exlibrisl's review against another edition
4.0
*4.5 stars*
B E A U T I F U L and absolutely worth the read.
B E A U T I F U L and absolutely worth the read.
foreverburningred's review against another edition
5.0
I usually hate fantasy novels but this one was amazing! I'm convinced Amy Harmon can write any genre and make it a fantastic book.
christineplum's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
laughlinesandliterature's review against another edition
5.0
I saw The Bird and The Sword popping up on my Facebook feed from numerous sources that I trust; including my Anti-Heroes group and Colleen Hoover. I’ve never read any books by Amy Harmon before so I thought I would give it a shot, and ohmygoodness I am so glad I did! This book captivated me from beginning to end.
Amy Harmon has a fantastic writing style, it’s lyrical prose hooked me in from the beginning. She created an immense and multi-dimensional world that had a great mythology. The characters were imaginative and multi-dimensional and Lark drew me in with her thoughts of the world surrounding her. It was quite interesting to see her transformation from a mute with no way to communicate, to a powerful woman who knew her own worth. Tiras was equally an enigma, he wanted so badly to be the ruler his country deserved, but was up against a seemingly unsurmountable obstacle. For the most part he handled this with grace and maturity, although he can be forgiven for the few mistakes he made in trying to push people away.
Side characters in this book cannot go without a mention either, since they were equally well rounded. Kjell was equally profound in his own way, and was also buried in his own secrets none of which were his own making. The Lady Firi was a surprise, and her ambition and ability to keep secrets was unparalleled. I’m not sure that there is enough praise that I can heap on this book. It was stunning and unexpected. It always begs the question of was it great because I had no expectations, or was it truly amazing? However, I’m of the opinion that I’ll be re-reading this book, so I feel that I can only give it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book for everyone, even readers who don’t necessarily read Fantasy. The superb writing distinguish’s it from other books in the same genre, and will bring in even non-Fantasy readers.
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2016/05/the-bird-and-the-sword-by-amy-harmon.html*
Amy Harmon has a fantastic writing style, it’s lyrical prose hooked me in from the beginning. She created an immense and multi-dimensional world that had a great mythology. The characters were imaginative and multi-dimensional and Lark drew me in with her thoughts of the world surrounding her. It was quite interesting to see her transformation from a mute with no way to communicate, to a powerful woman who knew her own worth. Tiras was equally an enigma, he wanted so badly to be the ruler his country deserved, but was up against a seemingly unsurmountable obstacle. For the most part he handled this with grace and maturity, although he can be forgiven for the few mistakes he made in trying to push people away.
Side characters in this book cannot go without a mention either, since they were equally well rounded. Kjell was equally profound in his own way, and was also buried in his own secrets none of which were his own making. The Lady Firi was a surprise, and her ambition and ability to keep secrets was unparalleled. I’m not sure that there is enough praise that I can heap on this book. It was stunning and unexpected. It always begs the question of was it great because I had no expectations, or was it truly amazing? However, I’m of the opinion that I’ll be re-reading this book, so I feel that I can only give it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book for everyone, even readers who don’t necessarily read Fantasy. The superb writing distinguish’s it from other books in the same genre, and will bring in even non-Fantasy readers.
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2016/05/the-bird-and-the-sword-by-amy-harmon.html*
hlizmarie's review against another edition
4.0
This was good. So very, very good. The writing was gorgeous and sucked me right in. I just wanted to know more and more about Lark and what she could do. Tiras turned into far more than I had ever expected. I loved the plot, the pacing, the secondary characters, everything. I felt swept away at times and heartbroken at others. I smiled with joy at Lark's successes and swallowed back tears at her pain. I feel like I could babble on and on about the things I liked but I don't want to give anything away. Please give this book a chance and give it a try!! You won't be disappointed!
teri_dost's review against another edition
5.0
Do knihy se mi moc nechtělo - název mi nepřijde tak dobrý a obálka by taky mohla být lepší. Na druhou stranu příběh vynahradí všechno a dá ještě víc.
Začíst se do knihy mi tedy trochu trvalo, ale po nějakých 30 stránkách jsem nemohla jednoduše přestat.
Líbil se mi příběh a tenhle nový svět, který byl pro mě vystavěný tak akorát - nebyly tam zbytečné informace, jen to, co jsem potřebovala znát. Hlavní postavy byly skvělé, stejně jako i ty menší.
Kromě toho musím přiznat, že mě dost věcí překvapilo. Autorka dokázala na úplném konci neskutečně překvapit.
Určitě se podívám na volné pokračování, protože Kjell byl naprosto úžasnou postavou.
Knihu mohu jen a jen doporučit!
Začíst se do knihy mi tedy trochu trvalo, ale po nějakých 30 stránkách jsem nemohla jednoduše přestat.
Líbil se mi příběh a tenhle nový svět, který byl pro mě vystavěný tak akorát - nebyly tam zbytečné informace, jen to, co jsem potřebovala znát. Hlavní postavy byly skvělé, stejně jako i ty menší.
Kromě toho musím přiznat, že mě dost věcí překvapilo. Autorka dokázala na úplném konci neskutečně překvapit.
Určitě se podívám na volné pokračování, protože Kjell byl naprosto úžasnou postavou.
Knihu mohu jen a jen doporučit!
hey_andrus's review against another edition
5.0
5✨
What a marvelous time I had reading this wonderful piece. The story that it is told with a almost magical narration, a characters with their own voices and tribulations.
I really loved the relationship and how it developed, from the two main characters, from “used” to “loved”. How their image or the other changed and began understanding each other more a more. I specially adored Boojhoni and Lark, how they love each other and wanted to protect the other: so cute.
I am looking forward to read more stories of the author and continue with the second book, to learn more about Kjell.
What a marvelous time I had reading this wonderful piece. The story that it is told with a almost magical narration, a characters with their own voices and tribulations.
I really loved the relationship and how it developed, from the two main characters, from “used” to “loved”. How their image or the other changed and began understanding each other more a more. I specially adored Boojhoni and Lark, how they love each other and wanted to protect the other: so cute.
I am looking forward to read more stories of the author and continue with the second book, to learn more about Kjell.
sarahlynnben's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
jeaninetaniece's review against another edition
5.0
“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. ~ Tiras
I am always in awe of the immense versatility of Amy’s writing, historical, time-travel, contemporary, YA, fantasy…what ever she sets her hand to is a pure masterpiece. Every story is guaranteed to mesmerize, agonize, rip your heart out and then carefully mold it back together with such tenderness and deftness. Every story is a beautiful gift!
I loved this one to pieces! A perfect fantasy read with a page turning storyline filled with surprises and heart wrenching romance.
I am always in awe of the immense versatility of Amy’s writing, historical, time-travel, contemporary, YA, fantasy…what ever she sets her hand to is a pure masterpiece. Every story is guaranteed to mesmerize, agonize, rip your heart out and then carefully mold it back together with such tenderness and deftness. Every story is a beautiful gift!
I loved this one to pieces! A perfect fantasy read with a page turning storyline filled with surprises and heart wrenching romance.