I read all of this author’s books for her brilliant storytelling regardless of the genres. She can write ANYTHING and I would read it. Fantasy is typically not my favorite but it is impossible not to get swept up in the author’s spells. You can get an idea of what this book entails in the backstory. I feel that it’s impossible to summarize the story because of its complexity and the depth of each characters. The story is so mysterious, magical, vivid, thought-provoking, and completely unique – something you cannot skim through. I had to pay close attention and sometimes re-read certain parts as it spans over a couple decades and I can get easily get lost in the lies, betrayal, twists, and surprises. In the background is a beautiful forbidden love story between the first girl child and the man who protects her but there is so much more…This is a poignant story about fate, sacrifice, survival, and redemption. Truly fascination and magnificent read!

OMG, seriously?!? This book was absolutely sensational!! Ms. Harmon has got some mad writing chops, for truth!

Why have I let this book sit in my TBR for so long, is the real question? I know I like to let my ARCs get close to release date...but dang...this book was a truly a gift, and it seems like it should have, I don't know--waved to me, or something--from the main Kindle screen everytime I looked for a book, LOL!

<I>The First Girl Child</I> is a standalone YA fantasy story that will keep you actively engaged from beginning until the end. The writing is superb. The characters...inspired, be they main or accessory. The plot, while one that has been done, this was an interesting twist. Seriously...it was just a great book. I didn't want to put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley who provided an ecopy of the book in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars

This is another amazing book. I loved the concept and characters. I thought it was a bit long winded in the build up though.

I loved this Norse-inspired stand-alone fantasy from one of my favorite authors, Amy Harmon. Regardless of the genre she writes, her books are sure to captivate me and play on my heartstrings, and The First Girl Child was no exception. It's not my favorite book from Amy, but it's still an excellent read. I recommend it!

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley

A curse with far reaching consequences is crafted within the opening chapters of this novel and it is this event steeped in emotion and tragedy that shapes the narrative of the story, and thereafter a stunning tale is weaved depicting power, jealousy, betrayal, hope, sacrifice and above all else, love. Amy Harmon is a writing genius when it comes to creating unique layered worlds, whether they be in the genre of romance, history or fantasy and this story encompasses all three elements with absolute excellence. It was a joy to feel immersed in the land of warring clans and characters who were brave, who cared deeply, were principled, and had faith. Characters who developed perfectly through the timeline of the story and effortlessly pulled me into the heart of their cursed kingdom making me feel and hope and love along with them.

Bayr of Saylok and Alba are the main protagonists in a sea of compelling characters who make up the tapestry of this story, many having an equal and vital role in the rich prose of the story arc. I was utterly enamoured with the plotline and the vividly depicted world beautifully showcased by Harmon who, I feel, can turn her hand to any trope and capture my undivided attention with her penmanship. I very much hope I have the opportunity to visit the fantasy world of Saylok again and highly recommend this novel to my fellow reading addicts.

This took a little longer than I expected. I really enjoyed this historical fiction fantasy novel, which also had touches to romance. It felt really natural to read and I found myself lost in such a wonderful world. Originally, the aspect that brought me into this novel was the setting, a Norse mythology inspired fictional island separated into clans, which are all headed by a king and a group of “seekers”(basically priests but with magic powers). I got a little nervous once I saw some of Amy Harmon’s other books, which are a little more contemporary than I usually like, but I was pleasantly surprised.

The plot revolves around this island where a woman curses the men, as she is dying after childbirth, so that they will no longer have any female children. After a decade, one clan’s chieftain claims he has birthed a girl and he is made king. As his treachery and lies are the bedrock of his throne, the entire kingdom is on the brink of crashing down.

My favourite part of the novel was the magnificent character work. Every character was so interesting to read about and each had their own personality. The members of each clan take the same initial letter of their parent of the same gender’s name, for example Dred’s son is Dagmar. Initally I thought that would make all the characters sound the same and make them indistinguishable, but due to Harmon’s impecable characters I had no trouble.

The writing style was pretty good throughout and there were some funny moments mixed into it that really jazzed up the writing. There were a few examples of purposely changed words into their archaic versions, mayhaps instead of perhaps, which was confusing at the beginning but normalized by the end.

The romance was a little predictable, and this book definitely falls into the the-plot-revolves-around-a-miscommunication trope, so if you’re not a fan of that trope than this book is not for you. I didn’t really mind it but it does affect the story considerably.

There were so many strong female characters and I really enjoyed the emphasis on the importance of women. Throughout the novel women are seen as independent and effectively make themselves equal to men by the end of the novel. That does not mean that there are not times where women are treated as defenseless, but most of the times where women were introduced they were positively portrayed.

The magic system, which is based on blood and runes, is quite interesting, but by the middle of the book is just treated like an everyday occurrence. I was quite funny when Dagmar drew a rune to keep women out of his room though.

Overall this book was solid all the way through and it made me want to rethink some of her other novels. Do you think I should give them a chance? Leave a comment down below and Happy Reading!

4.5 stars

I normally have a hard time getting into fantasy books because of the world building. I find it makes for a slow read. The world building in this book is spread throughout and makes for a well-paced story. This was beautifully written and the story pulled me in. I loved all the characters and everything they brought to the story. The story flowed well and the pace picked up towards the end. Amy brought everything together and gave the story the perfect ending.

I always enjoy going into the worlds Amy Harmon creates, its no secret I have loved all her fantasy books ( The Bird and the Sword is pure perfection and I do not use that word lightly!) The story revolves around the curse placed by Bayr's mother; Desdemona.

The impact of which has far reaching consequences; some so tragic that I don't think even poor Desdemona would have truly wished it with her dying breath. She is only in the story for a short while (and the reason why I gave a 4.5 for plot, I wanted to know so much more of this fierce Shield Maiden who had such a thirst for life we saw it shining out of her even as a child, but I understood the need for it so I did not mark it down too much, to be honest I feel mean by even lowering it by 0.5!)

The curse affects the whole of Saylok, and as the story progresses we are introduced to more characters, this I thought was done especially well, I was not lost or confused, rather each character kept enriching the story.

We are introduced to Dagmar with his warriors body and the gentle soul of a keeper (A monk-like role). Ghost, a seemingly helpless captive, stolen from her native country by the marauding Saylok Clans. Bayr the orphan who grows up in the temple, and of course Alba, the girl who even as she is held up to be the salvation of the clans but still is no less a captive than Ghost. With seamless interweaving of their point of views, the world of Saylok is brought to life in all its vivid harshness.

The Norse mythology was engrossing, and the marauding aspects of viking life was informative. Blood and rune magic has always been fascinating to me it was not at all surprising that a brutal way of life would produce such a violent form of magic and it was interesting to see how it was used manipulated and used by the characters.

The writing is simply poetic, and a joy to read. I enjoyed this immensely. It kept me engaged from start to finish. The story was so rich and full of wonderful characters that the world fully came to life in my mind.

VERDICT: This is a beautifully crafted gem of a story, the world building is superb, the characters are well rounded and believable and the plot was so richly done that I was never bored. Though Bayr and Alba's story was beautifully concluded I would love to visit this world again and perhaps follow some of the other characters. Highly recommend to all!

"Within the walls and behind the Temple doors lives an unexpected salvation—a girl."

Amy Harmon is one of those author's that writes pure poetry and this is no exception. The First Girl Child is an immersive and vivid fantasy book that I could not put down. There is so much to absorb from the book, so many themes and such an amazing story, I don't even know what to say about the book except read it. If you love fantasy novels, read it because it is a book that is indescribable and I know this review doesn't do the book justice but it's hard to put something so good in to words. From Norse mythology to memorable characters (Ghost, OMG), set the time to read this and don't plan on doing anything else.

Amy is one of the most talented writers I know. She never disappoints. It doesn't matter what genre she is diving into her books are well thought out, researched and touch your soul.

I was immediately immersed in this story. It's more of a "tale" really and I loved it. It was well paced, action packed and will devastate you before it turns around and heals you.

4.5 Stars!!!

This fantasy takes place in the land of Saylok, Created by Odin for his son Saylok who loved nature and animals..

"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."

This is the situation of women of Saylok at that time... The story starts when Desdemona, a woman warrior is abandoned by her lover!! Desdemona curses the land of Saylok when she dies leaving her son Bayr to be raised by her brother Dagmar, Keeper of Saylok..

The First Girl Child is the story of betrayal and Revenge of a wronged woman; the story of a mother's sacrifice to protect her child. Its a story of Betrayal, Revenge, Sacrifice, Power and Love..

I loved the fantasy world created by the author with kings, Gods, Keepers, Magic and Runes.
Every character had a purpose and depth to them - From Dagmar n Bayr to Alba, Ghost and Ivo...
The story pace was neither fast nor slow.. The end was full of action, emotional and thrilling...

Amy Harmon is an author who can write any genre with so much conviction.. This book is no exception and her writing was absolutely beautiful!!

I want to thank 47North and NetGalley for sending me an arc for an honest review!

Captivating, intriguing and totally worth reading! The fantasy and world building was incredible. This story was so unique and fascinating. I loved the Nordic kings, gods and mythological aspects of this book. I really recommend this book!

There were so many things that felt different for me reading this book in such a good way. Especially with the setting, vikings, clans, warriors, Norse Mythology that its an untouched subject I don't think I have come across before or maybe its just been a few years. Towards the end though everything felt rushed. I highly applaud Amy for embarking on a Fantasy journey. I STILL enjoyed it. I also thought Rob did a good job narrating.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

***Thank you to 47North for the ARC****

This will be available in August, though copies were still available on Netgalley last I checked.

This was a solid three stars for me. It was an enjoyable read for me - with an engaging story and well developed world. That being said, I kept wanting... I guess... more depth for the characters.

Things I liked: The keepers and the world building. I loved the clans and descriptions of nature. I really loved the runes and the concept of rune-blood.

Things I didn't like so much: Bayr and Alba edged a bit too close to Mary Sue and Gary Stu-ism for comfort for me. Additionally, the main antagonist felt rather one dimensional; no one is just 100% evil - at a minimum, they think what they are doing is right. Unfortunately, I found myself thinking many of the characters just felt rather empty. Finally, I just felt like the whole: curse in the name of suffering women, but then the curse causes mainly women to suffer idea fell a bit flat. It just seemed to miss somewhat, in whatever point it was trying to make, I guess?

All together, I enjoyed this, but far less than some other of Amy Harmon's books and series.

Great characters, an engaging storyline and a brisk pace make this book almost impossible to put down. You should read this book. You won't be sorry (and if you are sorry, it says more about you than this book).

I don't want to give away any of the storyline or even discus the fabulous characters of this book. Read the synopsis and if it sounds like the kind of book you'll like, you should love it as much as I did.

First of all I love all Amy Harmon books! This book reminded me of a season of Game of Thrones. The characters were written full of life and jumping out of the pages. From the ever strong Bayr, the knowledgeable Master Ivo, the beautiful Alba, the ever present Ghost, the evil king, and the loyal Dagmar each interwoven to complex relationships. I enjoyed this story of good vs evil, it flowed so well and her writing is so lyrical.

5★★★★★Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Standalone
POV: Third Person

❝Those that are of great value are also at great risk.❞

The story opens up with a very intriguing scene and instantly I was addicted to the story line. We meet Dagmar; a keeper of the land who has been entrusted to protect his nephew Bayr. Dagmar finds himself in a rough situation but managed to learn how to raise this book and soon he finds that he cannot live without him.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Dagmar and Bayr; I thought it was so sweet and it melt my heart to seem the both of them together. When Bayr was forced to protect the princess Alba it was hard for the both of them but soon Bayr learned how to love Alba like his.

I found myself enjoying every single character in this story. Ghost in particular was such a fascinating character that shocked everyone with her choices. The town of Saylok has been cursed and no one knew it, no one was able to have baby girls only boys after so many years that became a problem and people were showing their true intentions. The keeper so Saylok knew they had to do something to protect their city.

THE FIRST GIRL CHILD is such an incredible tale of sacrifice and survival at its best; a tale about a boy who will do anything to protect the first girl child even against his king. A mother who will become a ghost to make sure her child is protected and a brother who will do whatever it takes to protect his nephew. As a parent you connect with all these characters trying to protect their children. The author gives us a unique story where power is everything and survival is all everyone know. I highly recommend this story to readers searching for an unforgettable fantasy book.

“Home is inside of us. Home is the people we love. Home is what we strive for.”- The First Girl Child, Amy Harmon
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I am a total Amy Harmon fan so I was excited to see she had another book coming out. Just like all her other books I’ve read, I LOVED this one!
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This was my first fantasy book I’ve read from her and you can bet that I will be going back to read her other fantasy books. In this book I was transported into the world of Saylok and I can’t wait to go back!
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Told in different perspectives we read about the clans of Saylok, runes, battles, a power hungry king, love, loss and the curse brought upon Saylok stating that no more girls would be born there.
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Amy has a beautiful way with words. She never fails to write a book that feels more like an experience than a book! If you like fantasy or Norse mythology or want an all around amazing book I recommend this book. It is LIVE today on Amazon and free on KU! Thank you to #47north and @netgalley for my review copy.

4.5 stars — I don’t even know where to start. I’m not really a fantasy reader, but there is something about the way Amy Harmon writes her stories that has me immediately grabbing for any fantasy novel she writes. Her worlds are so vivid and unique. And the emotions! OMG the emotions. I just finished reading this one and I was bawling! BAWLING! It wasn’t even completely sad bawling, it was “I FEEL ALL THE EMOTIONS!” bawling. If that makes sense. Probably not. But whatevs. Somewhere out there my emotional peeps are all “homey, I got you.”

ANYWAYS. This story had so many facets to it. It wasn’t a story told from one point of view, but from many actually. Normally that’s not my thing, but in this case I felt like it enhanced my enjoyment of the plot, b/c I was always getting each new piece from the perspective that mattered most. And with all those POVs, that also meant that it was more than just 1 or 2 main characters. There were like…shoot, I don’t even know, 5? With a handful of strong secondaries? And I cared for them all! Well, I mean, all the heroes, not the villains. They were suitably evil…not caricatures or anything, but motivated by all the wrong things. Our heroes were complex, and not without flaws, but with beautiful souls deep down. I forgave them their mistakes, and loved watching them grow and fulfill their destinies (if that’s not uber corny to say).

Normally in my reviews I have a formula: I go into the main characters, and what I felt about them…but it’s hard in this case. I don’t want to give anything away, and truly there are so many characters to talk about. After that I might go into the romance, since I mostly read romance, but that was not the focus of this story…or rather, it was more complex than just that. I will say that the love stories within this story made me both happy and sad, filled with elation and mourning.

I will say that there were so many aspects of the story that were woven together and came to mean so much more as we went through the climax and conclusion, and I loved that. But at the same time the loss of half a star is purely because I felt like I wanted more from some pieces (like the daughters of Saylock, and each of their unique gifts). But I’m greedy like that. I also didn’t get all of Ivo’s hissing…it made him a very hard character to picture.

So yeah. I’m not sure if my review told you anything of value. I just really enjoyed myself, and will always be the first to one-click when I see Ms. Harmon posting about a new fantasy book…apparently she writes when I want to read. Success. The end.

The First Girl Child is an epic fantasy story. A lot of world building, interesting characters, and decades of time passing.

But the story started very slow. I found it very hard to continue for the first 50% or so of the story. I just felt like I was on the edge of a precipice – waiting for the action and the story to start unfolding.

Once everything was set into motion, I was 100% invested. Bayr and Alba, Dagmar and Ghost…their stories burrowed into my heart.

Fantasy may not be my normal genre of choice, but if Amy Harmon writes it, I will follow. If you find yourself struggling at the beginning (like I did), know that it is worth it and keep going!