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Carry the Knight

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Carry the Knight is an urban fantasy novella about a struggling writer whose life suddenly takes a turn for the worse, as he experiences devastating loss, career failure, cruel heartbreak, addiction, and self-loathing. But in a fantastic twist of fate, a magical fairy suddenly appears, and reveals a great destiny that awaits him! Filled with screeching serpentine villains, vine covered women, powerful enchantresses and a multitude of otherworldly creatures, Carry the Knight is about never giving up on your dreams, and most importantly, never giving up on yourself.

62 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2014

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880 people want to read

About the author

Miguel Lopez de Leon

11 books128 followers
Miguel Lopez de Leon is a novelist who lives in Los Angeles. He writes young-adult, middle-grade, and dark fantasy novels. Miguel's novels include Blue Cloak Warrior, It Took Billy, Babble Magic, The Light Dweller, The Covens of Elmeeria, The Unicorn, Carry the Knight, and the Galadria fantasy trilogy.

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5 stars
14 (24%)
4 stars
22 (38%)
3 stars
8 (14%)
2 stars
11 (19%)
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2 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Anita Lock.
104 reviews6 followers
July 24, 2014
Jeremy appears to have everything that he needs. Leading a simple lifestyle, he enjoys spending quality time with those he lives with, namely his girlfriend Lily and their dog Flouncy. To top it off, Jeremy's career is taking off, now that he has successfully published his first book. Life doesn't get any better than this, or so he thinks until he is confronted by a flurry of disheartening events and an unexpected visit by a fairy.

Carry the Knight is the first of a new set of novellas created by fantasy author Miguel Lopez de Leon. De Leon's narrative focuses on the life of Jeremy, a young man in his late 20s. Happily situated in his urban environs with the ones that he loves, he is enjoying the life of a novice writer. Jeremy is unaware that there is more involved in the literary field than he anticipates, as De Leon aptly includes the stark realities of the tensions that can arise between writers and publishers. Unquestionably, Jeremy is not a happy camper as he succumbs to his publisher's demands, and to ease his stress, he finds a "new friend": vodka. Again, De Leon hones in on the slippery slope associated with alcohol consumption, and in the case of Jeremy, what began as a once-a-day drink turns into the completion of a bottle by day's end. Equally important, is De Leon's attention to the affects that one's strained working environment coupled with excessive drinking can have upon family members. His narrative carefully contrasts Jeremy's happy fun-filled life with his all-consuming routines. His intense lifestyle, together with unforeseen situations, only incurs additional strain on his now fragile relationship with Lily.

De Leon's plot is not totally filled with doom and gloom, though, as he introduces a whole host of benevolent and malicious creatures into Jeremy's seemingly despairing circumstances. Of critical importance is the role Eonie plays by revealing herself to Jeremy at a low point in his life. The protagonist fairy-like being who "breaks the rules of her realm" claims that he is destined to create "THE book" that will help others. But Jeremy can only fulfill his destiny if Eonie guards him from the vicious attacks of various creatures, most notably the Reets. These deceptive beings, such as the seductive-looking vine woman with the red hypnotic eyes, not only loathe humans, but are also angered that Jeremy can see them.

Adding incentive to his providential literary future, De Leon includes another protagonist character whose shape-shifting qualities provide happiness while Jeremy concentrates on writing. Disguised as a playful pup named Plops and happily accompanying Jeremy in his bookish venture, it "transformed itself into a giant eagle, then a huge leopard, and finally settled on being an immense lion," to deflect a slew of antagonist beings attempting to execute Jeremy's demise. Indeed, De Leon has created incredibly curious characters aside of the vile Reets. For examples, the fanged slime blobs that can effectively ooze into places, and serpents that can transform into human likenesses.

A wonderful mix of reality and fiction that is filled with hope and high morals, Carry the Knight is both thought provoking and entertaining. Earmarked for young adults, older readers will equally find this fantastical novella well worth the read.
Anita Lock, Book Reviewer for Pacific Book Review
Profile Image for Chandy.
21 reviews3 followers
August 4, 2015
I won this book in the Goodreads contest. It was a very quick and interesting read. It is a novella about a writer, and his trials trying to make it as a writer. This particular writer is going to write a book that is "THE book," so he is protected by a Guardian from another world, unknown to him...who ends up revealing herself to him.

Throughout the story he struggles with typical writer things - marriage, deadlines, alcoholism, writers block, etc. But, when this Guardian is introduced, he also has to struggle with balancing the knowledge of the creatures of this other world.

It would seem to me that the struggles he faces when faced with this new world can be compared to those he already had, and thus may be metaphorical. I think that's part of what made me like this story so much.

The only thing negative I have to say about this book, is that there was a lot of "telling" vs. "showing" (i.e. blah blah feels such and such a way, rather than blah blah is moping about the house, staying in bed all day, etc.)...but I feel like in the limited space that is a little bit harder to do. And, that is not to say *all* feelings and such were just told vs. shown. There were definitely some things that were shown, and the ones that were shown, were shown VERY well.

Overall, fantastic read, and I would definitely read it again.
Profile Image for WriteKnight.
79 reviews3 followers
June 24, 2015
Carry the Knight was an easy, light writer's fantasy, geared it seems to YA readers.

I was particularly sympathetic to the message for YAs/NAs – of self-regard, hope, and never giving up. As I got further along my reading, I did begin to think, however, that the story was a little self-indulgent. It was a fantasy about a struggling writer that had a destiny of writing every writer's dream, a great book, . Okaaay, I know they say write about what you know and feel, but this was a pretty literal application of that.

I thought the plot and character development was okay; and while I know it'd have been a challenge, I thought it could have been more in-depth even for a short story. I liked the idea of the diverse set of magical creatures; but again, they were only briefly described and gone in a flash.

Overall, this was an easy read, a nice story with a good message for YAs/NAs, so I'll give it 3.5 stars.
[I'm excited to have won this as a Goodreads First Read – so thanks, Miguel!]
Profile Image for Victoria.
158 reviews20 followers
July 9, 2015
A simply beautiful,quick and easy read. I loved the main character and rooted for him all the way. And I'm beyond in love with fairy Eonie (oh sorry...Guardian Eonie).
I'm glad being a part of this little amazing adventure.
Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
7,006 reviews175 followers
January 24, 2020
I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it to my local library.
Profile Image for Glenn Conley.
Author 1 book74 followers
July 28, 2015
This is a very important review. It will change your life forever, and inspire countless millions to rise up and take control of their lives. It will be the cornerstone of a new civilization. Monuments will be built because of this review. People will bow down, and praise me as some sort of oracle. For I am Glenn. And I fucking hate this goddamn book.

Of course, all of that is a lie. This isn't an important review, just as this isn't an important book. In fact, it's a completely useless book. It doesn't accomplish anything, except being full of itself.

The protagonist is a struggling writer. A fairy appears to help him write his all-important book. Because this book is special. It must be written. It will inspire people, and help the world in so many ways... Or so this so-called fairy thinks.

It doesn't make any fucking sense why this fairy would appear to this stupid fucking writer. It's said that no fairy, or magical creature has EVER appeared before. They hide from us. But they chose this fucktard of a writer to appear to. Why the bloody fuck didn't they show up and tell Hitler to stop with all the fucking murder? Why now? Why this fucking loser? There's absolutely no explanation, except for helping him finish the 'important' book that he's writing.

Which is not a reason at all, considering the book the fairy is referring to is this same fucking book. Carry the Knight. Which isn't inspirational at all. In fact it's downright insulting to my intelligence. And that's hard to do, considering how fucking retarded I am.

The only reason I gave this book two stars instead of one, is because there was at least some value to it. The fairy-world building was actually quite interesting. Some evil fairies come out to play, and attack the hapless writer. So his fairy guardian protects him, and builds a bubble around his apartment. And then the boss-fairy comes into the picture and negotiates a treaty with the evil fairies. And all is well.

So there's like one percent of this book that's worth reading. The rest of it is utter dogshit. What really kills me is the fact that this is an actual published book, and not just some self-published work. I can see someone self-publishing garbage like this, but for an actual publisher to pick up this junk just pisses me right the fuck off. It's an insult to real writers, goddamnit.

And if this review didn't really change your life, then you know exactly how I felt after reading this fucking book. I felt cheated. And raped. 'Important book' my ass. After tearing up this book and eating it piece by piece, I'm going to build a monument to it in my toilet. I'll call it 'Ode to de Leon'.
Profile Image for Dixie Conley.
Author 1 book9 followers
November 1, 2015
I've been putting off reading this one because it was so small, it looks like a pamphlet rather than a book. I wish I'd put it off forever. But, alas, I was going to be stuck at the hospital all afternoon, so I took it with me. And left it there, which says everything about it.

It's about a writer who has trouble writing as well as trouble publishing and becoming a real writer, i.e., one who gets paid for his work. As indeed, most writers do have problems with these things. Most writers, however, don't go into alcoholic comas and start seeing fairies.

Congratulations, you've now skipped the worst half of the book. The second half, where he sees the until now invisible creatures is almost readable, up until you get to the point where they tell him why they showed themselves to him -- because they somehow knew that he would write this book. (The writer disclaims this, saying it was only mostly like this book, but gives it the same title, so there you go.)

The thing I'm having the most difficulty imagining is how he got paid for this, because if writing childishly about the difficulties of one's life gets you paid, I'm all for getting in on this racket.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Emily.
38 reviews16 followers
July 31, 2015
i received this book through a goodreads drawing/giveaway.

It was much shorter than I expected! I felt like I had just started to get into the story when I realized I was at the halfway point of the book. I probably read this book in less than two hours, which is unusual for me.

I enjoyed the book, but honestly I felt like I was reading a very everyday spiral of what life is like, and there really wasn't a whole lot for me to dig into. I think that was the point of is book though, to be a short read that made a point. Unfortunately I feel like the point almost defeated itself because in order for the author to say "no one is truly alone" he had to make up an imaginary being that just happened to be following this particular author around. Which means, the rest of us who are going through what the main character is dealing with actually are alone.

Still unsure how I feel about the book, because just as I was becoming invested in the main character, the book ended.

Enjoyable, but not a thriller. This book was written to make a point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sandy Grissett.
262 reviews3 followers
June 23, 2015
This is a great short story about a guy named Jeremy who is a writer. His girlfriend Lily and Flouncy the dog live with him. Jeremy and Lily have lived together for the past 10 years and have a comfortable and close relationship. When one of his books is published he has to spend time away from home to promote his book. When he returns home he finds Lily has started drinking heavily, he gets an upsetting call about his book. Lily and the dog go to her mothers and he goes back to trying to lead a normal life, going out, going to the gym, yet he knows that it is not working and he starts going downhill. When he is at his lowest a fairy (guardian) shows herself to Jeremy. He really thinks he is going crazy then. Lol Many interesting things happen at this time. You will meet other mystical characters and a lot of action. Eventually, With the support of others, he realizes what his next book will be about. This is a great read by Miguel Lopez deLeon.
6,293 reviews82 followers
October 6, 2015
I won this novella in a goodreads drawing.

A fairly simple story about a writer who will write a book that will change the world.

Unfortunately, after some tough experiences, he is slipping into an alcoholic fog. Desperate to shake things up, his fairy bodyguard reveals herself. This causes a host of problems, as the guy can now see a plethora of extra-planar creatures all over the place. Once these beings become aware he can see them, they attack.

Not a bad read, if a bit abecedarian for my taste.
5 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2015
Carry the Knight is a nice, quick read. It is a book about not giving up and how life isn't always a fairy tale. If you are looking for a fast read and are interested in mythical creatures this book is for you! This novella is about 50 pages long and can easily be read on one sitting.

**ARC provide in exchange for an honest review**
802 reviews
June 24, 2015
This was a great novella it swept you into the story and you had to keep reading. I won this book on good reads.
Profile Image for Emily.
203 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2015
Not just a great fantasy but a moving tale of recovery after losses suffered from alcohol addiction.
Profile Image for Corey Henio.
255 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2015
We all fall down, but we find the confidence, the courage to get back up. Never give up on your dreams, your goals.
Profile Image for Lynn Kidd.
25 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2019
I’m a fan of fantasy, especially the supernatural and paranormal; and with this being the first I've read by Miguel Lopez de Leon, I found this to be a quick, relaxing diversion. A wonderful mix of reality and fiction that is filled with hope and high morals, Carry the Knight is both thought provoking and entertaining.

I was curious about the mystical creatures in the book that help turn the character back on the right path. The book leaves you hanging with a lot of questions about the creatures. Besides that the book was an easy read and deserves to be read by all YA in school.
Profile Image for Laura.
3,205 reviews348 followers
September 19, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and have the author's other books on my TBR list.
As a writer, he does a onderful job. I was pulled into the story and read it straight through.
I liked the Guardian, she is NOT a fairy.
Perhaps the author also enjoys a few cocktails and alows his imagination to wander.
The fictional author has an alcohol problem and drags down his dear friend and roommate.
At first they are barely making ends meet, then he gets a book contract and a healthy advance.
Life seems to be going fine until he spends time partying on the publicity trail, doesn't start to work on his second book and the publishing house closes. By that time the girlfriend realizes what they have is not true love and moves out, leaving Jeremy, the fictional author, friendless. He does not know bout his great destiny or his Guardian little person. He falls into despair and considers suicide.
The only way to save him is for the Guardion, Eonie, to materialize in front of him, breaking all the guardian rules.
The blessing or curse of her actions is that now Jeremy is aware of other inhabitants of other planes of existance.
So the book jumps from a fantasy romantic drama to full blown fantasy.
A multi world inhabitant altercation follows, again almost ending Jeremy's life. When will he figure out this great destiny of his? Will he cause the end of Eonie's life as well?

This can be read as a paranormal fantasy adventure or as a cautious tale for writers and other creatives.
I look forward to reading the author's Galadria series.
Profile Image for Tex Reader.
518 reviews27 followers
June 16, 2015
2.5 of 5 stars – Fine, Not Too Involved Supernatural Novella.

I’m a fan of fantasy, especially the supernatural and paranormal; and with this being the first I've read by Miguel Lopez de Leon, I found this to be a quick, relaxing diversion.

I found the writing style and plot flowed fairly smoothly and at a good pace, with some interesting turns. But I guess I'm a little tough in my ratings, and I thought this was cute but nothing earth-shattering compared to the creature/world-building of some other supernatural fantasies I've enjoyed.

Along those lines, I found the story, sentences and ideas to be fairly simple, even for a novella. My preference leans to novels, which I find can often bring more depth, development and complexity, but novellas can also deliver. For me to enjoy this more, it needed to be more descriptive, relatable and engaging in terms of characters, plot, and tension.

Maybe it was because I felt there was too much telling, and not enough showing. Since I was being told, I wasn't as emotionally engaged - I didn't see it or feel it, I wasn't fully drawn in. Even as a novella, I think there could have been more character building and intensity. For example, the MC goes through a transformation, but I didn't see the realistic, gritty, hard-core personal emotional and psychological work that such a transformation would require.

So for me, this was a quick, simple story of some interest.
Profile Image for Melinda.
22 reviews5 followers
September 19, 2015
This is a short book that can be read in one setting. It is definitely geared for YA Adults. The book was given to me to read, so I followed through on reading it, but it was not my favorite book.

To me it was an odd story of a struggling author who writes a book, but the book publisher closes so the book never gets published. The author falls into a deep depression, has some mishaps and struggles with alcoholism. In his downward spiral of contemplating his existence, he encounters mystical creatures and fairies who save him from his destruction. He then decides to write another book that he promises to make a real difference in this world. This is the book.

The book did not meet my expectations of saving the world, or a book that would change the world. But the author did follow through with his description on the back cover about what the book was about. For him writing the book did change his life, and shown him never to give up on yourself so one life was saved.

Received complimentary from Goodreads Giveaways for a honest review.
Profile Image for Coleen.
1,022 reviews51 followers
February 6, 2016
This short book (novella) is an easy and fast read, enjoyable and has a lesson to be learned.
I had read the third Galandria book by the same author, and like his style of writing. But this book
was different, with some fantasy, but not much. At least, I believed most of it anyway! Who can't relate to a young writer, Jeremy, trying to meet a deadline? And who can't relate to ruining a good relationship because of bad habits that we don't recognize and /or don't know how to correct without help?

But the main lesson to be learned, I thought, was that each of us has something important to contribute with our lives. And I was taught as a child (not with Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny) that each of has a guardian angel -not necessarily a magical fairy, but close. So I found the book particularly rewarding as a reminder of what is important in life.


I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Profile Image for Beth.
493 reviews25 followers
May 4, 2016
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in return for an honest review.

I didn't particularly care for the main character Jeremy. He was to self centered and depressed. I know a lot of people suffer from depression and everyone gets overwhelmed and I try not to judge anyone based on that, but since this is a fiction novella... I just couldn't relate to Jeremy and I have experienced depression and overwhelming obstacles where I felt like I was never going to get back on track. I might have been able to relate better if there was more to his story, but since it is a novella you don't get anything beyond the bare bones.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
271 reviews10 followers
November 9, 2015
Loved it. A very short book but so much happens in the story. Jeremy is a struggling writer living with his girlfriend of over ten years,Lily. They seem to have a perfect life supporting and loving each other. Slowly they each start to drink more and more. While Jeremy is away on a book tour Lily takes to drinking too much leaving their relationship. At first Jeremy is able to handle life and his drinking but finally he looses all control. At the point of suicide he is rescued by his guardian fairy. Now he has the ability to see a hidden world of hidden creatures. I received this book free from Goodreads.
Profile Image for Brenda.
17 reviews2 followers
January 19, 2016
I won a copy of this book through a goodreads contest. I was excited to receive it and thought I would be able to read the book in a short amount of time.

I started the book, but every other page was blank. I tried to read it and make sense of what parts I was missing. The pages I could read showed promise, but I quit about 20 pages into the book - or 10 pages into the book if you only count the pages with actual words on them!

So, I cannot recommend this book based on what I saw. I wouldn't have entered the contest if I'd have realized what was going to be sent. It would be better to send the first 2-3 chapters and get you hooked than to send every other page.
Profile Image for Shannon.
71 reviews5 followers
October 25, 2015
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway in return for my honest review.

I do not usually read fantasy books. It was a very quick and unique read for me. Since the writing style was very basic, I believe this book may be geared to YA readers. The beginning of the book drew me in describing the relationship between the writer and his girlfriend however when it moved into more fantasy with the Guardian (Fairy) protecting the writer the book became a little strange for me. Since the book is only forty-nine pages, I finished it.
Profile Image for TR.
69 reviews41 followers
May 4, 2016
This could have been an interesting story if presented differently, and it could even have been a good book if it had been, well, written better. The narrative style was rambling, the writing style was childish and amateurish, and so on. It's also really short; it's more of a booklet than a book. There were lots of other problems, but I already feel bad about giving a negative review and I'm not in a snarky mood, so I'll stop there.

I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
Profile Image for Cc April.
104 reviews10 followers
June 23, 2015
I receive this novella as part of a Goodreads Firstreads promotion in exchange for an honest review. Carry the Knight Miguel Lopez was a book I was looking forward to reading. The premise sounded promising however it was not a book that I found very interesting, but that is just my opinion as I see that he received many 4 or 5 star reviews. I'm sorry and don't usually like to say anything bad about a book but this felt like a high school paper written for an English class.
Profile Image for Cynthia A.
703 reviews
February 8, 2016
Short and enjoyable book.
A writer has one book published, but he begins to lose hope when the publishing company goes belly up. He turns to alcohol, his wife divorces him, a new girl he falls in love with leaves, and he is heading to the suicide side of life.
But there is hope when a magical fairy reveals herself to him. She is his guardian and she reveals that he has a great destiny ahead.
Sit back and enjoy.
Won on Goodreads.
Profile Image for Lee.
606 reviews14 followers
August 1, 2016
Love this story! I wish I would have read it sooner. A captivating look at the world of a writer when times are perfect and times are horrendous. It was fascinating when the fairy guardian appears to the depressed young man and shows him a whole new world. I highly recommend this novella. Thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
42 reviews
August 20, 2015
First I would say this is really a short story rather than a novella. It seems a fairly simple fairy tale that I suspect could almost, but not quite, really, be all about Miguel Lopez de Leon. I'd like to know if he actually saw fairies.... Enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours anyway. I received this book as a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
Profile Image for Tammy Downing.
685 reviews6 followers
January 8, 2016
I won this book from Goodread's Giveaways. It is a short fantasy novella. The main character is a writer who has the world on a string until it all falls apart and he descends into depression. Then his personal guardian, who looks like a fairy, appears to him and lifts him up again. Very enjoyable novella.
94 reviews
May 22, 2016
This book is really short....very easy read and can easily be finished in one sitting. Struggling novelist deals with heartbreak and addiction. He has 'fairy God mother' come and tell him he is suppose to write a spectacular novel that helps many people. He doesn't know what to write, but at the end he does figure it all out and writes the novel. I won this book on Goodreads
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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