Catherine M. WilsonRecensioni

This is a very sweet coming-of-age story, set in an interesting culture.

I'd give it 3.5 stars, but rounded up because of how refreshing it was to read a fantasy novel in which every significant character was a woman, and the men have only bit parts.

I'll probably read the sequels at some point.

A different take on a warrior's path describing the emotional journey of women seeking to bind themselves to one another. I prefer blades.

I enjoyed this; the characters are nicely defined, the settings evocative and consistent, and the story keeps moving. I enjoyed it so much I bought the two sequels. Catherine M. Wilson is an assured writer who should be picked up by mainstream publishers. Well done.

When I started this book I did not think I would like it, the first few pages seemed somehow out of sorts, however I persisted and was glad I did. The author has a wonderful way with words that completely dispels cliche. It reminded me of Clan of the Cave Bear but with more of an intimate relationship between the story and the reader. You can truly disappear into this book and I am looking forward to reading the rest in the series.

This is a beautifully written book and, whilst I enjoyed reading it, I do not think I am really qualified to judge it. It is a book totally about women, about their lives, their loves, their friendship and their loyalties. I will read the other books in the trilogy at some point because I admire Catherine Wilson's skill as a storyteller.

Really loved this series. Complex, thoughtful, sweet, adventurous, lyrical; full of emotion and history, love and spirit. I immediately bought the sequel.

When Women Were Warriors is a trilogy, but it reads as one book split into three volumes, (down to the chapters, which start at 1 in book one and continue sequentially through book three.) Yes, there are plot arcs in each volume, but the story of Tamras and Maara continues over the course of the entire series.

There was little chance that I would not love this series. Here are some of the things it had that I love to read about:
* Neolithic/pre-Celtic historical setting (with, granted, some fantastical/mythological elements included)
* A location that feels like the ancient British Isles, although it might be somewhere else - or even a fantasy world
* Strong female characters, and lots of them
* Intense relationships between women, both romantic and otherwise
* Matrilineal culture/society, with women in positions of power and leadership
* Seasonal cultural cycles and holidays
* Wise women, shamanic journeying, sacred groves, goddesses
* Storytelling, and epic tales
* Travel and living off the land

Given that I love to read about exactly the kind of setting the author created, it's no surprise I liked the series. But I also got enjoyed the story and found it to be well-written. It is a coming-of-age novel depicting young Tamras growing into her own, learning what she loves and values and standing by it with a fierce loyalty.

One thing that really stood out to me about these volumes was the the thoughtfulness of Tamras and other characters who were reflective after moments of conflict or learning that helped them take the next step. This isn't often modeled in our modern society, but it resonates with my personal style, so I loved seeing it.

----------------------

At the opening of the volumes, Tamras is a young woman heading out to be fostered and trained as a warrior at the house of the Lady who is the leader of her people. Tamras is assigned to be an assistant to Maara, a warrior who comes from outside their lands, who isn't too keen on the the idea of having an assistant. Tamras has to navigate a new world, friendship and strangers, and unexpected political and alliance pressures, all while she learns and gains skills and comes into her own.

The Warrior's Path, the first volume in the trilogy, focuses on the challenges and rewards that arise as Tamras begins her journey to become a warrior.

Really loved this series. Complex, thoughtful, sweet, adventurous, lyrical; full of emotion and history, love and spirit. I once again immediately bought the sequel.

When Women Were Warriors is a trilogy, but it reads as one book split into three volumes, (down to the chapters, which start at 1 in book one and continue sequentially through book three.) Yes, there are plot arcs in each volume, but the story of Tamras and Maara continues over the course of the entire series.

There was little chance that I would not love this series. Here are some of the things it had that I love to read about:
* Neolithic/pre-Celtic historical setting (with, granted, some fantastical/mythological elements included)
* A location that feels like the ancient British Isles, although it might be somewhere else - or even a fantasy world
* Strong female characters, and lots of them
* Intense relationships between women, both romantic and otherwise
* Matrilineal culture/society, with women in positions of power and leadership
* Seasonal cultural cycles and holidays
* Wise women, shamanic journeying, sacred groves, goddesses
* Storytelling, and epic tales
* Travel and living off the land

Given that I love to read about exactly the kind of setting the author created, it's no surprise I liked the series. But I also got enjoyed the story and found it to be well-written. It is a coming-of-age novel depicting young Tamras growing into her own, learning what she loves and values and standing by it with a fierce loyalty.

One thing that really stood out to me about these volumes was the the thoughtfulness of Tamras and other characters who were reflective after moments of conflict or learning that helped them take the next step. This isn't often modeled in our modern society, but it resonates with my personal style, so I loved seeing it.

------------------------------

A Journey of the Hearth, the second volume in the trilogy, focuses on Tamras' apprenticeship to become a warrior. Her loyalty and strong will mean she makes some political mis-steps, with unexpected consequences. She grows as a warrior, friend, lover, healer, fighter, and woman.

Really loved this series. Complex, thoughtful, sweet, adventurous, lyrical; full of emotion and history, love and spirit.

When Women Were Warriors is a trilogy, but it reads as one book split into three volumes, (down to the chapters, which start at 1 in book one and continue sequentially through book three.) Yes, there are plot arcs in each volume, but the story of Tamras and Maara continues over the course of the entire series.

There was little chance that I would not love this series. Here are some of the things it had that I love to read about:
* Neolithic/pre-Celtic historical setting (with, granted, some fantastical/mythological elements included)
* A location that feels like the ancient British Isles, although it might be somewhere else - or even a fantasy world
* Strong female characters, and lots of them
* Intense relationships between women, both romantic and otherwise
* Matrilineal culture/society, with women in positions of power and leadership
* Seasonal cultural cycles and holidays
* Wise women, shamanic journeying, sacred groves, goddesses
* Storytelling, and epic tales
* Travel and living off the land

Given that I love to read about exactly the kind of setting the author created, it's no surprise I liked the series. But I also got enjoyed the story and found it to be well-written. It is a coming-of-age novel depicting young Tamras growing into her own, learning what she loves and values and standing by it with a fierce loyalty.

One thing that really stood out to me about these volumes was the the thoughtfulness of Tamras and other characters who were reflective after moments of conflict or learning that helped them take the next step. This isn't often modeled in our modern society, but it resonates with my personal style, so I loved seeing it.

----------------------

A Hero's Tale, the third volume in the trilogy, focuses on Tamras' own hero's journey. Tamras leaves the lands she know with Maara, encountering completely difference cultures - some friendly, and some not. War and personal relationships are connected in unexpected ways. I did feel the author was stretching it a bit towards the end - but I went right along for the ride anyway.

I was full of sadness when I was done because I really wanted to keep reading more about Tamras, her world, and her adventures.

I actually really enjoyed this. Sadly, I picked it up because it was a free Kindle book, and the sequel was like $10, so I haven't read it.

I really liked this book. Think I may buy the next one. I agree with another reviewer that the detailed lesbian scenes were unnecessary. It does fit with the story but it could have been referred to more gently and our imaginations could have dealt with the rest. Having said that I don't like hetero sex scenes either. Other than that, a good book.

Simply Beautiful. When Women Were Warriors is quite simply a beautiful book. The words flow like music, the story is slow and unfolds before your eyes like a delicate flower but the pacing doesn't suffer from the lack of action. Far from it, the story is actually the better for it. So many books rely on action to drive the story and that's not necessarily a bad thing but with this book the elegant words and the characters themselves drive the story. I've rarely read a book by independent or published authors that was so beautifully written. I'm getting the next two tomorrow and I'm looking forward to reading them very much.

I've always enjoyed the winter time, in fact it's always felt more like a time of renewal to me than spring ever has and it just seemed fitting that I started this book at the start of winter while it was nice and cold outside with stars shining brilliantly overhead although I have a feeling that any season would be the right season for this book. The story reminded me of home, of being wrapped in a warm blanket in front of a cozy fire, of the very heartbeat of the world. At it's heart it is a story of life and of learning. It is a story of love, courage and honor. Of making your own path yet being a part of a larger picture. Of friends and enemies, lessons learned, wisdom and destiny. And magic, there is plenty of magic in this book but it is as subtle as life itself. It was beautiful and I feel like a better person who lives in a better world after reading it.

I would rather talk about how the book made me feel than the story itself so that's what I've tried to do although words always fail to fully capture how any given story makes me truly feel. Discover it for yourself and prepare to go on an unforgettable journey back in time to When Women Were Warriors and discover a time and place that feels so much like coming home.

This book lacked "conflict," by which I mean that a number of plot threads were started that involved possible "conflict" between the characters but that these plot threads never followed through to anywhere. It makes the whole story of Book One (The Warrior's Path) fall flat. I've read a review on Amazon, though, that suggests that this really isn't a trilogy but instead one single, long book that's been separated into three parts, which would explain why The Warrior's Path doesn't come to any kind of conclusion, whether a "cliff-hanger" conclusion or a lesser one, such as a reader would expect from an individual book in a trilogy.

That said, the book's extremely well-written, especially for a book that seems to have been self-published by a first-time writer who's definitely (like myself) already beyond "middle age" (which you can tell from the fact that her Amazon author page shows her as an adult in 1968). Hence the 3*** rating despite my criticism of the lack of "conflict." Here's hoping that Wilson can get a good editor if she continues writing in this vein, because she has a great deal of promise but needs some professional guidance.

I'm not sure I'm going to read the remaining two volumes. I wouldn't have read The Warrior's Path had it not been a Kindle freebie and I doubt I'm going to spend $9.99 apiece on the two additional Kindle volumes of what really constitutes a single book. Maybe, maybe not, but there really is an awful lot else to read out there.

Wow. What a beautiful novel. You can totally tell this was written by a woman, as the powerful women are not man haters (Like in the Wheel of Time series). I love the writing style, it flowed fell. The relationship between the women were not sex centered but relationship centered. I thought it would bore me, but I absolutely loved it. Not much else to say except that is a very beautiful novel and can’t wait to read the next one in the series.

Wow. What a beautiful novel. You can totally tell this was written by a woman, as the powerful women are not man haters (Like in the Wheel of Time series). I love the writing style, it flowed fell. The relationship between the women were not sex centered but relationship centered. I thought it would bore me, but I absolutely loved it. Not much else to say except that is a very beautiful novel and can’t wait to read the next one in the series.

I'm still trying to figure out why I felt so lukewarm about this book. I like what the author was trying to build here, and I think there are some points that were really poignant, but overall it left me feeling really disconnected from the characters and I have trouble putting my finger on why.½