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maralyne 's review for:
Shield Maiden
by Sharon Emmerichs
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.