Frances Mary Hendry

Someone at my book club was staggered that I hadn't read this growing up, so I tracked down a copy from the library - and it was fantastic. I should have read this right between The Boggart by Susan Cooper and The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. It's got a little bit of magic and a lot of adventure, with a gutsy young heroine and her loyal friends: Peem Jackson, a cottar's boy whose life she saved (and who, in turn, saved her life several times over), and Davie Spens, a clever young boy show more with a harelip that prevents others from understanding them. Meg can understand him, though, and they wind up betrothed at a young age. Meg's oldest sister Inge was a particularly interesting character, possibly the most complex of any of the others. I'd read a whole other book from her point of view.

The author does a wonderful job making the historical aspects seem natural (they seem natural to the characters, even if they would be unusual now), and incorporating the Scots dialect (there's a glossary in the back). The author's note in front distinguishes the real from the made-up.

Quotes

"When I see something in the air, is it something that must be, or something that only may be? When I use my power, am I using it truly, or maybe being used by it? Can I do anything that's not written for me? I sometimes think I can't." (Inge to Meg, 62)

"We may hurt worst the thing we love best, my pet." (Inge to Meg, 63) show less

Victoria seems the classic girl wants to fight and rejects traditionally feminine roles. Except for iceni, women warriors are far from a novelty and Victoria´s own mother belonged once to that tribe, whose language they speak and whose gods they still worship in the Roman household of her abusive father. Victoria, alias Boudicca, is an able fighter but still has much too learn, she is also not great at people, managing to antagonize both Romans and iceni of her own age and not impress many show more of her elders either.

I started the book fearing Victoria would be a Mary Sue protagonist but she is far from perfect and therefore far from boring.
Mostly the narrative is driven by battles, escapes and accidents, although most of these stem from character flaws. Character flaws are something there´s an overabundance of in this novel, which impressed me as original and realistic; in most books, the good and the bad are rewarded by the universe (author) with what they deserve. Not so here, suffering is random and although courage is admired, it does not ensure safety or peace. Not all slave owners are evil or all slaves hapless victims.

The historical details are so interwoven with the plot and characterization that I was left wanting to know more, even though I have, indeed, learned quite a bit. show less

Victoria seems the classic girl wants to fight and rejects traditionally feminine roles. Except for iceni, women warriors are far from a novelty and Victoria´s own mother belonged once to that tribe, whose language they speak and whose gods they still worship in the Roman household of her abusive father. Victoria, alias Boudicca, is an able fighter but still has much too learn, she is also not great at people, managing to antagonize both Romans and iceni of her own age and not impress many show more of her elders either.

I started the book fearing Victoria would be a Mary Sue protagonist but she is far from perfect and therefore far from boring.
Mostly the narrative is driven by battles, escapes and accidents, although most of these stem from character flaws. Character flaws are something there´s an overabundance of in this novel, which impressed me as original and realistic; in most books, the good and the bad are rewarded by the universe (author) with what they deserve. Not so here, suffering is random and although courage is admired, it does not ensure safety or peace. Not all slave owners are evil or all slaves hapless victims.

The historical details are so interwoven with the plot and characterization that I was left wanting to know more, even though I have, indeed, learned quite a bit. show less

4.5
been chasing the high of perilous gard for years--this is maybe almost on par with it. really genuinely loved this book, Meg (fantastic protagonist) and Davie and Peem and Marie. Inge is FASCINATING. high adventure and wild fantastical elements wrapped up in a historical medieval Scottish setting--much fun, and surprisingly dark.

I realize now I just love this bygone genre of children's/YA lit.