Sir Callie and the Dragon's Roost

October 15, 2023
In this follow-up to 2022's Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston, aspiring knight Callie grapples with right and wrong as their kingdom prepares for war. After Callie defeated Chancellor Peran, they thought Helston would become a more welcoming kingdom. Under the queen's new decrees, anyone can train for knighthood or study magic regardless of gender. The rules may have changed, but people still fear magic. Even without Peran's influence, the council pressures Queen Ewella to make Crown Prince Willow conform to their standards of masculinity--they are determined to push Helston backward. Meanwhile, a war with the evil dragons and witches of Dumoor looms on the horizon. All Callie wants is to protect their people, but when tragedy strikes, fear and prejudice turn the entire city, including the queen, against Callie and their family. Forced to flee to protect their friends, Callie joins forces with an unexpected ally and begins to question everything they know about dragons and good and evil. This fast-paced sequel confronts complex topics, including abuse, trauma, and unlearning bias. Although the messaging in Callie's ruminations lacks subtlety at times, the story encourages critical thinking. Gender identity and self-expression remain significant themes as well. Exciting plot twists and a cliffhanger ending heighten anticipation for the next entry. Most central characters read white; the wider world around them includes racial diversity. A suspenseful fantasy quest driven by social themes. (author's note, map) (Fantasy. 8-12)

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Starred review from November 1, 2023

Gr 3-7-This fantasy sequel to Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston is just as exciting as the first, and begins a few months later. Nonbinary Callie, 12, is now a page, and Prince Willow, 12, is expected to soon take the reins of power of Helston. Magic-wielding Elowen and her brother Edwyn are recovering from their banished father's physical and emotional abuse. Soldiers from Helston are attacked and killed in neighboring Dumoor, and Teo, a Dumoor shapeshifting human-dragon who uses xe/xem/xir pronouns, is captured. After Edwyn is outed to the court for being able to do magic, a practice boys are now reluctantly permitted, the distrustful Queen imprisons him and Elowen, and Edwyn is tortured. Callie and Willow rescue them and Teo, and they flee to Dumoor across Helston's bridge, pursued by the Helston soldiers. Callie and Elowen's growing relationship is threatened by Elowen's burning desire for revenge against Helston. Secrets are exposed, alliances tested, and heartbreak endured as the shocking ending guarantees more adventures. The intersectional cast that cues as white are fully realized, especially stubborn and determined Callie, as each character struggles to be found worthy and have agency in a world where adults erroneously believe they know best. (Author's note includes content warning). VERDICT This page-turning second book in a rousing fantasy series that's both an action-packed adventure and psychological study of young people persevering despite tremendous odds.-Sharon Rawlins

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