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winecellarlibrary's review against another edition
4.0
First, I would like to thank Ace publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a free Kindle ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
But, I bought a print version to read anyway. This is THE Juliet Marillier we are talking about! I own everything she has ever published, and this novel now proudly joins the others in my collection.
This novel is the first in the Warrior Bards series. If you have not yet read Marillier’s [b:Blackthorn & Grim|43348091|Blackthorn & Grim (3 Book Series)|Juliet Marillier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545731006l/43348091._SX50_.jpg|67315535] series, ANY review of these books will be a bit of a spoiler for you. (However, this review does NOT contain any spoilers of this particular novel. If you do not plan to read the Blackthorn and Grim series, feel safe to proceed.)
**4.5/5 stars**
About 20 years after Blackthorn and Grim’s adventures in the previous series, we meet their daughter and son Liobhan and Brocc. Both have joined the elite warrior training program at Swan Island and are competing for the chance to remain on the island as a permanent part of the team. They are at the top of their class and have steep competition from classmate Dau. Despite being trainees, the particular skills of Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau earn them a place on a real mission. Liobhan and Brocc, both accomplished musicians, will act as traveling bards, while Dau must play the role of a mute stablehand. Together, they must discover what has happened to the revered Harp of Kings before the coronation of the prince.
As always, Marillier writes powerful female characters. Liobhan, taking after her father in stature, is a strong woman who can easily win at hand to hand combat against any man, but in her role for the mission, she must suppress these qualities. Although this is not marketed as a Young Adult novel, it would be a fantastic and empowering read (and appropriate in content) for a teenage girl or young woman (unlike the Blackthorn and Grim series, which contains violent scenes and references).
Even when you think you have the ending of a Marillier novel figured out, she will always surprise you. This book is no different. She has woven yet another beautiful web of fantasy and mystery and adventure. The development of the three main characters is exceptional. I don’t know how I will cope while waiting for the next installment in this series!
#netgalley #theharpofkings
But, I bought a print version to read anyway. This is THE Juliet Marillier we are talking about! I own everything she has ever published, and this novel now proudly joins the others in my collection.
This novel is the first in the Warrior Bards series. If you have not yet read Marillier’s [b:Blackthorn & Grim|43348091|Blackthorn & Grim (3 Book Series)|Juliet Marillier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545731006l/43348091._SX50_.jpg|67315535] series, ANY review of these books will be a bit of a spoiler for you. (However, this review does NOT contain any spoilers of this particular novel. If you do not plan to read the Blackthorn and Grim series, feel safe to proceed.)
**4.5/5 stars**
About 20 years after Blackthorn and Grim’s adventures in the previous series, we meet their daughter and son Liobhan and Brocc. Both have joined the elite warrior training program at Swan Island and are competing for the chance to remain on the island as a permanent part of the team. They are at the top of their class and have steep competition from classmate Dau. Despite being trainees, the particular skills of Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau earn them a place on a real mission. Liobhan and Brocc, both accomplished musicians, will act as traveling bards, while Dau must play the role of a mute stablehand. Together, they must discover what has happened to the revered Harp of Kings before the coronation of the prince.
As always, Marillier writes powerful female characters. Liobhan, taking after her father in stature, is a strong woman who can easily win at hand to hand combat against any man, but in her role for the mission, she must suppress these qualities. Although this is not marketed as a Young Adult novel, it would be a fantastic and empowering read (and appropriate in content) for a teenage girl or young woman (unlike the Blackthorn and Grim series, which contains violent scenes and references).
Even when you think you have the ending of a Marillier novel figured out, she will always surprise you. This book is no different. She has woven yet another beautiful web of fantasy and mystery and adventure. The development of the three main characters is exceptional. I don’t know how I will cope while waiting for the next installment in this series!
#netgalley #theharpofkings
makennahbristow's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
asahome's review against another edition
4.0
TL;DR: A trio of novices leave for their first mission with the hope of securing a future in a warrior band. The mission doesn’t work the way they think it should when they take on the job.
mairelon's review against another edition
5.0
Another book I'm shocked I took so long to read!!
While I loved this as a stand alone series.
There were a few things I wasn't such a huge fan of story wise
Anyway this was everything I LOVED about Marillier's books and the one upside of it all is that I now have the whole trilogy to pick up and finish
While I loved this as a stand alone series
Spoiler
the fact that they are BLACKTHORN AND GRIM'S (!!!!!!!!) kids is INCREDIBLE and everything I never knew I wantedThere were a few things I wasn't such a huge fan of story wise
Spoiler
For some reason I really HATED the fairy queen. I found her really manipulative and unlikeable and though it mostly happens off page, I didn't really get their insta love. Though I will say I thought he was being set up with the Prince's brother for a good bit there.Anyway this was everything I LOVED about Marillier's books and the one upside of it all is that I now have the whole trilogy to pick up and finish
whattamess's review against another edition
3.0
Juliet Marillier is a new-to-me author. It's always intriguing to me to read fae stories, so I immediately dove right into The Harp of Kings.
The best parts of this book is when the action starts and the fae come into play. A beautiful fairytale involving the disappearance of a harp. A special harp protected by the druids, and used for the coronation of the new king. Three young elite warriors were assigned to find the harp. And this is their story.
The storyline is unique and is perfect for young adults. The violence is kept to a minimum, and the attractions are kept a very respectful level. I was not too engrossed in the story. The author's style of writing tends to be monotone and very repetitive. The story was told in 3 different POVs. I had a hard time distinguishing between characters in the beginnings of the story.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, so I could give an honest review.
writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition
4.0
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 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.
Their mission: to find and retrieve a precious harp, an ancient symbol of kingship, which has gone mysteriously missing. 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.
This book is set in the same world as the Blackthorn and Grim series, but I did not realize it was going to be about the children of Blackthorn and Grim. That was a sweet surprise! I instantly liked the characters Liobhan and Brocc. Dau took a little while longer to grow on me, but that was as it was supposed to be. In the end Dau ended up being my favorite character. He really grew as a character and I'm looking forward to reading more about him.
I was excited to read a book featuring bards and bardic magic. There aren't a whole lot of them. I also love Marillier's take on the "other world" and its creatures. Most of the books I've read by her follow a similar pattern, and this one was no exception. There is always at least one broken character who has to overcome trauma from the past. Sometimes that trauma is very hard to read about. And there is usually at least one character that has secrets to uncover, sometimes secrets they do not know themselves. This is a formula that I obviously enjoy a great deal because I keep coming back for more.
I liked that the book ends with the main story wrapped up, but it leaves smaller threads that can be expanded upon in the next two books, and I'm looking forward to reading them.
Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Goodreads for providing me with ARCs of this book.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
Their mission: to find and retrieve a precious harp, an ancient symbol of kingship, which has gone mysteriously missing. 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.
This book is set in the same world as the Blackthorn and Grim series, but I did not realize it was going to be about the children of Blackthorn and Grim. That was a sweet surprise! I instantly liked the characters Liobhan and Brocc. Dau took a little while longer to grow on me, but that was as it was supposed to be. In the end Dau ended up being my favorite character. He really grew as a character and I'm looking forward to reading more about him.
I was excited to read a book featuring bards and bardic magic. There aren't a whole lot of them. I also love Marillier's take on the "other world" and its creatures. Most of the books I've read by her follow a similar pattern, and this one was no exception. There is always at least one broken character who has to overcome trauma from the past. Sometimes that trauma is very hard to read about. And there is usually at least one character that has secrets to uncover, sometimes secrets they do not know themselves. This is a formula that I obviously enjoy a great deal because I keep coming back for more.
I liked that the book ends with the main story wrapped up, but it leaves smaller threads that can be expanded upon in the next two books, and I'm looking forward to reading them.
Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Goodreads for providing me with ARCs of this book.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
sherwoodreads's review against another edition
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
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
crhurlbert's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5