Kindle Price: $0.99
Price includes tax, if applicable

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

You've subscribed to ! We will pre-order your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your memberships & subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer—no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Songbird (Griffinsong Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

A twentieth century woman is lost in a fantasy world with nothing but the clothes on her back and her innate humanity. This is the story of her compelling need to redefine herself.

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.
Read more Read less

Kindle Paperwhite
Kindle Paperwhite
The best device for reading, full stop. Learn more
All 3 for you in this series See full series
See included books
Total price: $12.97 + applicable tax
By clicking on the buy button, your order will be finalised and you agree to the Kindle store terms of use.
Sold by: Amazon Australia Services, Inc.

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
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
J Victoria Michael
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

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

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
9 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Top reviews from Australia

Reviewed in Australia on 1 August 2021
J Victoria Michaels has delivered an interesting and perhaps more truthful look at "world-shift" fantasy than I’ve read for some time. Her protagonist is far from perfect. Yet, how would we respond to a world that denies our personal truth, while loading expectation upon expectation on our shoulders at the same time? I found Irenya’s responses to her situation genuine as she finds her way through a confusing mire of differing cultural and social rules and unknown history.

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.
Reviewed in Australia on 6 July 2020
Verified Purchase
From the moment I read the prologue I was hooked. Songbird was an absolute delight to read and I had to make myself put it down to do essential daily stuff. Music is the thread that holds the story together for me and I was thoroughly swept away by it. J Victoria Michael weaves a most captivating story set in another world, in another time. Or is it? Best read it and make up your own mind!
Reviewed in Australia on 4 July 2020
In pre-Christmas rush Melbourne, in the midst of a panic attack, Irenya falls through a glass panel into another realm. Treated with suspicion by the inhabitants of Dar Orien, Irenya's only wish is to find her way back to her toddler son and her partner.
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

alexiophiles
4.0 out of 5 stars A musical start to a new fantasy series.
Reviewed in the United States on 15 November 2022
Verified Purchase
To be honest, this was my second attempt to read Songbird. With the release of the third book in the Griffinsong trilogy getting closer, I thought I'd give the book another chance - I'm glad I did!

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.
liisa shafer
4.0 out of 5 stars Looking forward to the 2nd book in this trilogy!
Reviewed in Canada on 14 November 2022
Verified Purchase
Songbird is a very creative fantasy novel that follows the main character Irenya, as she has a panic attack and falls into the realm of Dar Orien.

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!
Jess
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Start To A Trilogy!
Reviewed in the United States on 12 November 2022
Verified Purchase
Alright ima get my issues with this book out of the way immediately. It’s slow. It’s so slow. Like - continental drift level slow. I’ve noticed not everyone agrees with that assessment but that’s how it felt to me. I tend to struggle with slow books. I will admit that this book took longer to finish than any other book I’ve enjoyed this year.

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!
J. Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! A captivating and compelling read.
Reviewed in the United States on 7 December 2020
Verified Purchase
Songbird is a delight to read and I didn't want to put it down. A wonderful escape from the craziness of 2020. I was swept away to another world, captivated by Irenya's plight and I can't wait for the next volume to be released so I can continue the story!
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?