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.

Did not finish. Gave the book 75 pages but it couldn't keep my interest. The premise seems interesting, but the writing quality wasn't great and the pacing was very odd, to the point that I wondered if the book started in the wrong place.

Since the very first time I read a book by Amy Harmon she has become an author I’ll read regardless of what it is about. That faith has yet to be misplaced. The First Girl Child was gorgeous. I loosely look at three things when I read story:
1. Prose: As always, the writing itself is beautiful. The author has a magical and lyrical way of writing, one that I find incredibly easy to get lost in.
2. Plot: I found the plot a bit slow to pick up in the beginning, but I think it was because I was just so impatient to get to all action. But even when I found it slow, the world building was incredible. Everything I know about the Norse gods is from a combination of Thor & Viking. So really I know nothing at all. I appreciated how the author was able to tie everything together so seamlessly.
3. Characters: I loved the entire cast! Each character had depth and personality, and were rendered so that it was never that difficult to keep track of all of the players. Being in the genre, and the story that they were in, none of them fell victims to becoming generic caricatures. That said, there were a few characters that I would have loved more pages with to get better insight into them. But I can always hope for more stories set in this universe!

Like every other book by this author, this is truly worth the read!


( review also posted on goodreads)

This book was near the top of my 2019 books to read list. Amy Harmon has the rare talent to write well in so many genres. The Queen and the Cure duology was exceptional, and I am excited whenever she comes back to the YA fantasy.

I am glad that I read The First Girl Child and I found it a fine little Viking story. But it was not exactly what I expected. A few aspects bothered me enough to be distracting.

The biggest disappointment was the dual love story. The time was so split between the two couples I never felt I got enough of either! I absolutely loved them both and feel they each needed their own book.

Also, the book pacing was a little frustrating. After a good opening hook, the story wasn't particularly engaging. I am actually often a fan of slow books. It can mean exceptional character development. But I needed more scenes like Alba running to pummel Bashti for mimmicking Bayr's s-s-stutter. The final third of the novel picked up and I wished it had been lengthened and fleshed out.

There was some odd additions in the story that seemed out of place, too. Why did the king create the daughter supplicants? Would Ghost really instruct Alba on kissing? Some things felt confusing or out of character?

The blood rune magic was distracting as well. Almost, all the reviewers seemed to have loved this magic system, but it was disturbing to me. In this day of self-harm and mental health challenges, I felt uncomfortable with all the self-cutting and blood letting. I understand this was "just a book" and they are my own personal perceptions, but I would still caution anyone who struggles with this to be aware before reading it.

I loved Amy's turn of phrases that make her writing so beautiful, "Ghost only being left with the word 'glorious' after cutting her hair". "There is no Alba without Bayr" The birthday gifts from Bayr to Alba (especially the 17th). So many signature Amy scenes!
But I have to admit that the overall "book chemistry" still felt a little off. I feel her "off" books though are still very enjoyable to read.
***
I give a sincere thanks to Netgalley for providing this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of the best and most original fantasy novels I've read in years. The world building is amazing - it appears to be a gentle brew of Viking culture, with Tibetan-like temples, monks, magic, blood runes, a curse on all of the tribes, and a large cast of memorable characters - both villains and heroes.

The title refers to the curse placed by a woman abandoned by her lover, that no girl children will be born in any of the tribes. Years went by with only boys born, so the tribes began raiding to capture women, but those women also bore only boys.

There are two love stories that develop over the course of the book, which covers over 20 years. This is not a fast or easy read, but is best read slowly and savored. When I first started reading it, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get into it, but I was shortly hooked. I highly recommend it, and plan to re-read it one day as I know I missed a lot. I am hoping for other books set in this world.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A new epic fantasy novel by Amy Harmon that bewitched me with its myths and lore, it's character depth and development and it's masterful eye to details that enraptured me with every page and year that went by. I loved all these flamed and wonderful characters that bleed pain and suffering, heartbreak and longing, childish love that transcends and the love a parent feels whether born of the person or chosen by fate. It was incredibly sad, yet beautiful at the same time. I cried and cried. The author created a world that I am loathe to let go of and I would be remiss to say that I would treasure the chance to greet this world again in the future. Definitely one of my top 10 reads of this year so far and I don't see that changing. Hats off to the author, I may not have read her before, but I will definitely be checking out everything I can get my hands on!

Thanks to NetGalley for this precious ARC! Amy, you gut me every single time and no matter what I keep coming for more. This book was precious, beautiful, poignant, terrifying, and sometimes sad! Thank you for the wonderful ending; now that made me cry, a beautiful yet sad cry! You never disappoint AND always deliver a true story that gets me entangled in a new and glorious world. Please! Don't stop writing and I promise to keep on reading all your beautiful words.

4 stars

This is a Norse inspired story. I find that Amy Harmon is the Queen of character/world building. The slow burn and slow building of a story are what make her a great writer. But, this story was just a little bit too slow for my taste. I felt there were a lot of characters to focus on and I couldn't focus on what was going to be important. The time jumps made me a little antsy and I missed the connection of the characters. *Spoiler-ish *My heart hurt for Dagmar and Ghost. I felt like we didn't get enough interactions between Bayr and Alba as adults that we needed to really feel the connection. We were just told it was there and briefly jump over a good portion of their alone time together. In the end, everything was rounded out perfectly but I felt it was rushed. I'm hoping we get to see these characters againin other books but it was all kind of left open. In the end, I always ask myself if I would read this book again, that's basically the difference between a 4 or 5 star book in my own standard and I don't think I will. It was good, entertaining and well written but it just wasn't for me.

What can I say about Amy Harmon - she will always be a blind purchase for me. I never have to know what her books are about - I automatically buy. Why? Because she is the only author beside Colleen Hoover, who makes me feel! She is the only author that does fantasy the way she does. She can speak and write about alternative places, and I feel like they are places I know. I will not give to much away with this book as I want everyone to go in blindly. You will not know where the time went, and once the book is over, you will want more. The reason why I took so long to write this review is that I wanted to savor Amy's writing. She expresses love in its many facets and makes people make heartbreaking sacrifices that test them in many ways. I love the connections between her (main and even minor) characters and how each relies on each other in some way for strength and or purpose to persevere. I always feel spiritually empowered after reading her books - I walk away knowing that life will test you, but you are the sum of your choices (not all, people are allowed to make mistakes and change) are what defines you.

As always Kudos to Amy and I can not wait to see what you have in store for us next.

This is a first book by this author for me and fantasy is not something that I would generally pick up to read, but I am happy that I took the plunge as I have gained a new brilliant author to follow and enjoy, and a new genre to experience more of. I will not speak of the innards of the book as the synopsis is clear to what the story is about. What I will say is that the characters and storyline will consume you and entertain your senses. It’s a artistic tale entwined with fantasy, mythological folklore and topped with a sprinkle of theology.

₮ⱧɆ ₣łⱤ₴₮ ₲łⱤⱠ ₵ⱧłⱠĐ is a tale that takes its time in developing its characters and setting, and in developing the story. You will want to take your time with this read and savor every word. You can’t help but to be drawn into its magic and charisma as it weaves its way into your mind.

The simplicity of it enchanting, and yet the complexity of it otherworldly. Amy Harmon’s prose is so descriptive and picturesque that I lived in the land of Saylok while reading this mystical piece of fiction and find myself visiting the story and the characters long after I have finished.

~ι ωαѕ ιηνιтє∂ ιηтσ тнє ραgєѕ αη∂ ¢συℓ∂ ησт σηℓу ιмαgιηє тнє αтмσѕρнєяє, вυт αℓℓ σƒ му ѕєηѕєѕ ωєяє ¢σℓℓє¢тινєℓу єηтι¢є∂ ƒяσм тнє νєяу ƒιяѕт ραgє тσ тнє ℓαѕт.~

3.5

This story started out with a great story plot but kind of ended in a rush. Since this is an ARC copy, I am hoping they still might make some changes.

Bayr was born from a scorned mother. Her baby's daddy didn't want anything to do with her after he found out she was pregnant. What is a girl to do? Curse him to never have a living heir again, and the whole city to never have new girls to breed with of course! Yeah, she was a bit pissed. So, Bayr's uncle, who is a keeper (the equivalent of a monk), took him to the temple to raise him. When he was 7 or 8 a slave girl from another city did in fact deliver a girl and he was tasked as her protector.

While I liked the storyline and the slow burn for the first 90% or so. I liked the main characters and the intelligence they possessed. Here is where the but comes in; BUT they put a good amount of importance on the 5 girls of the temple but never concluded that plot line. Everything was such a slow progression taking you through months and years only to end in days and hours. It just seemed rushed. There is this build up only to be resolved as an after fact in the epilogue. It just seemed a little disjointed in the writing. Overall, it was still entertaining enough for me to round up.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you!

One word: Epic.
This book was an exquisitely written masterpiece.
Rich, fully fleshed, and believably fantastical, The First Girl Child wove its rune magic over me and didn’t let go from the first word to the last.
I loved all the interwoven threads of the story and how Saylok’s women rose above to become the strongest of them all.
I adored Bayr and Dagmar, fell in love with Ghost and Alba, and was transported to their island of Norse legends, warriors and mythology.
I could see this play out on the big screen.
A triumph by a truly talented author.

I love that Amy Harmon can imagine and create a whole other realm based on Mythology to give us a story unlike any other that I have read.

The tale is slow to start but if you continue on you will have one of the best stories brought to life, the vividness her words create can produce in your mind's eye that you will want to visit often. Unforgettable!

Amy Harmon is a brilliant writer. I've always known this and I must say, this newest story may be her best yet.

This is filled with beautiful, vidvid scenery. Amy paints a picture with her words. I could almost be in the setting.

And the story is unique. I can't think of anything similar that I've read recently, if ever.

The characters are fabulous, memorable. They stay with you long after you've finished.

Humor! Yes, even in this story. Which I find so important.

I just...am blown away. I still don't have the words to convey how much I loved this. Definitely going to be in my top of 2019!

I don't typically read fantasy but I can't leave an Amy Harmon book left unread. I'm so glad I decided to read this. Every time I read one of her books, I get an overwhelming feeling like I'm home. Her words are comforting and full of magic. This book is no different.. She builds an intriguing world that left me unable to put this book down.

This book came out of left field for me. I didn’t really know what to expect but it was not this! This novel was amazing - so unexpected but so well done. The writing style hooked me at the beginning but the story development kept my attention. I cannot wait to see what else this author produces!

Anything Amy Harmon writes I will read it and end up loving it. I don't know how she does it but I've yet to read a book of hers I haven't cried over and this one is another addition to the endless 'Amy Harmon must read' list!