are you looking for a fierce nonbinary fantasy lead, battling oppressive gender norms and abusive adults, forging a found family of traumatised kids while being supported by their two loving dads?
read this if you enjoyed The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle; Robin of Sherwood by Michael Morpurgo; The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
rep: nonbinary, Sapphic MC; two Achillean dads; queer-coded secondary cast; side characters dealing with various levels of trauma and anxiety; grieving mother with implied depression.
cw: child abuse (physical, emotional, psychological); bullying; deadnaming; misgendering; incarceration of a child; abusive parents; gaslighting; implied suicide of a parent; death of a sibling; grief; anxiety; trauma; generally homophobic/queerphobic society.

Let me first say, those who follow my reviews know I try to review fairly, honestly, and lean more towards strict than forgiving in my critique. So, prepare yourselves, because according to my notes this is officially A. Perfect. Book. I truly can't recommend it highly enough. This story is essential reading for all ages. I think adults will find the themes of child abuse, coded and blatant queerphobia, and intense parental threat difficult to deal with at times, but for younger readers I think Callie's fierce, determined voice and personality will shield them from the full horror of the villain's schemes.

There is nothing quite like Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston. A high fantasy medieval MG novel with a significant page count that reads with wonderful ease and engaging prose, with characters to die for and an important and timely message, with universal themes and exquisite pacing. A nonbinary lead with two dads in a beautifully supportive relationship, exploring what it means to be a family and how to heal from trauma. The story doesn't shy away from the horrors of child abuse, with three of the main child characters experiencing this throughout the story, and Callie also not being spared. The fundamental trajectory of the novel is how to be brave, and what it means to be kind and strong. I have no doubt this will be my best book of 2022. I can't wait for my physical copy to arrive so I can start highlighting whole paragraphs.

Thank you, Esme Symes-Smith, for writing this book. Thank you for bringing Calllie, Willow, Edwyn and Elowyn to life. Thank you for Neal and Nick. Thank you for having a sequel in the pipeline - please give us more! I would adore seeing this cast of characters grow through their teenage years.

BUY THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW.

CAWPILE: 10 (5*) HOLY CRAP IT'S A PERFECT BOOK!
favourite character: Neal and Nick. Perfectly imperfect parents, I wish they were both my dads.
most relatable character: All the kids, especially Edwyn and Elowyn in the second half, and Willow in the first half.
a wish: Please make this series longer than a duology!
disclaimer: I read this on my Kindle, but I've bought a paperback copy as well. That's how much I love this book! First ever multi-format purchase <3