Ladies of the Knight

by Fiona Marchbank

In a land where glamorous knights compete in showy tournaments for fame and fortune, George wants to be the best. Being small and untrained means no knight will give her a coveted spot as their squire, but George won’t give up on her dreams so easily.

Serafina is the best knight around, no question. She’s so good that she’s getting bored and reckless in her jousts. It doesn’t help that everyone is mesmerized by Aethelberg, her sparkling rival, who is much better at playing to the crowd, while Serafina would rather keep to herself and practice her swordplay. When Serafina’s wife and patroness insists on her taking plucky George as a squire, Serafina suddenly finds herself in the position she never wanted—a mentor. Their partnership is going to be even harder than it looks, considering George can barely hold a sword without giving herself a black eye and Serafina is even pricklier than the lance she wields. But if either of them are going to take the league of knights by storm, they’ll have to learn that neither of them can do it alone.

In her author-illustrator debut, step into Fiona Marchbank’s (Fairest Of All: A Villains Graphic Novel, Of Her Own Design) colorful, medieval world for fans of Squire and Ella Enchanted and follow George on a quest to be the greatest knight in all the land . . .

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

ebook

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.

[Emily Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of free advanced copy received from Netgalley 3.7 ⭐️ I am weak for a good sapphic knight and this graphic novel didn’t disappoint ⚔️

Whilst this is YA, I do think it’s a comic that’s also pretty solid for advanced readers in the middle grade reading category. The language is a bit more advanced but the storyline feels accessible to a wider age range and I think younger readers will really enjoy this one.

I loved the art style and the styling of the knights was beautiful. There are women knights in this world, and it’s not something that’s hidden or forbidden but accepted and encouraged which was wonderful to see. It has you rooting for George from the outset, and her journey training under a closed off knight.

At times I did want some more happening within the story. This is another reason I’d say it’s best for younger YA & advanced middle grade readers. The story does lean more towards simplistic and easy to follow.

All in all a fun read with some wonderful sapphic representation.

Rep// Sapphic MC, Black Sapphic MC, other BIPOC SCs. Two of the central characters are together in a sapphic relationship.

[Minna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen, I saw lady knights and screamed SOLD!!!

This was a cute story between a grouchy lady knight and her cheerful sunshine squire (a squire that she did not want or needs, or so she thinks). The mentorship relationship between the two of them, and how they both grow in the story is so endearing. I love to see a moody grumpy character slowly begin to melt and slowly let go of their constant unhappy facade. And for a character who was so stubborn and had a death grip on her old ways for so long, to finally welcome change and try to be better (thanks to possibly her "unwanted" bright squire).

Ladies of the Knight was such an enjoyable read. The art was beautiful, the characters were all so lovely and there is queer rep! I will definitely be looking forward to more graphic novels released by this author. Her artwork and storytelling is stunning.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc!

[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.

[willow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong ladies who are knights, beautiful artwork, simple plot. Recommend for the vibes. I found myself a little bored in the second half. Great queer rep.

thanks to netgalley for the arc

[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.

[Katie O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who doesn’t typically read graphic novels, I was surprised how much I enjoyed this bite-sized piece of media. It’s cute and funny, while also building a wholesome YA narrative. I read this in one sitting since I couldn’t put it down!

Specifically, the art style drew me into picking this novel up, and I found it really nails a whimsical depiction of medieval times. I enjoyed the inclusion of the bonus content explaining her character development and illustration process.

The build up of George and Serafina’s friendship was well plotted! George’s bubbly personality slowly defrosting the stoic knight was a great arc.

It’s a pretty simple story that’s bolstered by its lovable characters and immersive illustrations.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

[anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

a delightful graphic novel full of charm and optimism.

i had a great time with george, serafina, and the rest of the cast on this wonderfully colourful adventure! the artstyle is simply charming, and the story takes you to a fictional version of the medieval times.

i loved reading a story that featured plenty of queer characters (and a minimum amount of men). like the author said in the bonus content, i would eat up a whole novel about serafina and minerva's love story!

thank you to oni press and netgalley for providing me this early copy.

[Me, My Shelf, & I]

Utterly charming and delightful. 5/5

A queer, inclusive story about a grumpy knight and the spunky squire her wife makes her take on. There are feisty, lovable horses and plenty of swordfights, jousts, and tournaments. A rivalry and some gentle, wholesome life lessons. All the main characters are female or non-binary, but the tournaments themselves invovle participants of all genders.

It's all set against a backdrop of some lovely art in a really pleasing vintage/muted palette of mostly greens and dusky pinks. Highly recommend!!

[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!!

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies of the Knight is one of those graphic novels that’s surprisingly hard to pin down with a single reaction — not because it’s confusing, but because it hits different emotional notes depending on the reader’s age and experience. For me, it’s a perfect YA read, and it sits beautifully in that younger‑YA space for readers around 13–15.

This is a wonderfully crafted queer‑normative world where women take center stage in jousting, swordplay, and melee — a setting that feels both fresh and comfortingly classic. The worldbuilding is vibrant, inclusive, and full of momentum.

This isn’t sword‑and‑sorcery fantasy with dragons or magic. Instead, it reads like an alternate‑history world where Tudor‑era jousting and courtly pageantry evolved into a full‑fledged sport — complete with big personalities, sponsorship energy, and the kind of theatrical flair you’d expect from modern competitive entertainment, just without the technology. This distinction makes the story far more accessible to readers who prefer grounded, character‑driven fantasy over high‑magic worlds, and it opens the door for younger YA readers to step into the setting without needing prior genre familiarity.

The pacing feels perfectly tuned for younger YA readers — energetic without being overwhelming. Themes of mentorship, identity, and chosen family run throughout, giving the story emotional weight beneath the adventure. But what I loved most is the way the book explores growth and self‑understanding — not just for George, the new squire, but for Serafina, the Lady Knight. This story balances external action with interior reflection, showing that growing into yourself is a lifelong process, no matter your age.

The characters are beautifully complex and real. The relationships are fun, layered, and occasionally deliciously complicated. Serafina is a standout: a champion on the field, headstrong, reckless, prickly, compassionate, and deeply human. When her wife, Lady Minerva, advertises for a squire to help steady her, young George answers the call — and the narrative takes flight.

George is exactly the kind of YA protagonist readers fall in love with: earnest, curious, determined, and full of heart. She brings such bright energy into Serafina’s world that she ends up teaching as much as she learns. Their dynamic — mentor and student, grump and sunshine — elevates the story from a fun adventure to something emotionally resonant.

The art is vivid and expressive, with character designs so distinct that even in silhouette you know exactly who’s on the page. The visual storytelling is confident and immersive, making the world feel fully alive.

The queer‑normative worldbuilding feels effortless — not explained, not justified, simply lived — which makes the story both refreshing and deeply affirming. Readers who love character‑driven adventure, queer joy, and richly imagined fantasy settings grounded in pageantry will find so much to love here.

What makes this world sing isn’t just the visual feast of the artwork, but the way the story connects people through their emotional spaces. It’s a book that allows queer readers to feel seen in a world free of bias and limitation — and invites more traditional readers to step into that same world and experience relationships and identities presented without qualifiers, conflict, or constraint.

As an older reader, I found myself wanting a bit more backstory and character exploration — but for YA readers who prioritize action, heart, and momentum, this graphic novel is memorable in the best way.

Final thoughts:
Adult‑me gives this a solid four stars.
Fifteen‑year‑old me would have given it six.
So I’m happily averaging to five stars.

Thank you to the Publisher & NetGalley for sharing an DRC of this with me

[Kerena · Rating 5 out of 5]

** 4.5 stars rounded up**

Ladies of the Knight by Fiona Marchbank is a vibrant, heartfelt graphic novel that crafts a world full of medieval tournaments, rivalries, mentorship, but at its heart, this is a story about growth, self-discovery, and finding your place. Set in a colourful world where knights compete for fame and glory, the story follows aspiring squire George and the legendary but reluctant knight Serafina as they navigate an unlikely partnership. What I particularly enjoyed was how both characters develop over the course of the story. Serafina begins with a single-minded focus on victory but gradually learns that success isn't everything. George's journey felt just as rewarding, as she comes to realise that she doesn't have to follow exactly in Serafina's footsteps to succeed. Instead, she discovers her own strengths and carves out an identity that belongs to her. The classic grumpy-sunshine dynamic between the two leads is both hilarious and touching, making their growth feel genuinely rewarding.

The artwork completely stole the show for me. Every page is packed with bursts colours, expressive faces, and beautifully detailed costumes. I was especially obsessed with the tournament armour designs, which gave each competitor so much personality. The action sequences are dynamic and easy to follow, while quieter moments are allowed to breathe through the visuals. Although the art often carries the emotional weight of a scene, there are also plenty of witty lines scattered throughout that genuinely made me laugh.

Another aspect I appreciated was the queer-normative setting. LGBTQ+ characters and relationships exist naturally within the world, allowing the story to focus on friendship, ambition, competition, and personal growth rather than prejudice or acceptance.

The only reason this wasn't quite a five-star read for me is that I wanted more! Some plot points, particularly the rivalry between Serafina and Æthelburg, felt like they could have been explored in greater depth. The wider world is so interesting that I found myself wishing for more background or plot development. As a result, the pacing occasionally moves a little too slowly.

Overall, Ladies of the Knight is a joyful, visually stunning graphic novel packed with heart, humour, and swordplay. Fans of knightly adventures and queer fantasy will find plenty to love here. Between the gorgeous artwork, memorable cast, and uplifting themes, it's a story that's incredibly easy to fall into. I finished it wanting to spend more time with these characters and this world, which is always a sign of a great read!

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

[Veron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ladies of the Knight is an action-packed, women-centered and wholesome graphic novel that for me was reminiscent of Nimona and various sports animes.

With origins from tumblr, the now completed graphic novel features an alternate Medieval Europe where knights and squires are treated like modern celebrities with public interviews and business sponsorships. The story starts when bubbly, aspiring knight George applies to squire for famous, skilled but unpopular Serafina. George's novice skill and the latter's unwillingness to be a mentor will be challenge, later benefit, to both. While the plot mainly follows George's training under Serafina, it also goes concurrent to various tournaments, rivalries, and everyday lives of knights.

The art offers an angular illustrative style that went perfect with the subjects such as armors, fences and the general medieval setting. This is paired with the creative, colorful, and distinct wardrobe and character design choices.

The author took clever liberties on having the sport more inclusive to women and having the story revolve on a mostly women cast. I appreciated the diversity of relationships portrayed. Serafina has a wife Minerva that also works as her patron and financer. Also playing a part are Serafina's long-time friend, Frances; sport rival, Aeltherburg; and mentor. Sport training stories usually feature a young cast but in here, it is mostly adults with their own individual strengths and weaknesses, and differences they could set aside in support of the mentee figure, George.

This wide web of character relations, while fun, became a hindrance in utilizing the page count for developing and exploring the characters and world in a deeper level. There are some flashbacks to the older characters that made it feel like this is already a sequel to an unwritten book. Even the author is aware of this as she mentions in the afterword about a possible sapphic romance story set earlier. On the brighter side, I think there is indeed a lot of potential for spin-offs.

The sports and tournament aspect of book would be enjoyable for those who are already a fan of them. However, despite the excellent visuals on the action, there was a lack of adequate tension, drive, and desperation usually present on other media that deal with competitive sports. Because of this, I wasn't really engaged with the tournament parts. Thankfully, the book gives the above mentioned elements to latch on instead.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the eARC of the book.

[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!

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and fun little graphic novel! Lady Serafina is a champion knight - strong, ferocious and a force to be reckoned with on the tournament fields. In contrast, George isn’t the traditional picture of a knight. She’s small and untrained, but what she lacks in skills she makes up for in enthusiasm and is determined to prove herself as a squire and help Lady Serfina beat her flamboyant rival Lady Aethelburg. It’s cosy, heartwarming and sapphic - what else could you possibly want?

The artstyle is just so perfect for the story. It’s vibrant and expressive and just so gorgeous to look at. The characters all look so distinct, highlighted by the often relatively plain backgrounds which I actually really liked as a window into the artistic process behind the pages and as a way to not distract from the action scenes and emotions. The colour scheme was lovely and soft creating a really cosy atmosphere. It was just such a feast for the eyes!

I do wish the plot had been a little less meandering. It was very obvious that this had been adapted from a webcomic and I think the story could have done with a little tightening, but I still did enjoy it. The rivalry between Serafina and Aethelburg was super fun. Serafina and George were both such wonderful protagonists, I loved how they both complemented and contrasted each other. Serafina was effortlessly cool and George was just so endearing. George’s plot in knight school was probably my favourite, and I would have loved to see more of the school itself! I did also really like how Serafina and her relationship was written. There was no unnecessary drama, they spoke to one another and Serafina, despite her flaws, did seem to have a heart of gold and I really liked seeing her develop throughout. The fact that the story follows both Serafina and George means that there are plot aspects to appeal to both a young adult and an adult audience so I’d really recommend this to all ages.

I don’t have much else to say about this one other than it was really cute, a lot of fun and will be a great read for any fans of sapphic or cosy graphic novels (or those obsessed with lady knights), and even those who don’t read a lot of graphic novels like myself. The story is very ‘slice of life’ which may not appeal to everyone but makes for a great escape and I’ll keep my eyes pealed for whatever the artist does next!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for giving me early access to this wonderful graphic novel!

I didn't know, going into this, that the concept of the Knight (Serafina) and her Squire (George) had originated on Tumblr. However, as I started reading, I got an inkling of recognition, and eventually found the original art of the characters on Tumblr, posted by the author something like 12 years ago. Imagine my delight! I was so excited to find that a whole story about the Knight and the Squire now existed. George is everything that can be expected of her age: awkward, eager, and ecstatic to be a squire. Serafina, on the other hand, is grumpy, caustic, and incredibly bored as a knight.

So of course, when Serafina's wife makes her take on George as her squire, they clash. This is very much a typical grumpy-mentor-meets-enthusiastic-protege story. Serafina and George learn how to exist together, and develop a very warm and caring friendship in addition to their teacher-and-student situation. The two of them have their ups and downs but the story makes it clear that Serafina is the knight to teach George, and George is exactly the squire Serafina needs.

I loved how the politics of the knighthood was explored throughout the story - it doesn't exactly map onto how things worked in medieval times in our world, it's much queerer and feminist - but it still had a whole system designed for the world in which the story takes place. Knights perform for crowds every week, in jousting, archery, and other pursuits, and George has a whole journey of learning which things she and her other squires excel at.

The art, of course, is stunning to look at. Fiona Marchbank does some very interesting things with colour and negative space in some panels, and overall the images are very cohesive. The character designs are excellent too - nobody is identical or suffers from same face syndrome, as one often finds in mainstream comics and graphic novels. Each character is distinctive not just in appearance but in personality, too. It really makes for an enjoyable, well-rounded experience.

I loved this story, and while I think the author may be done with George and Serafina for now, I would absolutely love to see a sequel.

[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 🐍

[Eve Rever de livre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, well, well...

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed by this graphic novel, but let’s start with the positives part.

Technically, I LOVED the artwork, the color palette and simply the book itself, which is genuinely beautiful. This graphic novel charms us with its illustrations and style, which draw us into its world. It features a lot of movement and play with light. Truly sublime artwork that makes you want to explore the artist’s work even.

As for the story itself, I found the pacing very uneven, which made me read it in several time. The story is a bit like a slice of historical life that immerses us in customs and daily routines that are quite unique. It was interesting, but it’s true that the pace is slow at times. Obviously, huge point for this queer story that focuses heavily on women !

Overall, the artwork is sublime, even though the story is a bit long.

Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this title in advance.

------

Bon Bon bon...

J'avoue avoir été un peu déçue de ce roman graphique mais commençons par le positif.

Techniquement, j'ai ADORE le trait, la palette et juste tout simplement l'objet en lui même qui est sincèrement beau. Ce roman graphique nous charme par les dessins et son style qui nous plonge dans l'univers. Il a beaucoup de jeux de mouvements, de lumières. Vraiment un sublime graphique qui mérite de s'interesser encore plus au travail de l'artiste.

Concernant le fond du graphique, j'ai trouvé le rythme très inégale qui m'a fait lire en plusieurs fois. L'histoire est un peu comme une tranche de vie historique qui nous plonge dans des coutumes, des quotidiens qui particuliers. C'était intéressant mais c'est vrai que le rythme est lent par moment. Evidemment énorme gros point sur cette histoire queer et qui parle beaucoup de femmes !

En gros, un sublime graphique bien que l'histoire est un peu longue.

Merci à Netgalley de m'avoir permis de lire ce titre en avant première.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netgalley review, possible plot points mentioned below (SPOILERS ARE POSSIBLE BELOW, you have been warned)


Ladies of the Knight is a very endearing read and is easy to fall in love with right away.

First off, as an artist myself I have to show my deep love and appreciation towards the art itself. The art is inviting in its soft yet vibrant colors that are cohesive with each other (even when the pages switch to a different pallet based of the vibes of the moment). The art style is also very soft despite its very angular outlines that give each character their own individuality. Sometimes the shapes of the characters seep into the background with no outline which gives it that soft inviting look. Overall I am obsessed.
(Especially Aethelburg and her armour!! Hello?? Her helmet is one of my favorites, looks very reminiscent to my favorite type of helmet - bascinet hounskull (if it isn't already)) last on visuals for now is LADY FRANCES'S PURPLE OUTFIT!! OBSESSED.

Story wise its very wholesome, every character is very likeable despite their faults. Its refreshing to see characters owning up to their own insecurities that caused them to lash out at others, in particular I'm obviously talking about Lady Serafina. I love seeing Serafina at the end pushing through the embarrassment of being terrible at something that her squire excels at and trying to take lessons to better herself. Its hard taking accountable for lashing out at someone and its hard to admit when your bad at something. I think it has a very nice message to it.

George joining Serafina as her squire was so important to not only her growth as a knight but Serafinas too.

Also my deep love for Floriant is unmatched, they have my heart. (Sir Rowan and Lady Helga were baddies too)

Every character had such fun designs, I love them all.

I thank the authors and netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book.

[star · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enourmously charming piece of art! Definitely more character-focused than plot-driven, this had an amazing ensemble of characters. All the main characters are female or non-binary, there's a vast range of character designs and all are enchanting. You'll find everything from a wildly energetic and driven squire reminiscent of Merida and Alice (in Wonderland) to grumpy lesbian knights and her rival the frilly magic girl knight and so on. Even the horses had so much character. The author noticeably had fun playing around with gender expression and challenging stereotypes, deviating from what you might expect the middle ages to be like.

Marchbank's art style quickly became one of my all time favorites, brimming with colors it immerses you seamlessly into a fantastical version of the middle ages. The panelling was so well done, there's a lot of cool and unique pages! Between the chapters, the color palettes change, giving Marchbank a lot to play with. Color was exceptionally well used and the character development through the art style was really cool. The characters all had such different fashion, noses, hair, body types and more which made everyone look unique and memorable.

While there's less of a plot, following these characters was a blast and there's moments of character growth, gentle life lessons and sweet depictions of friendship which were heart-warming. We follow our squire George and her mentor Serafina in their knighthood, as they train with swords, battle in jousts, tournaments, care for their horses, and more, all while maintaining their rivalries and relationships. Even though it's not a central point in the story, Serafina and Minerva's marriage was one of the most wonderful depictions of older lesbian couples who've been together for a long time.

[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.

[mika · Rating 5 out of 5]

[MANY thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for the e-arc!]

so. that was phenomenal. it would be an understatement to say i loved everything from beginning to end.

first of all, can we talk about how GORGEOUS the colour palette and designs are?? it's obvious the creator put her soul into every single detail. the bonus content about clothing choices was so interesting as well!

i was very pleasantly surprised to get into an incredible reimagined medieval world, with queer women at the centre. the whole world has so many intricacies; i wish the book was longer so i could get a deeper sense of everything!

the characters were all singular and, i felt, deeply human. of course, we get to know george and serafina the most—they are the main characters, after all—but every single one of them clearly was thought through. and i loved them all!
i also really enjoyed the different kinds of dynamic/relationship that were displayed. there is a little bit for every reader, i think: serafina/minerva's romance, serafina/frances' and george/floriant's friendships, serafina/æthelburg's rivalry and of course mentor/pupil relationships with serafina/george and æthelburg/floriant. i found it great how they were all on the same pedestal and had their own time to shine. i've grown so fond of them in such a short amount of time!

to summarise, i feel like this is the sort of universe that one could build an entire series from. i think this is a standalone, but i truly wouldn't mind at all if the creator was to make more. there are still many things to tell! for instance, the adult characters' pasts were only touched upon in brief flashbacks throughout the book, and i would love to know all there is to know.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow a knight, as she prepares for and competes in various "medieval sports" competitions, and her new squire, as they go through "knight school". Serafina, our knight and reluctant mentor, is a bit prickly, while her squire, George, is a bubbly delight! Will Serafina ever defeat her rival? And will George pass her exams?

Oh, and our knights are not what you'd expect, because this world is queernormative - the book's strength is its diversity. I appreciated spending time with our characters who are free to be themselves in this non-patriarchal world. Its representation was appreciated and refreshing and ultimately empowering to see women and nonbinary characters dominate in a traditionally male area. As a fan of the sport, I can see the roller derby inspiration subtly threaded throughout, and this added additional meaning.

Intended as a YA story, this was easy to follow and accessibly written. Another strength was the art, which was fantastic, with bold colouring and beautiful detailing. This is a cozy, slice-of-life story about a group of characters and their relationships, and nothing climactic really happens so if you're expecting a high action plot you might be disappointed. I found that this lacked a bit of flow, as we hopped from chapter to another, and then it ended somewhat abruptly. Still, I think this will work for many readers looking for a cozy tale, certainly for readers of all ages looking to see themselves in a world different from our own.

Overall this was a fun and exceptionally visual read - come for the representation, stay for the gorgeous art, and leave with a smile wanting more!

Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[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.