My search for a great Viking romance goes ever onward, and A Shield Maiden’s Warrior is a surprising twist on the Vikings-meet-other-people-from-other-countries trope. I had a lot of fun with this one, with its angst-laden forbidden romance storyline and surprising supernatural elements. There were a lot of twists in the plot that I absolutely didn’t anticipate, leading to a beautiful and smartly written book.

Astrid Helvig is blessed with second sight. In the wake of The Battle of Largs, she has become an emissary for King Alexander. He and his father have sent her to Scotland to marry a warrior named Lachlan Mackay. The Laird is elderly and ill, so this is not exactly a thrilling prospect for the buxom and active Astrid. Unfortunately, she falls in love with his son Declan, who has declared Astrid and all of her people his enemy. This forbidden love is bad news for everyone, from Astrid’s family, which has hung a whole lot of hope on their daughter making a proper match here, to the king. Things get quite hairy when the two are sent off on a diplomatic mission by Alexander. Bedsharing leads to attraction, but how will they manage to keep fire and brimstone from raining down on them?

I really liked Astrid a lot. She’s smart but tormented by her ability to see so far into the future. Imagine falling for the son of your intended and then knowing you’re not going to end up with his father. Astrid can see even worse things – and more interesting ones, as the bond she shares with her sisters morphs into something that surprises her greatly. And no, I won’t reveal it here, but I didn’t expect the novel to bend in that direction. I was left amused and intrigued by this wolfish twist.

Lachlan is yet another one of those stubborn Scots who has put loyalty to the crown over his feelings and his family. He learns some quick, hard lessons and manages to realize that Astrid is special. But either his da is going to die or he’s boffing his dad’s fiance; this is such a no-win situation that he has a balancing act on his hands.

This is a high-angst, yearning romance. This is a couple that shares a sad bond – their mothers died violently and too young, and it has shaped how they feel about themselves and their national identities for years. For those reasons alone I found them fascinating to watch them together. 

It definitely gave me the Viking feels I was seeking, and it also had a whole lot of adventures, both realistic and fantastical. Overall, A Shield Maiden’s Warrior was a surprising delight that kept me on the tips of my toes.

Lisa Fernandes has been reviewing romance novels ever since her great aunt left a Billie Douglas book out in the bathroom. She’s currently working on a biography about Julian Sands.