A review by jo_cbooks
Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs

adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

Shield Maiden is a reimagining of the last half of the epic poem, Beowulf, that follows the female lead, Fryda. This would be a great read for anyone who likes Viking-era narratives, mythology retellings, and strong female characters. 

I will start by saying that it took me a little bit to get into the booK. It started off strong with the events of the earthquake, but after that it slowed down a little too much for me. But I wanted to push through because I remember being intrigued by the poem when we studied it in English class. And I am so glad I continued reading! The story picked up again quickly and I was enthralled until the bitter end. 

The way that Sharon Emmerich intertwined the characters that we know form the poem with characters she created was wonderful. I loved that she gave names and back stories to small characters that were only briefly mentioned in the poem, making them key players in the narrative. I think her choice to change the roles of other well-known characters in order for Fryda to have a story was done well. 

Overall, I thought Shield Maiden to be a creative and well written book. Not only was it a unique choice of story amidst the many Greek retellings that are being published, but it was a well executed adaptation, staying true to the epic poem while creating new voices. 

*thank you Redhook Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*