Book Review - The Harp of Kinds by Juliet Marillier

 

Book One
Warrior Bards

Eighteen-year-old Liobhan is a powerful singer and an expert whistle player. Her brother has a voice to melt the hardest heart, and is a rare talent on the harp. They are both training for the elite warrior band on Swan Island when they are asked to join a mission that requires posing as travelling minstrels.

Their task is to find and retrieve a precious harp, an ancient symbol of kingship, which has mysteriously vanished. If the instrument is not played at the upcoming coronation, the candidate will not be accepted. Faced with plotting courtiers, secretive druids, an insightful storyteller and a boorish Crown Prince, Liobhan soon realises an Otherworld power may be meddling in the affairs of the kingdom. When ambition clashes with conscience, Liobhan must make a bold decision and a heartbreaking choice. . .

Juliet Marillier is a brilliant story teller. This is the second time I've read this book as well as her other works, and I don't know why I'm always surprised on how moved I am by these characters she has created. I don't want to harp on too much on how much I love Juliet Marillier and her gift, then I'll be here all day. I do want to talk about The Harp of King. Without spoiling anything, I love Liobhan and her strong character. She is tough, but she is also human and you see her growth throughout the story. I really can't say too much about this because I would spoil it. With all of her work, you really need to go into her books blind and only know that they are magical. This is going to be a short review because I need to finally go onto the next book; A Dance with Fate.