Lady’s Knight is an engaging read that keeps you eager to find out what happens next. Set in medieval times, the novel follows Gwen, a blacksmith’s daughter, as she secretly enters the Tournament of Dragon Slayers disguised as ‘Sir Gawain’. Isobelle, a noblewoman fears an unwanted marriage. But she is not to be courted – her fate is to be claimed like a trophy, the victor’s prize.

The two form an unlikely bond, driven by necessity but growing into something deeper. Isobelle proposes that Gwen stay with her at the castle to refine her skills and improve her chances. Together, they carefully maintain Gwen’s dual identity: knight in the tournament, and supposedly the knight’s sister. With Isobelle’s hand and dowry on offer, Gwen’s victory becomes a shared hope.

The growing tension between them allows for a nuanced exploration of forbidden Sapphic love, which forms the heart of the novel.

The writer’s witty humour doesn’t go unnoticed, though modern phrasing – while likely appealing to younger readers – occasionally pulled me out of the historical setting. Despite the title, there’s less action than expected, and some emotional beats feel a little interrupted. That said, Lady’s Knight remains an emotionally charged read with plenty of longing, and a narrator who delivers clever commentary woven through the protagonists’ doubts and questions of fate.

Amie Kaufman is a New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of science fiction and fantasy. Her multi-award winning work has been translated into nearly thirty languages, and is in development for film and TV.

Raised in Australia and occasionally Ireland, Amie has degrees in history, literature, law and conflict resolution, and is currently undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing. She’s the host of podcasts Amie Kaufman on Writing, and Pub Dates.

Amie lives by the sea in Melbourne, Australia, with her family and an extremely large personal library. Her latest books are The Isles of the Gods and Lady’s Knight.

Visit her website here.