'A heroine with a generous spirit, an unshakable will and a dragon's fury.' H. M. Long Having grown up hearing tales of her uncle, the great King Beowulf, Fryda's one desire is to become a shield maiden in her own right. Yet a terrible childhood accident has left Fryda disabled - thus, she believes, thwarting her dream of becoming a warrior-woman for good. But still, somehow, she feels an uncontrollable power begin to rise within herself. Meanwhile, a great celebration of Beowulf's reign is underway, and Fryda's house is soon overrun with foreign kings and chieftains. Amidst the drunken revelry, a discovery is made that threatens the safety of Fryda's entire clan - and her own life. Enraged, Fryda resolves to fight for her people, no matter the cost... and all the while, her powers seem only to grow stronger. But she is not the only one to feel its effects. For, buried deep in her gilded lair, a dragon is drawn to Fryda's untamed power, and is slowly awakening from a long, cursed sleep... 'Casts a superb spell... Shimmering with detail, with a propulsive plot to match.' D.K. Fields 'Fantastic fun... An entrancing story of power and peril, presenting a side to the sagas we have never seen before.' Ian Green

Refocusing the narrative on a fierce young woman reclaiming her power, Shield Maiden is a fantasy novel that will upend everything you think you know about Beowulf.

About the Author
Sharon Emmerichs was born in Sweden to American parents and grew up in Wisconsin near Lake Michigan. She has been a writer all her life, from the time she scribbled 'words' and pictures on pieces of paper, stapled them together, and called it a book. Her love of stories later translated into an English degree, and then she went on to get her MA and PhD in medieval and early modern literature... and because she collects degrees the way some people collect stamps or baseball cards, she graduated her creative writing MFA in fiction in 2021. She is an Associate Professor of Shakespeare and medieval literature in beautiful Alaska, where she lives with Juneau, the derpiest Siberian husky ever.

Reviews
A rousing and romantic mythological fantasy that boasts a heroine with a generous spirit, an unshakable will and a dragon's fury -- H. M. Long
Casts a superb spell... Shimmering with detail, with a propulsive plot to match -- D.K. Fields
Fantastic fun... An entrancing story of power and peril, presenting a side to the sagas we have never seen before -- Ian Green



Book Information
ISBN 9781804545577
Author Sharon Emmerichs
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Head of Zeus -- an AdAstra Book
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC