From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

The First Girl Child (The Chronicles of Saylok, #1)

Amy Harmon,

Rob Shapiro (Reader)

Start date: September 10, 2019

Finish date: September 15, 2019

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

Aug 14, 2019 CC rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: feels, arc, f-br, fantasy, action, favorites, bbs-challenge, historical

In the land of Saylok, five regions are divided and inhabited by different clans. Under the leadership of one king and the keepers, a curse plagues the island preventing the birth of daughters. As many become desperate and factions begin to fight, the fate of Saylok rests with Bayr, a natural warrior but also a man of profound understanding, who is entrusted to protect the first girl child, Alba. Though Bayr carries his burdens, making sacrifices will test what he’s always held in his heart.

“And in the end, we can only sacrifice ourselves. To sacrifice others is no sacrifice at all.”

Spanning over twenty years, this narrative follows the struggles and bonds of its characters and how they intersect at key moments bringing a complexity to the ongoing plot landscape. With each bearing their own vulnerabilities, secrets and strengths, overcoming injustices without becoming cruel or hardened is a running theme.

“The test was not to escape. The test was to endure. To withstand.”

From the first page, I was captivated by this uniquely crafted mythological story. With brilliant foreshadowing, knowing the power certain secrets hold adds incredible tension to the plot. There is beauty in the love and respect these characters hold for their loved ones. With such intensity, the pain they bear is just as tangible, which makes the journey that much richer.

“This is the first rune because without light and belief, everything is darkness, and everything and everyone becomes the enemy.”

With this array of distinct characters, they each have a pivotal role and I loved the majority of them. Of course, Bayr, Dagmar and Ghost are standouts for me, but I also enjoyed hating the villains. Adding to the fantasy genre, I was fascinated with the magic of the runes and how such power can be used for good or evil.

The First Girl Child is an epic mythological journey with themes of sacrifice, corruption, integrity, loyalty, friendship, and ultimately love. This story will appeal to those who seek to escape into a perfectly executed fantasy world.

*An ARC was provided by in exchange for an honest review.*

*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey and Loyda!

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25 likes · Like · see review

Aug 24, 2019 Stacie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2024, kindle-unlimited, audiobook, fantasy, reread

May 26, 2024
I love this story more every time I read it. There's so much wisdom to take away. I'm moving on to The Second Blind Son right now. Happy reading!

September 16, 2020
4 1/2 "Sacrifice" Stars!

This book had a somber tone. It was not a happy, happy, joy, joy type of story. But it was also full of hope, triumph, joy and most of all love. Sacrificial- you before me type of love. It was a reflection of life. Life can be hard and extremely unfair. There may be trials and tribulation... but joy ...more

23 likes · Like · see review

Sep 13, 2019 Laura Elizabeth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, ku, fairy-tale-love

I loved this fantasy story. No one writes one like Amy Harmon. I wasn’t happy the main couple were children through most of the book though. This wasn’t what I expected, but it was fabulous nonetheless. And the side characters were fantastic too.

14 likes · Like · see review

Aug 20, 2019 Julie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc

Sometimes a book will cross your path that leaves you wondering how to write a review without spilling the secrets hidden between the covers. Anytime I pick up an Amy Harmon book, I get that feeling that I might gush so much I will ruin the nuance for other readers. No matter the genre, Harmon expresses her writing style with such finesse and creativity. There really isn’t a genre that Harmon tackles that doesn’t lead me into a world of beauty, connectivity, and the treat of such amazing charact ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 31, 2019 Yvonne V (Naughty Professora) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Amy Harmon is always an author that I can count on to deliver a well written story, and characters that are intriguing and unique. This one is no different.

The story begins with the birth of Bayr, and the curse his dying mother levies against the kingdom of Saylok: "From this day forward, there will be no daughters." Bayr is raised by his uncle and the Keepers at Temple Hill - those that wield the power of runes. Bayr is gifted with strengths beyond his age and development level, causing others ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 13, 2019 Maureen Mayer rated it it was amazing

4.5 stars! Amy Harmon’s ability to develop a world that is so vividly depicted through her words continues to astound me, and I keep coming back for more! The First Girl Child has a very Viking/Norse feel to it with a mix of fantasy, and the narration and dialogue was spot on for the setting of this story. What I loved most, though, was the character development.

When Bayr was born, his dying mother cursed the land of Saylok so that there would be no more daughters. His uncle, Dagmar, took up th ...more

1 like · Like · see review