Squires of Rainecourt


Young Adult - Fantasy - Epic
237 Pages
Reviewed on 12/05/2024
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

Stephen Kruse’s exhilarating young adult book, Squires of Rainecourt, chronicles the adventures of a young warrior who becomes one of the Prince’s men in an attempt to be knighted. Young and curious, Henry Fairfax joins the team with excitement. However, unlike the rest of the men, his father was once a poor fisherman who became a noble through his brave acts. Henry’s humble heritage is frowned upon by the Prince and the other men. Still, Henry is ready to prove himself and the team will soon learn to appreciate his bravery. As soon as their quest starts, the danger and obstacles they are to face start to appear. They will be wounded, visit faraway kingdoms, fight with mythical creatures and encounter black magic, and sometimes they will question the logic behind their pursuit.

Squires of Rainecourt by Stephen Kruse features expertly created characters who make the plot enthralling. Henry is not the typical heroic and legendary character I would have imagined. At first, he is disregarded and not considered an important member of the Prince’s men. His youthfulness and background do little to convince the men that he is brave enough for such a crucial conquest. The supporting characters also possess different traits that make them believable as well. The plot does not run out of action as the men face challenges at every turn. The story has many surprises along the way, which makes it thrilling. The pace is also suitable as it moves forward steadily. Squires of Rainecourt is an amazing story that is a must-read for any lover of fantasy and adventure.

Andrew McFarland (Teen Reviewer)

Squires of Rainecourt by Stephen Kruse is a young adult fantasy that follows Henry Fairfax on his quest to earn his knighthood. The king of Rainecourt shockingly announces that he plans to join Rainecourt and its rival kingdom, Yolkair, by marrying the prince to a Yolkairian princess. According to an ancient prophecy, however, the two kingdoms cannot be joined until a lost artifact, the Lost Bell of Rainecourt, is found. Henry and four other young men set out on their quest to find the Lost Bell of Rainecourt. An encounter with bandits and tension within the group, however, don’t make matters easy for the crew of heroes-to-be. A group of strange men also seems to be following them. A series of threatening messages and finally an attack by a group of bowmen nearly ends the crew’s adventure.

Squires of Rainecourt by Stephen Kruse is a well written fantasy adventure that caters nicely to teen readers. Kruse’s world building is quite impressive and the substantial amount of detail he puts into the background of this world is quite surprising. Indeed, his history of Rainecourt and its neighbors includes a level of detail that many other authors seem inclined to forget. The characters develop quite well throughout the story and have surprising twists in their relationships and pasts. His use of magic may not be original, but Stephen Kruse works admirably within the rules of classic wand and spell magic. Totally a five out of five star review, and I will recommend this book to my reading buddies.

Peggy Jo Wipf

Squires of Rainecourt by Stephen Kruse is an enchanting tale as five young squires head out on their Accolade Quest. After six long years of being a squire, it is now their turn to prove they are worthy of being a Knight of Rainecourt. For some their future is already set and it will award them their own lands, a bride, or a kingdom. For Henry Fairfax, he will not receive his small inheritance until the death of his father. Henry’s humble heritage initiates harsh feelings at the beginning from the prince as they start the quest for a particular silver bell, but they quickly learn they must depend on each other as they face evil forces. There are some who would wish to stop them and as the suspense intensifies the young men realize this pursuit could be the death of everyone.
 
Stephen Kruse opens Squires of Rainecourt with Henry Fairfax reuniting with his family, which is common and natural. From there it quickly deviates towards assassins, bandits, mystical creatures, and a magical kingdom, drawing the reader into their quest for the silver Bell of Rainecourt. I love the enchanted Library of Nix; the author brings the pages alive so Henry can see the events as they unfold. Stephen Kruse keeps the characters genuine as even the closest still have secrets they have not shared. Excellent fantasy read with unique individuals, creatures, and twists within the story. You can’t help wondering if the author set this novel up for a sequel as the Accolade Quest ends with unanswered questions and unplanned results. Brilliant book for those who find fantasy irresistible.

K.C. Finn

Squires of Rainecourt is a work of traditionally pseudo-medieval fantasy, and was written for young adults by author Stephen Kruse. Forming the first book in the Rainecourt Chronicles series of adventures, the story begins a noble quest with the young hero, Henry Fairfax. As a squire aspiring to the life of a brave and celebrated knight, this young man deals with prejudice because of his family’s lower class roots. But Henry rises above it, engaging in the famed Accolade Quest amongst his friends and competitors to see if he can prove his worth and gain the title he so badly desires.

This short novel would be highly suitable for the younger end of the young adult scale and its simple but effective quest-style of storytelling will speak well to its audience. Author Stephen Kruse evokes a real sense of period in the dirty and difficult times of the old age of chivalry, whilst also keeping some modern sensibility and clarity so as not to alienate his readership. Whilst the plot line is short and a little predictable, there’s real homage paid to the traditional tales of Arthurian knights, and the novel as a whole is cohesive and consistent in its development. I found the action scenes particularly thrilling and well described, almost cinematic in the way the blades clash and the painful trials of the youngsters are overcome. Overall, I’d definitely recommend Squires of Rainecourt as the opening to a fun and fresh medieval fantasy series with plenty more great stories to come.