The fourth and final volume of the Sir Callie series is not only a satisfying conclusion to the sword-swinging fantasy adventures of Callie and friends Willow, Edwyn, and Elowen, but also the exact right story to offer queer youth hope and resilience at this particular moment of real-world history.
The book opens as the four protagonists are reunited after being apart for much of the previous volume; they are still grappling with the lingering effects of past traumas and betrayals. The cruel usurper Peran still rules the realm of Wyndebrel and searches for the four youth, while the Witch Queen Alis threatens from another direction.
Callie and friends know that Wyndebrel can be more than what it has devolved into. But can they heal the rifts between them so that they have a better chance to save the land? And what does a vision for a new Wyndebrel really look like, anyway?
Queerness abounds in this volume as the others; in addition to Callie and their two dads, Willow is gender creative; two other major characters use xi/xir pronouns; and one secondary character is trans and genderfluid. Callie and Elowen’s relationship also continues to deepen beyond friendship.
Author Esme Symes-Smith wrote in the introduction to the first volume that they wanted the series to have a happy ending, so it is no spoiler to say that it does. But it is the how of the story that gives it power. This is not a simple story of good triumphing over evil, although there is some of that; it’s also a story of redemption and second chances and justice tempered with mercy. It’s a story of, as Willow says, “[creating] a new world from scratch that’ll be good for everyone.” And it’s about young queer people stepping into their identities and their power and choosing to fight and work for that world even as they heal from the wounds of the old one. It’s glorious and hopeful and highly recommended.
Callie, their dads, Elowen, and Edwyn read as White; numerous secondary characters indicate skin tone diversity in the world.
