Squire & Knight (Squire & Knight #1)

An unnamed bookish squire saves his boastful mentor, a knight, from death at the claws of a dragon in this fast-paced, medieval fantasy series launch by Chantler (the Three Thieves series). When Sir Kelton of Eldergard and his charge, Squire, arrive in Bridgetown, the pair find a quiet and ostensibly deserted village. After encountering a child with elf-like ears, the duo learn that the town is beset by a dragon, which the residents claim has cursed their village, resulting in damaged boats, dead crops, lost pets, and a flare-up of the mayor's gout. Insisting that Squire's book smarts would "be of no use at all," Sir Kelton rushes off to slay the beast. But when there's no sign of the knight, and the dragon returns to ravage Bridgetown, the villagers embark to confront the creature themselves, much to Squire's consternation. Cartoonish illustrations rendered in a muted black, white, and orange color palette depict this quest narrative, which teems with sharp-witted dialogue and carefully timed twists. Via Squire's deliberate consideration of facts and communication-first approach to solving problems, Chantler's graphic novel examines the pursuit of glory over compromise while delivering an action-filled exploit. Ages 8-12. Agent: Samantha Haywood, Transatlantic Literary. (May)