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Women of Beowulf #1
Faces in the Fire: The Women of Beowulf: Book One
Growing up female in a Viking world of rough men and horrifying monsters is a tall order for any girl. Freawaru, daughter of a sixth-century Danish chieftain, does not have to kill the night-walking Grendel monster herself; the powerful Beowulf takes on that challenge. Freawaru must contend with other assaults both from within and without that demand her wits and intellect.
First she must learn how to use and control her goddess-given gift: the ability to see the future. In her father’s hall she is challenged by her sly and lecherous older cousin, and by the mysterious rune-master who may be a madman.
On a broader stage, she is challenged to act as peace-weaver between tribes, marrying a rival chieftain to end an ancient feud. In her husband’s hall she is faced with a mother-in-law who wishes her dead — unless she can produce a son. Should she fail, and the feud break out again, she will be forced to make a new life for herself in a foreign land.
First she must learn how to use and control her goddess-given gift: the ability to see the future. In her father’s hall she is challenged by her sly and lecherous older cousin, and by the mysterious rune-master who may be a madman.
On a broader stage, she is challenged to act as peace-weaver between tribes, marrying a rival chieftain to end an ancient feud. In her husband’s hall she is faced with a mother-in-law who wishes her dead — unless she can produce a son. Should she fail, and the feud break out again, she will be forced to make a new life for herself in a foreign land.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2013
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403 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 25, 2017
Clever retelling of a classic
Using the tale of Beowulf as a starting point, the author gives us insight into the world of Vikings, Danes and other Norse kingdoms. Told from the point of view of a young princess it gives us a good glimpse into daily life and the beliefs of these people in a well-told saga.
Using the tale of Beowulf as a starting point, the author gives us insight into the world of Vikings, Danes and other Norse kingdoms. Told from the point of view of a young princess it gives us a good glimpse into daily life and the beliefs of these people in a well-told saga.
December 26, 2016
An excellent book written by a talented author! An added bonus is that each chapter is headed by an interesting illustration. It is apparent that much time and research has been invested in the creation of this outstanding novel 5+ stars!
July 16, 2018
Although historical fiction set in 6th-century Scandinavia is a sub-genre I've never read, I found this story to be well-crafted and entertaining. I sensed that the historical details of everyday life, the tribes that existed and interacted back then, and the values and customs of the time were accurately portrayed.
The characters were believable but a bit stereotyped (the beautiful princess with an extraordinary power; a brave and benevolent father and mother, the king and queen; the mystical stranger who comes to the rescue several times; the near-mythical hero; the domineering, vengeful husband; etc.). But those characters are what provide tension, conflict, and suspense.
The author made a tricky, challenging style choice by writing in a "formal" manner because the book was written in first-person POV with the princess as the narrator. That style was appropriate because the royal family was presumed to be better educated and well-spoken than their slaves, minions, and underlings. (thanes and athelings in the book). She succeeded with that style choice despite the fact the storytelling could have come across as too stiff and sterile. But showing us the MC's emotions and thoughts throughout the story made it all sound natural and appropriate.
Well worth a read if you're interested in that historical time and place, or just like a good, easy-to-read historical novel.
The characters were believable but a bit stereotyped (the beautiful princess with an extraordinary power; a brave and benevolent father and mother, the king and queen; the mystical stranger who comes to the rescue several times; the near-mythical hero; the domineering, vengeful husband; etc.). But those characters are what provide tension, conflict, and suspense.
The author made a tricky, challenging style choice by writing in a "formal" manner because the book was written in first-person POV with the princess as the narrator. That style was appropriate because the royal family was presumed to be better educated and well-spoken than their slaves, minions, and underlings. (thanes and athelings in the book). She succeeded with that style choice despite the fact the storytelling could have come across as too stiff and sterile. But showing us the MC's emotions and thoughts throughout the story made it all sound natural and appropriate.
Well worth a read if you're interested in that historical time and place, or just like a good, easy-to-read historical novel.
February 4, 2014
“In her book, Donnita Rogers uses an informed imagination to lead us back into a pagan world where women’s voices were loud and clear, their actions essential to the weave of tribal life, and where their fears, their ambitions, their dreams seem surprisingly like our own”
—Benjamin Bagby, performer of Beowulf and other medieval epics
—Benjamin Bagby, performer of Beowulf and other medieval epics
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews