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elsie10's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sebastiannothwell's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
I know I'm not the first reader to say "lesbian A Knight's Tale" and I doubt I will be the last.
But I'll be damned if Lesbian A Knight's Tale doesn't hit good.
There's more to it, of course, than the already very strong premise of hidden identity at a tournament. Even more than the even stronger premise of a sapphic cross-dresser fighting for her lady's hand. Every medieval history tidbit gave me a delightful sense of vindication. Every plot twist was both earned and satisfying. To say nothing of the beer brewing, the refreshingly non-villified embroidery, the literal bodice-ripping, and my favorite medieval English nickname. There's a lot here to reward the reader for diving in to this queer adventure.
This book is already out in the UK (you lucky bastards) but if you're stateside you can preorder it wherever fine books are found!
But I'll be damned if Lesbian A Knight's Tale doesn't hit good.
There's more to it, of course, than the already very strong premise of hidden identity at a tournament. Even more than the even stronger premise of a sapphic cross-dresser fighting for her lady's hand. Every medieval history tidbit gave me a delightful sense of vindication. Every plot twist was both earned and satisfying. To say nothing of the beer brewing, the refreshingly non-villified embroidery, the literal bodice-ripping, and my favorite medieval English nickname. There's a lot here to reward the reader for diving in to this queer adventure.
This book is already out in the UK (you lucky bastards) but if you're stateside you can preorder it wherever fine books are found!
annineamundsen's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this one! Dressing up as a boy to fight in a tournament (and win the girl) - classic! If you don't want to read the first book, just read a quick summary and you'll be good
CW: previous abusive parent, forced marriage, injury
CW: previous abusive parent, forced marriage, injury
horuskat's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
batchy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
danparrock's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Wealthy sapphics living their working-class fantasies in medieval Oxfordshire: iconic.
Woman crossdressing to fight in a knight tournament: iconic.
Love a surprise reveal that characters are secretly related (not the love interests dw).
Woman crossdressing to fight in a knight tournament: iconic.
robofrog's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
botal93's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 (Painted) Stars
This was fabulous.
It's my first ever F/F book. Would I have picked it up had I not been offered the ARC? I'm not sure, it's not something I'd normally go for, but I did love the title and cover.
I loved One Night in Hartswood - this is set in the same world, and focuses on Raff and Penn's sisters, Lily and Jo. It's technically standalone, but I'd recommend reading Hartswood first, as it's peppered with references to characters and events from that story.
Jo and Lily's story stands apart well from its predecessor - it felt a lot less dangerous, and there was much more focus on the relationship between the characters. Because of this, I'd say All The Painted Stars is much more character than plot driven. Don't get me wrong, the plot is interesting, and has a couple of great twists that really grabbed me. But, for me, it was the characters that made All The Painted Stars truly shine.
I adored Lily - she's loyal, fluffy, fiery, and fiercely independent. It's very clear right off the bat that she feels more that friendship towards Johanna. Jo, on the other hand, is more timid and tends to do whatever she thinks will make people happy. I loved both of them as characters. For me, Jo had the most and best character growth, and I loved following her part in the story.
This I would say had less steam that its predecessor - I'm not sure if that's due to the change from M/M to F/F, or just because the story didn't call for it as much - but the moments that were included were written poetically and beautifully. Emma Denney has just as much skill with words here as she did in Hartswood.
My reason for deducting half a star is that the ARC was a little messy at times, with italicised words being in the wrong places at times, which made parts of the book a little confusing to read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for inviting me to this ARC. This is my honest review.
This was fabulous.
It's my first ever F/F book. Would I have picked it up had I not been offered the ARC? I'm not sure, it's not something I'd normally go for, but I did love the title and cover.
I loved One Night in Hartswood - this is set in the same world, and focuses on Raff and Penn's sisters, Lily and Jo. It's technically standalone, but I'd recommend reading Hartswood first, as it's peppered with references to characters and events from that story.
Jo and Lily's story stands apart well from its predecessor - it felt a lot less dangerous, and there was much more focus on the relationship between the characters. Because of this, I'd say All The Painted Stars is much more character than plot driven. Don't get me wrong, the plot is interesting, and has a couple of great twists that really grabbed me. But, for me, it was the characters that made All The Painted Stars truly shine.
I adored Lily - she's loyal, fluffy, fiery, and fiercely independent. It's very clear right off the bat that she feels more that friendship towards Johanna. Jo, on the other hand, is more timid and tends to do whatever she thinks will make people happy. I loved both of them as characters. For me, Jo had the most and best character growth, and I loved following her part in the story.
This I would say had less steam that its predecessor - I'm not sure if that's due to the change from M/M to F/F, or just because the story didn't call for it as much - but the moments that were included were written poetically and beautifully. Emma Denney has just as much skill with words here as she did in Hartswood.
My reason for deducting half a star is that the ARC was a little messy at times, with italicised words being in the wrong places at times, which made parts of the book a little confusing to read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for inviting me to this ARC. This is my honest review.