Lady Hotspur

Starred review from November 1, 2019

The Lady Knights of Aremoria know their true strength is in their bond, protecting the heir and prince, Banna Mora. Yet when the king is overthrown and a new regime begins, lady knight Hal Bolingbrooke becomes prince, and must find a new path as heir. However, Hal was never one to lead, and her womanizing, drunken ways lead her to her own Throne of Misrule, setting her up for failure. As for Banna Mora, she is cast off and kidnapped by the forces of Innis Lear, where her family originated. Bitterness, vengeance, and uncertain prophecy set the two princes on opposite sides, with Lady Hotspur Persy in between. Within Lady Hotspur's conviction and heart lies the answer to the future of all three women--along with Innis Lear and Aremoria. VERDICT While this novel is not a direct sequel to Gratton's Queens of Innis Lear, the character stories and references from the previous novel will delight the author's longtime readers. The wondrous worldbuilding, strong female leads, and plot filled with regicide, regrets, prophecies, and magic create an intricate and layered story of honor, family, and love.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from November 1, 2019
A reluctant prince is forced to choose among friendship, love, and duty in this epic fantasy retelling of Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part I. Set in the same world as Gratton's earlier Shakespeare fantasy retelling, The Queens of Innis Lear (2018), this new novel is set in the neighboring nation of Aremoria. Shakespeare's histories are perfectly suited for epic fantasy, what with all the battles and political intrigue, but this homage is also gender-flipped. Prince Hal is a woman, as are her "Lady Knight" friends and her mother, Queen Celeda. The titular Lady Hotspur is a brilliant soldier and commander, and she helps Celeda overthrow the king in the opening chapter. Hal and Hotspur's friend Banna Mora, the heir to the deposed king, is forced to give her title of "prince" to the new heir, Hal. Hal is uncomfortable with her position of authority and buries herself in partying and her intense romance with Hotspur. Banna Mora secretly plans to take back the throne, eventually teaming up with the prince of Innis Lear. Due to some thorny political issues familiar to anyone who knows the play (or just Googles it) and Hal's refusal of any princely responsibility, Hotspur eventually comes to side with Banna Mora against Hal, whom she still loves. A few references to the previous novel aside, this book isn't a sequel, nor does it have the same problems as its predecessor. The strange, magical culture of Innis Lear works much better alongside the more practical culture of Aremoria. Readers turned off by flowery, lyrical writing should look elsewhere, but Gratton maintains a dreamy tone that suits the story nicely. What's more, she writes in conversation with the bard instead of just copying him, using the play as a starting point for a tale about love, family, and creating space for your own story. Not for everyone but an impressive feat.

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December 2, 2019
Gratton returns to the expansive world of The Queens of Innis Lear with this intricately layered fantasy, a loose, gender-bent adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV. A prophecy predicts disaster for three closely entwined women in the kingdom of Aremoria. When Hal’s mother overthrows the king, Hal is expected to transition from hard-living Lady Knight to respectable heir to the throne. Hal’s best friend, Banna Mora, daughter of the conquered king, is exiled. Lady Hotspur, Aremoria’s fiercest warrior, is as devoted to her country as she is to her lover, Hal, and dear friend, Banna Mora, but knows that the demands of status will force her and Hal to part eventually. Hal is focused on avoiding responsibility, drinking, and finding ways to be with Hotspur, while jealous Banna Mora schemes to take Aremoria back. Hotspur is forced to choose between her reckless lover and the ruler she thinks would do right by her kingdom. Gratton’s lush world is full of magic, mischievous spirits, and otherworldly rituals. Readers won’t have to be familiar with either the previous book or the source material to appreciate this well-crafted, if over long, fantasy.

December 15, 2019
When the saints are singing and the restless are reclaimed, the dragon will burn, the lion will break, and the wolf will choose the end. Thus states the prophecy that looms throughout Gratton's latest. Banna Mora, the dragon who burns with vengeance, is plotting to take back the crown that was stolen from her. Prince Hal, the Lion Prince, wishes only to be her true self with her people and with the woman she loves. Lady Hotspur is the Wolf of Aremore, a lady knight so ferocious that nothing can stand in her way, except for duty and honor. After a rebellion tears the crown away from Banna Mora, Hotspur must choose which side she will stand on: that of the usurped heir or that of the new heir and her true love, Prince Hal. This epic fantasy will delight readers, especially those looking for LGBTQ representation in the genre. It is set over a century after the events of The Queens of Innis Lear (2018), though this story of magic and love can be read as a standalone.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)