The First Girl Child (The Chronicles of Saylok)

Amy Harmon // The First Girl Child // Amy Harmon "This is not a world where a man or woman gets much choice in their happiness. We are born into war and each day is a battle." Why? Why do such good books have to end? Can't make books that never end? That's my reaction after this book. In addition to this comment 😱! This is not the first book I read of Amy Harmon. For me, she is my favorite writer in English literature. Dead to meet her. And tell her that. "I love you, thank you very much." These are the words that are enough to say thank you for a perfect book! ❤️ Don't dig too far this time in descriptions. Because I have no words to describe my feeling. Because I haven't yet digested this book. Comforting with this, that Amy said she was going to continue the next books on other characters that I was so curious about! 🤭🔥 Bayr was born with the powers and abilities not like the others children. His first hunt was at the age of 7. It is said that he is blessed with the blessing of God Odin, and his son Thor. His powers are destined for greatness. His mother died at birth. And in her final moments before her soul rises, she appeals to her brother Dagmar to take care about the child and raise him wisely. (Because the prophecy says no more girls will be born in the country). Because this kid needs to be saved. And Dagmar takes him under his wing. My details are so small. This is just the beginning of the story. There are other elements to read in the book to understand what this is about. This is not a book of licks and love like YA. this is different. And that's why I connect with this writer. Because she knows how to convey it in a different, different way. Dagmar brings Bayr to the guard tower. Dagmar's name is there and fulfills his mission of being part of the State Guard. Dagmar's dream came true. The whole world that Amy has built magic, dragons. The plot is so beautiful that brings us back to a period of magic and magic. Not on an exaggerated level. But, gently plot. A world that is all good, but also has the dark side. When Dagmar realizes the abilities and prophecies that Bayer always spoke about. He is ready to lead him to the next level of his life. "She has no color in her skin or her hair, my lord. She is white like the snow ... like a spirit. Even her eyes are pale." Alba, a beautiful girl. Raised by the king and queen. A character so intriguing. We are going through a maturation process with her. She is a very good character. She’s very different from female characters I’ve read lately. When Bayr finds himself in the palace after the rumor has been born of a new princess. He is intrigued. He sees her for the first time at the age of 7. And he feels that something is connected between them. The right to which it is intended. Keep it up. Keep her safe from evil enemies. And that is what he becomes after the king decides so. In the country, in front of you is a king. Lies and profanity. Wars, and evil on his part. I hated him so much. I wanted to go in and tell them to kill him! 🤩 Bayr, and Alba spend most of their time together. He is her guardian. It was designed and born for her. Every second and every second every moment of its development is there. But what they don't know is. Both are the king's threat. Both of them the king wants to kill. Because in one second, they take it off the throne. Will they absorb it? Or will evil and scavenging take over the entire state? By a king who is all murder and blood. "I've only ever wh-whised for one thing." "Tell me." "To be here. Near you. That's all." Bayr and Alba’s story is so pure. We get special elements about Norse mythology. In my book, there were two great love stories. Dagmar and Ghost (Ghost) are so named because of her snow white hair. And the story of Bayer and Elba's adventure. In summary, such a beautiful story. Round figures. The plot is so well written. Get more knowledge about the mythology. A book that just read it and blend in with any words that are worth magic. This is how I felt in every sentence of this book. magic. An extraordinary love story. The book is written in a third person which, to me, terribly contributes to the plot because it is both historical and easier to understand the book and details. Another Amy Harmon Moffat. For me, she did. And didn't let me down as a reader. warmly recommended! ❤️

The premise for Amy Harmon's latest release is absolute brilliance. A curse set forth by a scorned woman plagues a kingdom for decades and sets into motion a course of events that had me completely riveted. I'm not much of a fantasy reader but where this author's name goes, I shall always follow. And I'm so glad I did. This story of curses and magic, Gods and faith, love and friendship completely swept me away and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. The most magical aspect of this novel was Amy Harmon's writing itself. It's absolutely STUNNING, her words. The storytelling, the word weaving, the vivid imagery, the dialogue... it's next level. I was blown away once again by her skill and I can't say that enough. The romance reader in me would love to call this Bayr and Alba's story but The First Girl Child is so much bigger than just these two characters who grow from children to friends to epic loves that would bring hope to a land where none exists. I was completely enamored by every single character in this vast kingdom, by the way their stories interlock, by the way their secrets weave and twist. My heart soared and broke for every single one. I'd love for Amy Harmon to revisit Saylock in the future because there's just so much possibility here in this world. While I don't read much fantasy typically, I love and appreciate that the possibilities are truly endless when your world is made of magic and otherworldly abilities. It's so exciting to imagine what else could be... The First Girl Child is an EPIC adventure for the heart and soul. It blistered my heart with the profound sadness that runs throughout each page. But amidst the heartache, there is always hope. There is always goodness to be found amid despair. Through its twists and turns, Harmon executes a story that feels majestic and ethereal, but sends profound messages we can all relate to. It's a story that reminds us that where there is loss, there are new beginnings. Where there is evil and greed, there is also selfishness and generosity. Where there is devastation, there is always love. It's a story set in the days of Vikings and clans and epic battles between good and evil but with a modern message that will have you rooting for GIRL POWER. In a male dominated society where women are seen rather than heard, necessary for furthering the species but little else, the true strength and power of women SHINES on these pages. It's beautiful and unforgettable and truly demonstrative of the mastery of this author. The First Girl Child is an absolute gem, a treat for the soul whether you're a fantasy reader or not and I strongly recommend it!

Amy Harmon’s latest novel is immersed in the traditions of and language of Norse Mythology. Her setting is a star-shaped island nation founded by a fictitious son of Odin’s. This ordered society is made up of clan lands surrounding a central monarchy, in which the king, chosen by the clans from within the clans, draws strength and guidance from the temple’s Keepers. This system works to balance the king’s warrior’s might with the keeper’s spiritual wisdom. But the system goes awry when a laboring woman, forsaken by her lover, and forced to bear her child in the woods alone, curses the kingdom with the blood of childbirth gone wrong. She sketches runes in her heart’s blood that will mean that the man who rejected her and his unborn child will never have another live baby, and even more horrible, that no girl children at all will be born on the island. This woman, Desdemona, is hemorrhaging, hovering on the brink of death when her brother, a Keeper, finds her. Appalled as he is by his sister’s vengeful curses, Dagmar takes charge of her newborn son and names him Bayr, as Desdemona beseeches him to do as she passes from the world into the next. Desdemona’s curse works, and no female children are born to the clans. The clansmen resort to raiding neighboring countries to bring women into their clans, but the curse holds on strong. The curse seems unbreakable: Until, that is, an enterprising and conscienceless clansman decides to steal the female child one of the captured slave women from a nearby country has delivered. His own wife has delivered only stillborn boys and will soon labor to bring another child into the world. The Clansman, a chieftain who seeks power and wants to be named the next king, pulls a switch, permanently silences witnesses, and soon even his wife, who thought she’d delivered another dead infant, happily accepts that she was initially delirious and welcomes her new daughter with ferocious love. The curse has broken! But it has not. Princess Alba is a healthy girl, but no other girl babies follow her birth. Only Alba’s birth mother, an albino slave woman whose only wish is to see her baby cared for and happy, knows the truth. Meanwhile, Dagmar is raising his sister’s little boy, who is growing into a boy of great strength and loyalty. He is drawn toward the little princess and is soon charged with her safety. These two children, both of whom have an unusual birth story, form the heart and soul of the novel. As they grow to adulthood, the political climate of their country falters, and the ramifications of Desdemona’s curse, not to mention the secrets, both ignoble and benign, that form the backdrop of Alba’s and Bayr’s lives, come to head in an epic explosion that shakes the island to its core. Harmon’s story-telling is superb. She understands pacing and characterization, and her characters’s emotions ring true. The novel is a compelling, enjoyable read. Young adult and fully adult readers will find this book a delightful treat to read.

This was a tough book for me to get into. Since it is fantasy of sorts, the character names and the setting was not something I could relate to. And yet, I'm familiar with Amy Harmon's writings and I'm a big fan! I just kept telling myself to stay with the story and at some point, it will click and I'll be in the groove and ... it did click and I was in the groove and the story came to life and I lost myself within the pages of the book. Amy's writing style is magnetic meaning ... she has the skill to pull you in and you may find yourself helpless to pull away. She writes with a cadence that is like surfing a wave ... just stay on top of the wave and allow it to carry you along. And along the ride, you'll marvel at your ability to stay balanced and with the wave and you'll learn something about yourself and you'll fall in love with the sport because you get it and you did it and you were a part of something so transforming. The characters in this story are so original ... like nothing you may have ever encountered in any other book. They're relatable characters even though their so unique. There are characters you'll fall madly in love with and of course, there are characters you want dead! I probably shouldn't say that in this day and age, but you know what I'm talking about. They are such opposing characters to the good nature of this story that they seem to mess everything up! But alas, you need those characters to show the good of the characters that you love. Just how good are they without the opposition? It's like a waltz or a dance where each participant compliments each other and navigates the moves in order to create a beautiful wave of movement. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for an escape from their current reality. Being a Romantic Fantasy story, you'll we whisked away to a land far, far away and you'll return home refreshed and renewed. You know that is exactly what you need right now ... perhaps we all do.

“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.” I loved the world of Saylok- the clans, the chieftains, the keepers, the temple. This reimagined Norse mythology was another absolutely fantastic story from Amy Harmon. I would have thought, if not for the authors note, that Saylok was a real part of Norse mythology... actually it feels like a real part of history, because it came alive so much on the page!! I loved the entire political system of Saylok and the mythology behind it’s creation. I loved all of the little details included. First Girl Child is the story of Bayr of Saylok- unwanted by his father, adored by his uncle, protector of those he loves. It is also the story of Alba- the first girl child, believed to be the savior of Saylok. It’s a story about deception, love, and sacrifice. I loved how this is very much a feminist story and has these really fantastic female characters, but it also has amazing men - strong, sensitive, and wise. I loved that Bayr is this Thor-like character in his strength and size, but he only wants to use those gifts to honor and protect those he loves. It was a very nice twist on the typical alpha male type characters that we usually see with those physical traits. I loved the character development through the book. In the main characters of Bayr, Alba, Ghost, and Dagmar, but I also loved how the character of Dred and the other warriors of Dolphys won me over. I would also very much appreciate an Aidan spinoff story! Read for: * Reimagined Norse mythology * Fantastic world building!! * Romance and loyalty * Multi faceted characters and relationships I loved this book, these characters, and this world. I’m so grateful that I’ll be able to return to Saylok as Amy Harmon has book two in The Chronicles of Saylok coming out July 20- The Second Blind Son.

I picked this and another Scandinavian-set book for my vacation to Hawaii. I figured it would offer just the right amount of juxtaposition to my own setting. This one I hoped would be darker and more action/fantasy, while the other was romance and perhaps comedy. The setting for this book turned out to not be so influential except for the Norse-informed fantasy side. I listened to the audiobook and read the kindle. The reader is fantastic and really complements the author's writing style, characters, and plot. The story itself is great and the main characters were well-built. I do wish more of the secondary characters had more depth... they were just kind of there. They were given some individual attributes and backstory, but not enough to actually fill them out. The pacing of the story seemed very slow though. This could have been my own issue, which is why I didn't rate it lower. I may have been expecting a more fast paced story. Or perhaps it was how I tackled the book (little bits here and there). But a book of this length doesn't normally feel so.... long and drawn out. I realize this is laying a foundation for the larger series, but I wish it'd just been paced differently. This has left me a bit undecided whether I will continue with the other books in the series. On one hand, I hope they will fill in those other characters better. But I'm not feeling attached enough to the story or world to commit to another slower story on it

The First Girl Child was an enchanting story. The characters were fallible and endearing. She weaves fantasy and mythology together as a support structure for the relationships between the characters so don’t expect a whole lot of Nordic mythology. She won’t go into the history much and doesn’t bother breaking down the magic for you. Instead the story focuses on the ties that bind the characters, love, honor, duty, carnal responsibility, and fate. This story spans a good 25yrs and it displays one of the author’s strengths; she builds slow burning romances and strong loves. The ending makes so much sense it hurts and you can’t help but cry. I honestly enjoyed this story a little more than some of her other work. She tends to have moments in her stories that are just a little too far out there, a little too coincidental, and a little too unbelievable for me and I often disconnect from the stories at that point and have to power through to reconnect. From Sand and Ash is a perfect example. The story is so beautifully unfolded and the characters so well developed that toward the end of the book when the characters reunite I had to pull away from the page to ask “seriously?” I didn’t feel that in this story. The First Girl Child is heart warming and pulls you in from beginning to end. I occasionally toggle between ebooks and audiobooks while I drive so just in case you are wondering the audiobook is performed by Rob Shapiro and he does a wonderful job.

I have waited to read The First Girl Child. I knew there was another book in the series coming and I am not good at waiting. I like being totally immersed in a world and stying there as long as possible. That being said, this is not a cliffhanger. It can completely stand alone as the fabulous read that it is. Amy Harmon has created a world based on Norse Folklore and completely slayed the telling of this story. I went completely off grid as a I traveled to and lived in Saylock for a complete day and a half. I loved this world created by Ms. Harmon. It was complexly layered, yet simple enough to understand its makeup. The clans and their members were easily identified and uniquely interesting. I completely lost my heart to the beautiful and noble characters who were the protectors of Saylok and its inhabitants. Ghost, Dagmar, Ivo, Alba, and Bayr are brave, and true. They are an unforgettable family of warriors who will live in my heart and mind forever. Their love and loyalty are legendary. I know that I can never go wrong when I pick up an Amy Harmon novel. This is the first fantasy novel written by her that I have read, but it will definitely not be my last. Her honest and masterfully descriptive writing transcend any genre. Amy Harmon is an author I consisently automatically buy and readily recommend to other readers.