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lydalbano's review against another edition
5.0
I would give this book ten stars if I could. I wish more people knew it; I read it first when I was a tween and every time I revisit it, I’m afraid it won’t hold up to my grown-up reading taste, and then every time I am amazed by how good it is. I love this book so much.
idicalini's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting and enjoyable story of a period in history I don't know a lot about. The characters are quite well-written, if a bit simplistic, and the story is written in such a way that it is quite accessible and easy to imagine within the time period. And I was happy to see that the author has written another book set in the same era!
colorcrystals's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't like Far Traveler nearly as much as The Edge of the Sword, but it was still a wonderful read.
jennfs10's review
Wasn’t in the mood. Returned to library. May come back to it later.
amberacks12's review against another edition
3.0
It was nice to read, I guess. Aelfwyn was weak and didn't get much better. I cant stand female protagonists that don't grow much. But it was interesting to see someone's interpretation of what life must have been like at that time in history.
ibazel's review against another edition
I remember really enjoying this. Note to self: reread?
emlickliter's review
4.0
Far Traveler by Rebecca Tingle – You can get married or be a nun…or disguise yourself as a man and be a traveling bard! Rebecca Tingle writes really lovely middle grade historical fiction! Happy Reading!
kailey_luminouslibro's review
4.0
Ælfwyn is a shy, bookish maiden in Anglo-Saxon England, caught in the middle of her uncle the king's political plots. When the king forces her to choose between marrying an old man or becoming a nun, Ælfwyn runs away to become a singing bard on the open road. But circumstances drag her back into her uncle's clutches, and desperate men try to use her position in the king's family for their own political gain.
I really identified with Ælfwyn's character, because she loves to read. She is shy, and is frightened to ride the large and powerful horse her mother gives her. For most of the book, she depends on other people to tell her what to do and where to go, but when it really matters, she makes her own decisions, discovering courage and resilience from deep inside.
I liked the writing style in this book. It really pulls you in to the story, painting a picture of Old England with a few settings, people, and events drawn from real history. I especially liked the scenes when Ælfwyn is on the road, singing her songs and telling stories from her books to entertain the common people.
The plot has plenty of action and suspense, with warriors and battles lurking around the corner in every scene. But the focus is on how this young teenage girl deals with the danger and anxiety, and the subtle influence she exerts over the outcome of those wars. She seems so powerless at first, but her knowledge and intelligence give her power.
One of things I loved about this book is how Ælfwyn manages to take control of her own life choices, without needing to carry a sword or be strong in battle. She remains herself; quiet and bookish, but she begins to command respect from others, and discovers her power to change her life through the words she uses. This is NOT a warrior maiden story. It's a word-warrior story. Words are her weapons. Her mind is her armor.
Brilliant story-telling!
I really identified with Ælfwyn's character, because she loves to read. She is shy, and is frightened to ride the large and powerful horse her mother gives her. For most of the book, she depends on other people to tell her what to do and where to go, but when it really matters, she makes her own decisions, discovering courage and resilience from deep inside.
I liked the writing style in this book. It really pulls you in to the story, painting a picture of Old England with a few settings, people, and events drawn from real history. I especially liked the scenes when Ælfwyn is on the road, singing her songs and telling stories from her books to entertain the common people.
The plot has plenty of action and suspense, with warriors and battles lurking around the corner in every scene. But the focus is on how this young teenage girl deals with the danger and anxiety, and the subtle influence she exerts over the outcome of those wars. She seems so powerless at first, but her knowledge and intelligence give her power.
One of things I loved about this book is how Ælfwyn manages to take control of her own life choices, without needing to carry a sword or be strong in battle. She remains herself; quiet and bookish, but she begins to command respect from others, and discovers her power to change her life through the words she uses. This is NOT a warrior maiden story. It's a word-warrior story. Words are her weapons. Her mind is her armor.
Brilliant story-telling!
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