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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
I did really enjoy reading this. The story moved along well and I loved that we got view points of all the main characters thoughts. The writing was great and drew me in from the very start. World building was perfect as well. What it lacked I think is better editing and more attention to the details of the plot. Slightly better character development would have been good as well.
A few things didn't fit the timeline of the story properly which bothered me the most. For instance their should have been a decent enough age difference between Theow and the twins that their playing together wouldn't have happened when he was still learning the new language. I also felt the point of the dragon curse was a little lost in the story. I kept expecting more out of that but didn't really get it.
Still it was an enjoyable read.
A few things didn't fit the timeline of the story properly which bothered me the most. For instance their should have been a decent enough age difference between Theow and the twins that their playing together wouldn't have happened when he was still learning the new language. I also felt the point of the dragon curse was a little lost in the story. I kept expecting more out of that but didn't really get it.
Still it was an enjoyable read.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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
This book had a lot of potential for me, but I'm afraid I didn't connect as much as I hoped I would with the flow/plot of the story. I think the mythology/magical/dragon sedments intertwined were distracting, and I would have loved if hte story stayed focused on Fryda. I really liked Fryda's portions of the novel, and her personal/political/intimate struggles in the village of her home. The setting was great, but I wish the story had had a little more scope.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s clear the author, with her MA and PhD, knows what she’s writing about. The world building is impeccable. It feels rich and authentic.
I found some parts with thedragon a bit confusing. Was the Lone Survivor’s spirit also in Wiglaf? That felt implied partway through but never touched on again. . I liked how the dragon sections were very differently written, but I’m still a bit confused about the curse. It cursed her to live a half-life forever?
I had no knowledge of the Beowulf epic beforehand, so to me it was just a story, not a retelling. Looking up the story afterwards, I would say it’s a very loose retelling, which I appreciate.
It was pretty easy to (binge)read.
I loved how at the end whenMC gets the dragon magic her hand isn’t miraculously healed .
I found some parts with the
I had no knowledge of the Beowulf epic beforehand, so to me it was just a story, not a retelling. Looking up the story afterwards, I would say it’s a very loose retelling, which I appreciate.
It was pretty easy to (binge)read.
I loved how at the end when
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
i would give this 5000 stars if i could🥹 absolutely could not put this down, i have felt every emotion possible😩 truly unforgettable characters & lovely lovely writing. long live fryda 💜
I am clearly not the target audience for this book. I enjoy a good retelling, however, this was not that. It was forced and contrived.
Fryda and Theow have my whole heart.
I haven't ever read Beowulf, and was worried that would make the story difficult to understand. But, I was pleasantly surprised that the Author created a world that was approachable and intriguing. The reader definitely doesn't need the background knowledge of Beowulf to enjoy this book, though I'm sure it helps for some of the references and character names.
Fryda's growth was truly remarkable. From hiding, staying small, and only practicing her sword fighting in private, to where we left her at the end of the novel.
And because Fryda had an actually hobby of sword fighting, this novel didn't fall victim to the plot device of having the main character magically learn to fight impeccably in less than two weeks.
The side characters, like Bjorn and Hild (and don't even get me started on Bryce) were complex and flawed, and easy to connect with and root for.
I wholeheartedly recommend picking up Shield Maiden. And I hope we get another novel set in this world in the future!
I haven't ever read Beowulf, and was worried that would make the story difficult to understand. But, I was pleasantly surprised that the Author created a world that was approachable and intriguing. The reader definitely doesn't need the background knowledge of Beowulf to enjoy this book, though I'm sure it helps for some of the references and character names.
Fryda's growth was truly remarkable. From hiding, staying small, and only practicing her sword fighting in private, to where we left her at the end of the novel.
And because Fryda had an actually hobby of sword fighting, this novel didn't fall victim to the plot device of having the main character magically learn to fight impeccably in less than two weeks.
The side characters, like Bjorn and Hild (and don't even get me started on Bryce) were complex and flawed, and easy to connect with and root for.
I wholeheartedly recommend picking up Shield Maiden. And I hope we get another novel set in this world in the future!
Shield Maiden is a retelling of the last part of Beowolf's epic, where Beowolf fights against a dragon. Unlike the original story, this book focuses on Fryda - Beowolf's neice and the hero of this tale. It's an interesting take on the myth, especially since most Beowolf-related books and movies focus on his fights against Grendel and Grendel's mother. Since I have not read the original poem, I can't remark on how well Shield Maiden captures its essence. From the author's note at the end of the book and her academic background, I am inclined to think that Shield Maiden was well-researched but took large liberties with the original epic.
I think that Shield Maiden's story can stand on its own without any knowledge of Beowolf's epic. At its core, this book is about a young woman coming into her own power and facing a host of obstacles - unsupportive family, a crippling disability, old enemies, and a romance with someone her society would not support. There is also an interesting theme threading throughout the book on the power of stories and the repetition of history, but this did not feel fully fleshed out.
Overall, Shield Maiden is a good standalone novel to read if you're looking for a coming-of-age fantasy with a sweet romance on the side.
I think that Shield Maiden's story can stand on its own without any knowledge of Beowolf's epic. At its core, this book is about a young woman coming into her own power and facing a host of obstacles - unsupportive family, a crippling disability, old enemies, and a romance with someone her society would not support. There is also an interesting theme threading throughout the book on the power of stories and the repetition of history, but this did not feel fully fleshed out.
Overall, Shield Maiden is a good standalone novel to read if you're looking for a coming-of-age fantasy with a sweet romance on the side.