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Buddy the Knight and The Queen of Sorrow
Buddy is no ordinary teddy bear.
He’s a Knight, crafted by The Nameless Wizard himself, and sworn to protect his Person, 10-year old Mieya, from all the Things-That-Go-Bump-In-The-Night.
When Mieya is cursed into a magical sleep, it’s up to Buddy and his friends Esteban the Bard, Sasha the Warrior-Princess, and Copper the Butterfly to journey across The Realm-Under-The-Bed and find the one responsible.
But this is no ordinary Quest. The Realm is a dangerous place, filled with jungles, deserts, lightning storms, and Monsters. But worst of all is The Queen of Sorrow who waits for them in her dark castle in the crags. To break her curse, Buddy will need more than his skill with a blade, Esteban’s witty songs, or Sasha’s ferocious might.
He’ll need Heart.
He’s a Knight, crafted by The Nameless Wizard himself, and sworn to protect his Person, 10-year old Mieya, from all the Things-That-Go-Bump-In-The-Night.
When Mieya is cursed into a magical sleep, it’s up to Buddy and his friends Esteban the Bard, Sasha the Warrior-Princess, and Copper the Butterfly to journey across The Realm-Under-The-Bed and find the one responsible.
But this is no ordinary Quest. The Realm is a dangerous place, filled with jungles, deserts, lightning storms, and Monsters. But worst of all is The Queen of Sorrow who waits for them in her dark castle in the crags. To break her curse, Buddy will need more than his skill with a blade, Esteban’s witty songs, or Sasha’s ferocious might.
He’ll need Heart.
- GenresFantasy
160 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2024
2 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 30, 2024
“Words, like love, are stronger than steel, sharper than swords, and last forever.”
Charming, adventurous, heartwarming, and creative - Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow was a delight from start to finish. A wonderful middle grade portal fantasy with a cast of witty, entertaining, and likable characters reminiscent of Toy Story. This book grabbed me early and kept me holding on and rooting for the cause of Buddy and his companions to the very finish. Peter's writing is top notch, with great pacing and wonderful passages that impart life advice through well-crafted character interactions. The fantasy world is rich, full of playful and imaginative settings that will widen the eyes and broaden the smiles of MG readers and sweep them away into a realm of magic and wonder. I highly recommend this to middle grade readers and adults alike.
Charming, adventurous, heartwarming, and creative - Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow was a delight from start to finish. A wonderful middle grade portal fantasy with a cast of witty, entertaining, and likable characters reminiscent of Toy Story. This book grabbed me early and kept me holding on and rooting for the cause of Buddy and his companions to the very finish. Peter's writing is top notch, with great pacing and wonderful passages that impart life advice through well-crafted character interactions. The fantasy world is rich, full of playful and imaginative settings that will widen the eyes and broaden the smiles of MG readers and sweep them away into a realm of magic and wonder. I highly recommend this to middle grade readers and adults alike.
February 16, 2025
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from The Write Reads as part of the upcoming blog tour. Thank you!
Honest review to follow.
Honest review to follow.
December 17, 2025
Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow by Peter David stood out to me from our assignments right away. Most of the time we get adult books for this completion with maybe some YA mixed in. This cover screamed middle grade (or maybe younger? I don’t have a good grasp on the younger reading levels), which isn’t a genre I read often but usually lands pretty well with me when I do. I was happy to say the same happened here.
The characters in this book were so fun to get to know, the setting was interesting and age-appropriate, and the various adventures were entertaining. While I did think there was a lot going on, one thing after another, that made the journey feel a bit too stretched out for me, I do recognize that this is something I would’ve liked that way at a young age. Many small victories to see our characters grow into themselves and become to the heroes we need.
I think the one thing that I would have liked to see more at the beginning was a display of the bond between Buddy and his child. Why does he want to protect her so much? It immediately threw us into the thick of it without feeling a connection to them yet.
Overall though, I had a really good time and I can see myself getting a copy of this book to read with my daughter eventually.
The characters in this book were so fun to get to know, the setting was interesting and age-appropriate, and the various adventures were entertaining. While I did think there was a lot going on, one thing after another, that made the journey feel a bit too stretched out for me, I do recognize that this is something I would’ve liked that way at a young age. Many small victories to see our characters grow into themselves and become to the heroes we need.
I think the one thing that I would have liked to see more at the beginning was a display of the bond between Buddy and his child. Why does he want to protect her so much? It immediately threw us into the thick of it without feeling a connection to them yet.
Overall though, I had a really good time and I can see myself getting a copy of this book to read with my daughter eventually.
February 23, 2025
Thank you to The Write Reads and the author for providing me with a free book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions contained within are my own.
Like many of you, I have been an avid reader since I was very young. Between my brother and I, we probably filled up at least one of the many bookshelves in our house, haha. And, even when I was young, fantasy was my favorite genre. I can still remember the feeling of getting completely lost in a fantasy world for an afternoon and re-reading the book over and over until my copy fell apart. Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrows brought that feeling back full force!
This story follows a teddy bear named Buddy. But Buddy isn’t just a teddy bear. He is a Knight sworn to protect his Person, Mieya, from all the scary things in the night. One evening, Mieya is placed under a terrible curse which sends Buddy on a quest to the Realm-Under-The-Bed, a place filled with both magic and perils. He brings with him his magic sword, his best friend (and bard) Esteban, and a strong will to protect all that he holds dear.
For a person who used to imagine her toys were alive when she was a kid, this book was my cup of tea! It has a charm that instantly drew me into the story and had me hooked. I loved the world that Peter David has created in this book! It’s so whimsical and sweet, while also being action-filled and thrilling in the best of ways. I would have liked a touch more worldbuilding (I wanna know the Nameless Wizard’s backstory!!) but, for such a short book, I think there’s enough here to fully immerse the reader into Buddy’s adventures.
My favorite part of this novel, though, has to be the characters. My goodness, I love Buddy! And Esteban. And Sasha. And Copper! I love them all, I love their friendship, and I love the lessons they teach as the journey through the Realm-Under-The-Bed. They are all so unique and fun and I could read fifty other books centered around them. And this is coming from a 42 year old woman! I can imagine the target audience for this will absolutely fall in love.
Overall, this was a fun, thrilling middle grade adventure that had me enraptured. It’s a quick read perfect for a middle grade reader that loves fantasy and for any adult who is feeling nostalgic for how middle grade fantasy used to make them feel. It’s most definitely worth the read!
Like many of you, I have been an avid reader since I was very young. Between my brother and I, we probably filled up at least one of the many bookshelves in our house, haha. And, even when I was young, fantasy was my favorite genre. I can still remember the feeling of getting completely lost in a fantasy world for an afternoon and re-reading the book over and over until my copy fell apart. Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrows brought that feeling back full force!
This story follows a teddy bear named Buddy. But Buddy isn’t just a teddy bear. He is a Knight sworn to protect his Person, Mieya, from all the scary things in the night. One evening, Mieya is placed under a terrible curse which sends Buddy on a quest to the Realm-Under-The-Bed, a place filled with both magic and perils. He brings with him his magic sword, his best friend (and bard) Esteban, and a strong will to protect all that he holds dear.
For a person who used to imagine her toys were alive when she was a kid, this book was my cup of tea! It has a charm that instantly drew me into the story and had me hooked. I loved the world that Peter David has created in this book! It’s so whimsical and sweet, while also being action-filled and thrilling in the best of ways. I would have liked a touch more worldbuilding (I wanna know the Nameless Wizard’s backstory!!) but, for such a short book, I think there’s enough here to fully immerse the reader into Buddy’s adventures.
My favorite part of this novel, though, has to be the characters. My goodness, I love Buddy! And Esteban. And Sasha. And Copper! I love them all, I love their friendship, and I love the lessons they teach as the journey through the Realm-Under-The-Bed. They are all so unique and fun and I could read fifty other books centered around them. And this is coming from a 42 year old woman! I can imagine the target audience for this will absolutely fall in love.
Overall, this was a fun, thrilling middle grade adventure that had me enraptured. It’s a quick read perfect for a middle grade reader that loves fantasy and for any adult who is feeling nostalgic for how middle grade fantasy used to make them feel. It’s most definitely worth the read!
June 27, 2025
More heart that an army of care bears and a wonderful story that will charm you (whatever your age).
September 10, 2024
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S BUDDY THE KNIGHT AND THE QUEEN OF SORROW ABOUT?
Buddy the Knight is a teddy bear. A valiant teddy bear, devoted to protecting his Person from the monsters from The Realm-Under-The-Bed. He's a knight and has spent years defending a little girl named Mieya from these fearsome foes. He's frequently assisted by his companion, a stuffed tamarin—a mandolin-playing bard. Esteban not only fights at Buddy's side, but his songs frequently tell the tales of Buddy's victories.
One night before Buddy can dispatch it, a monster inscribes a rune over Mieya—one that will bring her certain doom unless Buddy can defeat the monster's master—the Queen of Sorrows. Buddy is given an enchanted googly eye to guide him and Esteban as they journey to the heart of The Realm-Under-The-Bed to find this Queen. There are countless enemies and obstacles along the way, but they have until dawn breaks to complete their quest, so they will have to be quick as well as brave.
THE COVER
I don't do this enough, but I need to call out the cover here. Candice Broersma knocked it out of the park with this one. I just love this cover. It's one that you want to have on your shelf/eReader.
Also, I'd buy a print if Broersma/David were to make them available.
A LITTLE TREAT
There's a reference at one point to a series of books that Mieya read. I hope, hope, hope that kids who read this have their curiousity piqued and go ask someone (like a librarian or bookseller) what it might be a reference to and then read those books. They'll be in for (another) treat if they do.
Just seeing the reference was enough for me.
There are other nods to fiction and movies, too—cleverly hidden throughout, and just enough to make the grown-ups reading this smile (the Captain Shakespeare/Captain Johannas Alberic nod was particularly well done). None of them made me quite as happy as the series of books she read, but that's me. You (if you're above the age of 15), will likely have other favorites—but you'll enjoy all that you catch.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT BUDDY THE KNIGHT AND THE QUEEN OF SORROW?
I know that many people think that Paladins are boring characters. I'm not one of them—just think of Sturm Brightblade, Superman, Michael Carpenter, or Paksenarrion and tell me they aren't great to read (okay, some people have made Supes a little boring—but not all of them). Buddy the Knight is yet another entry in the Great Paladin Characters list I should get around to compiling sometime.
Esteban is one of the better comic relief sidekicks with a lot of heart, too. As funny and heartfelt as Shrek's Donkey with the devotion of Samwise Gamgee. The other allies and people—including the sentient magic sword—who help Buddy out are really well done, too.
The monsters, other antagonists, and (of course) the Queen of Sorrows are equally well depicted—but unlike the above, you really don't want to spend time with them. They're all drawn from types we've all seen before, but given a twist to make them feel new—and the reason we've all seen them before anyway is that they're just about always compelling, and with David's twist? They're just what this book needed.
Throughout the book—either in flashbacks that Buddy has to his maker's lessons or in the things the characters say to motivate each other or themselves—the reader is going to get a lot of slogans, life lessons, or morals thrown at them. I appreciated reading them—and I expect that readers 40 years (plus or minus a couple) younger than me will, too. Coming from stuffed animals probably makes them more palatable and somehow less corny than they'd be coming from an authority figure (in fiction or real life). It's likely that some of these will get lodged in the back of a young reader's mind and will prove beneficial later in life.
The story itself is a pretty straightforward Fantasy tale—the hero and his allies (some picked up along the way) are on a journey with a deadline to fight a powerful in order to rescue someone. As always, it too, is effective.
There's a lightness to the prose, but it's not a comedy—it comes across as whimsical and fantastical. It will charm you as it draws you in. We don't really see Mieya in action and don't get to know her, but we want her safe, we worry for her, because Buddy, Esteban, and the others are so devoted to her. We care about her because we care about the bear and the tamarin, and anything they think is important we think is important.
This is the kind of book that 10 year-old me would've curled up with and read and re-read. It's also the kind of thing that my kids would've loved—and I'd have had a blast reading to them. And 51 year-old me was just about as captivated with it as my younger self would've been. I strongly recommend this to those young at heart and those young readers you happen to buy books for.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this eARC from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S BUDDY THE KNIGHT AND THE QUEEN OF SORROW ABOUT?
Buddy the Knight is a teddy bear. A valiant teddy bear, devoted to protecting his Person from the monsters from The Realm-Under-The-Bed. He's a knight and has spent years defending a little girl named Mieya from these fearsome foes. He's frequently assisted by his companion, a stuffed tamarin—a mandolin-playing bard. Esteban not only fights at Buddy's side, but his songs frequently tell the tales of Buddy's victories.
One night before Buddy can dispatch it, a monster inscribes a rune over Mieya—one that will bring her certain doom unless Buddy can defeat the monster's master—the Queen of Sorrows. Buddy is given an enchanted googly eye to guide him and Esteban as they journey to the heart of The Realm-Under-The-Bed to find this Queen. There are countless enemies and obstacles along the way, but they have until dawn breaks to complete their quest, so they will have to be quick as well as brave.
THE COVER
I don't do this enough, but I need to call out the cover here. Candice Broersma knocked it out of the park with this one. I just love this cover. It's one that you want to have on your shelf/eReader.
Also, I'd buy a print if Broersma/David were to make them available.
A LITTLE TREAT
There's a reference at one point to a series of books that Mieya read. I hope, hope, hope that kids who read this have their curiousity piqued and go ask someone (like a librarian or bookseller) what it might be a reference to and then read those books. They'll be in for (another) treat if they do.
Just seeing the reference was enough for me.
There are other nods to fiction and movies, too—cleverly hidden throughout, and just enough to make the grown-ups reading this smile (the Captain Shakespeare/Captain Johannas Alberic nod was particularly well done). None of them made me quite as happy as the series of books she read, but that's me. You (if you're above the age of 15), will likely have other favorites—but you'll enjoy all that you catch.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT BUDDY THE KNIGHT AND THE QUEEN OF SORROW?
I know that many people think that Paladins are boring characters. I'm not one of them—just think of Sturm Brightblade, Superman, Michael Carpenter, or Paksenarrion and tell me they aren't great to read (okay, some people have made Supes a little boring—but not all of them). Buddy the Knight is yet another entry in the Great Paladin Characters list I should get around to compiling sometime.
Esteban is one of the better comic relief sidekicks with a lot of heart, too. As funny and heartfelt as Shrek's Donkey with the devotion of Samwise Gamgee. The other allies and people—including the sentient magic sword—who help Buddy out are really well done, too.
The monsters, other antagonists, and (of course) the Queen of Sorrows are equally well depicted—but unlike the above, you really don't want to spend time with them. They're all drawn from types we've all seen before, but given a twist to make them feel new—and the reason we've all seen them before anyway is that they're just about always compelling, and with David's twist? They're just what this book needed.
Throughout the book—either in flashbacks that Buddy has to his maker's lessons or in the things the characters say to motivate each other or themselves—the reader is going to get a lot of slogans, life lessons, or morals thrown at them. I appreciated reading them—and I expect that readers 40 years (plus or minus a couple) younger than me will, too. Coming from stuffed animals probably makes them more palatable and somehow less corny than they'd be coming from an authority figure (in fiction or real life). It's likely that some of these will get lodged in the back of a young reader's mind and will prove beneficial later in life.
The story itself is a pretty straightforward Fantasy tale—the hero and his allies (some picked up along the way) are on a journey with a deadline to fight a powerful in order to rescue someone. As always, it too, is effective.
There's a lightness to the prose, but it's not a comedy—it comes across as whimsical and fantastical. It will charm you as it draws you in. We don't really see Mieya in action and don't get to know her, but we want her safe, we worry for her, because Buddy, Esteban, and the others are so devoted to her. We care about her because we care about the bear and the tamarin, and anything they think is important we think is important.
This is the kind of book that 10 year-old me would've curled up with and read and re-read. It's also the kind of thing that my kids would've loved—and I'd have had a blast reading to them. And 51 year-old me was just about as captivated with it as my younger self would've been. I strongly recommend this to those young at heart and those young readers you happen to buy books for.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this eARC from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 24, 2025
Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow by Peter David
Blog Tour
Book Info
Genre: Fantasy
Age Category: Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 160 Pages
Publication Date: August 31, 2024
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
w
Storygraph:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/8...
Amazon: https://a.co/d/j7t7alb (Canada) https://a.co/d/5DKbJKj (USA)
https://amzn.eu/d/csINLMu (UK)
Blurb
Buddy is no ordinary teddy bear.
He’s a Knight, crafted by The Nameless Wizard himself, and sworn to protect his Person,
10-year old Mieya, from all the Things-That-Go-Bump-In-The-Night.
When Mieya is cursed into a magical sleep, it’s up to Buddy and his friends Esteban the
Bard, Sasha the Warrior-Princess, and Copper the Butterfly to journey across The
Realm-Under-The-Bed and find the one responsible.
But this is no ordinary Quest. The Realm is a dangerous place, filled with jungles, deserts,
lightning storms, and Monsters. But worst of all is The Queen of Sorrow who waits for them
in her dark castle in the crags. To break her curse, Buddy will need more than his skill with a
blade, Esteban’s witty songs, or Sasha’s ferocious might.
He’ll need Heart.
About the Author
A native son of Massachusetts, Peter has been living in the Deep South for over 25 years.
By day, he’s an insurance professional, saving the world one policy at a time. But at night,
well, no one really wants to see him fighting crime in his Spider-Man onesie. Instead, Peter
develops new worlds of adventure influenced by his love of science fiction, mysteries, music
and fantasy. Whether it’s running role-playing games for his long-time friends, watching his
beloved New England sporting teams vie for another championship, or just chilling with a movie,
his wife, two boys, one puppy and three cats, Peter’s imagination is always on the
move. It’s the reason why his stories are an eclectic blend of intrigue, excitement, humor and
magic, drawn from four decade’s worth of television, film, novels and comic books.
This is the cutest fantasy book ever!!!! to get a signed copy was such a lovely touch.
You follow the story of buddy a cute teddy bear that is also a knight, he is on a mission to save his human his one person.
He takes this adventure on with his best pal esteban who always has a song to sing.
They enture to the realm under the bed to face the maker of the curse given to his human. Along the way they are joined by
new friends and foes/monsters. They work together to finally get to the queen of sorrow, a queen with no heart. He will not only need his strength but also a lot of heart to defeat and save all that matters to him.
Such a beautiful and easy read and really breaks up all the usual fantasy I read. so grateful to have been apart of this tour.
Blog Tour
Book Info
Genre: Fantasy
Age Category: Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 160 Pages
Publication Date: August 31, 2024
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
w
Storygraph:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/8...
Amazon: https://a.co/d/j7t7alb (Canada) https://a.co/d/5DKbJKj (USA)
https://amzn.eu/d/csINLMu (UK)
Blurb
Buddy is no ordinary teddy bear.
He’s a Knight, crafted by The Nameless Wizard himself, and sworn to protect his Person,
10-year old Mieya, from all the Things-That-Go-Bump-In-The-Night.
When Mieya is cursed into a magical sleep, it’s up to Buddy and his friends Esteban the
Bard, Sasha the Warrior-Princess, and Copper the Butterfly to journey across The
Realm-Under-The-Bed and find the one responsible.
But this is no ordinary Quest. The Realm is a dangerous place, filled with jungles, deserts,
lightning storms, and Monsters. But worst of all is The Queen of Sorrow who waits for them
in her dark castle in the crags. To break her curse, Buddy will need more than his skill with a
blade, Esteban’s witty songs, or Sasha’s ferocious might.
He’ll need Heart.
About the Author
A native son of Massachusetts, Peter has been living in the Deep South for over 25 years.
By day, he’s an insurance professional, saving the world one policy at a time. But at night,
well, no one really wants to see him fighting crime in his Spider-Man onesie. Instead, Peter
develops new worlds of adventure influenced by his love of science fiction, mysteries, music
and fantasy. Whether it’s running role-playing games for his long-time friends, watching his
beloved New England sporting teams vie for another championship, or just chilling with a movie,
his wife, two boys, one puppy and three cats, Peter’s imagination is always on the
move. It’s the reason why his stories are an eclectic blend of intrigue, excitement, humor and
magic, drawn from four decade’s worth of television, film, novels and comic books.
This is the cutest fantasy book ever!!!! to get a signed copy was such a lovely touch.
You follow the story of buddy a cute teddy bear that is also a knight, he is on a mission to save his human his one person.
He takes this adventure on with his best pal esteban who always has a song to sing.
They enture to the realm under the bed to face the maker of the curse given to his human. Along the way they are joined by
new friends and foes/monsters. They work together to finally get to the queen of sorrow, a queen with no heart. He will not only need his strength but also a lot of heart to defeat and save all that matters to him.
Such a beautiful and easy read and really breaks up all the usual fantasy I read. so grateful to have been apart of this tour.
August 25, 2024
Starting off with a fabulous map of The Realm-Under-The-Bed, which sets the scene for this questing adventure, is always a winner.
The author has created a fantastic world into which our brave hero, Buddy the Knight, must journey, in order to save his Person, Mieya, from the evil Queen of Sorrow’s curse.
Armed with his enchanted sword, a magic amulet to show him the perilous way and Esteban, his trusty sidekick, Buddy sets off to battle monsters, sirens, storms and other unknown perils.
Along the way, Buddy encounters friends, foes and challenges that make him question his bravery and everything he believes to be true. Can he solve the quest riddle and defeat the evil Queen?
There are a few themes woven through the story which hit the right notes; do not let how you look or how you think others perceive you to limit you or make you feel less than who you are, know that you need both heart and mind to be whole and finally, be there for your friends and let them be there for you.
Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for this review.
The author has created a fantastic world into which our brave hero, Buddy the Knight, must journey, in order to save his Person, Mieya, from the evil Queen of Sorrow’s curse.
Armed with his enchanted sword, a magic amulet to show him the perilous way and Esteban, his trusty sidekick, Buddy sets off to battle monsters, sirens, storms and other unknown perils.
Along the way, Buddy encounters friends, foes and challenges that make him question his bravery and everything he believes to be true. Can he solve the quest riddle and defeat the evil Queen?
There are a few themes woven through the story which hit the right notes; do not let how you look or how you think others perceive you to limit you or make you feel less than who you are, know that you need both heart and mind to be whole and finally, be there for your friends and let them be there for you.
Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for this review.
March 25, 2025
Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrows was such a delightful read. It's fun and full of great adventure and charm.
We follow Buddy, a teddy bear, but also a brave Knight, sworn to protect his Person, Mieya. But when Mieya is put under a magical curse, it's up to Buddy and his friends to go on a quest to The-Realm-Under-The-Bed to find who cast the curse.
But can they succeed on their expedition? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, just a really nice, heartwarming fantasy read with loveable, fun, witty characters.
The settings are imaginative and vivid, and the world the author has created is full of wonder and amusing escapades.
It's a well paced read, and the storyline flows incredibly well and at just over 150 pages, it's a great length for this age range.
A big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
We follow Buddy, a teddy bear, but also a brave Knight, sworn to protect his Person, Mieya. But when Mieya is put under a magical curse, it's up to Buddy and his friends to go on a quest to The-Realm-Under-The-Bed to find who cast the curse.
But can they succeed on their expedition? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, just a really nice, heartwarming fantasy read with loveable, fun, witty characters.
The settings are imaginative and vivid, and the world the author has created is full of wonder and amusing escapades.
It's a well paced read, and the storyline flows incredibly well and at just over 150 pages, it's a great length for this age range.
A big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
February 23, 2025
I love Buddy! He immediately put me in mind of Ted (minus the swearing).
Buddy Knight and the Queen of Sorrow is reminiscent of so many of my childhood films, where the toys come to life when the lights are out.
The Realm Under the Bed is where the story takes place. The imagery really brought the story to life with scenes being easy to visualise.
Could this be the new Toy Story?
I really enjoyed the adventure. It's a quick and easy read. Full of action and excitement.
Children and YA will love Buddy's quest and parents will breathe a sigh of relief as the bogeyman lurking under the bed is no more. Nightmares will be replaced with fun dreams instead.
Buddy Knight and the Queen of Sorrow is reminiscent of so many of my childhood films, where the toys come to life when the lights are out.
The Realm Under the Bed is where the story takes place. The imagery really brought the story to life with scenes being easy to visualise.
Could this be the new Toy Story?
I really enjoyed the adventure. It's a quick and easy read. Full of action and excitement.
Children and YA will love Buddy's quest and parents will breathe a sigh of relief as the bogeyman lurking under the bed is no more. Nightmares will be replaced with fun dreams instead.
September 23, 2024
“Short in stature but long in thread count, Buddy was a mishmash of patches and repairs. Faded over time, they had become proud badges of his bravery and heroism…
Inside Buddy might be polyester stuffing, but further still came the steady beat of a heart…This was the Heart of a Knight.”
Peter David, Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow
When I was six years old, my grandmother gave me a teddy bear. When I unwrapped him, I cried. My mother asked me why I was crying, and I said because he looked like he was sad. My mom sewed a smile on him, and I was so happy. I promptly named him Theodore Benjamin, or Teddy for short and I loved him. Teddy was my best friend and he came everywhere with me, and he still sits in my room today. Peter David’s Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow brought me back to the moment when I got my own Buddy. The days when our toys were our best friends and we had grand adventures with them. Mr. David, in this wonderful, beautiful book, took me back to a time of innocence when we were unencumbered by the obligations of adulthood. As I read this book, I felt like I had come full circle. It was sixty-year-old me and at the same time, six-year-old me, reading the same book, both going on a quest with Buddy and his friends to save his person, Mieya, who is under a curse from The Queen of Sorrow. I truly believe that this book can be read and loved by everyone, from six to sixty. Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow is more than just an incredibly imaginative tale of adventure, it is ultimately a journey of love, acceptance, friendship, and sacrifice. Mr. David has crafted the amazing world of The-Realm-Under-The-Bed, where Buddy and his friend, the mandolin playing Tamarin monkey, Esteban, set off on their quest to save Mieya. While I relived my memories of all my toys reading Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow, there were so many moments of joy, and there were moments that brought tears to my eyes. Teddy has a place of honor next to my bed because I am his person, and I know he will always make me happy. I will forever be grateful to Peter David for this book and my trip back in time with Buddy. We can all take something with us when we read this book. Children will love it for the wonderful story of adventure and friendship, and adults, no matter how old we get, were once those children. We need Buddy to remind us of those carefree days.
“For children could never know about The-Realm-Under-The-Bed, or about Knights and Monsters. That knowledge would spell the end of their world. A delicate balance had to be maintained. Such was the curse of magic.”
Peter David, Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow
The-Realm-Under-The-Bed was a brilliant, imaginative creation. It is into this world where Buddy and Esteban must seek out the Queen of Sorrow to save Mieya from her curse. It was filled with mysterious jungles, deserts of coins, flying ships, bazaars filled with unusual creations, and, of course, the dark realm of the Queen of Sorrow. As Buddy and Esteban traverse the realm, they meet Sasha the Tigress and Copper the Butterfly, who join them on their quest. As I traveled with these companions each place they visited had its own unique charm, their own unique place on the map. The-Realm-Under-The-Bed was truly a delight, and our band of heroes were on a grand adventure through this magical world.
But how did Buddy become a Knight? I am in awe of Mr. David’s creativity throughout this book. Buddy and the other toys were made by the Nameless Wizard, and throughout the book we are treated to flashbacks of both Buddy and the Queen of Sorrow when they were with the Nameless Wizard. These were beautiful moments where Buddy learned life lessons, and how he would come to protect Meiya. The Wizard gave Buddy a great gift that made him a Knight. His precious sword, Aura.
“A Knight needs a proper weapon,” The Nameless Wizard had said…
I present to you, Sir Bear, the bold and beautiful Aura, The Silver Lady.” The Nameless Wizard announced…
Buddy wrapped his paw around Aura’s pommel. The connection was instant with a magic as old as time. Sword and Knight become bonded with a singular purpose: to protect those who cannot protect themselves….
“Let Aura be the light that shows you the way.”
Peter David, Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow
Buddy and his friends were great and well-rounded characters. Everyone can relate to any of them, they are brilliantly crafted characters. We all had a Buddy. It may have been a bear, another stuffed animal, a doll, whatever your favorite toy was. And while we had a favorite, they had friends, a story. Whatever we imagined as we played with them. Through that we can relate to Buddy’s story. He was brave, loyal, and fiercely protective of Mieya. He ventured all over the realm with Esteban, Sasha, and Copper to break the curse the Queen of Sorrow put on her. Reading this book brought out so many emotions. There were the wonderful moments when Buddy and Esteban met their new friends, Sasha and Copper. There were moments when I was tearing up. This little, brilliant, imaginative book captured my heart. It gave me back the moments I loved in my childhood. As I read, I kept thinking about my Teddy, on the night table next to my bed. I’m still his person, and I’m sure he’s still protecting me from the Things-That-Go-Bump-In-The-Night.
There is so much wisdom in this book, but I will leave with one of my favorites from The Nameless Wizard. A life lesson for all of us.
“Life is like a book,” he said as he flipped through the pages. “It has a beginning, a middle, and an end. How you live that life and the choices you make, that is what is important. To fear life knowing what lies at its the end is not living life at all. For all things must end. Cherish life, Sir Knight. Value life. Defend it. But never waste it.”
Peter David, Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow
Overall Thoughts
If you are looking for a wonderful and imaginative children’s story, look no further than Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow by Peter David. Buddy is no ordinary Teddy Bear, and this is no ordinary children’s book. This is one of those rare books that every person, from six to sixty will love and be able to relate too. As an adult, Mr. David will transport you back to a time of innocence, when our stuffed animals were our best friends, and like Buddy and his friends, we took them on fantastic journeys. As I read this book, I thought of my own Teddy Bear, Theodore, who came with me everywhere. I kept looking at him, now sitting in his place of honor next to my bed, remembering when I first got him, the smile my mom sewed on him because I thought he looked sad, and how he was always by my side. I smiled as I read Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow. I felt the joy of being a kid again, and there were times I teared up as well. For children, this is grand adventure that they will love. Buddy, Esteban, Sasha, and Copper set out on a quest to The-Realm-Under-The-Bed with its amazing places, to save Buddy’s person, Meiya from a curse by the Queen of Sorrow. This is a book they will read over and over because Buddy is brave, Esteban is funny, Sasha is fierce, Copper is loyal, and their quest is simply so much fun. But most of all, they will know that it is a story of love and friendship, and sometimes the hard choices we make. It is a timeless message, told in a unique and beautiful way.
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Inside Buddy might be polyester stuffing, but further still came the steady beat of a heart…This was the Heart of a Knight.”
Peter David, Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow
When I was six years old, my grandmother gave me a teddy bear. When I unwrapped him, I cried. My mother asked me why I was crying, and I said because he looked like he was sad. My mom sewed a smile on him, and I was so happy. I promptly named him Theodore Benjamin, or Teddy for short and I loved him. Teddy was my best friend and he came everywhere with me, and he still sits in my room today. Peter David’s Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow brought me back to the moment when I got my own Buddy. The days when our toys were our best friends and we had grand adventures with them. Mr. David, in this wonderful, beautiful book, took me back to a time of innocence when we were unencumbered by the obligations of adulthood. As I read this book, I felt like I had come full circle. It was sixty-year-old me and at the same time, six-year-old me, reading the same book, both going on a quest with Buddy and his friends to save his person, Mieya, who is under a curse from The Queen of Sorrow. I truly believe that this book can be read and loved by everyone, from six to sixty. Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow is more than just an incredibly imaginative tale of adventure, it is ultimately a journey of love, acceptance, friendship, and sacrifice. Mr. David has crafted the amazing world of The-Realm-Under-The-Bed, where Buddy and his friend, the mandolin playing Tamarin monkey, Esteban, set off on their quest to save Mieya. While I relived my memories of all my toys reading Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow, there were so many moments of joy, and there were moments that brought tears to my eyes. Teddy has a place of honor next to my bed because I am his person, and I know he will always make me happy. I will forever be grateful to Peter David for this book and my trip back in time with Buddy. We can all take something with us when we read this book. Children will love it for the wonderful story of adventure and friendship, and adults, no matter how old we get, were once those children. We need Buddy to remind us of those carefree days.
“For children could never know about The-Realm-Under-The-Bed, or about Knights and Monsters. That knowledge would spell the end of their world. A delicate balance had to be maintained. Such was the curse of magic.”
Peter David, Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow
The-Realm-Under-The-Bed was a brilliant, imaginative creation. It is into this world where Buddy and Esteban must seek out the Queen of Sorrow to save Mieya from her curse. It was filled with mysterious jungles, deserts of coins, flying ships, bazaars filled with unusual creations, and, of course, the dark realm of the Queen of Sorrow. As Buddy and Esteban traverse the realm, they meet Sasha the Tigress and Copper the Butterfly, who join them on their quest. As I traveled with these companions each place they visited had its own unique charm, their own unique place on the map. The-Realm-Under-The-Bed was truly a delight, and our band of heroes were on a grand adventure through this magical world.
But how did Buddy become a Knight? I am in awe of Mr. David’s creativity throughout this book. Buddy and the other toys were made by the Nameless Wizard, and throughout the book we are treated to flashbacks of both Buddy and the Queen of Sorrow when they were with the Nameless Wizard. These were beautiful moments where Buddy learned life lessons, and how he would come to protect Meiya. The Wizard gave Buddy a great gift that made him a Knight. His precious sword, Aura.
“A Knight needs a proper weapon,” The Nameless Wizard had said…
I present to you, Sir Bear, the bold and beautiful Aura, The Silver Lady.” The Nameless Wizard announced…
Buddy wrapped his paw around Aura’s pommel. The connection was instant with a magic as old as time. Sword and Knight become bonded with a singular purpose: to protect those who cannot protect themselves….
“Let Aura be the light that shows you the way.”
Peter David, Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow
Buddy and his friends were great and well-rounded characters. Everyone can relate to any of them, they are brilliantly crafted characters. We all had a Buddy. It may have been a bear, another stuffed animal, a doll, whatever your favorite toy was. And while we had a favorite, they had friends, a story. Whatever we imagined as we played with them. Through that we can relate to Buddy’s story. He was brave, loyal, and fiercely protective of Mieya. He ventured all over the realm with Esteban, Sasha, and Copper to break the curse the Queen of Sorrow put on her. Reading this book brought out so many emotions. There were the wonderful moments when Buddy and Esteban met their new friends, Sasha and Copper. There were moments when I was tearing up. This little, brilliant, imaginative book captured my heart. It gave me back the moments I loved in my childhood. As I read, I kept thinking about my Teddy, on the night table next to my bed. I’m still his person, and I’m sure he’s still protecting me from the Things-That-Go-Bump-In-The-Night.
There is so much wisdom in this book, but I will leave with one of my favorites from The Nameless Wizard. A life lesson for all of us.
“Life is like a book,” he said as he flipped through the pages. “It has a beginning, a middle, and an end. How you live that life and the choices you make, that is what is important. To fear life knowing what lies at its the end is not living life at all. For all things must end. Cherish life, Sir Knight. Value life. Defend it. But never waste it.”
Peter David, Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow
Overall Thoughts
If you are looking for a wonderful and imaginative children’s story, look no further than Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow by Peter David. Buddy is no ordinary Teddy Bear, and this is no ordinary children’s book. This is one of those rare books that every person, from six to sixty will love and be able to relate too. As an adult, Mr. David will transport you back to a time of innocence, when our stuffed animals were our best friends, and like Buddy and his friends, we took them on fantastic journeys. As I read this book, I thought of my own Teddy Bear, Theodore, who came with me everywhere. I kept looking at him, now sitting in his place of honor next to my bed, remembering when I first got him, the smile my mom sewed on him because I thought he looked sad, and how he was always by my side. I smiled as I read Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow. I felt the joy of being a kid again, and there were times I teared up as well. For children, this is grand adventure that they will love. Buddy, Esteban, Sasha, and Copper set out on a quest to The-Realm-Under-The-Bed with its amazing places, to save Buddy’s person, Meiya from a curse by the Queen of Sorrow. This is a book they will read over and over because Buddy is brave, Esteban is funny, Sasha is fierce, Copper is loyal, and their quest is simply so much fun. But most of all, they will know that it is a story of love and friendship, and sometimes the hard choices we make. It is a timeless message, told in a unique and beautiful way.
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May 6, 2025
If you had - or still have - beloved toys from your childhood, or know children who love their teddy bears, you should not miss out on Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow by Peter David. It's a charming, heart-warming, imaginative, original and exciting adventure, guaranteed to bring you back to the time when so many of your best friends were your toys.
Buddy is not just a teddy bear, he is a Knight equipped with a wooden sword and sworn to protect his Person, Mieya, from all monsters and danger. One night, a monster attacks, and although Buddy destroys it, the monster has left a Rune of Taking over Meiya while she sleeps. Buddy must enter the Realm-Under-The-Bed and defeat the Queen of Sorrow (and thereby her magical curse) before dawn, if he wants to save his Person.
Buddy will do anything to save Mieya and accepts the quest. Accompanied by his friend Esteban, a grey and black tamarin monkey bard who carries a mandolin, they venture beneath the bed.
Dormant dust bunnies, discarded clothing, and parts of games lie under the bed but there is also a vortex of lights and stars, the entrance into the Realm-Under-The-Bed, a magical and dangerous world which leads to the Queen of Sorrow.
I love everything about this story, the characters, the world, the story. Buddy is completely lovable. He is brave and true and loving, and is willing to sacrifice himself for Mieya. I love that he carries a repair kit with him (extra stuffing, needle and thread!) and that his magical sword, Aura, is his companion and not merely his weapon. Esteban, his tamarin best friend, is not skilled as a fighter but supports Buddy with his cheerfulness, encouragement and songs. Sasha, the tiger without stripes, is a friend they make along the way. She is fierce and determined, and while she doesn't have a Person to protect, she has her own reasons for making the journey. I love the Queen of Sorrow, and how the author depicts her, and what she is like when Buddy first meets her. Their encounter is a combination of brilliant and moving and terrifying.
All the places in the Realm-Under-The-Bed are built of building blocks and dolls houses and other things cast aside. The dangers come from discarded or broken toys and other bits that have been lost over time. There is a strong underlying story too, with a twist I did not expect, a formidable adversary, and of course wonderful themes of love and friendship, and how the powers of the Heart and those of the Mind complement each other, and how both are needed.
Buddy and his friends may be stuffed toys but you'll care for them as much as any characters, or indeed your beloved childhood toys.
Buddy is not just a teddy bear, he is a Knight equipped with a wooden sword and sworn to protect his Person, Mieya, from all monsters and danger. One night, a monster attacks, and although Buddy destroys it, the monster has left a Rune of Taking over Meiya while she sleeps. Buddy must enter the Realm-Under-The-Bed and defeat the Queen of Sorrow (and thereby her magical curse) before dawn, if he wants to save his Person.
Buddy will do anything to save Mieya and accepts the quest. Accompanied by his friend Esteban, a grey and black tamarin monkey bard who carries a mandolin, they venture beneath the bed.
Dormant dust bunnies, discarded clothing, and parts of games lie under the bed but there is also a vortex of lights and stars, the entrance into the Realm-Under-The-Bed, a magical and dangerous world which leads to the Queen of Sorrow.
I love everything about this story, the characters, the world, the story. Buddy is completely lovable. He is brave and true and loving, and is willing to sacrifice himself for Mieya. I love that he carries a repair kit with him (extra stuffing, needle and thread!) and that his magical sword, Aura, is his companion and not merely his weapon. Esteban, his tamarin best friend, is not skilled as a fighter but supports Buddy with his cheerfulness, encouragement and songs. Sasha, the tiger without stripes, is a friend they make along the way. She is fierce and determined, and while she doesn't have a Person to protect, she has her own reasons for making the journey. I love the Queen of Sorrow, and how the author depicts her, and what she is like when Buddy first meets her. Their encounter is a combination of brilliant and moving and terrifying.
All the places in the Realm-Under-The-Bed are built of building blocks and dolls houses and other things cast aside. The dangers come from discarded or broken toys and other bits that have been lost over time. There is a strong underlying story too, with a twist I did not expect, a formidable adversary, and of course wonderful themes of love and friendship, and how the powers of the Heart and those of the Mind complement each other, and how both are needed.
Buddy and his friends may be stuffed toys but you'll care for them as much as any characters, or indeed your beloved childhood toys.
February 23, 2025
Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow follows the story of Buddy, who is doing everything in his power to protect Mieya, his person. When the Queen of Sorrow puts a curse on Mieya in her sleep, Buddy and his friends must embark on a dangerous journey to save her. Along the way, they come up against ferocious monsters, and all manner of life threatening situations, which stand in the way of them and the Queen of Sorrow.
The characters are brilliantly written, each possessing different qualities that when they come together make the perfect team. They showed the importance of both heart and mind, and how together anything is possible, which was a running theme throughout the book. My personal favourite was Esteban, with his witty remarks, and unwavering loyalty to his friends.
The story comes together through a clever mix of memories, and current moments of the group’s journey, where they come face to face with the Queen of Sorrow. The use of memory again shows the importance of the heart and mind, and how love will conquer all. The final chapters will have you reaching for the tissues with some heart wrenching moments, but with the most lovely final lines of the story.
I will say that it was a shame that there were no illustrations within the book though. Buddy and his friends are so wonderful, I would have loved to have seen their adventures as well as reading them, and being a middle grade novel, I think children would feel the same way. Also, the cover illustrations are stunning, so I would have loved to have seen more of them.
Overall, this is a fantastic book, full of friendship, adventure, and bravery. Like Toy Story with a twist. Filled with important life lessons and messages to help teach children, but also that everyone needs reminding of from time to time, this is a story for children, but will certainly be loved by adults too! I hope we get more adventures with Buddy and his friends in the future.
The characters are brilliantly written, each possessing different qualities that when they come together make the perfect team. They showed the importance of both heart and mind, and how together anything is possible, which was a running theme throughout the book. My personal favourite was Esteban, with his witty remarks, and unwavering loyalty to his friends.
The story comes together through a clever mix of memories, and current moments of the group’s journey, where they come face to face with the Queen of Sorrow. The use of memory again shows the importance of the heart and mind, and how love will conquer all. The final chapters will have you reaching for the tissues with some heart wrenching moments, but with the most lovely final lines of the story.
I will say that it was a shame that there were no illustrations within the book though. Buddy and his friends are so wonderful, I would have loved to have seen their adventures as well as reading them, and being a middle grade novel, I think children would feel the same way. Also, the cover illustrations are stunning, so I would have loved to have seen more of them.
Overall, this is a fantastic book, full of friendship, adventure, and bravery. Like Toy Story with a twist. Filled with important life lessons and messages to help teach children, but also that everyone needs reminding of from time to time, this is a story for children, but will certainly be loved by adults too! I hope we get more adventures with Buddy and his friends in the future.
April 5, 2025
You’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but the wonderful cover image by Candice Broersma made me want to read this book the moment I saw it.
Buddy is a great character. He’s very loving and never hesitates to do the right thing and protect others. He will do anything to save Meiya from the curse. It’s not specified what the curse will do to Meiya, but it is obviously something very bad. Buddy doesn't hesitate to save her, no matter the cost to himself.
Estaban and Sasha are great supporting characters. I love how Estaban uses his humour and songs to encourage Buddy to keep going. Sasha is no tame toy and is a great contrast to Meiya’s toys.
The different sections of the Realm-Under-The-Bed are important to the story. Each area provides a challenge to Buddy in completing his quest. The Realm-Under-The-Bed is dangerous and full of tricks. Buddy must successfully navigate each section to find the origin of Meiya’s curse. While some of the areas prove helpful, like the jungle where he meets Sasha, most of them are dangerous and slow Buddy and the toys down in their journey.
The Queen of Sorrows is such an interesting character. I love how she fits into the theme of the book. I would have liked if Buddy had learned more about her as he journeyed through the Realms. The chapters that fleshed out her backstory were a clever addition.
This is a wonderful imaginative and exciting book for children and adults who still cherish their toys and love fantasy. This book treats toys with the gravitas they deserve. There is nothing sentimental about this book, which makes it all the better. With a new, imaginative take on toys and a blend of epic fantasy that provides strong world building, this is a wonderful adventure story that is suitable for the whole family.
Buddy is a great character. He’s very loving and never hesitates to do the right thing and protect others. He will do anything to save Meiya from the curse. It’s not specified what the curse will do to Meiya, but it is obviously something very bad. Buddy doesn't hesitate to save her, no matter the cost to himself.
Estaban and Sasha are great supporting characters. I love how Estaban uses his humour and songs to encourage Buddy to keep going. Sasha is no tame toy and is a great contrast to Meiya’s toys.
The different sections of the Realm-Under-The-Bed are important to the story. Each area provides a challenge to Buddy in completing his quest. The Realm-Under-The-Bed is dangerous and full of tricks. Buddy must successfully navigate each section to find the origin of Meiya’s curse. While some of the areas prove helpful, like the jungle where he meets Sasha, most of them are dangerous and slow Buddy and the toys down in their journey.
The Queen of Sorrows is such an interesting character. I love how she fits into the theme of the book. I would have liked if Buddy had learned more about her as he journeyed through the Realms. The chapters that fleshed out her backstory were a clever addition.
This is a wonderful imaginative and exciting book for children and adults who still cherish their toys and love fantasy. This book treats toys with the gravitas they deserve. There is nothing sentimental about this book, which makes it all the better. With a new, imaginative take on toys and a blend of epic fantasy that provides strong world building, this is a wonderful adventure story that is suitable for the whole family.
August 25, 2024
I have been waiting for a long, long time for a book like this. When I was a kid, my grandma made me a stuffed bear, and I played with that bear so much stuffing would come out of it, and its arms and legs would come off, but my grandma was there to sew it back together. He was a patchwork hero, and I still have him to this day (He sort of freaks my kids out because he's so torn up.) Many of us have a favorite stuffy from our past, and my kids currently have their own.
I say this because Buddy the Knight perfectly represents those memories and that fondness for our teddy bears. Not only that, but this middle-grade book is filled with excellent conversations about friendship and loyalty and what makes the heart and mind an important team. Buddy is surrounded by friends that Peter David fills with extraordinary imagination. Esteban the bard is a great friend to the end kind of stuffed monkey with an ear for music. Sasha is a brave tiger who only needs a little encouragement from her friends to show her true fierceness, and Copper, the mechanical butterfly, doesn't say much, but they help when needed most. There are plenty more characters, each pulled from the world of a child and given the fantasy treatment in a way I haven't seen before. I kept thinking that they should make a movie out of this!
I can gush all day about Peter David's Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow. It's a perfect read for anyone who wants to slip into a little Middle-Grade Fantasy for themselves or read to their children. I intend to read it to my own kids, too.
I say this because Buddy the Knight perfectly represents those memories and that fondness for our teddy bears. Not only that, but this middle-grade book is filled with excellent conversations about friendship and loyalty and what makes the heart and mind an important team. Buddy is surrounded by friends that Peter David fills with extraordinary imagination. Esteban the bard is a great friend to the end kind of stuffed monkey with an ear for music. Sasha is a brave tiger who only needs a little encouragement from her friends to show her true fierceness, and Copper, the mechanical butterfly, doesn't say much, but they help when needed most. There are plenty more characters, each pulled from the world of a child and given the fantasy treatment in a way I haven't seen before. I kept thinking that they should make a movie out of this!
I can gush all day about Peter David's Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow. It's a perfect read for anyone who wants to slip into a little Middle-Grade Fantasy for themselves or read to their children. I intend to read it to my own kids, too.
January 9, 2026
I read a copy of this book as a judge for the SFINCS (Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship). This review is a reflection of my opinion and not directly of the book's performance in the competition.
It's a little difficult for me to make a judgement on this book, really, because it's so thoroughly out of my wheelhouse - this is a book for children, clearly with an audience for kids around or under the age of about ten. I wasn't a child who enjoyed 'living toys' media much either, so it's just not my kind of thing 😅 I was generally bored while reading this, but I think there intentionally wasn't a ton going on.
The plot is straightforward and generally hangs together. The characters have 1-2 character traits depending on how frequently they appear. It's a cute story, but elements I found interesting weren't followed up on - presumably because this wasn't intended to have lots of layers. I will say that I felt more sympathy for the villain than I thought was intended, and its 'lessons' were more set dressing than baked in. It was cute, though, and I can imagine it making good material for an adult to read aloud to a child.
I would say that I don't recommend this as a book for a child who has/has friends or classmates who have facial differences. The descriptions of characters in this book rely quite heavily on equating physical 'ugliness' with villainy or potential villainy in a way that I wouldn't want to pass on to a child if I were reading a story to them.
It's a little difficult for me to make a judgement on this book, really, because it's so thoroughly out of my wheelhouse - this is a book for children, clearly with an audience for kids around or under the age of about ten. I wasn't a child who enjoyed 'living toys' media much either, so it's just not my kind of thing 😅 I was generally bored while reading this, but I think there intentionally wasn't a ton going on.
The plot is straightforward and generally hangs together. The characters have 1-2 character traits depending on how frequently they appear. It's a cute story, but elements I found interesting weren't followed up on - presumably because this wasn't intended to have lots of layers. I will say that I felt more sympathy for the villain than I thought was intended, and its 'lessons' were more set dressing than baked in. It was cute, though, and I can imagine it making good material for an adult to read aloud to a child.
I would say that I don't recommend this as a book for a child who has/has friends or classmates who have facial differences. The descriptions of characters in this book rely quite heavily on equating physical 'ugliness' with villainy or potential villainy in a way that I wouldn't want to pass on to a child if I were reading a story to them.
August 24, 2024
I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow, and I want to thank Peter David (Hartog) for the opportunity.
Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow is the book I would have wanted to read when I was nine years old. It’s imaginative, exciting, a little scary, and inspirational. It would have been my favorite book until I discovered Ray Bradbury. Even now that I’m a little older than nine, I find it to be a lovable story with intriguing characters and an inspiring message. It’s impossible not to appreciate the gallant Buddy and his loyal and stalwart sidekick, Esteben, but nine-year-old me (who was fascinated with Maleficent after watching Sleeping Beauty) would have been especially drawn to the Queen of Sorrow, because I’ve always had a soft spot for villains who didn’t know they were villains.
Adult readers might want to pay close attention to the Nameless Wizard, who, for all his wisdom and good intentions, is forced to learn some valuable lessons about communicating with children.
If you’re nine through twelve, or if you know an imaginative kid who’s nine through twelve and loves adventure stories--or if you’ve got a nine through twelve-year-old inside you who has never gone away--I highly recommend this tale of the heroic Buddy the Knight!
Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrow is the book I would have wanted to read when I was nine years old. It’s imaginative, exciting, a little scary, and inspirational. It would have been my favorite book until I discovered Ray Bradbury. Even now that I’m a little older than nine, I find it to be a lovable story with intriguing characters and an inspiring message. It’s impossible not to appreciate the gallant Buddy and his loyal and stalwart sidekick, Esteben, but nine-year-old me (who was fascinated with Maleficent after watching Sleeping Beauty) would have been especially drawn to the Queen of Sorrow, because I’ve always had a soft spot for villains who didn’t know they were villains.
Adult readers might want to pay close attention to the Nameless Wizard, who, for all his wisdom and good intentions, is forced to learn some valuable lessons about communicating with children.
If you’re nine through twelve, or if you know an imaginative kid who’s nine through twelve and loves adventure stories--or if you’ve got a nine through twelve-year-old inside you who has never gone away--I highly recommend this tale of the heroic Buddy the Knight!
February 21, 2025
This is the wonderful story of Buddy the Knight, a teddy bear, who is sworn to protect his person at all costs. When his person is threatened by the Queen of Sorrow, Buddy and his galant friends must use all of their power to save her. Buddy the Knight is charming, adventurous, strong and brave. He was created by the Nameless Wizard, the most powerful wizard ever, to serve and protect his people, or in this case, 10 year old Miea. Buddy is selfless and knows his duty is to protect her so he does everything in his power to do so. This is a wonderful story about love and duty, it's got plenty of adventure, peril and excitement to keep middle grade readers engaged throughout. It reminded be quite a lot of the Toy Story movies as well, which I found very appealing and I think readers will too. The book is excellently written, packed with vivid descriptions that really bring the story and action life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I know others will too.
February 25, 2025
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with The Write Reads.
This delightful middle grade fantasy follows an adorable teddy bear named Buddy and his friends. Buddy's Person, Mieya, has been cursed, and Buddy and his friends will stop at nothing to help her.
The author creates a world for the reader to escape into, and brings it to life in a unique way, along with the characters. I thought about how the name Buddy suited this teddy bear very well, because he seemed like the best friend anyone could ask for. The story also delivers heartwarming moral messages about courage.
It didn't take long to read this book, but it was comforting and full of magic. I felt it had the same kind of magic as some of the timeless children's classics; in fact, it reminded me a little bit of C. S. Lewis. Everyone needs to read a story like this once in a while.
Thank you to The Write Reads, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This delightful middle grade fantasy follows an adorable teddy bear named Buddy and his friends. Buddy's Person, Mieya, has been cursed, and Buddy and his friends will stop at nothing to help her.
The author creates a world for the reader to escape into, and brings it to life in a unique way, along with the characters. I thought about how the name Buddy suited this teddy bear very well, because he seemed like the best friend anyone could ask for. The story also delivers heartwarming moral messages about courage.
It didn't take long to read this book, but it was comforting and full of magic. I felt it had the same kind of magic as some of the timeless children's classics; in fact, it reminded me a little bit of C. S. Lewis. Everyone needs to read a story like this once in a while.
Thank you to The Write Reads, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.
May 10, 2025
A terrifying but magical realm underneath a child's bed, where the nightmare monsters live, but also many more other-worldly creatures alongside them.
Buddy is a brave, sympathetic soul and I enjoyed the brief glimpses back at his origins with the mysterious Nameless Wizard. The journey Buddy takes brings him and his growing group of friends through many places which are just as wondrous as they are sinister. Beautiful glowing caves, a desert of coins and sentient pirate ships.
It's such a terrifying thought that the monsters could be real, with their own domain under the bed. And just as worrying, that I could have thrown away my protector as a child! Despite being about a teddy bear and the monsters under the bed, this didn't really feel like a children's book. The writing was quite mature so I think it is suitable for anyone of any age.
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.co...
Buddy is a brave, sympathetic soul and I enjoyed the brief glimpses back at his origins with the mysterious Nameless Wizard. The journey Buddy takes brings him and his growing group of friends through many places which are just as wondrous as they are sinister. Beautiful glowing caves, a desert of coins and sentient pirate ships.
It's such a terrifying thought that the monsters could be real, with their own domain under the bed. And just as worrying, that I could have thrown away my protector as a child! Despite being about a teddy bear and the monsters under the bed, this didn't really feel like a children's book. The writing was quite mature so I think it is suitable for anyone of any age.
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.co...
February 26, 2025
Buddy the Knight had a really good premise and don't get me wrong even though I did find it enjoyable and gave it 3 stars for me there were elements that were lacking and it could of been a five star read if they were in place. Peter did a great job in the world building and atmosphere but I felt that for me I would of loved to see the relationship between Mieya and Buddy which was only touched on. Also some of the extra characters I got a little confused who was who but that must be a me thing.
There is no doubt that Peter has an amazing imagination and can certainly write and show us readers what exactly could be under our beds as we sleep.
Like I already have mentioned Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrows receives 3 stars.
There is no doubt that Peter has an amazing imagination and can certainly write and show us readers what exactly could be under our beds as we sleep.
Like I already have mentioned Buddy the Knight and the Queen of Sorrows receives 3 stars.
February 28, 2025
orry for my late review to @thewritereads and Peter David
Buddy Knight and the Queen of Sorrows is such a fun and quick read; we are following Buddy, a teddy bear who is a knight whose owner, Mieya, has been cursed into a magical sleep. He and her other teddy want to save her, like a toy story-esque adventure, a great fun adventure for all ages to read. I loved how easy this book is to read; my 7-year-old read it with me. We enjoyed this story together. I loved the adventure Buddy had in helping his owner. This book really made me smile. It is a wonderful story for children to
read.
#BuddyKnight #QueenOfSorrows #ChildrensBooks #Adventure #TeddyBear #MagicalSleep #ToyStory #ReadTogether #FamilyFun #BookReview #ReadingIsFun #KidsLit #Heartwarming #Storytime #Magic #Imagination
Buddy Knight and the Queen of Sorrows is such a fun and quick read; we are following Buddy, a teddy bear who is a knight whose owner, Mieya, has been cursed into a magical sleep. He and her other teddy want to save her, like a toy story-esque adventure, a great fun adventure for all ages to read. I loved how easy this book is to read; my 7-year-old read it with me. We enjoyed this story together. I loved the adventure Buddy had in helping his owner. This book really made me smile. It is a wonderful story for children to
read.
#BuddyKnight #QueenOfSorrows #ChildrensBooks #Adventure #TeddyBear #MagicalSleep #ToyStory #ReadTogether #FamilyFun #BookReview #ReadingIsFun #KidsLit #Heartwarming #Storytime #Magic #Imagination
March 3, 2025
Book source ~ TWR Blog Tour
My heart! It can’t take this! I’d give my heart to Buddy, in, well, a heartbeat, but I’m afraid it has already melted into a pool of goo.
This book is adorable! I mean, how could it not with that darling cover. Look at it. So cute! But wait, there’s more! In order to save his person, Mieya, from a nasty spell, Buddy must go on a Quest. That’s right, a capital Q-uest. And we all know how important a quest is when it’s in capital. *nods* Oh yeah, this is dangerous stuff here. However, Buddy is no ordinary teddy bear. He is a Knight crafted by none other than the Nameless Wizard. Buddy sets off with a bard and picks up some friends along the way.
This is a book for everyone. I can’t even think of someone who would dislike this. Ok, I can actually think of some people, but I would never be friends with them, so poop on them. Not literally. Ok, yes, maybe literally. Because this book is the teddy bear’s knees. If you’re a fan of heartwarming storylines, dangerous quests, and fantastic characters then do not pass this up.
My heart! It can’t take this! I’d give my heart to Buddy, in, well, a heartbeat, but I’m afraid it has already melted into a pool of goo.
This book is adorable! I mean, how could it not with that darling cover. Look at it. So cute! But wait, there’s more! In order to save his person, Mieya, from a nasty spell, Buddy must go on a Quest. That’s right, a capital Q-uest. And we all know how important a quest is when it’s in capital. *nods* Oh yeah, this is dangerous stuff here. However, Buddy is no ordinary teddy bear. He is a Knight crafted by none other than the Nameless Wizard. Buddy sets off with a bard and picks up some friends along the way.
This is a book for everyone. I can’t even think of someone who would dislike this. Ok, I can actually think of some people, but I would never be friends with them, so poop on them. Not literally. Ok, yes, maybe literally. Because this book is the teddy bear’s knees. If you’re a fan of heartwarming storylines, dangerous quests, and fantastic characters then do not pass this up.
March 7, 2025
This was a delightful tale that appeals to children and adults alike. Who does not fear what is under the bed? I couldn't put it down util I was sure that the characters were safe and sound after their treacherous journey into the Realm of Under the Bed. The toys were lovable characters with distinct personalities. This is a book for everyone's library!
March 26, 2025
Fantastic read! Peter’s best work yet! Toy Story meets The Wizard of Oz!
March 26, 2025
This book was like a fairytale. Such a pleasant surprise and I’m really glad that I read it.
December 14, 2025
Now, we will talk about a children's book. So you can call me a child today because I adore Buddy and his friends.🥰
I smiled from the start. The words written were placed next to each other in a wonderful way.
These entangled sentences, putting a spell on me, from where I do not know. Is this magic from the realm-under-the-bed?
I was bold, brave, and wise, so I read on.
With his person in danger, our Buddy and his friends prepare him for the journey to the realm-under-the-bed.
For every single thing that was prepared for him, I had to look at the front cover. Not to make sure it was there, but to make sure I could see what I had already imagined in a way. And every time I saw the item, I thought, 'aaaaw, there it is!'😂
I love our characters in this book, a book of bravery, friendship, and honour.... And that a small thing, or considered as sutch, actually can make a difference.
Will it all happen as the Nameless wizard predicts?
Never would I venture a desert of lost wishes without Buddy and his friends. We better proceed with the case.
Towards the end.... my heart stopped.
I smiled from the start. The words written were placed next to each other in a wonderful way.
These entangled sentences, putting a spell on me, from where I do not know. Is this magic from the realm-under-the-bed?
I was bold, brave, and wise, so I read on.
With his person in danger, our Buddy and his friends prepare him for the journey to the realm-under-the-bed.
For every single thing that was prepared for him, I had to look at the front cover. Not to make sure it was there, but to make sure I could see what I had already imagined in a way. And every time I saw the item, I thought, 'aaaaw, there it is!'😂
I love our characters in this book, a book of bravery, friendship, and honour.... And that a small thing, or considered as sutch, actually can make a difference.
Will it all happen as the Nameless wizard predicts?
Never would I venture a desert of lost wishes without Buddy and his friends. We better proceed with the case.
Towards the end.... my heart stopped.
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