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Songbird (Griffinsong Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition
When Irenya O’Neil suffers a panic attack and falls into the realm of Dar Orien, a world with a failed MageGate system, she finds herself unable to return home to her infant son – she is trapped in a nightmare that tests her sanity.
Confronted with evidence that she possesses a Gift of power, Irenya attempts to control her fledgling talent through music. This could be her ticket home. But Irenya becomes mired in the civil unrest that has befallen Dar Orien. Sickened by the bloodshed and fearful for her own safety, Irenya is desperate to find her way home.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication date16 June 2020
- File size1714 KB
Product details
- ASIN : B08BCTJBKL
- Publisher : Odyssey Books (16 June 2020)
- Language : English
- File size : 1714 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 292 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : 1922311073
- Best Sellers Rank: 799,143 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 4,608 in Historical Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- 8,187 in Historical Fantasy (Books)
- 13,715 in Paranormal Fantasy (Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Judith Michael is a New Zealander who writes under the name of J Victoria Michael.
She is a story-teller, fascinated with other dimensions, time travel and unexpected, remarkable talents. Long novels with speculative elements are her favourites, stories that take her to strange places and keep her turning the pages late at night. Judith has a passion for classical music and beautiful movement, from ballet to belly-dancing. As a child she made up stories told in dance, wearing out the toes of her shoes to the vexation of her parents. Later, she discovered the joy of story-telling in words with music a constant muse.
Her first long work was a fantasy novel. When the manuscript was finished and its themes clear, she re-wrote it, retaining only the main protagonist and the original premise. The story of one woman’s compelling need to redefine herself could have been told within the framework of contemporary Australia, but Judith wanted to add the archetypal element of an imagined world. Long before she finished the work she realised her novel was turning into a trilogy. In order to keep track of her characters she would summon individuals to her study for a discussion. Sometimes they summon her to the fictional world of Dar Orien.
New Zealand’s pristine beaches and richly-greened landscapes have influenced her sense of place. Time spent living among the flamenco gypsies of Andalusia, and communing with mediaeval spirits in France has, in subtle ways, informed the physical and emotional landscapes of GriffinSong Trilogy.
Judith has a Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing, and her short stories have won various awards, appearing online and in print. Judith lives permanently in Melbourne and shares her home with a bossy ginger cat.
Customer reviews
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Top reviews
Top reviews from Australia
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I thoroughly enjoyed this read and look forward to the rest of the series. Michaels writing style is fluid. Her world building is intense and vast. I love the detail and depth of each character and location, the different cultures and the intricate social mores created. Irenya’s Gift of Power is reminiscent of The Belgariad series (David Eddings 1980s) where singing described in such a powerful and loving way that it should have been a “power” (missed opportunity there, I guess). Michaels has not missed the opportunity. She’s taken it, connected it with a young woman’s troubled adolescence, and imbued it with layers of yearning and meaning.
Buy Songbird on Friday and you won't want to put it down all weekend.
In Songbird, the alternative universe is delightfully complex, characters have multiple motivations, and Irenya has to deal with her apparent Gift and the distrust of those around her.
Songbird is intelligent fantasy for grown ups - don't look here for sad and tired shortcuts like gratuitous violence, sex or foul language. This book captures and engages you with strong characters and a fascinating plot. I'm waiting eagerly for the next instalment.
A promising series for readers of quality fantasy and paranormal adventures.
Top reviews from other countries
I would definitely classify this book as a slow burn plotline...it takes a good portion of the book to really get moving. I think this is where I got caught up during my first read. However, the storyline eventually picks up and really grabs your attention.
Songbird is a very unique story, with music playing a large role. Music lovers will definitely enjoy the detailed accounts of our main character, Irenya, as she sings for crowds and learns new instruments, as well as the power her musical abilities seems to possess.
Michael's writing is very beautiful and flowy, but at times it can almost be too lyrical. Some scenes better bogged down with too much detail, which can distract from the plot.
I do think this first installment in the series takes its time to introduce the world and characters, while leaving enough of a mystery to bring the reader back for more in the second. I'll be very interested to see where Irenya's story goes in book 2.
Doesn't everyone at one time or another fantasize about being in a different time and place?
However, what about the life you were forced from, and the people back home who you love? You want to get back to them, but the longer you are forced to stay the more you care about the new place and people...especially if you think you may never be able to get home.
This novel deals with a modern woman who after being thrust into an unknown world full of civil unrest discovers her gift of power. She then has to learn to control her power while navigating through this new and complex world all while trying to get back home.
Although a bit slow at times I really enjoyed this intriguing story and the interesting characters in this well written book.
I look forward to continuing the story in the next book!
Now take a minute to process how I phrased that.
I legitimately ENJOYED this book. Slow pace and all. Could it have handled being sped up? Absolutely, and I believe it would earned an extra star from me if it was. However, it’s still a really enjoyable premise. The world building was slow to come, we discovered it alongside our main character which was interesting since she came from our world and entered an unknown world.
Initially I struggled to connect with any of the characters, but after awhile, I did care what was going to happen with everyone involved, not just our MC.
I’m going to give this one 3.5⭐️ and round it up. It would have been an easy 4 with a faster pace! Absolutely recommend!