One for All: A Novel

by Lillie Lainoff

"There are no limits to the will-and the strength-of this unique female hero." -Tamora Pierce, writer of the Song of the Lioness and the Protector of the Small quartets

One for All is a gender-bent retelling of The Three Musketeers, in which a girl with a chronic illness trains as a Musketeer and uncovers secrets, sisterhood, and self-love.

Tania de Batz is most herself with a sword in her hand. Everyone thinks her near-constant dizziness makes her weak, nothing but "a sick girl." But Tania wants to be strong, independent, a fencer like her father-a former Musketeer and her greatest champion. Then Papa is brutally, mysteriously murdered. His dying wish? For Tania to attend finishing school. But L'Académie des Mariées, Tania realizes, is no finishing school. It's a secret training ground for new Musketeers: women who are socialites on the surface, but strap daggers under their skirts, seduce men into giving up dangerous secrets, and protect France from downfall. And they don't shy away from a sword fight.

With her newfound sisters at her side, Tania feels that she has a purpose, that she belongs. But then she meets Étienne, her target in uncovering a potential assassination plot. He's kind, charming-and might have information about what really happened to her father. Torn between duty and dizzying emotion, Tania will have to decide where her loyalties lie.or risk losing everything she's ever wanted.

Lillie Lainoff's debut novel is a fierce, whirlwind adventure about the depth of found family, the strength that goes beyond the body, and the determination it takes to fight for what you love. Includes an author's note about her personal experience with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.

• ISBN10: 0374314616
• ISBN13: 9780374314613
• Publish Date: 8 March 2022
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Farrar, Straus & Giroux Inc
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 400
• Language: English
• URL: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374314613/

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

The Three Musketeers, but OwnVoices, LGBTQ+, gender-bent, and with a leading lady that deals in chronic illness? Where do I sign up?!? One For All, written by Lillie Lainoff, makes a lot of big promises – and it nails every single one of them.

Tania de Batz sees herself differently than the rest of the world. The world looks at her and sees a sick little girl. When she looks at herself, she sees a sword fighter who occasionally has to deal with dizzy spells.

Her father's death changes Tania's life, but not how she expected. Shepherded off to a finishing school, she expected nothing but misery. What did she find? It was a secret training ground – and the school of her dreams.

“Yes, I was just a girl. A sick girl. One who, when the time came, was helpless. Because that was what being a sick girl meant.”

Word cannot express how much of a delight it was to find (and read) One For All. I have always been a fan of retellings, but One For All will always stand out in my mind. Best of all? This is a gender-bent retelling full of representation, following the main story of The Three Musketeers. What's not to love?

It's so easy to fall in love with Tania de Batz and her story. From page one, I just wanted to follow her story, watch her grow up, and have her dreams come true. Trust me – I never doubted that she had what it takes to make that happen (I know, I know: retellings make it easier since we know the ending, but I still felt that way!).

One For All is a brilliant and powerful read. One that it is clear to all readers that one can be many things – especially if they have the heart to back it up. I'm trying to say that Tania de Batz clarifies that her disability is not something that holds her back, and the world should stop looking at her like it will.

Naturally, I adored every other character in this book and truly felt like everyone could find a reflection of themselves within this book. We need more like this – seriously. Can we have more? It isn't every day that a world of characters hits me this hard – or makes me feel so seen and inspired.
One For All is absolutely a must-read, especially if you enjoy retellings as much as I do. So please take a minute to give it a try.

Thanks to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks