Blurb: In the ancient kingdom of Dumnonia, there is old magic to be found in the whisper of the wind, the roots of the trees, and the curl of the grass. King Cador knew this once...but now, the land has turned from him, calling instead to his three children. Riva can cure others, but can't seem to heal her own deep scars; Keyne battles to be accepted for who he truly is - the king's son; Sinne dreams of seeing the world, of finding 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. It brings with it Myrdhin, meddler and magician, and Tristan, a warrior whose secrets will tear them apart. Riva, Keyne, and Sinne are three siblings entangled in a web of treachery and heartbreak who must fight to forge their own paths. Their story will shape the destiny of Britain.
I think I'm gonna have to buy a copy of Sistersong soon. I read it from the library and I just need to own that story. The transness was done so so well 🥹
We’re back for our first episode of the summer! In this one, we take a trip to post-Rome Britain to explore our fascination with a time period that is more myth than history. Going full history nerd, we take a look at three books set in Britain after the withdrawal of Roman imperial powers: Dark Earth by Rebecca Stott, Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve, and Sistersong by Lucy Holland. We discuss the possible origin of the King Arthur myth, queer medieval narratives, and the cultural diversity of Britain at this time–as well as wizards, warlords, and murder ballads.
Content Warnings: discussions of war, death, and body horror
This is a retelling of the Twa Sisters ballad. If you don’t know it I suggest to look it up after reading the book, but if you do know it there are a few changes to the story, which makes it less predictable.
The story is told from the perspective of three siblings and it’s set in the ancient kingdom of Dumnonia. King Cador used to have magical abilities that came from the land, but these start to fade when Christianity slowly takes over. Each of his children possess some kind of power: Riva, the eldest, can cure others but not her own scars made by wildfire in the past, Keyne has hidden abilities and so does Sinne, the youngest. The siblings are very different from each other and have their own personal journeys and struggles.
The people from Dumnonia are getting ready for the possibility of invasion by the Saxons, there is a conflict between the old magic and the new religion, a suspicious stranger that brings conflict between the siblings and a character struggling with their gender identity.
The book is magical and atmospheric and makes me wish the writing style wasn’t as simple. I did get used to it after a few chapters and enjoyed the tale for what it was. I really liked the characters and the different relationships. There was complexity and understandable motivations that drove the plot.
The pacing is slow and for the most part feels very slice of life, which is exactly what I like. There is still enough mystery and some battles for those that prefer plot over characters.
I was expecting the ending to be more tragic, but I still enjoyed it.
"Oh sister, oh sister, lend me your hand,
I'll make you heir of of my house and land.
I'll neither lend you my hand nor my glove,
Unless you grant me your true-love.",
from The Twa Sisters, in The Child Ballads.
"There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside you.", from Zora Neale Hurston, in Dust Tracks on a Road.
Adult historical fantasy retelling of the folk ballad "The Two Sisters" set in ancient Britain
Follows the three children of the king of Dumnonia–a healer who cannot heal herself of a terrible childhood injury, a young trans man struggling to be recognized as the son he knows he is, and the flighty and adventurous youngest daughter
When a charismatic and mysterious warrior comes to Dumnonia, both sisters fall for him and the stage it set for tragedy
Explores the Saxon invasion of Britain and Christian conflict with pre-Christian religions
Magic and folklore woven into real history
Trans man main character; disabled main character (limp/severe scarring from fire); genderfluid side character; mute side character
Wonderful retelling, I wasn't familiar with the legend so I was really surprised with what happened. The writing is beautiful and it keeps you hooked as we followe the three siblings, each on their own unique story that is made into one at the end. Magic, princesses, mystery and betrayal, what else could you need in a book?
Episode 3 of The Hidden Bookcase is here! Join us discussing Lucy Holland's Sistersong-we're talking betrayal, bone harps, and bigender witches. Watch out for spoilers in the trailer above!
Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts. Transcript available on planarprod.com.