Gisela’s review of The Bird and the Sword

Do you like far off places? Daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise? Did you see what I did there? *chuckles to self*

But honestly, Belle took the words right out of my mouth. The Bird and the Sword is all that and more. This is a Fantasy Romance book in its purest form. My first Amy Harmon book and I was not disappointed.

First thing, plot. Although I’m sure many of us grew up with fairy tales and sweeping fantasies I was always taken by surprise by the direction of the story. I could never predict what would happen. Our main protagonist, Lark is a girl of noble birth who has the power of a teller (someone who can use words and phrases to create magic), but because of a tragic situation in her past she is left without the ability to speak or use her words.

As for her writing style… it is gorgeous and lush and honestly very poetic. Words play a very big role in this book and is what ultimately causes much grief but also happiness.

Now for the fangirling moment – gosh the characters were just so beautifully written!!! Lark was beautiful and delicate. I’m used to reading about super strong ass female characters that can take down someone with a sword, but Lark has a different strength to her. Something quiet and subtly strong. Something you shouldn’t underestimate. I appreciated that. As for the King… *swoon.* He was so frustratingly cocky and gentle at the same time. I kept going back and forth between wanting to smack him and wanting to kiss him!

Over all the book was beautiful and a fast favorite for me. My only wish was that there was another book!

Gisela’s review of The Bird and the Sword

Gisela’s review of Ruined

I actually want to give this book a 3.5 because it was really entertaining, and I was pretty hooked. BUT I just felt like there were a lot of cliches and somethings were a bit predictable (even for me and I can never predict anything).

I really enjoyed the two main characters Em and Cas. Em was pretty bad ass killer/fighter but she was still super sensitive about almost everything. I can relate to that and I think many people would. In Cas’s case, I liked the way his princely character was more of the dainty one instead of the girl being dainty. Don’t get me wrong, he fought a lot during the course of the book, but honestly, he was kind of like the damsel in distress a lot of the time. It was kind of refreshing.

Other than that, I think the other characters need a lot of work. I’m looking forward to reading the next book just to see how the story plays out!

Gisela’s review of Ruined

Whether the topic was physics or history, it made no difference, trying to do the right thing often ended in wrong.

Erika Johansen, The Fate of The Tearling

There was no quick and easy eradication of evil. There was only the passage of time, of generations, of people raising children who would hold all other lives just as valuable as their own.

Erika Johansen, The Fate of the Tearling

Trust is when we plummet into the depths of an abyss and reach out for each other’s hands.

Marie Lu, The Rose Society

Secrets are even better when they’re shared.

Moira Fowley-Doyle, The Accident Season

But what about the rest of us? What about the nobodies and the nothings, the invisible girls? We learn to hold our heads as if we wear crowns. We learn to wring magic from the ordinary. That was how you survived when you weren’t chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins. When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway.

Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom – Inej