Customer Reviews

The Lioness and Her Knight (The Squire's Tales)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
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This book is actually the sequel to 'The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf', my favourite book in 'The Squire's Tales' series. It follows the adventures of Gaheris and Lynet's daughter, Luneta, as she leaves home for the first time and sets out into the big wide world.

This book is in many ways very similar to its predecessor, most importantly in the quality and humourousness of its writing. Once again, this author proves his merit and reconfirms my view that he is one of the finest, most intelligent and most consistent authors around at the moment. He'll make you laugh, and while you're doing it, he'll also make you think. His insights are second to none. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

The Lioness and Her Knight is a great addition to The Squire's Tales series. The reader is reunited with characters that we love to love from earlier novels, and we are introduced to new characters that are stubborn, skilled, funny, silly, shallow, magical, and strong. Our heroes, Luneta, Rhience, and Ywain have some great adventures, some romance, and of course, learn some things about others and themselves along the way. Gerald Morris has once again woven a classic Arthurian story into a fun, witty tale for today's young people and adults.

This book was as good as the first ones. There wasn't as much casual killing.

Gerald Morris is humours,informative on Arthurian legend,and has a very good plot. I have enjoyed all of his books. These books most avid readers can finish in less then a day but sorry to have it end.

Adult or child will enjoy this book. It is a page turner.

The overall plot is the romance between this woman and Ywain, but it gets more complicated. For one thing, Luneta is the main character, and she's going around all over the place. Characters are coming in and out, in and out. There are mini-stories, of how this evil man was killed and that evil man banished. It's one mixing pot of what could be two or three different stories.

The good thing is that the characters are likeable. Luneta is beautiful, smart, and plucky. Rhience is witty and amusing. There is a hermit whose entertaining and gives a whole new meaning to 'holy'. The romance is pretty well developed. The smart, funny dialogue really adds spice and flavour. Yep, the dialogue definitely makes the book more 'good' than 'bad'.

I have been a Gerald Morris fan for years (my friends and I would occasionally act out scenes), and this newest addition to his series is just as much fun as the rest. In the style of The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf, a plucky young lady longing to leave home joins up with a young knight and a man calling himself a fool...and marvelous adventures ensue. A bevy of enchantresses, our old favorites Sir Gawain and Squire Terence, an elf calling himself "Snowflake," and, oh yes, a lioness--all make their appearences. I really enjoyed the characters, found Luneta refreshing, and Gawain, Terence, Morgan and other previously met characters holding perfectly in their roles. The culminating "battle" at the end (read it yourself) left me laughing, and the witty comments of the characters made me smile. It was a delight to read and to fans of Gerald Morris' previous works--don't wait another minute to add this one to your list!

My books undergo a simple test: I must like the story when I reread it as much as I did the first time. If it does turn sour on a rereading, it is, a, exiled from the shelf of the very best; or, b, sold, providing it's in good condition. (My favorite novels are the ones that grow richer over time, rather like old friends. Emma, by Jane Austen, is like that.) I am pleased to report that The Lioness and Her Knight has passed the test. I love the characters, for one thing. There's Ywain, foolish in a lovable way; Luneta, manipulative but well-meaning; Rhience, who rolls his eyes at it all; and Lass, of course. And, as an added treat, we get to see Lynet and Gaheris again. I really liked all the parts that they were in, because The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf is my favorite. The plot's also excellent; you never know just what's going to happen. Did I mention that I love this book?

These are marvelous books. The writing is witty and imaginative, but Morris doesn't neglect the wisdom in the tales, although he uses a light hand. I hope he publishes another one before I finish the most recent in the series!

The book moves quickly and the characters are sharply drawn. Morris' prose doesn't get in the way of a good story. The source is Chretien de Troyes' The Knight of the Lion and Morris adapts his material imaginatively.

And that is all: it's a good story for young teens with strong characters, supported by a lively style of writing. Morris is neither Troyes nor Mallory.

The Author's Note is an unfortunate embarrassment. Morris understands neither Homer nor Virgil if all he can say of them is that their works were "just elaborate adventure stories for boys." His criticism of Homer and Virgil's women--that they are "disposable"--is simply wrong: Helen, Penelope, and Dido, to say nothing of the goddesses, possess a substance that has lasted millenia.

I have loved all of Gerald Morris's Squire's Tales so far, and this book was no exception. Strong characters, with a great plot, and wit made it hard to put down. The character Rhience also gave a wonderful insight into the life of a fool (That they may speak the truth, no matter how harsh because others will always think they are joking) and into that of holy men (A holy hermit appreciates all that he has although he does not work for it, he only trusts that god will provide and therefore shares all he has). All who love Arthurian Legend will enjoy this book and the rest of the series.

The Lioness & her Knight was a humorous tale and definately worthwhile. I have read all of the books in the series and each one is as good as the first. Gerald Morris is an excellent writer and includes past charactors in his recent ones which is something I adore. Luneta is a witty charactor who always seems to get involved with everyone's affairs. A romantic tale great for all ages.