So, I'm not sure how to rate/review this book.

On one-and, it has a very interesting plot and premise. But on the other, I am not entirely sure <i>who</i> this book is supposed to be about. The characters we meet at the start of the book aren't the main characters. And the character who I think is the main character is a child through most of the book. The book also glosses over many years of the child's life in a few paragraphs, though I suppose that's because it's mostly unimportant things.

I don't know I feel like the plot was both rushed and too slow. I just don't really know how to rate this. It was good, I just don't know how to rate it.

I loved this book! It was surprisingly funny and has strong female characters. All the characters are well sketched and the settings and descriptions are generally vivid. I did think a few times that it would be nice to have a little more of an idea where this was supposed to be - yes, it's a fantasy setting but I just sort of didn't have a real sense where I was a few times. But I got over it. Definitely recommended.

This is a suspenseful fantasy with angsty romance woven into it. The world-building is fantastic. The author did a great job of grounding me in the land of Saylok, where there are six different clans based on different animals—the eagle, bear, wolf, boar, lion, and horse. The story starts with 2 siblings who discover a magical cave of runes. The girl is entranced with the power, her brother is appalled and asks her never to visit that cave again. Skip forward in time, the brother has grown and is a Keeper at the temple of Saylok. His sister shows up in the wood nearby, at death’s door after giving birth to an illegitimate son. With her dying blood, she makes a rune in the ground and curses the father of her baby and the land of Saylok with no more daughters until they can treat their woman better. This is how Bayr enters the world, as his mother dies and leaves him in the care of his Keeper uncle.

Bayr is blessed with godly strength, like Thor, and amazes those who know him. Meanwhile, his father (that he is never told about) becomes the new king—a bloodthirsty, selfish ruler—by tricking the people into believing his wife has given birth to the first daughter in the land for 7 years. Alba, his supposed daughter, is truly the daughter of an albino slave girl brought in from another land. Ghost, as the mother is called, overhears the chieftan aspiring to be king order the execution of her and her owners after he takes her child from them and puts it in the arms of his unconscious wife who has just lost another baby. This is how Alba, daughter of a slave, becomes princess of all of Saylok. Bayr, who is 7 at her birth, vows to always be her protector…and he does. This is the setup for this amazing, heart-rending story of forbidden love, power, promises, and undoing a blood curse that is tearing a nation apart.

I couldn’t put this book down once I started. The writing and plot pulled me in into this fascinating world, immersing me in magic, intrigue and love with unique and powerful characters. I’m not a super fan of fantasy, but I do love Harmon’s fantasies. I always want to reread her books because there are so many levels of understanding and emotion weaved into them. Her latest book is no exception. It was exceptional!

Wonderful. This was a bit different genre for me and I totally enjoyed it. I loved the fantasy aspect and the writing was top notch. I did have trouble remember all the names and who they were. The nature of the world had them start with the same letter/sound for the same clans, which was cool. But it made it difficult for my Swiss cheese brain!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the opportunity to read a review copy of The First Girl Child. Amy Harmon is a fantastic weaver of words and this book is no exception. It’s a sweeping epic tale inspired by Norse mythology that spans generations and filled with complex characters that buried down deep under my skin. This is a story I won’t soon forget.

5 surprised stars



“We are abused. We are used. We are bartered and abandoned. But rarely are we loved. So be it. From this day forward, there will be no daughters in Saylok for any of you to love.”





“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” as Ari https://readingunderstreetlamps.wordpress.com (my buddy reader said) this could be the motto of this book!

The first thing that astonished me in this book is a totally different writing style from what I have read from Amy so far. Still very beautiful though.
I can’t pinpoint the difference but it had a more “tale” quality. It was simpler. Naked, free of any unnecessary embellishment. It was raw like these Norse men. And it fitted the story to a T!

The focal point of this story was women’s power or lack of.

The women in that time and place could become warriors but were always second to men. If they were nobles they were seen as investments to forge alliances. And everything began when a woman, Desdemona, was rejected by her lover for a high-ranking woman, hoping to become king that way. But fear the woman you have wronged as she holds a great power!

I loved the power of women. The greed of men and their foolish pride would be their damnation. Decades would go by with great suffering for the people because of a single curse.

You can’t deny that Desdemona could hold a grudge like no one else!



One of our heroes is the young Bayr, Desdemona’s son and he’ll dedicate his life to protect Alba, the daughter of king Bayr.

Bayr was solid. Loyal. A protector. Hel lived for his duty.

Selfless he was humble as he was afflicted by a stutter who made him seem simple to other men. I would say that Bayr himself thought little of his intelligence but it did not bother him. He did not want to outshine everyone. He may have been gifted with enormous strength, looking like Hercules, he just wanted to serve and protect. I dare you not to love that child/man who’d rather observe and listen than talk.

“I want to protect,” Bayr answered without thought or hesitation. It had always been the single-minded purpose of his young life. “I w-want to protect Saylok and the temple. I w-want to protect the princess and the d-daughters of the clans. I want to protect D-Dagmar and the k-keepers.” “You want to protect those you love.” Bayr nodded.

Alba is your free-spirited child. She did not often take center stage. Or at least not before a long time as she was an infant. Bayr would have died for her. From the first second he laid eyes on her, at her birth, she’s been his sole purpose in life!

Of course you can probably guess that a budding romance will come one day but strangely, Alba did feel more like a side character than a main character!



My favorite character in this book was Ghost! I won’t tell too much about her purpose or who she is to whom let’s just say that Ghost embodies maternal love in its purest form. I loved her because she was gentle even after having been ostracized for her otherness all her life. Fate never smiled on her. Yet she discreetly protected in her own way.

She touched my heart and soul. I prayed for her HEA. I wanted her to have some joy she’s been denied for so long.

“You are still very young.” “I am old inside,” she whispered, and he nodded as though he understood.



I realize while writing this review that both Bayr and Ghost were humble characters. And I seem to appreciate these kind characters. Because that’s one of the things Amy does best: take ordinary men and women (well Bayr was maybe not ordinary) and make them extraordinary.

Last but not least of our main characters, Dagmar was a worthy hero. He was a father to Bayr. A humble man determined to be a keeper and fight his warrior of a father to follow his dream. But as much as becoming a keeper was his dream he would have renounced his calling if it meant losing Bayr.

I was immediately immersed in that story as I loved the plot, the mythology, learning to understand these people. That book is filled with Norse magic, with the power of runes. Blood runes that could curse a whole land. Blood runes that should not be known by everyone as they held so much power!



And I loved that grand finale! I wanted to shout “Atta girl!”



The pace is just right, not rushed nor too slow; the villain was a true villain who had two faces and the hero was strong gifted by the gods similar to the heroes of old from mythology.
What more reason do you need to read it????

The First Girl Child is a wonderfully inventive tale with a satisfying pace for character development. The well-executed creative premise resulted in an ending with elements that were surprising to the reader but fit with the characters. Author Amy Harmon penned clever phrases that hit hard in context and will linger in your mind due to their brilliance.

Harmon introduces us to a world that could have fit within our history, borrowing from Norse and Christian influences to meld a people who are relatable in ambition, love, devotion, and sacrifice. We follow the story of Bayr, Dagmar, Alba, and Ghost as they navigate life on Saylock through these key elements of life and witness how their lives unfold through their experiences together and apart.

To me this book felt like the fantasy novels I grew up with. The world Amy created was harsh and unrelenting but with a little sweet dandelion popping up here and there. The magic is ancient and revered, with a imposing presence. It engulfs you and then cradles you against her warm bosom.

Dearest Bayr,

I want to write this letter so you fully understand just how much you mean to me. You were born from death; cursed and blessed as you took your first breath. You were strong in mind, body and soul but tongue often failed you. They misunderstood you, shamed you and yet you didn’t let it get to you. You’ve touched a special place in my heart with your gentleness and I’m indebted to you forever.

There are many love stories throughout this book. The love of a mother to her children, love of men and women and love of power and greed. We see the many sides of love through the characters eyes. You’re shown the result of this love and how it can salvation or damnation.

“We are abused. We are used. We are bartered and abandoned. But rarely are we loved. So be it. From this day forward, there will be no daughters in Saylok for any of you to love.”
Amy gave us so many voices when it came to hero’s in The First Girl Child. She let us become intertwined with the characters. I felt their pain, as I felt their triumph. I pray that we get more of Saylok

Thank you 47North for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I had to DNF this one at about 50%. This book should probably be cut by 200 pages or so. It wasn’t what I was expecting. Too much time has been spent with them as children and I’ve just been kinda bored.

The First Girl Child by Amy Harmon is a book about vengeance, patience, and what you will sacrifice for those you love. The story takes place in during the Viking Era. The story brings up christianity as something they have been shown but no specific dates are mentioned. The story is about a woman who curses the land as she dies giving birth to her son. She had been spurned by the chieftain of one of the clans and she swore that her revenge would be that no more daughters would be born for men to torment, beat and use from that day on. She said her son would be the one to save Saylock (the country) from this curse. Her brother, a keeper of the temple nearby discovers her and she begs him to take her son and raise him as his own. Not knowing what the Head Keeper would say he agrees. From then on, as she proclaimed, no more daughters were born to the clan. Bayr, her son, is brought up in the temple growing stronger and faster than normal boys. His uncle tells him nothing of his birth but fate has other things in mind. As political intrigue and Bayr's love for the small princess he has been entrusted to protect grows he soon discovers much about his past and what path he must choose to ensure his future as well as those he loves.
I really enjoyed this story. I'm sure it's a stand alone book but I'm ok with that. If you enjoy stories about vikings or norse mythology you would probably enjoy this book. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing story.

Harmon always weaves the most intense, interesting stories. Her books leave me thinking and grateful and feeling like I went on a journey. This one was a little different the her others. Most of her books are about two people falling in love with the world heaving around them. This is about a world and the different people in it who love and loose and fight. Her Characters always pull me with them through there thoughts, feelings and actions. She is a brilliant story teller and the world she has built is intense and it's people are real and flawed.
This is an adult novel. There is the violence you would expect from the vikings but it's not blood and gore in your face, it all has a purpose and is not over done. There is sensuality but no sex scene but talk of the act and talk of nudity and some crude talk about sex. This is a novel teaching the value of the human life and what would happen if the population of woman declined rapidly. There is talk of rape, and slaves and kidnapping. If it were a movie it would border the R-pg13 rating.

Amy Harmon will take your breath away with this book. Seriously!
I usually don't read fantasy books, but I decided to give it a try because I'm a truly believer that Amy can make me love anything she writes... Even her grocery list. *Amy, if that's an option, give me a call! LOL*
I have no words to describe how much I enjoyed the experience. The book is incredible, the characters are amazing, and the story will make you flip the pages like crazy. As soon as you finish the book, you'll start planning a re-read.

A tale of love and sacrifice.
Of being more than what others see.
A story that holds your heart and makes you feel.

Did I cry when I was approved for an ARC of this book? Yes, yes I did. Floods.

In a fantasy world where an island stands in the middle of the sea and clans rule with a king on top. Where monks have the power to choose kings and runes hold magic in them, the story begins with the birth of a boy. Bayr is a bastard whose mother was cheated in love, whose father is power hungry and whose uncle Dagmar is one of those monks. Bayr's mother, curses the people of their land to not give birth to girls and slowly as the decades' span, the curse will wipe out their people.

Bayr grows to be an extraordinary young man with the power of ten men and the heart of a sweet, beautiful soul. And as plots and lies thicken, suddenly the first girl child is born; out of the blue Alba appears and the mysterious Ghost, a young woman, start to live in the monastery too.

The worldbuilding in this book is astounding and truly fascinating. I was hooked from the moment I started reading this book and it was incredibly difficult to actually put it down.

Okay but seriously. I can't sit here and break it down, one by one, because each character had such strong characteristics that I loved for all sorts of different reasons. But I will say that in true Amy Harmon fashion, she has created a set of characters that you will remember years later. When you hear someone say the title "The Last Girl Child" you will instantly replay the great cast of characters inside of your head and smile.

The story is told in third POV and spans almost two decades of secrets, plots, power-hungry men who never gave worth to their women before and now they find themselves, almost dying without them. The beauty of this world is the perfect balance between the Norse mythology, Viking lore, magic and a touch mention to Christianity. But the focus is not as much to the religion, while it plays a role, but to the relationships between the characters, the secret love blooming over the years and the fear that it will never be reciprocated.

For someone who absolutely adores everything that has Viking or Norse mythology written all over it, this certainly was the book that "tickled the right spot" so to say. It's incredibly immersive.

When I think of Amy Harmon, I always think about how dynamic she is as a writer. Want a romance? Amy Harmon. Want a fantasy? Amy Harmon. Want a historical book? Amy Harmon. Do you just want to sit down and read a damn good book and forget the world for a little while? AMY HARMON.

All kidding aside, this book was magical. Just... magical. Possibly some of Amy's best work to date. I hope that if you are looking for a book that gets you lost for a little while, you pick this one up. If not, you are missing out.

The moment I read the blurb I knew I NEED this book in my life. A bit mysterious, a bit romantic, and very historical. And I was right, I needed it like oxygen.

Amy Harmon mixed the Norse mythology with Christianity and created this amazing world, Saylok. I love the legend of Saylok.

A tale of love and sacrifice.
A cursed kingdom, forbidden loves and a cruel king.
The First Girl Child tells the tale of a kingdom, Saylok, cursed by a dying woman. Mystery and magic, a beautifully written tale you’ll never want it to end. I loved the characters, the story. I loved Dagmar’s wisdom, Bayr’s passion, everything that Ghost did. I’d like to live with the Keepers, draw runes with blood, stay in Saylok forever.
The whole book is so brilliant, you feel like you live inside this story.

I'd like to thank to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Amy Harmon is a beautiful story teller. The way she weaves tales is enchanting. I absolutely adored this book. It will take you on an adventure!

I was totally engrossed in the first part of this book! There were clans who defended the land of Saylok, a palace for the reigning king, and a temple for the keepers of the runes and secrets of the land. There were villains and unlikely heroes. But I have to mention how much I liked Dagmar and Ghost. These characters....they were so imperfect and flawed...and beautiful!! The world building was fantastic! So, why did I not give this book five stars? Maybe I have unreasonable standards because of my love for some of the author’s previous books. Or, maybe it was just missing that little spark, that magic that demands your full attention until the very last page. While it was sometimes slow and tedious in the middle, the end was complete and satisfying! Overall, it was a solid fantasy.
****
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions written in this review are my own.

This book was amazing!

Beginning with the story of Desdemona and Dagmar, The First Girl Child weaves a story of love and honor, interwoven with betrayal and anger.

While the description centers on Bayr's protection of Alba, there are so many unexpectedly rich characters and layers to this story. I found myself falling in love with characters such as Ghost and Ivo, devouring page after page to see what happened next, whom I would meet...or lose. The mythology, world, and characters were all written with such beauty and brutality that I feel many would also fall in love with them.

Although this story doesn't have the nonstop excitement and insanity of a genre such as YA high fantasy, it still sang a song that I will not soon forget. I would definitely read this again!

Amy Harmon has an amazing way with words, that I severely lack. She builds the most incredible, immersive worlds and I just flip pages until there are no more pages. And most of the time I start over again. He writing is incomparable

I enjoyed this book. It had a slow start but picked up quickly and I was absolutely enthralled with world and the characters throughout the book. It was well-written and engaging, although like most fantasy sometimes it was difficult to keep track of all the names! I will say the ending seemed a little rushed, but I appreciated that it was a stand alone novel. I’m excited to order this for my library when it’s published

As usual, Amy Harmon did not disappoint! This book is a fantasy genre that a young adult would enjoy. However, the story line was so thrilling and the characters were so believable that an adult would enjoy this read just as much.