
Black Shield Maiden
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Narrated by:
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Willow Smith
About this listen
From Willow Smith and Jess Hendel comes a powerful and groundbreaking historical saga about an African warrior in the world of the Vikings.
“Intimate, tender, and fiercely epic.”—Tomi Adeyemi, author of Children of Blood and Bone
Lore, legend, and history tell us of the Vikings: warrior kings on epic journeys of conquest and plunder. But the stories we know are not the only stories to tell. There is another story, one that has been lost to the mists of time: the saga of the dark queen.
This saga begins with Yafeu, a defiant yet fiercely compassionate young warrior who is stolen from her home in the flourishing Ghānaian empire and taken to a distant kingdom in the North. There she is thrust into a strange, cold world of savage shield maidens, tyrannical rulers, and mysterious gods.
And there she also finds something unexpected: a kindred spirit. She comes to serve Freydis, a shy princess who couldn’t be more different from the confident and self-possessed Yafeu.
But they both want the same thing: to forge their own fate. Yafeu inspires Freydis to dream of a future greater than the one that the king and queen have forced upon her. And with the princess at her side, Yafeu learns to navigate this new world and grows increasingly determined to become one of the legendary shield maidens—to fight not only for her freedom but for the freedom of others.
Yafeu may have lost her home, but she still knows who she is, and she’s not afraid to be the flame that burns a city to the ground so a new world can rise from the ashes. She will alter the course of history—and become the revolutionary heroine of her own myth.
©2022 WILLOW and Jess Hendel (P)2022 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
“Intimate, tender, and fiercely epic . . . With Black Shield Maiden, Willow Smith and Jess Hendel pull the reader into a rich adventure filled with detailed prose and poignant symbolism. You quickly become endeared with the character of Yafeu and her plight as a young woman in a vicious world. With her first foray into literature, Smith proves there is no limit to her boundless imagination and explosive creativity.”—Tomi Adeyemi, author of Children of Blood and Bone
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there is no cliffhanger ending
- By Anonymous User on 04-09-24
By: Natasha Pulley
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The Stone Witch of Florence
- By: Anna Rasche
- Narrated by: Soneela Nankani
- Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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1348. As the Black Plague ravages Italy, Ginevra di Gasparo is summoned to Florence after nearly a decade of lonely exile. Ginevra has a gift—harnessing the hidden powers of gemstones, she can heal the sick. But when word spread of her unusual abilities, she was condemned as a witch and banished. Now the same men who expelled Ginevra are begging for her return.
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Another place and time
- By Tina on 03-14-25
By: Anna Rasche
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The Witch and the Tsar
- By: Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
- Narrated by: Katia Kapustin, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
- Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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As a half-goddess possessing magic, Yaga is used to living on her own, her prior entanglements with mortals having led to heartbreak. She mostly keeps to her hut in the woods, where those in need of healing seek her out, even as they spread rumors about her supposed cruelty and wicked spells. But when her old friend Anastasia—now the wife of the Tsar, and suffering from a mysterious illness—arrives in her forest desperate for her protection, Yaga realizes the fate of all of Russia is tied to Anastasia’s. Yaga must step out of the shadows to protect the land she loves.
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Why not let the Russian sound Russian?
- By Kindle Customer on 09-23-22
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The Mermaid of Black Conch
- A Novel
- By: Monique Roffey
- Narrated by: Ben Onwukue, Vivienne Acheampong
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1976, David is fishing off the island of Black Conch when he comes upon a creature he doesn’t expect: a mermaid by the name of Aycayia. Once a beautiful young woman, she was cursed by jealous wives to live in this form for the rest of her days. But after the mermaid is caught by American tourists, David rescues and hides her away in his home, finding that, once out of the water, she begins to transform back into a woman. Now David must work to win Aycayia's trust while she relearns what it is to be human.
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So different a story!
- By Sherry on 07-16-22
By: Monique Roffey
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The Witch of Colchis
- Medea's Story
- By: Rosie Hewlett
- Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
- Length: 15 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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Medea, daughter of King Aeetes of Colchis, longs for a different life. Since childhood, she has been separated from her sister, shunned by her mother, and beaten and tormented by her brother and father. All because Medea was born with a unique and seemingly dangerous talent: witchcraft. But when a dashing young hero, Jason, arrives to claim the famed Golden Fleece that her father fiercely protects, Medea sees her opportunity for escape.
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A complicated villain
- By Jazzy on 01-28-25
By: Rosie Hewlett
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The Spice Gate
- By: Prashanth Srivatsa
- Narrated by: Deepti Gupta
- Length: 17 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Relics of a mysterious god, the Spice Gates connect the eight far-flung kingdoms, each separated by a distinct spice and only accessible by those born with a special mark. This is not a caste of distinction, though, but one of subjugation: Spice Carriers suffer the lashes of their masters, the weight of the spices they bear on their backs, and the jolting pain of the Gates themselves.
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Beautiful reading of an epic story
- By Chelsea Baker on 10-05-24
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Angels Before Man
- Angels, Book 1
- By: Rafael Nicolás
- Narrated by: Lance West
- Length: 15 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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In an eternal paradise, the most beautiful angel, Lucifer, struggles with shame, identity, and timidity, with little more than the desire to worship his creator. It isn't until the strongest angel, Michael, comes into his life that Lucifer learns to love himself. Along the way, their friendship begins to bloom into something else. Maybe the first romance in the history of everything. But this God is a jealous one, and maybe paradise is not paradise.
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Good Biblical story but drone on too much
- By DragonFox on 11-15-24
By: Rafael Nicolás
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Medusa's Sisters
- By: Lauren J. A. Bear
- Narrated by: Taylor Harvey, Zura Johnson
- Length: 13 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Even before they were transformed into Gorgons, Medusa, Stheno, and Euryale were unique among their immortal family. Curious about mortals and their lives, Medusa and her sisters entered the human world in search of a place to belong, yet quickly found themselves at the perilous center of a dangerous Olympian rivalry and learned—too late—that a god's love is a violent one.
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If you liked “Circe” read this!
- By Rylee Fincannon on 11-09-23
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The Warm Hands of Ghosts
- A Novel
- By: Katherine Arden
- Narrated by: Michael Crouch, January LaVoy, Katherine Arden
- Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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January 1918. Laura Iven was a revered field nurse until she was wounded and discharged from the medical corps, leaving behind a brother still fighting in Flanders. Now home in Halifax, Canada, Laura receives word of Freddie’s death in combat, along with his personal effects—but something doesn’t make sense. Determined to uncover the truth, Laura returns to Belgium as a volunteer at a private hospital, where she soon hears whispers about haunted trenches and a strange hotelier whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion.
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WW 1 and the Apocolypse
- By Sam Pakan on 02-27-24
By: Katherine Arden
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The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells
- A Novel
- By: Rachel Greenlaw
- Narrated by: Kristin Atherton
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Carrie Morgan ran from Woodsmoke ten years ago, and the decision has haunted her ever since. Spending a decade painting and drifting around Europe, she tries to forget her family’s legacy and the friends she left behind. But the Morgan women have always been able to harness the power of the mountains surrounding the town, and their spells—and curses—are sewn into the soil. The mountains, they say, never forget. Sure enough, when Carrie’s grandmother dies and leaves behind her dilapidated cottage, she returns to renovate—certain she will only be there for one winter.
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Lovely Book
- By Amazon Customer on 11-01-24
By: Rachel Greenlaw
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The Witchstone
- By: Henry H. Neff
- Narrated by: Ramiz Monsef
- Length: 17 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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Meet Laszlo, eight-hundred-year-old demon and Hell’s least productive Curse Keeper. From his office beneath Midtown, he oversees the Drakeford Curse, which involves a pathetic family upstate and a mysterious black monolith. It’s a sexy enough assignment—colonial origins, mutating victims, et cetera—but Laszlo has no interest in maximizing the curse’s potential; he’d rather sunbathe in Ibiza, quaff martinis, and hustle the hustlers on Manhattan’s subway.
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Clever and highly entertaining
- By Valerie Yanetta on 08-03-24
By: Henry H. Neff
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The Destroyer of Worlds
- A Return to Lovecraft Country
- By: Matt Ruff
- Narrated by: Kevin Kenerly
- Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Summer, 1957. Atticus Turner and his father, Montrose, travel to North Carolina to mark the centennial of their ancestor’s escape from slavery, but an encounter with an old nemesis leads to a life-and-death pursuit. Back in Chicago, George Berry is diagnosed with cancer and strikes a devil’s bargain with the ghost of Hiram Winthrop, who promises a miracle cure—but only if George brings Winthrop back from the dead.
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Matt Ruff!!!
- By ayodele higgs on 03-04-23
By: Matt Ruff
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This Will Be Fun
- A Novel
- By: E. B. Asher
- Narrated by: Alexander Cendese, January LaVoy, Hope Newhouse
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Everyone in Mythria knows the story of how best friends Beatrice and Elowen, handsome ex-bandit Clare, and valiant leader Galwell the Great defended the realm from darkness. It’s a tale beloved by all—except the heroes. They haven’t spoken in a decade, devastated by what their quest cost them. But when they all receive an invitation to the queen of Mythria’s wedding, it’s a summons they can’t refuse . . . and a reunion for the ages.
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glorified highschool drama
- By Abigail on 01-09-25
By: E. B. Asher
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The Book That Wouldn't Burn
- By: Mark Lawrence
- Narrated by: Jessica Whittaker
- Length: 22 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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The boy has lived his whole life trapped within a book-choked chamber older than empires and larger than cities. The girl has been plucked from the outskirts of civilization to be trained as a librarian, studying the mysteries of the great library at the heart of her kingdom. They were never supposed to meet. But in the library, they did. Their stories spiral around each other, across worlds and time. This is a tale of truth and lies and hearts, and the blurring of one into another.
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Keeps the reader guessing
- By Gr on 08-17-23
By: Mark Lawrence
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Blood at the Root
- By: LaDarrion Williams
- Narrated by: Jalyn Hall, LaDarrion Williams
- Length: 14 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Ten years ago, Malik's life changed forever the night his mother mysteriously vanished and he discovered he had uncontrollable powers. Since then, he has kept his abilities hidden, looking out for himself and his younger foster brother, Taye. Now, at 17, Malik is finally ready to start a new life for both of them, far from the trauma of his past. However, a daring act to rescue Taye reveals an unexpected connection with his long-lost grandmother: a legendary conjurer with ties to a hidden magical university that Malik’s mother attended.
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SOOO GOOOOD!!!!
- By Alisia Chery on 07-03-24
What listeners say about Black Shield Maiden
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- French with a twist
- 05-26-24
Breathtakingly Beautiful!
This is a story for the ages. Willow Smith has an extraordinary gift that transcends all artistic mediums. The story went to places I could not have imagined. Looking forward to your next endeavor, Ms. Smith!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
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- Rissy S
- 06-19-24
Non stop
This story was so well thought out and enacted that through my mind’s eye, an epic movie came to life! Well done!
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- Victoria Biggerstaff
- 06-15-24
so good
it was amazing loved everything about it I listened because I love willows music but this showed a whole nother level of talent
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- Gyrlwolf
- 06-09-24
Amazing First Book
Willow Smith is an amazing singer but how can add amazing author to her legacy. This book keep me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
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- Jasmin
- 05-30-24
The characters are fantastic!!
I loved how characters could be so different and yet mirror one another. This book has pain, action, and power throughout it. Thanks for this experience Willow xoxo
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- Anonymous User
- 05-13-24
The story held my interest all the way through.
I liked the blending of two cultures and how the lead character fought and rose from her station.
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- Noel Amos
- 06-27-24
Did NOT expect that!
Bravo, Miss Smith! I was intrigued by the description and slightly hesitant. But once I started, it held me tight and wouldn’t let go. I finished this in a day, and though I thought some of the cultural blending was a little forced toward the end, it made my eyes glisten at the last minute. It's a fantastic start to, hopefully, a long series.
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- Kenyata Gilliam
- 08-03-24
Beyond the Tales of Rags to Riches!!!
This story was very tastefully put together!!! I've laughed, cried, clutched my pearls and cried some more!! I'm hoping there will be another installment!!
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- April Milton
- 05-19-24
Kept my interest 😌
I enjoyed the book too my surprise, it was my go-to listen driving to work.
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- Shanitra Payton
- 05-28-24
It gave Woman King meets GOT vibes in the next way!
I loved it. I believed the whole world. I wanted to learn more about each character and waited in anticipation for background stories. I hope there is a plane for a second book! And I loved Willow as the reader!
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