Thank you Netgalley and UCLan publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a Norse tale about two girls left to fend for themselves on opposite sides of a conflict. This started of really slow and I found myself struggling to get I to it. Maybe I'll try this again in the future as it could be me as everyone else has appeared to have loved it.

An interesting read with lots of potential, I feel it needs a little more wrk and it could easily be 5 stars, but it’s still such a strong and fantastic story especially as the author’s debut. This is a Norse inspired YA Fantasy, with strong female characters, rich world building and an entertaining tale, I will definitely be reading the next.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Thank you to Graeme Williams and @uclan_publishing for the gorgeous copies of The Harm Tree and The Ember Days (I love a series that match so beautifully)

Thank you also to Rose Edwards for not only the gorgeous books but also for her piece on World Building which is in the last couple of slides.

The Harm Tree is set in a place that is recovering from the ravages of one war, whilst staring down the barrel of another.

The Harm Tree, like The Ember days benefits from what I have to say is excellent and well thought out world building. We gain from both books an understanding of what came before and influenced the culmination of where we are now, in each book.

It really shows the calibre of a writer who can draw on your own emotions through their writing and make you feel as though you are right there, within the pages yourself.

In Rose’s writing you will find strong female characters who have their own internal struggles to deal will along with those of the world around them.

Whilst this is a YA Fantasy series seated with Norse history inspirations, I feel like it would speak to and enchant any reader, no matter their preference.

You know the age old saying of “Strong Women, May We Know Them, May We Be Them and May We Raise them”?? Well Rose has definitely taken that and woven it into her stories.

This book was certainly a path of self learning and self acceptance for both of the protagonists, Ebba & Torny, and one I am sure many can relate to. I know I did.

These books will remain on my shelves for future reading again as I feel like I will relate to parts differently as I age and grow.

Beautifully written and an encapsulating world both The Harm Tree & Ember Days is set to become a staple amongst YA Readers for sure.

I think in many ways, the novel is technically flawed and could be improved. There were some things I wanted Edwards to expand on and others I wanted her to cut back. But I don't want to focus on that; I'd rather talk about the feeling it created, because Edwards has got so much right in her debut novel.

"Under my ribs, the hook of my homesickness tugs me north. I wonder if this is what the gulls feel, flying back to their nests in the spring."

There's something utterly immersive about the way Edwards wields language. Some of her phrases don't just strike a chord, they perform an entire score that's simultaneously familiar and new. The Norse-inspired world is richly built, the characters have distinct voices, Edwards doesn't patronise her YA audience and the female characters defy vapid fantasy tropes.

I'll definitely be reading future books from this author.

Torny and Ebba are best friends, thrown together in a world about to be torn apart again in war. These two are the unwitting catalysts and story tellers for a tale that took my breath away. An epic saga in the making. The writing is excellent, fast paced and in a fantasy world that comes to life. Loved it. Can’t wait for the next book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this eArc! I really appreciate it!

This was a good one! I had never heard of this book prior to seeing it on Netgalley and I’m glad I read it! I’m a lover of fantasy and dystopian and this gave me both! I would like to see what the author is planning next :))) great potential here!!