Book Review for The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon

This is a romantic fantasy story that is filled with magical gifts, adventure, poetry and contains fairy-tale vibes. This story takes place in the medieval fantasy land of Jeru. It is a place of magic and political unrest in which those who have been blessed with magical powers are often executed for their abilities.

Lark has the gift of being a Teller which gives her the power to control things with words. Being a Teller was just one of the four magical gifts in this land. The other magical gifts were that of Spinner, Healer, and Changer. Although the gifts were powerful it was also against the law to possess them. If discovered, those who had magical gifts were punished with either banishment or execution.

Lark’s mother had been a Teller and was put to death. Lark’s father blamed Lark for her mother’s execution and wanted nothing to do with her. His only concern for Lark was that she stays alive so that he too would remain alive. Her father only cared about becoming king.

This is a story about greed, power, and fear. The Lords fought for the power of the crown. However, many of them were hypocrites holding magical gifts themselves, but executing anyone who did not support them for having magical abilities. It is a story of war—the fight for good versus evil. The people were afraid of magical gifts.

As a Teller, words had magical power. However, when Lark’s mother died Lark lost the ability to speak. Her father did his best to keep her from words. He did not allow her to learn how to read or write. Lark ends up in King Tiras’s castle where the King teaches her how to read and write. The power she gains from learning these skills allows her to help fight the war.

I loved the idea of a land filled with magical gifts and of a young girl who doesn’t understand all the consequences of using her gift. Of course, I had a strong dislike for those who used their gifts for evil and for those who insisted that everyone should be punished for their abilities without consideration for their actions. I loved Lark’s determination to learn how to read and write in spite of her father.

I enjoyed this story and recommend it to those who love adult fairytales, enjoy romance, and appreciate poetry. I rate this book four stars.