Ursula's Maiden Army

Philip Griffin
Beagle Bay Books (2006)
ISBN 0974961019
Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (2/07)

Ursula's story is told by her sister. The sister who had previously forbid her name to be spoken, hoping to keep her children from danger, finally realizes that it is time to let the family legend be told. As she is presented with the head of someone said to be Ursula, proving her death, she realizes that perhaps her children need to be told about the strength and courage that ran in the family. And so the story begins.

With a style somewhat of the likes of Xena, Warrior Princess, but much more realistic and often less flowery, Ursula's story shows the courage of not only Ursula but of her tribe and fellow warriors. As she often prepares before the army of men can get there, she and her women soldiers are often put up against undeniable odds, yet still come out victorious. A time when women had their place and were thought of as anything but brave and strong, Ursula and her colleagues are easily seen as anything but a mild and meek lady. As she leads her women warriors to battle, trying to save her own homeland and fight against those who desire to overtake it, you realize the strength she brings not only Ursula, but her friends and fellow warriors, to topple even the strongest of men, from surviving a storm while lost at sea to surviving a battle after battle against both female tribes and male tribes.

Her story combines the tragedy of war with the heroism of it. It combines the strength of a female warrior, more fearless than some men, with the strength of her womanliness and tenderness that mocks even the most feminine princesses and queens of her time. Each obstacle she and her warriors are put up against can be their last as they fight other tribes to the death. Ursula's most loved companions and friends Pinnosa, Cordula, Brittola, Martha and Saula seem to give each other strength but nobody compares to the strength of Ursula herself.

Flawlessly combining their warrior strengths with their womanhood, the author tells of each lady and their beloved soldier as they watch with intent as the male tribe comes upon them. Cordula's birth of her son helps to remind you that while these women are tough as nails, they're still women through and through. Each woman has taken a vow of celibacy to insure that they never confuse themselves as common women of the day, there for a man's needs. Instead, this vow seems to create an amazing strength amongst them as they seek the love of their fellow male warriors as well yet know they cannot take their vows lightly. This vow alone creates a sense of superiority for Ursula and her tribe of virgins.

As they are forced to fight against the Huns, you realize that this fight is like no other they have gone through. The Huns are the most feared of warriors and men have fallen quickly to their knees in front of them let alone a band of women brought to fight. Their undeniable thirst for blood, no matter how they get it, creates a warrior in them that all fear as they are known for their ability to deceive and mutilate without concern. As you grasp the edge of your seat you wonder if there is a chance for survival and hope runs deep with each page you turn.

You know of Ursula's death from the beginning of the book, when her sister is presented with a head from a woman who could be Ursula. As her sister inspects the head she decrees that this is not Ursula and the search continues, as rumor has it that she has definitely been killed in action. But could these rumors be wrong? Could she have survived the most horrendous of attacks? You remain hopeful to the end and realize that even if she is gone, her legend shall live forever.

The reality of “Ursula's Maiden Army” reminds you that while the book reads like a fantasy fiction, the truth behind it depicts characters that are above and beyond any you will ever meet again. Each character is given such strength by the author that you feel as though you know them as both women and warriors. The historical note at the end of the book seems to pull it all together and put enough touch of reality into the story to make you realize that the women warriors of this age in time were truly beyond anything we could fathom today.

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