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katebagshaw's review against another edition
5.0
Good lord, I love this book equally and possibly more than the first!! I can barely put into words how this book and it’s story and characters have touched my heart and left me in a fog. Just like the first book, the connections, relationships, and story are so well developed. The way AH writes just draws you in and makes you feel like you’re living in this world. Hod, you are a wonderful character and I love love LOVE his and Ghisla’s relationship. I absolutely love this series and I would die for another, (possibly with Aidan and Elayne
oneanjana's review against another edition
4.0
“A warrior or a keeper, a farmer or a fisherman. It is a hard life, whether a man is born blind or with a stuttering tongue. We all have our battles.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
It really hits home for me.
The Second Blind Son is the book two for The Chronicles of Saylok. This book tells the story about The Blind Hod and Ghisla. I read the first book, The First Girl Child long time ago, so when I read this book I don’t really remember the details on the first book. I actually didn’t remember if there’s Hod mentioned in the first book, but I remember Ghisla as Liis of Leok. But, if you haven’t read the first book, I think you still can read this book and understand Saylok’s story well enough.
As usual, I love Amy Harmon’s writing style. Beautiful, thoughtful, deep, and meaningful. Better yet, Ghisla is a Songr, that means she has power within her songs. So, we can see so many beautiful lyrics sang by her. I love that this book not only about fantasy and romance, but also about hope and a kind reminder for us to not giving up.
Like the other AH’s books I’ve read, the pace is slow and the romance is slow-burn, which I liked. And that’s one of the things I love about her. But, idk if it’s just me, but this book felt much slower than usual. So yep, that’s my only complaint.
Overall, it touched my heart, like always. And I love the message it contains. Like the author said in her Acknowledgments that she wrote this book in first months of pandemic, how she felt desperate and hopeless being trapped in circumstances she had no control over, and that she’s encouraged by how Hod pleads Ghisla over and over to not give up, that hits home for me too.
scareads's review against another edition
3.0
The beginning and middle of this book were absolutely fantastic. I loved the evolution of Hod and Ghisla's story. It was rhythmical and beautifully worded although the style differed from 'The First Girl Child" as most of this book followed Ghisla and Hod's point-of-views quite closely compared to the omniscient style of Book 1.
The last third of the book however was very passive. The events were already set by book 1 and neither of these characters had any impact in that book so it simply became a repetition of what the reader already knew from the 1st book. It was such a shame because Hod was such an intriguing character, and in the end neither his nor Ghisla's character affected the plot except for minor tidbits here and there. Unfortunately, that doesn't make for a compelling story. Ghisla's forced proximity with Banruud also felt unrealistic and limited because the author was forced to write within the construct of the text she had already written. It was sadly obvious that this story had not been planned before the writing of "The First Girl Child", and this book suffered for it.
What also was difficult for me was having to re-read entire pages of narration and dialogue throughout entire sections middle to end plucked directly from 'The First Girl Child" and placed into this book. For dialogue, this occurence is absolutely normal when scenes are repeated, but the prose should not, especially with changes in point-of-views. It made for sloppy and lazy writing, when Amy Harmon's lyrical prose is normally anything but.
Overall, I was disappointed with how this story was written and was played out. I will read the next one though if and when it does come out in the hopes the problems encountered in this book don't surface in book 3.
The last third of the book however was very passive. The events were already set by book 1 and neither of these characters had any impact in that book so it simply became a repetition of what the reader already knew from the 1st book. It was such a shame because Hod was such an intriguing character, and in the end neither his nor Ghisla's character affected the plot except for minor tidbits here and there. Unfortunately, that doesn't make for a compelling story. Ghisla's forced proximity with Banruud also felt unrealistic and limited because the author was forced to write within the construct of the text she had already written. It was sadly obvious that this story had not been planned before the writing of "The First Girl Child", and this book suffered for it.
What also was difficult for me was having to re-read entire pages of narration and dialogue throughout entire sections middle to end plucked directly from 'The First Girl Child" and placed into this book. For dialogue, this occurence is absolutely normal when scenes are repeated, but the prose should not, especially with changes in point-of-views. It made for sloppy and lazy writing, when Amy Harmon's lyrical prose is normally anything but.
Overall, I was disappointed with how this story was written and was played out. I will read the next one though if and when it does come out in the hopes the problems encountered in this book don't surface in book 3.
madmollyann's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amberlinn's review against another edition
4.0
I have always been fascinated by the concept of how there are so many lives overlapping and they are all filled with so many important moments. Like looking into a city skyline at night and seeing so many lives happening at once behind the windows.
This book accomplished the same feeling in me. By taking place simultaneously with the timeline in The First Girl Child, and often using same exact passages to place characters at the same scenes we remember from before, Harmon accomplished a sweet deja vu/magical plot alchemy that felt so special to me.
Harmon is a master of tender moments. This book is a book of struggle and want, but also a book of hope and soul bonds that are stronger than time or distance.
I feel that this installment was more romance-focused than the first, but not overly so. Just another stunning read from Amy Harmon.
This book accomplished the same feeling in me. By taking place simultaneously with the timeline in The First Girl Child, and often using same exact passages to place characters at the same scenes we remember from before, Harmon accomplished a sweet deja vu/magical plot alchemy that felt so special to me.
Harmon is a master of tender moments. This book is a book of struggle and want, but also a book of hope and soul bonds that are stronger than time or distance.
I feel that this installment was more romance-focused than the first, but not overly so. Just another stunning read from Amy Harmon.
nicolesmolen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bibliophile90's review against another edition
5.0
**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
- 4.5 stars -
The Second Blind Son is a phenomenally plotted fantasy novel. The world that Amy Harmon has created is intricate and original. The characters are all so very different and intriguing. If you have read The First Girl Child then many characters will be familiar. I enjoyed seeing what they were all up to. I highly recommend you read that book first because I think you’ll enjoy this book even more if you do.
This book focuses on Hod and Ghisla. They first meet when Ghisla washes up on shore and is found by the blind Hod. They develop a strong bond but are forced to separate. They both grow up and live their lives in different places but they never forget one another. There is also turmoil in the Saylok Kingdom and prophecies that have been written a very long time ago.
This was a long book and I loved every page. It was action-packed, emotional, funny and also had the right romantic elements. The Second Blind Son was another engaging and amazing fantasy novel and I really hope Amy Harmon will continue to write books in this genre.
- 4.5 stars -
The Second Blind Son is a phenomenally plotted fantasy novel. The world that Amy Harmon has created is intricate and original. The characters are all so very different and intriguing. If you have read The First Girl Child then many characters will be familiar. I enjoyed seeing what they were all up to. I highly recommend you read that book first because I think you’ll enjoy this book even more if you do.
This book focuses on Hod and Ghisla. They first meet when Ghisla washes up on shore and is found by the blind Hod. They develop a strong bond but are forced to separate. They both grow up and live their lives in different places but they never forget one another. There is also turmoil in the Saylok Kingdom and prophecies that have been written a very long time ago.
This was a long book and I loved every page. It was action-packed, emotional, funny and also had the right romantic elements. The Second Blind Son was another engaging and amazing fantasy novel and I really hope Amy Harmon will continue to write books in this genre.
melissatrew's review against another edition
4.0
”There are many ways that men are blind…”
The Second Blind Son puts a unique new spin on the first novel in this series. This book takes the storyline and events from The First Girl Child and retells them from another perspective. This dynamic adds new layers of complexity to a familiar story for readers who have already read the first book, but enough detail is provided to make this novel work fairly well as a standalone if you’re skipping ahead and jumping straight to this one.
”To rebuild without understanding the past—both the triumphs and failures—was to start over instead of moving ahead.”
I enjoyed the return to Saylok and appreciated hearing from additional characters, some new and some familiar. The characters felt more nuanced and dimensional in this second book, which could be a side effect of reading both books back to back and being fully immersed in what is essentially the same story, told twice over.
”Our weaknesses and our strengths are the very same thing. Two sides of the same sword.”
My favorite part of The Second Blind Son, as with The First Girl Child, is the enchanting world of Saylok and it’s unique magic system. I read the two books back-to-back, and did struggle a little bit with how repetitive some of the details felt between the two books. If I’d had a span of several weeks/months in between readings, it might have felt like a helpful refresher to have scenes and dialogue from the first book fully rehashed, but to read both books in the same week, that element took me out of the story a little bit.
”I will guard your heart—and your back—all the days of my life.”
Even so, I really enjoyed The Second Blind Son, even more than The First Girl Child! Hod and Ghisla’s story was incredibly sweet, and the epilogue of this book was just everything I could have hoped for.
The Second Blind Son puts a unique new spin on the first novel in this series. This book takes the storyline and events from The First Girl Child and retells them from another perspective. This dynamic adds new layers of complexity to a familiar story for readers who have already read the first book, but enough detail is provided to make this novel work fairly well as a standalone if you’re skipping ahead and jumping straight to this one.
”To rebuild without understanding the past—both the triumphs and failures—was to start over instead of moving ahead.”
I enjoyed the return to Saylok and appreciated hearing from additional characters, some new and some familiar. The characters felt more nuanced and dimensional in this second book, which could be a side effect of reading both books back to back and being fully immersed in what is essentially the same story, told twice over.
”Our weaknesses and our strengths are the very same thing. Two sides of the same sword.”
My favorite part of The Second Blind Son, as with The First Girl Child, is the enchanting world of Saylok and it’s unique magic system. I read the two books back-to-back, and did struggle a little bit with how repetitive some of the details felt between the two books. If I’d had a span of several weeks/months in between readings, it might have felt like a helpful refresher to have scenes and dialogue from the first book fully rehashed, but to read both books in the same week, that element took me out of the story a little bit.
”I will guard your heart—and your back—all the days of my life.”
Even so, I really enjoyed The Second Blind Son, even more than The First Girl Child! Hod and Ghisla’s story was incredibly sweet, and the epilogue of this book was just everything I could have hoped for.
faithgeer20's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
crystalsparkles's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0