EDIT: I wrote this review right after reading this book at the end of August (it’s September 5 today.) In several places, I’ve added edits because my feelings about the book have changed (and I’ll explain why where I added my after thoughts) and I’ve changed my rating for 3 to 4 stars. Be sure to look for Chivalrous on shelves in bookstores and online TOMORROW!

Hi, guys! I’ve been so excited to read Chivalrous by Dina L. Sleiman! It’s the sequel to Dauntless, which I got from my mom at Easter. I was sent an ARC of the book from the publisher, and was so, so excited! Unfortunately, I had a lot of cons. The last half of this book or so was awesome. The rest… um… I’m not so sure how I feel about it, honestly. Since I have such mixed feelings about this book, I thought I’d make a pros and cons list and then decide what rating to give it.

Title: Chivalrous

Author: Dina L. Sleiman

Series: Valiant Hearts #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: September 8, 2015

Source: Advanced Reader’s Copy via Netgalley

Synopsis: Strong and adventurous Gwendolyn Barnes longs to be a knight like her chivalrous brothers. However, that is not an option for her, not even in the Arthurian-inspired Eden where she dwells. Her parents view her only as a marriage pawn, and her domineering father is determined to see her wed to a brutish man who will break her spirit.

When handsome, good-hearted Allen of Ellsworth arrives in Edendale searching for his place in the world, Gwendolyn spies in him the sort of fellow she could imagine marrying. Yet fate seems determined to keep them apart. Tournaments, intrigue, and battles–along with twists and turns aplenty–await these two as they struggle to find love, identity, and their true destinies.

Pros:
1) I loved (one) of the main messages in the book – that you can be feminine and still be strong and brave. The Main Character, Gwen, struggled with the two different sides of her character. She could be strong and masculine, but she also had a more softer side, and she realized she could be both.

2) Reading from all of the characters’ perspectives made the book ten times better. They all came together so beautifully. I also loved reading from Gwen’s lady’s maid, Rosalind. I feel like she should have her own book for her story! Though there is a con to Rosalind’s part of the book… (EDIT: I’ve removed that con, and I’ll explain why next to it below.)

3) I also liked the clear message that abuse is WRONG. Gwendolyn’s dad is very abusive to her and her mother, and Gwen would not put up with it. I definitely loved cheering her on. I also loved, loved, LOVED the message within that: Gwen ached for her father’s acceptance and love, but because of the way her dad treated women, she wasn’t so sure she believed in a God who allowed girls to be treated as such a commodity. Once she realized the Bible makes it clear men and women are to be equals, she came to know God for who he really was. And even though her earthly father wasn’t there for her, she could always feel the presence of her heavenly father. LOVE.

4) The MC from the first book in this series, Merry, made a FABULOUS appearance in the book. (As did several other familiar characters – this book is about Allen, Merry’s other possible suitor in the first book!) I wasn’t expecting HOW exactly she was going to appear, though, and it totally rocked my boat!

5) The ladies of the book ROCKED ON. Gwen, her mom, her lady’s maid (Rosalind), and the Duchess Adela stuck together. They were all different in their own rights, but all feisty, strong heroines.

My favorite part of the book was the main theme of the book: Girls can be masculine and strong and brave, and not have to be dependent upon men – BUT men and women draw from each others’ strengths and women can also be ladylike and still be as strong and equal as a man.

Cons:
1) There were many sections where Gwen or Allen (or one of the other main characters) would say something along the lines of: He awakened something inside of her, something that made her see how women could like ‘such touches’ or Allen’s face heated up at the thought of how children came about.

Erm… no thanks. I did not see how that was necessary to the book, and seeing how I’m only fourteen? … I don’t know. I just don’t think that should be promoted towards teens. (This book is, after all, “teen” or “young adult” Christian fiction.) I realize that the main character is sixteen, and she was preparing for marriage (it is in the middle ages, when people married a lot younger than they do now), but I still don’t understand why that had to be there.

(EDIT: After reading my review, Miss Sleiman was kind enough to email me to clear this up. She said:

“As for the light mentions of intimacy in marriage, Bethany actually asked me to aim these books toward older teens through adults, but I do try to keep in mind that even pre-teens might read them. I’m the mother of teens, and it’s my opinion that it’s healthy for teens to learn about those sorts of feelings that will be coming in their near futures from a Christian perspective. I have a heart to teach girls that those feelings themselves are not wrong or sinful as long as they make good choices despite the feelings. I think some girls wrongly take on guilt over those sorts of feelings, which could be damaging once they’re married. But my apologies if it was a bit much for you!”

I was so grateful that she took the time to explain this. However, my initial first reaction to this part of the book still stands, even though I understand why this was added to Chivalrous.)

There was also a part where a man was going to force a girl (who had a high social status and therefore more money than he) into marriage, so of course the issue of marital acts came about again. For me, this progressed the story and made sense to the plot line, and I understood why it had to be apart of the book. So it didn’t bother me as much. Just be prepared for this if you plan on reading the book.

2) The romance seemed to be too fast-paced for me (at first.) Gwen is a tough, non-romantic girl and then she just LOOKS at Allen and falls head-over-heels? I found that hard to believe. After that, it was fine, but the way she just switched at first, I was like “What?!”

3) The first half of the book was so. slow. It took me a week to finish the first half. I mean, I feel like RIGHT after I hit the 50% mark on my Kindle it started picking up. And then I finished the rest in a day and a half! I really wanted to put the book down for a good bit there.

4) As I said in the second pro, there is a con to Rosalind’s part of the book. I hated the way it ended! Is she going to have the third book?? I certainly hope so! I felt like there was so many loose threads there… I really really REALLY hope she gets her own book because I loved Rosalind!! (EDIT: So Rosalind WILL, in fact, have her own book. For those of you who have read this book and are reading this review, to clarify: I didn’t have a problem with the content of Rosalind’s situation. I loved it. I didn’t like the loose threads that were left as Chivalrous ended. But now that I know that Rosalind will have her own book to finish up that open ending, this con doesn’t really count anymore; so I’ve changed my rating to 4 stars instead of 3, since this was a major con and now it’s no longer a con.)

To give you all a heads up: there was a lot deeper content than in Dauntless.

Just to name a few as a heads-up: #1 – look at the first con in my list. It wasn’t so much the sexual content, since NOTHING was detailed at all, aside from one kiss scene, but it was just the subtle mentions, without actually saying “sex.” Personally, I did not like that part of the book. #2 – some very abusive men. I could handle it because the female characters are AWESOME (GO GIRLS!) but it was pretty heavy. #3 – there is an unwanted pregnancy, and the girl ended up “taking care of it.” #4 – Gwen’s mother is said to be an alcoholic, though it doesn’t go much further than mentioning her mom “clutching a glass of wine” or “slurring her words.”

Soooo… I’m still not exactly sure what to rate this book, since I had 5 pros and 4 cons. I think I’m going to go with three stars. I really, really want to give it four because the second half was AMAZING, but those cons really take away a star. 🙁 (EDIT: My original rating was 3 stars, but because of the con with Rosalind being cleared up, I decided to add a star to the rating.)

4 stars!

 

 

anyway, if you decide to read this book, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts! i look forward to other books in the series. 🙂 don’t forget – chivalrous hits shelves tomorrow – september 8th!