Sisters of Sword and Shadow is a fantastic beginning to a new YA fantasy series focused on female empowerment through a fresh retelling of the Arthurian myths.

This was a quieter and slower building YA fantasy that I really enjoyed.Bates really spends time creating these three-dimensional characters and making you so invested in their story. Doing this allows you to lose your heart gradually to the Sisterhood of Silk Knights and feel yourself align with their cause. This is such an epic and empowering take on knighthood, while also meaning every moment is fraught with tension. Their discovery would be disastrous. Bates also ensures that this danger is prevalent, with extreme measures having to be taken to protect the group. There are some impactful political and social throughlines that are as relevant today as they have ever been.

This is a book where every action has an eventual consequence and that reckoning is often deadly. It is dirty and gritty, but also so character focused and weaving in some thought provoking discussions around morality, the ability to change and the idea of legacy. Also, the fighting sequences in this were amazing. From the training fights to the real battlefield, they were brutal and you could practically feel the dirt spray from the ground. I loved that Cass had to slog and work to get better, rather than instinctively know everything. She is a great protagonist, with that youthful hopefulness and desire to be something other than the preconceived notion of what a woman is. Bates gives you some intriguing hints about where she might be heading next in her development. When I first picked this up, I didn’t know this was the start of a series but boy am I hooked and excited to see where Bates takes this next. That ending certainly allows for some interesting possibilities.

Sisters of Sword and Shadow is an excellent balance of action-packed sequences and quieter, more character focused moments.

Unfortunately Sisters of Sword and Shadow was not at all what I expected. I will readily admit I didn't finish. I got about a quarter of the way in and realised I was still as bored with it as when I started. Nothing exciting happened, nothing that made me feel drawn into the book. And alas, that meant I could not force myself to finish.

Sisters of Sword and Shadow follows the story of Cass as she encounters a mysterious sisterhood of knights she never knew existed, and realises that there is a life for her beyond the expectations for her to get married and have children. I loved the relationships between Cass and her fellow knights, especially the bond she shared with Lily. There were a lot of twists towards the end and I couldn’t put the book down as I was mesmerised by the author’s beautiful writing style, and I really enjoyed how the story played out in the end. I’m hoping for more either in this universe or other books by the author, and I would definitely recommend this to any fans of Arthurian legend, particularly those looking for a more feminist approach. I loved this book!

2.5 stars, rounded UP because female knights!

This book had a lot of potential, but didn't eventually deliver. My sense is, there is no single plot, just things happening one after the other. Which wouldn't be so bad except that the pace falls off so much in the middle that I was tempted to DNF. Also, while I'm all for a feminist take on the Knights of the Round Table, this was seemed way too simplistic—far more MG than YA (not that MG fiction cannot have age-appropriate subtlety either). Perhaps this was a deliberate tactic of the author, but this could have been a 5-star book with a little more depth.

I'd still be interested if there's a sequel.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Sisters of Sword and Shadow" by Laura Bates is a captivating journey into a world where courage and sisterhood triumph over adversity. From the first page to the last, Bates weaves a tale that seamlessly blends fantasy, adventure, and the unbreakable bond between two sisters.

The world-building in this novel is nothing short of impressive. Bates crafts a rich and immersive setting that feels both familiar and fantastical, complete with intricate details that bring the world to life. The author's ability to create a vivid and engaging backdrop for the story adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.

The characters are the heart and soul of "Sisters of Sword and Shadow." The protagonists, with their distinct personalities and well-defined arcs, are easy to root for. The dynamic between the sisters is beautifully portrayed, and the evolution of their relationship throughout the story is both heartwarming and empowering. Bates excels at giving her characters emotional depth, making them relatable and endearing.

The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with a perfect blend of action, intrigue, and character development. The plot is full of twists and turns that add layers to the story, preventing predictability and maintaining a high level of excitement. The narrative unfolds with a natural flow, making it easy to get lost in the world of the book.

Bates tackles themes of resilience, empowerment, and the strength found in familial bonds with finesse. The novel goes beyond a mere adventure story, offering readers a thoughtful exploration of the complexities of sisterhood and the power that comes from embracing one's true self.

While the book stands strong on its own, leaving room for potential sequels, the ending provides a satisfying resolution to the central conflicts. Bates manages to tie up loose ends while leaving just enough open for readers to ponder the characters' futures.

In conclusion, "Sisters of Sword and Shadow" is a must-read for fans of fantasy and those who appreciate strong, well-developed characters. Laura Bates has delivered a compelling narrative filled with magic, sisterhood, and a powerful message about finding strength in the face of adversity. This book is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess and is sure to leave a lasting impression on its readers.

Sisters of Sword and Shadow is a YA feminist reimaging of the Arthurian legend - offering a new twist to the knights of the round table tale we all know.

The book follows Cass, a young girl who wants nothing more than to be free, climb trees and experience all that the world has to offer - but her family has more traditional plans for her, marriage and children. So one day when a mysterious hooded rider helps her and whisks her away, she doesn't hesitate and jumps at the chance of adventure and the path less walked for woman of her time. From here she enters into a world of sword play, tourneys and woman taking back their power.

It was an easy read and pretty enjoyable! I think I may have went in expecting a lot more from it so that's on me, however, there is the set up of something much bigger so I will assume there will be a future sequel (?) although I had assumed it was a stand alone originally.

Cass is a seventeen year old girl living in the world of King Arthur and his knights, and she is unwilling to live a life of passive servitude as a wife. Her wish becomes reality when a knight comes to her aid one day and offers her the chance at adventure and freedom - this knight is a woman in disguise, and introduces Cass to a secret group of women and girls at Lady Angharad’s manor, women and girls who are knights and squires, strong, happy, and free. But Lady Angharad’s household must keep their sword skills and independence a secret from the rest of the world, lest they attract the attention of cruel yet powerful (male) lords and knights. And whilst Cass finds true happiness and freedom with the sisters of sword and shadow, something strange (even otherworldly) begins to unfold inside her when she faces an opponent in battle, sword in hand, for the very first time…

There is so much to love about this book, but here are just a few of my favourite features:
-authentic female characters and voices in a world of previously-male-dominated Arthurian myths and legends
-LGBTQIA+ representation
-beautiful female friendships/sisterly bonds
-great attention to detail with descriptions of swords/armour/tournament settings (seriously made me gain a new appreciation for the intricacies, and beauty, of swords)

All in all I think Sisters Of Sword and Shadow is such an important book, especially for young girls growing up in a world that can be cruel, unfair, and confusing. This book is a wonderful exploration of freedom, independence, claiming your own power and strength, and forging your own path to happiness. Plus, the cover is stunning, as is Laura Bates’ writing. Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the ARC!

SISTERS OF SWORD AND SHADOW is the first in an epic, feminist reimagining of the Arthuriana body of tales that asks "what if a body of female knights were opposing all the toxic masculinity and casual violence that are core the knights of the round table?"

This tale follows a lot of the classic hero tropes, with a feminist twist. A young girl from a poor background chooses to join a group of knights and begins a journey towards learning their skills and fighting injustice. I grew up on classic fantasy so it holds a special place in my heart. I really enjoyed seeing that "zero to hero" journey start here, but centred around women and exploring the double standards and what is praised in women and in men.

The book weaves in Arthuriana elements (sword in the stone!), but they are more in the background, instead being a "meanwhile, the women were sorting out the issues as the men are on quests." I enjoyed the way Elaine of Shalott was brought in and I am excited to see how her plot resolves later in the series. I hope there are more Arthuriana elements to come.

The one major difficulty I had was that I know the two eras that had a big impact on the creation of the Arthuriana body of myths well - the fall of the Roman empire/arrival of the Saxons (etc) and the High Medieval Era. Which meant I was picking apart the world building somewhat as this book goes down the typical route of a high medieval culture (knights, tournaments etc) but in a much earlier setting (Saxons and Picts and the various kingdoms of that time.)

It's one of the things where trying to switch off research-Sifa is hard. (I know, for example, that Eboracum as the name for present day York doesn't really overlap with the kingdom of Northumbria, it's Eofwic.) It's details like this that most people don't notice but I do and I had to work really hard to stop doing that in order to enjoy the book.

This is the first in a series, and I look forward to the next book as it looks like more fantastical elements (prophecy!!!!) will be brought in, and the consequences of the finale (and a certain knight's actions) are going to come around to bite!

I managed 20% of this but just couldn’t continue. There’s nothing wrong with the writing and I’m sure plenty of readers will enjoy this but for me it fell flat. Not enough excitement to keep me reading and the characters felt predictable.

I very much enjoyed this novel by the founder of the Everyday Sexism project. It follows the story of Cass, rescued from her likely destiny as a wife and mother by a group of female knights, living in an an all-female community, and with a mission to protect others from the local feudal Lord Mordaunt.
This is a clever reimagining of Arthurian tales, where Cass has a hidden destiny, hinted at through the book and revealed in a way which makes me hopeful of a sequel.
As a YA book I think this works well. It explores female friendship, the chances of success in a very patriarchal world, and has a touch of romance I would have loved this at 15, and still enjoyed it a lot at 50!
Thanks to Net Galley.

Sisters of Sword and Shadow by Laura Bates

3 STARS

Sold as a female version of Arthurian legend, this book isn't quite that. What it is, is an enjoyable female-led historical story about one girls life changing discovery.

I love Laura Bates' non-fiction work but this feels like first novel territory. Whilst the premise feels interesting, something is missing - the pacing is uneven at times and things feel like they're building towards the second novel. Worth a read.

"An interesting thing happens, when a man is defeated in combat by a woman... He tells nobody."

Laura Bates' Sisters of Sword and Shadow is the first book in a duology and was advertised as a feminist take on the Arthurian Legend. This didn't feel quite true for the fist book because the Arthurian element was hinted at early, but didn't properly figure until the very end. So in a way, it felt like a lot of the plot was geared towards setting up for the second book.

That said, I enjoyed this novel for what it was: a historical fantasy about a group of women who break the mold of their time. In the opening chapter of the novel, Cass, our protagonist, takes the opportunity to escape the prospect of marriage and children. She joins a secret sisterhood of knights, where she takes up training as a squire. Sisters of Sword and Shadow has strong 'Knight's Tale' vibes: there is the element of the hidden identity, a focus on learning the craft of a knight, there are tournaments and balls, and learning to blend into noble society.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I think the story will appeal to readers who enjoy a feminist take on traditional tales. I look forward to the second book, where I hope the Arthurian storyline will properly take off. 3.5 stars from me - thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this ahead of publication. All opinions are my own and given freely.

A most intriguing read, this is not my usual genre of choice, but as my grandchildren get older, I have become curious about the books they will be introduced to. This debut novel turns the Arthurian legends upside down, why shouldn’t there have been an organisation of brave, strong women who desired to right the wrongs done by men?
This is a mix of Arthurian legend meeting Robin Hood and the best elements are combined.
Cass is a young girl, who doesn’t want the traditional role of marriage and children, she feels called to a different purpose, but has no idea how that will manifest itself. When a locket is taken by force from Cass, another rider is in swift pursuit and invites Cass to join her. With almost no hesitation she gets on the horse and they chase the thief down and he is shot with an arrow. Cass realises she wants to be a part of this new world, and she begins her training to be a squire, and hopefully become a fully trained knight.
The band of females must keep up the pretence that they are subject to an absent Lord, when curious visitors arrive, if their deception is realised, the group will be in danger. They also defend and protect the poor villages held by a neighbouring knight, with gifts of food and emotional support. To gain money, there are tournaments to participate in or plain highway robbery is committed to support the sisterhood. If that fails, there is always the option of using feminine wiles and seduction ,otherwise murder will do very nicely, thank you.
There is a hint of romance for Cass towards the end of this first instalment, and I am greatly looking forward to book 2.
There are characters that are greatly flawed that might gain redemption, there are deaths and a prophecy running throughout this novel, that we can only guess at the ending, but there are definitely heroes and villains on show.
This novel is aimed at middle grade readers, I had to check up the age group reference, it’s been decades since I was at school, apparently 8-12 year olds. I think teens and young adults would be a better recommendation.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Simon and Schuster UK, for my advanced digital read, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I have given 5 star rating. I will leave a review to Goodreads and Amazon UK.

An entertaining adventure that talks about women knight and how a young girl had her life changed.
The pace is a bit uneven but it's entertaining.
3.5 upped to 4
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Laura Bates' "Sisters of Sword and Shadow" is a fun and engaging story that offers a unique take on the legend of the Knights of the Round Table. While it's categorized as a fantasy saga, it reads more like a historical novel, portraying a group of remarkable women warriors who are contemporaries of Arthur's Knights.

The story centers around Cass, a young woman who feels stifled by the prospect of a life devoted to marriage and children, which appears to be the only available option for her. When a mysterious leather-clad woman on horseback extends an alternative path, Cass feels compelled to seize the opportunity.

As a result of her decision, Cass is thrust into a community of women committed to protecting the vulnerable and rectifying the wrongs perpetrated by men. While this new job comes with its own set of challenges, it's a far better option than the limited future Cass was facing not long ago.

The book is an easy and enjoyable read, although at times, it bears traces of Laura Bates' extensive non-fiction writing. The pacing of the story could benefit from some improvements, particularly in the final segments of the book, where things become decidedly hectic.

The conclusion hints at the possibility of a sequel, and I, for one, look forward to it. A continuation could offer a stronger character development arc. While traditional Arthurian purists might object to this unconventional version of Camelot, it is precisely the departure from tradition that adds to the story's appeal. "Sisters of Sword and Shadow" is an enjoyable and engrossing tale that is sure to resonate with a wide range of readers.

I was hooked at Arthurian legend reimagined with female counterparts. I love the whole Arthur and his Knights adventure. I wanted to love this book, but I just couldn't.

Cass, the lead, is a fun rebellious character from the get go. I liked Cass and looked forward to her story, but the characters around her just felt flat for me. Lily irritated me in her bouncy, cheerleader esque persona. Sigrid seemed to have a great story and strong qualities, but she never seemed to be more than a weak supporting prop.
The other female characters seemed to be fall into the usual roles you find in medieval stories. The healer, the lady, the giggling girls, etc. All held down and downtrodden. Yes their Knights, but hidden away.
And the men for what few they are are all the same. Bad. Men are evil and to be mistrusted, at least that's how this story paints them. Even Arthur's knight lack the code of chivalry were supposed to believe they upheld to.

And the timeline and pacing, while linear was rushed or dragged. From days for a journey to a rush home in a single chapter. Was it all in weeks or months, it felt murky for the timeline of the story as well as the back story.

And a love interest shoe horned in. A mythical stag. A prophecy and a pregnant female knight.
This book had it all, but maybe not for the better.

For me it's a leave this book, but if you do grab this book kept it for a bedside table read. Maybe you'll have dreams of adventure.

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy! I will sing from rooftops about this one! Arthurian legends with a feminist angle? SIGN ME UP. The first couple of chapters were slow to start, but after getting through them oh wow was it worth it… I am blown away by the end of this book I absolutely devoured it in the end. And am distraught it is over.

Upon reread- Again, I will sing from rooftops. I adore this work from Laura Bates, and will go on my bookseller list of books to politely shove young YA-ers/ Fantasy-lovers towards. I cannot wait to read more.

This was a pretty easy read and a fun twist on the Arthurian legends we all know and heard about. It was very female forward. The book was more about self-exploration and realizing your own strength on your own. It was also written in a way that made it easy to follow and the plot moved along nicely.

I'm not sure what I expected from this book but it wasnt quite what I got. It's not bad, just thought it'd be a bit more full of legends and myths.

I couldn't get into the writing style so I had to DNF it. There was nothing pulling me into this book and I'm not going to waste my time on something I don't connect with.