By Kelly Bridgewater
About the Book
Book: Winter’s Maiden
Author: Morgan L. Busse
Genre: Adult Viking Fantasy
Release date: August 6, 2024
Warrior. Survivor. Daughter of the North.
From the moment she is born, Brighid fights to survive in the wastelands of
Nordica as a clanless one. But when a new power arrives offering a trial to
join the Nordic warriors, Brighid enters, hoping to rise above her station.
Soon she becomes one of their fiercest fighters and joins the war against the
south.
Kaeden carries the blood of the ancient Eldaran race in his veins but turns
away from his heritage after the death of his parents. Years later, he is
called back to his homeland and invited to be a healer for the southern forces.
With the help of an old mentor, the power inside of him starts to awaken.
However, his life is turned upside down when a mighty warrior of the Nordic
forces is captured.
As Kaeden interacts with the enemy, he discovers there is a darkness behind the
Nordic Wars, one that is manipulating the people of the north. But who will
believe him? And is there a power strong enough to break the hold of this
hidden adversary? Or will the world burn in the flames of war?
My Thoughts:
Winter’s Maiden
by Morgan L. Busse reminded me a lot of Hunger Games. Different clans of
people trying to survive of what the elite is allowing them to not have. Of
course, there is some mystery about the heroine, Brighid’s parents. Who are
they? What is so unique about her powers? The story takes place during a
battle, so the horrors of war and prisoners of war are shown. There are healers
that come into their power and can use them for good. There are people that use
the powers of healing for bad. No real romance in the plot, which is very nice.
The story focuses on gifts and powers. What makes this story different is the
setting. It is located in the Viking realm of Nordica, which could have
actually been a real place in the past. The fighting to survive is the same. As
for the characters, yes, I need to see who Bridghid’s father is and who was her
mother. There are hints of who it actually could be, but Busse has not revealed
that information in the first installment. The story ends in a moment that
leads readers to believe there will be a second book in the series. Overall, Winter’s
Maiden by Morgan L. Busse is not a bad read, but it kind of reads like
every other dystopian society story. Fight to survive. Someone sees the
injustice and decides to go against the current.
I received a complimentary copy of Winter’s
Maiden by Morgan L. Busse from Enclave Publishing, but the opinions stated
are all my own.
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Purchase Winter’s Maiden
About the Author
Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of multiple series including The Ravenwood Saga and Skyworld series. She is a three-time Christy Award finalist and won the INSPY, Selah, and Carol Award for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.
More from Morgan
A long time ago when I wrote Daughter of Light (the first book in my Follower of the Word series), I mentioned the Nordic Wars and how it changed people’s perspective on beings with power. It was a side comment to answer my main character’s question, but I was intrigued with the idea and knew someday I wanted to write about it.
Now almost twenty years later, here is that story.
Some questions I’m asked when people realize Winter’s Maiden ties in with Daughter of Light is do they need to read my first series? The answer is no. Winter’s Maiden takes place 400 years before the events in Daughter of Light. It involves a country and culture I never explored in my previous series, not to mention the world looked different back then. However, fans of my first fantasy series will appreciate seeing familiar places, races, and what happened back then to create the world in Daughter of Light.
So, what do new readers have to look forward to? Here are a few: a Viking-Inspired culture with my own twist, a female character who is strong but doesn’t need to prove that, a healer who is built like a berserker but is actually a pacifist, a power that allows a person to see inside the soul of another, battles that don’t read like a historical textbook, and deep questions I’m known to explore in my novels.
In the end, I love that I was able to revisit a world I created over twenty years ago and write a story that’s been on my heart for almost as long. I consider it one of my best books yet and cannot wait for readers to finally get to read Brighid’s story.
Blog Stops
The Lofty Pages, August 15
Madi’s Musings, August 15
By the Book, August 16
Texas Book-aholic, August 17
Inklings and notions , August 18
Where Faith and Books Meet, August 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 21
Simple Harvest Reads, August 22 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 22
Blossoms and Blessings , August 23
Stories By Gina, August 24 (Author Interview)
Romances of the Cross, August 24
Labor Not in Vain, August 25
Hannahbandanarama, August 26
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, August 26
Wishful Endings, August 27
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 28
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Morgan is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2d973/winter-s-maiden-celebration-tour-giveaway
