Quest for a Maid

by Frances Mary Hendry

Meg Wright is nine when she hides under a table and hears her sister Inge kill the King of Scotland by witchcraft, setting in motion a treacherous power struggle.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Scotland, Middle Grade

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Frances Mary Hendry is a British writer of children's historical fiction. Born and educated in Glasgow, Scotland she now resides in Nairn, where many of her books are set.

Reviews

[Carol Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

QUEST FOR A MAID is the greatest YA novel I have read since THE PERILOUS GARD by Elizabeth Marie Pope. It's a standard YA novel in some ways -- a strong teen girl overcomes self doubt, makes friends, helps others, learns lessons. But it's set in Medieval Scotland, and the historical details and the setting are incredibly gripping. There's a ton of adventure, magic, a little romance, and some chilling violence and danger too. Something for everyone in fact!

As an adult reader, I found that I noticed things a lot of younger readers might miss. I loved the sibling rivalry between the two sisters. Inge is the older girl -- glamorous, poised, lovely and charismatic, yet also mysterious, a bit cold and slightly sinister. She's such a fascinating character she dominates the whole book even though she's off stage most of the time! The more I read about her the more I felt like ambitious Inge was really the heroine of a very adult tragedy -- it's just that the narrator is a child and she misses most of it. But adults will sense the intrigue and evil behind the scenes.

Meg, the younger sister, is the warm and likable one. She's not as original, she's basically the standard self-conscious, warm-hearted girl who takes in strays, impulsively risks her own skin for the people she loves, and always relishes a new challenge. But what makes the story interesting is how she really details all her skills and how she obtains them -- swimming, sailing, learning Norse, all in preparation for some truly terrifying adventures on land and sea!

While the obvious themes in the book are YA themes, about loyalty, friendship, responsibility and growth, there are some intriguing hints of adult issues as well. One of the things the book shows -- without ever drawing attention to it -- is how Meg's family are "outsiders" in Scotland. In many ways this is as much an immigrant story as THE GODFATHER. Meg's father Rolf was a Viking warrior, and his older daughter Inge still has a link to the violent, pagan, terrifying Viking past. Meg is the youngest and most assimilated person in the family -- she plays Michael Corleone to Inge's Sonny! The rise of Meg and the fall of Inge is about sisterly rivalry, but it mirrors the way Scotland itself changed from a pagan, Viking-flavored society to a Medieval Christian society.

Another interesting theme is the class struggle in Medieval Scotland. Meg's best friend Peem, the rugged runaway serf who changes gradually from a loyal servant to a dear friend to the love of Meg's life, is a beautifully drawn male character. In many ways he reminds me of Gurth in Sir Walter Scott's IVANHOE. But Sir Walter would have had a stroke if he had seen how truly vile the noble men and women are in this story! With one or two exceptions, the well-born folk are almost always depicted as callous, cynical, greedy and brutal. Whereas the striving merchant class is described with warm admiration and so are the poorest people, the serfs and servants in the great halls. This author writes so well about the medieval world, but is never sentimental about the past!

The mixture of happiness and sadness at the end of this book will bring tears to your eyes, while the final fate of the Maid Of Norway herself is truly a tribute to the goodness and enduring humanity of what Herman Melville called "the kingly commons."

[Vintage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago and it's a wonderful YA/older child's historical fiction along the lines of Catherine, Called Birdy, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Perilous Gardetc.

It also has one of the best opening lines in a novel:
When I was nine years old, I hid under a table and heard my sister kill a king.


The problem is for some reason I can NEVER remember the title.

[Elizabeth]

I'm pretty sure that the reason this book is still in circulation in our library system is because it is of "Scottish Interest." Well, GOOD. Whatever it takes! The elegance of its language (and the obscurity of some of it), the stately pace of the descriptions and the attention to detail of daily life in 13th century Scotland, and the general gentleness of the main character all somehow seem representative of a generation of children's literature now gone. (It reads like Rosemary Sutcliff but from a girl's point of view rather than Sutcliff's usual boy heroes.) I love the mix of history and fiction, and the effortless way you end up with a bit of larnin' while at the same time you just kind of came along for the adventure.

I reckon the reason I missed this as a teen is because I was already in my twenties when it was published. I would have dearly loved it as a teen for DIFFERENT REASONS than those that made me enjoy it now.

The person who recommended it to me assured me that in her collection it is "almost as battered" (or something like that) as The Winter Prince, and I was amused to find the narrator of Quest for a Maid coming to the same conclusion that I keep hammering into my own fictional characters:

"Each single soul [is:] responsible for himself!" (p. 187)

--------------------

Mhari, I bet you didn't realize how LOCAL the setting is for me. I know the Fife Coast pretty well! Also: have you read any Dorothy Dunnett?

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read QUEST FOR A MAID because it kept popping up under my Goodreads' recommendations. It was suggested because I loved, LOVED, LOVED Sherryl Jordan's THE RAGING QUIET.

The adventure took place somewhere during the mid-thirteenth century. Remember that because much of the interplay was consistent with that era. The leading protagonist was the plumpish Meg Wright and her story began at the age of nine with a toothache.

She was the youngest of (seven?) daughters and her father was a widowed shipbuilder with a peg-leg. They lived in Scotland. Meg had inadvertently witnessed a murder by witchcraft following her toothache 'cure'. Her loving oldest sister, Inge, whom was known as an herbal healer, had been coerced into killing King Alexander III.

From there on out, Meg began some wondrous adventures. Those same adventures encompassed both land and water. And along the way she saved several lives and became betrothed at a very early age. I found the mixture of actual history mixed with numerous fictional characters intriguing.

Many people have referred to this story as a children's fantasy or young adult story but I actually think adults, as I did, would find this wonderful entertainment. If you cherish QUEST FOR A MAID, I would encourage you to read THE RAGING QUIET or Irene Northan's THE TINNER'S BRIDE. All of these stories are historical pieces of medieval fiction with a mixture of reality and a light romance.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember being absolutely obsessed with this book as a kid. Something reminded me of it recently but all I could remember was a dark forest, a kissing scene and the word "maid" in the title. I spent a couple of weeks trying desperately to remember the name and finally asked my mom, "Do you remember a book that I was obsessed with that had the word 'maid' in the title." Without hesitation, she said "Quest for a Maid by Frances Mary Hendry". Title and author! Amazing!

This is definitely a book that sticks with you. Fascinating historical setting, adventure-filled plot, colorful, likeable characters - why haven't they made a movie of this yet? Also, why don't they write more books like this for adults?

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When I was nine years old, I hid under a table and heard my sister kill a king."

Quest for a Maid, by Frances Mary Hendry, is a wonderful quasi-historical fiction adventure story that I highly recommend. With interesting and skillfully drawn characters and complex relationships, the vividly portrayed setting of thirteenth-century Scotland and Norway, and a goodly amount of peril and intrigue (and some unexpected romance), it's a highly original, fast-paced, absorbing read. An altogether excellent book.

Nota bene: some swearing, but I didn't find it gratuitous. The target audience is probably the younger half of the teen range, but it never felt too young for me.

[Lisa Findley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My love for this book knows no bounds. I believe I first read it at age 13, when the confluence of historical fiction, adventure, spirited protagonist, a little romance, a little magic, and a delightful writing style completely engrossed me. It still does.

Plus, is there a better opening line than, "When I was nine years old, I hid under a table and heard my sister kill a king"?

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling! I loved this Scottish themed medieval tale!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads suggested this book to me because I loved Wise Child by Monica Furlong so much. I am so glad I gave it a chance. I absolutely adored this book! In some ways it’s typical YA fiction, but I found much of it to be refreshing and beautiful. Our protagonist is stubborn, courageous, highly empathetic, and relatable. She fights for misfits and underdogs, wrestles with a complicated relationship with her older sister, and is painfully honest with her friends and family. This book has it all – action, suspense, magic, friendship, and a tragic, complex antagonist. I genuinely loved and cared about the main characters and couldn’t put the book down. Also, even though this book is technically for young readers, it is incredibly well-written, and I found it very engaging as an adult. The history, culture, and practices of 1200s Scotland is well-researched and the basis for the book is historical.

10/10 would recommend if you like historical YA fiction, Scottish witches, and good character development.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the most attention-grabbing first lines ever: "when i was nine years old, i hid under a table and heard my sister kill a king."

i haven't read this since i was about 13, but i'm still pretty confident that it's great. perhaps not a challenging read, but a terrific story (and FAR better writing than some 'great plot' books ahem*davincicode*ahem).

it's a story about meg, a girl in medieval scotland who is chosen to bring back the norwegian child who is rightful heir to the throne, and the consequences of their strange trip for the next 7 years. it doesn't help matters that meg's sister is a witch, and is responsible for the storm that killed the king, sending the country into upheaval. it's full of magic and intrigue and a little bit of romance, and it was one of my favorite books growing up. highly recommended for a fun read.

[Andria Potter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf'd at 40%. Slow, and couldn't get into it. 2 ⭐.

[Tristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've seen this book on other people's to read lists here on GoodReads, and so added it to mine. I enjoyed it, but I did find large segments of it to be a little long-winded and unnecessary as we talk about clothing and so forth. I did appreciate the protagonist, Meg, and her level-headedness in times of stress, but in the end, the romantic conclusion I'd been waiting for through half the book was very short, to the point, and anti-climactic for me. I would have liked a little more exploration into the developing feelings, rather than what we got, which was a very quick "I think I love you" and "I love you too" right at the end. I can't say as that every teen will enjoy this book, but it's one that I might recommend for older teens - not because of content, but because of the dialect which might drive a younger reader away in its difficulty to read.

This certainly has been a wishy-washy review, for which I apologize, but that is an accurate assessment of my feelings about the book. I liked it, I didn't like it, I liked it ... well, read it for yourself and see what you think. Overall, I think I liked it.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this - what a fantastic opening line! I was hooked from the beginning and stayed up all night finishing it. So interesting and realistic, great cast of characters, nice mix of action and quieter moments so you don't start to feel worn-out from nonstop conflict. The pacing was perfect. I loved Meg as a character - you know an author's doing things right when you don't need to be TOLD that a character is brave because you can see it in their actions.
I did find the dialogue a bit hard to follow in places, I had to read some paragraphs two or three times before I got the sense of them (I figured out only when I reached the end of the book that there was a glossary there!) but it didn't detract from my enjoyment, I loved how realistic the setting was and found it a bit cute that they referred to things in such fond and affectionate terms. It's not just the boat, it's the 'wee boatie'.
Also, I've only just noticed Frances Mary Hendry also wrote Chandra, one of my FAVOURITE books as a child! I must find and read more by this author!

[Tianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book. I loved the story; I loved the messages; I loved the characters. It's a tear jerker, to be sure. Many of the characters you learn to love (and others that you don't) don't have happy endings. It's not your typical love story. It's more just a good adventure story.

First word of advice: Don't read the back cover. It takes one part of the book and makes you think the entire book is about it. Then when you're halfway through the book, and hasn't even started that plot line, you get frustrated. Enjoy the book for what it is, not what the back says it is. Also, there is a minor plot spoiler.

I recommend just not reading the back at all.

Also, it does have a smattering of bad words. I tended to tune them out, however, as they seemed to fit the story and the language of the characters that spoke them. However, if you don't want your child reading language like that, this might not be the book for them.

[Violet Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It definitely reads as a middle-grade or young-adult book, but there's an amazing amount of political/royal intrigue. Mainly, it's a great adventure story, with danger and mystery, and a strong female lead. I don't even like adventure novels, or intrigue, either, but the characters were so well-drawn that it pulled me in. The setting, early medieval Scotland, was thoroughly unfamiliar to me and probably to most readers, so it feels more like a fantasy novel, with a lot of world-building needed, which seemed to come about naturally and without the usual exposition that pulls me out of fantasy books. There's a bit of Celtic magic, but not too much, and pagan and Christian theology seem to live side-by-side with no strife. When I later read Mary Stewart's "The Hollow Hills," I was reminded of this book and this world.

[Magda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this historical fiction novel, as it explores another historical event of which I'd never heard. The author's note places it a bit, but other than that, it's just exciting.

I love how Meg gets the upper hand over Sir James when she boldly claims his servant as hers (she knows the boy's name and he doesn't). p. 80: "One basic fact of life is that it is much more difficult to shout if you are sitting on a low stool."

p. 144: "The nobles were packed like barrelled herring on the quay, velvets and silks marking with the rain and the crush, their piled hats and veils nodding agitatedly."

[dianne b. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story and i learned some new Scottish history and geography; not to mention some important new words like "clashmaclavers" and "winkle". It's a wonder any of us shop without knowing the proper weights and measures, eh? Chalder, boll, firlot, peck, lippie or forpet, f'instance. And a stone is not a stone - it's 15 lbs for wheat, and 19.5 for butter, wax? Only 8.
You're welcome.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - English Ebook

Meg Wright is nine when she hides under a table and hears her sister Inge kill the King of Scotland by witchcraft, setting in motion a treacherous power struggle.

I chose this book because I had just heard about this fascinating episode in history, an episode which started with a king's death and involved a possibly pregnant widow, a power struggle over the throne, a princess from Norway, a shipwreck and even an imposter burned as a witch in Bergen, Norway (this is not a spoiler, just a fact mentioned in a history book).

The story had already been made into a age-old ballad I was thrilled to discover someone had written a novel about this intriguing part of history, and I decided to read this book even though it was supposedly intended for readers as young as 10 years and up.

The plot was interesting and engaging from start to finish. I liked that one of the characters had a disability, young Davie Spens had a cleft lip that gave him a severe speech disability.

The book includes a glossary at the end of the book because the author writes in Scottish dialect. This was charming and colorful, but it also made it more exhausting to read.

I do recommend the book, but be warned that the dialect could make it too difficult for some. And I can't really imagine reading it out loud to a child, unless you're from Scotland.

The flavor, scent, and climate of 13th century Scotland are brought vividly to life.

[Genevieve Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot.

It's one of those stories that take place over years and years. At the beginning Meg is nine, and at the end she's like sixteen. Most of the story is who she is as a person and who she becomes over a childhood of misadventures and friendships and learning. I loved her relationship with the two boys, and they were both great characters in their own right.

The events in the blurb on the back only start to happen at around the halfway point of the book, but I really enjoyed it.

If there is any criticism, it is that it was a little anticlimactic. I expected more to happen between Meg and her sister Inge, with that dramatic setup at the beginning. The last chaotic scene was kind of an abrupt mess to be the resolution of so many years of tension.

Also, I tried and very much failed to get used to seeing the word "boatie."

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 13th Century Scotland, the story opens with the death (murder via witchcraft) of King Alexander III. This is the story of Meg, a well-to-do girl of almost marriageable age who is in the wrong place at the right time again and again to watch (or shape) the way history unfolds.

A friend gave me a copy of A Little Princess for my 10th birthday, a book I already owned, so we took it back to the children's bookstore from which it had been purchased. At the time I pretty much only read Sci-Fi/Fantasy, the books my mother read, and was spectacularly uninterested in books aimed at my age-range. But I needed a book and we didn't have much time and it advertised kings and magic and adventure... I loved it. It's fun, and a fast read, and it's richly researched. And then it sat on my shelf for 18 years until, this last month when I resolved to cut my library by a third. "I should read this again before I go to Scotland!" I thought to myself. It's still as lovely as it was then -and- it's set in Inverkeithing, now Inverness, the city I'm going to visit :o)

Note: This book makes free, historically accurate, use of the word "bitch." It's never used as a weapon ("'Wake up, you wee bitch, you dare die on me now and I'll kill you!'") but it does seem, to the modern ear, like quite strong language compared to the rest of the book ("Drat that, I thought. And changed my mind: No, this is an emergency; To hell with that!").

[Raquel (Silver Valkyrie Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I ended up loving this book a whole lot more than I expected to. For one thing, I had recently given up on reading Girl in a Cage for shaky historicity, and especially by comparison, I loved how authentic this felt to the era. I also just really liked the characters, and their story.

If you have any concerns about giving your children books with paganism/witchcraft references I would save this one for when they're a bit older (I thought that part of the story was handled pretty well in the end, though, so personally would be okay with it for older children). Other than that the only 'content' is a bit of mild swearing, which doesn't even really match to any modern versions of 'bad words'.

[Rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engrossing story... I stayed up until 3 am to finish it! I couldn't give it 5 stars though because I found Inge's motivation for her evil doings weak. The person Inge is described as prior to the killing, and her reason to agree in compliance, just wouldn't mesh for me. Maybe the writer didn't characterize her well enough in the beginning or perhaps Meg was just blind to Inge's greed- but I think a power-hunger so deep as to agree to murder is something that should have/would have made itself apparent much earlier. I wouldn't even have cared so much about it, but Inge's deeds drive most of the story.

[Brandi Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago (10-15 years?) and loved it. I remember it having a very profound effect on me.

I had forgotten the title and author, and had no idea how to find this book again.

I posted a query in the group "Constant Reader" and through a VERY vague description, someone managed to point it out to me.

I am SO thrilled to have tracked down this book, and I can't wait to get my hands on an actual copy of it! I am so excited to re-read it, and see if it strikes me as it did when I was so much younger.

AAAaaaaaah! Soooo thrilled!!!

[Kayli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a near PERFECT story. Judging from the name and date I wrote on the inside cover of my copy, I first read this about 20 years ago. And reading it now I am still overjoyed to have found it. I love the whole thing. Every character is perfectly drawn-- I love each of them, even the ones I hate, so much. The writing is so smooth and enjoyable. It is magnificently crafted.

I LOOOOOOOOOOVE this book with all my heart!!

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a find! This is set in 13th century Scotland, and it's sort of loosely based on a true story. The characters are compelling and the story is exciting and touching. The author was able to give us a young heroine who is spunky and rule-breaking without being anachronistic. I loved all of the details about life in the middle ages, too. I don't know how accurate they are, but they seemed believable.

[Zainab Magdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over 7 times when I was 7 years younger than today. I loved it, I still remember it very well, I remember so many details from it. It was my first introduction to the burning and drowning of witches which triggered my interest in that area, leading me read books like Miller's The Crucible. I love this book.

[Laurina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction about the fight for the Scottish throne after the murder of the king. Meg goes through many adventures to save "the maid", a norwegian princess who is supposed to assume the throne. Good read.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. I have a hard time with how magic and witchcraft can be portrayed in some books.
However, in this book it shows that there is no easy out, that those with powers cannot necessarily see all or understand all, and that human devotion and tenacity can still overcome.

[Graywyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great book to read as a young adult - I loved the story line and just tracked it down so I can maybe read it again in the future. It's a quick read since it is written for teens but a historical fiction based in old Europe.

[Beth]

I haven't read this book in a long time, but I still have my copy with all of my childhood books. Tt came up on my recommendations, and I remembered how much I loved it when I was young. I read it several times and enjoyed each time.