The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon
Rating: 2.5 / 5 stars
It pains me to write this but it has to be said . . . Excellent, compelling story idea; poor execution - too many inconsistencies, weak characterization, and entirely too predictable. I've read a couple of the author's other books (Making Faces, A Different Blue), and they were truly remarkable. She has a way of capturing the essence of the human spirit and the heart of their struggles. Unfortunately, this book was not in the same league. When you create a fantasy world, you still must follow your own rules. Lark cannot read or write, yet at the tender age of five and even as an adult, she can speak words backwards so precisely to reverse the spells that she casts. Umm, what? Are we just waving our hands and saying "poof, it's magic" and calling it a day? Then, when Tiras (view spoiler), with no explanation whatsoever. Poof, poof? The characters of Lark and Tiras do not fall into the YA category either. They are 20 and 28, respectively, if I've followed the timeline correctly. Yet, they act annoyingly YA-ish. The romance also feels very one-sided with Lark acquiescing to Tiras's every whim, even as she makes token gestures of rebellion. Even though I am disappointed by this book, it won't stop me from reading the author's other works because I know what she is capable of. But please, please make the next one (The Witch and the Blade) better.
