Saxon Heroines

A Northumbrian Novel

Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
236 Pages
Reviewed on 03/09/2021
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

Saxon Heroines: A Northumbrian Novel by Sandra Wagner-Wright is a brilliant recreation of the lives of inspiring heroines from seventh-century Northumbria and other parts of England. In AD 624, Princess Ethelberga of Kent marries King Edwin of Northumbria, a pagan king who attributes his success in war to Woden’s luck. Through Ethelberga’s influence, King Edwin converts to Christianity. Among others who convert in the King’s court include young Princess Hildeburg of Northumbria, who grows up to become the wise Abbess of Streoneshalh. Ethelberga’s daughter, Princess Enfleda of Northumbria, later becomes Queen of Northumbria and helps maintain political alliances. Her daughter, Princess Elfleda, follows in Hildeburg’s footsteps and becomes an abbess who helps create religious unity within Northumbria.

Despite the less significant roles that women played during this era, the women in the story intelligently apply their wisdom to create significant change. They are critical in maintaining kingdom alliances and they offer their wisdom on important matters. Their lives are fraught with danger and calamity but, despite the problems that they face, they move forward and make the best of the roles accorded to them in the ever-changing political and religious landscape in England at the time. After the death of her husband and king, Queen Ethelberga accepts her role as an abbess and helps construct a women’s monastery for women without families in Kent. Other women in the story also influence important religious and political decisions in the kingdom. Saxon Heroines: A Northumbrian Novel by Sandra Wagner-Wright is an intriguing historical work of heroines from seventh-century England.