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Sistersong

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What to expect

In a magical ancient Britain, bards sing a story of treachery, love and death. This is that story. For fans of Madeline Miller's Circe, Lucy Holland's Sistersong retells the folk ballad ‘The Twa Sisters.'

'A beautiful reimagining of an old British folklore ballad, Sistersong weaves a captivating spell of myth and magic' – Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne

King Cador’s children inherit a land abandoned by the Romans, torn by warring tribes. Riva can cure others, but can’t heal her own scars. Keyne battles to be seen as the king’s son, although born a daughter. And Sinne dreams of love, longing for adventure.

All three fear a life of confinement within the walls of the hold, their people’s last bastion of strength against the invading Saxons. However, change comes on the day ash falls from the sky – bringing Myrdhin, meddler and magician. The siblings discover the power that lies within them and the land. But fate also brings Tristan, a warrior whose secrets will tear them apart.

Riva, Keyne and Sinne become entangled in a web of treachery and heartbreak, and must fight to forge their own paths. It’s a story that will shape the destiny of Britain.

Sistersong is a powerfully moving story, perfect for listeners who loved Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale.

Critics Review

A beautiful reimagining of an old British folklore ballad, Sistersong weaves a captivating spell of myth and magic around the reader. Lucy Holland's lyrical prose and powerful storytelling will lure you into an eerie, intriguing world in which enemies lurk unseen, the threat of betrayal hangs heavy and sisterly loyalties are tested to their limit
Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne
Sistersong is a fresh and gripping retelling of an ancient tale. Set in a realistic, gritty world, the nuanced, compelling characters are the heart of this story about family, love, loyalty and identity. I loved it
John Gwynne
Rooted in history but shot through with surprises, this takes ancient British myth and gives it a wonderfully fresh twist. The book combines timely themes around our lost connection with nature, the fluidity of identity and the power of claiming your own story with a haunting atmosphere and a rollicking pace. Lucy Holland is a brilliantly assured storyteller
Molly Flatt
Astonishing!
Ellen Kushner
No cream teas in this West Country fable: feast instead on a gory, gripping and magically mythic tale of love and hatred, loyalty and betrayal
Daily Mail
Brilliantly written and full of memorable characters . . . If you like poetic reimaginings of mythology, such as Madeline Miller’s Circe and The Song of Achilles, you need to make sure to pick up Sistersong
Grimdark Magazine
A masterpiece of storytelling . . . a beautiful story of the complex and loving relationship between three sisters and how their relationship and strength influenced the lives of those around them
TheBookBag
Beautifully written and with a keen eye for historical detail, Sistersong demonstrates the power of these old familiar ballads when they are opened up to new perspectives
TheFantasyHive
Sistersong is such a fantastic read . . . complicated sisters, gorgeous creepy magic and a sublime sense of time & place
Freya Marske
Sistersong truly reads like a ballad – beautiful and mournful, a melody that sticks in your head. An absolutely stunning book
Hannah Whitten, author of For the Wolf
From its opening pages, Sistersong transports you to a time period often overlooked, and spins a tale of family, loyalty, and the triumph of becoming the person you were always meant to be. I was utterly captivated from the beginning to the tragic, bittersweet end
Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's Heart
Sistersong is a marvellous tale, gracefully told in language as beautiful as the song that inspired it. It's a celebration of the power of sisterhood, the strength of earth magic, and the triumph, in the end, of fidelity to both. I fell in love with all three siblings, and I think you will, too!
Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches
Magical, beautiful, and heartbreaking, Sistersong keeps you turning the pages until the thrilling conclusion, both tragic and triumphant. Lucy Holland is a talent to watch
Greer Macallister, author of Scorpia
Narrator Robyn Holdaway’s talent for voicing distinct characters full of personality shines in this audiobook retelling of the English murder ballad “The Twa Sisters.”. . . A truly heartbreaking listening experience.
AudioFile
Author Lucy Holland
Narrator Robyn Holdaway
Duration 14 hours and 17 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781529039078
Format Audiobook
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Genre Epic fantasy / heroic fantasy, Historical fantasy, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, Traditional stories, myths and fairy tales
Availability AU, GB, IE

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