I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I first started this book, I'm just glad I did. 
 Amy Harmon has a way with words, and it wasn't that the main character Lark can't speak so she has to find other ways to communicate, but it was the way she put what was happening into words. The descriptions, how she brought even inanimate objects, animals, tress, to life and how she gave meaning to words is what catches the attention. And while The Gifted has already been done, (view spoiler)[those with special powers: the Changer able to change into any animal, the Healer who heals, the Spinner that turns straw to gold or spoons into swords or rocks into bread.. and the Teller who tell predictions or prophecies and know what is to come. And all variations inside of each Gifted category, there's even a whole legend about them, and are a huge part of the story (hide spoiler)] it sure makes the story a lot better especially when things get revealed along the way. 
 A lot goes on in the book, if I were to tell about the politics, the fighting of battles, who the evil people really are, the character development of Lark and Tiras, I would end up ruining the whole story for you. It end, the thing that matters the most is that in the world that Lark lives in, she gets to finally speak out and change from a weak, mute girl into a strong, outspoken, independent Queen-with the help of King Tiras, her friend Boojohni, and Kjell. The "curse" her mother gave wasn't really a curse but a prophecy, and Lark has the power of change. 
 One of my favorite things was that the love between Lark and Tiras was well written, it was slow to simmer, but when it was ready, it was perfect. At first Tiras only planned on using her as a weapon, a tool, to win the war and protect Jeru (his kingdom), and Lark accepted the fact that she left being a prisoner of her father to being Tiras' prisoner, but with her newfound power, she could defend herself and could leave but decided to stay. When she was able to communicate with Tiras and it was known that she could only mind-speak with the Gifted, that was when it became a turning point for Lark, and we started to see just how much they cared for each other throughout the book, especially when they marry and she becomes Queen, and they end up saying how they love each other (view spoiler)[in Lark's case she opens up and lets Tiras in when she shows him how much she loves him (hide spoiler)]. I actually enjoy and prefer this type of romance because it lacked all the drama and immaturity that most authors like to write about, sometimes I just want to read a book where the romance is as good as this one. 
 I definitely plan to read more books by Amy Harmon- if they're anything at all like The Bird and the Sword, I'm sure they'll be beautifully written.