Review of A Shield in the Shadows
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- mmm17
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Review of A Shield in the Shadows
A Shield in the Shadows, a historical fiction novel by Cheryl Bristow, takes place in 405 and 406 AD. Its protagonist, a beautiful sixteen-year-old named Theona, flees her village in Germania (modern-day Poland), the only Christian settlement within forty miles, after a violent attack by the Huns. Theona's mother gets killed in the attack, and her little brother Wolfric goes missing, possibly kidnapped by the Huns. Theona and her father Rhodus, a missionary, join a caravan of hundreds of thousands of barbarians led by Radagaisus, a vicious warlord who plans to invade the Roman Empire. Radagaisus is a pagan who vowed to burn Rome to the ground. However, two young Roman tribunes, eighteen-year-old Marius Ausonius and his friend Flavius Eucherius, son of General Stilicho, are prepared to defend the Roman Empire from this threat. Against this rich historical background, a tightly spun web of war and love gets woven.
There are several positives to this excellent book. Firstly, I liked the story's historical and cultural backdrop. This aspect was what I enjoyed the most. The historical background gets masterfully depicted, and it frames the narrative nicely. For instance, I appreciated how the author described a siege carried out by the Roman military, but no spoilers are allowed! In short, the saga gets narrated against vividly painted contexts, and the book seems to be well-researched. The author skillfully provides several historical facts, explanations, and details, including maps and a glossary, which I enjoyed. Bristow achieves this without seeming preachy or laborious, making for a gripping and fun read.
Additionally, amid all the turmoil, there's an engaging and nuanced love story with coming-of-age elements. Theona's personal life and the unfolding war are both fundamental points of focus in the story, and the author pieces them together beautifully. Therefore, what begins as a tale of war turns into a far richer novel.
The characters are also well-developed. I particularly liked the author's portrayal of Roderic, Radagaisus's younger son and one of Theona's suitors. He's a rich and complex character conflicted between his loyalty to his father, who hates Christians, and his love for Theona, who uses the Bible, the only book in their language, to teach him to read and write in Gothic.
Lastly, I rate A Shield in the Shadows 4 out of 4 stars. I found no noteworthy negative points in this outstanding book. The editing seemed clean and professional, for I found no errors. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially those who appreciate reading about wars. Also, if you like stories involving the Roman Empire, you should consider it.
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A Shield in the Shadows
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- Mbenma Esther 080
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