Warrior Girl: A Novel of Joan of Arc

by Pauline Chandler

A war-torn country waiting for a hero.
An ebony box holding the key to a young orphan's life.
A determined young woman who hears voices promising that she will save her beloved France.
And another with no voice to say that her future is in peril.
For centuries, Joan of Arc's legendary journey has spoken to readers' sense of adventure. Pauline Chandler's riveting novel delivers the tale with astonishing freshness and unflinching truth.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Medieval, France, War, Mental Illness

368 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many books about my Favorite historical person Jehanne d'Arc and this one was a great telling tailored for older kids. I love that it was told from the perspective of a companion, who has her own personal story and in and of herself is a compelling character. Quick, satisfying read. I'd like to read some of her other books. I also love that she uses the old French spelling of her name, which I prefer to Jeanne.

[Cecilia H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"They called her la Pucelle
The Maid of Orléans and Joan of Arc
And she did impel
The French army when their future was dark."

>> lyrics by historyteachers, song can be found here: Joan of Arc

Well hello there gentle readers!

I've decided after a little struggling while reading this book, to give it 3 stars.

I liked it because it gave an interesting view on the Joan of Arc-story. In this historical novel, The Maid of Orléans' cousin (I assume fictional) tells the story. The cousin, Mariane is mute. Devoted to her cousin and searching vengeance on the English for murdering her parents, she joins Jehanne on her quest.

Even though we know how it all ends, it's fascinating to read the story from Mariane's point of view. The writing is easy to read, so the book is more suitable for younger readers.

But to all who love historical fiction and medieval tellings - I recommend you to read this.

[Shilo Quetchenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this take on the story of Joan of Arc. The writing was a bit difficult to get used to - seems like many books set around this time period make use of a specific writing style that is a bit choppier than I am used to. However, once I got into the story, I read it in one sitting without realizing that the time was passing - so it was definitely well-told. I found it interesting that, though the story is ostensibly about Jehanne, it is told through the 'voice' of her voiceless friend Marianne. The story swirls about Jehanne, and she strides impassively through it - a figure so above it all and so distant that as a reader one never feels close to her. Perhaps this is the only way to write about such a legendary figure, charged with a mission from God. Marianne is reassuringly human, with human passions and human weaknesses - she serves to bring us the story of Jehanne, while Jehanne looks always ahead to the next battle.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan of Arc... glorified mascot or truly a holy messenger? One thing I loved about this book is it allows you to decide. Though about one of the most religious women in history, I never felt her talking to angels nor her messages from god were being shoved down my throat. (I'm remembering An Army of Angels by Pamela Marcantel and not in a fond way. That book just made Joan of Arc seem crazy.)

To read full review and see pictures, click the link:

http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2010/...

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a decent book. I'm fascinated by St. Joan as a historical figure, and was pleased to find a novel featuring her. This was overall a very quick read for me, and I feel that the writing really picked up at about the halfway mark. I especially enjoyed Mariane as a character and her struggle for her inheritance; I think it was a clever idea that Joan had a cousin who was also her companion.
Overall, a quick, tragic-inspirational read.

[Denae Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the main character, and how she's mute but can read. She was the perfect person to tell this tale.
Joan, of course, couldn't.

[Gil-or (readingbooksinisrael) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Note: The main character of this book is not Joan of Arc but her cousin, Marianne.)

Likes:
-I already talked about how much I love that the main character is selective mute but I'll talk about it some more. Because despite the fact that the main character is selective mute she is not treated differently. Other characters see how smart she is and have to put plans in place to foil her. She is able to do what she needs to, also. In short, she's a real person who is not viewed as less for being unable to speak. (And I don't care if it's unrealistic if other characters realize how smart she is. That's great.)
-I really felt that the author was able to write Joan both as a real person and as a mystical figure and combine the two really well.
-While I actually am scared of horses in real life I am a big supporter of horses in books and there were a lot of them.
-There were two battle scenes and neither of them were particularly gory. If you are looking for battle scenes you shouldn't look here, but it's a big plus in my opinion.

Dislikes:
-I did feel that for the first half of the book while Joan is still gaining support dragged.
-The ending was an unneeded epilogue.
-While there was a historical note in the back it was only what happened after the book ended and I wanted also for when the book was happening.

If you are looking for a book with normalized disability/mental illness you should read this. Or if you just want to read a good historical fiction, or book about Joan of Arc.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lent to me by my niece, and didn’t realize it was a teen book. Nevertheless, an interesting read about joan d’arc... the ultimate girl power!

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Always liked Joan of Arc, I feel badly to rate this so low, because if I were in Grade 7 I'd have loved to read it: instead of all those historical fiction books that always only had a male character doing adventurous stuff (as in the ubiquitous 'He Went With Name-Your-Famous-Male-Historical-Figure'). So maybe if I rated it as a young girl reading it, I'd have given it more stars. Pauline Chandler is definitely doing what I've thought for decades was needed: a believable 'SHE went with ...'. I just didn't find the story very gripping or well written, nor the main character very believable (honestly, she was so dumb sometimes). Nevertheless, I did feel like she communicated a much more well-rounded picture of Joan, (specifically that she really did get messages from God rather than suffer from some mental illness, and also a more detailed record of her progress & perseverance) than one gets in the history books.

[Tigger · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly ordinary book, but one that becomes more interesting towards the end of the novel.
It has a slow start, and the characters (evol uncle, kick!ass feminist fighting heroines, true love between the classes) seem fairly cliched, but the subject matter of the fascinating Joan of Arc makes it more interesting.
I liked the idea of having the story told from a different P.O.V - it really highlights the... well, relative craziness of Joan's actions, but also the way her passion and faith was able to inspire hope in others.
I felt like their could have been a greater emphasis on historical accuracy and the actual details of events through the novel, but I guess it was only a Y.A book and they had to keep it light.
The scene that really did touch me was that of Joan's death by burning - harrowing reading (even though you know the outcome) but yet ultimately touching.

[Liltánel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one some time ago... I love the perspective of the girl. She isn't perfect and she can't talk, which creates a major obstacle for her, communicating with people who neither read, nor write. Jeanne is shown as a determined girl, who, despite being guided by God's orders, is unsure and uneasy about what she is about to attempt. I like how they tell the story. However, it is not the full story of Joan of Arc. Mariane leaves t some point to deal with a matter of inheritance. Chandler describes Mariane's anger towards her uncle very well in my opinion. I really liked it and recommend it to people who like historical fiction and Joan of Arc.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to Joan of Arc's story using two strong, likeable female characters. The story is told from the point of view, Mariane, Jehanne's fictional cousin, and is full of adventure, betrayal, mystery and intrigue. Mariane doesn't always understand her cousin but she loves her and will help her as best she can. It is heartbreaking at the end when Mariane sees Jehanne betrayed, put on trial, and executed, but the final chapter ends on a note of hope and faith.

[Wicked ♥ (Wickedly Bookish Reviews) aka Bat-Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was one of the first to read this as a test reader for Harper Collins. I remember loving it and wishing there was some way it could be continued, but obviously that would be just pointless as the focal character dies as everyone knows before reading the book. This is a wonderful interpretation of the Joan story. Give it a try, you might be pleasantly suprised.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book about Joan of Arc, told from the perspective of her (fictitious, I assume) mute cousin. It was a little tough to get into at first, I think because I was trying to keep all the French names straight, but held my interest after a couple chapters. Even though you know how it ends, I still teared up a little & was inspired by her courage.

[Becca Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is definitely not my style, but you really fall in love with the characters and the faith surrounding everyone in the book. It really puts some things into perspective. For anyone who really enjoys religious books or books that prove faith in God, this is definitely a story you should check out.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written from the view point of Joan of Arc's cousin. There were times it was slow at times. I enjoyed learning a little more about Joan of Arc. I would not read it again but I enjoyed it.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Appears to be rather superficial.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book. It tells the story of Joan of Arc from a different point of view. I loved it!

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started out kinda slow for me but was so amazing. It's about Johanne d'Ark (Joan of Ark) and her cousin Maryann. All true. It is definitely one I'd recommend.

[Lisa Pfeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this historical fiction book. This tells the story of Joan of Arc. Will use for book club

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story told from her cousin's point of view. Not good for real little children sue to the war violence, but will remember this for when my kids get older.

[Mak · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read...! Really for people who like historical fiction and understands French a bit!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was touching to me and I thought it was one of the best books that I have read. At the beggining of the book is a bot grusome though.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting one if you want to research how dialect is portrayed in novels, especially novels set outside the English speaking world.

[Avonlea Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging.

[Sheryl McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting spin to this story. I enjoyed reading it.

[Malina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ll pretend I finished this

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awsome book about Joan of Arc, best one I've read so far and it wasn't even in her point of view!

[coeli · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good!

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!