What an incredibly lovely book.

I was first drawn in by the cover for this book, a woman with a dagger in the woods?! Yes please. Then I read the synopsis about a woman who is both a bard and a warrior who just wants to join the elite band of warriors of Swan Island. There's a mission to retrieve an ancient harp used to confirm a new king in addition to druids and a storyteller who lives in a hut in the woods. All this added up for me and I knew I needed to read this book.

That all being said, the book still isn't what I was expecting. Sure. We've got a warrior woman but her mission means she has to work undercover so Liobhan cannot be her strong powerful self. Neither can the other two characters who the story is told though, Liobhan's brother Brocc and Swan Island rival Dau. The book alternates between these three points of view really well. The story is slow moving as we get a little more and a little more as things progress on the mission and the characters are all challenged in different ways.

Liobhan and Dau experience some incredible growth as characters by the end of the mission. We also have some Otherworld magic going on that played more into things than I thought it would. I expected battles and fighting; instead I got mystery, subtle magic, character development, a wonderful storyteller, and a quieter book. Nothing revelatory or that I haven't seen before, but done really well in this case. I'm not disappointed in this at all! The plot twists are something you can feel coming yet I still wanted to see it through. I appreciated that there is perhaps a slow burn type of romance that may develop and that it didn't develop in this book. It would have been out of place if it had.

I enjoyed this book and it's a series I would continue to read.

Liobhan is a singer and training to be part of an elite warrior group. She is given a task while still being a student to find a harp that is played to announce the new king. Along with her brother, they pretend to be a group of musicians and find themselves entangled in the politics of the kingdom.

I found the politics really interesting. Liobhan's compassion leads her to make friends with the future king's young sister who is an innocent caught in the game of politics.

Her brother, as interesting as his plot gets, I could never find interesting as a character. There was something bland about him that I couldn't find myself compelled when it was his plotline.

I thought there would never be another author to equal Douglas Nicholas' "Something Red" series, but I found it in this haunting and lovely tale by Juliet Marillier. There's a little bit of everything here but mostly a quest featuring a feisty young female warrior, a prickly male counterpart, an otherworldly bard, an island of warriors, a pain-in-the-ass king-to-be, lots of faery folk, and druids.

Liobhan, Dau & Brocc are the focus of this quest story, where each is selected to be part of a top-secret mission to recover the stolen Harp of Kings. However, as you progress through the story, it becomes clear that the real quests are for each of our young heroes. Liobhan will prove that she can control her temper, Dau will learn to trust, and Brocc will learn to follow his own path.

The story is tightly woven and beautifully told. The characters fairly leap off the pages, and their stories will envelop you. Highly recommended.

To be honest, I'm surprised I enjoyed this one so much. At the beginning of the Kindle edition is a list of names and their pronunciations, which threw me (I have no idea why but it sort of made me feel a little overwhelmed with all the different names and I knew approximately how they were pronounced anyway but there were SO MANY), and the opening few lines did not grab me at all. But I came on Goodreads to check out other reviews, and there were so many positive ones (that actually had some good info) that I decided to keep going. Good choice on my part.

The story is interesting, although not one that we haven't seen before. The main characters start off on an island where they're training to be secretive fighters who apparently also do spy duties. There is a little tension set up in the beginning between Liobhan and Dau, and a bit of apprehension on the part of Brocc, but otherwise not much is gained through such a brief look at their training.

I appreciated beyond belief that this was NOT a love story! There were no real hook-ups (outside of the ending, which made sense and I'm not going to spoil it), there was a little bit of attraction here and there but nothing overt. Instead we got an actual story free from the angsty teenage pining that tends to take over a lot of the fantasy I've read lately.

The magic was subtle and explained well. I liked how some of it was a tad bit unpredictable (although I did guess at just about all of the "twists" and was not usually wrong). The relationships between the characters were done thoughtfully, with definite character evolution throughout. I think Brocc was the most wet-noodle character, though. He just sort of goes with the flow, although that can sort of be explained by his back story which is revealed as we go along.

My favorite character though was Dau. He goes through such an emotional transformation that I was left feeling happy for him while still sad at all he had to endure to get there. He is definitely someone that I would like to read more about, maybe in book 2.

Speaking of book 2, it's already on my TBR list even though it doesn't have a title or plot yet. So I definitely recommend this book for all lovers of fantasy. Like I said, it's nothing new or revolutionary, but it is a great tale and I enjoyed reading it a lot.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Hello, I will be posting this review to my blog, Instagram, and Goodreads on August 22nd, 2019. The links to each review will be added when they are live. Thank you!

Title: The Harp of Kings (Warrior Bards #1)
Author: Juliet Marillier
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Date: September 3rd, 2019
eARC provided by publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.



Synopsis: "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 train there to compete for places, and 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. For Swan Island trains both warriors and spies.

Their mission: to find and retrieve a precious harp, an ancient symbol of kingship, which has gone mysteriously missing. If the instrument is not played at the upcoming coronation, the candidate will not be accepted and the people could revolt. 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. When ambition clashes with conscience, Liobhan must make a bold decision and is faced with a heartbreaking choice. . . ." (Goodreads)



My Review:
I absolutely adore this cover! One of the reasons I decided to read it and also because the synopsis has a way of drawing you in. Although I had a couple issues with the book, it didn't stop me from really enjoying everything this book had to offer.

The characters in this book are different from each other, flawed, and a couple have quite the character development! The three main characters each have their own point of view and so the chapters are broken up into those. I enjoyed reading through the eyes of Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau.

At the beginning we are introduced to all three as they are learning what it takes to become warriors on an island called Swan Island. Dau isn't really a fan of either, especially when it comes to Liobhan. He makes it pretty clear they are not equals because she is a woman. I didn't realize at first he would be give his own chapters and was pretty annoyed by his behavior. Honestly though, I am so glad I was open to his own story because as he shedded his layers he became my favorite of all. He has the most character development and also the hardest job of the mission as he has to pretend to be mute. I mean that takes skill! We learn about his feelings and eventually learn more about his background which is tragic. I felt for him. I would say more but I don't want to give anything away!

Liobhan and Brocc are brother and sister and that kind of makes them inseparable. Liobhan is strong willed and described as a woman with a big build. I did like that she was different in that aspect. For her role on the mission, she is to be a bard who is shy and intimidated by men of power. Clearly this becomes a problem for her because of her personality and also the fact that she is training to be a warrior. Her mouth and temper, at times, does cause some issues which adds to the plot and makes for some interesting outcomes! I enjoyed getting to know her throughout each chapter.

As for her brother Brocc, he does play a role for the mission but for some of the book he has gone to the Otherworld. If you are a fan of Fae then you would be happy to know that is where they leave. I will say no more than that! Brocc doesn't have much character development but he does help to finish the mission and is part of such a sad cliffhanger at the end.

When it came to the plot, it was a little slow at first and I would have liked more action but I like how this book was more character driven and you really get to understand the characters and feel for what they have to do. There may be signs of two relationships blooming but nothing ever happens and hopefully we will see more from each in the next book. I wouldn't say there is really a villain either. There are crow folk that are mentioned and seen a couple times and one guy that is not the greatest who you will dislike but other than that they aren't really a driving force for the plot. There are a couple plot twists that weren't surprising but I didn't mind. The world building was lacking but I found myself not caring so much as the characters really shined throughout each page.

Overall, I liked this book more the farther I got into it and then found it quite hard to put down. If you prefer more action then this book may not be for you but the characters are well written and I am looking forward to seeing where this series takes us!

This is a pretty standard start to an epic fantasy well-told by a master of the genre. It takes three young people - Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau - who are students at an elite academy where they are training in weaponry and other skills in the hopes of being chosen to join the company. Liobhan is a warrior who also has skills and a musician and singer. She is talented and tricky. Her brother Brocc is the more gifted musician but is also a smart and skilled warrior. Dau is their competitive rival who is determined to be the finest warrior so that he will be chosen to stay with the company.

The three are chosen to go along with two elders to find a missing harp that is needed for the coronation of the new king of Breifne. They will be going undercover, complete with new, fabricated identities, to locate the harp and restore it before midsummer when the coronation will be held. All of the roles are difficult but Liobhan, who has to become shy and diffident, and Dau, who has to play the role of a mute stable hand, have the hardest time.

They learn rather quickly that the presumed heir - Rodan - is a cowardly bully who feels entitled to whatever he wants when he wants it. He has been abusive to his younger sister and his sister's nursemaid. When his attempted assault on Liobhan is thwarted, she is the one who is forced to make a public apology. Worst of all, Rodan will make a terrible king because he doesn't have any respect for the Fair Folk who also inhabit his land. In fact, he doesn't believe in them.

Each chapter is the story is told from the viewpoint of one of the three young people. In each we not only advance the plot but learn about each one's past and the reasons for their behavior. It was an enjoyable story that is the first in a new series.

The description of this book has everything I could possibly want- female warriors, bards, fantasy settings, historical fantasy- yet I always forget that Juliet Marillier books just don't work for me. I think the writing style just doesn't work for me and the history often gets in the way of the fantasy. I just can't separate the two! I didn't finish the book, but I think if you're an avid fan of historical fantasy this will probably work for you!

I have enjoyed all of Juliet Marillier's books that I have read so far and I love her world building. Liobhan and her brother Brocc are training on Swan Island to be warriors and spies. When they are called to help on a mission even though they haven't finished training, it will take all their wits and skills just to survive, and Liobhan will have to make a heartbreaking choice. This is great book showing how they learn and grow as they try to save a kingdom. Fun book.

I was so excited for the opportunity and I’m very much looking forward to seeing this on shelves later this year! Thank you for sharing this!
In this new fantasy—laced with the uncanny, the Fair Folk, music, and Marillier’s natural ability to dive into the complicated layers of characters’ psyches, history, and motivations—Liobhan is training to be a Swan Island warrior with her brother Brocc when they are sent on a mission: to find the missing Harp of Kings and restore it to the druids before Midsummer’s ceremony to crown the next king. They travel with their competitor Dau under disguise and infiltrate the prince’s household—but the prince is...not the best choice to lead these people. [TW: assault, animal cruelty]
Each of our three warriors have their own story and motivations, and I identified most strongly with Dau and Liobhan. Brocc’s narrative reminded me so much of SHADOWFELL, and Liobhan felt like a warrior-like Sorcha in DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST. They’re all strong-willed and determined to complete their mission, but because Prince Rodan is a threat to his people, they need the Fair Folk’s assistance to shine light on the true leader of the kingdom. Music, action, druids, courtly intrigue, and Irish faeries as they should be—what more could you want from a Marillier novel?

An enjoyable read with compelling characters! The Harp of Kings is the first in a new series by Juliet Marillier. I’m a huge fan of Marillier’s Sevenwaters series, and I was so excited to see this title was coming out! This book did not disappoint. We are thrust back into the world of Ancient Ireland, bards and druids, fey and wise women, warriors and kings.
While the official synopsis just talks about Liobhan, The Harp of Kings is actually told from three different point of view characters. We’ve got Liobhan, an opinionated warrior in training, Brocc, Liobhan’s brother who plays the harp very well and is also in warrior training, and Dau, a strong and quiet trainee who joins their mission to recover a lost harp.
I loved all three of the main characters. I loved Liobhan’s strength and cleverness, Brocc’s kindness and pull between two worlds, and Dau’s silence and journey. All three voices were unique, and I was easily able to tell whose narrative I was reading. I also loved the relationships between the three main characters. Brocc and Liobhan are brother and sister, and Dau becomes their friend. I enjoyed the hint at romance between Dau and Liobhan, and I loved how when Dau first starts to really notice Liobhan it’s because of her strength and capability. Not because of how she looks. He’s drawn to who she is as a person.
While the beginning and middle of the book was all about plot, the ending felt to me all about the characters. So, it lost a bit of steam towards the end, as the main mystery of the book (Where did the harp go?) was solved and we had to deal with the fallout and the characters. This felt like a setup for future books in the series, and I’m content to let a bit of slowness at the end slide, as this will be a series that will continue to get better as it goes along, and we get to spend more time with the characters. The Harp of Kings has a lovely, magical setting and characters that come to life on the page! I can’t wait for the next book!

Bottom Line: Transporting historical fantasy with great characters!

Excellent 1st book! There better be more forthcoming, as I want to know what happens to these characters! Enjoyed it immensely!

This is classic Juliet Marillier, with her beautiful prose and lush settings that make me want to pick wildflowers or follow a wisp down a wooded path. Her stories all have a touch of that fairytale quality I love so much.

Her characters are all well drawn and full fleshed out and I can’t believe how long I have to wait for the next one! If you love this author, you’re in for another treat! Highly recommend!

I loved this book, but I would have liked to see it as two books. The island, where the warrior training takes place, was interesting and overlooked! Unless I have missed a book, there is potential for another story there. However, the story of the first mission for the students was done well. I was enthralled by the characters, plot, and descriptive writing. The characters were well done, with each having just enough flaws to make them rounded. The plot was intricate, with some twists and turns, but not so many twists that I became tired of them. The descriptive writing was gorgeous, with landscapes that came alive in my mind. (By the way, I rarely mention covers, but what an amazing cover this book has!) Fantastic read.

The idea of an elite troupe of warrior musicians is something I've never seen before, and I wouldn't have believed it could be done. But it was, and it blew me away.

Liobhan has dreamed of joining the elite group of warriors from Swan Island since she was a little girl. She and her brother Brocc, both talented musicians, have gained places in the newest group of Swan Island trainees and she is determined to earn a permanent position there. Another trainee, Dau, seems by turns as determined as Liobhan to win a spot as he does to make sure she does not. When their trainers Innan and Archu decide that these three trainees will accompany them on an actual mission to the kingdom of Briefne to retrieve the magical Harp of Kings, required to coronate the new king Rodan, Liobhan learns the true meaning of what it will mean to become a Swan Island warrior.

I am always thrilled to get a new Juliet Marillier book and I enjoyed this one immensely. I did think the writing wasn’t as tight as many of her previous books, in particular Daughter of the Forest or the Blackthorn and Grim series. However, this was still a great story with interesting new characters and quite a few easter eggs for her long-time readers.

Each chapter is told from the first person point of view of one of the trainees. I’ve read other books that do this as well and they often become garbled or indistinguishable from one another. That was not the case here; each character was so well developed that readers can identify who is speaking even without the benefit of dialogue. Liobhan is the saltier of the two siblings and has a thread of impatience and recklessness running through each of her chapters. Brocc is a gentle soul who prefers music to fighting, even though he is adept at it, and his chapters seem almost dreamy at times. Dau has a lot of anger and bitterness in him, and it is clear he has a history he wants to keep hidden or tamped down. Seeing events through each of their eyes makes for an interesting read since each chapter switches from one to another. It gives a nice mix for readers and lets us get to know the characters closely as well as see their growth as people.

The secondary characters were often intriguing. I thought the best one was Mistress Juniper, though Aislinn came in a close second. I kind of want to be a mix of Mistress Juniper and the Aunts from Practical Magic when I grow up. I felt that a few details were left unanswered, such as who Juniper really was, whether Aislinn will get to leave or not, and why exactly Rodan was so monstrous and whether he’ll chill out since events panned out the way they did. I also wanted to know more about the Crow Folk. Speculation from the various characters was all well and good, but I wanted a more definitive answer than I got. In any case, it had an ending that was exciting enough and makes it easier to overlook the few minor quibbles I had with the plot. I am hopeful we will learn more about these things in subsequent books, at least about the Fair Folk and the Crow Folk.

Overall, a very enjoyable read, perfect for a weekend indulgence or fantasy break.

Harp of Kings is a well written story that would be great for lovers of medieval and Irish fantasy. The tone of this novel feels so ancient and grounded, making the story read smoothly and become engaging quickly. The plotting does feel slower, more character/internal feelings-heavy than any physical action. There is a ton of political scheming and layers upon layers of twists and reveals that are uncovered slowly and (mostly) successfully.
Harp of Kings is told in three different POVs: two siblings and a peer of theirs, all sent on the same mission - to recover the ancient harp that is played during a ritual in which the next king is crowned. This harp has gone missing and the coronation ceremony is quickly approaching. Our three POVs characters are all clearly drawn and experience a great amount of character development over the course of the story.
This is where I had a few quibbles. I didn’t love some of the character development and felt it came out of nowhere at a few certain times. Several of the plots didn’t receive enough set up for the ultimate reveal to pay off without some extra justification inside of the reader’s own mind (so, not totally successful). This plot was steady yet rather slow so I was able to put this book aside without needing to know what happens next quite a few times. These reasons are why I couldn’t give this book the full five star rating.
However, despite a few issues that I had, Harp of Kings is a very solid and engaging fantasy read that I would recommend to those interested in high fantasy and political subterfuge.

*ARC received from NetGalley in return for an honest review*

Juliet Marillier was an author I remember picking up as a teen and loving to this day. Her work has set some high standards that not many other authors have been able to live up to. This book started off a little slow but quickly got on a roll that kept me hooked until the end. Everything about it expanded on the magical world and I loved that this book featured children from another of Marillier's books. Yet, there was a moment when I ended the book that I felt like it was a little unfinished. Maybe it was due to the fact that one of the characters had a story arc that felt a little off. There was just a little too much information missing to fully understand why the character took that turn. Despite this fact, I loved the other two characters and their growth and can't wait to read more about them in the sequel.

Juliet Marillier is a rock star of the fantasy genre! Set in ancient Ireland, this novel follows the lives of three bard/warriors as they approach their first adventure together, solving the mystery of the vanished Harp of Kings. Characters were interesting and had strong back stories (if you have already read some of Marillier's books, you may recognize some of the characters). The plot moved fairly quickly, although I kept finding myself stopping to look around and enjoy the beauty of the scenes that Marillier created. Bonus points for the wonderful pronunciation guide provided at the beginning of the book (I find it so frustrating when I read an entire book not knowing how to say the characters' names!). Highly recommended!

4.5 stars.
This is a clever book with interesting main characters whose points of view are different from each other in a way that never lets you forget whose POV chapter you’re on.

I loved "The Harp of Kings." Juliet Marillier, a new author to me, really impressed me with this book.