While I'm a big fan of everything of Marillier's that I've read, I've fallen somewhat behind in her catalog, so I haven't read the Blackthorn & Grim series (an oversight I will soon be remedying). This story centers on two of their children, but it definitely wasn't necessary to have knowledge of the preceding tale, though I'm sure it would add nuance. This isn't quite a coming-of-age story, more a start down that path, but it's a very strong start. Three warriors-in-training at Swan Island get sent on a task, and of course they learn about themselves and teamwork along the way. The primary plotline works very well as a standalone, complete story--Marillier doesn't leave you hanging, wondering what's going to happen. However, it's also obvious that the stories of Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau are nowhere near finished, and it promises to be an interesting journey.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.5

With The Harp of Kings, the first book in an all-new series, Juliet Marillier returns to the world she first introduced in Dreamer's Pool. The book tells the story of three young people who must band together in order to locate a magical artifact with untold strength and power.

Eighteen-year-old Liobhan has dreamed of becoming a warrior for as long as she can remember, and the first step toward achieving that dream is to win a place at the elite Swan Island, an academy known for training both warriors and spies. Competition is stiff, pitting Liobhan against many skilled fighters, most of whom are as desperate as she is to obtain one of the few coveted spots.

Liobhan's brother is also competing for a spot at Swan, but his dreams are different from those of his sister. He's an extremely gifted musician, and he would like to use his music to aid the land he loves, but he's not the most confident of men, and he begins to wonder if he's really cut out for life as a bard.

Liobhan and Brocc are chosen to participate in a dangerous quest to locate the missing Harp of Kings, a quest that will require them both to reach deep into themselves to discover power they weren't they had. The siblings are joined by Dau, a mysterious young man with skills and secrets of his own, making him the perfect addition to their small group. Together, these three journey into strange lands, encountering numerous magical creatures both dangerous and benign as they search harp, for only if they succeed will they finally be able to achieve their personal dreams.

AAR reviewers Lisa and Shannon read The Harp of Kings, and got together to discuss their reactions to it.

Shannon: I've been a fan of Juliet Marillier's books for almost twenty years. I love her lyrical writing, immersive world-building, and complex, three-dimensional characters. Was Harp of Kings your first experience with her work?

Lisa: it was!  And a lovely experience it was; what rich character work and world building she offered up!  It was like sinking into a real universe, a unique universe, and the book offered  fantastic insight into her unique world all around.

Shannon: This is a story told from multiple perspectives, my favorite of which was Liobhan's. She was so much fun to spend time with. There was something special about her ability to be a fierce fighter, but still allow her softer side to shine through occasionally. I never got the impression she was trying too hard to be something she wasn't.

Lisa: I absolutely fell in love with Liobhan, who was beautifully balanced, vulnerable but a total fighter.  As you said, she never lost faith in the quest, in the notion that this is what she was supposed to be.  But my absolute favorite character was Dau, tough cookie that he was.

Shannon: He was a little trickier for me to warm up to. When he first appeared on the page, I was put off by some of his mannerisms. He came off as a bit too cocky for me, and I wasn't overly fond of the way he initially treated Liobhan. Fortunately though, I warmed up to him quite a bit as the story progressed, and actually ended up being quite fond of him by the time I reached the end. What drew you to him?

Lisa: I loved his cockiness, actually!  That’s what made him my favorite – because I knew there was something underneath, and I knew he had to be treating Liobhan like that for a reason.  Marillier did a great job rounding him out; while at first he feels very obsessed with his own toughness, very into himself as a warrior and proving himself (things that, in Liobhan’s case, come with a smooth, natural ease), eventually his insecurities – and his softer parts – come to life.  Like I said, he was my favorite bar-none – and it’s worth noting that his storyline, and a few other threads, contain referenced child abuse.  But as for Brocc, well – he didn’t quite come to life here.

Shannon: Brocc’s PoV felt a little unnecessary to me. He served an obvious role in the quest the characters were undertaking, but I didn't really enjoy spending time in his head. He was a little bland for my taste, especially compared to vibrancy of Liobhan and Dau.

Lisa: I think it’s because there was a degree less richness within him; while Liobhan is fully fleshed out from the start and Dau becomes so, Brocc is a Flat YA Fantasy Protag and never really develops beyond that.  Maybe Marillier has a plan for him in the ensuing series, but here he doesn’t stand out.  It might as well have been a story about Liobhan and Dau learning to trust one another.

Shannon: I'm not always drawn to books with a huge quest as the central plot point. Fortunately, Ms. Marillier has a way of creating quests that suck me in right away, and I ended up super invested in the search for the harp. Do quests usually work for you, and how did you feel about this one in particular?

Lisa: The pacing here was pretty fantastic – the quest, of course, making sense for Liobhan.  It tracked with her musical skills and her desire to develop a warrior’s skills (and a sense of stealth and spycraft!).  I’m a Dungeons and Dragons person – and I quite enjoy quests of any and all sort.  The shared mission here was a delight.

Shannon: How do you feel about the romantic arc of the story? One of the things I love most about this author's writing is the slow, natural way the relationships between characters evolve, and this story is no exception. I don't think we get a clear sense of who will eventually end up with whom here, but I'm really eager to see how things turn out as the series continues.

Lisa: I thought it was a start and as though it could be developed well in the upcoming books, but felt a degree beside the point to me.  I was here more for the adventure and character development and world building than (spoiler and spoiler) getting together, no matter how gradual and natural it felt.

Shannon: You know, that's one of the many things that makes this author's work so special. I initially picked this up expecting to focus mainly on Liobhan's search for the harp, but then, all these other elements popped up, and I was completely sucked in. Every single plot point felt important, which is saying something if you stop to consider the length of the novel.

Lisa: The world building really was unique and felt natural to me.  I loved how well it worked the Fae and touches of druidic magic into the mix.

Shannon: Ms. Marillier makes the magic seem so natural and effortless, and it’s woven into the world so seamlessly. I absolutely loved the magical creatures included in the story. They added a layer of richness to the world, and I never found them difficult to take seriously.

Lisa: Oh man, I loved them. I had more problems with a spoilery character who enters late in the mix – but to talk too much about them would reveal a crucial plot point!

So what’s your grade?  I’m going with an A-;rapturous world building, interesting character work, great plot and fantasy elements, but Brocc was a bit of a bore and the romantic subplot, while it felt natural, also felt besides the point, and there was a spoilery character who never worked for me and felt a tad too clichéd.

Shannon: I'm also going with an A-, pretty close to perfection, but Brocc's character proved to be a bit of a sticking point for me.

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This is a new series by the author, but set in the same world (years later) as Blackthorn & Grim and Sevenwaters. You would not need to read those previous series to understand or enjoy this book, but I have to admit I got a little bit of extra enjoyment out of seeing some past places and hearing brief mentions of previous characters.

Several elite warriors-in-training are sent on a mission, along with experienced elders, to recover the harp of kings before it is needed in a crowning ceremony. Gathering information is difficult, as courtiers, druids, and the fae are all tight-lipped. The world is still mysterious and full of strange folk; however, many people no longer believe in magic and the old ways. I love the blending of the worlds that happens in Marillier's books, and I'm so glad that I have this series to start (and eventually read them all).

Thanks to netgalley for a review copy. I remain a big fan!

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 for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Any enjoyment I got from the fascinating world-building and gorgeous prose vanished at the end. The child rapist didn't really have any consequences for his actions, and I was so angry by this. I don't accept fiction to be egalitarian, but it seems thoroughly wrong that the rapist wasn't punished more severely. It's really hard for me to enjoy books when the moral arc of the universe doesn't seem to be righted. It's just not for me.

3.5 Stars

TW: child abuse, sexual assault

This was a really fun book-- I love adventure stories that have fantasy elements to them! "The Harp of Kings" has three alternating points of view: Liobhan, her brother Brocc, and their fellow novice Dau. The story is about the three of them (with some help) trying to find the Harp of Kings-- a magical harp that must be used for the coronation of a king. All three perspectives were interesting and added well to the story. All three of them meet a wisewoman and I appreciate that she was treated with respect as such characters frequently are treated as crazy old ladies only worthy of condemnation.

As I've mentioned, I really did enjoy this book! However, the treatment of two male characters (Dau and the soon to be king) is really problematic. Dau starts "The Harp of Kings" being so abusive and sexist to and about Liobhan and, while he eventually stops, he never actually apologises. This is not a problem that is unique to this book-- the trope of the angsty boy learning to be better because of a woman is a common one. The issue is, that it perpetuates the idea that those who have been abused should just be happy that the person isn't abusive anymore and that owning up to problematic behaviour is not as important. The same issue happens with the prince except that the narration and the characters accept his behaviour eventually understand that his abusive tendencies are him acting out because he does not feel equipped to be king. He is a rapist and a child abuser and while he does abdicate his throne, there do not seem to be any consequences for his actions. This just leaves a really poor taste in my mouth in what is a really fun book with great world-building!


"The Harp of Kings" was a really enjoyable book with a very interesting world and if it hadn't had the issues discussed above it would be at least 4 stars! We all need to be better about not unintentionally condoning poor behaviour and I'm sure Juliet Marillier will improve in future books!

The below 4-Star review was posted to Every Day Should Be Tuesday, Hillbilly Highways, Amazon, and Goodreads on 9/10/19:

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

There is a rich vein of Celtic history and mythology that runs from The Harp of Kings and pre-Christian Ireland all the way to Alex Bledsoe’s Tufa novels and Appalachia. The Harp of Kings benefits from that rich history, creating something with greater resonance than the pale imitation of an imitation fantasy that has clogged the genre over the past few decades. But it is really the characters who carry The Harp of Kings, not the worldbuilding.

The Harp of Kings opens with Liobhan and her brother, Brocc, training for a coveted spot as an elite warrior on Swan Island. The powers that be on the island pick them for a mission before their training ends. They also pick another trainee, Liobhan’s unfriendly rival Dau.

They are assigned to enter a hold undercover and locate the stolen, titular Harp of Kings before anyone knows it’s gone. Liobhan and Brocc are talented musicians and will pose as professional musicians (if you want inspiration for your D&D warrior bard, this is your book). The harp is needed for the crowning of the new king or he won’t be seen as legitimate. Which isn’t to say that he would make much of a king. And the kingdom has bigger problems, with fey crow-things haunting the outskirts of the kingdom.

The Harp of Kings is heavily character driven. Limiting the narrative to three POV characters—Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau—allows us plenty of time with each. Liobhan is the most accessible of the POV characters; the feisty female fighter is a well-worn, if welcome, character type. Brocc is the most mysterious character, with a past that will be key to the plot. Dau’s past is less mysterious, although Marillier is judicious in her reveal. Dau’s POV is also where Marillier does her finest storytelling.

Character rehabilitation is hot these days. But it can be cheap, as where the writer essentially manipulates the reader into feeling sympathy for a character who—to pull an example from thin air—pushed a child out of a window to protect his incestuous affair. Dau, though, is just a jerk. His POV is effective because we see at least part of the reason he is a jerk, and we get a front-row seat to watch him grow as a person (and character). Really, it is hard for me to express how well Marillier does this.

The Harp of Kings is set in what is presumably pre-Christian Ireland and is suffused with Celtic mythology. In addition to the crow-things, there are druids, a wise woman, and, of course, the Fair Folk. The worldbuilding takes a backseat to characterization, which is a shame, because I would love to dive into some more fantasy rooted in Celtic mythology. It is that failure to lean into the worldbuilding a little more that keeps The Harp of Kings at 4 stars for me instead of 4.5 or 5.

The Harp of Kings is connected to Marilllier’s previous Blackthorn & Grim series. I haven’t read the previous series, but The Harp of Kings works as a standalone.

Disclosure: I received an advance copy of The Harp of Kings.

Marillier is really an auto buy author for me anymore. The beautiful way she weaves a story into far lore is always enjoyable to me.
In The Harp Of Kings, she does this in a way that made me incredibly happy! It did take some time for this novel to really get going for me, but once we got things established, it was quite a ride.
Liobhan uses her musical talents along with her brother to go under cover to acquire a particular ancient artifact.
She is a tough as nails character left to make some hard decisions along the way. Her brother Brocc and fellow undercover ally Dao add quite a both to the story as well.
The cliffhanger at the end sure is a doozy, but I am anxiously awaiting the next novel in the series!

This review was originally posted on <a href="http://booksofmyheart.net/2019/09/10/the-harp-of-kings-by-juliet-marillier/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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4.5 hearts

Juliet Marillier is  a master storyteller. I have enjoyed everything I have read of her work. I was so excited to read <strong>The Harp of Kings</strong>; it has been on my radar for almost a year.  Unfortunately, it was off timing because I was exhausted from moving and it is a longish book.  I always need more energy to start a fantasy or science fiction series than some other genres. It's the building of a completely different world.

The lush detail of the world-building and the variety of characters in the first book of this <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/215913-warrior-bards" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>Warrier Bards</strong></em></a> trilogy, gave me a small bit of the first in a series syndrome. This was certainly worse because of my personal situation, though.  So it took me a bit of effort to grasp the circumstances, but fantasy is often this way for me.

Once immersed, it was a joy.  These are first and foremost warriers. They often have other skills and for our teams, music will likely play a part.  Music was a key to this tale. I liked the mix with the humans, the wise woman the druids, and the fae. There were also the strange Crow creatures.  Politics and class differences are evident as expected in a historical setting with kings.

We get the point of view of the three newest warriers in training: Dau, Liobahn and Brocc.  Each is working for a place with the warrier group permanently. They are top contenders and are sent out on a mission. They work hard at their roles and tasks for the mission. It is difficult but they learn much about themselves and about each other. Personal growth is always a great thing.

While ending at a good point, not a cliffhanger, there is much more I want to know.  How will these three fare in the future?  Will we actually get a scene with Grim & Blackthorn rather than just mentions of them?  Now settled in this world, I can't wait for more.

This book was received from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own

The Harp of Kings

The Harp of Kings was one of my most anticipated reads of the year for me.
Juliet Marillier’s new novel The Harp of Kings marks the promising beginning to an entirely new series focused on warrior bards in an ancient Ireland. Though some of the main characters have ties to her previous Blackthorn & Grim series.
This work is first installment in a new Warrior Bard Series

Juliet Marillier’s writing style grips you from the start with a mixture of magical Celtic atmosphere, gripping storyline, slow-burning romance.

A young woman is both a bard–and a warrior–in this thrilling historical fantasy
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.

18-year-old girl Liobhan who is attending Swan Island to learn how to fight and spy. Swan Island is an organization of warriors for hire. Liobhan hopes to join their ranks if she can prove her skills exceptional. Her training gets interrupted when she is asked to go on a mission to locate a missing item. This is a trial and Liobhan along with her comrades must prove to the Swan Island Elders they have what it takes to get the job done. Liobhan ends up uncovering many truths in her journey along with the fact the Otherworld

The books intriguing storyline with characters that are complex and intriguing,
Strong fearless women are again at the forefront – with Liobhan just as kick-ass And definitely holds her own.

#JulietMarillier, #Fantasy, # #PanMacmillan #gwendalyns_books_

Juliet Marillier’s new book, The Harp of Kings is superb Celtic fantasy blended with sweeping historical magical realism. The book is Captivating with rich gorgeous writing.

Her book are so enjoyable they have become rereads for me.

I have read a couple of Juliet Marillier's books in the past. She is the author of the Sevenwaters novels. A couple of her works I have really enjoyed is Daughter of the Forest and Son of Shadows- these were the first two books I first started reading several years ago. This year I have read Dreamer's Pool and now The Harp of Kings.

Juliet Marillier does a great job of storytelling in her books. I appreciate her unique writing. She captures you in ways you don't expect. I love learning about the depth of her characters- to me they feel like real people who have dreams for their future and sometimes their present reality or their past get in the way. Her characters are not afraid to feel and she captures the essence of humanity within them.

Now this book centers around an 18-year-old girl Liobhan who is attending Swan Island to learn how to fight and spy. Swan Island is an organization of warriors for hire. Liobhan hopes to join their ranks if she can prove her skills exceptional. Her training gets interrupted when she is asked to go on a mission to locate a missing item. This is a trial and Liobhan along with her comrades must prove to the Swan Island Elders they have what it takes to get the job done. Liobhan ends up uncovering many truths in her journey along with the fact the Otherworld may be involved...

I would rate this a 4 out of 5 stars. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a heartfelt tale. I am definitely invested in where these characters end up and hope this will spur a new series. I was able to receive a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #TheHarpofKings #netgalley

The Harp of Kings was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I'm happy to say that it lived up to, and/or exceeded, my every expectation!

Liobhan and her brother Brocc are training to be warriors. Not just any warriors though, oh no. They are competing for the opportunity to be counted among the Swan Island elite, fearsome assassins and master spies. "The best of the best of the best, sir!" (Why yes, that is a Men in Black reference. Thanks for noticing. 😉)

As the children of a Wisewoman, both Liobhan and Brocc were brought up on old stories and legends and so have always been aware of what they call "the uncanny," things that aren't quite natural. They are also very talented musicians, often providing musical entertainment for the other trainees in the evenings. It is their musical skill that gets them sent on a mission to quietly find and return the Harp of Kings despite still being in warrior school, along with Liobhan's Swan Island rival, Dau.

Along the way, they encounter large crow creatures, Druids, petulant royals, and seemingly unsolvable riddles; share the unwieldy burden of secrets, as individuals and as a group; and gain new understanding of themselves, of each other, of friendship and love and loss.

The author has crafted a world with a clearly Celtic atmosphere without being heavy-handed with the background. It's a world where magic is mostly treated as superstition and women are second class citizens; this makes Liobhan's ferocity that much more refreshing, even as she struggles to remain demure around men to protect her cover and the mission. Of all the speculative fiction I've read, historical or otherwise, she ranks at the top of my favorite female characters. And best of all, there's no tired hate-to-love romance tropes here. (As a matter of fact, romance plays a very limited role in this story.)

While Brocc has perhaps the most linear progression, Dau has the most real growth as a character. He starts off as purely ambitious and more than a little obnoxious. However, once I understood the underlying motivation driving that ambition and aloofness, it broke my heart. His journey from rival to friend wasn't easy but it was a masterclass in character development.

The Harp of Kings is an absolutely magical tale; well crafted, expertly written and full of lush, atmospheric prose, with characters who alternately made me laugh and pulled at my heart. Highly recommended for anyone who loves historical or epic fantasy!

Juliet took me on a journey that was exciting, mystical and amazing.
I was transported to a different time and place that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I enjoyed this book. It's a very well written story, with believable characters and an interesting, if somewhat predictable plot. It's suitable for any age, but seems intended for a young audience. It's a coming of age story, told through the point of view of three teenagers. Each of these teenagers are likable, and the resolution of their conflicts with each other and with others is interesting. I'm probably too old and jaded to really love a book like this, I like protagonists who are more flawed and raw, and conflicts that are more overwhelming. I also like fantasy elements that are more central to the storyline, here it felt more like a tidy way to enable the plot. I'm not really a fan of switching points of view this much either, I'd rather tease out a character's motivations through their well described words and actions rather than have direct access to their thoughts. This is not even the slightest bit grim or dark, but it's a nice gentle story for a younger or sensitive reader.

5 Stars - I highly recommend if you enjoy high fantasy, multi-POV, political intrigue, and covert missions.

When you start this book, there is a very detailed cast of all characters, including the pronunciation. This is difficult when you're reading an ebook and generally a bit intimidating... however it is useful. At first I was a bit taken aback by the simple writing style from the 3 POVs. It was very diary-like, and the most succinct character's chapters were written in that way. However, as the book went on it did start to feel more detailed and descriptive, as I would expect for a high fantasy novel. Maybe it all meshed together and I got used to it over time. I was immediately invested in each of the three main characters and their combined mission. I thought they were quite different from one another, but had such strengths. Can we take a second to appreciate that Juliet Marillier wrote a book about BARDS? I have never seen another book about bards. I find that so interesting for so many reasons. Music woven into a plot is always cool, but particularly in a fantasy novel that contains lore and myth and storytelling. I also think that bard magic is not something I ever think about. Fascinating. I was very happy to be reading something SO different. Despite the uniqueness of this book, I did enjoy some of the more classic fantasy elements related to things like fair folk and more common myths and stories. Overall I just felt for all of the characters and loved them so much. I love how all of the pieces in their mission wove together, and how it all became clear during the finale. I highly recommend this if you enjoy fantasy. I will be reading my way through Marillier's other works soon!

This was an interesting read!I find the story brilliant and I was intrigued!The characters were complex and original.The romance wasn't a lot but I didn't mind because I loved the rest. The beginning was a little bit slow for my taste.The writing style was great and I was hooked!

Overall, it was a great read, I cannot wait for the next!

Very promising start to a new series by the wondrous Juliet Marillier. Siblings Liobhan and Broc are vying for a coveted spot as warriors on Swan Island along with chieftain's son Dau, when all three young adults are sent on a mission to recover a legendary harp that must be played at the upcoming coronation of the new king of Breifne. Liobhan and Broc, both skilled musicians, are to pretend to be members of a traveling entertainment troupe, and Dau is to be a mute stable boy. While the three are struggling to adapt to their roles (especially Liobhan, who has to refrain from punching men who annoy or harass her), they discover that something is not quite right with Breifne and its would-be king. And they start to wonder if fulfilling their mission and doing what's right are two very different goals.

As usual, Marillier sets her story in medieval Ireland, with worlds of magic and other creatures not far from the surface. Swan Island will be familiar to readers of her spectacular Sevenwaters series (Daughter of the Forest et al) and Liobhan and Broc are the next generation of the Blackthorn & Grim series, but this book can easily stand alone.

The chapter narration rotates among the three main characters, and I have to admit my least favorite were the ones from Liobhan's POV. I know, Girl Power and all that, but she annoyed me with her insistence that she knew what was best and her refusal to follow the orders given to her by the Swan Island warriors who were leading the mission. Her best scenes were those in which she is given a chance to develop a relationship with one of Breifne's more vulnerable residents; it gives her the opportunity to be both fiercely protective and surprisingly gentle.

Broc is one of those characters who just breaks your heart. He's not a bad fighter, but his true love is music, and he has an unusual background that leaves him torn between two worlds. Dau, too, tugged at my heartstrings for different reasons. He starts the book seemingly tough and invulnerable (Liobhan calls him a supercilious bastard), but as the story progresses we learn about the traumas he experienced growing up that scarred him emotionally and realize that his pride is covering up a lot of loneliness.

The book ends with the mission's conclusion, but there are lots of loose ends left hanging, including several unresolved romance plots. I am more enthusiastic about this book than I was about the first Blackthorn and Grim novel, Dreamer's Pool, and I ended up a big fan of that series, so I am optimistic that this series will be even more rewarding.

P.S. Is it just my imagination or does the important secondary character with poor impulse control, aggressive sexual tendencies, grandiose but fallacious statements and no sense of personal responsibility resemble a certain American politician?

ARC provided by Net Galley in exchange for honest review.

Though it retains the cozily Celtic, epic flavor of her enduring Sevenwaters saga, Juliet Marillier’s new novel The Harp of Kings marks the promising beginning to an entirely new series focused on warrior bards in an ancient Ireland. Though some of the main characters have ties to her previous Blackthorn & Grim series, this one stands completely alone, and can be enjoyed on its own terms.

It tells the story of three young people coming to terms with who they are, and who they might become, against a backdrop of magic and music, risk-taking and king-making. They three go questing for one thing, but both the journey and the destination change along the way.

We are first introduced to Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau as they spar as students on Swan Island, home to a sort of monastic order of warriors and spies. Liobhan and Brocc are dissimilar siblings: she’s a tall, hasty sort, and he’s more musical and measured. Liobhan and the haughty Dau are locked in a schoolyard rivalry. He’s the son of an important man, and lords his education and his gender over her: no common girl will best me. (There is nothing common about Liobhan.) They are at a scary point in their training —their teachers will soon choose a lucky few to stay on to complete their educations—when all three are tapped for a covert mission alongside more seasoned Swan Island warriors.

In the small kingdom a couple days ride from the island, a sacred ceremonial harp has gone missing: the titular harp of kings, whose origin lies with the fair folk (it was guarded by druids before its theft). The kingdom has been in a regency for half a dozen years, and the late king’s son is now old enough to assume the throne—but without the harp, the coronation won’t be seen as legitimate, throwing the kingdom into political disarray. Liobhan and Brocc are to pose as musicians—an easy task for Brocc especially—in their quest to find the harp. Dau’s role is less suited to his upbringing: he’s to pose as a rough and mute farrier. They only have a month to establish their identities and locate this important relic.

All three struggle with their roles in one way or another. Liobhan has a hard time playing timid, and is more inclined to punch her way out of any given situation. She also has a hard time staying aloof, and is drawn into caring for a young girl—the sister of the king—who is neglected and abused. Dau’s mean situation keeps calling up his brutal childhood, when he was set upon by cruel older brothers. While he sometimes still clings to the arrogance he uses as a shield, working silently with the horses draws out the poison of his upbringing. Brocc walks easy in his role as the trio’s musician, first working with the druids with their lore, and later with the uncanny folk of the forest. So quickly does he adopt his role as bard that he sometimes forgets his role as brother and warrior of Swan Island.

As they live and work in the small kingdom before the coronation, they three begin to question their task. The crown prince is an unforgiving, incurious man, prone to sudden bouts of violence and disinclined to take sage advice. Finding the harp will legitimize his sovereignty; not finding it will ruin their lives. Liobhan especially gets in trouble with the prince, for she can never quite submerge her defiant self under the character she must play. All three have encounters with a wisewoman who lives just outside the city with her hound Storm, and all three face the otherworldly and malevolent crow creatures who haunt the wood. The young students try on and inhabit a myriad of different roles as they search for the harp: sister and rival, mute and musician, lover and friend. In the end, they will have to decide which fits them best, and learn to trust in both one another and themselves.

The first volume of the Warrior Bards series will please readers of deeply textured, character-based fantasy. If the action never quite registers on an epic scale, its exploration of its characters is still powerfully felt.

Liobhan and her brother Brocc are on Swan Island, candidates in training to be part of the elite forces on the island. Because of their musical talent, they are selected to be part of an undercover mission as traveling minstrels. They have to find the missing harp that was used in the crowning of kings; without it, the people would never accept the coronation as valid. Prince Rodan is hardly the kind of man that would place the concern for his people at the forefront and is afraid of the uncanny. Unfortunately for him, the uncanny is involved in this, as well as court intrigue, a storyteller that acts as a gatekeeper to the Otherworld, and a difficult decision that Liobhan has to make.

The Harp of Kings opens with a pronunciation guide for the Gaelic names, not to worry if you don't know how to pronounce them! The text is very clear as to who is who, as well as what their cover identities are. It's intricately done, starting with the training camps on Swan Island, then moving into the outer world and the kingdom beyond the island's borders. Everyone has their back story and reason for being there, and it's only revealed when important to the plot. The druids, an order with an extensive novitiate training process, keep the knowledge, history, and magic of the natural world. Often, it's secret, and the novitiates are expected to leave their prior lives behind.

Rodan is a spoiled brat with a quick temper and few that can rein him in, but there are few others willing to step up to be King. The magic of the Otherworld is close by, as is the magic of music and the ability to help people in need. They're not necessarily trickster figures, though it's certainly remarked on several times. Brocc's uncanny skill with the harp exists for a reason, and it carries far more significance as the novel progresses. I really loved Liobhan and the princess Aislinn as they struggled to maneuver through the situations they were placed in and still keep their sense of self. I'm so glad that this is the start of a series because I hope to meet them again!