Song of the Huntress

De: Lucy Holland

Narrado por: Kristin Atherton, Lucy Holland

The acclaimed author of Sistersong transforms the story of Herla and the Wild Hunt into a rich, feminist fantasy in this stunning tale of two great warriors, a war-torn land, and an ancient magic that is slowly awakening.

Britain, 60AD. Hoping to save her lover, her land, and her people from the Romans, Herla makes a desperate pact with the king of the Otherworld. But years pass unheeded in his realm, and she escapes to find everyone she loved long dead. Cursed to wield his blade, she becomes Lord of the Hunt. And for centuries, she rides, leading her immortal warriors and reaping wanderers’ souls. Until the night she meets a woman on a bloody battlefield—a Saxon queen with ice-blue eyes.

Queen Æthelburg of Wessex is a proven fighter. But when she leads her forces to disaster in battle, her husband’s court turns against her. Yet King Ine needs Æthel more than ever. Something dark and dangerous is at work in the Wessex court. His own brother seeks to usurp him. And their only hope is the magic in Ine’s bloodline that’s lain dormant since ancient days.

The moment she and Æthel meet, Herla knows it’s no coincidence. The dead kings are waking. The Otherworld seeks to rise, to bring the people of Britain under its dominion. And as Herla and Æthel grow closer, Herla must find her humanity—and a way to break the curse—before it’s too late.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Holland dives into the myth of the Wild Hunt in this powerful and evocative historical fantasy... Lyrical and captivating, with an ending that will leave readers devastated, the narrative hits just the right balance of action, romance, and character development. In Holland’s skilled hands, this stands out from the crowded field of legends retold."—Publishers Weekly (Starred 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, on Sistersong

"​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, on Sistersong

"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, on Sistersong

“Sistersong is a marvelous 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, on Sistersong

“Fans of folkloric fantasy will be spellbound.”

—Publishers Weekly on Sistersong

"A gory, gripping and magically mythic tale of love and hatred, loyalty and betrayal."—Daily Mail on Sistersong

“An enthralling fantasy. ”

—Booklist on Sistersong

"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, author of The Shadow of the Gods, on Sistersong

"Astonishing!"—Ellen Kushner, author of Swordspoint, on Sistersong

"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 on Sistersong

"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 on Sistersong

Engaging story. Brilliant performance.

Intertwining of myths, lore, legend, and history with a twist. Loved every moment. Powerful narration. In awe of Kristin Atherton's range and emotional depth.

Amazing!

I loved this book and the narration was outstanding! If you loved Circe, listen to this. Bravo to all involved!

Worth it

If you’re a history or mythology nerd and you want a book that actually portrays queer people simply existing then this is the one for you.

The mythology laced throughout was just so so so good. The narration and prose are phenomenal. The characters are well rounded and feel realistic.

Were there things as a reader I wanted to happen that didn’t? Yes. But I think how the story ultimately unfolds makes sense.

This one is worth the credit/purchase. Definitely a top 5 read for me this year.

Other world

Loved the interactions with the other world characters and the evolution Ein Herla and Ethelburg

Interesting story, questionable characters

This story was pretty good. I was definitely pulled in to see how it ended. However, I struggled to believe some of the main characters. Ine, in particular, appears inexperienced and young, although we're told that he has been King of Wessex for about ten years or more. In every interaction he has with another character in the first act, he is uncertain of himself and obsequious to whichever noble in in his ear at the moment. Aethelburg and Herla are more believable, and Herla is by the far the most complete character (and my favorite POV perspective). The plot was good, if the narrative turns were a bit on the nose. The story ends up being quite poignant and is worth a read to those looking for interpersonal meaning.