Knights vs. Monsters

Knights vs. #2

by Matt Phelan

Renowned for their courage, their chivalry, and their ability to fight mythical creatures, the Knights of the Round Table face a new band of dangerous opponents—MONSTERS!

In the rip-roaring sequel to Matt Phelan’s acclaimed Knights vs. Dinosaurs, four daring knights and one intrepid archer face off against legendary monsters. This heavily illustrated middle grade adventure is a hilarious tale of derring-do that is perfect for reluctant readers and fans of The Terrible Two and The Wild Robot.

Award-winning creator Matt Phelan’s Knights vs. Monsters is a highly illustrated, fast-paced adventure full of uproarious knightly hijinks, surprising secrets, and terrifying monsters.

When a magical boat sweeps the Knights of the Round Table off to Scotland, they take on the evil Queen Morgause and her horde of monsters. With art on nearly every page, including an epic fight scene depicted in several graphic-novel style spreads, this engaging story is ideal for reluctant readers, aspiring knights, and fans of Gordon Korman’s Masterminds.

Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Adventure, Middle Grade, Childrens, Juvenile, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published January 7, 2020

About the author

Matt Phelan made his illustrating debut with Betty G. Birney’s The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster). Since then he has illustrated many picture books and novels for young readers, including Where I Live by Eileen Spinelli (Dial), Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle (Harcourt), and The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (Simon & Schuster) winner of the 2007 Newbery Medal.

Matt studied film and theater in college with the goal of one day writing and directing movies. But his first love was always drawing, and the more he saw the wonderful world of children’s books, the more he realized that this was the place for him. Being an illustrator is in many ways like being an actor, director, cinematographer, costumer, and set designer rolled into one.

Matt writes: “I have a fascination with the decade of the 1930s. The movies were learning to talk (and in the case of King Kong, growl), the music was beginning to swing, and the nation was thrown into tremendous turmoil. On one hand, you see a level of suffering documented in the dramatic and gritty photography of Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans. On the other hand, consider what the American public was flocking to see in the movie theaters: the glamour and grace of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing in a series of perfect musicals. For my first book as both writer and illustrator (coming in 2009 by Candlewick Press), I naturally gravitated to this complex decade, specifically the strange world of the Dust Bowl.”

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Something lurked in the mist. Something large. Something nasty. Four knights and one young girl stumbled half blind on the dark, misty moor as well.

Premise/plot: Knights vs. Monsters is the sequel to Knights vs. Dinosaurs. Sir Erec, Sir Bors, Sir Hector, the Black Knight, and Archer Mel (formerly Squire Mel) are back for another adventure. This time the adventure that happens is not the work of Merlin, a friend, but the work of an enemy to Arthur's court. Their adventure begins when they board a mystery ship...a ship that takes them to Scotland to face off with an evil, manipulative queen (Morgause).

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I liked the first book well enough, I did, but I enjoyed this one a bit more. Perhaps because it has more characters and is more rooted in King Arthur's time. Perhaps because I'm already familiar with the main characters. I would recommend both books to those who enjoy action and adventure mixed with a large dose of humor

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This chapter book follows Knights vs. Dinosaurs, which I haven't read at the time of this writing. It would have helped a little to have read it first, but this one was easy to understand without it.
The story is all action, excitement, adventure, danger, challenges, evil monsters, and everything fun to read about.

[Omaida Moammed · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you read the book I am new to the app so I don't know how to use the app so how do you read the book

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arthur's knights aren't doing so well on their quest for the grail, and they are a bit bored since the excitement of their adventure with the terrible lizards. So when an empty boat pulls up to shore, of course they hop in to see where it will take them. They end up in Scotland where monsters are ravaging a town every night. Are the knights up to this challenge?

This is a very quick read with large print and frequent illustrations (even one chapter that is mostly graphic novel format). I thought after the first book that the knights adventures were all going to be time travel adventures, but this doesn't involve any time travel. It does introduce a bit more of the characters of Arthurian legend and some aspects of that story. The characters get a teensy more development, and a problem is introduced that will carry into the next book. Hand this to readers who like knights, fantasy adventures, and quick reads.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are battles between monsters and humans, and a little violence threatened by one group of humans against another group. No one is seriously injured except monsters.

[Alba Arango · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knights vs. Monsters is a sequel, which I did not realize when I started the book, but it did not appear necessary to have read the first one to follow this one along. It tells the story of the young Knights of the Round Table after getting aboard a mysterious ship. and their adventures fighting the evil Queen Morgause and her team of monsters.

What I liked: fun story line. Any time kids fight monsters it’s a good time; and make those kids knights? Even better! The characters are unique, and their interactions are witty and enjoyable. The illustrations are fabulous, and I enjoyed the references to King Arthur folklore.

What I didn’t like: I didn’t care much for the random graphic novel chapter in the middle of the book, but I suppose it is an interesting way to introduce young readers to graphic novels. I found the beginning a little slow, but the action did pick up.

Overall, a good read for a transition from Chapter Books to Middle Grade. I would recommend for ages 8-10.

4 out of 5 stars

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sequel to Knights vs. Dinosaurs.
The five heroes stumble on an adventure in Scotland because their Holy Grail quest is not successful. They end up on Orkney and meet Queen Morgause and Mordred plus his brothers. The brave knights and archer spend their nights slaying monsters created by Morgause to strike at King Arthur.
Introduces Scottish mythology.
Illustrations bring the story to life.
Middle grade readers will enjoy the humor and the adventure.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up from the library last week after everyone in my family enjoyed Knights vs. Dinosaurs. This time the knights of the round table have to deal with monsters of all sorts that come from a strange mist and shenanigans and excellent banter ensue. This is a delightful, funny, and slightly creepy story of adventure, friendship, and teamwork. So much fun. And the illustrations are phenomenal also. All very good things. Loved it.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I enjoyed this book more than the first one. While dinosaurs are basically my favorite, this story had more plot and life to it. When you're fighting dinosaurs, everything is sort of one sided, but a villain with personality and history...many more opportunities open up!

Personal Notes: All houses, Slytherins will like this one better.

[Jessica Loomis · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I read this one first, so I think we missed a lot, especially in the beginning. But the story grew on us, and it was a fun, quick read. Nothing spectacular, but we enjoyed the humor mixed with the inspiring words of Merlin about dark times ahead and fighting bravely. We've got to go back and read the first one now!

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. More in depth than Knights vs Dinosaurs. I liked the developing companionship between the knights. I found the beginning a bit confusing. I wasn’t quite sure where things were going and stumbled a bit. But then the story became more clear. I really enjoy the subtle humor. The creepy monsters and illustrations were a highlight. It’s a bit violent for my littles though.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My granddaughter and I loved the first book in this series, Knights vs. Dinosaurs. This sequel has a very different flavor to it--scarier and less light-hearted. While I did enjoy seeing how the main characters grew in this episode, the creepy villains behind the monsters might be a little too dark for sensitive readers. They are well-drawn with many sensory details.

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as strong as the first one, but it was still a fun ride. There are certainly moments where the book is commenting on current affairs which adds to the depth of the story. Overall, I still recommend the story but it feels a little lacking. The art is great.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 2nd addition to the "Knights Vs" series! Introducing not only an exciting new barrage of monsters large and small, but the Mother of Monsters herself, Queen Morgause, alongside her similarly sinister son, Mordred!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

My boys 4, 6, 8 really enjoyed this book. It had some darker scary moments but nothing that disturbed us too much. We enjoy the humor of the knights and are looking forward to reading the final book in this series.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my son's (7) new favorite series! He told me I had to read them all, and I find this book to be a great follow-up to the first. It also set up really well for the third book. I highly recommend these books to young readers who like adventure!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Morguese is indeed evil and her "sorcery" is portrayed as evil and it does not go against L4M guidelines. These are really such fun books and I hope your reader enjoys them.

Found in L4M YT Volume 39.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure about this one

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just such a fun series—the books are short, sweet, and funny. The band of King Arthur’s knights crack me up!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun spoof on the King Arthur legend. Part of a series.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one. Less kooky, more violent, still moderately entertaining.

[Wina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle grade, would indeed be good for reluctant readers of any gender. It is exciting and funny, but also sweet. Second in the series, and I liked it even better than the first. Happy ending.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun series! I highly recommend it for kids in upper elementary or the start of middle school! :)

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is just plain enjoyable. It's not deep. The world building is minimal. It's just a fun story with likeable characters, and that's a delight to have.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great kids story on with the Knights of the round table.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as the first.

[Becky Segerstrom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like I missed a book in between this one and the first. New characters are introduced in a way that seems like you're just supposed to know who they are. No real background or development is shared. Also, this book unsettled me for some reason. It's very dark. I'm reading this series to see if it would be ok for my children, but it gave me a bad gut feeling. I'm strongly leaning towards no.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen Morguese is indeed evil and her "sorcery" is portrayed as evil and it does not go against L4M guidelines. These are really such fun books and I hope your reader enjoys them.

Found in L4M YT Volume 39.