Book Review: Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs

Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Redhook (October 3, 2023)

Length: 416 pages

Author Information: Website

Sharon Emmerich’s Shield Maiden is a historical fantasy novel which reimagines Beowulf from the perspective of a young woman, presenting an intriguing premise. However, that it is the author’s debut is also evident in the story’s unrealized potential and its noticeably rough edges.

The book begins with an introduction to Fryda of Clan Waegmunding, daughter of the Lord of Eceweall and also niece of King Beowulf, the legendary monster slayer turned ruler of Geatland. Ever since she was a little girl, Fryda has dreamed of becoming a shield maiden, an elite woman warrior, but a tragic accident soon put an end to those aspirations. With a shattered hand that became permanently misshapen even after it healed, the clandestine combat training sessions with the blacksmith is the closest she will ever get to a battlefield.

Still, Fryda has put her courage and compassion to work in other areas, becoming a natural leader, even if she is generally ignored by her father and twin brother Wiglaf. In a dramatic turn of events, her uncle Beowulf arrives at their hall for a feast celebrating his fifty-year reign on the throne. Amidst a large number of guests, the event becomes a chaotic affair, leading to perfect conditions for an attack. Fryda becomes victim of an attempted abduction, which is thankfully thwarted by her secret lover Theow, a Celtic slave. The incident also reveals a conspiracy to overthrow Fryda’s father, but of course, no one is willing to take her seriously, forcing our protagonist to take the investigation into her own hands.

First, the good: I love to check out unique retellings, and a fresh take on the Beowulf legend was certainly enticing. And ultimately, I think that’s where the strength of Shield Maiden lies. Beowulf himself may play a role, but for the most part, he is a background character. This is and always will be Fryda’s story, her journey to break free from societal norms and to fulfill her dreams on her own now that the conventional way is barred to her, which is the heart of the novel and an admirable message on its own. It’s also clear that the author has done a lot of research for this book, diving deep into the historical and cultural details to make the world come to life.

But now, for the not so great. While the book’s premise may be its strongest asset, there were a few major stumbling blocks that prevented it from fulfilling its full potential. My number one issue was the simplistic character development. Yes, Fryda’s motivations were commendable, but her behaviors and decisions were often predictable and unimaginative. Additionally, many of the interpersonal relationships seemed forced and one-dimensional. Fryda could do no wrong, for example, and her heart remains oh so pure and free of bitterness despite her one true dream being ripped away from her as a child. She and she alone in the entire clan was kind to the slaves and servants, and everyone loved her, including of course Uncle Beowulf with whom she has a special friendship. I mean, one can’t help but wonder if the book might have been written with elements of wish-fulfillment in mind.

In the end, Shield Maiden proved to be an enjoyable and entertaining read, and I think it will also appeal to those looking for a different approach to the retellings of classic legends. Still, I did finish it with a yearning for more depth and complexity in both story and characters, which I’m sure the author will get a chance to refine in her future projects. I’ll be watching what she does next with interest.