Medieval Book Review: Rising to the Challenge

When this blog was in it’s infancy (way back in early 2022) I wrote the first of my monthly book reviews on To Birmingham Castle by Alicia Willis, an indie published medieval Christian book which caught my attention on Goodreads. It earned a 4/5 stars from me, and I decided to read on in the trilogy. Somehow, though, I only got around to reading the final book in the series of stand alone novels, Rising to the Challenge. And I actually loved this book more than the first!

The Synopsis (Taken from Goodreads):

New difficulties arise for Sir Kenneth Dale in the exciting final installment in The Comrades of Honor Series. As a favorite of the Earl of Birmingham, his life appears tranquil – until the both beautiful Lady Clarissa and a headstrong orphan named Brion arrive in the castle. It is not long before Sir Kenneth finds himself not only in love, but also the master of the most difficult squire Birmingham has ever harbored.

Brion de Lantenac is nothing short of rebellious. Hatred for Sir Kenneth’s strict rules vents itself in constant disobedience, triggering continual clashes between himself and his new lord. But there is a reason behind his self-centered character. The murder of his family has caused heartbreak he may never recover from. Will he ever reveal his true identity to Sir Kenneth? And what about Guthrie, the man who sullied his father’s shire with treacherous hands and now seeks his demise?

Caught between a hopeless romance, a rebellious squire, and the enemies on all sides, Sir Kenneth finds himself challenged. Amidst battles, heartache, and dark mystery, he must somehow rise to meet the difficulties of his life with honor. Will he ever win his squire’s heart? Will he and Clarissa be forever separated?

Join Sir Kenneth, Brion, and all the comrades of honor in a tale of perseverance, chivalry, and unconditional love. Treachery abounds and evil seems insurmountable. Will rising to the challenge preserve honor and win the day?

My Review:

Rising to the Challenge immediately thrusts us into medieval action, as thirteen-year-old Brion escapes his uncle’s attack on his father’s march (the name of land held by a marquis), and discovers he is the only member of his family to have survived.

Then we meet the main character of the book, Sir Kenneth, who is a new knight living a peaceful life under his lord, the earl of Birmingham, but in need of a squire. Brion, on the run from his uncle who has usurped his lands and title, is forced to become a squire, and Kenneth is the (un?)lucky knight who takes him on. At the same time, Kenneth meets Lady Clarissa and falls in love with her–but her father will only let a man of titles and wealth have her hand.

Though the opening of the book gave me the impression that Brion and his situation would be the main character and plot, it is in fact Sir Kenneth and the struggles he faces between rearing Brion and his spoiled stubbornness and his seemingly impossible love for Clarissa which is the main storyline. Kenneth is an honorable knight, trying to do right even when it hurts him, but he’s also relatable. He may do what’s right, but he’s not always happy about it. Sometimes his pride gets into the way and he refuses to listen to advice. And when an injustice is done, he isn’t afraid to speak out against it, even if it’s more prudent to keep his lips sealed.

Despite being a (major) side character, Brion was my favorite of the characters and I wish the book had focused on him, as he seemed to have the most at stake and the greatest character arc. He begins as a stubborn, selfish marquis’s son, and becomes a thoughtful, mature leader at the end. One of my favorite aspects of his character was how his seemingly negative quality of stubbornness and defiance actually became one of his most redeeming qualities (he not only defies Kenneth to save his life, but also defies his uncle and stubbornly refuses to spill his father’s secrets even under ruthless torture).

The other side characters were also likable, especially Kenneth’s page Ethan, his friend Sir Brandon, and Brandon’s squire, Victor. Ethan is an adorable character who brings out Brion’s softer side and his grief over his own murdered brother, Brandon is a strong, loyal friend to Kenneth, and Victor befriends Brion and encourages him (and Kenneth, at times) to do right and isn’t afraid to say what he thinks.

Lady Clarissa is also a likable character, shown to be feminine yet strong, unafraid of standing up for herself and resolute in her decisions. If Kenneth wasn’t the main character, I think her characterization would be fine, however since he was, I do think she could have benefited from more development. As it was, however, I liked her, and though the romance between them wasn’t as developed as it maybe should have been, I didn’t dislike the romance. It had a “love at first sight” flavor to it, although this is made more bearable by the fact that Kenneth notices this and is annoyed at himself. At least there is some slower attraction shown on Clarissa’s part. I also appreciated the honor and respect both Clarissa and Kenneth had in regards to her father’s wishes, as despite both wanting to marry, they did not defy her father. And in the end, everything worked out.

How it worked out, however, is one of the few issues I took with the book. Clarissa’s father wanted her to marry a man with a title and lands–a nobleman. Kenneth is only a knight. During the book, his greatest adversary is an earl who wants to marry Clarissa, and who uses some despicable means to try to get her. Finally, Kenneth, to protect Clarissa, mortally wounds the earl. The earl then, desperate to get right with God so he can go to heaven, decides he will pass his (hereditary) lands and titles to Kenneth.

I did appreciate the historical nod here to the medieval view of doing penance and doing good deeds to make oneself right with God. That is why during my reread of this book, the remembrance of the implausibility of this event was somewhat lessened. It’s not entirely impossible the man would do this, however, it just strikes me as very, very odd based on his character and a bit too easy for Kenneth. Plus, it’s a hereditary title, meaning the earl’s nearest male relative who would have rightfully gotten the earldom has now been usurped (an ironic twist on Brion’s plot) and yet we have no consequences of this. Everyone’s just cool with this knight shooting up the ranks overnight to be an earl. Honorable or not, I think at least the relative who should have gotten the earldom would have something to say about the happenings.

Another, more major issue I found was concerning Brion’s identity as the rightful marquis. First, Brion never changes his name. And nobody finds it at all odd that this kid shows up with the marquis’s surname (and would they really not know the first name of his heir?) Perhaps some unlearned knights and squires might not know, but the earls would have to know, and it’s shown that Kenneth at least knows the marquis’s surname. Brion actually questions this but it’s explained that everyone believed the entire family dead so it’s just a coincidence. So my first question was why he wouldn’t have just changed his name–surname, at least? Then this wouldn’t have to even be an issue.

Secondly, midway through the book, he reveals his identity. A marquis is the highest non-royal ranking (only below kings and dukes) in England (where this is set). He reveals himself as the rightful marquis. Nothing changes. He’s still treated the same. Still ordered about as a squire. Maybe I’m wrong, but I doubt anyone in real life would continue to treat a marquis like a servant, boy or not! Especially when he’s higher ranking than the earl himself!

Despite these few issues, I still enjoyed the story. The dialogue was fun, though it was written in old English (thees and thous and methinks and the like). I personally enjoyed this flavor, though some readers may dislike it.

There was also head-hopping, although I don’t mind some head-hopping and it was done in a way which was not jolting and flowed well. The entire story flowed quite well, and the first time I read it back in 2022, I finished it in three days, so it is very engaging.

So overall, regardless of the few issues I noted, I have to give this book five out of five stars. If you can handle some old English and a bit of head hopping and insta-love, I highly recommend giving this book a try–even if you’re like me and read it more for Brion’s story than anything, haha!

Rating: 5/5 stars

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Now, normally here is the part of the review where I thank you all for reading and so on. However, I do have a couple extra things to add today that go along with this book, yet are not part of the review! And that is because this book did, in fact, inspire my current WIP, titled Faith Steadfast.

This book helped me discover I love the Hidden Nobility trope–the trope where a spoiled royal or noble is forced to disguise themselves and learns character/sees other people have value, before returning to their previous life a more mature and wise person. Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince, another five-star read of mine, also employed this trope.

So back in 2022, I decided to start a story with that trope as well, similarly to how Ms. Willis used it here. My main character also begins as a spoiled brat and loses his entire family, wealth, and titles to a usurper and is forced to become an esquire. However, unlike this book, this is the main plot, and much of it focuses around my main characters’s struggles with his change in fortunes, relationships (he is a grand duke (royalty) forced to become a servant), wider fantasy world politics, and attacks on his life, as well as his attempts to avenge his family and win back his rights. I also make sure to not employ the issues I noted in this book (for example, my main character actually changes his name AND age so nobody will catch on–and some people still suspect due to his behavior, skills, and familial appearance).

Here is my current blurb for Faith Steadfast, in case you’re curious.

You’re going to have to play better than him. You’re going to have to beat him at his own game. This becomes Brenton Rochefort’s philosophy after his cousin Herbert murders his entire family to secure the power their grand duchy offers. What Herbert doesn’t count on is Brenton’s escape, and with him, the Rochefort seal, the ring embodying the power he seeks. 

Knowing someone powerful must’ve helped Herbert but unaware of whom, Brenton is forced to hide his true identity and disguise himself as an esquire—essentially a servant—to the infuriatingly idealistic Sir Arden in the county of Leflon. Herbert tracks him, yet cannot attack Leflon outright due to the important trade route which the count controls, resorting to tricks. Men who are too well-trained to be the bandits they claim camp in the woods surrounding Leflon. Leflon’s taxes are tripled, and refusal to pay will give Herbert the inroad he needs to attack. And courteous spies speckle the ranks of Leflon’s garrison, reporting their every move to Herbert. 

All of this, Brenton knows, yet cannot say. At best, the Leflonians would laugh him off. At worst, they’d accuse him of posing as nobility and imprison him. And if Herbert thought the Leflonians harbored him knowing his true identity, important trade route or not, he’d raze the place. The only way to win is to beat Herbert at his own game. Thus, in between launching secret raids on the bandits, manipulating Leflon’s economy to put political pressure on Herbert, and uncovering spies one by one, Brenton gains his own power, allies, and knowledge of his enemies. When the time comes when Brenton can hide his identity no further, his success, vengeance, and very life hinges on one factor—who has played the game better.

So while it’s much different, I can still see the influences of this book, and in fact, reread it to motivate me once more to write my WIP. It did inspire it, after all. And I want to give credit where credit is due.

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Okay, NOW it’s that time, haha! If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading my review AND my little note of how it inspired my current WIP as well!

If you are curious about my writing and want to receive quarterly writing updates where I talk about my projects, sign up for my writing newsletter here! The first one of the year will be sent out next week!

Also, let me know if you’re going to read this book or have read it, and please, now that you know my all-time favorite trope, recommend me some books with this trope!