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tideturnerskeri's review
3.0
Let me start off with the positives. Amy Harmon's writing is beautiful. I feel like her words just flow from one to the next seamlessly. I loved the Viking concept along with the element of magic. The book started off pretty strong and I liked how easy it was to understand the fantasy world that Amy had crafted. The downfall was about half way through the book. I was so bored with the story and started to wonder when things would really get more interesting. It wasn't until the end that it started to pick back up. I feel like most relationships in this story were rushed even though the book spans over the course of 20+ years. While I love Amy Harmon's other books, this one was just alright.
katharinem3717's review
3.0
Will read the next book for sure! The romance was really well written and not cheesy, something I search for but rarely find
8bitbrainstem's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. A fantastical Norse-inspired tale that sets the bar for similarly styled novels in mythology, setting, and intrigue. Reading The First Girl Child was like enjoying an episode of Vikings, but with more scheming and more likable characters. This is absolutely a must read for fans of historical fiction, mythology-based fantasy, or anyone with a penchant for Viking stories.
The events of the novel takes place on the the island of Saylok, named for one of Odin’s sons. Saylok is divided and ruled by six clans who trace their origins back to the six children of Saylok himself. Each chieftain pledges loyalty to the king, who along with the Keepers of Temple Hill, defend the kingdom from threats, both external and internal. When it is time to choose a new king, each of the clans in turn will have the next leader of the island determined from their numbers. With no familial lines of succession for rule there is often a high incidence of scheming and bloodshed during these rises to power. The Keepers, men sworn to protect the secrets of the runes of power, have a significant influence on the final choice, though usually the right of power falls to the clan’s chieftain.
The story starts by following Dagmar and Desdemona, siblings who both have the power of rune blood, and can wield the magic of the island to great effect. Desdemona, despite being one of the island’s fiercest shield maidens, is scorned by the man she loves in favor of the daughter of the current royal family. She gives birth to his bastard son, Bayr, though at a high personal cost. Fed up with how horrible women of Saylok are treated, Desdemona uses her final breath to invoke a curse on all the men of Saylok and on Banruud, the power hungry and cunning chieftain who denies her, by name.
“We are abused. We are used. We are battered and abandoned. But rarely are we loved. So be it. From this day forward, there will be no daughters in Saylok for any of you to love. Salvation will come through my son, and only through him.”
From that day on, not a single daughter is born to the people of Saylok. And in a world where women are becoming scarcer, they become a commodity, hoarded away like treasure. Amidst this crisis is born Alba, the only girl child in nearly two decades. Given his infamous strength for a child of his age, Bayr is charged with the protection and welfare of Alba. The majority of the story then follows these two characters as they grow more and more entwined and enamored with each passing year, neither aware of the destiny surrounding them.
This is primarily a character-driven plot, which may not appeal to readers looking for an action heavy Viking story. If your tastes turn more towards deep character building, detailed explorations of relationships, political scheming, and personal sacrifice then this story will deliver on all of that and more. The political and cultural world building is done to great effect and plays a large role in setting the tone of the story as well as advancing the plot. Given that this is a multi perspective story, the readers also have access to the true nature of ties between characters and gives us access to the truth beneath the lies and misdirects that are used for political gain. Finally, with a richly diverse set of secondary characters to follow the author weaves in layers of story arcs and relationships that serve to enhance the main plot of the story.
Overall, I found the First Girl Child to be highly engaging and immensely satisfying.
The events of the novel takes place on the the island of Saylok, named for one of Odin’s sons. Saylok is divided and ruled by six clans who trace their origins back to the six children of Saylok himself. Each chieftain pledges loyalty to the king, who along with the Keepers of Temple Hill, defend the kingdom from threats, both external and internal. When it is time to choose a new king, each of the clans in turn will have the next leader of the island determined from their numbers. With no familial lines of succession for rule there is often a high incidence of scheming and bloodshed during these rises to power. The Keepers, men sworn to protect the secrets of the runes of power, have a significant influence on the final choice, though usually the right of power falls to the clan’s chieftain.
The story starts by following Dagmar and Desdemona, siblings who both have the power of rune blood, and can wield the magic of the island to great effect. Desdemona, despite being one of the island’s fiercest shield maidens, is scorned by the man she loves in favor of the daughter of the current royal family. She gives birth to his bastard son, Bayr, though at a high personal cost. Fed up with how horrible women of Saylok are treated, Desdemona uses her final breath to invoke a curse on all the men of Saylok and on Banruud, the power hungry and cunning chieftain who denies her, by name.
“We are abused. We are used. We are battered and abandoned. But rarely are we loved. So be it. From this day forward, there will be no daughters in Saylok for any of you to love. Salvation will come through my son, and only through him.”
From that day on, not a single daughter is born to the people of Saylok. And in a world where women are becoming scarcer, they become a commodity, hoarded away like treasure. Amidst this crisis is born Alba, the only girl child in nearly two decades. Given his infamous strength for a child of his age, Bayr is charged with the protection and welfare of Alba. The majority of the story then follows these two characters as they grow more and more entwined and enamored with each passing year, neither aware of the destiny surrounding them.
This is primarily a character-driven plot, which may not appeal to readers looking for an action heavy Viking story. If your tastes turn more towards deep character building, detailed explorations of relationships, political scheming, and personal sacrifice then this story will deliver on all of that and more. The political and cultural world building is done to great effect and plays a large role in setting the tone of the story as well as advancing the plot. Given that this is a multi perspective story, the readers also have access to the true nature of ties between characters and gives us access to the truth beneath the lies and misdirects that are used for political gain. Finally, with a richly diverse set of secondary characters to follow the author weaves in layers of story arcs and relationships that serve to enhance the main plot of the story.
Overall, I found the First Girl Child to be highly engaging and immensely satisfying.
sartastic's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
storiesandsours's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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
4.0
readfrenzy's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I know I keep telling myself that I’m not a fantasy fan, but once again Amy Harmon has won me over with a fantasy book. By the way, if you haven’t read [b:The Bird and the Sword|29008738|The Bird and the Sword (The Bird and the Sword Chronicles, #1)|Amy Harmon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1462457112l/29008738._SY75_.jpg|49250534] you should exercise that one-click finger right now!
The First Girl Child is an intricate, mesmerizing, and unique tale that completely sucked me in. I loved getting wrapped up in the land of Saylok, filled with clans, runes, temples, spells, secrets, and vendettas. It’s true that I found some parts of the story to be predictable but that didn’t deter my enjoyment at all. Despite the mythical setting, Bayr, Dagmar, Ghost, and Alba are identifiable characters that grew close to my heart. The story may be on the longish side, yet I found it to be well-paced. There is a small slow burn romance aspect that is a nice cherry on top, if not 100% fulfilling. I’m also a greedy reader who enjoys meatier, more detailed epilogues. I fully intend to read more of Amy Harmon’s fantasies.
Recommended for fans of:
Fantasies
Spells
Evil kings
Star crossed lovers
I know I keep telling myself that I’m not a fantasy fan, but once again Amy Harmon has won me over with a fantasy book. By the way, if you haven’t read [b:The Bird and the Sword|29008738|The Bird and the Sword (The Bird and the Sword Chronicles, #1)|Amy Harmon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1462457112l/29008738._SY75_.jpg|49250534] you should exercise that one-click finger right now!
The First Girl Child is an intricate, mesmerizing, and unique tale that completely sucked me in. I loved getting wrapped up in the land of Saylok, filled with clans, runes, temples, spells, secrets, and vendettas. It’s true that I found some parts of the story to be predictable but that didn’t deter my enjoyment at all. Despite the mythical setting, Bayr, Dagmar, Ghost, and Alba are identifiable characters that grew close to my heart. The story may be on the longish side, yet I found it to be well-paced. There is a small slow burn romance aspect that is a nice cherry on top, if not 100% fulfilling. I’m also a greedy reader who enjoys meatier, more detailed epilogues. I fully intend to read more of Amy Harmon’s fantasies.
Recommended for fans of:
Fantasies
Spells
Evil kings
Star crossed lovers
list_addict's review against another edition
5.0
Real score 5.98. Magnificent. Just that. Magnificent.
caraddishreads's review against another edition
4.0
There were so many things that felt different for me reading this book in such a good way. Especially with the setting, vikings, clans, warriors, Norse Mythology that its an untouched subject I don't think I have come across before or maybe its just been a few years. Towards the end though everything felt rushed. I highly applaud Amy for embarking on a Fantasy journey. I STILL enjoyed it. I also thought Rob did a good job narrating.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
lshadowlyn's review
5.0
WOW. I don't know what I was expecting, but whatever it was I got so much more. When I read the synopsis I was interested but a little hesitant. This is one of those books that could be great or horrible, and it was excellent. The Characters have a wonderful depth to them, and you get so wrapped up in their stories that hours pass before you come up for air in the real world. The pace is a little slow, but it doesn't feel that way, which is very hard to pull off. A great book!
junkie_forthe_written_word's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my goodness. I think this was a free prime book or either it was cheap and I just downloaded it on a lark and it was the only thing in my kindle library I hadn't read that looked halfway interesting. And, as with all free or cheap things I didn't go in expect much.... so I was a little shocked that this story sucked me right in and didn't let me go until I finished it.
I loved it. All of it, even the parts that stung.
I'm going to need you to hand me the next one RIGHT FREAKING NOW! .... Please?
I loved it. All of it, even the parts that stung.
I'm going to need you to hand me the next one RIGHT FREAKING NOW! .... Please?