Last Updated on December 20, 2022 by ThoughtsStained
So, I loveeeeeed this book. I had wanted to read something by Tim for a while, because her books seemed so fascinating and I’d heard so many good things. But, Queens of the Wyrd sealed the deal for me. If you enjoyed Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames, then this book is right up your alley. I was also lucky enough to edit the reprinting of this book and it was such a joy.
Book Info
Publisher: Self-Published | Release Date: November 2019 | Pages: 414
Age Range: Adult | Genre: Fantasy | Format: Paperback | Source: Bought
Raise your shield. Defend your sisters. Prepare for battle
Half-giant Lovis and her Shieldmaiden warband were once among the fiercest warriors in Midgard. But those days are long past and now Lovis just wants to provide a safe home for herself and her daughter – that is, until her former shield-sister Solveig shows up on her doorstep with shattering news.
Solveig’s warrior daughter is trapped on the Plains of Vigrid in a siege gone ugly. Desperate to rescue her, Sol is trying to get the old warband back together again. But their glory days are a distant memory. The Shieldmaidens are Shieldmothers now, entangled in domestic obligations and ancient rivalries.
But family is everything, and Lovis was never more at home than at her shield-sisters’ side. Their road won’t be easy: old debts must be paid, wrongs must be righted, and the Nornir are always pulling on loose threads, leaving the Shieldmaidens facing the end of all Nine Realms. Ragnarok is coming, and if the Shieldmaidens can’t stop it, Lovis will lose everyone she loves…
Fate is inexorable. Wyrd bith ful araed.
Queens of the Wyrd is the brand-new epic Norse fantasy adventure by Timandra Whitecastle.
On the Page
Referenced
Minor
Content warnings are written up by me, unless specified. Subject to being an incomplete list, though guided by referencing this list and trying to highlight as many as I can identify.
Review
Likes
- The characters. This is always a big thing for me. The book can be the most beautifully written book in the world, but if I don’t get emotionally connected (whether that’s loving or hating) to the characters, it’s hard for me to stay invested. For Queens, this was super easy to do. I LOVED Lovis and Birke is just too wholesome for this world. As we slowly begin to meet the rest of the Shieldmothers, not only did I love each one in turn, but I loved how unique each one was, as well, and how distinct they were.
- The focus on motherhood. So many books in fantasy either a) never include mothers to begin with, b) leave them as background characters or c) act like it’s impossible for a mother to also be a warrior or an adventurer or what have you. I love, love, LOVE that this novel takes all of those ideas and throws them in the bin. It makes me want to explore motherhood more in my own novels and I just appreciated the care that was taken with this.
- The adventure. I love a good adventure story and this had that, for sure! I loved how much we got to explore (especially in a certain area where a certain Spring Maiden lives) and how it all came together at the end. I also loved how it seemed to have everything: from the quest to great banter to heartfelt tender moments to laugh-out-loud humorous moments to punches right in your groin surprises.
- The strong writing. I think I read the first 100 pages without pausing or realizing that I had gotten so far into the novel? It just read that smoothly.
Dislikes
- I…really can’t come up with any. That it ended? That I don’t get to read book two immediately?
Rating
I just love Queens of the Wyrd so much (can you tell that yet?). If you enjoy:
- Viking inspired fantasy
- Seeing motherhood explored in a new way
- A story that blends the elements of heart, humor and hurt masterfully
Then you want to read this book. Trust me.
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![I'm so excited to stop by today and share a client highlight. This time, celebrating the publication of Veo Corva's novel, THE BEAUTIFUL DECAY, out today!
I had the pleasure of proofreading this earlier this year and when I tell you I have been dying for it to release to hype it up!! The second book in the Tombtown series, it is set in a queernorm world where our main antagonist is creepy fungi. 🍄
From the characters to the queer rep to the amazing world building of building a society surrounded by necromancy, this is a series you don't want to miss and an author you should absolutely support!!
Buy a copy here: https://veocorva.xyz/books/the-beautiful-decay-by-veo-corva/
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I’m glad you enjoyed this book! I read this a while back, and loved it too. I liked the combination of humour, action and friendship. It definitely gave me serious Kings of the Wyld vibes too, but I loved getting a female-focused version!
Yes, exactly! I really liked the friendship component, as well. And I’m always here for a female-centric cast!!
Seems like a really cool book! I also always need to feel connected to the characters, or I just can’t really love a book. Definitely putting this one on my tbr 🙂
IT’s SO good, Iris! I hope you like it, when you read it. Exactly on the characters!
This is the second owing review I’ve read for QUEENS OF THE WYRD in two days. So yeah I will be buying it now.
Jason, it’s amazing and I have NO DOUBT you will absolutely love it.