This is the third sibling, which Holland added in her telling, and whom I absolutely fell in love with. ‘I will tell you a story,’ begins Keyne in the first chapter. Truly, the whole novel feels like a tale that would be told by Myrdhin in a great hall around a fire – which happens a few times in the story itself – and I believe that was the author’s intention, with the way the narrative is framed. In her novel, Holland has taken this short ballad and created an entire world around it, and has done it with incredible skill. Sistersong is based on a traditional murder ballad which first appeared in writing in 1656, and tells the tale of a younger sister drowned by the elder out of jealousy, and you can read it here (though there are many varying editions). I’ve left our world for theirs – the nameless land where goddesses sing to the stars, where lost spirits linger in the twilight.’ ‘I wander so long, it feels as though I’ve crossed some hidden boundary. Ancient Britain? Retelling of a folk ballad? Incredible cover? I needed no more convincing, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. All this to say, that I am so glad I picked up The Worldmaker Trilogy (which is well worth reading) all those years ago, because it led me to join Lucy’s newsletter, and thus jump at the opportunity to read her new novel, Sistersong when the eARC was released. This was under the name Lucy Hounsom, and the reason I bought it, apart from the cover and blurb, was the fact that I discovered the author had attended the same university as me and worked as a bookseller as well as a writer, and ever since I have admired the author from a distance, and eagerly awaiting any new books. I first picked up a book by Lucy Holland a number of years ago, when browsing my local Waterstones – which I now incidentally work at – and saw a beautiful looking book by the name Starborn. Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. It’s a story that will shape the destiny of Britain. Riva, Keyne and Sinne become entangled in a web of treachery and heartbreak, and must fight to forge their own paths.
But fate also brings Tristan, a warrior whose secrets will tear them apart.
The siblings discover the power that lies within them and the land. However, change comes on the day ash falls from the sky – bringing Myrdhin, meddler and magician. All three fear a life of confinement within the walls of the hold, their people’s last bastion of strength against the invading Saxons.
And Sinne dreams of love, longing for adventure.
Keyne battles to be seen as the king’s son, although born a daughter. Riva can cure others, but can’t heal her own scars. King Cador’s children inherit a land abandoned by the Romans, torn by warring tribes.
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