Warriors, missions, Druids and the Fey, what could be more enticing!

A strong fantasy, although I must admit it took me a few pages to get used to the three voices. Those of sister and brother, Liobhan (Ciara), singer and whistle player, and harper Brocc (Donal), along with Dau (Neesam) a chieftain's third son. Three training to be warriors for a place within the exclusive warrior group of Swan Island. "Brocc and [Liobhan] prepared for months to win places in the training course, from which maybe two or three out of the twenty will be chosen to stay as permanent members of the Swan Island force. Nobody wants to be sent home."
An unusual request takes them on a mission before their training is finished. A mission that will bring consternation, open up mysteries of hidden ways and lead the three into troubling yet concerted action. An important artifact has gone missing from the kingdom of Briefne, an "instrument known as the Harp of Kings. To the people of Breifne, it’s of deep significance. If it isn’t played at the ritual, the man who’s up for the kingship won’t be accepted by the populace." A new king is to be crowned. That harp must be found!
Unfortunately parts of Briefne has been harassed by giant crow like figures that wreak destruction on those who they come across. Dau has a run in with them before reaching the court. They are part of the mysteries that surround the Harp and its origins.
The importance of those mysteries are referenced when the woman healer Erine reminds Liobhan (Ciara), “Your kind have forgotten the old ways,” ... “You have forgotten the importance of the tales, the wisdom of the past, the strength that rises from tree and stone and stream, the bond between one world and the other. It is at such times of distrust and disruption that dark forces like these rise up to shadow our world.”
The three along with their mentors infiltrate the court in disguise, seeking the harp, in the face of significant dangers, and some major revelations.
I was on the edge of my reading seat with much of the story, what with the competition between Dau and Liobhan, with the potential mishaps for them in the face of the brutish heir to the throne and his henchmen. Each character surprises, particularly IMO Dau.
Brocc seems to always march to the beat of his own drum .. or rather harp, and pursues matters in quite a different way to the other two, with some interesting results.
A bardic saga in the making that will invite, entrance and thrill. Intrigue, mysteries, druids, and the fey all play a part both in the present and in stories to come.

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley

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.

I really enjoyed the tri-narrative of this book. Fantasy is a favorite genre of mine and I also enjoyed reading a book with a strong female lead as well as the varying personalities of the other main characters. Very fulfilling ending, yet leaves enough mystery to have you craving the next book. Can't wait to hopefully see more of Dau and Our fierce leading lady warrior Liobhan.

This was a fabulous read. Told from three perspectives, we glimpse the trials and triumphs of Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau, three warrior/spies in training. Three voices, one story; three tunes, one song: for Brocc it is the deep, resonant notes that thrum along his harp/heartstrings, guiding him to the truth of who he is and what choices he must make. For Liobhan, it is the whistle of a pipe, leading the march for the warriors, but also trilling a playful tune to teach her that life is about more than just war, it is tied to the heart. For Dau, it is the rhythm tapped out on the bodhran, steady and sure to show him that his past does not define him, but does strengthen him.
I so enjoyed reading this story and getting caught up in Marillier’s lyrical storytelling. She crafted both a beautiful world and thoroughly-fleshed characters which brought this story depth and breadth. I look forward to getting lost in her worlds again.
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group/Ace and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this novel for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂

<i>With thanks to Netgalley for providing a free digital copy for review.</i>

In Juliet Marillier's "The Harp of Kings," the titular object is missing and until it has been found, the new king cannot be crowned. Young warriors, still in training, are sent on a mission to locate it. Thus starts a story that has all of the feelings, but hardly any of the action, and the plot choked by tropes and lackluster characterization. Our cast of protagonists are drawn in stark black and white relief, with no nuance. Only one can have a claim to "character development," but it is handled with such a heavy hand, it feels like you are hit over the head with it. The stakes feel small, the characters have no personal stake in retrieval of the harp, and their personal journeys bring nothing to the plot.

I wouldn’t recommend unless you are a huge Juliet Marillier fan.

All right, I only made it a few chapters in to The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier but I think I'm going to DNF this. A lot about the plot and characters feels cliche and surface-level to me and there's nothing so far that's drawing me in to keep going. So much is so explicitly told to the reader in exposition that there's nothing left for me to figure out and it all just seems so predictable and yet unrealistic at the same time. I've never read anything by this author before, so maybe there's something in here that previous fans would be able to grab onto, but for me it's not worth it to keep trying at this point.

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 went into this book knowing of Juliet Marillier as a fantasy-shelf staple, though I’d never read her work before. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself quickly slipping into this exciting tale of spycraft and adventure, and then racing through its pages all the way to the end!
The Harp of Kings is missing. Once kept safe in a scared druid keep, the instrument – needed for the upcoming coronation of Briefne’s new king – has been stolen. Long-standing tradition dictates that the harp must be played in order for the folk to accept their new king, so, unsure what else to do, the powers that be summon the legendary warriors of Swan Island to uncover the truth and retrieve the harp in time for the coronation. FOR REASONS, the elders of Swan Island think their best bet to find the harp is to send a trio of half-trained prospects. They have just a few weeks – until Midsummer – to complete their mission.
Liobhan and her twin brother, Brocc, are told they’ve been chosen for their musical abilities – they’ll be posing as traveling minstrels who will play at court. Also selected is Dau, the son of a nobleman whose single-minded focus on securing a place as a Swan Island warrior means he won’t let himself get too close to his competition. The three are given roles to play as they set out to infiltrate the court at Briefne and ferret out the secrets of the missing harp, but the roles are much more difficult than they anticipate, and they soon discover that the path to the truth is strange and winding, and will lead them right up to their Midsummer deadline.
Told from three perspectives – from Swan Island recruits Liobhan, Brocc, and Dau – THE HARP OF KINGS is a stunning tale that combines courtly intrigue, long-buried family secrets, and the otherworldly – with just a few hints of romance. What initially seemed like simple and straightforward story proved instead to be a winding adventure with a somewhat unexpected conclusion that nevertheless satisfied requirements and left me wanting to read more of Marillier’s work.
*I was given an advanced eARC f this title from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine.*

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!