The Twa Sisters is one of my favorite folk tales, especially because Patricia C. Wrede’s version was formative for me as a reader, so when I heard about this book I knew I needed to get my hands on it. It is very interesting and the characters are all intriguing with complex motivations. In the end, though, it didn’t work for me and I wasn’t able to finish.

This was an absolutely beautiful book that I think definitely stands out in the mythology retelling genre.

I was so surprised by how much I ended up enjoying this book! The atmosphere, themes, and plot were all compelling and well done. But what really pulled me in were the characters, and especially the family dynamics. Seeing the way the sisters interacted and grew reminded me of my own relationships with my siblings -- the way you argue, fight, say things that you don't mean -- but at the end of the day, love your siblings and know them better than anyone else.

The ending was a little iffy for me. I appreciated some things about it, but I think I like a bit less weirdness in my books. Overall, this was so enjoyable to read and I couldn't put it down. Definitely think more people should read this!

This is such a dynamic book! I love the take on the retelling of a ballad. It was slow at times, but the world building was awesome. I felt like I truly could picture the setting. Lots of emotional themes running through the book, I felt them all as I was reading. Would definitely recommend!

While the premise of this book intrigued me, the writing itself wasn’t enough to keep me hooked. I unfortunately wasn’t able to finish it due to my own attentions span at the time as well as being able to tell early on that it wasn’t gonna be fore me. Would still recommend anyone who is interested give it a try, and may possibly revisit in the future but for, dnf.

Sistersong is such a beautifully written fantasy. The world-building is outstanding. The story is well written with an enchanting storyline and well-developed characters that engage from start to finish. The world is atmospheric and feels real with vivid descriptions and rich imagery. Lucy Hollad has earned herself a spot on my auto-buy authors list. I cannot get enough. Highly recommended. Be sure to check out Sistersong today.

I loved this more than I expected to! I love stories about Britain's early kingdoms, and this story about siblings and magic in the midst of change really resonated with me. A favorite fantasy read of 2022.

I apologize but I was not able to finish this book. I was in a different headspace at the time of requesting / recieving this book and the time I got it.

Amazing novel set in Bronze Age Britain with a hint of fantasy. This book is a part of a series and I can’t wait for the next one.

I think this is easily going to be one of my favorite reads of the year. Based on an Ancient British murder folk ballad, Sistersong has a little bit of everything - Family, romance, battle, intrigue, subterfuge, magic, trans & gender fluid rep - and all written in beautiful, lyrical prose. The 3 siblings were all such strong characters with amazing arcs. It's always nice when there are multiple pov's and they're all enjoyable. I've read so many books lately that drag but even though this plot was character-based and I had no idea where the plot was progressing toward, I was fully engrossed from the beginning - I couldn't put it down! I alternated between the ebook and audio and the audio narrator did a wonderful job, especially with the songs.

Sister sing tells the story of three sisters who fight to protect their kingdom. I like the setting of ancient Britain. However, I could not connect with the characters. They seemed to be too modernized especially when it is set in an ancient time period. Still, I recommend this fans of The Witch’s Daughter!

I attempted to read this book and it failed to hold my interest. I quickly grew annoyed with the sisters constantly bickering with each other and trying to one up each other. In the end I decided that this story was not working for me and decided not to finish it.

I wanted to love this but sadly the writing style just did not work for me. The plot itself was fascinating and I would love to read a book just about Constantine/Keyne, but the writing felt very YA to me and made this a real slog to read.

3.5/5 stars rounded up.

Definitely had some mixed feelings about this one. I mostly enjoyed it save for the decisions of certain characters. I love the lyrical quality in Lucy Holland's writing that lends itself so very well to the epic, narrative style of this story and brings to life historical tensions that were indicative of this time period. This isn't a period I know a ton about, so I loved reading about Dunbriga and world that Keyne, Riva and Sinne all inhabited. Holland has definitely done her homework with her deft world-building and really impeccable magic system with magic coming from the land. The juxtaposition between the Pagan beliefs and Christianity in this story and the changes in our main characters and the journeys as people they make was really interesting and added a layer to this story that I didn't know I needed. Sinne and Riva as characters annoyed me so much because I hated some of their choices, although towards the end, I was really irritated with Riva essentially betraying her family and just her attitude in general. While I could empathize with this character at times, overall I didn't love her, which I guess is fine. I normally don't have an issue with unlikeable characters, but when they make awful and dumb choices, my affinity for them ends. I really loved Keyne's story as he claims his identity as Constantine, and how his voice brings to life so many who were silenced during this time period and I suppose in the legend itself although I am not familiar with it. SISTERSONG was not a story really about sisterhood that I expected, but a story about the identities and destinies we choose for ourselves.

Unfortunately I didn't finish this one before it expired but I really enjoyed what I got into. So I'm excited to check out the rest of it when I get to it. Thanks for the opportunity to review.

I enjoyed the story and characters overall, but it just didn't grab me and suck me into the story as much as I had hoped it would.

I really enjoyed this book, more than I thought! I loved how Holland based her story off of a folk ballad, giving a voice to these siblings and exploring gender identity. I will definitely be recommending this!

Sistersong delves into the complicated relationship between sisters. The backstabbing, the lies, the camaraderie, and the secrets are all explored and laid bare as the story follows Keyne, Riva, and Sinne. Things get downright gruesome at times, injuries and bloodshed described in detail. It adds to the grimness of the story, but also gives hope when the characters are able to overcome the situations they are placed in. I love this twist on a Merlin retelling; not so much a retelling as having Merlin be a tangential character who influences the story as Keyne learns magic from them. Also, having Keyne be trans is such a wonderful element to explore in ancient times! Because, of course, being trans was definitely a thing, even back then, and has been ever since people have existed. I feel that the topic was well described and explored, both from Keyne’s point of view, as well as others. The intolerance and the love that is shown towards Keyne, from his sisters and his parents, as well as Merlin himself, is right in line with modern attitudes towards trans people.

With compelling characters, the mystery of magic, queer topics, and quite a bit of romance, Sistersong would be a great book for fans of Merlin retellings, and of Madeline Miller, or Kiersten White’s Conquerer’s Saga. The worldbuilding can be dense at times but it is well described and not too much all at once. The switching points of view meld seamlessly together and make sense in the context of the story, building anticipation between bits and weaving together well. I longed for Sinne’s point of view while beginning Keyne’s, but then missed Keyne when I moved onto Riva.

This wonderfully written fantasy novel features a world set in ancient Brittania (King Codor’s Kingdom of Dumnonia) at a transformative time of change and challenges: British/Celtic pagan folklore (and its magical forces) is challenged by a new religion called Christianity, an aging King defends against an imposing Anglo-Saxon army, and his three daughters struggle with their places in a world that demands conformity, obedience, and confinement.

Quite naturally, the stage is set for rebellion on multiple levels - the author really excels in this area. Intrigue, manipulation, jealousy/envy, the ambitious quests for power are unleashed when outsiders arrive in the form of a meddling priest (Gildas), a powerful magician (Myrdhin), and a handsome heartthrob (Tristan).

As with most epic fantasies, this book contains all the components of political plotting/scheming, war and the ensuing big battle scenes, the role of religion (and the magical elements, sacrifices required to wield it), the pain of unrequited love, the price of ambition, heartbreak, the need to be true to oneself while seeking one’s destiny.

Recommended for fans of British/Celtic folklore, epic fantasies, family drama.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to review.

In the words of Taylor Swift, this book was "sad, beautiful, tragic." I use this quote because I have no words myself except WOW. This ending broke me in the best way. Will be picking up more from Lucy Holland after this stunning addition to the mythology fantasy retellings I've been adoring so far. I can't get enough.