This was a ride! I am a big fan of Amy Harmon so when I heard this was coming out I jumped on it! The writing as always was excellent and the story overall was so well done. This was definitely different from the other books I have read from her but this makes me want more like this from here now. One thing that kind of bothered me was the pacing. All of the action was kind of at the end off the book and all the world building and history took up about 3/4 of the story. I do get that this story needed an info dump so I didn't mind much. Overall, Loved and I need more!

4 stars!

Amy Harmon is brilliant! I just love her writing, whether it’s fantasy or romance, her mind is a wonderful place to be!

I’m just going to start out by saying that fantasy isn’t my favorite genre of reading, so I went in a bit hesitant. But once I was a few chapters in I got sucked right in to the story of Bayr & Alba and all of the other characters of The First Girl Child. The writing was fabulous and the imagination of Amy, well, as I stated above her mind is quite creative! It was a nice change for me to read this side of her writing, I’ve only ever read her romance novels up unto this point. But I will say that I can’t wait to read more fantasy written by her, I truly enjoyed it!
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This book was very different from Amy's others. It was still well written and an enjoyable read! I guess this would be considered a slow burn. All of the action was in the last 20% of the book, the 80% before was all the history and build up.

Harmon has constructed an imaginative, meaningful, and deliberate commentary on the harsh injustices of the world, whilst weaving action-packed fantasy and mythical intrigue into an already convincing story-line.

The First Girl Child takes place in a well-constructed fantasy world where after interference with the Gods, the Sons descended from Odin are split into villages, forced to take a totem form. Whilst Harmon has taken liberties with the Gods Sons and the like, her creativity and linguistics allow for a convincing story line. What results from this imagination, is a clever take on the unjust aspects of society, whilst also incorporating all the key aspects of a Action-Fantasy novel. By including sociological perspectives such as anti-misogyny and feminism in the construction of not just the plot-line but the world, Harmon effectively creates a desire for more and therefore a novel that lasts.

un monde diablement bien tourné, des personnages hyper attachants et une autrice qui, quelques soient ses mots, nous tient en haleine et nous permet de vivre des choses très intenses.
vivement le prochain !!

This book was just as good as I hoped it would be. The world-building was very solid. There was enough detail to make it believable but not enough to make it hard to grasp. The characters were easy to either love or hate. Ghost, Bayr, and Dagmar all had a lot of character development. There was two romances in the story. I liked both, but the one with the slightly more mature couple was the more interesting. The ending was sad in parts, but very satisfying.

I wouldn't recommend this book to those who are squeamish about blood. There is quite a lot of blood. Other than that, it was a very enjoyable story and I'm glad I read it. I don't know if there's ever going to be a sequel. If there is, I'll be pretty happy about that.

The First Girl Child follows Bayr of Saylok. His mother cursed the land so that there would be no daughter born after her death. His uncle raises him but Bayr has no idea that his father is actually the Chieftain.

In this book, we also follow Alba, the first girl being born after six years. Bayr, even as a boy, is stronger than any man so he will be charged to protect her. After years of friendship, when they grow older, they eventually develop romantic feelings for each other.

There is more plot than that, but unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me. It's been a couple of weeks since I finished it and I can say that I already forgot a lot of things. Now take that with a grain of salt because my memory isn't great and I easily forget what happens in a book. I had a hard time getting into the book but after a while I really enjoyed it. However, around 60%, I got bored and I lost interest in the plot.

Fantasy is one of my favorite genres but this one was a miss even though I wanted to love it.


(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

I have been a long time fan of Amy Harmon and this book is another reason why her writing is phenomenal. Lush and atmospheric, The First Child will have you captivated with it storyline.

As with most books on NetGalley, this book is a great read. Captivating and intriguing. Thematically beautiful. Gorgeous writing.

Thank you, NetGalley, the publishers and Amy Harmon for a free advanced copy.

I so wanted to love this! I have never not loved anything from this author, but this just did not work for me. I'm going with "it's me not the book!" One issue for me, when I am reading this particular time period I want more grit. I didn't feel like I was in "viking" times, it was way to tame for me. Overall it was a beautiful story, just not flushed enough for me. I really did love Bayr.

Should there be another book with these characters I would definitely read.

The writing was phenomenal, and although some parts did feel really drawn out, I thought the plot remained interesting, and I was intrigued the whole time to see the outcome between Bayr and Alba. The ending was very action-packed, which I honestly expected more of the book to be, and although there were deaths that were upsetting, I'm satisifed with the ending. A very well-told story!

I am not usually a fan of anything that is historical in the least. This book on the other hand although there was a historical feel to it I didn't feel as though that is what it focused on. I was able to get pulled in and couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what was coming. I knew where it was going for the most part but wanted to see how it would play out and how Amy was going to get us there.

I enjoy her (Amy Harmon) writing style. I enjoy her books. There is always so much feeling, that comes across so strong.

Amy Harmon is one of my favourite authors and she doesn't disappoint with "The First Girl Child".
A dark yet beautiful, slow-paced fantasy based on Norse mythology. The world building and the character development created an extraordinary world. A world of war and hope, heartbreak and loss, friendship and love.
Regardless of the genre Amy Harmon writes (contemporary being my favourite) her books are sure to captivate and mesmerize me.

Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I normally like Amy Harmon but I just couldn't bring myself to care much for the plot of this book. The story takes so much time to build (starting before the first girl child is born) to the titular action of the novel...I was already over it by that time. But I think that's just me. I can see why many people would love this book. Amy's prose is as wonderful as ever but besides that, this is a big no for me.

Amy Harmon never disappoints. Ever. Her writing is lyrical and beautiful and has a way of drawing you in from beginning to end. This book wasted no time setting things into motion. From page one we’re taken on a journey that’s unlike anything else I’ve read. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to get completely lost in, and consumed by, an original and exciting story.

This book was truly amazing. It’s filled with unforgettable characters, an intense story set in a fictional magical and mystical world. This story incorporates Norse mythology to bring you an epic story of love, loss, loyalty, bravery and triumph.

A young boy who finds himself at a young age protector of a baby princess.

The story is slow to start but as you continue on you will find yourself immersed in the fictional world of Saylock and the six clans.
A kingdom plagued for centuries by a curse placed on them by a scorned woman, "From this day forward, there will be no daughters in Saylock.

Bayr who is born from the woman who placed the cursed and Alba who is claimed to be the first girl child born since the beginning of the curse. Bayr was gifted with inhuman strength and the innate pull to protect Princess Alba all the while never knowing the bond that binds them can be the preservation or the ruin of their land.

Bayr not knowing the responsibility that will befall him and Princess Alba not knowing her true history. When all is said and done and truths revealed will they save their people?

Bayr and Alba's story was amazing and emotional. Two children who will grow up to be the salvation of Saylok and have to go through the unthinkable to save the ones they love. It’s the perfect blend of romance, magic, and heartbreak. The descriptions and emotions of the characters were vivid and absolutely captivating.
As a novice fantasy reader I found the book easy to follow, sometimes I struggle to get into the plot but not with this story. This is a great YA Fantasy.
Thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc.
#netgalley #thefirstgirlchild

I already know I'm going to have a hard time reviewing The First Girl Child. Basically here's my thought process throughout the book:

Prologue: "Ugh I hate children prologues." And "Are these the main characters?" To answer that question...no the prologue isn't from the main two characters.

Up to like 50%: "Why are we staying in their childhood so long? I want some juicy romance which is going to be weird because these two are basically like brother and sister."

50-70%: "Things are picking up speed. I've highlighted some good quotes and sections."

70-90%: "Okay so I clearly like this book. Yet I really have missed the deep romance being built."

90-100%: "Well that wrapped up well. I wouldn't mind reading more set in the same world."

Here's the thing, I love romance. It's my favorite part of any story, and it just so happens that the book I finished before The First Girl Child also ended up not having a romance. So I was disappointed back to back. Now let me be clear... There IS a romance (two in fact) in The First Girl Child but neither was the exact focus of the story. And what did happen was a lot of time spent building back story into the two main characters. A separation. And then a sudden jump to a relationship. Much of what could have been explored was left out.

The world-building was exquisite. I could picture the culture, the island, the temple, the characters, and their gods. There was enough of a history to give things a well-rounded feel without it seeming like a history book. I truly hope Amy Harmon returns to this setting in the future.

I loved the greater story here. At times I felt like it was just another "oh poor pitiful women being abused by the all-powerful men in their lives." But that really wasn't what it was about. In an attempt to curse men and prevent women from suffering at the hands of them, all Desdemona did was create more suffering for everyone, specifically, the women continued to suffer more than the men.

Favorite quotes:
-"The gods reward our faith in the face of fear, Bayr. On the other side of fear is triumph."

-"W-when I'm grown, I w-won't b-be a-afraid," Bayr murmmered, hopeful. "You'll still be afraid. But you must do what is right, what you must, despite that fear."

-"...strength without wisdom is dangerous."

-The view, no matter which direction he stood, took Dagmar's breath and added it to the sky.

-...it was easy to confuse responsibility with power.

-But her hate was no match for her love.

-"Is she beautiful?" Dagmar frowned, startled. "I don't know, Master. She is ... frightening. And dirty. And sad. But ... she could be beautiful if ... someone ... loved her."

-The king withdrew the blade once more, and the dead man paid homage to his boots.

-"Life is not kind to women," Ghost sighed. "My sister said the same thing. But life is not especially kind to men either. Life is suffering, and we all suffer." ... "Even amid the suffering, the good is not hard to find"...

I enjoyed The First Girl Child. It was deep, multifaceted, and had great world-building. I didn't want to stop reading, and thankfully I was able to keep reading through most of this book without needing to put it down. I'm afraid frequently needing to take breaks for real life would have severely impacted (for the negative) my experience with this book. As it stands, I was already battling the lack of romantic build-up. This is not the book for you if you're looking for all the warm and fuzzies that come with love stories. The First Girl Child still gets 4 Stars. Have you read The First Girl Child? What did you think? Let me know.

I’m normally not a fantasy/pnr reader, but this author has a way of changing all of that.
I was pulled in with the vivid descriptions, and careful attention to details..
Captivating, exciting and unputdownable, this story was more than a a story of fantasy and mythology.
It was a girl’s journey to find her way in her world.
How 21st century!
My only issue was that there were some elements of the story that were too stretched out.

I don’t normally read fantasy, but I’ll read ANYTHING written by Amy Harmon.

This book takes you on a journey; it’s so well-written and totally captures just how brilliant words transforming into a movie in your imagination.

I am in awe of this author talent. Definite must read!

Wow! I don’t normally read this genre but I had to get it because, I mean it’s Amy Harmon. I love her work. She is definitely a go-to author for me and she did not disappoint in The First Girl Child. I went in blind not knowing what the story was about and let me tell you it was an exhilirating ride. This magical world of runes and clans that Amy created just grabbed me from the very beginning and held on to me until the very incredible end. Amy’s writing is so vivid it’s like I was transported to Saylok.

“From this day forward, there will be no daughters in Saylok”. With these words, Desdemona curses Saylok as she gives birth to Bayr, son of an ambitious and cruel chieftan named Banruud. Dagmar, Desdemona’s brother and Keeper of Saylok, is left to raise Bayr, who grows up to be a giant of a man with super human strength and the gentlest of souls. My heart just couldn’t help but to fall in love with Bayr, the same heart that broke throughout the story at the things he endured.

Alba is the first girl child born in Saylok after two decades of Dedemona’s curse and believed to be the salvation of Saylok. Since her birth, Bayr protects her. As the years pass, that protection evolves into a deep love for one another but there are dangerous secrets that have the potential to destroy not only their love but Saylok as well.

This story was such a thrill to read. I was engrossed from the beginning. There is plenty to keep you entertained: suspense, love, murder, adventure, betrayal, loss, heartbreak and much more. It is so beautifully written as you would expect from this author. Her writing is just magical. All of the characters, good and bad, were amazing from Alba, Bayr, Dagmar, Desdemona, to Ghost, Ivo and even Banruud. I wish I could read it all over again and experience it anew. That ending with Bayr and the wolf just had me bawling. I’m just in awe of Amy’s talent. Amazing story, which, by the way should definitely be made into a movie, in my opinion. That would be a spectacular flick.