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ermreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
I was kindly sent this by Head Of Zeus in exchange for an honest review
I found the writing of this book to be terrible and the portrayal of disabled and Black people to me abysmal
Full video review can be found on my tiktok @ermreading
I found the writing of this book to be terrible and the portrayal of disabled and Black people to me abysmal
Full video review can be found on my tiktok @ermreading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Blood, Trafficking, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual violence and Sexual harassment
the_bookishmum's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
I actually really enjoyed this female first retelling of Beowulf’s fight with the dragon.
The book is told from the perspective of all of the characters involved and we see glimpses into their mindset, this did get a little confusing at times with each jump in perspective, as there are quite a few characters to keep track of. I loved Fryda, the main character, and her relationship with Theow. I enjoyed the exploration of what family means. She has so much strength despite being incredibly naive at times, she has a broken hand that she cannot use as the bones were not set right but this does not stop her from learning to fight. The way the author deals with and describes the effects of trauma really brought these characters to life.
Beowulf is one of the first written English epic poems and was originally told in the oral tradition before being written down. Stories change over time and I loved the way that the author of Shield Maiden played with that idea, changing who the villains were and who were the heroes. Showing that even the heroes the poets sing of cannot always live up to their reputation.
I do have an issue with the ending but at least it is a happy one, if it had remained true to the ending of the source material I think I would have thrown the book across the room.
The Wiglaf of this book deserves nothing!
The book is told from the perspective of all of the characters involved and we see glimpses into their mindset, this did get a little confusing at times with each jump in perspective, as there are quite a few characters to keep track of. I loved Fryda, the main character, and her relationship with Theow. I enjoyed the exploration of what family means. She has so much strength despite being incredibly naive at times, she has a broken hand that she cannot use as the bones were not set right but this does not stop her from learning to fight. The way the author deals with and describes the effects of trauma really brought these characters to life.
Beowulf is one of the first written English epic poems and was originally told in the oral tradition before being written down. Stories change over time and I loved the way that the author of Shield Maiden played with that idea, changing who the villains were and who were the heroes. Showing that even the heroes the poets sing of cannot always live up to their reputation.
I do have an issue with the ending but at least it is a happy one, if it had remained true to the ending of the source material I think I would have thrown the book across the room.
The Wiglaf of this book deserves nothing!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
parchmentdreams's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"She looked a glorious mess, this fierce and determined woman who loved strawberries, fought like a warrior, and hid her left hand from the world. The freckles across her nose stood out against the unusual pallor of her skin, which glowed with sweat from her exertions. Her hair tumbled in wild, loose curls to her waist. She had a tiny mole at the corner of her right eye, and a beautiful dark mark on her neck under her ear. She had a luscious mouth, pink and full, and he wished he could brush a gentle kiss across her bruised and split lower lip, erasing the evidence of violence with his tenderness. She wore no shoes and her thin shift was stained with dirt and grass. She had straw in her hair and a smudge on her cheek, and Theow had never seen anything more beautiful in his life."
This epic retelling of the third part of the poem Beowulf was an absolute dream to read. You are transported to a world of gods and monsters and kings that wield uncanny powers, those not unlike the beasts he battles. In Shield Maiden, Beowulf is an old king, ready to find a new heir for his kingdom.
Our main character, Fryda, is kin to Beowulf, and has dreamt her whole life of being a Shield Maiden - one of the famously fierce female warriors. After a horrid accident in her youth mangles Fryda's hand, she resigns herself to a life of running her father's household, befriending the servants and secretly training with the blacksmith, Bryce.
Shield Maiden follows Fryda as she discovers a growing power within her, and torn between loyalty to her family and the man she loves, Fryda has to choose if she will become the warrior she is destined to become.
The plot was somewhat predictable, but not in a bad way. As with any retelling, there were known elements of the story, but the characters and choices were refreshing and engaging. I fell in love with Fryda and Theow and Bryce and was fully invested in their story.
The writing style was easy to read, yet with flowing poetic descriptions that truly brought to life the tale of Fryda. The characters were lovable and believable. If you love Norse/Scandanavian mythology and epics, I would highly recommend Shield Maiden!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Body shaming, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Drug abuse, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail