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Black Shield Maiden 2024
Black Shield Maiden is a 2024 historical fantasy novel written by Willow Smith and Jess Hendel. The story centers on Yafeu, a Ghanaian warrior who is captured from her homeland and transported to Viking Age Scandinavia. There, she eventually serves as a shield-maiden under the command of a regional princess. Smith has said that the idea for the book came while watching the TV series Vikings, prompting her to wonder about the presence of Black and Brown individuals in that era. She researched figures such as Erik the Red and his companion Thorhall the Hunter, who was noted to have brown skin and African-style hair. Originally scheduled for release in October 2022, the novel faced a delay after early feedback criticized its depiction of Amazigh people. Upon its 2024 release, reviewers appreciated the book’s thorough research and its introduction of diverse characters into the Viking fantasy genre. After the novel's success, Smith and Hendel expressed their intention to write at least two more books in the series, aiming for a trilogy.
Details
- Publisher
- Del Rey Books
- Pages
- 467
- Format
- Print (hardcover), e-book, audiobook
