The Harp of Kings

Warrior Bards #1

by Juliet Marillier

A young woman is both a bard--and a warrior--in this thrilling historical fantasy from the author of the Sevenwaters novels.

Eighteen-year-old Liobhan is a powerful singer and an expert whistle player. Her brother has a voice to melt the hardest heart, and a rare talent on the harp. But Liobhan's burning ambition is to join the elite warrior band on Swan Island. She and her brother train there to compete for places, and find themselves joining a mission while still candidates. Their unusual blend of skills makes them ideal for this particular job, which requires going undercover as traveling minstrels. For Swan Island trains both warriors and spies.

Their mission: to find and retrieve a precious harp, an ancient symbol of kingship, which has gone mysteriously missing. If the instrument is not played at the upcoming coronation, the candidate will not be accepted and the people could revolt. Faced with plotting courtiers and tight-lipped druids, an insightful storyteller, and a boorish Crown Prince, Liobhan soon realizes an Otherworld power may be meddling in the affairs of the kingdom. When ambition clashes with conscience, Liobhan must make a bold decision and is faced with a heartbreaking choice. . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Historical, Historical Fantasy

463 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 2019

About the author

Juliet Marillier was born in Dunedin, New Zealand and grew up surrounded by Celtic music and stories. Her own Celtic-Gaelic roots inspired her to write her first series, the Sevenwaters Trilogy. Juliet was educated at the University of Otago, where she majored in music and languages, graduating BA and Bachelor of Music (Hons). Her lifelong interest in history, folklore and mythology has had a major influence on her writing.

Juliet is the author of twenty-one historical fantasy novels for adults and young adults, as well as a book of short fiction. Juliet's novels and short stories have won many awards.

Juliet lives in a 110 year old cottage in a riverside suburb of Perth, Western Australia. When not writing, she tends to her small pack of rescue dogs. She also has four adult children and eight grandchildren. Juliet is a member of the druid order OBOD (the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.)

Reviews

[chai (thelibrairie on tiktok) ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Considering starting The Harp of Kings Diet, which is basically just red wine and my own burning disappointment in this book.

I could pull out a comically long scroll listing everything that's aggravated me about this novel but I wanna have a nice day and be in a good mood. I just wanna say that I had to double check that this book was indeed released in the year 2019. Maybe it's just me. I just no longer have patience for books that traffic in overly misogynistic and extremely heteronormative settings. Swinging my reading-pendulum from Samantha Shannon's audaciously subversive The Priory of the Orange Tree to Margaret Rogerson's brilliant Sorcery of Thorns has set the bar for what fantasy can and should strive for, and personally, I thought this book had a lot of catching up to do.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

UPDATE: $1.99 Kindle US 7/23/20

Thank you Netgalley!! I love this author soooo much 😫



I love Juliet Marillier so much! I was so stoked when I saw she had another book coming out and in the same world as some of her other books. You don't have to have read them first though.

This book is told through three POV's. Liobhan, Brocc and Dau. Liobhan and Brocc are brother and sister and they are fighters and singers. Dau just wants to be the best warrior. But, Liobhan is the best warrior! Girl power!

Well, some things happen and the group has to go out and try to find the Harp of Kings which is used for the new king. The new king isn't a nice guy anyway so I think it serves him right.

There are different creatures in the book and it's just awesome in my opinion! I truly look forward to these new books from Juliet! She's the best!

Happy Reading!

Mel ♥

**Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a digital copy of this book!**

Amazon Review

[Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁]

The day I stop getting excited about something new from Juliet Marillier is the day I start burning books. I KNOW HOW TO SPELL HER LAST NAME. From MEMORY.

[Robin (Bridge Four) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sale Alert: Kindle daily deal 23Jul20 1.99

4.5 Sing Me a Song My Bard Stars



Juliet Marillier builds fantastic fairytales with subtle magic, complicated characters and wondrous worlds. Harp of Kings is no exception to that. Set years after the Blackthorn and Grim stories, this tale follows some of the next generation including Liobhan and Brocc, two of the three children Blackthorn and Grimm raised.

Harp of Kings is the first book of a new series. It is set in the same world as the Blackthorn and Grimm series, but you don’t need to have read those to enjoy this book.

Liobhan, Brocc and Dau are trainees for Swan Island, an elite school for warriors. There is a fierce competition between Dau and Liobhan as each wants the top spot in the class. Brocc loves his sister dearly and is there for training but also to make sure she is safe. When a secret mission comes up Brocc and Liobhan are chosen due to their skill in instrumentation and singing. Dau is also chosen to be on the secondary team, partially as a test and partially because he has some skill with horses. Each person in the group will have to live as a different person for the extent of this mission and it will test them.

“Maybe,” my brother says, “what they told us was only half the truth. Maybe this is not so much a mission as a test.”
“Of what?”
“Whatever each of us most needs to learn.”

The Harp of Kings has gone missing, it has been used for the coronation of a new king for thousands of years and is steeped in lore. A new king is to be coronated in a month and the team is supposed to find the Harp and restore it to the druids before anyone realizes that it is missing. The only problem with that is that there do not seem to be any clues to where it has gone and the man who would be king is not suited for the position at all. The only thing making this even more complicated for the team is that the Fae seem to be involved and Liobhan and Brocc are given some very hard tasks to complete if they want to get the Harp in time.

Juliet Marillier has a timeless quality to her stories and I think she is for the patient reader that likes hints of magic and very character driven stories. She writes people well and I felt the change in both Liobhan and Dau’s attitude toward each other over time developed in a natural and understandable way. Dau didn’t know what to make of the dichotomy that is Liohban

“I do wonder why a woman would spend her days learning more effective ways to kill,” Dau says, “and her evenings singing love songs. Wouldn’t that mean she could not put her whole heart into either activity?”

I really like an adversary to friend to possibly lovers trope and I’m really hoping this is the direction the overall series will take.

There are fae folk, crow people, druids and hearth witches in this tale and I have a feeling we are only at the tip of the iceberg for the stories to come in this series. Another wonderful dream of a tale, told in a beautiful fashion but a fantastic storyteller.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley publishing for the ARC for review

pre-review:
A book featuring not only Swan Island but Blackthorn and Grim's kids

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the publisher (Ace) in exchange for an honest review.

“A person can never hear too many tales. Tales are like honey cakes. Once you have tasted one, you want another, and another, and always more.”

This was my first encounter with Juliet Marillier, but it certainly won’t be the last. I can see her becoming one of those authors I turn to when I’ve just had enough of the darkness, and need something bright and pretty in my life. The Harp of Kings is lovely and lush and bright, a wonderful change from the grimdark that populates the fantasy genre. And from what I gather, that’s par for the course with Marillier’s work. While there are stakes here, it’s still a quiet story, inviting and soothing and somehow peaceful even when the events of the story are not. I found it to be a story that calls one to meander along instead of racing ahead. This book is the first in a new series of standalones, set in a world that will already be familiar to Marillier’s fans. But even if you’ve never read any of her work before (like me), this is a great starting point. I never felt lost in the least, though I am now definitely more curious about her various other series. Also, even thought this book is the first in a new series, it stands on its own perfectly well, with a plot that feels self contained and completely finished.

“Magic is real. It may not come in just the way you want, or exactly when you want it, because it’s tricky and unpredictably and…difficult. And sometimes it’s hard to believe it’s possible. But what about all those old stories? And the songs we sing every night? They are full of magic.”

I must confess that what drew me to this book was the title, of both this book in particular and its series. With names like The Harp of Kings and Warrior Bards, I knew that music would surely be a central theme. And it was! My favorite micro-genre of fantasy, if that’s even a thing, is musical fantasy. Whether the main character is a musician, or a song is at the core of something, or music just makes frequent appearances, I’ll always have a soft spot for books where music has some importance. The Name of the Wind, Bloody Rose, and The Troupe are among my favorite books of all time, and music is an important part of all three. Happily, The Harp of Kings scratched that itch, giving me a book with musicians serving as two of the three perspectives, a hunt for a mystical instrument that has mysteriously disappeared, and songs themselves even being used as weapons at one point.

“Thank the gods for music. The harp is my map and my lodestone, my balm and my comfort. It quiets my circling thoughts like nothing else can. I sing and play every night. Even when I am fighting, my mind teems with tunes and verses.”

The Harp of Kings is the story of three young warriors training in hopes of becoming Swan Island warriors, a renowned group with a strenuous selection process. Liobhan is hoping to join the even more elite group of female Swan Island warriors. She’s highly skilled and strong and fiercely determined, with a temper as fiery as her hair. She knows her mind and often acts or speaks before she thinks, though she’s working on that. Her brother Brocc is gifted and quietly charismatic, but lacks the drive that fuels Liobhan. Both siblings are talented musicians, but Brocc’s talent runs deeper, as does his passion for music. He can’t breathe without it. And while he wants to help his sister attain her goal, he would rather write and sing and play the harp than fight. Rounding out the trio is Dau, a stiff and unbending warrior who thinks that both Brocc and Liobhan are unworthy to become Swan Island warriors, Brocc because he would obviously rather be a musician, and Liobhan because she has the nerve to be female.

“…To be the best, you must give body, heart, and spirit… You have to put all of yourself into whatever you chose to do. That means one vocation and one only; if you’re the best, there’s nothing left to give.”

While there is no love lost between Dau and Liobhan, the each have to admit that the other is their greatest competition for one of the few slots open to new Swan Island recruits. Before their training is even complete, the three trainees are sent on a mission to recover the Harp of Kings, a mystical instrument that must be played at the coronation of a new king. Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau must become a team and find the lost harp before Midsummer, or the kingdom will have to wait another year for their king to be crowned. Throughout their journey, all three characters grow by leaps and bounds. Dau, who I had little liking for early on, proved to be the deepest, strongest character and ended up being my favorite of the three perspectives. His backstory was given piece by heartbreaking piece, and every new tidbit of information made me love him more. I hope to see a lot more of him, as well as the other two perspective characters, in future installments. There were also some wonderful supporting characters, my favorite of whom was Mistress Juniper. And Marillier did a wonderful job of making animals feel vitally important and alive, especially through Dau’s eyes.

“Music opens doors, yes; but only if those who live behind those doors want visitors.”

This story is told in present tense from three first person perspectives. I’m not usually the biggest fan of first person present tense, but it works well here. Marillier made the voice of each perspective different enough to be convincing. I found that this choice in storytelling style also kept the book from feeling too formal, giving it a freshness it might not have otherwise had.

“And there is a great magic; a power that comes from the very land we tread, from ocean and forest, from the deepest cavern to the high pathways of sun and moon. When the path ahead seems dark and difficult, when you cannot find the right way, call on that power to guid you, for within each of us, even the smallest, there is a spark of that great fire.”

While I enjoyed the characters, and the fact that the story had music as such a central, important theme, my favorite element of this book was the setting. It felt very Irish, and I think Irish folklore has much to offer the fantasy world. I loved the presence of druids, and the composition and variety of the Folk, Fae-like beings who share this world but keep their presence hidden from most. There was a beauty to this mystical setting that felt both classic and timeless.

I cannot come with you wherever you go,
And I cannot stay by you in joy and in woe,
But I’ll be beside you, though gone from your sight,
I’ll love you and guard you till we meet in the light.

The Harp of Kings is not a book I consumed quickly over a handful of sittings. I sipped on this book for nearly two weeks, which seems like a long time for such a small book. But I very much enjoyed having something so pretty and different to metaphorically snack on after a long day, and I wanted to prolong that enjoyment for as long as I could. I thoroughly enjoyed The Harp of Kings, and will definitely be making periodic forays into Marillier’s backlog while I eagerly away the next installment in this series.

You can find this review and more at Novel Notions.

[Sherwood Smith]

Juliet Marillier has been writing historical fantasy for long enough that she is clearly comfortable in that world, working in all the little details that delight readers who want to sink into a world.

I believe this is the beginning of a new series, and if I'm right, that would explain the sustained sense to the pacing--a change from some of the breakneck paced, often extremely violent fantasies out there that trade superhero-level fighting with snark. And I enjoy those!

But I also enjoy a slower tale such as this. The book is told in three voices, Liobhan the warrior bard, Brocc another warrior bard but whose true genius is music, and Dau, whose spiky personality hides a past he has no intention of revealing. My favorite voice was Liobhan's--though I was most interested in Brocc's arc. I really love stories that mix music and magic, and this one works that angle very nicely as we get into overlapping worlds.

The three embark on a mission that cannot fail Or Else, and the pacing gradually picks up, establishing them, the world, and the arc.

Copy provided by NetGalley

[Joana’s World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foi a minha estreia com a autora e com fantasia histórica.
Neste livro entramos num mundo de magia. Uma magia antiga escondida num local maravilhoso. No entanto, esta magia não é visível aos olhos de todos. Só alguns a podem ver e testemunhar.

Um reino que esconde segredos, um príncipe que não é o que aparenta ou deveria ser. Uma floresta que também esconde segredos que nem todos podem ver. Que segredos escondem estes mundos?

Neste livro embarcamos numa aventura pela procura da harpa dos reis para manter a paz no reino. A harpa só é tocada no dia da coroação. A harpa é importante para manter os dois mundos unidos.

Devido a estes acontecimentos, são enviados músicos que são ao mesmo tempo guerreiros para a Ilha dos Cisnes com o objetivo de se infiltrarem no reino e descobrirem o que de facto aconteceu com a harpa. Serão que vão descobrir a verdade? Será que vão ser capazes de recuperar a harpa?

Nesta aventura, é impossível não nos deixarmos guiar e fascinar por todos os eventos que ocorrem. Impossível não ficarmos presos a estas personagens. Impossível não ficarmos presos a esta história e a este mundo mágico.

Mal posso esperar pela continuação!

[h o l l i s · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Marillier almost put me into a book slump. A Marillier. What even is life.

This was one of my top top anticipated reads of the year and yet.. I don't know what happened? Maybe this was a me thing, I don't know, but this just wasn't working me until the last 20%. I fully finished this with tears on my face so, like, what even?

There are plenty of lovely easter eggs for fans of the author's Blackthorn and Grim series and that was a delight. But the story itself, the plot, I just didn't find interesting at all. I even struggled with the characters. The one thing the author never fails to succeed at though is the chemistry, and connection, the relationships. Not necessarily romantic (and in this case, not remotely), but still. The emotion woven through is excellent.

This just wasn't a story that worked for me. Or at least.. didn't work right now. I am still looking forward to more from this new series. And I may just have to console myself with a Sevenwaters reread in the meantime. Because I'm sad about this one.

This might look like a shiny three star rating but I'm definitely rounding up.


** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **

[Melissa (Mel’s Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about Juliet Marillier’s writing. She grips you from the start with a mixture of magical Celtic atmosphere, gripping storyline, slow-burning romance and humour. As soon as I heard that she was releasing another series, I WAS IN! I have enjoyed every single book of Marillier’s that I have read and this one is another gem to add to the collection!

The Story
Liobhan and Brocc are brother and sister, and are training to be in a group of elite Celtic warriors. Because of their musical talent, they are called upon to go undercover to undertake a secret mission – To find the magical Harp of Kings that has been stolen and return it so that the new King can be coronated. However, getting it back will be no easy feat!

My Thoughts
I really enjoy how she carries on the stories and arcs from previous books. This is the next generation of Blackthorn and Grim, and I love how she subtly weaves in aspects of these stories and characters. I’m looking forward to see where she takes the stories in books to come, and if we see some old friends. However, you don’t need to know anything about her prior books to fully appreciate this new series. It’s just a nice homage to her prior characters for the long term fans.

In typical Marillier style, the characters are complex and intriguing, especially Dau and Brocc who both have absorbing back-stories. Strong women are again at the forefront – with Liobhan just as kick-ass as the men in the group! I love her!

This book felt like an old friend. I savoured it, took my time and enjoyed and revelled in each comforting page.

This novel tended to move at a measured pace – but for a purpose. I never feel like it was dragging on. The scene is gradually set up and the characters slowly unravel and it is marvellous!

There wasn’t enough romance as I’d like, but her romances tend to take time to build up, she establishes the characters first – and there was still enough to keep me satisfied.

I loved the little side stories, the beautiful detail, the relationship development and twists and turns.

Would I recommend The Harp of Kings?
Absolutely! I thoroughly enjoyed it! No doubt I will read it again and anxiously wait for the next one. If you are interested in Celtic fantasy and gorgeous writing, and of course if you have enjoyed any of her previous work, you are sure to enjoy this one.

So many thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for an advanced copy of The Harp of Kings to review, and for inviting me on the blog tour!



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[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little slower than I'd have liked but I did eventually get through it. It's a pretty light on fantasy about music, nature and Fair Folk with a mild dose of court behaviour. Slightly too bland for my tastes, if I'm honest.

The plot: On Swan Island, brother Brocc and sister Liobhan are training to become warriors. They also play music. They're given a mission - along with a fellow trainee, Dau, and two trainers - to journey to a kingdom nearby that's lost a super special harp that's of vital importance to the upcoming coronation. It's kind of a secret mission so they're all under cover but the cover is them being musicians so PHEW. Also fiery Liobhan has to control her temper to match her more submissive character. Sad face.

Honestly, the whole premise was a bit weak for me, and as much as I love music, its importance in this story wore a little thin. I think maybe the world building just wasn't there and I never really got a decent feel for the kingdom or its inhabitants. It was a bit scarce on details so I had a hard time losing myself in the story.

Added to that, the characters were subdued and didn't really do anything particularly exciting. I did like the 'Otherworld' stuff when it finally came up but even that was more 'cutesy to look at' rather than any kind of connection. Liobhan was a fiery, spirited sort but because her fake character wasn't she was a bit dull. Brocc was a bit off with the fairies (LOL) and then Dau became an entirely different person with little explanation, so even though I liked him I kinda resented that.

The court stuff was all pretty shallow, and it just felt like there was no depth to story, world or characters. It was an okay read, but I never felt sucked in or even invested in what might happen. Things travelled along fairly slowly, and there was never any ominous sort of threat or villain to increase the pressure. I mean, the crow things were pretty underwhelming.

I liked the idea of this story but the delivery was too slow and shallow for me. I need more action, whereas this is definitely a slow burn fantasy and likely setting up for a more extravagant series. I'm told this is fairly typical of this author, though, so if you've enjoyed her previous work this one is likely to still be a hit.

With thanks to Macmillan for a complimentary copy to read and review.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Juliet Marillier ever since I first started reading her Blackthorn and Grim series a few years ago so I was absolutely thrilled to find out that she was returning to this world with The Harp of Kings. Although the new Warrior Bards series can easily be read without reading the previous books the story is set in the same world but many years later and it stars Blackthorn and Grim's grown up children Liobhan and Brocc.

Liobhan is a skilled musician and singer but the one thing she wants more than anything is to become a warrior. Brocc is more interested in his music than fighting but he chose to accompany Liobhan to Swan Island, where elite warriors are trained, to keep his sister safe. Dau is another member of their class and he is in fierce competition with Liobhan to be the top student. The three are still in training when they are selected for an important mission. They'll need to take on new identities for the duration of the challenge with Liobhan and Brocc as travelling bards while Dau works as an apprentice blacksmith.

Their mission is to find a missing harp. The Harp of Kings is an ancient artefact that has been used at the coronation of all the previous kings, it has been stolen from the Druids and unless it's found in time the crown prince will not be accepted by his people as their rightful king. They need to find answers but that is made very difficult by the fact that nobody can know who they really are or that the harp is even missing in the first place. Add in the way the local fae seem to have taken an interest in both the harp and the siblings who are looking for it and things are going to get complicated fast.

I absolutely love Juliet Marillier's writing style, her books are very character driven and they read just like an old fashioned fairytale. I love the way she weaves folklore and fae creatures into her work and the blend of mystery and magic is just seamless. The story is told in alternating points of view from Liobhan, Brocc and Dau, all three were distinctive characters with very different outlooks on life. I love the strong bond between Liobhan and Brocc, they always have each other's backs and they are willing to risk a great deal to protect each other. I wasn't a fan of Dau's at first, he had some very old fashioned ideas about women wanting to be warriors and to be honest he came across as a bit of an idiot but he really grew a lot throughout the story and I enjoyed seeing him and Liobhan go from fierce enemies to grudging allies.

This story has a lot of heart and it was totally captivating from the first page to the last. I'm already desperately waiting for the sequel and I can't wait to spend more time with these characters.


___________________

Thoughts before reading:

I'm even more excited about this one after seeing this from Juliet Marillier in answer to a question about whether she'll write more Blackthorn & Grim stories:

The publishers didn't want a continuation of the series, but my new series, Warrior Bards, features the same setting and some of the same characters one generation on, so readers will find out what happened next for Blackthorn and Grim. The first book in the new series is The Harp of Kings, which comes out some time in 2019. Read the full Q&A here

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Exactly what I was expecting from Juliet Marillier in terms of quality. I loved the story, and getting some idea of how things went for Blackthorn and Grim after their story came to a close was an extra bonus.

Since it is Marillier, of course there were some emotional and tear-inducing parts. All around, so wonderful, and I'm already pining for another installment.

[Magrat Ajostiernos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pesar de sus faltas es de los libros que más he disfrutado de Marillier en bastante tiempo.
Aquí esa Irlanda Medieval con sus bosques oscuros, brujas, reinas de las hadas y demás seres misteriosos está en pleno apogeo, y eso es lo que más disfruto de esta autora. La capacidad que tiene para crear esa atmósfera mítica, de cuento oscuro es maravillosa.

La protagonista de esta historia es Liobhan, una joven guerrera que es también buena música a la que le encomiendan la misión de rescatar un harpa mágica desaparecida de su refugio entre los druidas y necesaria para la coronación del próximo rey. Liobhan, su hermano Brocc (un joven con habilidad sobrenatural para la música) y Dau (un guerrero arisco, competitivo y de pasado misterioso) deberán adentrarse en la corte y descubrir qué fue del harpa antes de midsummer (la noche de San Juan).

La historia en sí es super plana y predecible, hay un romance muy meh y el final es bastante anticlimático (además es inicio de trilogía xD), que sí, pero qué más da, el caso es que yo he disfrutado muchísimo con esa historia por la habilidad de Marillier al entretejer las palabras de manera que parezcan leyendas.

[Kathryn S (Metaphors and Miscellanea) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prior to winning this book in a Goodreads Giveaway, I had not heard of Juliet Marillier. Apparently, her most popular books came out when I was still a little too young to read them, but after skimming some of her info on Goodreads, I realized she has quite a devoted fanbase. Now, having read The Harp of Kings, I can see why. Brimming with Celtic mythology, fierce warriors, passionate musicians, and memorable characters, this book feels like a classic quest fantasy in all the best ways.

So, let’s start with the main characters. I love them all, and they’re possibly the biggest thing I love about this book. They’re fully developed, and the book rotates nicely between their three points of view, each with a distinct voice (which, you know, can be a really hard thing for an author to pull off well). Here’s a snapshot of each of them:

Liobhan: tough warrior girl, talented whistle player, loyal sister, general badass with some impulse control issues. She’s our primary narrator, and, in keeping with a theme in recent books I’ve been reading, she’s exactly the sort of protagonist I like to root for. She is fiercely dedicated to her brother, Brocc, and she is determined to prove herself worthy at all costs—even though that sometimes involves breaking the rules and/or speaking out when she probably shouldn’t. Love this girl, and would totally be her friend, want to see more of her.

Brocc: sensitive soul, can hold his own in a fight, an unparalleled harpist and singer, has more than a few secrets. I had mixed feelings about Brocc early on in the book, but as time passed and some of his backstory came to life, he became the most intriguing of the characters, if not always the most interesting to read about. That’s not his fault—he gets pulled away from the main quest after a while, so his chapters have a bit less action and a bit more thinking. Still, he’s a smart cookie, and I love how his thoughts are often interspersed with sudden flashes of inspiration on songs he wants to write about where he’s going. He is truly a musician, first and foremost, even if he’s training to be a warrior/spy.

Dau: outwardly tough but inwardly broken, running from a horrible past, slow to trust, a fighter like no other, as dedicated as it is humanly possible to be. He’s my favorite, for sure (but then, I love characters with complex and traumatic histories, especially when you can just tell that they have a heart of gold under their prickly exterior). I don’t want to spoil too much about him, because his character evolves the most over the course of the story, and I don’t want you to go in with any false preconceived notions, but…man, I would take a bullet for this guy.

I don’t love the plot description that the publisher gives, so here’s my brief synopsis (no spoilers, of course): the kingdom of Breifne is in trouble. Prince Rodan is nearing his eighteenth birthday, when he is set to inherit the throne, which is currently being held by the regent Lord Cathra. There are just two problems: first, the Harp of Kings—a ceremonial instrument used to show divine favor for each new monarch—has gone missing. And second, Rodan is not really the sort of guy you want to be king.

Enter the people of Swan Island, where warriors are trained for the most important of missions. Three of the island’s students (Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau), along with two of their instructors, set out for Breifne, disguised as traveling minstrels, a farrier, and a mute apprentice, to search for the harp and try to retrieve it before the coronation. Espionage is not always easy, though, and it soon becomes apparent that the problem is much bigger than just some malcontents opposed to the royal family. There are druids, fairies, wise-women, and court members, all conspiring and quarrelling in secret, while the lives and happiness of others are caught in the balance.

I already gave you a rundown of things I loved about the main characters, so I won’t reiterate those, but I did love how their three very separate stories became increasingly more closely connected, especially as the individual clues they found gradually came together to resolve the mystery of where the harp went, and why. By the end of the book, the switching points of view were no longer jumps to different scenes; they were just different perspectives on the same narrative line, depending on whose insight was most relevant. The side characters they interacted with were vivid as well, from the innocent young Aislinn to the gentle-yet-respected Faelan to the mysterious-yet-helpful Mistress Juniper to the downright awful Prince Rodan himself.

Speaking of the awful Prince Rodan, I should note that Marillier does not shy away from difficult topics in this one. The characters have been through some awful experiences, especially Dau, and those experiences don’t just magically disappear; they creep back into the characters’ thoughts and influence their future decisions. Dealing with difficult life situations also drives the choices of some of the side characters, which in turn shapes the path the main characters have to take.

A few more notes that don’t really fit anywhere:
-Marillier is a masterful worldbuilder. The history and politics of Breifne are well-developed, with complex family histories and mythologies that have evolved over time, as well as traditions whose roots are forgotten and groups who have been sidelined and are less-than-happy about it. The whole world really sprang from the page.
- There is not much romance in this book. Not that there wasn’t any, but it was subtle, and it was mostly buildup toward what I hope will be further explored in the rest of the series. I, for one, was pretty happy with that choice; it let us focus on the plot and characters, not just who we wanted to ship with whom.

I could keep going for ages, but it would probably just turn into an extended rant about things I loved about this book, so I’ll leave it at this: if you want a good old-fashioned fantasy with a beating heart and vibrant world, this is a great pick. 5/5 stars, would definitely recommend.


Trigger/content warnings: child abuse, sexual assault, mention of suicide, torture/killing of an animal. All handled very well, and none are too graphic, but they are not shied away from either.

I received an ARC of this book from Ace through a Goodreads giveaway (thank you!). This has not influenced my rating in any way.

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽]

Yay! I just got approved for the NetGalley ARC!! *throws confetti in air*

[Devin The Book Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent audiobook.

[Navessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few months back, myself and my fellow co-bloggers decided to get organized. One of the first things I did was make a spreadsheet of all the ARCs (advanced reader copies) we had, sorted by date of release.

I felt terrible while making it.

Being granted ARCs is a privilege. We’re located in the U.S., which means that for some odd reason, publishers give us priority with digital and physical ARCs. The fact that we had such a large, unread backlog of them made me feel guilty AF and ungrateful to boot.

So, my goal going forward was to work through our backlog of them before either buying or requesting new books. The Harp of Kings is one of the first ones on the list, and lemme tell you, if I felt like an asshole before reading it, I feel even worse now. We got this ARC almost a year ago and I sort of hate myself for not immediately diving into it.

Because it was so freaking good.

This is a fantasy series with three main characters: Brocc, Liobhan, and Dau. Brocc and Liobhan are siblings, Dau is the son of a chieftan (kind of like a nobleman). All three of them are training to become elite soldiers in a place called Swan Island.

They’ve spent the past several years learning swordplay, hand-to-hand combat, spying, and deception. As they close in on their final trials, a chance comes along for them to put their fledgling skills to the test.

In the country of Breifne, kings are chosen based on an ancient ritual, one that was forged between mankind and the uncanny (a sort of fae-like folk that few people still believe in). During it, The Harp of Kings is played. If it’s not, no king can be chosen, which is why it’s such a big deal when it goes missing just before a new king is supposed to be crowned. The regeant of Breifne, terrified that it won’t be found in time, sends a desperate request to the warriors of Swan Island for aid.

Brocc and Liobhan are both musically talented. Their part of the mission is to slip into the high court as traveling minstrels and try to find the harp before the day of the ritual. Dau is there because of his skill. He’s a big sonofagun, and handsome to boot. He’s also prideful, so when he’s tasked with playing a mute stablehand, it’s understandable that he chafes at the role.

This book is told in three first-person POVs, through Brocc, Liobhan, and Dau, and it is done really well. Each have their own, unique voices. Even without the chapter headings, you’d know immediately whose perspective you were reading. What I especially enjoyed was that they all had their own storylines and demons to battle (both inner and outer), paired with the fact that each of them uncovered clues of their own as to what was really going on, and only by working together could they figure it out.

This is more than just a story about a missing harp. Woven beneath that is a subplot of good vs evil, magic vs fear, and humanity vs the uncanny. It’s also about personal growth, centered around that special time in our lives between youth and adulthood, when we realize that eventually we need to grow up, own our actions, and find our voices.

There are also two romantic subplots that I am really excited to read about as the series progresses, which is part of why I bought the next one the second I finished this.

If you’re into older YA fantasy that stands out from the pack, you should definitely add this one to your TBR.

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[Sonja Arlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author was my gateway into the fantasy genre when I picked up her Sevenwater series almost 20 years ago.

Because of her I started trying other fantasy writers and sub genres and my reading life will forever be richer because of that. However sadly I think I have outgrown her stories.

I found the characters a little too black and white for my liking. The bad guys were just there as a plot device and there was a clear arc the main characters followed with no real surprises along the way.

Reading this felt like eating comfort food from your childhood. Satisfying in a nostalgic kind of way.

If you are a die-hard fan of this author, I don’t think you will be disappointed at all.

[ʙᴇʟᴀ.: ☾**:.☆*.:｡.]

Juliet Marillier my favorite writer of all time is writing a novel with a WARRIOR WOMAN as protagonist???!!!! OMG, my dream came true...

[Di Maitland · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I didn't want to wake you. You're much less frightening when you're fast asleep."

I really liked this book, but I didn't love it like I've loved a good few of Marillier's books. Like most (all?) of Marillier’s books, it was a gentle tale in a rich setting, with otherworldly elements and a slow-burn romance that I suspect will take all three books to come to fruition.

Liobhan (pronounced variously Le-VAUGHN or LEE-vaughn) and her brother, Brocc, are undergoing warrior trials on Swan Island, hoping to win themselves places. Their main rival is Dau, a strong fighter but far from Liobhan’s favourite person. Before being accepted, however, the three of them are invited to take part in a mission to find the Harp of Kings, essential to the coronation of Brefner’s Crown Prince. Building upon their musical talent, Liobhan and Brocc arrive in Brefner, disguised as travelling minstrels, with Dau arriving separately under the guise of a mute stable boy. Two Swan Island trainers accompany them.

As they attempt to ferret out the identity of the thief, they can’t help but notice there are bigger issues than need addressing. Should the Crown Prince, a man who is neither suited to nor desirous of the Crown, be crowned at all? Are there other parties that should, perhaps, have been consulted, which haven’t? Together, the team must balance the job they've been tasked with doing with their own moral consciences, knowing that, if they get it wrong, not only will they lose their places on Swan Island, but they risk sending Brefner into a dark age.

For those of you who, like me, are Marillier fans, you’ll be pleased to hear that Liobhan and Brocc are the children of Blackthorn and Grim. And, of course, Swan Island was introduced to us all the way back in Son of the Shdadows. So the continuity continues.

I liked Liobhan. She was strong but maintained a kind heart, looking out for the young princess who seemed to have no one else in her corner. She was narrated by Moira Quirk, who’s performance was good but not as brilliant as it was in Harrow the Ninth. Brocc, unlike his sister, is a musician at heart and a gentle soul. Sadly, I grew to like him less as the story progressed, mostly because I found his relationship with Eirne hard to swallow. She’s just so suspicious! Brocc’s narrator, who was either Alex Wyndham or Frazer Douglas, had the most wonderful deep voice but, unfortunately, rather irritating intonation. And lastly Dau. I loved Dau. I think he’s meant to grow on you as the book progresses, but I rather liked him from the start. He’s had a tough life and it’s wonderful to watch as he slowly overcomes it. I’m most looking forward to seeing more of this in the next book.

Plot-wise, things were pretty simple: the harp has been lost and Liobhan, Brocc and Dau must find it, then decide what to do once they’ve found it. There aren’t any huge twists or surprises - though one reveal was revealed so many times I didn’t think it was a reveal anymore, but no, it was. It all felt a little contrived, with some characters more closed-mouthed than they needed to be, but I don’t read Marillier for her plots. She could rewrite nursery rhymes for all I care. It is her character development and her gorgeous, medieval Irish settings that draw me in every time. I would be quite happy living in Sevenwaters, or on Swan Island, if only they’ve take me. To me, her books feel like home.

For those of you looking to try Marillier for the first time, I’d recommend starting with Daughter of the Forest and its sequel, Son of the Shadows (there are another four after this but these are the best). Each book in the Sevenwaters series has its own, standalone plot with a featured romance that concludes as the book concludes. Grim and Blackthorn is set a few generations later and slightly further north. The romance between Grim and Blackthorn develops over all three books. This series is set 22 years after and seems likely to follow a similar romantic timeline. Once you’re hooked on a few of Marillier’s earlier works, then I’d recommend giving this one a go.

[Mogsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/12/05/...

I’ll always and forever be a big fan of Juliet Marillier, but I also have to be honest, and the truth is I wasn’t too crazy about this one. Bear in mind though, I’ve probably been spoiled so hard by her Sevenwaters series and Blackthorn & Grim trilogy that these days I set a pretty high bar whenever I pick up one of her books, and to be sure, The Harp of Kings was a solid fantasy novel but I don’t think it was her best.

This story follows three characters—siblings Liobhan and Brocc, and their companion Dau—with the narrative split relatively evenly between their points-of-view. Our trio of young protagonists are initiates on Swan Island, a society that trains warrior and spies. Eager to prove themselves and become full-fledged members, they are thus elated when their superiors tap the three of them for a top secret mission to retrieve an artifact known as the Harp of Kings, so named because it would be ceremonially required at the naming of the next monarch. Without the harp, which has gone missing, it is feared that the people will not accept their new king, so it is of utmost importance that the instrument is found before the upcoming coronation.

But as it turns out, their mission might not be so simple. Assigned new names and backgrounds, they must go undercover and adopt their new identities completely as not to arouse suspicion. Sister and brother team Liobhan and Brocc, both being talented musicians, are tasked to pose as traveling bards, but Dau, their fellow trainee, is given the role of a mute stable boy. Together, they travel to meet Prince Rodan, the one who would soon be crowned king, only to find he’s a boorish little cad that nobody likes. Worse, as our characters learn about the harp and the history of the royal family, they come to realize there may be more otherworldly forces at play. Here where the edges of the mortal realm meet the Fae’s, creatures of magic also have a stake in the future of the kingship.

This book started with so much promise. I loved the beginning, which featured an introduction to our three protagonists, what they do on Swan Island, and all the training that they had to go through to prepare for their journey. It was fascinating reading, especially since we’re talking about Juliet Marillier, who’s a literary genius when it comes to writing characters and her signature Celtic-inspired worlds. And indeed, everything was going well; I was moving along with the flow of things and really getting a feel for Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau in their new roles…when suddenly, they reached their destination and all of it ground to a screeching halt.

I mean, I adore Marillier’s lyrical writing style and I also appreciate how her stories take time to mature. These things can’t be rushed, and a lot of her books are written in a way that is meant to savored. That said, I felt that the pacing of The Harp of Kings was terribly unbalanced, especially after the first quarter where I felt no overall progress was being made and our characters were spinning their wheels with inconsequential side-plots that added little development to the overall story. At one point, we got so off-track that I even forgot they were supposed to be looking for a harp.

This book is also geared towards YA, and every so often, it really shows. Our three protagonists are teenagers with hotheaded and impulsive personalities, and they bring along some of the usual adolescent hang ups. But this also made it more difficult for me to connect with the characters because they frequently let their emotions get the better of them, leading them to make questionable decisions. Needless to say, they all made terrible spies. The POV switches were also uneven and it was easy to confuse Brocc and Dau’s voices because of how similar they were, and the boys also dominated the first half of the book whereas Liobhan’s chapters featured intermittently until she became a steadier presence in the second half.

Simply put, The Harp of Kings just didn’t click for me as well as some of Juliet Marillier’s other books. Nevertheless, if you enjoy spending time in her fantasy worlds, or if you are a fan of the way she blends history, magic, and intrigue in her work, then perhaps you’ll still want to give it a try because I think you’ll find yourself feeling right at home. More importantly, this hasn’t dampened my enthusiasm for her work, and I look forward to the next Warrior Bards book with the hopes that it will improve on the issues I found with this one.

[nia🏹 •shades0fpaper• · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can find this review on my blog Shades of Paper.

“To be the best, you must give body, heart and soul.”

The Harp of Kings was my first dive into Juliet Marillier’s fantasy world, and I was so excited. I’ve been hearing amazing things about this book lately, and the premise sounded absolutely fantastic, so I went into it with such high expectations, and overall I ended up really enjoying this book, though I had some issues with certain elements of the story.

Something that actually surprised me was how easy it was for me to get into this world. I was a bit intimidated by the length and the author, and was expecting the world building and the writing to be much harder, but I had no issue whatsoever getting into he story. I also enjoyed how the first few chapter set the tone of the story and made the reader intrigued to know what was going to happen.

When it comes to the world and the magic, I have to say I was pretty impressed. I loved how we got to know the society and the world and creatures as we stepped farther into the novel, and how complex the world was. I would say that I found certain elements of the magic system a bit unexplained, and that made me feel that some of the things that happened and had something to do with that magic were a bit conveniently done, but for the most part, I was so pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed The Harp of Kings.

“Who would not want to excel? Who would not want a chance to change the course of battles, or to influence the minds of the powerful?”

My main issue with this novel had to do with the pacing. Though it was a pretty fast paced book given all the information given to us, I struggled a lot with it. It had such a slow burning plot, and because of that there were times where nothing was actually happening and I became a bit bored. I feel it dragged a bit in certain parts, and the ending was a bit rushed. There were other things that seemed a bit unnecessary and didn’t add much to the story, and made me feel a bit disconnected to what was going on.

My other problem with The Harp of King regarded the characters. First of all, I have to say that I overall really enjoyed the cast of characters and the dynamics they shared throughout the story, and I think they all had their own individual growth. However, given the fact that I was so enamored with this book before reaching the half mark, I was a bit disappointed by how disconnected I became in the second half of the story. Maybe it was because nothing was actually going on and it was more focused on their everyday lives while being undercover, but I was expecting much more from them.

I really enjoyed some of the relationships formed within the story, and think that the interactions between the characters were really well done and made sense in my head, but since this book is told in three different POVs, I found myself not as interesting in one of the perspectives as in the other two.

Overall, I think The Harp of Kings was a solid book and I will definitely be picking up more by Juliet Marillier in the future. It’s true that I had some issues with the pacing and the characters, but the plot was super interesting and the relationships that bloomed throughout the story were pretty complex and interesting.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn’t change my opinion whatsoever. All thoughts are my own.

“I’m about to promise I’ll stay out of trouble, but I stop myself. Promises have a habit of coming back to bite you.”

Actual rating: 3.5 ★

Thank you Berkley and Ace for the ARC.

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[Tien · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I knew was that it's a new book by Juliet Marillier. I. Must. Read. It. I didn't really bother finding out what the book was about so you can just imagine my pleasure to find out when I started reading that it's set in the same universe as that of Blackthorn & Grimm's because I really loved that trilogy.

The opening scene was exciting with a fight in the rain and being told from the perspective of Liobhan, it was easy to fall into the story & liking her. When perspective changed (there are 2 others, Brocc & Dau), I wasn't quite sure whether I was keen on the other 2 povs so it became a bit slow because I was reluctant to read these 2 but impatient to get on onto the next Liobhan's chapters. I think you all know this struggle with multiple povs. You find a favourite and tend to stick with them. There are some novels that I just can't get used to multiple povs but this isn't one of them.

Even as I struggle with uncertainties with multiple characters, the tale itself progresses rather quickly and in the end, it was a rather fast read because I found that I could barely put it down. I enjoyed the dynamics between these 3 characters, Liobhan being the centre piece but I love how close the siblings are (Liobhan & Brocc) and the development of Dau's character and therefore, his relationship with Liobhan. 

The Harp of Kings is really a comfort read for me so I've really enjoyed it. Points taken off only because I didn't feel the pull right from the beginning and one particular incident in the novel that I just didn't click with. Otherwise, I love this Otherwordly tale.

I adore these Celtic infused stories by Marillier. I love how she combines my love for historical fantasy and mystery so this was a perfect read for me. If you loved Marillier's recent works, you'll enjoy this read too. This new series, Warrior Bards, promises to be one full of music, many stories, and intriguing mysteries.

My thanks to MacMillan Australia for having me on this tour and  paperback copy of book in exchange of honest review

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book – The Harp of Kings
Author – Juliet Marillier
Series – Warrior Bards #1
Cliffhanger? - Yes
Publication Date – September 3, 2019
Genre – Fantasy
Type – Multiple POV (Liobhan, Brocc, Dau)
Rating – 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Complimentary copy generously provided by the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts - Story
Ms. Marillier always has such a talent at building such a fantastical world with amazing creatures and perfectly developed characters. Like take for instance…Liobhan and Dau – the way that they start out as competitors/enemies but their relationship doesn’t bloom overnight…it builds slowly throughout the book where lessons are learned and growing up is done.

Re-Cap
Liobhan and Brocc are brother and sister (not by blood) and they along with Dau are part of the training island of Swan Island. Liobhan and Brocc are also entertainers. They are chosen to go along on a mission to find out what happened to the stolen Harp of Kings.

This is their adventure on finding out who has it and trying to weave through so many obstacles magical and non-magical – This is how they mature, learn lessons, and grow closer together.

I’m not going to go into the story because I wouldn’t be able to do it justice.

Reason for Reading – NetGalley Review
Story – 5 out of 5 Stars
Steam – 4 out of 5 Stars
Angst – 5 out of 5 Stars
Writing – 5 out of 5 Stars
Content Flow – 5 out of 5 Stars
Would Read More from Author? Definitely
Recommend To – Fantasy lovers who like female protagonists

[Katie Gallagher · Rating 2 out of 5]

For more fun bookish stuff, check out my blog!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sending me a free advanced reader copy of this book for an honest review. The Harp of Kings debuted September 3rd.

I have a lot of respect for Juliet Marillier for writing the Sevenwaters trilogy. It’s been years since I read the first Sevenwaters book, but I remember it being absolutely fantastic. I also read Wildwood Dancing last year, which I loved, and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.

So knowing that Marillier is an industry heavyweight and a fantastic writer, I couldn’t request an ARC of The Harp of Kings fast enough. This is the start of a new series, with three books already listed on Goodreads, and the premise seemed great: a shadowy fantasy organization that gets contracted for missions (basically a fantasy CIA), whose latest quest is to recover a stolen harp that is crucial to a coronation ceremony. The three young main characters on the mission are vying to be fully inducted into the organization; this mission will be their proving ground. Cool, right?

So with all this said, you can’t imagine how disappointed I was to read this book and have a difficult time connecting with it. Many of the characters, and especially the dialogue, felt wooden, like it was missing some spark of life. Much of the action also felt too unrealistic for my taste. To give an example, the female MC has an encounter with the detestable heir-to-throne, where he tries to rape her and she shoves him, causing him to fall and hit his head hard. Through the eyes of characters in a medieval setting, this is understandably seen as her attacking the heir. The fall-out from the incident, however, was less than serious; after a bit of politicking, all she needs to do is give him a formal apology and the incident is more or less in the past. This punishment-not-punishment is meted out by the heir’s advisors; despite the fact that he is a man about to take the throne, he’s essentially not able to follow through on his now hatred for the female MC. The whole thing just felt extremely unrealistic to me; I have a very tough time believing that there weren’t more serious consequences for the female MC. (Please understand that I’m not taking the side of the heir, but just questioning the logic of the narrative choices.)

I also had a very tough time with the ending. Spoiler incoming in:

3…

2…

1…

There is a literal hand-of-God moment where the question about who should be the true king is decided by a celestial presence on high shining a light on the one they favor. It was a textbook definition of a deus ex machina.

This then followed by a denouement that featured more wooden dialogue, with all the flair of an HR exit interview.

“What part of this mission gave you the most satisfaction?” This surprising question comes from Illann.

Dau catches my eye and we both grin. Neither of us is going to mention that escapade at the wall. “To be honest,” he says, “I spent most of our stay at Breifne feeling anything but satisfaction. I was pleased when Liobhan got Brocc out of that place. And I was pleased when the harp ended up in the right hands.”

“And you, Liobhan?”

“Working as a team. We got better at that. We learned as we went along. Only… without Brocc we’re not so much of a team. Sorry.”

Do you see what I mean? This is a book that has a great, interesting premise, but fell short in the execution. If you are a diehard Marillier fan then by all means check it out (I’m pretty sure it has some Easter eggs in there for her fans), but sadly I won’t be continuing with this series unless I hear very different things about the second book.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This return to Marillier's ancient Ireland introduces three young trainees for the elite warrior society of Swan Island and has them sent on a mission to find the missing Harp of Kings. There are Liobhan, a powerful warrior and musician, her brother Brocc who's talent for music is even greater and Dau, a prince who considers himself their rival. The Harp of Kings is required for the upcoming coronation of the new King of Breifne and must be found for the people to accept him. But there's a mystery, because the Harp has gone missing from a place it should not have been able to do so, and who had motive or ability to take it?

Liobhan and Brocc are related to characters from earlier books in this universe, and the Swan Island they're training at should be familiar from the Sevenwaters books. Even so, this book doesn't require knowledge of earlier works.

Unfortunately, I felt this wasn't this author at her best. While Liobhan and Dau are excellent characters and are both stretched in this book, I don't think either of them are as compelling as Blackthorn and Grim were. (Brocc is good too, but his contribution is slighter.) On top of that, I felt that the actual mystery here only really works because people aren't talking about things that they'd believably be talking about, and that a certain person in the books is more close-mouthed than she needed to be. Still characterization is where this author has always shone in my opinion, and that's at full force here. Not every character can be Mistress Blackthorn.

[Lata · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 harps. A terrific beginning to a new series by Juliet Marillier. The character work was great, as usual, with complicated motivations and emotions at work amongst the three PoV warrior-trainees.
I haven’t read this author’s Blackthorn and Grim series yet, and thankfully it’s not necessary to fully enjoy this book. There are connections to Marillier’s Sevenwaters series also, though again familiarity with that series is not critical to this story’s action.
I love Marillier's writing style, and this book was a welcome return for me to her version of Ireland. I loved the interactions between the characters, their emotional growth, and the references to her other series, and now just want to get on book two, which, darn it, isn't out till next year.

[Lorena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been a long-time fan of Juliet Marillier's writing and the worlds she has created, but this effort felt a little flat to me. There was still action and adventure and spying, in the human world and among the fae, but we didn't spend enough time with the three main characters or their backstories to really care about them deeply. Instead, this felt like a sketch for what should have been a longer book. I was happy to revisit some of the places and people from previous Marillier books (and their descendants), but I found myself longing for the slower and more dreamy pacing of her earlier works.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta foi a minha estreia com esta autora e digo-vos já que fiquei rendida.

Através da sua escrita rica e cativante, Marillier apresenta-nos uma história viciante de espiões onde a magia existe, mas nem todos têm o direito de a testemunhar.
Gostei muito do plot deste livro que acabou por ser, em determinados pontos, imprevisível.

Gostei imenso das personagens e ganhei um carinho especial pelos protagonistas. Confesso que estava a torcer por eles e fiquei muito interessada no futuro destas personagens dinâmicas e interessantes. Gostei imenso do desenvolvimento das relações entre personagens, principalmente por ser um desenvolvimento lento e muito real.

Existiu uma excelente criação de ambiente; Eu senti que, tal como as personagens, ora estava naquele reino ou no meio da floresta.
Classifico este livro com 4,2 estrelas em 5 e estou muito curiosa para ler mais livros desta escritora!

[lookmairead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the worlds Juliet Marillier plays in because it’s delightful escapism.
I loves that she writes bad a*** strong female MC’s.
This was a perfect MOOD piece for “Feb Love Month”.

Sure, you could argue that her style is somewhat predictive and formulaic. (And you would be right.)
And that her style could boarder on campy or cheesy. (Another correct point.)

BUT her actual deployment always grabs my heart so that I CANNOT for the life of me focus on my other TBR/TBL books.

And this book, is actually one that should be listened to instead of read. 100%.
Seriously.
Are you missing Oscar-nominated performances? This is the next best thing. To be fair, Frazer Douglas could read to me his grocery list and I’d be tempted to give him 5 stars. Along with Quirk & Wyndham- this trio performed beautifully.
4/5