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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book. It was a nice fantasy book with good flow and a well created hook. While it did follow some of the expected fantasy molds the author did a good job sneaking in a few surprises. I wouldn't say that anything utterly shocked me but I was continuously drawn in to keep reading.
The characters were like-able with enough complexity to keep them from being totally flat. I found myself rooting for our protagonists and concerned about what the antagonist might do to take them out. If you want a quick read and like a little fantasy in your life this is a good choice.
The characters were like-able with enough complexity to keep them from being totally flat. I found myself rooting for our protagonists and concerned about what the antagonist might do to take them out. If you want a quick read and like a little fantasy in your life this is a good choice.
I don't really read fantasy. Ask Queen J. When I told her I was in the mood for fantasy, she marked it on the calendar. I'm telling you this so you understand the gravity of this review. I LOVED this book. I was enthralled. I was entranced. I was obsessed. I could not put this book down. Amy Harmon sucked me in with her beautiful writing and kept me with her imaginative and exciting kingdom. A fantastical novel than even non-fantasy lovers will enjoy.
Enjoyed the story. Language was a little fluffy at times for my tastes, but I'm sure others would find it wonderful.
Did I just read this whole book? Yup. Do I have any idea what it was about? Absolutely not. I tried. So many good ratings, I am most definitely the problem 😭
The moment you pick this book up, you are entranced. The way that Harmon weaves words together makes you want to wrap yourself in their warmth and bask in their greatness.
“Swallow Daughter, pull them in, those words that sit upon your lips. Lock them deep inside your soul, hide them 'til they've time to grow. Close your mouth upon the power, curse not, cure not, 'til the hour. You won't speak and you won't tell, you won't call on heav’n or hell. You will learn and you will thrive. Silence, daughter. Stay alive.”
― Amy Harmon, The Bird and the Sword
The Bird and the Sword, told from Lark’s point of view, welcomes us to a magical world where those with special abilities are persecuted. The story begins with a gripping scene of true love and sets the stage for Lark, a gifted but mute girl. There are romantic aspects to this book, but it is so much more than that. This book is about goodness, trust, and self-empowerment. It shows how a beautiful bird can change the tides of war (and the world).
Harmon’s writing is what changes the game in regards to this book. Her words are poetic, moving you to turn page after page. Lark’s character is charming. She’s kind but also feisty. She is so very guarded that sometimes it was painful to watch her fall in love, for fear she might get hurt. Thankfully, Trias opened her up to a new world, filled with feelings and words. There is a good amount of characterization here. You cheer for both and laugh as well. I loved Boo. He was such a loving, funny character. Though other characters didn’t have as much depth, but that didn’t take away from the story.
“Suddenly yearning had a flavor. It tasted like a king, a beautiful, frightening, infuriating man who flew into my life and began to free my words.”
― Amy Harmon, The Bird and the Sword
Where the story fell flat was in the pacing. The first half of the book was a page turner, but it hit a lull that it couldn’t dig itself out of. For that reason, it gets four instead of five stars.
If you are looking for a well-written story laced with enchantment, this is your book!
“Swallow Daughter, pull them in, those words that sit upon your lips. Lock them deep inside your soul, hide them 'til they've time to grow. Close your mouth upon the power, curse not, cure not, 'til the hour. You won't speak and you won't tell, you won't call on heav’n or hell. You will learn and you will thrive. Silence, daughter. Stay alive.”
― Amy Harmon, The Bird and the Sword
The Bird and the Sword, told from Lark’s point of view, welcomes us to a magical world where those with special abilities are persecuted. The story begins with a gripping scene of true love and sets the stage for Lark, a gifted but mute girl. There are romantic aspects to this book, but it is so much more than that. This book is about goodness, trust, and self-empowerment. It shows how a beautiful bird can change the tides of war (and the world).
Harmon’s writing is what changes the game in regards to this book. Her words are poetic, moving you to turn page after page. Lark’s character is charming. She’s kind but also feisty. She is so very guarded that sometimes it was painful to watch her fall in love, for fear she might get hurt. Thankfully, Trias opened her up to a new world, filled with feelings and words. There is a good amount of characterization here. You cheer for both and laugh as well. I loved Boo. He was such a loving, funny character. Though other characters didn’t have as much depth, but that didn’t take away from the story.
“Suddenly yearning had a flavor. It tasted like a king, a beautiful, frightening, infuriating man who flew into my life and began to free my words.”
― Amy Harmon, The Bird and the Sword
Where the story fell flat was in the pacing. The first half of the book was a page turner, but it hit a lull that it couldn’t dig itself out of. For that reason, it gets four instead of five stars.
If you are looking for a well-written story laced with enchantment, this is your book!
Thank you, Kindle Unlimited for giving us the entire Amy Harmon library! Who IS this woman? I've read FOUR of her books this year--a historical time travel, a magical realism/murder mystery, a historical romance and now a straight up fantasy! What in the world?!
The Bird and the Sword was totally and wonderfully magical. Have I read things like it before? Yes. Would I want to visit this kind of place again and again? YES. I loved all the characters--even when they aren't entirely lovable.
What intrigues me most about Amy Harmon is her faith background (the internet just told me she is Mormon!)...this book begins with a quote from the Bible and I think this whole book is a parable of sorts for the power of our words. Our tongues have the power of life and death. This book shows us that. It's something I've been thinking about the last year or so also--it's not positive thinking or putting things out into the universe to manifest. No, it's Truth from our Creator that He gives as power to us. Magic? Yeah. But real. (Read Genesis 1 and John 1 and a bit of Proverbs and Hebrews 4 from the Bible and see what you think.)
Regardless, it was a super fun and exciting book. And thanks to Kindle Unlimited I have the second in the series ready to read right now!
The Bird and the Sword was totally and wonderfully magical. Have I read things like it before? Yes. Would I want to visit this kind of place again and again? YES. I loved all the characters--even when they aren't entirely lovable.
What intrigues me most about Amy Harmon is her faith background (the internet just told me she is Mormon!)...this book begins with a quote from the Bible and I think this whole book is a parable of sorts for the power of our words. Our tongues have the power of life and death. This book shows us that. It's something I've been thinking about the last year or so also--it's not positive thinking or putting things out into the universe to manifest. No, it's Truth from our Creator that He gives as power to us. Magic? Yeah. But real. (Read Genesis 1 and John 1 and a bit of Proverbs and Hebrews 4 from the Bible and see what you think.)
Regardless, it was a super fun and exciting book. And thanks to Kindle Unlimited I have the second in the series ready to read right now!
Very Entertaining
Not my usual genre but this book swept me along with it. It’s a fantasy of kings, and battles and witches and dragons but also of love and hope and choosing to do the right thing against the odds. I will readAmy Harmon again.
Not my usual genre but this book swept me along with it. It’s a fantasy of kings, and battles and witches and dragons but also of love and hope and choosing to do the right thing against the odds. I will readAmy Harmon again.
Beautiful story in a magical world! Makes you feel like you are right there with them, living their lives.
5 stars for the first half of this book, struggled with the second half.