The Harp of Kings

I have long been a fan of Juliet Marillier's work. I was very excited to have the opportunity to read Harp of Kings. Liobhan and Brocc are brother and sister. They are in training, hoping to join the elite warriors of Swan Island. Both have musical talent, but Brocc is the more compelling musician. Liobhan is a warrior through and through. Dau is also competing for a spot on Swan Island. When the story opens, he is at odds with Brocc and Liobhan. He thinks Liobhan doesn't deserve a place there, because she has the audacity to be female, and so that must mean her attentions will be divided somehow. And Brocc doesn't deserve a spot because of that musical talent he's got.

The three trainees are sent on a mission to the kingdom of Breifne. On Midsummer Day, a new king will be crowned, and the legendary Harp of Kings must be part of the ritual. Problem is, the Harp of Kings is missing. Those in power are trying to keep this hush-hush, and the Swan Island team is going in undercover, their mission to retrieve the harp before the coronation.

The story is compelling, yet not necessarily fast-paced. The world Marillier creates is a Celtic world, with druids and fae and uncanny creatures, and it has a bit of a dreamlike quality, even when the events in the story are action-packed.

We see our three main characters face challenges through the course of the story, and we learn more of their backstory. Liobhan in particular wrestles with the fitness of Rodan, the crown prince, to become king. She sees in him a disaster for the future of Breifne, and in her mind, fulfilling the mission, returning the Harp of Kings to allow him to be crowned, seems an awful lot like failure. Brocc - let's just say there's more to him than meets the eye. He must decide what direction his future will take. Will he return to Swan Island and pursue the path of the warrior, or is he better suited for another role? And Dau's backstory is just heartbreaking. It was good to see hints of the man he can yet become.

At the end of the book, I felt like I was saying goodbye to friends. I look forward to reading more in the series.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley. All opinions here are mine, and I don't say nice things about books I don't like.