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freekat77's review against another edition
3.0
This is my first time reading a book by Melanie Dickerson and overall I found it enjoyable to read. This is a very different retelling of Mulan, she's in a totally different country with a different religion, different language, different everything! But that's the beauty of a retelling, it doesn't have to be close to the original at all. Mulan is still a strong character in this book, maybe more headstrong than strong natured but she sticks to her wits throughout the whole book.
The only thing I didn't particularly care for is how early on she's revealed as being a woman warrior. It happens within the first half of the book and nobody really seems to care except the Teutonic Knights. I found it very hard to believe that during whatever time period, minus modern times, that this would just be wholly accepted. After she's found out, not a whole lot changes but the whole second half of the books becomes more of what will happen between Mulan and Wolfgang and less about the war.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
The only thing I didn't particularly care for is how early on she's revealed as being a woman warrior. It happens within the first half of the book and nobody really seems to care except the Teutonic Knights. I found it very hard to believe that during whatever time period, minus modern times, that this would just be wholly accepted. After she's found out, not a whole lot changes but the whole second half of the books becomes more of what will happen between Mulan and Wolfgang and less about the war.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
finitha's review against another edition
4.0
I can't believe this is the ninth book in the Hagenheim series. It seems only yesterday I was glued to my kindle with 'The Healer's Apprentice' starving for more stories. For those who are not familiar with the series, each of these books retells a fairytale and can absolutely be read as standalone. I had religiously followed them until book five . . . well, then life intervened, as usual, directing me to other pursuits. But now, I am finally reunited with one of my favourite series and this time we have the story of Mulan.
Time for a confession. I started the novel without any idea whatsoever of the story of Mulan. Ok, I know it's about a girl who disguises as a boy but obviously, I am one of those few who missed the Disney remake. Still, that was not a problem as Melanie's able hands will pull you to the story whether you know the premise or not. Her writing is beautiful as always, but sadly not the best. Nothing has so far topped the first book in the series for me. I need a slightly better dose of mystery and angst to give five stars.
That being said, this is still a good one for all fairytale enthusiasts. War, intrigue, rumours of sorcery . . . oh, the plot thickens with every page. It is not always we come across a retelling of Mulan; as a matter of fact, this is my first one. So if you love fairytale retellings, don't miss this amazing series.
Time for a confession. I started the novel without any idea whatsoever of the story of Mulan. Ok, I know it's about a girl who disguises as a boy but obviously, I am one of those few who missed the Disney remake. Still, that was not a problem as Melanie's able hands will pull you to the story whether you know the premise or not. Her writing is beautiful as always, but sadly not the best. Nothing has so far topped the first book in the series for me. I need a slightly better dose of mystery and angst to give five stars.
That being said, this is still a good one for all fairytale enthusiasts. War, intrigue, rumours of sorcery . . . oh, the plot thickens with every page. It is not always we come across a retelling of Mulan; as a matter of fact, this is my first one. So if you love fairytale retellings, don't miss this amazing series.
reading_romance19's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jvbook_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Christian Romance, Historical Romance, Retelling, Strong Female Lead,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and War
Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
leeskipje's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. I think I am not the right audience for this book
baba_yaga_'s review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
This was a GREAT interpretation of the original story for the time period it was to portray. I enjoyed this!
christian_faith_and_fiction's review against another edition
5.0
Firstly, I think the cover is beautiful. The colours are rich and there's an intricate overlay that looks both Celtic and Asian.
The Warrior Maiden is a historical Christian fiction retelling of the fairytale Mulan. The story is set in Lithuania, Germany and Poland in 1423. It is a sweet romance mixed with a slightly gory action story. It is clean, there are no sex scenes or swearing but there is obviously some violence as it is a story about war.
Mulan is a determined, clumsy and beautiful main character with a bit of a temper. She is also a good archer. Wolfgang is a German Duke's son. He wants to go to war to please his father and protect their allies from the Teutonic Knights.
The story begins when Mulan disguises herself as a man, so that she can go to war in place of her father and stop her mother from being thrown out of her house. As a soldier she faces many challenges such as sword fighting and keeping her true identity a secret.
The book is written from the perspectives of Mulan, Wolfgang and his brother Steffan. The style is easy to read and with a simplicity and innocence which I found refreshing. It is 314 pages long, including discussion questions at the back.
I really enjoyed the book. I found it fairly fast paced throughout. There was plenty of action and emotion, romance and sword fighting.
The Christian aspects were really strong which I love in a Christian fiction. The characters prayed and read the Bible and had a committed faith. I loved how central their faith was to their lives.
This is actually the 9th book in the Hagenheim series, but it was the first book that I have read. I didn't feel like I had a problem jumping in at this point. The author did mention earlier stories and characters but they were also familiar fairytale retellings, so I didn't feel like there were any spoilers.
I have already pre-ordered the next book The Piper's Pursuit which comes out in the USA in December. I will definitely catch up on all the other books in the series, starting from the beginning book The Healer's Apprentice.
The Warrior Maiden is a historical Christian fiction retelling of the fairytale Mulan. The story is set in Lithuania, Germany and Poland in 1423. It is a sweet romance mixed with a slightly gory action story. It is clean, there are no sex scenes or swearing but there is obviously some violence as it is a story about war.
Mulan is a determined, clumsy and beautiful main character with a bit of a temper. She is also a good archer. Wolfgang is a German Duke's son. He wants to go to war to please his father and protect their allies from the Teutonic Knights.
The story begins when Mulan disguises herself as a man, so that she can go to war in place of her father and stop her mother from being thrown out of her house. As a soldier she faces many challenges such as sword fighting and keeping her true identity a secret.
The book is written from the perspectives of Mulan, Wolfgang and his brother Steffan. The style is easy to read and with a simplicity and innocence which I found refreshing. It is 314 pages long, including discussion questions at the back.
I really enjoyed the book. I found it fairly fast paced throughout. There was plenty of action and emotion, romance and sword fighting.
The Christian aspects were really strong which I love in a Christian fiction. The characters prayed and read the Bible and had a committed faith. I loved how central their faith was to their lives.
This is actually the 9th book in the Hagenheim series, but it was the first book that I have read. I didn't feel like I had a problem jumping in at this point. The author did mention earlier stories and characters but they were also familiar fairytale retellings, so I didn't feel like there were any spoilers.
I have already pre-ordered the next book The Piper's Pursuit which comes out in the USA in December. I will definitely catch up on all the other books in the series, starting from the beginning book The Healer's Apprentice.