The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf

Rating:
Summary: Nothing very special
Review:
Lynet ("The Savage Damsel"), younger sister to the beautiful Lyonesse, wants to deliver her family from the hands of the dreadful Knight of the Red Lands, so one night Lynet leaves the Castle Perle and makes her way to Camelot. She hopes to find a great knight who can deliver her family from the Red Knight. Instead she finds no help from a great knight, but instead a dwarf, named Roger, and an interesting kitchen knave, named Beaumains. Many adventures befall the three unlikely companions as they travel from Camelot back to the Castle Perle. Lynet falls in love with Beaumains as the journey continues. Near the end of the book, Lynet finds out that 'Beaumains' is actually Sir Gareth, brother to the greatest knight of Camelot, Sir Gawain.

Morris tries to make Lynet ("The Savage Damsel") independent and strong-willed with her cutting remarks and her rude behavior. But instead of being 'the savage damsel' that Morris tries to make her, Lynet still came off to me as ungrateful and whiney to all those around her.

And by the end of the book, I found her character, and all the rest of the characters as well, shallow and unreal. The end was more than unrealistic (despite the basic storyline being unrealistic, as well).

This subject of the Legends of King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table is very interesting, but I would go elsewhere to learn and read about it.

~Atalanta

Rating:
Summary: The Savage Damsel
Review: I love this book. I really, really love this book - there's something about the understated humour which appeals to me more than almost anything I've ever come across. I won't write a plot overview, since the other reviews have already done that, I only wanted to add my approval. By far the best of the Morris books (although I haven't read Dinidan or the Princess and Crone - if only he was in print in Australia). I'm almost sick with laughter every time I read the Knight of the Rose scene.

Rating:
Summary: I'm not worthy!
Review: I would honestly give this book more stars if I could! Don't be deceived into thinking this is simply a kids book-- whilst I thoroughly recommend it as a great read for kids and teens, it is in fact fabulous literary fodder for readers of any age, especially those with a fascination for Arthurian legends, or anyone interested in Sir Thomas Malory's work Le Morte D'Arthur. Gerald Morris is a truly gifted author, and I frequently laughed out loud at the delightful, witty dialogue in this book. So enthralled was I that once I started, I couldn't put it down, not even to go to sleep (my eyes were red and puffy the next day, but it was worth it!) Not only that, but as soon as I finished it, I started reading it all over again. It was just that good! Although part 3 of a series, this is a stand alone work that can be read independently of the others without any qualms or misunderstandings. The other reviewers are right-- this is an incredible, funny, intelligent book, and one not to be missed!

Rating:
Summary: A Hilarious Arthurian Fantasy
Review: Oh my goodness! I stayed up real late just to finish it. I thought it was so funny. In different parts of the story, I just burst out laughing. There's this one part where Roger and Lynet discuss the vanities of men and women. I love the colored knights. It's so funny about the Blue Knight thinking that dim means courageous.

Anyway, this book is about Lynet, who wants to rescue the castle from the evil Red Lands knight who is holding it under siege. So she goes off to King Arthur's court, hoping that she can find someone to help her. But she doesn't get much help there, just from the kitchen boy. But this kitchen boy is not a nobody. He is always taking offense and needing to joust with the "offender." My favorite character was Lynet, our heroine, and Roger, the dwarf, who has a mysterious secret. This book has romance, humor, and magic. There are good fairies who help Lynet, and stories of enchantresses, and the most famous of them: Morgan le Fey. This is a greatbook for anyone, even if they consider historical novels boring, this is one that they'll like.

Rating:
Summary: Funny and romantic
Review: Oh my gosh, this book is so funny. A comical medievel book flowing with adventure, romance, mystery and magic. If you like Arthurian Legend and good humor then get this book. There was only one flaw for me and that was that Lady Lynet kinda' got on my nerves a bit', but her personality is much better than that of her older sister and her attitude seems to change a little towards the end, so she was okay. My favorite character was Roger, the dwarf. I hope you enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest authors....EVER!
Review: The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf is a humorous tale of love, character, and questing set around King Arthur's court. The main character is Lynet, an intelligent young woman whose not-so-bright sister, Lyonesse, is in a bit of a pickle. An ambitious knight by the name of Red Lands is trying to win Lyon's love by slaying every suitor that comes her way. Finally, Lynet can take no more, and she goes to Camelot to ask for assistance. The only problem is that Lynet's father died defying King Arthur. Though she's afraid of what might await her, Lynet goes anyway.

On her quest, she meets Roger the Dwarf, who helps her on the way to Camelot, as well as through the events afterwards. She also meets Beaumains, a kitchen boy who agrees to help her in her quest.(for all you Morris buffs, there is a short appearance by Terence and Eileen, Sir Gawain's squire and his lady friend). Will Lynet succeed in ridding her home of the abominable Knight of the Red Lands? Are Roger and Beaumains really all they seem to be? These are just a few of the questions that go through the reader's mind as they read this incredible story.

Like most of Gerald Morris' books, The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf is full with humor that doesn't require the reader to have read Morris' other books, or to have much knowledge of Arthurian legends. As a matter of fact, quite a bit of it is slightly reminiscent of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, except that Morris' story actually follows the Arthurian legend that it's based upon, and the humor isn't quite so silly. There's really something for everyone here. Romantics, cynics, and Arthur buffs are all going to be satisfied.

Rating:
Summary: ...laugh - out - loud ride...
Review: This book is a laugh - out - loud ride through one of the most celebrated tales of the Knights of the Round Table. You don't have to be an Arthurian junkie and already familiar with the story of Beaumain the Kitchen Knight like me to enjoy this, either. In fact, all you really need is a sense of humor.

The evil Knight of the Red Lands has lain seige to the Castle Perle, slaughtering every knight who comes his way, and demanding the hand of the beautiful but witless Lady Lyonessse. Her sister, Lynet, decides to take matters into her own hands and sneaks out of the castle (with the help of a suspiciously magical stranger), and heads for Camelot, befriending a dwarf named Roger along the way.

At Camelot, however, Lynet refuses to reveal her name, fearing that her father's part in a rebellion against Arthur will stop the king from sending her any help. Unfortunately, no one wants to follow a nameless damsel in distress on a perilous quest, so Lynet, much to her disgust, has to settle for the kitchen boy, Beaumains.

This hilarious romance about things not always being what they seem puts a refreshing spin on a beloved story and will leave you wanting to read more on Morris' Knights of the Round Table. In that case, I strongly recommend Gerald Morris' other works, about Sir Gawain and his squire Terence. All three books had me laughing 'til the end.

Rating:
Summary: Gerald Morris ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This is my favorite book of all time. One of Gerald Morris's best books it is a definite good read. A story full of humor anyone who loves reading Camelot stories should read this book. It's a book that all ages should read.

Rating:
Summary: YES!
Review: This is probably one of my most favorite Arthurian times novels. Read it. Trust me.

That being said, how about I break into the review?

This is about a free-spirited young lady named Lynet *cough* go, girl power! *cough* that gets fed up with her beautiful, yet stupid, sister and her uncle and decides to travel to Camelot to get a knight to challenge the knight that's besieging her family's castle, trying to win her sister's heart.

On her way there, she meets up with a dwarf. The dwarf is a pretty nice guy... he leads her to Camelot and then disappears. (Don't worry though- he'll come into play later.)

Since her father had acted in a war against Arthur before, she decided to come anonymous into the court. Being anonymous, she couldn't get any proper knight... just a poor, lowly serving boy who is actually a knight in disguise.

Yada yada, she falls in love with the guy (she calls him Beaumains) and she meets up with Roger, the little dwarf man, again. Beaumains is valiant, defeats a lot of knights, gets wounded, and is tended by his loving nurse, Lynet.

They travel to the castle to rescue Lyonesse (Lynet's beautiful sister) and, unfortuantely, Mr. Beau falls in love with her. Yup- turns out he's a womanizer who falls in love with anyone with a pretty face. *Sob, sob*. Poor Lynet.

BUT- ALL IS NOT YET LOST. Remember Mr. Dwarf-Man? Turns out he's-

And that's where I leave off. If you want to find out what happens, then you gosh well better read it. You won't be sorry!

Rating:
Summary: You have to read this one
Review: When I first picked this book up I was a little wary about whether or not it was a book for me. I had picked it up several times before but always put it back, but this time I decided to read it. I absolutely loved it. It has since then opened up a whole new area books to me. You don't have to know anything about Arthurian legends to enjoy this book, or have read Gerald Morris' other books to understand what is going on (though I suggest you do because the are wonderful too).

Lady Lynet is not your typical damsel in distress; in fact she is the farthest thing from it. She and her family (her sister Lyonesse, and their uncle) are being held captive in there own castle by an evil knight, who is slaying every knight who tries to free them in the hope that Lyonesse will marry him. Lyonesse as a side note and be described as the damsel in distress. She makes you think of a modern airhead with no cares for anything except herself.

Eventually Lynet escapes and travels to Camelot to ask the king to send them a real knight to save them. Along the way she meets a strange dwarf named Roger, who appears to have some secrets of his own, and he assists her in her journey. Once in Camelot she meets Beaumains who decides he will journey back to Lynet's home to be their defender.

In this witty rendition of the classic legend the reader will be spellbound by the humour and story that raises the question; what is true honour?