THE HARP OF KINGS  by Juliet Marillier

Publisher: PanMacmillan Australia

18-year-old Liobhan, a singer and musician, determined to be accepted into the Swan Island Warriors, alongside her beloved brother Brocc. Once feared outlaws, the Warriors are now a revered and sought-after fighting and investigative organisation.

The siblings, both talented musicians, are chosen for an undercover mission, their skills making them a perfect choice to visit the Kingdom of Breifne to attend the coronation of Prince Rodan – a spoiled, unpleasant bully. The goal of the mission is seemingly straightforward – recover the ancient Harp of Kings or else the upcoming ceremony, and the kingdom itself, will be in peril. The Harp is no ordinary instrument and without it the King cannot be crowned.

Brother and sister must play their roles convincingly, taking on entirely new personalities and enduring both physical and emotional challenges. And for Liobhan, she must choose between obeying the rules and following her instincts, potentially jeopardizing the entire operation and her future.

In the Kingdom of Breifne, druids, not everyone is who they appear to be. There are secrets in this Royal Court and uncanny forces in the forest, both good and evil, that could sabotage the mission and cause lives to be lost.

For readers who have followed the journey of healer Blackthorn and the gentle Grim  Dreamer’s Pool to Den of Wolves, you will recognise much of Blackthorn in her daughter Liobhan; the strength of will, the passion for justice and the compassion for those who need help. We catch a glimpse of the younger Blackthorn, before the tragic events which altered her path forever. In Brocc, we can see the gentleness of Grim in his raising. It is clear this is a close and loving family.

One of the strengths in Juliet’s writing is her ability to create characters with complex layers and offer crucial insights into a character’s past. This is just one of the reasons her stories continue to resonate with us long after we finish reading them. The Harp of Kings is no exception.

The subtle references throughout the book to Blackthorn and the gentle Grim, will delight all who are familiar with their adventures.  However, this current novel stands alone, with strong new characters – such as the intriguing Mistress Juniper, the seemingly overconfident Dau and the ethereal Eirne.

If The Harp of Kings is your first foray into Juliet’s magical worlds, you will be enchanted. For her dedicated readers, this is another wonderful example of the depth of Juliet’s writing. An enthralling journey of adventure, magic and mystery.