Diane Magras

After reading some "happy sigh" books lately, I'm tempted to turn this into a "happy sigh" book only blog. I mean, why waste time with ho-hum regular books when you can enter another time for a few hours and emerge with a "happy sigh"? The last fifty pages of this book were me reading as slowly as possible so it wouldn't end.

Before this adventure, Drest trained to be as tough as her five brothers and father named, "Mad Wolf." She believed all their one-sided war stories completely. When a show more band of knights captures them all, Drest is left alone to save them. During their capture, she sees one knight attack another leaving him for dead. This is her first glimpse into the reality that not everyone is who they say they are.
Along with the injured knight, who may or may not be her new friend she attempts to rescue her family. The story isn't just an adventure, in many ways, it is a coming of age story as Drest learns more about her family and some of the terrible things they have done in the name of war. Even in medieval days deciding that you aren't going to behave like your family is an unsettling part of growing up.

Drest and her adventures held me spellbound, and for the time I was reading, I felt immersed in medieval Scotland. The Authors Notes and Glossary show how meticulously accurate this story is. I'm wishing for a sequel or better yet a series featuring Drest, a tough, fair, female knight.

Verdict- Buy- Especially all you homeschoolers we're just starting our medieval year, and this fits perfectly into a living book list for grammar or logic stage history. It's not too young for high schoolers either if you need something light to balance out some source reading.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! show less

A reviewer I usually agree with didn't like this one because it glorifies violence. I was prepared to feel the same way, but I think this is one of those books where young readers need to understand historical context. In the Middle Ages people were not so civil. You couldn't count on the rule of law. If you were not physically strong and somewhat ruthless, you were in danger (even if you were born to power, as we see in the story). Violence was a way of life -- it was survival. Nowadays show more many of us get to live in a world where might does not equal right.

This book also shows the reader some ugly messages about women. But again, historical context explains why we keep hearing that women are weak (or witches).

I liked the exploration of ethics and POV in this book. Drest is so sure her father is a good man, but she sees that her family has actually done bad things. The young knight is similarly sure that the Mad Wolf is a bad man, but he eventually comes to trust Drest and see her family from her perspective.

Overall, I think this is a promising debut and I'll probably continue to read the series. It had a Game of Thrones feel (Drest reminded me of Aria). It also kind of reminded me of True Grit and One Came Home by Timberlake. show less

With a slight gamer flair, this is a quick adventure with interesting creatures, forming friendships, and more than a little action.

Nora's father died when attacked by a terrible beast, and Umbrae, and when she almost losses her mother in a similar attack, she realizes that she can and should do something to stop the beasts. While adults die from a single bite of these monsters, Nora and other children are immune. Despite her father's wish for Nora never to become one of the knights, she show more contacts the government and soon finds herself heading off to training. Nora has a talent for fighting the beasts and is quickly placed on a team and given a mission. But as she heads out to fight the beasts, secrets begin to emerge, which places more than a few things in a new and concerning direction.

Nora is an energetic and kind character, who cares quite a bit for her family, friends and team. Despite her fighting talent, she never comes across as arrogant or overly tough, and works very well with her team. But then, the relationship with the various members is positive and supporting as well. Her team members are there for each other and do what they can for one another. Even many of the adults offer their support and encouragement. So, there's a very positive atmosphere, in general, which is good because the plot itself has darker tones.

This read takes a rougher twist offering tenser moments and harsher fight scenes. The creatures are dangerous and the attacks brutal. So, while this maybe isn't for overly sensitive readers, it's nothing beyond the middle grade range, either. The tension stays high, but there's still a nice balance between action and slower moments.

At the beginning of each chapter, there's a cube with sayings, information, or thoughts which added a nice touch. The writing itself flows well and keeps the pacing high. There is, however, a little missing in the descriptions and background information, which made the world and setting a little unclear, at times. I hope that some of this will be explained and deepened in an upcoming book...which I'm saying, although I'm not sure there will be more or not and can only hope that more adventures are to come, since this would make a nice series.
I received an ARC and found it to be a gripping read. show less

Drest is awesome - strong, smart, fierce and determined. She hops right into action and does not flinch from doing what is right even if it is terrifying and difficult. She is tough, doesn't give up, and is supported by all of her brother's voices in her head throughout her journey. The pacing is frantic, full of peril, the adventure doesn't stop. It is refreshing to see such a strong heroine fighting tooth-and-nail for who she loves. She makes mistakes, but she always tries to do what she show more believes to be true and correct.

There were a few things that I did not love. In the beginning, when her family is taken, I thought it odd that none of her brothers would take her warning seriously, as she saw the knights coming to attack well in advance and repeatedly told them that danger was coming.
Also, Drest's Father had told her to be strong, 'for she was not like the frail women and girls that his code had sworn them to protect...' It's not enough that so many books today have that lead heroine who is 'not like other women', do we have to have this in middle grade fiction as well?

Full of action, a bit disjointed, lovely heroine.

*eARC Netgalley* show less