What do you think?
Rate this book
Far Traveler
When King Edward gives his niece Ælfwyn two choices--marry one of his allies or become a nun--Wyn is at a loss to decide. Her strong, warrior mother has just died, so it's impossible to know what she would have wanted.Wyn takes the first risk of her life and flees. Disguising herself as a boy, she adopts a new identity as a traveling storyteller called Widsith (far traveler) and reinvents herself, drawing upon the books she has loved all her life. Soon she finds her fate inextricably tied with the dark-eyed King Wilfrid, who knows her only as Widsith, and wants her help in a plot against her own uncle.
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 17, 2005
3 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Tingle
3 books24 followersRebecca Tingle was born in Utah as the oldest child in a large family - three boys and five girls. She grew up reading armfuls of novels from the Orem Public Library, riding horses, acquiring as many pets as her parents would allow (three dogs, three cats, two budgies, a hermit crab, and various reptiles and amphibians), hiking the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains with her brothers, and training in classical ballet.
Upon graduating from high school, she began a short professional ballet career with Ballet West and also pursued a B.A. in English at the University of Utah. After earning an M.A. in English with a medieval specialization at Brigham Young University, she went to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar to study Old English literature.
Tingle returned home to Utah having written the first few chapters of a novel about Aetheflaed of Mercia. She worked for a year as a member of the Brigham Young University Admissions Committee before marrying Bryce Tingle, a Canadian lawyer, and moving to Calgary, Alberta. There she finished her novel, The Edge on the Sword, and began a second book. Rebecca and Bryce are the parents of two daughters, Miranda and Afton.
Upon graduating from high school, she began a short professional ballet career with Ballet West and also pursued a B.A. in English at the University of Utah. After earning an M.A. in English with a medieval specialization at Brigham Young University, she went to Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar to study Old English literature.
Tingle returned home to Utah having written the first few chapters of a novel about Aetheflaed of Mercia. She worked for a year as a member of the Brigham Young University Admissions Committee before marrying Bryce Tingle, a Canadian lawyer, and moving to Calgary, Alberta. There she finished her novel, The Edge on the Sword, and began a second book. Rebecca and Bryce are the parents of two daughters, Miranda and Afton.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
August 8, 2019
Ælfwyn is a shy, bookish maiden in Anglo-Saxon England, caught in the middle of her uncle the king's political plots. When the king forces her to choose between marrying an old man or becoming a nun, Ælfwyn runs away to become a singing bard on the open road. But circumstances drag her back into her uncle's clutches, and desperate men try to use her position in the king's family for their own political gain.
I really identified with Ælfwyn's character, because she loves to read. She is shy, and is frightened to ride the large and powerful horse her mother gives her. For most of the book, she depends on other people to tell her what to do and where to go, but when it really matters, she makes her own decisions, discovering courage and resilience from deep inside.
I liked the writing style in this book. It really pulls you in to the story, painting a picture of Old England with a few settings, people, and events drawn from real history. I especially liked the scenes when Ælfwyn is on the road, singing her songs and telling stories from her books to entertain the common people.
The plot has plenty of action and suspense, with warriors and battles lurking around the corner in every scene. But the focus is on how this young teenage girl deals with the danger and anxiety, and the subtle influence she exerts over the outcome of those wars. She seems so powerless at first, but her knowledge and intelligence give her power.
One of things I loved about this book is how Ælfwyn manages to take control of her own life choices, without needing to carry a sword or be strong in battle. She remains herself; quiet and bookish, but she begins to command respect from others, and discovers her power to change her life through the words she uses. This is NOT a warrior maiden story. It's a word-warrior story. Words are her weapons. Her mind is her armor.
Brilliant story-telling!
I really identified with Ælfwyn's character, because she loves to read. She is shy, and is frightened to ride the large and powerful horse her mother gives her. For most of the book, she depends on other people to tell her what to do and where to go, but when it really matters, she makes her own decisions, discovering courage and resilience from deep inside.
I liked the writing style in this book. It really pulls you in to the story, painting a picture of Old England with a few settings, people, and events drawn from real history. I especially liked the scenes when Ælfwyn is on the road, singing her songs and telling stories from her books to entertain the common people.
The plot has plenty of action and suspense, with warriors and battles lurking around the corner in every scene. But the focus is on how this young teenage girl deals with the danger and anxiety, and the subtle influence she exerts over the outcome of those wars. She seems so powerless at first, but her knowledge and intelligence give her power.
One of things I loved about this book is how Ælfwyn manages to take control of her own life choices, without needing to carry a sword or be strong in battle. She remains herself; quiet and bookish, but she begins to command respect from others, and discovers her power to change her life through the words she uses. This is NOT a warrior maiden story. It's a word-warrior story. Words are her weapons. Her mind is her armor.
Brilliant story-telling!
March 6, 2011
Better than it's predecessor, Edge on the Sword. The main character is one I liked and didn't find too boring. However, as per usual with YA, very predictable.
January 27, 2020
This was one of my favorite medieval YA books growing up as a young tween just looking for decent fiction. Rereading this however, I am like, "meh."
The writing style?
OK. Nothing unique or particularly amazing.
The characters?
Elfwyn was always the reason I went to this book. I loved watching her quiet spirit become a valiant warrior. And WIL I WANTED MORE WIL.
Romance?
Def expected...I mean common, it's YA! But that was fine...I just wanted more of it.
Overall,
two shiny stars (almost three because I wanted to like it like I had as a wee thing!!)
The writing style?
OK. Nothing unique or particularly amazing.
The characters?
Elfwyn was always the reason I went to this book. I loved watching her quiet spirit become a valiant warrior. And WIL I WANTED MORE WIL.
Romance?
Def expected...I mean common, it's YA! But that was fine...I just wanted more of it.
Overall,
two shiny stars (almost three because I wanted to like it like I had as a wee thing!!)
June 22, 2012
Aelfwynn is the quiet, timid daughter of the beloved Aethelflaed, Queen of Mercia. Where her mother is strong, courageous, and outgoing, her daughter is small, timid, and shy. When her mother dies, Aelfwynn is thrust into the hands of her uncle, King Edward, who wants to annex her kingdom into his own. Lost and alone without her mother, Aelfwynn disguises herself as a boy and flees Edward. She must learn to find the strength within her and must decide which is more precious to her, the peace of the nation or her own freedom.
Far Traveler is the sequel to The Edge on the Sword, which features her mother Aethelflaed as the main character. Where The Edge on the Sword frames its plot on actual historical fact, Far Traveler is able to go deeper in the realm of fiction. While Aelfwynn is a real historical figure, her story is lost to history after her mother dies. I love how Rebecca Tingle has imagined how her life maybe played out. The romance in the story is really well done and Aelfwynn develops really well as a character. It is a novel that I go back to over and over again.
Far Traveler is the sequel to The Edge on the Sword, which features her mother Aethelflaed as the main character. Where The Edge on the Sword frames its plot on actual historical fact, Far Traveler is able to go deeper in the realm of fiction. While Aelfwynn is a real historical figure, her story is lost to history after her mother dies. I love how Rebecca Tingle has imagined how her life maybe played out. The romance in the story is really well done and Aelfwynn develops really well as a character. It is a novel that I go back to over and over again.
May 13, 2017
This was a very good book. I love that it was based on the author's view of what could have happened to a historical girl. I loved her use of history, names, and familiar places, as well as beautiful song and stories. I loved Wil a lot…he was my favorite character. The romance was so sweet and the end was so perfect...my heart...
I need to name something Widsith now, I love the meaning. This was a very creative and wonderful book, I enjoyed it a lot.
I need to name something Widsith now, I love the meaning. This was a very creative and wonderful book, I enjoyed it a lot.
April 7, 2020
I would give this book ten stars if I could. I wish more people knew it; I read it first when I was a tween and every time I revisit it, I’m afraid it won’t hold up to my grown-up reading taste, and then every time I am amazed by how good it is. I love this book so much.
May 3, 2021
I think the author tried to stay true to the facts and that's why sometimes the story got dull. The time pace was also something, I was reading a chapter on how the protagonist was dealing with the change when suddenly in the next chapter I found out six months have passed, this happened twice or more.
October 22, 2017
Rebecca Tingle’s THE EDGE OF THE SWORD and its sequel Far Traveler are simply and beautifully written historical fiction novels.
Set In the 10th century Anglo Saxony a Lady queen and her daughter forge their own destinies and those of their people.
The novels are both excellent reads for
those interested in early British history and
an entertaining read.
Set In the 10th century Anglo Saxony a Lady queen and her daughter forge their own destinies and those of their people.
The novels are both excellent reads for
those interested in early British history and
an entertaining read.
June 24, 2012
I picked up this book at about 11 pm last night and finished it around 2 am this morning. I have wondered whether I would have ranked the book at four stars if I would have read it from 11 am to 2 pm. I kind of suspect that it would have been a three- or three-and-a-half-star book if I had encountered it in the daylight, but I have to honor my "gut" rankings, day or night. :0)
I really liked the story and the characters. Most of the time, though not all the time, I avoid books where there is a girl-trying-to-pass-herself-off-as-a-boy premise, because I think that premise often breaks down with minimal scrutiny. This book was not entirely exempt from that, as I do think in this instance living in such close quarters with men, day in and day out, that if nothing else the problem of bodily functions would have caught up with her and revealed her gender. Perhaps, fictionally speaking, she could have pulled it off for the short time she was in that disguise, but I ALMOST think not. Almost. Most of the time, the girl-passing-as-boy premise passes muster when there is someone on the "inside" of the ruse who protects the girl from discovery. However, the author did not mention any such flaws and I ignored it for the most part. But that is why there were no five stars.
I am going to look for more books by Rebecca Tingle. I do notice that her book The Edge on the Sword was given several awards.
I really liked the story and the characters. Most of the time, though not all the time, I avoid books where there is a girl-trying-to-pass-herself-off-as-a-boy premise, because I think that premise often breaks down with minimal scrutiny. This book was not entirely exempt from that, as I do think in this instance living in such close quarters with men, day in and day out, that if nothing else the problem of bodily functions would have caught up with her and revealed her gender. Perhaps, fictionally speaking, she could have pulled it off for the short time she was in that disguise, but I ALMOST think not. Almost. Most of the time, the girl-passing-as-boy premise passes muster when there is someone on the "inside" of the ruse who protects the girl from discovery. However, the author did not mention any such flaws and I ignored it for the most part. But that is why there were no five stars.
I am going to look for more books by Rebecca Tingle. I do notice that her book The Edge on the Sword was given several awards.
April 4, 2008
I REALLY liked this book. While it is historical fiction, it really is based off of a lot of fascinating medieval history taken from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. Some of the characters' names in this story were taken from Old English. So that we could read the names, the author changed some of the Old English rune letters to make the names more readible... that information isn't all that important but I'm fascinated by Old English and Medieval history. Anyway, we learn from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles that there once lived a powerful lady ruler of Mercia, whose name the author translates to "AEthelflaed" pronounced "aathelflaad", who died of some sudden unknown disease, leaving her young daughter, Aelfwyn alone. Aelfwyn's uncle Edward, the West Saxon King, removed her from Mercia and Aelfwyn disappears from history. This story plays upon the idea of the exciting things Aelfwyn may have done after "disappearing" and it is an extremely charming story. VERY short read and more than worth it. Remember, this isn't a fantasy book, so the rules are different for this one ;) The author makes the story as believable as possible for the time in history it was supposed to have taken place. Aelfwyn's level of strength and courage aren't unbridled, like I expect my fantasy heroes to demonstrate ;). But for a more realistic story, the author doesn't fail to deliver either.
April 25, 2016
I really enjoyed The Edge on the Sword, and you'd think that a book about a bard (rare!) disguised as a boy (pet trope!) would be similarly awesome, but Ælfwyn was just dull.
In fact, I put the book down halfway, abandoned it for years, couldn't remember the plot, then reread it from scratch just to cross it off my list of partially-finished books. On reflection for this review, I still couldn't remember anything noteworthy about the plot. Also, the writing felt clunky.
Bonus points for pet trope, bard, and Mercia, but it had none of the danger, action (sword-wielding princess!), or surprising medieval details (kings in huts!) that made The Edge on the Sword great for the history or fantasy crowd.
In fact, I put the book down halfway, abandoned it for years, couldn't remember the plot, then reread it from scratch just to cross it off my list of partially-finished books. On reflection for this review, I still couldn't remember anything noteworthy about the plot. Also, the writing felt clunky.
Bonus points for pet trope, bard, and Mercia, but it had none of the danger, action (sword-wielding princess!), or surprising medieval details (kings in huts!) that made The Edge on the Sword great for the history or fantasy crowd.
January 15, 2014
Aelfwyn, 16, is the daughter of Aelthelflaed, queen of Mercia. When her mother dies suddenly, her uncle sees the girl as a threat, and decides she must either marry one of his allies, or enter a convent. Aelfwyn, however, chooses a third path. She becomes a wandering Scop (Anglo-Saxon equivalent of a bard), in disguise as a boy called Widsith, or Far Traveler. But, far from protecting her, her disguise will lead her right into the political turmoil she's sought to avoid. Can Aelfwyn use her skills to prevent a civil war?
Very well researched and well written. All young Tolkien fans who want to know more about the Anglo-Saxon culture and history that he loved should give it a look.
Very well researched and well written. All young Tolkien fans who want to know more about the Anglo-Saxon culture and history that he loved should give it a look.
September 8, 2015
Very much enjoyed this sequel to The Edge on the Sword. Once again, the author has done a brilliant job of reconstructing this historical time period. I love the storyline she wove for the heroine, especially since we know virtually nothing of what actually happened to her. One can only hope her life turned out something like this. This book had a little more romance than the first, which I also enjoyed. High recommend to anyone looking for a great young adult read. Also good for those who love historical fiction, Old English time periods, British history, swords and swordplay, and a young woman coming into her own.
September 1, 2023
Very hard to put down; read in less than a day. It's nice to read something that is both entirely historically plausible and a good coming-of-age story. Even better when it's not just a chance for the author to show off her historical knowledge and point out all the nifty things she learned in her research. Instead this is an authoritative author who uses her knowledge of the time period to craft a good plot and turn historical footnotes into charming, living characters.
Let me be a little more clear about that: this is one of the best, if not the best, pieces of Anglo-Saxon historical fiction out there. I like it way better than The Last Kingdom.
Let me be a little more clear about that: this is one of the best, if not the best, pieces of Anglo-Saxon historical fiction out there. I like it way better than The Last Kingdom.
May 6, 2011
Alfwyn (if I could do the awesome Old English letters here I would so I could spell her name right) is an amazing, believable, and fresh character. She's as strong as her mother, but in different ways. Using her wit and talent, she runs away from a choice between two bad futures and becomes a scop, or bard, as well as a boy. But, as do all people who try to run from their problems, it isn't long before she has to face her fears and reveal her identity. Will she choose treason or freedom? Family or friend? I'm not going to tell you. Read the book and find out--you won't regret it.
October 21, 2009
Sadly, this doesn't quite live up to the standard set by its predecessor, The Edge on the Sword. This one seems more speculative, and the literature of the time seems to be a more well-developed character than the actual characters in the story.
August 30, 2022
Once a long time ago I found The Edge On the Sword at a yard sale. I've probably read it half a dozen times if not more. It's an all time favorite. So of course I have always wanted to read this and it took a long time to find.
Rebecca Tingle why didn't you write more?!?
This book is about Aelfwyn the daughter of Aetheflaed from the first book. Sadly her mother dies and King Edward wants to use her for a political alliance.
Aelfwyn says maybe not.
So she cuts her hair and runs away to live her life as a boy. But as the book says she cannot escape her destiny.
Before everything went south she met King Wilfrid of Eoforwic and she is very impressed with him. Then again as a disguised boy she meets him again. Pretending to be a wanna be scop she and Wil spend a lot of time together and she falls in love.
How will she save all of the people she loves when the two sides meet? She should have been a queen.
The ending is amazing. I could read this over and over just for that alone. Two lovers taking off before the chasers can even begin.
Rebecca Tingle why didn't you write more?!?
This book is about Aelfwyn the daughter of Aetheflaed from the first book. Sadly her mother dies and King Edward wants to use her for a political alliance.
Aelfwyn says maybe not.
So she cuts her hair and runs away to live her life as a boy. But as the book says she cannot escape her destiny.
Before everything went south she met King Wilfrid of Eoforwic and she is very impressed with him. Then again as a disguised boy she meets him again. Pretending to be a wanna be scop she and Wil spend a lot of time together and she falls in love.
How will she save all of the people she loves when the two sides meet? She should have been a queen.
The ending is amazing. I could read this over and over just for that alone. Two lovers taking off before the chasers can even begin.
February 20, 2025
This book is everything I was looking for. It’s a quick read, packed with so much depth and historical details. I love books that take place in this time period and I loved the references to old English culture and poetry. I do wish the book was slightly longer so we could explore some of the side characters more, especially the Prince of Wessex. This is a great must read for teens(I mean, adults too) because it is historically educational in an engaging way, and also shows a female heroine who ISN’T good with swords and doesn’t just automatically get to rule. I definitely recommend adding this book to your reading list.
November 3, 2018
The ambiance is perfectly captured. But to build such a potentially strong female character and have her saved so often by so many men was very disappointing. The character development fell flat, and the main character became just a damsel in distress.
March 23, 2022
This book has a pretty interesting premise and is pretty enjoyable. The pacing feels a bit slow at times, and the ending feels a bit rushed, but it's overall a good read. The relationship between Wyn and Wil felt a bit odd and it's not developed that much, but the book is pretty solid.
Read
July 8, 2019Unfortunately this book just wasn't for me. I couldn't even make myself finish it.
November 17, 2022
5 stars because I so genuinely enjoyed this book
come-back-to
January 20, 202310/228
I really enjoyed The Edge on the Sword. Was curious about the sequel but not currently in the mood. Will probably come back to it later.
I really enjoyed The Edge on the Sword. Was curious about the sequel but not currently in the mood. Will probably come back to it later.
January 29, 2023
A hidden gem, I wish I had read this sooner, and can't wait to read her first novel as well.
February 8, 2025
This was really good! I enjoyed watching Wyn grow as a scop and gain confidence in herself
January 19, 2026
actually like a 3.5
November 4, 2010
I really liked this book. It left me feeling full and content. I was pretty excited to read it, and I had high expectations. I felt slightly disappointed when I first started reading it. I thought maybe it was a little unoriginal, cliche, and predictable. I didn't really grasp what the big deal was with the conflict, but I think that was just me being a scatter-brained reader.
Despite all that, I'm a sucker for a story about poetry. I've always been fascinated with bard (or scops; there's probably a big difference I'm not aware of), and of course, anything to do with this time period and Old English automatically steals my heart. For that reason, I loved it. I was slightly annoyed by the main character, but by the end, I'd come to understand and love her better. I'd love to read a book about her mother.
Let me go off on another tangent. I liked Wilfred, honestly, but something in this book bugged me. It reminds me of the movie version of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night with Helena Bonham Carter. There's a part where Viola is still disguised as a boy in the barn, but she and the Duke almost kiss. This really creeps me out because he supposedly doesn't know. I almost felt the same way at parts in this book--like when she's cold and he wraps an arm around her waist, or when he puts her hand over hers at night to comfort her. As far as I know, men do not treat boys like that! Just a pet peeve...
Still, an overall good book that I really did enjoy.
Despite all that, I'm a sucker for a story about poetry. I've always been fascinated with bard (or scops; there's probably a big difference I'm not aware of), and of course, anything to do with this time period and Old English automatically steals my heart. For that reason, I loved it. I was slightly annoyed by the main character, but by the end, I'd come to understand and love her better. I'd love to read a book about her mother.
Let me go off on another tangent. I liked Wilfred, honestly, but something in this book bugged me. It reminds me of the movie version of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night with Helena Bonham Carter. There's a part where Viola is still disguised as a boy in the barn, but she and the Duke almost kiss. This really creeps me out because he supposedly doesn't know. I almost felt the same way at parts in this book--like when she's cold and he wraps an arm around her waist, or when he puts her hand over hers at night to comfort her. As far as I know, men do not treat boys like that! Just a pet peeve...
Still, an overall good book that I really did enjoy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2012
I stumbled across The Edge of the Sword a couple weeks ago and was quite fond of it, so I decided to give Tingle's next novel a try. Comparatively, it was a more entertaining read than Edge of the Sword. The latter didn't start picking up until the climax. I think her writing greatly improved in Far Traveler by being written in first person, as opposed to the 3rd person in Edge of the Sword.
I did not love Aelfwyn the way I loved Aethylflaed. This story did not have the strong female lead I was looking for. Aelfwyn was always looking for someone to take care of her and never once entertained the notion of taking care of herself. The writing pulled at my hearstrings and I felt the right emotions at the right time, so it was altogether a satisfying read that got me more interested in ancient Europe.
I did not love Aelfwyn the way I loved Aethylflaed. This story did not have the strong female lead I was looking for. Aelfwyn was always looking for someone to take care of her and never once entertained the notion of taking care of herself. The writing pulled at my hearstrings and I felt the right emotions at the right time, so it was altogether a satisfying read that got me more interested in ancient Europe.
July 22, 2015
The concept of this story had a lot of potential... it just wasn't executed well. Strange choices being made by the author, like certain important elements of the plot and characters' motivations and feelings were explained in a single sentence or skipped over entirely, while other far less important things (the long paragraph describing Osgar's scop's harp for example) were given far more attention than they deserved. On top of that, all of the language just seems really forced (trying to fit a certain time period and not doing a good job of it, perhaps) and unnatural, both in narrative and dialogue. All in all I found it pretty boring (especially when she tried to add tidbits of romance) but I think the concept itself had the potential to be a really beautiful and gripping tale, if it were written by someone like Patricia A. McKillip instead.
July 10, 2012
Middle grade fiction.
What to like: Great introduction to life in the 900s. In depth? No, but for her audience, this is fine. I had to look up the Anglo-Saxon poem "The Wanderer" because a few of Aelfwyn's poems were reminiscent of of it. I think we need to be careful as adults about casting too critical an eye on children's literature. As a 12 year old I would have been very enamored of this book.
I am verging on calling this children's because this is miles apart than what is "popular" in YA today. I would put this on my K-5 library shelves with "Catherine, Called Birdie" and "The Midwife's Apprentice."
What not to like: I read for a few hours on and off before tapping my progress bar at the bottom of my iPad. I discovered I was 75% through the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews