Warrior Princess

Summary: Fifteen year old Branwen’s life is changed forever when enemy Saxon troops attack her homeland and her brother is killed. Branwen wants to jump into action and avenge her brother’s death, but instead she is sent to a neighboring stronghold where she’ll be safe from harm. Yet while she is surrounded by exquisite beauty and luxury in her new home—as a princess should be—she feels different from the other girls. Deep down, Branwen has the soul of a warrior.

Then a mystical woman in white foretells a daunting prophecy: Branwen will be the one to save her homeland. Suddenly forced to question everything—and everyone—around her, she realized that the most difficult part of her journey is still to come. With no time to lose, Branwen must make a choice: continue on the path her parents intended for her…or step into the role of a true Warrior Princess.

Review:

“Felt dramatic—when I should’ve been feeling the character’s emotions all I thought was: how dramatic.” “Doesn’t grip readers, at first.” This is what I have written in my little notebook of notes on books. Her brother died in the first chapter and I should’ve been feeling Branwen’s emotions, instead I just thought ‘she is whiny’. I didn’t connect with Branwen in this book, I think that was my problem. I liked the story line and I loved Rhodri (who I hope never becomes a love interest because I can’t view him as more than a friend to Branwen).

The story line and plot were fascinating. Branwen…not so much. Branwen went through some traumatic stuff, and I should’ve felt some of it. I should’ve felt her anger leap out of the pages, her worry, her fear, but I didn’t. So that is my one complaint about the book: Jones didn’t connect emotionally with her readers.
That being said, by the end of the book I really wanted to get the sequel. So it was very well-written, just the main character wasn’t fleshed out too well.
It wasn’t terrible, and I enjoyed reading it for the most part.

Rating: 4/5

Review from the Pros:

“Exciting from start to finish.”-School Library Journal

“A fast paced plot that will keep readers turning pages.”-ALA Booklist.