Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I thought this was interesting! A unique addition to the genre, it came out before I had the chance to fully dive into it, but I enjoy this as an addition to the alternate histories re-tellings.

Black Shield Maiden by Willow Smith and Jess Hendel is told from the viewpoint of three women, Yafeu, Fredys, and Alvtir. I went into this book with little to no knowledge of the controversies that had plagued it that you can see in existing reviews. I honestly was also under such a rock that I had no idea it was a ghostwritten novel. I typically if I identify something as ghostwritten, don't pick it up. The premise was interesting to me and that was why I picked it up.

Content warning, this book can be pretty brutal in some of the depictions of what happens to female characters throughout the book. it does seem like in re-writes, much of what was controversial about the novel previously was removed or re-written. I would like to see a broader group of reviewers on the updated copy because I come from a background that I can speak to what it felt like to read women depicted the way they were, but there are a lot of cultures and backgrounds discussed in the book that I'm not comfortable speaking on behalf of as far as improvements in the book and if they were improvements off of the first copy, so I leave that space open to others and welcome any comments of others who have read the book.

There were several twists and turns in the book, and while some of them I did see coming, a few were a little more unexpected. I would be curious to find out more about the actual historical inspiration of the book, as many people see Vikings first as warriors but do not see the society that at heart were traders (and slavers) across continents. So much of the history we read is told from an idolized viewpoint and this was brutal at points in portraying how Freydis' people treated those they encountered. I'm really torn on my overall rating of the book, as there were several, I thought really well written portions, and the overall story was really interesting. My only discomfort is speaking to how other cultures were portrayed. I felt that there were some unhappy endings that I was not really happy about, and then a few too neat story line finishes while other story lines were open ended. I would really like to know more of the history, and about the gods that Yafeu discussed. The story overall is a fairly long book, but once you're into it, it goes quickly. I really struggled on my overall review as to what my rating would be. The offending sections of the book have been removed from what I understand, and the women in the novel gain their own agency as it goes on, however there were elements of discomfort.

Please be advised I received an Advance Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Willow Smith and Jess Hendel put a spin on traditional Viking fiction with Black Shield Maiden. The story is interesting but the writing stumbles in several places. `
Yafeu, a defiant yet fiercely compassionate young warrior is taken from her hold to be sold into slavery. She is saved by a Shield Maiden, a kind of warrior she has never seen that becomes her life goal. She wanted the same strength as this foreign woman. But once she arrives, she is shoved into the king’s household as a lady’s maid for the princes. For Yafeu, it is the same torment but a totally different word. Freydis, a shy princess, couldn’t be more different than her. And while there are many barriers they must overcome, they want the same thing in life: to forge their own fate. The two girls learn about each other and their cultures on their journey to find their way in the Viking world.
Overall I enjoyed this book. While far from perfect, it is entertaining and brings a unique perspective to the Viking world. In Africa, the authors truly immerse you in what it was like and incorporate words, themes, and religions that are both education and give the book more depth. I will say there was better immersion in Yafeu’s world than Freydis’. I enjoyed watching both girls take on the worlds to which they are exposed. I wasn’t a fan of Yafeu being so hard on Freydis. But once I checked my white privilege and released the character was owed that pain and they don’t have to forgive white people unless and when they choose to. Understanding that gave watching their relationship even more depth.
There were several things I didn’t like about this book. First, Hendel lets Smith down. The language is uneven. Some of the language is perfect for the time period and adds realism to the story (“hoary” was a beautiful example). But then they use something like “smooch” and you’re taking out of the story. And if I had a nickel for every time the word “smirk” was used, I would be rich. There are many synonyms for that damn word. Both of these issues could have been prevented if Hendel had done her job correctly. After looking into Hendel she is described as a screenwriter and author with no other published books. Unless this was a pet project together, Smith should have partnered with an author who understood how literature works and how it’s different than screenwriting. I also hated the ending. It felt so far-fetched that I couldn’t suspend my disbelief. I did check my white privilege. But it comes from the content; typically, Viking stories don’t always have happy endings and when they do it’s not a beautiful circle of wishes granted.

I enjoyed the story (until the end) and liked having the genre shake-up. There were writing issues though that brought its quality down. Overall, it’s a mid-grade book but worth reading.

I dnf’d this book at around 25%. It was not for me unfortunately because it seemed like a really cool concept for a book.

DNF @ 50%. This book felt very surface level for me, which made it hard for me to want to continue reading. The writing was nice, but the actual plot was just not interesting enough for me to push past the characters that weren’t actually grabbing me. Thanks for the opportunity to read.

This book feels like it was trying really hard to have a message, but never actually said anything.

This book has a kind of complicated history behind it in terms of questionable choices in its representation (negative towards the Muslim community). From what I was able to glean, it was rewritten enough to remove that aspect. But I also think it's important to note that it happened because it made me far more cautious when reading it.

This is overall a story of resilience and cultural intersection. However, despite its ambitious premise, the execution leaves much to be desired.

The book centers on a woman named Yafeu, who is stolen into slavery and eventually becomes a thrall in the unfamiliar world of the Vikings. Yafeu’s fierce character is juxtaposed with Freydis, a shy Viking princess who just kind of... accepts everything that happens to her without complaint. Their developing friendship and mutual desire to shape their own destinies form the emotional core of the novel. Yafeu's perspective is refreshing and offers a glimpse into a story that history books might have neglected. The dynamic between Yafeu and Freydis has the potential for rich character development and exploration of cultural intersections.

However, the execution falls short in several areas. The book struggles with pacing and engagement, often feeling tedious and meandering. The narrative is bogged down by trying to convey significant messages in an insubtle manner that neither fully commits to these themes nor delivers them effectively. The treatment of misogyny across societies feels heavy-handed and somewhat anachronistic, especially considering the relative freedoms historically afforded to Viking women. Again, we do not know much about Vikings, but the intensity of it in their culture specifically felt out of place.

Additionally, the choice of multiple POVs dilutes the narrative rather than enriching it. The little-used third POV still feels extraneous, adding little to the overall story and detracting from the more compelling arc of Yafeu. Freya’s inclusion as a primary character seems underdeveloped, making her role appear more as a plot device than a fully realized character.

This attempts to carve out a unique space within the historical epic genre, but it falls short of its potential for me. The ambitious blending of cultures and the promise of strong female characters are commendable, but the issues I had certainly hindered my overall experience.

Thanks to Netgalley for the copy. This review is my honest opinion and is voluntary.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this e-arc. I was very excited to read this novel. I love viking and African based stories and was super excited to see how these two worlds would merge. Unfortunately, this book did not work for me. The beginning felt strong and I was captivated, but the more I read, the less excited and interested I became. The characters felt a bit one dimensional for me as I kept hoping for more layers to be revealed. I also wished there was a bit more showing og the action, rather than telling. There were some things that were given great detail and explanation, whereas other pivotal parts of the story were a bit glossed over.

I wasn't sure how, I would like this read. However I strapped in and enjoyed the ride. This story have a face to vikings which dealt with love, friendship, and loyalty. This is a must read for young adult historical fiction.

"Black Shield Maiden" by Willow Smith is an engaging historical fantasy that follows the journey of a fierce female warrior. The story is set against a richly detailed backdrop, blending Norse mythology with a touch of magic. The protagonist is well-developed and inspiring, showcasing strength and resilience. However, the pacing can be uneven at times, and some secondary characters lack depth. While the plot holds promise, it occasionally feels predictable. It's a good read for fans of strong heroines and historical adventures, even if it doesn't quite reach its full potential.

I really enjoyed this book! It wasn’t as graphic as I thought it would have been considering it’s about Vikings, but it is YA. I also enjoyed the lore of both cultures represented.

This was an amazing read for me up until the ending. Everything was wrapped up nicely, but let’s add another 20 or so pages of underwhelming story line. I could have done without it, but I understand it’s setting up the storyline for a sequel…maybe? It just seems like it could have been done with a little more care and creativity.

I could not really get into this book. I saw how others from another country and or religion and judge what others believe or not understand how someone can believe what they do but I felt like this went beyond that in using some stereotypes and judgements that are out there and i did not like that. I felt this could have been done a different way. I just did not care for it. I give it a 1.5 but will be nice to round it up to 2. where were the editors on this one.

I initially wanted to read this story because of the cover, description and the title, and didn't know what to expect. I intentionally avoided researching this book, its authors, and reviews by others so I could form my own opinion. After reading the book, I'm still not sure what to think. There was a lot of prejudiced and biased information in the beginning of the book, which I suppose was meant to illustrate the ignorance of the characters. However, it was uncomfortable to read. This may be a spoiler but I'll say that the characters eventually learn better by the end of the story. Another challenge was that the characters weren't memorable, so I struggled to root for them or connect with them.im rating this book a 2.5

Yafeu is a warrior who is stolen from the Ghānaian empire and taken as a slave to a distant kingdom in the North. This cold world of shield maidens, tyrannical rulers, and mysterious gods also contains a kindred spirit in Freydis. She is a shy princess who wants to set her own fate, just like Yafeu. Yafeu is still a warrior, and not afraid to be the flame that burns a city to the ground so a new world can rise from the ashes.

Yafeu is actually her father's name, who had taught her blacksmithing and hunting basics before he left to do blacksmithing for foreign nations. She feels her pride led to her and her village getting noticed by slavers, which leads to incredible guilt. Vikings had traveled as far as Spain and modern-day North Africa, and a team of Vikings went on a raid to North Africa. The party is led by Freydis' aunt; her mother had multiple miscarriages and stillbirths, so Freydis is the only heir her father has. He's a belligerent but savvy leader and plans to use Freydis' marriage prospects to his benefit. It takes some time for the two young women to meet and begin working together. When they do, Freydis seems too shy and desperate for companionship while Yafeu is too brash and reckless to be a good thrall.

The Vikings went to Spain and North Africa on their more ambitious raids, providing the historical fodder for the novel. The majority of the novel takes place in Viking territory, so it will be of great interest to those who enjoy the time period and culture. It's an interesting way to look at it from an outsider's perspective with Yafeu, as well as the insider perspective from Freydis and rarely her warrior aunt. The expected roles chafe both girls. When it picks up, the action moves very quickly. At that point, the characters no longer meander around the area but react to the plot rapidly and the conclusion feels like a setup for a sequel. It will be fascinating to see what happens next for them.

I struggled with this review. I really wanted to love this book. The synopsis sounded fantastic. But when I read the book, it just fell short. The story was just ok. The father issue never fully resolves. I did, however, love the blend of African and Norse mythology.

I’m excited to give this a read! I’ve been really into new genres lately & this is screaming at me to try.

So far, i am enjoying the beginning and allowing my mind to expand and grow.

Thank you netgalley for my ARC!

I’m not sure which version of this novel earlier reviewers read, but this book (which I received a few weeks ago as a digital ARC) does not condemn any particular religion just for the sake of doing so.

It is a coming of age about a black queen who survives horrid adversity. It is filled with violence, wrath, and Vikings. There are a number of different cultures, all with different god(s) but if you read any fantasy or dystopian literature you will find this is standard to this type of book.

Whether the characters worshiped one god or many, feared or embraced each other’s religions, that is not the primary focus. Yes, this concept moves forward the overarching theme that we can be alike amidst our differences, but there is so much more going on in the plot.

If anything, you could also be mad about race and racism, classism, or sexual abuse. The book includes a number of sensitive topics to varying degrees. However, you would then have to criticize most modern literature as so many authors address these topics. It is all culturally relevant, and the co-authors wrote beautifully; the handling of these topics is not crude.

Ultimately, I’d say: don’t let the rating scare you away. This is a fascinating novel that requires your full attention to better understand the world. If you have watched The Northmen and/or are familiar with African culture, then you may be able to catch on quicker than others.

I hope this will be a series because I am invested in the budding romance, the dark foreshadowing, and this world that was built in which we see a mix of cultures and classes coexisting in a brutal world.

#NetGalley

DNF @ 20%, pacing was off and the story felt strangely contrived and borderline -phobic. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and the authors for the opportunity to review Black Shield Maiden.

The book cover and synopsis really intrigued me. I appreciated Viking and African representation in the book. As a YA fantasy novel with dual narration, it is just ok. There were a few scenes that made me rapidly turn the pages but, as a whole, the book is just ok. I was sucked in here and there but for most of the book, I felt myself wondering away mentally. It is written well though. I could clearly see the world the authors painted. But, again, I just couldn't quite get sucked in like I would have liked.

This was a great coming of age story full of strength and courage I ABSOLUTELY loved how the strength was shown through this young girl in all she had to endure from being abandoned by her father who she adored to be shamed by her family.

What a wild ride of a story told in Norse Mythology! The characters and setting were bold, rich, unexpected, intriguing, raw, real, and mesmerizing. The story is a page turner from first word to last word. What an unexpected journey to witness in this story! Until next time Happy Reading!

I want to thank Del Rey for this ARC via Netgalley.