Book Review: Son of the Shield by Mary Schlegel

Deeply Resonant Themes

The standout element of this book is how it explores faith and divine trust. Schlegel does a fantastic job of portraying characters who struggle to trust the Divine when its actions or demands seem incomprehensible. It’s a nuanced take on spirituality that feels earned rather than preached.

Compelling Leads & World-Building

The two protagonists, Orienne and Sorek, are wonderfully constructed. They feel like real people with distinct motivations. Supporting them is a world that feels “lived-in,” specifically regarding the economy. It’s rare to see an epic fantasy pay such close attention to how money and resources actually move, and it added a great layer of realism.

Masterful Plot Twists

I love a good “Aha!” moment. Most of the twists were executed with surgical precision. They were the kind of surprises that make you want to kick yourself because the clues were right there all along. You just didn’t see them until the trap was sprung.

Balanced Action

The level of violence and gore was handled perfectly. It was visceral enough to make the stakes feel real, but it never crossed the line into being gratuitous or distracting from the story.