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A review by taylormayriley
The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon
5.0
WOW!
I can't believe I didn't read this sooner. I purchased The Bird and the Sword after it made the Goodreads Readers Choice for fantasy in 2016. I wasn't sure what to expect, but my gosh I didn't realize just how much I would love it! I ripped through this book in a day, tops; I just couldn't get enough.
Fantasy is often full of stereotypes: quests; forbidden magic; evil beasties; an unexpected hero; an evil king and/or a good king trying to protect his people; an "epic" love story...the list goes on and on. Fantasy has always been one of my favorite genres, but the typical plot points can get wearisome.
I'm not saying The Bird and the Sword doesn't have those stereotypes embedded in it, because it does. There's forbidden magic (the Gifted), a good king (Tiras) and a bad king (his father), an unexpected hero (Lark), and certainly a romance. What sets this book apart isn't really the plot--it's the prose. It is undoubtedly lyrical, and the novel reads like a fable or folktale. In that, it reminded me very much of [b:Uprooted|22544764|Uprooted|Naomi Novik|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480121122s/22544764.jpg|41876730] (one of my favorites).
I also enjoyed reading Lark's perspective. While I do qualify her as the "unexpected hero," she really didn't strike me as a typical heroine. As you can tell from the book description, Lark is mute after her mother "curses" her:
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.
Lark's muteness makes her observant (along with her powers...though I won't say too much, no spoilers here!) and thus a great narrator. Lark often describes herself, and is described by others, as one oft-overlooked, a "wisp" of a person. She also understands and accepts (though certainly does not enjoy) the effect she has on others--many shy away, look on her with pity or disdain, some even think her incompetent. Lark doesn't wallow in self-pity, and instead pours kindness and a steady strength into all her actions. Many fantasy MCs are the underdog and if they're female, they tend to be headstrong women who seem born to kick ass. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE strong female MCs. But Lark's strength is more subtle, and grows throughout the book. I truly enjoyed reading from her POV and rooting for her the whole way.
If you haven't picked this up yet, I highly suggest! It is well worth your time and won the Reader's Choice here on Goodreads for a reason!
I can't believe I didn't read this sooner. I purchased The Bird and the Sword after it made the Goodreads Readers Choice for fantasy in 2016. I wasn't sure what to expect, but my gosh I didn't realize just how much I would love it! I ripped through this book in a day, tops; I just couldn't get enough.
Fantasy is often full of stereotypes: quests; forbidden magic; evil beasties; an unexpected hero; an evil king and/or a good king trying to protect his people; an "epic" love story...the list goes on and on. Fantasy has always been one of my favorite genres, but the typical plot points can get wearisome.
I'm not saying The Bird and the Sword doesn't have those stereotypes embedded in it, because it does. There's forbidden magic (the Gifted), a good king (Tiras) and a bad king (his father), an unexpected hero (Lark), and certainly a romance. What sets this book apart isn't really the plot--it's the prose. It is undoubtedly lyrical, and the novel reads like a fable or folktale. In that, it reminded me very much of [b:Uprooted|22544764|Uprooted|Naomi Novik|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480121122s/22544764.jpg|41876730] (one of my favorites).
I also enjoyed reading Lark's perspective. While I do qualify her as the "unexpected hero," she really didn't strike me as a typical heroine. As you can tell from the book description, Lark is mute after her mother "curses" her:
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.
Lark's muteness makes her observant (along with her powers...though I won't say too much, no spoilers here!) and thus a great narrator. Lark often describes herself, and is described by others, as one oft-overlooked, a "wisp" of a person. She also understands and accepts (though certainly does not enjoy) the effect she has on others--many shy away, look on her with pity or disdain, some even think her incompetent. Lark doesn't wallow in self-pity, and instead pours kindness and a steady strength into all her actions. Many fantasy MCs are the underdog and if they're female, they tend to be headstrong women who seem born to kick ass. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE strong female MCs. But Lark's strength is more subtle, and grows throughout the book. I truly enjoyed reading from her POV and rooting for her the whole way.
If you haven't picked this up yet, I highly suggest! It is well worth your time and won the Reader's Choice here on Goodreads for a reason!