Mercedes Lackey Reviews

Added February 24, 2006

One Good Knight

Author: Mercedes Lackey
Publisher: Luna Books
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: March 2006
Genre: Fantasy: Romantic
Format: Hardback
Price: $24.95
ISBN: 037380217X
Author Email/Website: www.mercedeslackey.com/
Reviewer: Cyndi Witkus
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

Fairytales gone wrong. How many times have we wondered if that's possible? In the Land of the 500 Kingdoms, they know that without their Fairy Godmothers and the Champions, the fairytales would be fulfilled in the wrong way, thus every effort must be made to ensure the people's best interest. Yet in the land known as Acadia, they've not seen or been sent a Godmother or a Champion. For Andromeda, that was a sad lack. She was a bookworm, oculars included. Though not as beautiful as her mother, Cassandra, Andromeda was loved by all who knew her. Unfortunately, their land is under attack by dragons. According to Tradition there is only one way to appease the dragons, a virgin sacrifice.

Andromeda helps her mother with a small matter and grows in her mother's opinion. Little does she realize the price of being considered an adult means not everything she's known is nice or even true. She discovers her mother and her mother's advisor have been behind the choosing of the virgins, all the daughters of vocal protestors. Andromeda knows siding with the protestors might be her downfall and that is suddenly apparent when her name is drawn from the lottery. She will be chained to a stake to await her death by dragon.

Except things don't go as they're supposed to. First, Andromeda's loyal servants and bodyguards plant weapons so she can defend herself. They prepare her clothes and more to give her a fighting chance against the evil dragon. Then, once she faces the dragon, a knight, Sir George the Knight, is standing by to save her and kill the dragon. Yet, as they both chase the dragon to its lair, things become complicated - like not allowing Tradition to have them fall in love with each other.

This is a rollicking fun tale. I am a fan of Mercedes Lackey, but this story had me laughing and enjoying myself. I read it in record time and wasn't disappointed by the fun or surprise twists. I didn't see them coming, but when they hit they made me realize just how sneaky people will be to thwart Tradition that insists on playing out. Elena, the Fairy Godmother and her husband make an appearance in this book, which gives it a nice tie-in, letting you know things are still being dealt with when it comes to Tradition.

I enjoy a fractured revisitation to fairy tales and legends from my childhood and my adulthood. One Good Knight is a must have by any Mercedes Lackey fan, but also for anyone who enjoys myths, legends, and happily-ever-afters that thwart conventional thinking. Truly this is one of her best yet.

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