I would like to thank Ad Astra for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review

Publisher - Ad Astra

Published - Out Now

Price - £20 hardback £5.99 Kindle eBook

Having grown up hearing tales of her uncle, the great King Beowulf, Fryda's one desire is to become a shield maiden in her own right. Yet a terrible childhood accident has left Fryda disabled - thus, she believes, thwarting her dream of becoming a warrior-woman for good. But still, somehow, she feels an uncontrollable power begin to rise within herself.

Meanwhile, a great celebration of Beowulf's reign is underway, and Fryda's house is soon overrun with foreign kings and chieftains. Amidst the drunken revelry, a discovery is made that threatens the safety of Fryda's entire clan - and her own life. Enraged, Fryda resolves to fight for her people, no matter the cost... and all the while, her powers seem only to grow stronger.

But she is not the only one to feel its effects. For, buried deep in her gilded lair, a dragon is drawn to Fryda's untamed power, and is slowly awakening from a long, cursed sleep...

I love tales playing with stories but importantly I do like to look for a great angle in some way. Characters, plot or world - not perhaps that’s new but at least a fresh approach. Sadly Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs was a read with the intention of a new way of looking at Beowulf that left me feeling very much I’d seen it before.

Fryda is the daughter of a powerful chief and niece to Beowulf now an old but still charismatic leader. Fryda as a child suffered a major arm injury in an accident yet still wants to fight as a shield maiden. But her father constantly refuses and rarely had time for her. Her friends come from the servants and slaves of the community. But intrigue is around and somewhere a dragon is stirring….

Overall I was very disappointed with this story. Emmerichs clearly has done research but it all felt rather shallow as a world. The characters talk to each other in a very modern style and all sounded the same which considering the way the world is being highlighted very a strange choice. The first quarter is incredibly slow and the plot does feel very much something I’ve read before. The villains, the plot reveals and the love interest all signal themselves. its all done professionally but rarely gets to soar as a story. Not one I can recommend.