I know I'm late with this review, but I STRUGGLED.

First thing you should know if you don't: this is the third book in a series. For those of you who haven't read the others, circle back to book 1. For those of you who have, let me clarify: this is NOT the third book in a trilogy. I'm guessing that this will eventually be a quartet but at this point who knows.

I really struggled with this book, in large part because at least 50% felt like filler. I did like getting to follow Edwyn's POV, but even he made at least one choice that made no sense but did further the plot. Elowyn's storyline? Nothing really happens. Callie's storyline? Maybe three things happen, and two of them simply don't make sense. To avoid spoilers, I will simply say that it drives me nuts when someone says, "Our lives all depend on us not doing X," and then the same people do X in the next couple of chapters with little to no provocation.

By the book's finale, a few events have occurred, but it all felt like setup for another book. In the last roughly 100 pages, several things do finally come to fruition, but as one of the characters remarks, "We're having the same conversation over and over again." True. We know, because most of this book is conversations, with a rare moment of action sprinkled in.

I know the tone of this review is zesty, but I was frustrated by how little occurred, and how many chapters of this book progressed with no meaningful changes. All four of the storylines (Willow gets a few chapters at the end) finish with other characters making choices that lead to the story moving into its next phase.

I have enjoyed this series, though I've sometimes struggled with its clunky prose. However, I'm not sure that I'll continue from here, given that this book was so heavily padded out. While I understand the appeal of the cliffhanger at the end, the stuff in the middle could have included more events rather than chapters upon chapters of cyclical conversations. On top of that, there are some places where the message of this book gets muddled. So... we're against using agency to defend ourselves from outside attacks, and we're pro-monarchy? I'm not sure I'm on board. There are some passages about identity that I quite liked, but they felt didactic on the context of as story that was making little to no progress.

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley, and was very excited to (I thought) complete Callie's journey. Though there will obviously be more books, I'm not sure if I'll continue.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

As a HUGE Tamora Pierce fan, especially the Tortall universe.....I am so very much in love. This had that same feeling I get when I visit Tortall and it made my heart so happy.

This series is vital. Not only is the universe fun and wonderful, but it hits on topics critically important to all people - especially young adults. Life is hard, people don't like change, but being different is what makes us beautiful and EVERYONE should be celebrated for who they are, not who society says they should be. That's the core of this book - yes it's got magic and knights and dragons...but it's about found family, loving yourself, accepting yourself and others, and pushing back against bigots that would force you into a box you don't fit in.

This story continues down the path of accepting yourself, accepting others, and celebrating differences. Symes-Smith is careful to give trigger warnings and resources at the start and is respectful but realistic in portrayals of a diverse cast and the very real prejudices they face. Fantastic fantasy setting, devastating realties.

I adore the addition of multi-POVs in this book - it adds a depth to the books that makes them even better, somehow, and I love how differently but how accurately each character is portrayed as they suffer and deal with their own adversities. I love these books.

This is a story about badass kids, but it's also about love and hope and daring to be different in the face of adversity. It's wonderful, it's important, and it holds a special place in my heart now - just like Tammy has for years.

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Children's for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another stellar book for the series! It's not as strong as the first two, but that's because it's doing a lot of build-up for the next one. It deals with a lot of heavy elements but still, the characters persevere despite it all. I really like how the adults are handled, many of them are complex, some are just outright evil...Callie's dads are still the best though. Callie is also still my favorite character in the series.

Side note, Willow kept annoying me in this book...bro, don't show dragon scales to the first stranger you meet!!!!!

Such a powerful and emotional read. This is a fast-paced and compelling continuation to the Sir Callie series, with deep, fully-developed characters and a dynamic plot that is full of adventure.

Esme's writing always speaks to me. It encourages uniqueness and celebrates differences. But mostly it reminds us to be true to ourselves and to not compromise our beliefs in an attempt to mollify the less open-minded people around us.

Heartfelt and moving. This book is a celebration of self—one that brought tears to my eyes early and often.

Sir Callie is easily my favourite middle grade series and each installment is packed cover to cover with fantastic character development, adventures and life lessons all interweaved seamlessly. This series will never be one I stop recommending, it contains so much heart, so much hope and so much joy in rebellion and resistance.

Of the 3 stories so far, this was the weakest as a lot of it felt like set up for the final book (but considering the other 2 received 5 stars, this one being the weakest isn't a bad thing at all!) It still has all the adventure and found family as its predecessors, all the angst and conflicting feelings and too much responsibility for such small shoulders. This world fiercely reimagines what it means to write middle grade fantasy and I will now be eagerly on the edge of my seat waiting for book 4. I still can't believe we're in a world where we actually get MG with an enby and genderqueer protagonist and its THIS good, we're truly so so lucky.

Sir Callie and the Witch's War is the third Sir Callie book by Esme Symes-Smith and they continue to be fantastic books. This middle-grade fantasy is everything I wanted as a kid and even now as an adult. Loved it!

Callie and friends are going through it in this book and it’s so much harder because they’ve been separated from each other.

I enjoyed the additional perspectives that we got because everyone wasn’t in the same place - and the way we got to experience the character growth first hand.

I hope at the end of the series all of these kids get a long nap and a million billion hugs.

This is a series I find myself constantly recommending to everyone with middle grade readers in their life. It has such powerful messaging about identity and belonging and deals with some really heavy topics in kid appropriate ways.

Thank you to Labyrinth Road and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Sir Callie and the Witch's War is the third (and I believe penultimate?) book in the Sir Callie series, a middle grade fantasy following Callie, a young nonbinary knight who dreams of making the world a better place for them and their friends. Picking off right from where the second book left off, The Witch's War weaves a tale of political intrigue that will entertain both kids and adults. This is also the first book in the series to use multiple POVs, and I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters in that way. I especially have a soft spot for Edwyn. I also have to gush about the cover art, which is just gorgeous!

This book comes out soon, and I'm very excited for all the kids (and adults!) who'll get to read this installment! As for me, I'll be eagerly awaiting the forth book in the series.

4.5 stars

In the third book in the Sir Callie series, Callie and their friends have found themselves scattered across the realm. Callie and Willow flee to Fairkeep in hopes of finding allies in their fight in Helston. Elowen finds herself at the Witch Queen's side, battling between her heart and ambition. Edwyn accepts a mission that takes him back home, forcing him to face his demons. As war looms, the four kids have to find the truth that has been hidden behind all of the lies.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for an advanced copy of Sir Callie and the Witch's War by Esme Symes-Smith to review! If you're not reading middle grade fantasy, honestly you're missing out. There is some great stuff being published, this series included!

One of the best parts of this series is the core cast of characters we've come to love from the beginning. In this installment, we are split between a couple of different plot lines, but Symes-Smith does an excellent job not making the overall plot too confusing. Each character gets their opportunity to shine, each dealing with their own struggles in relation to the larger overall struggle.

Symes-Smith also isn't afraid to tackle difficult situations head on. In particular in this book, Edwyn struggles with the absue from his past. It's not easy to write kids books in a way that doesn't water down tough situations, but Symes-Smith seems to do it with ease. Despite the trials and the darker tone of the book overall, it still ends with hope. And not as much as a cliffhanger as the last book.

If you've been sleeping on this series, don't! You'll definitely want to jump in when this book comes out at the end of this month.

Esme Symes-Smith has done it again! This book is so incredibly and thoughtfully written, and I can't wait to handsell it. Readers of Sir Callie are going to adore this newest installment in the series. I love this book!!

A powerful, queer affirming story that will help countless kids. Callie, Elowen, Edwyn, and Willow are all wonderful protagonists in their own ways and I can’t wait to follow their journeys to the end in Book 4!

This book was very well written. The plot was very well written, the character development continues in this third novel and there's a lot of suspense. If I taught middle school, I'd have it on my shelf as soon as possible! I have passed this series along to others with middle grade aged children or that teach middle grade. I cannot wait for book 4!

Thank you Random House Children's, Labyrinth Road, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This is a continuation (book 3) of Sir Callie series with same well-developed, diverse characters, dark subject matter, mature topics, and great writing. It was agonizingly slow in the beginning and very difficult to get through (for the right reasons) and due to the heavy subject matter, I would recommend this book for mid to upper teens (YA).

Sir Callie and their friends continue working to save the kingdom and try find their places in a world that doesn't welcome people who are "different" all while discovering that there are many ways to be different and still be wonderful.

The stories focus on characters who have never been truly accepted for who they are and their struggle to belong in a world that doesn't welcome them. Sometimes the story is heavy-handed, but nevertheless a good introduction into growing up different.

The Sir Callie series is truly one of the best middle-grade series I’ve ever come across, and this latest installment is no exception. Thoughtful, emotionally deep, and queer- and nonbinary-focused MG fantasy books are hard enough to come across on their own, but to find not just a standalone but an ongoing series that is all this and more is truly remarkable—and Sir Callie is exactly that. This third book in the ongoing series left me satisfied, validated, and wishing the fourth book was already out!

For me, the emotional heart of this book lies with Edwyn. He’s one of the most striking and real characters throughout the series (which is a hard distinction to make when every character is so incredible!), and seeing him come into his own during Sir Callie and the Witch’s War was truly wonderful. Anger, betrayal, love, hate, self-doubt—every one of his emotions jumps clearly off the page and makes me care about and sympathize with him even more.

Symes-Smith juggles the plotlines of Edwyn, Elowen, and Willow/Callie with flawless skill. Many middle grade books ignore the traumatic realities of young people, but this series never does, and instead of skirting around painful topics it faces them head-on and authentically portrays the challenge of loving and accepting yourself after struggling all your life to believe you deserve to be loved exactly for who you are. As someone whose own life has elements of these characters’ experiences, the validation and comfort in finding this reflected in a middle grade novel was incredibly healing, and I just want to reread it immediately now that I’m done.

This series truly keeps getting more and more incredible, and I can’t wait to read more about these characters and from this author!

I had to DNF this book, and I hate myself for it. I WILL try this book again once it's released. I absolutely loved the first two but for some reason I have not been able to get into this and after sitting at 60% for the better half of a month, I just need to call it quits. I'll give the audiobook a shot once my library gets that but even if, I'll still be recommending this series because the first two were just that good.

My copy of this book was provided via Net Galley. This book is expected to come out in October.
Sir Callie and the Witch's War is the third book in the Sir Callie series. This book follows Callie, Willow, Elowen, and Edwyn. This book holds all the wonder and excitement of the first two in the series while dealing with some heavier topics in easy to understand way.
I had so much joy from reading this book. This is the type of representation I wish I had as a child. Sir Callie helps children to see and learn about different gender identities one can have, and different ways that one can feel about their gender. It does this all while telling a page-turning fantasy story.
This is a must read series for any age, but especially for those in middle- grade books.

This third book in the Sir Callie series picks up where we left off at the cliffhanger ending of book two, with the kingdom on the brink of war and Callie & friends caught in the middle of it all.  This book differs a bit from the others in that Callie, Willow, Edwyn, and Elowen are increasingly fighting their own battles (literally and otherwise), so the chapters alternate between their perspectives.  At first I was concerned that this new style would feel jarring, but it didn't - instead it deepened my understanding of and empathy for each character, seeing the world through their eyes.  Each of these kids is such a unique individual, with their own struggles and strengths and ways they show up for each other, it's impossible to pick a favorite.

Besides the lovely character development, we get to see some new places and meet some new people, from super creepy villains to outlaw kids to a confident genderfluid(?) adult who is a fantastic role model for both the kids in the book and kids reading the book!  We also learn about more injustice and cruelty happening in this world, and witness some pretty intense physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.  As I said in my review of the last book, it may be a bit too dark for some young readers, but there are many others who will see their own experiences reflected here and find incredible comfort, validation, and hope within these pages.  Grown-ups too.

And of course the metaphors for our real-world issues continue to be unfortunately apt, though woven into such an engaging fantasy that it never feels preachy. That said, I hope kids reading this book will consider the ways that they too can stand up for what they believe in, and adults will consider the ways that we as a society are failing our young people. And then, like Callie and their friends, let's do something about it.

If you enjoyed the first two Sir Callie books, I know you'll be lining up outside your local bookstore to get your hands on this one, and you won't be disappointed.  I suppose it's too soon to beg for book four given that this one isn't even out yet... 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

This was very deep for a middle grade story, and I appreciated that. The characters are complex and resilient, and the writing is great!

I first read books one and two of Sir Callie back in April and they became IMMEDIATE favorites of mine. So, when I saw that NetGalley was offering eARCs of the third book, I applied right away and was beyond elated when I was picked to receive a copy in exchange for review! Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity and to Esme for writing these books and for crafting such incredible stories and characters.

I can't really begin to even describe how much these books mean to me, but I'll certainly try! And even though this review is technically for Sir Callie and the Witch's War, I'll be addressing aspects of all three books because they truly complete each other. No spoilers, though!!

I like to describe these books as middle grade books for people who don't read middle grade. If you feel like MG books don't often deal with heavy enough topics or feature complex plots, then Sir Callie is for you. Our protagonists are kids, but the depth, emotion, conversations, and struggles held within this series are on such an extraordinary level that I'd find it hard for anyone not to come away from thesebooks feeling utterly amazed. Though magic (and species) are often used as analogies for real-world hatred and exclusion, other factors - especially surrounding gender - are NOT shied away from.

The depictions of abuse in all its forms are painfully accurate, but as someone who is still healing from trauma and abuse, I found such a beautiful catharsis in the gentleness and space dedicated to addressing each characters' journey towards healing. Healing is not linear, nor is it any one way, and I love how I can find myself in each of the characters and their individual paths.

The lore about dragons, magic, and general worldbuilding in this series are magnificent! The plot is rich and winding, with twists and turns that I never expect but, upon rereads, am able to foresee through cleverly laid hints and an expert use of foreshadowing. I love that no character is without flaws. Sometimes good people make bad choices, sometimes good intentions bring bad results, and sometimes - no matter how much love is present - families argue and fall apart for a bit. But the love holds out, and growth, forgiveness, and second chances are a beautiful part of the narrative.

Speaking on the third book specifically, I genuinely had no idea what to expect. Each book has successively introduced us to new characters, branching plot points, and an expanding world, all without ever losing sight of the core cast and story. If anything, these additions only prove to further develop the original characters and plot, as well as standing strongly on their own. I absolutely adored the multiple POVs in book three, as well - Esme did a fantastic job of letting us live inside each character's head without the story ever feel disjointed or chapters feeling rushed.

These books have truly become some of my most treasured loves in life. Callie and their friends, family, and world have given me a level of healing, confidence, and hope that is a beautifully rare combination to come across. As sorry as I was to see book three end (an ending which was PERFECTLY executed), I am so glad to know that Callie's adventures haven't come to an end yet!

Thank you again to Esme for this series, to NetGalley for the chance to read this newest addition during my birthday week (what a gift!!), and to all of you for taking the time to read this review!