The Iron Maiden

The Dragonslayer Series, Book 2

By: Resa Nelson

Narrated by: Resa Nelson

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Astrid is reluctant to travel the winter route beyond the Northlands, even though it's her duty. She'd rather stay home in her village, surrounded by friends and neighbors. Ignoring the bonds of tradition, she decides to spend the cold winter months in the warmth of her blacksmithing shop. Why should she leave the comfort of her cottage to serve and protect foreigners who might raid and harm her native Northlands?

But then a traveling merchant steals Starlight, the first dragonslayer's sword Astrid forged and her last link to her sweetheart DiStephan. Having no time to alert her friends, Astrid races in pursuit of the merchant, determined to reclaim Starlight as her own and return home in time for dinner.

Instead, her quest leads her to new lands, unexpected friendships with foreigners, and a harrowing encounter with the damage done by the followers of a new god that considers women as nothing more than servants to men. All the while, she must be ready to face any dragon traveling the winter route.

Author's note: This series is written for adults but appropriate for ages 14 and up.

©2016 Resa Nelson (P)2020 Resa Nelson

2nd story - still good.

Another excellent effort by the author.

I was given this audiobook by the author for free and have voluntarily left this review.

Wonderful

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I loved this 2nd book. Resa really goes into the character and choices of Astrid. You get to really learn who is was and who she chooses to be. I was really touched by the reference the Resa makes that each woman can be an Iron Maiden is they can only see it within themselves. It touched me so much because for as long as I can remember my father has always called me his maiden warrior. So seeing the feeling and meaning behind the Iron Maiden came naturally to me.
I loved it. Anyone who needs confidence in who they are should read this.

Book Two is as strong as Book One

I just finished the audiobook of The Iron Maiden read by the author, Resa Nelson. I had just finished book one of the series, The Dragonslayer’s Sword, a few days before. Having read that, I had high expectations for this book. Ms Nelson did not disappoint in her writing or her reading.

I like how this story can be a stand-alone story but for those of us that read the first book, it refers back to some integral parts of that first story, helping to set the tone in this one. I would care much less about this ghost named Stefan, if I didn’t know how deeply they care for each other. In the first book we saw her grow up. Now we see her finding her identity beyond the blacksmithing life she grew up in.

I highly recommend this book for any public library or school library serving a YA audience. There is no graphic violence, hardly anything religious, and no lust, just the relationships of love and the complications thereof. There is a little domestic abuse, but the focus is upon the woman overcoming this abuse, and we see this violence only once. I think this story would be excellent in print format, and I know it is fantastic being read by Resa Nelson.

Great Tale

Another good read! I enjoyed this book because the story continues from The Dragon Slayers Sword. This story follows Astird as she tries to find the traveling trader who stole her sword, the last remanent she had of Distephen. She goes to places she has never been to and meets new people who help her in her journeys. She becomes stronger and learns more about sword fighting. She helps release spirts who were guardians and killed in a cruel fashion. She loses one of her companions to a vindictive man, and this hurts her. She finally makes it home knowing that she will be giving up smithing to become a full time dragon slayer. I am looking forward to the next book. The narrator did a good job I enjoyed the performance.

I received a free copy of this audio book from Story Origin for an honest review.

Good follow up

The second book in the Dragons layer series stepped it up with a great story. I enjoyed the journey and the character development. Unfortunately, the audio book experience was limited by the author's very mechanical delivery. Also, with no variation in her voice to denote different character's speaking, the story is at times hard to follow.

Truely Enjoy This 2nd Book in this Series!

I listen to this on Audible books and like the storyline both in book 1 & 2. Astrid is the Main Character through both books with several others becoming MC as they appear. Distephan is Astrids love and Starlight is the Dragonslayers Sword she made for him in the Smithery. This is a store of a abused child that grew into a Very Strong Woman who can stand on her own. Narrator did a wonderful job with the characters and the storyline. The world created has different cultures with different outlooks on the place women have in each society, some are not very nice.

Will she be a Dragonslayer or a Blacksmith?

The Iron Maiden follows Astrid as she settles into her role as a Dragonslayer who desires to keep her blacksmith role as well. This second story in the Dragonslayer series is action packed and has its share of intrigue as characters attempt to get their way through subterfuge. Once again, the characters in this story are well developed and almost each is likeable in their own way. Resa Nelson has built a fascinating world with three separate geographical areas with each having their own laws and customs, the only commonality seems to be their fear of dragons and their need of a Dragonslayer.
If you read/listened to The Dragonslayer’s Sword this episode is a must. If you enjoy really good dragon stories this series should be right at the top of your list for reading or listening. One of the things that really makes this a special story to listen to is the author’s narration. Resa has that intimate knowledge of the story that truly brings the story and each character to life.

From Blacksmith to Iron Maiden

This is a book of dragons, swords, magic and human rights. It's a very good story that can just be read to see what the world the author has created might be. Definitely a powerful female lead who starts as a Blacksmith, becomes the Dragonslayer, and then is really the Iron Maiden.

But the book really is more than that. It is the story of a persons' inner struggle to find themselves. A story that tells a person they can be what they want and need to be. A story that asks us to think about the people and world around us. A story that says we are a community and we can make it better. A story which says to not accept deceit, regardless if it's from an intimate partner, the culture and religion.

Read this story more deeply than just the world the author has created. As she stated in the book: He'd taught her that the real magic is how you let yourself be shaped by others, the same way a solid hammer blow shapes iron into something more beautiful than it could ever hope to be on its own.

The Iron Maiden

Okay, so much happens in this book. I really love this series. And to be honest, I can't wait till I can get my hands on the next book.

What a great story

A great series so far by Resa Nelson. Astrid has gone through so many different friendships, altercations & truths. She left to find her sword but ended up finding herself instead. The encounter with Margarete & her husband almost overtook her with guilt but Astrid fulfilled her friends wishes. I can't wait for books 3 & 4 to be available. Resa also did a good job narrating. I will be checking out more of your stories.