THE SHIELD-MAIDEN Foreworld SideQuest, Book 4

This novella introduces Sigrid, a young warrior who is a force to be reckoned with in her Viking village. Is she just a talented fighter, or does she have the "Vor"--the intense focus that will make her stand apart? Narrator Mary Kowal is clearly engaged with the story and its characters. She presents Sigrid with an emphasis on her youth and steely core. Her slightly strained presentation of the male characters is mildly distracting initially but less so as the book progresses. Setting an easy pace, Kowal regulates her tempo with the intensity of the action. This is the first of a new series; one hopes Sigrid will be at its center. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2013]