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sarabc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is a loose retelling of part of the Beowulf myth focusing on a character that was added entirely for the story.
Fryda is added in as the twin of Wiglaf beloved niece of Beowulf. She has a life long dream of becoming a shield maiden but she has an accident as a child rendering one of her hands basically useless. Despite this she still trains to the best of her ability and one day she starts developing more strength then seems possible.
I really enjoyed the relationships in this story, how the bruh was an interconnected community and people looked after each other. Being part of the clan was so very important to the point where the worst punishment was exile. Our main character is so kind and empathetic to everyone, including her best friends a couple of slaves and her surrogate father figure the blacksmith. However her kindness also clouds her judgment and her inability to see the darkness in someone leads to some of the major conflicts in the book.
The dragon point of view was also appreciated, getting a different perspective on the narrative as well as some history of the region.
All in all I highly recommend the book, just keep in mind it is a retelling and does differ from the most commonly known version of the myth.
Fryda is added in as the twin of Wiglaf beloved niece of Beowulf. She has a life long dream of becoming a shield maiden but she has an accident as a child rendering one of her hands basically useless. Despite this she still trains to the best of her ability and one day she starts developing more strength then seems possible.
I really enjoyed the relationships in this story, how the bruh was an interconnected community and people looked after each other. Being part of the clan was so very important to the point where the worst punishment was exile. Our main character is so kind and empathetic to everyone, including her best friends a couple of slaves and her surrogate father figure the blacksmith. However her kindness also clouds her judgment and her inability to see the darkness in someone leads to some of the major conflicts in the book.
The dragon point of view was also appreciated, getting a different perspective on the narrative as well as some history of the region.
All in all I highly recommend the book, just keep in mind it is a retelling and does differ from the most commonly known version of the myth.
rogueleader's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
_annika__'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
chandalf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.25
mtwilsonwrites's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
roshio's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Great start but falls apart later in the story
mortalnexus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sugarpop's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
whatyoutolkienabout's review against another edition
5.0
As always my reviews are always 100% honest and my own opinions. I will try to never fully spoil a plot. This particular copy I was given access to a copy to review by Netgalley. #HeadOfZeus #NetGalley #ShieldMaiden #SharonEmmerichs #BookReview #AnAdAstraBook
The epic poem of Beowulf has always been a favourite along with the legends and myths of Geats, Saxons and Vikings so when I heard of this book I was incredibly excited and was sure I would love it. Thankfully I wasn’t disappointed.
Shield Maiden follows the heroine Fryda, King Beowulf’s niece and her desire to become a shield maiden in her own right. Yet her bravery lead to a childhood accident leaving her disabled thus she believed thwarting her dream for good but as she grows she feels an uncontrollable power within herself start to rise.
As a great celebration begins under Beowulf’s reign and Fryda’s house is soon overrun with foreign kinds and chieftains. Amidst the drunken revelry a discovery is made that threatens not only Fryda’s life but her whole clan. Resolute Fryda is determined to fight for her clan no matter the cost and her powers only seem to grow but she is not the only one who feels it. Deep in a gilded lair a dragon is drawn to Fryda’s untamed power and slowly begins to awaken from their cursed sleep.
If that doesn’t get you hooked I don’t know what will. I will start though by saying that while I thoroughly enjoyed this book I do agree with some reviews that the style of writing could sometimes be viewed as young adult while most of the characters are at least in their twenties. That said it did not distract from the story for me but I can understand why it could for some. The plot itself is well conceived and does keep you hooked although I would argue it takes a little while to really get going and if you don’t have a keen interest in the time period or the Beowulf legend it may appear a slow start. That said when it does get going it picks up the pace.
With a retelling and foundation of the epic Beowulf poem there is plenty of action to be had in the novel and a bit of magic and myth as well. I personally would have liked to see a bit more of the latter but that is down to personal taste and the story does just fine without it. The characters all come to life and are generally believable. I personally loved the flip of Wiglaf being not exactly the morally sound character he is often portrayed as. Indeed it was nice to see a twist of roles between Beowulf and Wiglaf in this one.
All in all I loved this one despite what could be seen a contradictions of the character ages and writing style. We do feel transported back in the times of the gods and monsters and honestly anything that deals with Beowulf and shield maidens is going to be rated highly from me!
The epic poem of Beowulf has always been a favourite along with the legends and myths of Geats, Saxons and Vikings so when I heard of this book I was incredibly excited and was sure I would love it. Thankfully I wasn’t disappointed.
Shield Maiden follows the heroine Fryda, King Beowulf’s niece and her desire to become a shield maiden in her own right. Yet her bravery lead to a childhood accident leaving her disabled thus she believed thwarting her dream for good but as she grows she feels an uncontrollable power within herself start to rise.
As a great celebration begins under Beowulf’s reign and Fryda’s house is soon overrun with foreign kinds and chieftains. Amidst the drunken revelry a discovery is made that threatens not only Fryda’s life but her whole clan. Resolute Fryda is determined to fight for her clan no matter the cost and her powers only seem to grow but she is not the only one who feels it. Deep in a gilded lair a dragon is drawn to Fryda’s untamed power and slowly begins to awaken from their cursed sleep.
If that doesn’t get you hooked I don’t know what will. I will start though by saying that while I thoroughly enjoyed this book I do agree with some reviews that the style of writing could sometimes be viewed as young adult while most of the characters are at least in their twenties. That said it did not distract from the story for me but I can understand why it could for some. The plot itself is well conceived and does keep you hooked although I would argue it takes a little while to really get going and if you don’t have a keen interest in the time period or the Beowulf legend it may appear a slow start. That said when it does get going it picks up the pace.
With a retelling and foundation of the epic Beowulf poem there is plenty of action to be had in the novel and a bit of magic and myth as well. I personally would have liked to see a bit more of the latter but that is down to personal taste and the story does just fine without it. The characters all come to life and are generally believable. I personally loved the flip of Wiglaf being not exactly the morally sound character he is often portrayed as. Indeed it was nice to see a twist of roles between Beowulf and Wiglaf in this one.
All in all I loved this one despite what could be seen a contradictions of the character ages and writing style. We do feel transported back in the times of the gods and monsters and honestly anything that deals with Beowulf and shield maidens is going to be rated highly from me!