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allwritebymaddie 's review for:
Shield Maiden
by Sharon Emmerichs
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to like this book. I like retellings, I love Norse mythology/history, I like historical fantasy... It just did not hit the mark for me.
I really wanted to DNF is multiple times, but I kept telling myself it had to hit it's stride soon enough. I only became more invested in the plot and what happened to anyone about 3/4 of the way through the book.
I did not find the main character endearing, relatable, or inspiring - and I feel like she was intended to be all of them. I didn't like the way her disability was depicted, because it felt very modern. The Norse would have made a big-ish deal about the physical disability, but they also would have been like "well that sucks, man, but at least you have a killer story to go with it." There's only so many times I could read about her "tugging her sleeve over her hand." I really wanted to like the disability representation, it just didn't feel like it fit the story.
I was way more invested in practically every side character - namely King Beowulf, the blacksmith, and the MC's handmaiden. The dragon had way more interesting lore, worldbuilding, and POV sections. I wish there was more dragon and less MC, unfortunately. Pretty much all of the stars go toward the side characters and the dragon.
I really wanted to DNF is multiple times, but I kept telling myself it had to hit it's stride soon enough. I only became more invested in the plot and what happened to anyone about 3/4 of the way through the book.
I did not find the main character endearing, relatable, or inspiring - and I feel like she was intended to be all of them. I didn't like the way her disability was depicted, because it felt very modern. The Norse would have made a big-ish deal about the physical disability, but they also would have been like "well that sucks, man, but at least you have a killer story to go with it." There's only so many times I could read about her "tugging her sleeve over her hand." I really wanted to like the disability representation, it just didn't feel like it fit the story.
I was way more invested in practically every side character - namely King Beowulf, the blacksmith, and the MC's handmaiden. The dragon had way more interesting lore, worldbuilding, and POV sections. I wish there was more dragon and less MC, unfortunately. Pretty much all of the stars go toward the side characters and the dragon.
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail