A review by arianappstrg
Sagas of the Shield Maiden, Book Three by Asa Wheatley

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

A preface: Future me just reminded me that I'd like to revisit my year in books in 2026 and remind myself why I read the things I read and what I thought of them at the time. I will be sure to discuss them with someone, at some point, so let this be a memory exercise. 

  • Every page is assaulting me with colour splatter and I am in magic land. Consider my brain... tickled! This third instalment is vibrant and magical and more consistent than its predecessors, especially in Maiden's near death experience story. Those pages make me want to bathe in their orange and golden hues of endless liquid light. They are so pleasing to look at, my eyes are dry from my effort not to blink. I also find it very poignant and touching that the thing that nearly sends the Maiden to the afterlife is no flimsy little man, but the power and might of nature, incorporeal and eternal, a constant element that is beyond the abilities and desires of humanity.  
  • In terms of writing, it continues to be semi-non-linear and sparse, I suppose in imitation of original Norse fairy-tale-like narration which was mostly, as many know, more of an oral tradition. I believe the next instalment will flesh out the story, in the traditional sense of story, of the Maiden a lot more. I predict we will see unseen before layers to our heroine.
  • I have followed this story since Book One and there is so much improvement in concept and execution. It is really a work in progress and by Book Three it's going wonderful places. 

That's it. That's the review. 
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