Today, I'm very excited to share my thoughts on Dylan Madeley 's book, The Last Gift-Knight . Dylan sent me a copy of his book after reaching out to ask for a review and I'm really glad he did. Keep reading to find out what I thought to The Last Gift-Knight , and decide whether this will be your next great read... But first, let's meet the book! Two lives, the legacies of grand stories, are at the forefront of this tale. Frustrated with living in the shadow of a long-dead hero, Derek flees to infamous ruins and begs his ancestors for a sign. The next day, he is summoned to serve as the personal guard of his family's greatest enemy. The ensuing journey leads him through storied places, the depths of loneliness, and a growing dread over what awaits at his destination. A reserved and bookish princess unexpectedly finds herself on the throne yet under suspicion. Chandra hardly has time to prepare or to grieve before facing her duties. Aided by a trustworthy few, she mu...
At the end of this blog is the book cover for the upcoming release, Sir Louis Curlewy! For more information, scroll to the bottom and have a peek!
Middle Grade Monday: Genres
Romance in Middle Grade
Valentine's Day is at the end of the week and, throughout several homes, couples are racking their brains on what to get their better halves! Romance is one of the most loved genres of adult fiction, romance authors being the most prolific in writing their books, and the reader community thirsty for their next read. But adult genres don't always translate into middle grade.
(Incidentally, this blog comes with a caveat that I am not well-versed in romance, being a devout singleton who would rather keep my very cosy life the way it is than risking changing it for a man!)
There is no romance genre in Middle Grade, for the simple reason it just doesn't appeal to people that age. They are still in, or just getting out of, the idealistic romance stories in fairytales, and aren't ready for slow-burn or friends-to-lovers tropes which mirror real life. Most children would find that boring and tedious.
But that's not to say romance has no place in Middle Grade. Do you know how many children I've taught who have boyfriends or girlfriends? I, myself, had a boyfriend when I was at primary school. It's just that children have a different view of romance than us adults.
So, here are a couple of tips for including romance in your middle grade novel:
1) Don't make the story all about the romance
Yes, this has been dealt with already, so I won't dwell much on it. But romance is fine in another genre. Fantasy adventure, for example (my favourite), could have two characters who are childhood sweethearts, but it shouldn't be the main plot line.
2) Precarious relationships
In my experience, just being able to say that XXX is their boyfriend/girlfriend is exciting enough. For many children, these seem to be open relationships! Or on-and-off relationships where it's acceptable to be in love one day, and then change your mind the following week. After all, why not keep your options open?! Don't worry about making any romantic relationships permanent for a middle grade story.
3) A certain level of embarrassment!
If their relationship is the topic of discussion in a classroom, there will be flushed cheeks and nervous giggles. And, oh boy, don't children love to 'out' any romantic relationship in their class!!
4) Hmmm, what about that age gap?
Does it work to have an age gap romance in middle grade? I'm talking about different years at school. This one, I would handle with caution. For one reason, if two people are in different year groups, they wouldn't be in the same class, and therefore wouldn't spend as much time with each other. Secondly, let's assume their relationship stands the test of time... while a 10 year old and a 12 year old may not seem too weird... a 14 year old and a 16 year old does!
In Doorway to the Sunset, one of my characters is 'sweet on' (if people still use that term!) another character, but it doesn't go any further than that, simply because one of the characters is 12, and the other is a few centuries old. No weird 'well-he-only-looks-13' romances here!
5) This one should be obvious, but...
The realms of sexual relationships are a big no-no for middle grade. I don't think I need to explain why!
So, there are my top 5 tips for writing romance in middle grade. Don't let it put you off - middle grade is a great age to write for! And rest assured, in primary schools up and down the country, there will be hundreds of Valentine's cards exchanging hands!
What's New with Crowvus: Cover Reveal!
Well, well, well!! Today marks a very exciting event in our Crowvus calendar! The cover reveal for Sir Louis Curlewy by Susan Crow!
For ages, all we've been able to share is this partially hidden photo:
Before we show you the final cover, let's give a little look at the blurb:
This captivating book combines storytelling with fun facts about these remarkable birds, teaching young readers about their habits, habitats, and importance in nature. Perfect for curious minds, Sir Louis Curlewy inspires a love for wildlife and encourages the protection of these treasured creatures.
A must-read for nature-loving families and budding bird enthusiasts!
The ebook is available for pre-order on Amazon here, and the paperback will be available on
21st April 2025
And, now, drum roll please...!!!!
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