A reviewer I usually agree with didn't like this one because it glorifies violence. I was prepared to feel the same way, but I think this is one of those books where young readers need to understand historical context. In the Middle Ages people were not so civil. You couldn't count on the rule of law. If you were not physically strong and somewhat ruthless, you were in danger (even if you were born to power, as we see in the story). Violence was a way of life -- it was survival. Nowadays many of us get to live in a world where might does not equal right.

This book also shows the reader some ugly messages about women. But again, historical context explains why we keep hearing that women are weak (or witches).

I liked the exploration of ethics and POV in this book. Drest is so sure her father is a good man, but she sees that her family has actually done bad things. The young knight is similarly sure that the Mad Wolf is a bad man, but he eventually comes to trust Drest and see her family from her perspective.

Overall, I think this is a promising debut and I'll probably continue to read the series. It had a Game of Thrones feel (Drest reminded me of Aria). It also kind of reminded me of True Grit and One Came Home by Timberlake. ( )

Fast paced and chock full of action, with a fierce, stubborn, dirty, and determined girl. This is a really solid read for kids who like sword fights, vikings, or knights (yes, I know it's not about vikings, but I think that the story will work for kids who are into pillaging and suchlike). Plus there's a great and detailed historical note at the end. ( )

After reading some "happy sigh" books lately, I'm tempted to turn this into a "happy sigh" book only blog. I mean, why waste time with ho-hum regular books when you can enter another time for a few hours and emerge with a "happy sigh"? The last fifty pages of this book were me reading as slowly as possible so it wouldn't end.

Before this adventure, Drest trained to be as tough as her five brothers and father named, "Mad Wolf." She believed all their one-sided war stories completely. When a band of knights captures them all, Drest is left alone to save them. During their capture, she sees one knight attack another leaving him for dead. This is her first glimpse into the reality that not everyone is who they say they are.
Along with the injured knight, who may or may not be her new friend she attempts to rescue her family. The story isn't just an adventure, in many ways, it is a coming of age story as Drest learns more about her family and some of the terrible things they have done in the name of war. Even in medieval days deciding that you aren't going to behave like your family is an unsettling part of growing up.

Drest and her adventures held me spellbound, and for the time I was reading, I felt immersed in medieval Scotland. The Authors Notes and Glossary show how meticulously accurate this story is. I'm wishing for a sequel or better yet a series featuring Drest, a tough, fair, female knight.

Verdict- Buy- Especially all you homeschoolers we're just starting our medieval year, and this fits perfectly into a living book list for grammar or logic stage history. It's not too young for high schoolers either if you need something light to balance out some source reading.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ( )

This is one of the rare books that lives up to the hype. It would have been a five-star book if the ending had been more of an ending and not felt like it was just a convenient stopping place. Drest, though, is an amazing character and her companions, Tig and Emerick, are worthy co-adventurers. The three face danger, betrayal and menace on their journey, but they also experience people at their best and most helpful. I'm always a fan of a girl-with-sword novel and this is a strong entry in that sub-genre and, I hope, the opening to an equally strong series. ( )

This is a well-told adventure set in medieval Scotland, and well suited for middle grade readers. Drest has learned how to fight from her father and older brothers and will soon join their war-band. But when her family is captured and taken to Faintree Castle to be hanged, Drest sets out to rescue them. She proves to be more than ready for the task.
I hope this is successful. However, I don't think the cover will help. It is too pretty and will turn off boys who would otherwise like it. ( )