A review by roguebelle
Shield of the People by Marshall Ryan Maresca

5.0

All of the Maradaine books are excellent, gripping reads, but Shield of the People is particularly rich. The political implications that have been swelling behind the action of other novels are starting to boil over, and the events of this book give a lot of depth and context behind a spectrum of other events. As in A Parliament of Bodies, it really feels like the reader gets to see the variant strings starting to plait together. I am so, so excited to see where Maradaine's story is heading. I also really love the characters in the Elite series and how they flip typical knightly, chivalric tropes around. Both Dayne and Jerinne have to wrangle with disappointed expectations and the particular pain of losing faith in institutions they thought would cherish and protect them -- and yet they keep the core of who they are. I love seen good-hearted characters who keep true to their moral centers even in a gritty world. Shield of the People is wonderfully emotionally complex while also barreling through fantastically-paced action. Highly recommend!