Book Title : Woman of Honor
Author : Nicole Zoltack
Publisher : Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre : Fantasy Romance
Publication Date : March 29, 2009
ISBN : ISBN 10: 1-936000-03-2
ISBN 13: 978-1-936000-03-6
Pages : 165 pages
Series : The Kingdom of Arnhem, Book 1
Category : Sweet
Type : ebook
Reviewer : Lindsay Townsend

4 Wings

Woman of Honor by Nicole Zoltack opens in the mythical medieval kingdom of Arnhem in 1155 AD, a place where magical creatures such as dragons and griffins exist. In this coming-of-age medieval romance, the first novel of a series, we see the heroine Aislinn first as a child of just seven, already keen to win honor and prestige for her family and her kingdom. Haunted by the early death of her older, beloved brother Christopher, she wants to follow in his footsteps – by becoming a knight. In the kingdom of Arnhem this is an unusual goal, but not impossible since there is an all-female order of knights. Aislinn also has strong reasons to wish to leave home, given that her mother Caoimhe sees her as a rival for her husband’s attention and Adolph, Aislinn’s father, is distracted by his own grief for Christopher.

On her journey to the main castle of the kingdom to ask King Patrick if she may start the long training to become a knight, Aislinn encounters another girl, Adamina, a pickpocket who will become her adversary for a time. Aislinn also meets the crown prince Caelan, whom she dislikes at this point for being very ‘grand’. The rivalry between Aislinn and Adamina is interesting and engaging. I found Aislinn’s classes in combat, writing, manners and other skills entertaining. Aislinn herself is a feisty heroine who endures much and who battles as sharply with her wits and tongue as her fists and body. She learns, too, especially from one of the secret order of Shadow Warriors, the man Ryu. Meeting and training with Ryu, she also has an unforgettable encounter with the female griffin Alce, whom I am sure will appear in other books.

Throughout Woman of Honor we see Aislinn and her companions in arms growing up. It’s a fascinating journey, full of accident, peril, mystery and magic. The first stirrings of love and romance, sweetly and realistically shown, are also here, together with the delight of first love, at last acknowledged between Aislinn and another and then seemingly lost. But is that love truly lost?

I think young adults would enjoy the speed and themes of this first novel. For me, the ending was a little rushed and there were a few coincidences I was less than pleased with, but overall I found Woman of Honor an enjoyable, fast-paced read and look forward to more in the series from Nicole Zoltack.

Tags: 4 wings, classic romance revival review, Nicole Zoltack, Woman of Honour

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