| Title | : | The Bird and the Sword (The Bird and the Sword Chronicles, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1533134138 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781533134134 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 328 |
| Publication | : | First published May 6, 2016 |
| Awards | : | Goodreads Choice Award Fantasy (2016) |
The day my mother was killed, she told my father I wouldn’t speak again, and she told him if I died, he would die too. Then she predicted the king would trade his soul and lose his son to the sky.
My father has a claim to the throne, and he is waiting in the shadows for all of my mother’s words to come to pass. He wants desperately to be king, and I just want to be free.
But freedom will require escape, and I’m a prisoner of my mother’s curse and my father’s greed. I can’t speak or make a sound, and I can’t wield a sword or beguile a king. In a land purged of enchantment, love might be the only magic left, and who could ever love . . . a bird?
The Bird and the Sword (The Bird and the Sword Chronicles, #1) Reviews
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Amy Harmon never disappoints. I thought maybe she'd disappoint with this one because I'm not into fantasy, but she didn't. Now I can't say I'm not into fantasy. Thanks, Amy. Great. Just one more genre I have to add to my list of things to read. Do me a favor and stop taking risks, okay? It's making my life busier.
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Read this one for TCE Book Club!
I can forgive a lot of things, but outright stupidity is not one of them.
I have loved you every moment of every day, and I will love you until I cease to be. Bird, man, or king, I love you, and I will always love you.
Lark is born into a world of magic, and the world hates magic.
Legend has it that there were only a few original magic weavers: Spinners, Changers, Tellers, Healers (etc), and when they had children, those children inherited their magic.
And over time, the magic changed and grew as the generations mixed and the magic wove in and out of society. Everyone in "modern" times has a slight twist on that original magic.
Lark is a Teller, someone who can speak and magic will make their words come true...only she cannot speak anymore, not since her mother died in Lark's place and cursed her to silence.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.
If anyone ever finds out what she could do (or used to do), Lark will be instantly killed.
But, through a chance encounter with the current king, Lark is swept into the palace where the stakes are higher and the consequences ever more deadly. Will she survive and escape? Does she even want to?
So.
Sooooooooooo.
Soooooooooooooooooooooo.
Don't you just HATE it when ONE character ruins EVERYTHING?
Yes. I'm looking at you, Lark.
Little-Miss-Woe-Is-Me.
Little-Miss-I'm-Not-Gonna-Listen.
Little-Miss-I'm-So-Stupid-How-Am-I-STILL-Alive
The world of the Bird and the Sword is stunning - it has a very old-world feel but is completely fleshed out and engaging.
This world is so beautifully written that it almost (almost) makes up for the terrible-ness of Lark.
But, surely she can't be that bad...Right?...it's probably a good thing you are sitting down. Cause we about to get ranty.
Lark's Stupiditiy - aka is that a bad idea? Imma do it.
I could barely read this book, my eyes were rolling so hard.I swallowed, suddenly close to tears. Then why does no one see me?
Essentially, Lark spends her whole life shut away, "unseen" if you will because of reasons.
Much to her surprise, and mine, she's able to use a Teller's powers once she begins to read. Because reasons.
She is so blown away by the power that she then practices magic.
Constantly.
She practices in her room (leaving obvious traces for her maids to find), on people walking by, on nobles in the castle (etc)...
And then she's all shocked and confused when there are consequences.
Gurl.
Guuuuuuuuurl please.
You've lived in this country all your life - you know that the death penalty is INCREDIBLY common for practicing any form of magic.
Annnnnnd then she nearly suffocates the king and laughs (drunk on her own power)? To. The. King.
It's really a wonder he didn't execute her.
The Wimpiness - aka I'm just a limp noodle
I don't have a problem with a wimpy main character... just when they are THIS hypocritical (and boring) it gets old. Fast.
So Lark says things like this:I didn’t want to be taken care of. I wanted to run away from all the men who sought dominion over me, who thought they could own me, imprison me, use me, cut me.
Constantly, but all she does is actions like this:f I didn’t breathe too deeply, I wouldn’t feel the hollow echo in my empty chest.
And this:If I didn’t move too quickly, I wouldn’t reach any painful conclusions.
AND THIS:...if I didn’t listen, I wouldn’t hear the silence he always left behind.
Aka, she has the backbone of a jellyfish and spends the entire book hanging out in a castle, drawing words on the furniture with the king.
For a book that has so much potential, it was disappointingly BORING because the wimpy main character spent more time whining about what she hasn't done instead of actually DOING THINGS.
To be fair, I suppose she left her rooms like twice... so that's something.
The Love Interest - aka nothing says I love you like ruining your life...
Lark is captured by King Trias within the first 50 pages and that's when the story really began to go downhill.
We go from this intriguing, magical world and then it becomes Lark hiding in a castle, Lark learning how to read, Lark "falling in love" with the King while they write words on her furniture.
The whole "falling in love" schtick was chock full of unquestionably awful quotes.‘‘You were not supposed to love me, Lark. I did not set out to make you love me. And I was not supposed to love you. But I do. And it is terrible.’’
Are you serious? Terrible? That's the best you can do for your confession?
It's like, I get that their love is supposed to be forbidden, that the King falling in love with a teller is the ultimate betrayal... but couldn't the author at least try to make it appealing?
I don't mind romance being a cruel-to-kindness sort of transformation, but that kindness is key. To see that transformation and believe it...
The main characters have to click together, and that just never happened. There was far too much anguish and angst.You chose me because I am of use. But I chose you because I wanted you. All I ever wanted was for you to love me in return.
Talk about romance. There's even a line like this:‘‘Because you just said you know nothing about being a queen. Because I am king. And because it is your duty to please me.’’
And this:‘‘You are a great use to me. I will put a child in your belly. A son who will be king.’’
So, I was just not feeling it...and 3/4 of the content was spent on building this mess of a relationship.
Overall
If Lark was just cut from this book and the romance dropped, I would have loved it.
Such a well-written novel, lovely twist on magic and truly a memorable cast...just Lark was there in the middle, ruining everything forever.
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“You don't need wings to fly.”
What you truly need is words. And
Amy Harmon's words resulted in a work of sheer beauty, that made your chest clench with yearning and your entire existence float, leaving behind every material attachment and concern.
The Bird and the Sword was a piece of a dream.
“Silence daughter, stay alive.”
Once upon a time, the Gifted walked freely in the country of Jeru. Healers, Tellers, Spinners, Changers, they were not afraid of using their gods-bestowed gifts. But some of them used them for Evil. And thus, the Gifted were hunted. They hid their abilities, or suffered terrible punishment. Lark's mother was not lucky. She was murdered for a crime she didn't even committ, and when her soul left her body, so did Lark's voice. Her father protected her out of necessity, but she was mostly ignored and left alone. Until Tiras, the king who fought desperately against the nightmarish creatures that threatened his kingdom and his people, decided to use her as a pawn. But she became more. They became more. And Lark, the silent girl with the power of words, the Bird, the Sword, would be the one to determine the outcome of the bloody war.“Daughter, daughter, Jeru's daughter,
Wait for him, his heart is true.
Daughter, daughter, Jeru's daughter,
'Til the hour he comes for you.”
When I read books like
The Bird and the Sword, I feel humble. Like I just bore witness to the most genuine form of magic, a golden thread of magic that was woven around my soul and captured it. There was something otherworldly in
Amy Harmon's simple yet eloquent, lyrical writing. A fairytale that was narrated for me and only me, whispered by a soft, soothing voice. Her words, her sentences, they filled my veins and warmed my heart. It was a beautiful experience.“I have all the power, but you will destroy me.”
Politics. Magic. War. Powerful, devastating love. That's what
The Bird and the Sword masterly delivers. The world-building is not particularly complex, because the story focuses on Lark's journey to find her voice, her magic and her place in the world. From the girl that was always ignored, she becomes a powerful, strong woman willing to fight for what she wants, to break the chains that hold her down and fly. To a better future. To a brighter future. To her future. And her companion is none other than the captivating, infuriating and stubborn king, with his secrets and his struggles, a king who wants to tame the beast and let the Man prevail.“You said I choose you because you are of use to me. And I did. But know this, Lark. I have loved you every moment of every day, and I will love you until I cease to be. Bird, man, or king, I love you, and I will always love you.”
There is passion and tenderness, fights and understanding in the relationship between Tiras and Lark. Their connection, the way their souls are in sync, makes your eyes water and your blood sing. Breathless and mesmerized, you watch them falling and you can't help but fall yourself. Fall, dream, hope, mourn, worry. Love. Love them, with them.“A bird cannot wield a sword.”
But a bird can be a sword. And Lark was both.
Amy Harmon's soulful and poetic writing spoke to me, and I beg you to give her a chance to speak to you as well. She deserves it.
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5 stars!
I only read fantasy occasionally, so this isn’t a book I would normally pick up right away... BUT Amy Harmon is one of my favorite authors so I knew I would read it as soon as I got the chance. I’m so glad I did. The Bird and the Sword is a story that sucked me in from the start. A completely captivating read with equal parts romance and adventure.
Amy’s writing and story telling abilities is nothing short of magical here. If this book has any message at all, it’s that words are powerful. Coming from this author, it’s a very apt message. In all her books, her words are moving, brilliant and powerful. This book is no exception.
The Bird and the Sword is full of heart, magic, beauty, adventure and love. The characters are so lovable. I loved Lark’s voice and her story. At first, I didn’t think this was going to be a love story. I didn’t see how a romance would be possible at the start, but I was happy to be proven wrong. If you need a little romance in your books like me, you’ll be happy to know that the love in this book is strong.
Without any spoilers, it’s hard to go into the plot of this story and what it’s about, so I won’t. Just know that it’s a phenomenal book with brilliant writing and going on my must-read list! Fantasy lovers and romance lovers alike should give this book a go! Once again, Amy Harmon does not disappoint with her poignant words and beautiful, original story lines. The Bird and the Sword gets a full 5 stars from me!
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4 Stars
I originally rated this book 4 stars with "3.75 Stars" written in the text box here.
And then I realized that was fucking stupid.
So, 4 big ones, peeps.
But moving on.
I love it when I crack open a book - Well, to be fair, I'm not really "crackin' open anything...more like lightly finger tapping; however, "I love it when I lightly finger tap open a book" just doesn't have the same flair, holla?
Anywordsmithing.
I love it when I crack open a book and see a map.
Because that usually means that I'm about to enter a fantastical world of make believe as created solely by the author.
And if that map is followed by a pronunciation guide?
Fucking sweet.
Because that usually means...that we are about to enter a fantastical world of make believe as created solely by the author.
And that I don't have to fumble fuck around trying to imagine how to pronounce shit and spend the whole book trying to make "Tiras" happen.
That said, the world building in this book was fantastic.
I love kingdom books.
And not only was this a kingdom book, it was a paranormal kingdom book where people have magic powers.
Magic powers, people.
Instant orgasm.
Lark was my favorite kind of heroine: understated and low key with a spine of steel.
Tiras' character was also very interesting. Throughout the book I enjoyed his interactions and I enjoyed his bond with Kjell as much - if not more than - his growing bond with Lark.
So why not 5 stars, you ask?
The ending action felt a little rough to me as far as the way it all went down and the way it was written.
Other than that, I adored this thing and have already downloaded the next book in the series.
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::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED :::
Silence, daughter. Stay alive."
WOW!! What an enchanting story! This book was beautifully written, stunningly imaginative, poetic, thrilling, romantic, and exciting. Reading it was like going on an adventure and being swept away in a fantastical fairy tale filled with danger, magic, and woven together with a love story! I’ve loved this author’s writing for a long time and this story was exceptional!! If you’re looking for new book to read that is captivating and unique, definitely try this!
I'm sure you can guess from reading the blurb, but you should know for sure that this is a Fantasy Romance novel -- we're talking kings, queens, and kingdoms in peril, not to mention magic and monsters -- which is totally different than the Contemporary Romance novels I usually read. But the kinds of stories that captivate me the most are the ones that step outside the lines while still staying true to the elements I love and crave from the Romance genre. Amy Harmon's writing is some of the very best I've ever read so when I heard she'd written a Fantasy novel, I honestly didn't even need to see the blurb to know I wanted to read it. And I was truly impressed with how seamlessly she slipped from the Contemporary genre into this sweeping Fantasy epic that I now consider a favorite."In a land purged of enchantment, love might be the only magic left."
The story takes place in another world, somewhat similar to our Middle Ages in feeling. In this world, many are Gifted and Words have power and, if used correctly, a Word may come to life and manifest as true actions. But such powers are feared and forbidden and as such anyone with them must keep them hidden in order to survive..."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 heaven or hell. You will learn and you will thrive.
Silence, daughter. Stay alive."
The day my mother was killed, she told my father I wouldn’t speak again, and she told him if I died, he would die too. Then she predicted the king would sell his soul and lose his son to the sky.
My father has a claim to the throne, and he is waiting in the shadows for all of my mother’s words to come to pass. He wants desperately to be king, and I just want to be free.
But freedom will require escape, and I’m a prisoner of my mother’s curse and my father’s greed. I can’t speak or make a sound, and I can’t wield a sword or beguile a king. In a land purged of enchantment, love might be the only magic left, and who could ever love... a bird?
I really don't want to give too much away but just to give you an idea of the story. The heroine has powers that even she doesn't really understand but that you see develop over the course of the book. The young king, who remembers her from the fateful day they met as children, captures her and brings her back to his kingdom where their story truly begins. His intent for her capture was at first political, but as they spent more time together, an unexpected love began to grow between them...“I think I will keep you.”
This is truly a Fantasy novel so if you're intrigued, be prepared to be swept away into a world of wars, love, and magic. I found myself completely enthralled by this story. I lost track of time while reading it and barely noticed the hours ticking away. It was such a wonderful experience to read a book so different than my norm.‘I am not a weapon. I don’t want to be a weapon!’
“You are what you are. I am what I am. It matters little what we want… I never wanted to be king. But it is what I am. It matters little what we want,” he repeated. I turned and stared up into his face, filled with an anguish that wouldn’t abate.
‘You’re wrong. It is the thing that matters most.’
“Why?” he murmured, his eyes intent.
‘Because without desire, there is only duty.”
Given that I am a true Romance reader at heart and often have a hard time stepping too far outside of my preferred genre, I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was a Fantasy novel that completely stayed true to the rules of Romance. I loved that the story was always developing and constantly moving forward, keeping me eager to read more and find out what path their journey would take them down next. It was a thrilling adventure that culminated in an epic battle that I could easily see playing out in my head like a movie.
The love story is quite beautifully woven into the story. It's quite poetic and the epilogue's final words brought happy tears to my eyes as it truly brought the story full circle. It was a beautiful ending for a beautiful book!"You were not supposed to love me. I did not set out to make you love me. And I was not supposed to love you. But... I have loved you every moment of every day, and I will love you until I cease to be. Bird, man, or king, I love you, and I will always love you.”
I can't say enough good things about Amy Harmon's writing. She is such a gifted storyteller and her books are one-of-a-kind gems. If you're new to her books, I highly recommend checking out
Making Faces (a contemporary novel) as well as this one because I consider it to be one of the best books I've ever read... and if you're either already a fantasy fan or if you're looking for something unique, different, and amazing, then I highly recommend
this book.“Wait for him,” she pressed, and there was an urgency that belied her simple advice…
‘For how long?’
“As long as it takes.”
Rating: 4.5 stars! Standalone Fantasy (Romance) novel.
But... the writing itself is 5 stars all the way!
Buy THE BIRD AND THE SWORD (Kindle)
Buy THE BIRD AND THE SWORD (Paperback)
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The Bird and the Sword had such an unexpectedly beautiful prose, with such lyrical writing. I was completely swept away by how whimsically this tale was told. Amy Harmon has such talent, and I went into this expecting nothing, but I ending up being blown away by this fantasy novel. Seriously, this is not hyped nearly enough.
Also, on a completely personal side note, this book's main protagonist has an abbreviated version of my favorite name of all time, Larkin. So, besides the enthralling writing, I was completely fangirling over the use of the name Lark, too, because I've never read a story using it before.
Okay, so this book starts out with Lark being very young and still learning the dangers of her magical gift. In this world, Gifted people are sentenced to death, so it is very imperative to hide your magical powers if you are born with any.
The Four Types of Gifted Magic:
➽ Spinners - Have the ability to turn things into other things.
➽ Changers- Can shape shift into other animals.
➽ Healers - Are able to heal bodies and cure wounds.
➽ Tellers - Use magic words that compel people and things to do things. This magic is very much like casting spells, and very powerful.“My mother made words. She was a Teller, and her words were magic. She spoke and the words became life. Reality. Truth. My father knew it, and he was afraid. Words can be terrible when the truth is unwelcome.”
Lark is a Teller like her mother, and her mother pays the ultimate price for her carelessness to hide her powers. Her mother is killed by the King of Jeru, but not before she tells the King, Lark's father, and Lark herself, a few prophetic things. Her mother's premonition-like rhymes also makes Lark lose her ability to speak.
We are then thrust into the future, where our dear Lark is still unable to communicate besides head nods. She does have an amazing Troll companion named Boojohni that I completely fell in love with. They sort of form their own way to speak, and he has become Lark's only friend over the years.
Then one day, while out in the forest, Lark stumbles upon a fatally injured bird. Even though she only has the voice inside in head, she tries to use her Teller powers to compel the bird's body into healing itself. The next thing she knows, she is waking up in the forest and then is running home because the new King is arriving to meet with her father.
Lark's father, Corvyn, is a Lord and hasn't sent any men to help fight against the Volgar. The Volgar are winged evil monsters that are lead by the Volgar Liege. Their numbers are constantly growing, and they are taking over more and more land. The new King, Tiras, son of the old King that killed Lark's mother, captures Lark and plans to use her as hostage. Tiras tells Corvyn that he can have his daughter back, once he sends his share of men to help defeat the Volgar.
And the story quickly, and very addictively, starts from there.“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.”
The characters are so very wonderful, and Lark is such a strong female character that learns her worth and won't settle for less than what she deserves. The story is fast paced and full of intrigue and mystery, while proving over and over that words are the most powerful weapon we will ever truly wield. The magic system is easy to understand, but still really enchanting. The romance in this book is seriously top notch, and if you guys are anything like me and some of your favorite parts of
A Court of Mist and Fury were the ones where Feyre is taught to read, then you are going to freakin' love some of the scenes in this book. Seriously, be still, my heart, because I'm still not over how heartwarming and perfect those scenes were.“I have loved you every moment of every day, and I will love you until I cease to be.”
The Bird and the Sword is the perfect mix of fantasy and romance. If you are like me, and enjoy both of those genres, then you have to pick this book up. I loved this and I absolutely cannot wait to read
The Queen and the Cure.
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I'm so frigging happy right now, you can't even imagine!
I was instantly mesmerized by
The Bird and the Sword, a book that interweaves fantasy with heart-melting romance. The book opens in Corvyn, a province of the Land of Jeru, where we meet Lady Lark of Coryvn, daughter of Lord Corvyn and Lady Meshara, a girl gifted with the power of words. This power is dangerous and it, being completely forbidden in this mythical land, must remain a secret.
For a book with numerous characters, we only get 2 POVs; one is Lady Meshara and the other, Lark.
Meshara's POV sets off this story and is no more that 13 pages, but those pages are pivotal and they evoke all sorts of emotions; disbelief, anger, intrigue, and anticipation. I couldn't flick the e-reader fast enough. I was hooked.
King Zoltev of Degn and his son, King Tiras of Degn. Boojohni the troll. Kjell. Lady Firi. The Tellers. The Healers. The Changers. The Spinners. The Council members.
All are characters who play vital roles in this story.
Lark provides the 2nd POV for the remainder of this book, so it's important to mention that at some point- almost from the beginning of the book -she becomes mute. How do you tell a story when the narrator cannot speak? Sounds impossible, doesn't it? Yet Harmon navigates this aspect brilliantly.
Harmon moves the story along with impeccable pacing and suddenly Lark finds herself a pawn and a hostage in the hands of the young King Tiras of Degn, a king who has dark secrets of his own. Tiras's intentions are completely dishonorable with Lark being nothing but a means of keeping Lord Corvyn from overthrowing him as King.
Lark and Tiras soon find that a lot actually binds them together and they're are not so different from each other after all. Meanwhile, dissension from the council members brews, dark creatures close in wanting nothing more than to rip to pieces the Land of Jeru, and former allies turn treacherous.
With no one left to trust, Tiras and Lark find they must work together to conquer the evil forces and with such, their feelings evolve, trust superimposed with love blossoms, and fierce loyalty to each other makes them a formidable team. But with both of them having such damaging secrets, will their enemies prevail or will their love survive?
Harmon wrote with exquisite detail, and for over 6 hours I remained captivated and was completely transported to Jeru, where I could picture the beautiful landscape with its diverse creatures, feel the pulsating oppression of evil and, with the last 25% being so action-packed and nerve wracking, I was perpetually on the edge of my seat, not wanting the story to end!
There's so much more that I can tell you about this story, so much more. But I have no intention of spoiling it; as it is, I feel I may have divulged too much still I'm confident that I barely scratched the surface.
It was amazing, entertaining and brilliant! -
Reviewed by:
Rabid Reads
I have friends who are bargain hunters. They stalk the aisles of stores like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, searching for last season frocks from Kate Spade and Lilly Pulitzer, and are often successful. They preen over their discoveries, and I sometimes envy the fruits of their labors . . .
BUT. I will never be able to do it myself.
Those types of places are too chaotic; I walk in the door and immediately turn and walk back out. B/c overwhelmed. There's so much stuff shoved together so haphazardly that I haven't the foggiest notion of where to begin.
THE BIRD AND THE SWORD had a similar effect, and I'm kind of baffled that the same author who wrote
A Different Blue, which I loved, also wrote something as poorly planned and executed as this was . . . But here we are.
MINOR SPOILERS after this point.
1. The journey is merely the shortest distance from point A to point B.
There are two main types of writers: those who plan and those who write by the seat of their pants, and if I had to guess, I'd venture that Harmon is the former.
You: What makes you say that?
Me: The extraordinarily stupid actions that enabled obvious plot points.
Take Lark's first adult encounter with King.
The last time they met was the day King's father (former King) killed her mother, b/c magic is outlawed. Having magic herself, Lark is understandably afraid when she belatedly learns that King will be visiting her home that very day.
So what does she do?
She tears off through the forest, determined to be hidden in a tower before King arrives, but when she hears horses pounding down the road, does she retreat back into the relative safety of woods? Does she hide herself until the riders have passed, slinking home behind them and avoiding detection?
NOPE.
She runs faster.
And that's just the beginning.
You: What do you mean?
Me: Father wants to usurp King. Has been planning it since the death of his wife.
So what does he do?
Lay low, scheming and machinating until the time is ripe for a coup?
NOPE.
He refuses the command to send soldiers to the war front, painting an arrow over his head that shouts, "MALCONTENT."
You: That's not very smart . . .
Me: Yeah, but, see, King needs to be able to take Lark hostage b/c reasons.
You: Seems like kind of a bullshit way to make it happen though.
Me: YES. It DOES.
2. Deliberately obtuse heroine.
The problem with telling a story from the first person perspective is that the reader gets ALL of her information directly from the source. SO. If a thing is more-than-obvious to the reader, it's incomprehensible if it isn't also more-than-obvious to the storyteller.
And yet . . .
*sing songs* "My mother foretold that the former king would lose his son, the prince, 'to the skies . . .' The injured eagle I found in the forest disappeared while I slept, and I returned home to discover that one of my servants had been conked and the head and relieved of his clothes, and a horse was missing from the stables . . . King chained himself in the dungeon, tormented by a mysterious malady . . . Oh, look! It's my friend the eagle sitting on the rail of King's open balcony! Hello, friend eagle! Where ever could King be? He never returned last night . . ." *blinks vapidly*
3. Conflicting information.
The following screenshot serves a variety of purposes, but for now, let's focus on the blue passage:
They are creatures, animals, ruled by instinct. They are PREDATORS. Like a shark scenting blood in the water or a bear whose normal food sources have been unnaturally depleted.
BUT.
If this is true, they cannot also be "base."
To be "base" requires sentience, yet Harmon uses the mutually exclusive concepts of being governed by basic needs--food, water, shelter--and more nefarious or "base" motivations interchangeably.
My knee-jerk reaction was that she was confused about the meanings of "base" and "basic," but on the very next page:They lived to kill. Not for hate or power. But still, they killed. They killed because death meant food. Death meant life. Death meant that their blood pounded hotter in their veins, and their flesh grew thicker on their bones. They were simple monsters, but monsters all the same.
And a paragraph or so further down, the earlier accusation is even more blatantly contradicted when she references the creature's, "innocent instinct, however bloodthirsty."
So it's not that she doesn't understand the terms and the difference between them, it's that she was so concerned with finding flowery ways to present information that she either didn't care or didn't notice that the end result made not one lick of sense, which segues perfectly into my next issue . . .
4. Purple prose.
This time let's check out the yellow highlights:
Taken individually, all the various flourishes and embellishments might not be a problem. I mean, just b/c I've never personally experienced an "obliterated" appetite, and could come up with half a dozen less vague ways of describing the weather than "advantageous," doesn't mean that an emphatic adjective/adverb (or three) is a distraction.
BUT. As you can see, there are four on this page alone, and friends . . . that is not a fluke.
Then there's this:Suddenly freed and temporarily weightless, the ground rose up and snatched my breath. I lay stunned, the wind forced from my lungs.
The ground . . . rose up . . . and snatched her breath . . . *flares nostrils*
NO. It did NOT. She fell and had the wind knocked out of her. The end.
5. There are just some things you CANNOT do.
Like reference real world works of literature in a wholly make-believe world:"The Art of War?"
BUT. That specific reference is borderline hilarious, b/c later on, King is so determined to engage the enemy on his terms that:We rested a full day, giving the horses a chance to recuperate from the journey, but the collective unease of the camp made the day feel wasted. Shrieks and shouts filled the night as the Volgar picked off men in the dark . . .
Huh. So the same King who is familiar enough with Sun Tzu's ART OF WAR to make jokes about the bloodthirsty discussion points, passively allows his soldiers to be attacked by their enemy?
I guess he skipped this part:Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
And I'm done. DONE. D O N E.
Basically, I spent twice as much time deciphering the events and characters’ actions as I did reading this book. Whatever it is that the rest of the world sees in THE BIRD AND THE SWORD, I am immune, wholly and utterly. Not recommended.
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BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELTS, I JUST READ A GREAT BOOK SO GET READY FOR MY REDBULL-INDUCED-MIND-BLOWN-WRITING-EXTRAVAGANZA!!
Meet the crew:
Lark: a very reSILENT character (im so awful).
In a world that fears all magic, Lark's mother places a curse that prevents her from magical voice from speaking. Unable to voice her thoughts, she had an inner strength so unlike most heroines. Often heroines are loud and reckless. Lark was the opposite!
She understood words on a deeper level. While listening to Boo scolding her, she heard love. When hearing the concern of a lord of lady, she heard greed.
She reviewed each action because for her actions spoke louder than words
“I can’t make words. I can’t make a sound. I have thoughts and feelings. I have pictures and colors. They are all bottled up inside of me because I can’t make words.
But I can hear them.
The world is alive with words. The animals, the trees, the grass, and the birds hum with their own words. “Life,” they say.”
Boojohni: comedic side character who I loved to read about and advanced the plot.“He shuddered in horror. He seemed momentarily lost in the horrified speculation of his possible beardlessness”
With possibly the greatest name ever, he was also a troll and deeply loyal to protecting Lark. Throughout the book, they work together and got amazing
Tiras: snarky King without the usual arrogance, he was all to aware of his faults.“Without desire, there is only duty,” Tiras whispered, quoting me as I quoted him. “But sometimes our greatest desire is to do our duty.” Then he closed his eyes, as if offering up a prayer for strength, though I heard only his yearning, and it made my heart tremble.”
He was a king who made mistakes but really wanted to be fair and protect his kingdom.
And the plot twist...
Kjell: Tiras's right hand man who hates Lark for her gift and inner conflict which plays a huge role later.
*warning Dad is an asshole, I wanted to smack him upside the head
(Quick tangent: I absolutely loved the prologue. Wonderful way to begin the book~ great balance of world-building, introducing key characters, with some anticipating foreshadowing )
The banter!
“NO.
“Yes.”
Lust is different from desire. There are women who will gladly assuage your lust. I will not.
“You want me. I heard it. I feel it.”
It matters little what we want, I shot back, using his words against him. I may be your weapon. But I am not your queen.
He sat back on his haunches, his hands on his thighs, and he considered me.
“Do you want to be my queen?”
Why would I want that?
“Most women would.”
I am not most women.
“You don’t want power? Riches?”
Power only gets you killed.”
Life lessons here people!“I tried to instruct the soot to disappear too, but it stubbornly remained, proving that I could put out the fire, but I couldn’t yet save myself from the natural consequences of my mistakes.”
I loved how this book featured basic life lessons in new unexpected ways. Great balance of plot, character development and not just bloodshed bloodshed bloodshed“I wished I had let him kill me instead.”
Why?
“Because in that moment, as I watched him die, I felt something leave me too. Like he’d taken part of my soul. The best part. I’ve never gotten it back. And I miss it.”
This book was honestly a delight to read with a character so unlike anything I've read before and such a great amazing of action without the usual BLOOD SHED BLOOD SHED VIOLENCE DEATH THE END
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this book is magical enchantment at its finest.
the prose is a charming spell, all on its own - one that could lull me into the most peaceful of sleeps.
but the story itself is in a whole other league - its faithful to the traditions of old fairy tales but has a modern feel that is leaving me wishing for more.
it is sheer storytelling perfection.
i seriously cant get over how enamoured i am with this book. i am so in awe.
↠ 5 stars -
"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."
My mother made words. She was a Teller, and her words were magic. She spoke and the words became life. Reality. Truth. My father knew it, and he was afraid. Words can be terrible when the truth is unwelcome.
Omg!! This book was so freaking good! I mean holy sh•t snacks! I have had this book on my kindle FOREVER and finally read it! This book is magical! Seriously, there are a lot of magical beings in the book.
Healers
Shifters
Tellers . . . etc. There are many different Guifted people. But a lot of people want them all killed!
Larks mom tried to save her by taking her voice from her as a child. She wanted her to be safe.
Lark as a woman meets the love of her life. He teaches her to read in their own special way. He can hear her thoughts. Can Lark and this man change the rules and make things better. Can a man who is an Eagle save Lark as she saved him?
Read it and see!
Happy Reading!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 -
A girl without a voice. A king in chains. A land on the brink of war.
Intrigued?
YOU SHOULD BE.
Ever since I read Radiance last year, I’ve been on the lookout for more books in the Fantasy Romance subgenre. Which is why I picked this one up.
Only…
While it’s listed as a fantasy, it has all the trappings of a classic fairy tale. I mean that in the BEST possible way. There are curses, prophecies, evil sorcerers, gallant princes, reluctant princesses, and creatures of all shapes and sizes.
I absolutely devoured it, reading it in a single sitting. What can I say? Magic infuses these pages, and I found it damn near impossible to resist Harmon’s spellbinding prose. The world she weaves with her words is as enthralling as it was enchanting, and I’m sorry to leave it behind.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR FAIRY TALE FANS.
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I see you, stars. Do you see me, peeking up through velvet leaves? Keep me safe from mice and men, invisible to all but friends.
It's official.
I need Amy Harmon to write me bedtime stories and possibly my epitaph, too.
Looking at those ratings and some of you guys' reviews, I guessed The Bird and the Sword to be good. I just never imagined how actually good it would be.
Hence, I'm still pleasantly surprised about how much I ended up liking this.
No, scratch that.
I totally loved it.
I can't wait for my brain to start working properly again so I can share my reasons with you all.
Wow. Just, wow.
And it might have made it into the top 3 of my all time favorite books. I'm not kidding nor exaggerating; this book is pure awesomeness.
I'm honestly a bit disappointed that it's not more recognized, given the original plot, the great characterization of the protagonists, and the way Harmon's words seem to penetrate under your skin.
So sad to see how awfully underrated this novel is, when it clearly shouldn't be.
I'm in love with
Amy Harmon's whimsical writing and stunningly vivid imagery.
This book is and has everything I've ever needed in a story and now I'm out of words.
Kind of ironic, considering this book is all about words and the power they behold.
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I’m blessed! When goddess of storytelling bestows upon you a beauty such as this book, it’s going to feel like . . .
AH’s writing always has a way of making me feel like I’m a child again being cocooned in my mama’s embrace while listening to her soft voice lulling me to sleep with stories of prince and princesses, their wonders, adventures, and magic.
(No kidding. I was kinda being literal considering the prologue and the epilogue scenes were that of a mother and her daughter.) In all seriousness, AH’s use of purple prose is one of the few that I can stomach and appreciate the allure of without feeling like I was being smothered.
This time it was no different, for this tale was enchanting, the world building impeccable, the characters relatable, and the romance heartwarming.
I might be alone in this assessment, but Tiras reminded me of Tamlin and Rhysand. He was somewhere in the middle between both. Meanwhile, I adored Lark. She was special and a badass but in an understated way.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure about the romance. I mean, being captured and then falling in love with your captor? Yeah, right, sounds familiar. Perfect recipe for a romance, but I also wish they’d fallen in love under different circumstances. Regardless, I loved all the interactions that they had.
For most of the book, we just saw these characters fighting in a war against beast like creatures with no personality other than being a predator. I didn’t see the plot twist coming, but I wish we’d known about the real villain since the beginning. I think that would’ve made the story more impactful.
All in all, The Bird and the Sword was stunning even in its flaw. I would recommend for anyone looking for a fantasy romance escape. I’m pretty sure you can read it as a standalone as this one ended conclusively and the next one follows different characters.
(Read as an Audiobook)
Thank you for the recommendation! I can’t link all the profiles, but I see YOU and this was very much appreciated. Also, to those who are interested, if you can’t rely on my review, see below and it should tell you this is a book you wanna read or not.
List of similar books:
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Radiance
↠
A Curse So Dark and Lonely
↠
From Blood and Ash
↠
ToG/
ACOTAR -
4 STARS
Amy Harmon delights fans with this well-crafted fantasy tale in which she not only pulls off depicting a whole layered world but does it with such beauty in her words. At times they are spun so poetically and powerful that a reader may lose sight that this is her first fantasy book published.
"You don't need wings to fly."
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You can win this on Audio!!! There's till time to enter this giveaway on the front page of
www.steamyreads.net
➦I've been a fan on Amy Harmon's writing ever since I've read
Making Faces. I've been trying to catch up on reading her recent releases and boy am I glad I finally got to this book. It is gripping, fantastically written and with a surprisingly well-rounded world building for being a standalone.
➦This fantasy romance follows a journey of Lark, a young mute woman, who has been cursed by her mother to stay silent. In the land where magic is frown upon and is punishable by death, Lark realizes that she is to remain quiet for her own protection. So what happens when she becomes a prisoner to the king and gets exposed to books? Will she discover the power of words?
➦The poetic tone is what I come to expect from Harmon's writing and it is very prominent in this particular book. A lot of prophecies are in rhymes and I was completely fascinated by them. The romance aspect is very prominent and the author certainly took the time developing the romantic relationship.
➦If you like Sarah J. Maas' books then you will probably enjoy this one. It has plenty of romance as well as constant action. If you love all things magic - the future telling, the healing, the changing into beastly creatures, then you should definitely give this one a chance. Also, it's nice to be able to just read a fantasy standalone. There will be other books in this series set in the same world but, looks like, about other couples. I will be reading all of them.
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First of all, I want to comment on the writing. It was breathtaking, like reading poetry or listening to violins while smelling roses.
I was hooked from the very start, and quickly got lost in a very good way. The intro might even be my favorite part - folklore meets fairytale and completely intriguing. I mean c'mon, you ready something like below... how can you not read more?“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.”
Honestly the whole thing reads like an old-timey fairytale - full of beauty, mystery, and darkness. Lark (yep, that's the MC's name and its totally awesome) can't speak, thanks to a curse her mother meant to protect her when she was young - as you can tell if you read the above quote. In fact, it all happens right before her mother is killed by the king for having magic.
When Lark grows up (at the start of the novel), we find out very quickly how sad her life is. Not only can she not speak, but her father holds no love for her and sees her only as a waste, a curse. He'd like nothing more than to be rid of her, but the second part of Lark's mother's curse is that their lives are tied together. He will die if something happens to her. So, Lark is kept at his manor for 'safekeeping'. Her father won't allow her to learn to read or write, much less anything else.
Everything changes when the son of the man who killed her mother, the current king, shows up and whisks her away (I won't explain why.)
I'd say just go in not knowing much more than that. The story is very much driven by emotion. Having the story told from Lark's perspective is so interesting - we learn how she feels just by her inner monologue and how she gestures to people since she is unable to speak herself. And when she captures the attention of the king and the two start to get to know each other, things get even more emotional. I'm pretty sure I shed a few tears in this one.
I couldn’t explain how it felt to converse with another human being. To actually converse. I had been reduced to sharing nothing of my innermost thoughts for most of my life. Reduced to throwing things when I was angry. Reduced to tears when I was sad. Reduced to the simplicity of nods and bows, of having people look away from me or become frustrated when they didn’t know what I was trying to communicate.
The ending was really beautiful. Though a generally sad book, I felt really satisfied at the conclusion (I was really getting worried there for a while.) I'd recommend this to fans of Naomi Novak or Grace Draven!
My biggest complaint is the very strange nods to Christianity. Normally I'd be all for that, but it just felt too weird, almost like copying to an extent and then warping it. For example, in the beginning, the author literally describes how the world is made and she straight up took it from Genesis (almost word for word )... up until she decided she wanted it to stop and formed into some other form of religion. Then, she uses several biblical references such as 'two-edged sword' and whatnot.
Again, it wasn't that I minded that referenced it or anything like that.. but it just felt cheap the way she handled it. I'm curious if someone else felt this way. It would be one thing if she gave credit or talked about her inspiration in the acknowledgements or just SOMEWHERE, but I searched and searched and found nothing. I love seeing real life inspiration and how it can breath into a story but this just felt... wrong.
Either way, I enjoyed the book and I'm stoked for the sequel (though thank goodness this one wrapped up for the most part!)
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My original review was erased by someone and I didn't have a back up. I wrote a post about this book on a different edition. Please staff members, don't erase my reviews, don't merge my posts, show some respect for my posts, demonstrate you're courteous and fair.
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The Bird and the sword booktalk -
4.5 stars!
“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 just has this way with words, she infuses beauty into them. She takes words and gives them substance, she makes them pretty.
The Bird and the Sword is a high fantasy novel following a young woman named Lark. When she was a child her mother died to protect her, taking the fall for an ability Lark has so that Lark would not be killed. Now grown, Lark has not spoken since the day her mother died and she is heavily protected by her father. When King Tiras comes and takes Lark as collateral, Lark is swept away to a new place, one where she learns more than she ever could before.
Words are her power, and the knowledge of words was kept from her until now. And Tiras becomes aware of Lark's power and needs it to help save everyone's lives. But can Lark save Tiras from his own curse?
“You glow, Lark.” His hand climbed back up again and swept over my unbound hair. I swallowed, suddenly close to tears. Then why does no one see me? “I see you,” he said.”
I loved this book. Plain and simple. Harmon's work can be a hit or a miss for me, before this book it was about a 50/50 split on the 4 books I had already read. I am a huge fantasy fan so despite my reservations I was intrigued. On top of that so many people have recommended this book and I basically waved them on, putting it off even longer.
As of late I have have trouble finding a romance novel that is worth my time, that doesn't sound like everything else out there. THIS is that book, the one that is so uniquely special it blows all other books out of the water. Harmon's magical writing style, not once did I skim, not once did I want to put the book down and I stayed up until 2 am finishing this novel. For a woman who normally writes contemporary, she nailed the world building required for a high fantasy novel. The imagery was stunning, I felt as if I was in this world myself.
So if you are hesitant to read this book for any reason, I say let your reservations go and try it anyway. That's what I did, and it worked out wonderfully for me.
“I think I will keep you.”
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“You are a dangerous little bird. But I think I will keep you.”
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STORY!!
Without revealing too much, it’ll be hard to go into the plot of this story and what it’s all about, so I won't say much. And as always, when I read an incredible book it's so hard to do the book justice and convey just how epic the story was with my words.
But I can say Amy's writing is nothing short of magical, and I was immediately swept up into the story of Lark and Tiras. And on top of the beautiful romance, there was mystery, intrigue, and an elaborate plot that kept me completely immersed from start to finish.
Everything about this was original, poignant, and brilliant. And while there is very little sex, this story was oozing with sensuality and romance. The story of Lark and Tiras is one I will not forget and probably one of the most romantic stories I have come across."Yearning. There it was again. 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."
There were SO MANY lines and passages I just had to highlight and wish I could share here. But then this review would be insanely lomg and you should be reading the book and experiencing it for yourself."You are easy to overlook. Slim and pale and so quiet. But now that I've studied your soft grey eyes and traced the fine bones of your face, now that I've kissed your pale pink mouth, I don't want to look anywhere else. My gaze is continually drawn back to you."
I know this is fantasy and a lot of people shy away from this genre. But DO NOT let that dissuade you from picking this up. Trust me when I tell you ANYONE that likes romance NEEDS to read this story.“I have loved you every moment of every day, and I will love you until I cease to be. Bird, man, or king, I love you, and I will always love you.”
Put simply, this was stunning. And I cannot recommend it enough.
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5 BEAUTIFUL STARS <3
What a beautiful journey in this magical world!I wish I could stay in this world forever!This always happens to me with Amy Harmon's stories! Her stories are so powerful,unique, brilliant and addictive that you don't want to finish them! There aren't many authors that can write different genres but Amy Harmon has this ability and she proved it with this fantastic story!
I was mesmerized and hooked, falling in love with each page. I'm stunned, really I can't believe that this book touched me in so many ways! Don't fool yourself into thinking that because this story is fantasy, it isn't heavy, intense and emotional like her other stories! This book has a deep meaning and if you read it you can see it too!
The plot is so well paced and the romance is flawed and perfect! I absolutely adored Tiras and Lark. Both are unique characters that you can't stop yourself from falling in love with them! But also the secondary characters were very interesting!
This is the perfect book for people who haven't read fantasy books before! And if you are already a fan of Amy Harmon get ready to be impressed once more!
*An advance reading copy was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*
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❝I have loved you every moment of every day, and I will love you until I cease to be. Bird, man, or king, I love you, and I will always love you.❞
Okay let me just take second to say thank you to Milana from A Couple Reads because she's amazing and she's the one who got me to pick up this book. And let me just say, I was blown away by how much I actually enjoyed The Bird and the Sword. I haven't wrote a proper review in a long time but I just have to write one for this book because I strongly believe that more people should give The Bird and the Sword a try!
At first, I was a bit hesitant about this book. I was familiar with Amy Harmon but I've actually never read any of her books. I knew her as an NA contemporary romance author rather than a fantasy author so I wasn't sure what to expect. Do I go in warily knowing that Amy Harmon isn't exactly a fantasy author like Sarah J. Maas or Leigh Bardugo, or any other author that writes only and primarily fantasy? Or do I give her the benefit of the doubt and give her and this book a chance? I chose the latter because it's not everyday an author steps out of their usual genre to try and tackle one that's completely on the opposite side of their spectrum. And let me tell you, I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.
Although The Bird and the Sword is set in a fantasy world, I found that it was very light fantasy. I'm a huge high fantasy reader. I love complex characters and worldbuilding. But sometimes those types of books get super dense and we need to take a break from heavy books every once in awhile while staying within our preferred genres, and I believe that The Bird and the Sword is perfect for someone looking for a light, quick, fantasy read. The worldbuilding wasn't complex and was easy to follow. It was simple and you didn't need to pick it apart and put the pieces together just to understand what's going on. There was a simple hierarchy of the different gifts and that's all you really need to know.
As for the main characters in the story, Lark was a decent heroine. She wasn't really anything special from the typical female character but I did love her gifted abilities! The character that did steal the show was definitely Tiras. I LOVE TIRAS. My heart broke so many times throughout this book because of him and I know I wouldn't have loved this book as much as I do if it wasn't for Tiras. His storyline reminded me so much of Beauty and the Beast. Instead of the Beast turning back into a man, it's man turning into Beast.
In terms of romance, I didn't love the relationship between Lark and Tiras as much as I wanted to. To be honest, I actually didn't really buy into their romance but as the story progressed my heart still ached for the both of them and what they had to endure together and individually. I didn't really feel sparks flying but I was satisfied with how their relationship developed.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with how The Bird and the Sword played out. I wasn't expecting anything higher than a 3-Star read but I was definitely hooked. There were some slow parts here and there but the last hundred pages or so really made up for it. My heart wouldn't stop falling apart and putting itself back together so many times towards the end. Amy Harmon really blew me away with this one and I would really love to see more fantasy books from her! -
Words evade me!
The Bird and the Sword was a beautiful tale about a time when Kings and Queens reigned and magical powers embodied the land.
"I wasn't safe, the king was cursed, and the world was upside down."
Now, that's a storyline to get the heart pumping. I don't want to ruin this phenomenal tale by sharing what the book is about but I will say this is another must read book by Amy Harmon. The reading world is blessed to have an author like her whose ability to create both unique and deeply meaningful stories has enriched the romance world.
STANDALONE
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THE BIRD AND THE SWORD is a STANDALONE Fantasy Romance story about a beautiful, gifted, kind, caring and quiet girl called Lark and the King of Jeru. Told from the first person narrative of Lark, the world showcased is one of true fantasy, a world with magic and populated by warriors and people with powers, some would call gifts, others something quite different. A mesmerizing story with heart, soul and magic that depicts the importance and the power of words both spoken and unspoken. The Bird and the Sword is simply an incredibly compelling read that reached into my heart and made me feel so much for the magical world and the gifted characters that dwell there.
Produced with a sprinkle of magic, not only in the subject matter, but in the expertly crafted, rich and thought provoking manner in which the story is showcased. The depth ridden hypnotic prose is lyrical and poetic evoking beautiful feelings of love, satisfaction and beauty. It’s about freedom, acceptance, fear, survival and love all ensconced in a fantasy world of magic and power. The enchanting story has an old world feel beginning with a prologue that's eerie, surprising, pulled on my heart and set the tone and theme of this romantic fantasy to perfection, drawing me in and capturing my full fascination with this story and its characters.
The emerging world and dynamic protagonists evoked my smiles, laughter and tears within a writing canvas that slowly builds to an exquisite, romantic and fierce story of love, strength and adventure. There are twists and turns throughout the story arc that ensured my rapt attention and developed my feelings of love for the tale. The romantic aspect combined with the themes and their portrayals completely swept me away as each element weaves with another ultimately producing a dramatic climax that had my heart aching for the possibilities and swelling with love.
The fairy tale world created by Amy Harmon enchanted me, made me believe in their world and feel for the protagonists. Their love story is gentle and pure and totally enamoured my heart. Fantasy Romance is not a genre I would usually select but any book written by this author is bound to be special and unique and this story measures up in abundance. It is thought provoking, honest, and magical and I felt an overwhelming sense of contentment as I absorbed the lyrical prose and lost myself in the world depicted. I highly recommend this story to all ROMANCE readers who appreciate depth ridden, richly beautiful writing with heart and soul.
Advance copy provided for my honest review thoughts
★ Graphics created by myself with free stock image from Pexels and stock image I purchased from deposit photos ★ -
4.5 Stars
Amy Harmon never fails when it comes to spinning beautiful words. I have yet to pick up one of her creations and not marvel at her storytelling ability. And yet again, she has weaved a story unlike any other I've read. a fantastical world full of magic, secrets, fear, and courage. I can't see fans of the fantasy genre not enjoying the romance and adventure found within the story of Lark and Tiras. Admittedly, it did take me a few days to read The Bird and the Sword, but that in no way is a reflection of dislike/disinterest in the story, only, that I have been struggling to find the time/attention to read.
Full review to come...
hopefully, if not - I really enjoyed this one. -
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Reading this book was surprisingly fun. I tend to side-eye cultish fantasy novels because they tend to be over-hyped by non-genre readers, and then someone like me comes along, picks the book up, and immediately starts crying, "TROPES! TROPES! TROPES!" But I had high hopes for this author because I'd read a book by her before, called
THE LAW OF MOSES. I wasn't a huge fan of it, but I liked her writing style and I thought it would translate well to the fantasy genre.
THE BIRD AND THE SWORD is a very gentle fantasy novel. It takes a while to get rolling and while there's action towards the end, it's not "grimdark" or over-the-top with regard to violence and gore. Lark is a girl with magic powers in a land where magic is punishable by death. She sees her mother executed before her eyes, after her mother takes the blame for her spells, cursing Lark to silence, cursing the father to protect the daughter at the cost of his own life, and cursing the visiting king who executed her - he will fall, and his son will die. That that, suckers.
Talk about a hell of a flounce.
Lark is a reluctant princess, kept illiterate and powerless by her father. When the son of the king who killed her mother takes her captive, she's furious and afraid. But Tiras proves to be an unexpected captor with pity his father never exhibited. Slowly, she begins to warm to him, and he teaches her to read and write, which unlocks the powers she's tried to keep suppressed all these years, and ends up giving her a very different kind of voice than the one her mother imagined, but no less powerful.
This is the story that Sarah J. Maas was going for when she wrote A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES and THRONE OF GLASS. The heroine is pretty and powerful, but also feminine and, in many ways, relatable. There's an evil king who hates magic and is trying to corrupt his son. You could even argue that the evil beings in this book, the Volgar, are a little bit like the "Valg." The difference is that this is actually a good story, there's solid character development, a slow-burn romance that unfolds over time, and some actual character flaws. The heroine can be petty, cowardly, and self-doubting. While irritating, they ultimately contribute to her growth as a character. Maas's characters are Mary Sues that don't really grow as characters; they just find new ways to be special.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, and will for sure be reading the sequel. That ending - ooh. Sounds like things are about to be shaken up.
3.5 to 4 stars -
“I have loved you every moment of every day, and I will love you until I cease to be. Bird, man, or king, I love you, and I will always love you.”
OH.MY.GOD. I'm speechless right now... <3
This book, OMG this amazing book literally took my breath away... Ahhh it was wonderful! One of the best books I have ever read. <3
I highly recommend it, you MUST read this unique love story... :)
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6 "silent words" stars
These segments of the blurb, will tease you…
The day my mother was killed, she told my father I wouldn’t speak again, and she told him if I died, he would die too…
She predicted the king would trade his soul and lose his son to the sky…
My father has a claim to the throne, and he is waiting in the shadows…
I just want to be free.
But freedom will require escape, and I’m a prisoner of my mother’s curse and my father’s greed….
I can’t speak or make a sound…
In a land purged of enchantment, love might be the only magic left, and who could ever love . . . a bird?
It will make you say…wait, what? Is this a fable?
And I would promptly say YES!
It's the most beautiful story of MAGIC, POWER and LOVE, overcoming the differencies, the odds, the misfortune, the pain, the diversities that change to course of essence of life and love as you know it.
Once upon a time, a magical world existed where the GIFTED lived among the common people in togetherness and unity.The mouth, the hand, the heart, and the eye – the Teller, the Spinner, the Healer and the Changer.
Until greed, hunger for power, deceit and treachery overruled the GIFTED as the EVIL ones and ruled them out, estinguishing them and punishing them for being sorcerers.
Lady Lark of Corvyn was born into a noble family but she was also a gifted one. Being her mother's daughter, who was a powerful TELLER, she witnessed her mother's death by the hand of a King. But before she died, she placed the curse on them all. Changing the destiny, binding the souls together by a silent power of an unsaid word.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.
Cause
Silence was a close cousin to invisibility."Silence, Daughter. Stay alive."
Lark grew into a shadow.
Neglected and left aside, people dismissed her as mute and therefore not worthy. All she wanted was to be free.
BUT she was so much more inside her silence.
Her inner power of silent words was immense as it will be soon proven as useful when she becomes the interest of a young King Tiras and a means to an end. Not knowing the real destined bond/a curse binding Lark with her father, King Tiras takes her as his prisoner forcing her father to act as in providing the King much needed army to end the war with Volgars, devious creatures – half men/half birds, who were dangerously close to destroying the precious Jeru Kingdom.
King Tiras soon finds out that Lark is more than she appears to be…she could help him subsiding his own troubled physical pain as he holds a terrible secret that could destroy and shattered him if it should ever become known. / Mikiya. Eagle.
…but Lark's power were silent words…I wasn't healing. I was telling. I was suggesting. Commanding his body to release the pain, to numb the agony. To heal itself.
Tiras and Lark become close, he opens her to another world, the world that was „closed off“ for so long and she craved for it. She wanted to learn, she swallowed her words but she needed to hear them, she wanted to grasp the meaning of the sound and to give it essence.
What they shared was not planned, was not expected either.„You are easy to overlook. Slim and pale and so quiet. But now that I've studied your soft grey eyes and traced the fine bones of your face, now that I've kissed your pale pink mouth, I don't want to look anywhere else. My gaze is continually drawn back to you.“
But the longer they spend time together, they grow into each other, trusting, providing safety and belonging…it was beyond physical, it was beyond words…and yet their connection was magic itself.
„I'm going to kiss you again“
„Unless you tell me no.“
My mind was a huge, white wall. No protestations. No thoughts. No words at all.
The way Tiras was looking at me made me believe I was vibrant and brave. He made me feel powerful.
The fear of letting go, to break free fully is terrifying and Lark is holding back until the inevitable sets in place…I have all the power, but you will destroy me.
„Only your walls, Lark.“
„I need you to let me in.“
If I let you in, I will have nothing left. If I am like ice it is because ice is impenetrable. Strong.
„Touch me, Lark.“
When I touch you, I cease to be.
Why do you want so badly to break me?
„Because there is fire beneath the ice, Lark. And I like your fire.“
„Then I think I will keep you.“
Phenomenal writing, fantastic story with even more thrilling and captivating characters! Lyrical, methaphorical lines that speak louder than any volume, words that have a meaning only when you give them one.You don't need wings to fly…
What do you need…
Words.
One of the best books I have read this year!
Absolutely stunning and beautiful story...
This one will stay with me for a long time...."It's only words, and words are all i have to take your heart away..."
Words by Bee Gees -
Title: The Bird and the Sword
Series: Standalone
Author: Amy Harmon
Release date: May 11, 2016
Cliffhanger: No
HEA
When I heard Amy Harmon was coming out with a fantasy book, I was extremely excited to see what she had to offer to the genre. I just knew it would be something different, something fresh, and something that would make me deeply invested in the characters. Those things are what I've come to depend on with her and once again, she didn't let me down. My mind is utterly blown at the intricate and fascinating world that she created. She brought to life otherworldly creatures, the clothing, the culture, the stunning magic of the persecuted gifted. It was so much to take in, my mind was buzzing with the majesty of it all.
The book starts you off with that day that changed Lark forever. The day she witnessed her mother's murder and her words (and the power they held) were silenced. With her mother's last breath, Lark was set on a long and arduous path. The path to a man and a destiny that could be her ruin or her salvation.
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.
She was more than up for the challenge.
There were many forms of power that people could be gifted with. But they, along with Lark learned to hide their true selves from being discovered. Just as true in real life, people who are different, who don't conform how they're expected are feared. And from that fear grows hatred and death. When she's taken to King Tiras' castle in exchange for her father's cooperation and compliance, she exchanges one cage for another. But she also unlocks what has been withheld from her for so long, and it once again shows the mighty power that words can wield.
This was my favorite part of the book. Seeing Lark grow into herself. To see her and Tiras grow their attachment and fascination with each other. He was a strong king, a warrior, but when he was around him, she softened his hard edges. The invisible girl with no voice was finally seen.
He smiled wickedly and my breath caught. He was beautiful and terrifying, and he knew it.
Amid these budding feelings for each other, we discover King Tiras holds secrets of his own, and plotting and turmoil surround them. It was a power hungry time, and everyone wanted the throne through whatever means necessary.
I don't want to give away any more about the plot, I think the least details you have the better if you're going to read this. All I can do is attempt to explain how this book completely conquered me. I was so taken with this beautiful land, and the magical love story. Days later, I'm having a hard time moving on from the experience. My mind is still spinning with Lark and Tiras' tale.
Even if you're not particularly a fan of fantasy, I still think it's well worth your time to give this story a shot. Personally, this was really outside my typical choice of reading material but I was thoroughly enchanted and on the edge of my seat through every turn. I already respected Amy Harmon's incredible ability to tell a story, but this... I have no words for. Trust me when I say you don't want to miss out on this adventure.
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