Black Shield Maiden
{{Short description|2024 fantasy novel by Willow Smith and Jess Hendel}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox book
| italic title =
| name = Black Shield Maiden
| image = Black Shield Maiden book cover.jpg
| image_size =
| border =
| alt =
| caption =
| author = Willow Smith & Jess Hendel
| audio_read_by = Willow Smith
| title_orig =
| orig_lang_code =
| title_working =
| translator =
| illustrator =
| cover_artist =
| country = United States
| language = English
| series =
| release_number =
| subject =
| genre =
| set_in =
| publisher = Del Rey Books
| publisher2 =
| pub_date = May 7, 2024
| english_pub_date =
| published =
| media_type = Print (hardcover), e-book, audiobook
| pages = 467
| awards =
| isbn =
| isbn_note =
| oclc =
| dewey =
| congress =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| native_wikisource =
| wikisource =
| notes =
| exclude_cover =
| website = https://blackshieldmaiden.com/
}}
Black Shield Maiden is a 2024 historical fantasy novel by Willow Smith and Jess Hendel. The novel follows Yafeu, a Ghanaian warrior, who is kidnapped from her home and taken to Viking Age Scandinavia where she ultimately becomes a shield-maiden in service to a local princess.{{Cite web |last=Moorman |first=Taijuan |title=Willow Smith debut novel 'Black Shield Maiden' is a powerful fantasy: Check it out |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2024/05/14/willow-smith-book-black-shield-maiden-jess-hendel/73675041007/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} Smith stated that she was inspired to write the book while watching the TV series Vikings and wondering whether Vikings had ever interacted with Black and Brown people. She began to research individuals like Erik the Red and his companion, Thorhall the Hunter, who was described as having brown skin with African style hair.{{Cite web |last=Amorosi |first=A. D. |date=2024-05-17 |title=Willow Smith Looks Ahead to Touring With Childish Gambino, Looks Back on ‘Whip My Hair,’ and… Baby Turtles? |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/willow-smith-childish-gambino-tour-whip-my-hair-1236007748/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} The novel was originally set to be published in October 2022 but was delayed after a preview attracted negative criticism due to its portrayal of Amazigh individuals.{{Cite web |last=Mullen |first=Jameelah |date=2024-04-12 |title=Who Knew Willow Smith Authored A Whole Fantasy Sci-Fi Novel? |url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/willow-smith-fantasy-novel/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Black Enterprise |language=en-US}}
Following the novel's publication in 2024, critics praised the novel as "well-researched" and injecting "refreshing" diversity into the Viking fantasy genre.{{Cite web |title=Black Shield Maiden by Willow Smith, Jess Hendel |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780593356739 |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=www.publishersweekly.com}} In interviews following publication, Smith and Hendel have indicated that they hope to publish at least two sequels to the novel and turn the series into a trilogy.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-11 |title=Willow Smith, daughter of Jada and Will, stops by the Pratt to discuss her debut novel |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/05/11/willow-smith-novel-pratt-baltimore/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-08 |title=Willow Smith thanks parents Will and Jada Pinkett Smith as she follows in their footsteps with new venture |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/552574/willow-smith-thanks-parents-will-jada-pinkett-smith-new-book/ |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=HELLO! |language=en}}