The third volume of this fantasy adventure is a satisfying conclusion to the tale of the nonbinary squire and disabled princess whose alternating perspectives drive the story. The pair face greater challenges than ever as traitors abound and allies are missing, presumed lost. War brews between their land of Calinor and the neighboring Ferisian Empire, as a power-hungry lord wants to “make Calinor strong again,” and Splinter and Ash set off on a dangerous rescue mission that could also be the only hope for peace.
Action abounds, and author Marieke Nijkamp’s background in medieval studies is apparent in the compelling and coherent worldbuilding (I say as someone with a similar background), though this is an original setting rather than a carbon copy of any real-world time and place. Notably, too, same-sex couples are accepted, although gender roles still tend to be binary and nonbinary people like Splinter are rare in Calinor.
The characters’ personal evolutions, though, make this into more than just a sword-swinging tale of adventure. Ash steps even more into the kind of leader she wants to be, while Splinter comes to understand why the core of being a knight is not about being powerful, but about being a protector. Together, they show the power of being true to oneself, one’s values, and one’s friends.
Ash’s disability (something like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, although it is never identified as such) is again shown positively as a part of who she is. At the same time, it is not ignored; we see her in pain at times because of it, but she is not coddled or pitied (or positioned as an “inspiration”). Those who know her well know she is strong in other ways.
Splinter’s ongoing journey to understand her gender isn’t the main focus of the story, but plays an important role in their personal development. This thread of the tale also shows us the importance of role models, inclusive stories, and why we shouldn’t make people fight for the right simply to exist. I won’t say anything else for fear of spoilers, but for those who wish to know more about Splinter’s gender identity and pronouns, click and drag over the section below to show the text.
Splinter uses she/her pronouns for most of the series. Towards the end of this volume, though, she decides she wants to keep using she/her but to “try on” they/them as well. Nijkamp makes an analogy about using different sets of pronouns for different occasions, like different sets of armor, which feels both apt for the character and useful for young readers who may feel the same.
The entire series shows us the characters growing into who they are as individuals but also discovering the power of friendship and love in the face of hate and fear. This volume in particular stresses the importance of choosing “people over power.” It’s an important and timely message delivered through well-rounded characters and an exciting plot, making a highly recommended and fitting end to the series.
Splinter, Ash, and their families read as White; several other characters are described as having brown skin. One secondary character has two dads, Splinter’s brother’s partner is a man, and a two-woman couple plays a small part.
