Hagenheim series. Traditional tales reimagined.

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The Warrior Maiden (Hagenheim #9) by Melanie Dickerson  



Usually I love Melanie Dickerson's work. This ninth book in the Hagenheim series, a reimagination of fifteenth century Lithuania and Poland just didn't stir me. I found the lead characters Mulan and Wolfgang to be wooden in their interactions and their reflections. I know that Christianity is a central tenet for Dickerson's work and I applaud her for that. In this novel she seems to have lost the ability to infuse her characters' faith so that it comes naturally to them, to be an organic extension of their being. Maybe there was too many references when less would have been more. Mulan is the illegitimate daughter of a soldier brought back to his small Lithuanian village to live as a family with his barren wife who longed for a child. A prophecy for Mulan by a visiting friar when she was six, that she "would conquer an oppressor in a foreign land and a nation would call [her] blessed,” together with her faith in God, gives Mulan strength.
Mikolai has been called to battle by his Lord Butautas. "He is to report to Vilkaviškis to join the army in fighting the Teutonic Knights who have besieged his ally's castle [Duke Konrad of Zachev] in Poland.”
However Mikolai has died.  Mulan disguises herself as Mikolai's supposed son so that her mother will not loose her meager home.
I liked Mulan's bravery in the face of impossible odds. I enjoyed her struggles with how to be a man in an encampment of soldiers. I loved the support she has from twelve year old Andrei, her father Mikolai's attendant in the last two wars he fought in.
I thought the break between Wolfgang and his brother Steffan (Duke Konrad's two sons), the causes, the interaction with each other gave depth to them as characters, but again in speech and interaction they were just flat.
The relationship between Mulan and Wolfgang grows from awkward and initially jealousy on Wolfgang's part, into one of respect and support, even when he discovers Mulan is a woman.
Dickerson's research into the backgrounds for her story is solid and her author's notes as always are a pleasure to read.

 I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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