. Despite this minor complaint, for a novelette, it was enough. Jon Del Arroz proved his literary chops with this category, but now I’ll expect a lot when I transition into reading his full novels.
Book Cover:
Since I’ve been mentioning the covers in every single review, I decided to make that a part of the format going forward. As usual, a disclaimer that I’m colorblind so your mileage may vary. The cover designer stayed true to the steampunk aesthetic, creating an effect of the image being painted onto leather with the cover model surrounded by gears and cogs that fit into this unique subgenre of science fiction. I couldn’t see any of that, being colorblind, but my wife thought the image needed more contrast with the color scheme. The first thing that jumped out at me was the typography used, it had a steampunk vibe, one that evokes images of giant machines and the age of steam. The blocky text spoke to me, I seriously enjoyed it. Maybe because it was all I could see? Overall, I can’t fairly judge this one other than to say that it had a pretty font!
Overall:
I absolutely loved this novelette! I don’t normally go for steampunk, but this story left me wanting more! I’m not quite at the level of wearing those fancy outfits you see at comic cons, but I definitely enjoyed this fun romp in an airship universe! I found Jon’s prose to be easy to read, though it was a tad clunky at first. Once the story grabbed me, I stopped noticing any of those pesky details. It was written in a way to keep the story entertaining and prevent it from lagging. As for the story itself, I found the basic premise to be highly entertaining. My only real complaint was that I was a bit lost in the beginning, it felt like I was jumping into the middle of something, instead of starting at book one. I also felt like this plot line would be better served had it been expanded into a full-length novel, but otherwise, I couldn’t find anything worth whining about! Jon Del Arroz crafted a perfect blend of evocative imagery and an imaginative universe that made me want to know more. More importantly, this story was the perfect ambassador to the steampunk genre writ large! The author’s passion for the genre shines throughout the entire story, it practically drips off of the page. Jon used his love for all things steam-powered to tell a fun spy story, building tension and keeping the story moving in a highly entertaining way. In conclusion, I would recommend this story to everyone who loves fun science fiction and give it 4 out of 5 grenades. But don’t take my word for it… if this book sounds like it’s right up your alley, check it out!
October 29, 2018
That's not have any spoilers as this is something you should just read, it's short, less than 100 pages so it won't take you long at all. James is an apprentice knight who is amazing at what he does, one of the best and while you'd think that'd be great, it means others in this line of work, aren't that found of him and it makes his life kinda hard.
Anyone who has even been the teacher's pet or a favorite of any kind can totally relate to James and his struggles. I love him as a character and think he's very well done, even more so considering how short this story is. I really only have one complaint... it's too short! I mean yes, everything is tied together nicely and it's a perfect short story but when I love something, I need more and this is how I feel. I need more.
Overall, it's a fun story that will take your mind off your problems and pull you in, refusing to let you go. I fully recommend this whole series!
January 26, 2019
What a story even though short. James just wants to be a knight but he’s constantly made fun of. Enjoyable
July 21, 2018
A Fun Short Read
A great little novella set in the author's steampunk world where we see a bit of James' training and first adventure without the airship.
A great little novella set in the author's steampunk world where we see a bit of James' training and first adventure without the airship.
July 23, 2018
A real adventure
This is an old-fashioned adventure book for young people, the kind that previous generations grew up on and filled our heads with a desire to do great things and live good lives. The protagonist is not a superman, but he is skilled enough to be worth following. He has doubts, but the doubts do not paralyze him. The result is inspiring without being prosyletizing, and an excellent reminder of why this sort of book was so popular once upon a time. If our children read more books like this, they would read more books period.
This is an old-fashioned adventure book for young people, the kind that previous generations grew up on and filled our heads with a desire to do great things and live good lives. The protagonist is not a superman, but he is skilled enough to be worth following. He has doubts, but the doubts do not paralyze him. The result is inspiring without being prosyletizing, and an excellent reminder of why this sort of book was so popular once upon a time. If our children read more books like this, they would read more books period.
January 16, 2019
This is a short, sharp tale set in the same universe "For Steam and Country" is set. It's the tale of james gentry, the farmboy friend of Zaira von Monocle, the heroine of the first book. james is in training to become a knight of the realm. Problem is all the other apprentices hate him, mainly because he's a lot better than them. In an attempt to improve, and gain journeyman rank, he stumbles across a traitor, and an enemy spy.
James eventually reports this to one of the head knights, and then manages to capture the spy. As a reward, he gets sent to capture the traitor, under the guidance of a journeyman knight, and two soldiers. After a fierce fight, in which one of the soldiers is nearly killed, and James knocked unconscious, they succeed in killing the traitor, and return triumphantly to the castle.
James eventually reports this to one of the head knights, and then manages to capture the spy. As a reward, he gets sent to capture the traitor, under the guidance of a journeyman knight, and two soldiers. After a fierce fight, in which one of the soldiers is nearly killed, and James knocked unconscious, they succeed in killing the traitor, and return triumphantly to the castle.
December 23, 2018
It is a nice, short story. A good rolling adventure story. Don't really need to know too much of the first book the main character was in. But reading this story makes me want to read it. I believe this is my first steampunk prose. I throughly enjoyed. They recently released a sequel to Knight Training. I am looking forward to reading it.
If you have never read steampunk prose and want to try it out the genre, this is a good story to try. Not too long and straight forward.
If you have never read steampunk prose and want to try it out the genre, this is a good story to try. Not too long and straight forward.
December 28, 2018
Fun Read
James is an apprentice knight. Bullied by his compatriots, he compensates by excelling in all his lessons. With the Knights manpower at a premium, the Knights see his potential and assign him to mission teams. He excels at the assignments, and is put to more use. I like the action. I look forward to another book.
James is an apprentice knight. Bullied by his compatriots, he compensates by excelling in all his lessons. With the Knights manpower at a premium, the Knights see his potential and assign him to mission teams. He excels at the assignments, and is put to more use. I like the action. I look forward to another book.
December 6, 2019
The premise is interesting. The characters are decent. I certainly felt intrigued about the world. But the writing is slightly juvenile and (I kid you not) I don't think I've ever rolled my eyes more while reading a book.
Our main protagonist is basically a Mary Sue, which sometimes I don't mind but I really wanted him to be more. Also, sometimes things don't make sense.
*Possible Spoiler Ahead*
(I wasn't sure since it's not important to the plot)
For instance, he's just learning to weild a sword so he's lame at it but he's determined to practice and get better, (cool I like a relatable character who isn't instantly amazing at something) but then like a week later he can't compete in a sword competition and keeps up a mental loop about how he's better than everyone else who is competing (sir, you are not more skilled just because you're more dedicated than your peers). Which is it?
I really would like to learn more about the world and maybe a different book in the series might be more palatable to me but I'm not jumping at the chance to read another one.
Our main protagonist is basically a Mary Sue, which sometimes I don't mind but I really wanted him to be more. Also, sometimes things don't make sense.
*Possible Spoiler Ahead*
(I wasn't sure since it's not important to the plot)
For instance, he's just learning to weild a sword so he's lame at it but he's determined to practice and get better, (cool I like a relatable character who isn't instantly amazing at something) but then like a week later he can't compete in a sword competition and keeps up a mental loop about how he's better than everyone else who is competing (sir, you are not more skilled just because you're more dedicated than your peers). Which is it?
I really would like to learn more about the world and maybe a different book in the series might be more palatable to me but I'm not jumping at the chance to read another one.
December 23, 2018
I received a copy of this book for free from the author and have voluntarily chosen to review it.
This is a short story, but is very action packed. James has some lessons to learn,but he does learn and keeps on going. This was a very fun read and I am looking forward to reading more.
This is a short story, but is very action packed. James has some lessons to learn,but he does learn and keeps on going. This was a very fun read and I am looking forward to reading more.
August 14, 2018
Too Short!
A really nice character set-up. There is a bit of an adventure in there, but you're left really wanting a second half to this book. I can't wait for the next in the series to come out.
A really nice character set-up. There is a bit of an adventure in there, but you're left really wanting a second half to this book. I can't wait for the next in the series to come out.
July 30, 2019
Great Read! Really enjoyed it and looking forward to more in the series. Got a copy free with the purchase of the comic book Flying Sparks. (also recommended)
August 19, 2019
Good read
a good story about camaraderie and trust. Lovable characters and fun to read. I read the steam punk stories and enjoyed those so I knew I would tbese
a good story about camaraderie and trust. Lovable characters and fun to read. I read the steam punk stories and enjoyed those so I knew I would tbese
July 26, 2025
A novela set in the world of Baron von monocle. YA steampunk fantasy, and a fun, quick read. But read For Steam And Country first.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews