Book Review: Winter's Maiden by Morgan L. Busse

 

Winter's Maiden by Morgan L. Busse 
3.5 Stars 
Book 1 in The Nordic Wars Series


Winter's Maiden is book 1 in The Nordic Wars series and my first Morgan L. Busse book! I read this with some friends, which added to the experience. It's such an atmospheric read - feels like TRUE winter! If you like Viking style stories, Nordic wars, icy survival, warrior heroines and Christian fantasy books - check this series out.

This has 2 POVs - Brighid and Kaeden. It's not a romance really - its a story of growth for our characters. Brighid is a clanless one - who was raised by the woman who helped deliver her. Her father left the day of her birth, leaving her unwanted, and her mother died in childbirth. 

She earns her place among the legendary Nordic warriors. She’s gritty.... determined, and strong on the battlefield. Her journey from outcast to elite fighter is awesome. 

On the other side of the war, Kaeden is a healer. I loved his spiritual depth his character brought to the story. 

When Brighid and Kaeden's paths cross, things shift, to say the LEAST. Their interactions are laced with intensity. You really FEEL the weight of the choices they make.

The worldbuilding is rich and wintry, perfect for fans of Norse-inspired fantasy. I also liked the allegory to God as the "Word" in this story. Really added to the book. 

The book ends where you NEED book 2, and I will definitley pick it up. The only downsides I have to this book is I struggle with fantasy personally (sooo grain of salt here, please), but I had a very hard time with the names, clans etc., and keeping up with the plot and what was going on. That is a personal thing for me.

Regardless, looking forward to book 2 later this year!

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6816930015
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42Hgzaq

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

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