Aditi Nichani
If you knew me last year, you would know that I was OBSESSED with Tricia Levenseller’s debut duology – Daughter of the Pirate Kingand Daughter of the Siren Queen. They were FUN, fast-paced, FEMINIST pirate stories with a hate-to-love romance and GOOD CHEMISTRY AND CHARACTER TURMOIL AND DEVELOPMENT. What else can you ask for in a book? So, despite Warrior of the Wild not sounding AS interesting as the duology, I wanted to give it a try because I LOVE Tricia Levenseller’s writing. I’m pleased to report that Warrior of the Wild SURPRISED ME. In just a few chapters, I fell in love with Rasmira’s strength and stubbornness, her will to survive and her skill. MY THOUGHTS: 1. THIS COVER COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH BETTER. I know it tried to capture the wildness of the ‘wild,’ but it just looks… unappealing. I really hope that they change the cover during the paperback release because it would REALLY compel more people to pick it up. 2. I LOVED RASMIRA AND SOREN AND IRIC. I REALLY LIKED their friendship that developed in the wild, their home, how Rasmira came into her own as a leader after she was banished and I LOVED THE ENDING AND THE CHANGE IN THEIR WAY OF LIFE. 3. I also liked how the three helped each other, fought and forgave so that they could each complete their tasks to be accepted in the village. I LOVED that an LGBTQIA romance was considered normal in Viking times because YES. THIS SHOULD BE NORMALIZED MORE AND MORE. 4. Despite the fact that the book was set in Viking times, it occasionally lapsed and had modern words surfacing from within. I think there was ‘soap’ (which, honestly, could not have existed then but PLEASE correct me if I’m wrong) and other words I can’t remember, but it annoyed me slightly. 5. I think my favourite part of the book (and I added a whole extra star just for this) is how Rasmira tacked the definition of what it meant to be ‘female’ and ‘warrior’ that society/ her village/ her parents thrust upon her. Why couldn’t a warrior want to look pretty? Why couldn’t a warrior cry? It was done in a simple manner, but Tricia Levenseller did it well, and I LOVED IT. Would I recommend this book? YES! Please don’t be taken aback by the cover because this book is SO WORTH THE READ. 4 stars.
3 people found this review helpful
Rachel Murphy
I loved this book. The female lead is strong but still finds room for self improvement and growth. characters back stories were complex and engaging. I enjoyed the overall plot. I also find that since having 3 small kids at home, I can't stand reading series because lord knows if or when I'll ever get to reach a story's conclusion so I love love loved that this was a standalone book that still felt like I read an entire adventure.