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Song of the Huntress
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.
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.
448 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 2024
About the author
Lucy Holland
2 books453 followersLucy Holland is the bestselling author of SISTERSONG, a reimagining of the folk ballad ‘The Twa Sisters’. The book was a finalist for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award and the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 2022. SONG OF THE HUNTRESS, her second historical fantasy novel, is published in 2024.
As Lucy Hounsom, she wrote the Worldmaker Trilogy. Her first book, STARBORN, was shortlisted in the 2016 Gemmell Awards for Best Fantasy Debut. She worked twelve years in corporate account sales for Waterstones Booksellers before becoming a full-time author.
Lucy co-hosts the intersectional feminist podcast ‘Breaking the Glass Slipper’, which combines her passion for elevating the voices of women and marginalised creators with a love of speculative fiction. The podcast won Best Audio in the 2019 British Fantasy Awards.
She holds a BA (Hons) in English & Creative Writing from the University of London and completed the MA in Creative Writing in 2010.
Lucy has given talks, participated in panels and hosted workshops at various events and venues, including the Science Museum London, the British Library, MCM ComicCon, Barcelona Festival 42, and Cymera Festival on topics ranging from myth, folklore and fantasy worldbuilding to public speaking for authors. She has given readings and discussed her work at the universities of Exeter, Bath Spa, and Royal Holloway.
Lucy lives in Devon with a black cat and a bedroom full of books. The landscape of the UK’s West Country is very much a part of her writing.
As Lucy Hounsom, she wrote the Worldmaker Trilogy. Her first book, STARBORN, was shortlisted in the 2016 Gemmell Awards for Best Fantasy Debut. She worked twelve years in corporate account sales for Waterstones Booksellers before becoming a full-time author.
Lucy co-hosts the intersectional feminist podcast ‘Breaking the Glass Slipper’, which combines her passion for elevating the voices of women and marginalised creators with a love of speculative fiction. The podcast won Best Audio in the 2019 British Fantasy Awards.
She holds a BA (Hons) in English & Creative Writing from the University of London and completed the MA in Creative Writing in 2010.
Lucy has given talks, participated in panels and hosted workshops at various events and venues, including the Science Museum London, the British Library, MCM ComicCon, Barcelona Festival 42, and Cymera Festival on topics ranging from myth, folklore and fantasy worldbuilding to public speaking for authors. She has given readings and discussed her work at the universities of Exeter, Bath Spa, and Royal Holloway.
Lucy lives in Devon with a black cat and a bedroom full of books. The landscape of the UK’s West Country is very much a part of her writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
February 22, 2024
The stronger aspect of this book is also its biggest weakness: the writing is pretty and has a good rhythm overall, but it's also prone to archaisms and the occasional purple-prosery; and it uses third person present tense narration for a POV, too, which some readers don't enjoy, me amongst them. On top of that, the pace of the story is so painfully slow it's very tempting to abandon the book for the slow-as-molasses progress and the unnecessary roundabouts. It makes the book easy to put down and resume later, yes, but also very easy to forget.
Set in 8th century Britain, Song of the Huntress has a trio of protagonists: Herla, the leader of the Wild Hunt, Æthelburg, Queen of Wessex, and Ine, King of Wessex, and pretends to be a character-driven story of struggle, personal growth, and power, faith, and politics in times when Anglo-Saxons vie for the rule of the new lands they conquer and conflict arises between the old and the new religions. If you're interested in this time period, the historical novel with low magic feel of this book should be far more enjoyable to you than if you aren't, as is my case. But regardless of personal investment in the period, it's probably the characters that'll hold your interest most, although for me it didn't work that way either as it was very hard to connect or care about them for how unrelatable and distant they felt. I did find Ine a tad more interesting as a character than either Herla or Æthelburg, though, who are a bit more stereotypical (in the "strong women" cliché sense), mainly because it's the first time I see a man of that era struggling with asexuality and it was intriguing to see. Historically accurate? No, not really, pre-modern views and understanding of sexuality weren't like ours, which is why I find the much-lauded queer representation here rather forced, but your mileage may vary, as they say.
There's really not much else to say, it really was this dull for me personally; little happening, much describing, and characterisation that could've been much more fetching.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Set in 8th century Britain, Song of the Huntress has a trio of protagonists: Herla, the leader of the Wild Hunt, Æthelburg, Queen of Wessex, and Ine, King of Wessex, and pretends to be a character-driven story of struggle, personal growth, and power, faith, and politics in times when Anglo-Saxons vie for the rule of the new lands they conquer and conflict arises between the old and the new religions. If you're interested in this time period, the historical novel with low magic feel of this book should be far more enjoyable to you than if you aren't, as is my case. But regardless of personal investment in the period, it's probably the characters that'll hold your interest most, although for me it didn't work that way either as it was very hard to connect or care about them for how unrelatable and distant they felt. I did find Ine a tad more interesting as a character than either Herla or Æthelburg, though, who are a bit more stereotypical (in the "strong women" cliché sense), mainly because it's the first time I see a man of that era struggling with asexuality and it was intriguing to see. Historically accurate? No, not really, pre-modern views and understanding of sexuality weren't like ours, which is why I find the much-lauded queer representation here rather forced, but your mileage may vary, as they say.
There's really not much else to say, it really was this dull for me personally; little happening, much describing, and characterisation that could've been much more fetching.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 11, 2024
This book is gorgeously written but the story never rose from like to love for me.
I am still trying to figure why. It may come down to my personal wiring. It has all that I love in a fantasy. Many of the characters are my ancestors. I've read Beowulf in the original language. It features strong women characters who know their way around a fight (physical and political.) Creepy eldritch magic. I can see why this is revered and maybe I will try it again in the future.
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I am still trying to figure why. It may come down to my personal wiring. It has all that I love in a fantasy. Many of the characters are my ancestors. I've read Beowulf in the original language. It features strong women characters who know their way around a fight (physical and political.) Creepy eldritch magic. I can see why this is revered and maybe I will try it again in the future.
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
March 1, 2024
4.25/5
We were bound together long before he bound us.
I really enjoyed this book. I adored the setting of ancient Britain and I've always loved the folklore of the Wild Hunt. I loved learning more about Celtic mythology and the Celtic Britons, I thought that Holland wove her vast knowledge on the subject into the story flawlessly.
The characters were so compelling and, despite being set in such a different time, they were so real.
My favourite character all-throughout was Æthelburg, she was just incredible. She's fierce and brave and unyielding. She fights all throughout the story, as fighting is always what she has had to do. She fights the weaponised rumours of the court and escapes to pick up the familiar weight of her sword whenever she is able. She is such a strong and interesting character. I loved getting to watch the various new relationships she formed, as well as her old relationships that were forced to change.
Ine is a fascinating character as well. I adored how well-realised he was, how he held fast to his empathy and good nature, even when it meant he would suffer for it. It's such brilliant characterisation that it had me banging my head against the wall at times, wishing he would be selfish so that bad things would not befall him. But he was true to his character until the very end, and that's all to show how phenomenal Holland's storytelling is.
Herla was the most spell-binding of them all. She is tricked by the king of the Otherworld into picking up his reaping blade and is bound to the duty of Lord of the Hunt. For centuries, she rides, leader of the Wild Hunt. Herla is steeped in mythology and all the fantastical aspects of this story, and I couldn't help but become enamoured with every detail we were given of Annwn, the Otherworld. Herla's is a centuries-long struggle for freedom and I adored watching her strength wax and wane with the power of the old moon.
'You know that many call me death.'
'I am a warrior. I have never been afraid of death.'
I absolutely adored the politics of the land; I liked seeing the different Saxon factions and the Witan's slow poisoning, I liked seeing the church's influence spread and fester, I loved seeing the bravery of the Britons as they fought for the land that had always belonged to them. The history of so many invaders permeates the story. It's a story that is still so resonant, from ancient Britain to our world today.
Even as corpses, we are not equal.
It feels so epic. It feels this way because the history is such a strong factor, but also because the mythology is so strong. You cannot separate them. And it's incredible to watch unfold.
I loved this book, I had such an amazing time reading it. Everything about it is so engaging. I desperately want to find so many other stories set within this time period. I also can't wait to read Sistersong by Lucy Holland and anything else she ends up writing! What an enchanting world, what an incredible book.
Thank you Pan Macmillan for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Tell your stories, Folk of Annwn, but do not make them here, from the blood and bones of our people.
We were bound together long before he bound us.
I really enjoyed this book. I adored the setting of ancient Britain and I've always loved the folklore of the Wild Hunt. I loved learning more about Celtic mythology and the Celtic Britons, I thought that Holland wove her vast knowledge on the subject into the story flawlessly.
The characters were so compelling and, despite being set in such a different time, they were so real.
My favourite character all-throughout was Æthelburg, she was just incredible. She's fierce and brave and unyielding. She fights all throughout the story, as fighting is always what she has had to do. She fights the weaponised rumours of the court and escapes to pick up the familiar weight of her sword whenever she is able. She is such a strong and interesting character. I loved getting to watch the various new relationships she formed, as well as her old relationships that were forced to change.
Ine is a fascinating character as well. I adored how well-realised he was, how he held fast to his empathy and good nature, even when it meant he would suffer for it. It's such brilliant characterisation that it had me banging my head against the wall at times, wishing he would be selfish so that bad things would not befall him. But he was true to his character until the very end, and that's all to show how phenomenal Holland's storytelling is.
Herla was the most spell-binding of them all. She is tricked by the king of the Otherworld into picking up his reaping blade and is bound to the duty of Lord of the Hunt. For centuries, she rides, leader of the Wild Hunt. Herla is steeped in mythology and all the fantastical aspects of this story, and I couldn't help but become enamoured with every detail we were given of Annwn, the Otherworld. Herla's is a centuries-long struggle for freedom and I adored watching her strength wax and wane with the power of the old moon.
'You know that many call me death.'
'I am a warrior. I have never been afraid of death.'
I absolutely adored the politics of the land; I liked seeing the different Saxon factions and the Witan's slow poisoning, I liked seeing the church's influence spread and fester, I loved seeing the bravery of the Britons as they fought for the land that had always belonged to them. The history of so many invaders permeates the story. It's a story that is still so resonant, from ancient Britain to our world today.
Even as corpses, we are not equal.
It feels so epic. It feels this way because the history is such a strong factor, but also because the mythology is so strong. You cannot separate them. And it's incredible to watch unfold.
I loved this book, I had such an amazing time reading it. Everything about it is so engaging. I desperately want to find so many other stories set within this time period. I also can't wait to read Sistersong by Lucy Holland and anything else she ends up writing! What an enchanting world, what an incredible book.
Thank you Pan Macmillan for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Tell your stories, Folk of Annwn, but do not make them here, from the blood and bones of our people.
Want to read
November 10, 2023The Wild Hunt recasts the folklore of the Erlking into a dark, feminist fantasy set amidst the legends and beauty of ancient Cornwall.
and it's "a must-read for fans of Circe and The Bear and the Nightingale"!
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November 5, 2023This was so good, I can tell I’m going to have a hangover from it
April 16, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
While this didn't emotionally destroy me in the way that Sistersong did, Song of the Huntress is still an excellently written historical fantasy, retelling the myth of the Wild Hunt in 60AD Britain. I also love the project of what the author is doing here- finding spaces where queerness might have existed in history and filling in those blank spaces.
In this case, we have the leader of the Wild Hunt who was once the human lover of Boudica. Now she's caught in curse and takes many lives. But things begin to change when she encounters another warrior queen - Æthelburg of Wessex. A woman who doesn't fit expectations at court and has yet to bear a child though she and her husband love each other. (as it turns out, it's because he's on the asexual spectrum, though that term appropriately is never used)
This involves political plots, conspiracies, enemies, and old magic. It took awhile for the story to really suck me in, but once it did I was very invested and was never sure how it was going to end. Especially because I know this author can write tragedy in a way that brings me to tears. If you liked Sistersong, I would recommend giving this one a try as well! I received a copy of this book from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
While this didn't emotionally destroy me in the way that Sistersong did, Song of the Huntress is still an excellently written historical fantasy, retelling the myth of the Wild Hunt in 60AD Britain. I also love the project of what the author is doing here- finding spaces where queerness might have existed in history and filling in those blank spaces.
In this case, we have the leader of the Wild Hunt who was once the human lover of Boudica. Now she's caught in curse and takes many lives. But things begin to change when she encounters another warrior queen - Æthelburg of Wessex. A woman who doesn't fit expectations at court and has yet to bear a child though she and her husband love each other. (as it turns out, it's because he's on the asexual spectrum, though that term appropriately is never used)
This involves political plots, conspiracies, enemies, and old magic. It took awhile for the story to really suck me in, but once it did I was very invested and was never sure how it was going to end. Especially because I know this author can write tragedy in a way that brings me to tears. If you liked Sistersong, I would recommend giving this one a try as well! I received a copy of this book from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Want to read
July 26, 2023I’m here for whatever Dumnonia stories Holland wants to tell, thanks.
March 24, 2024
Lucy Holland’s “Song of the Huntress” is one of those mesmerizing tales that stay with you long after the story has ended! By combining mythology, historical fantasy, love, loyalty, and magic, Lucy Holland creates an novel, while Kristin Atherton brings the characters to life through her stellar narration.
The story takes place in ancient Britain when Herla, desperate to save her lover, land, and people from the encroaching Romans, strikes a perilous deal with the king of the Otherworld. As time flows differently in the Otherworld, she finds upon her return that centuries have passed, leaving all her loved ones long gone. Cursed to lead the Wild Hunt, she roams, collecting the souls of wanderers. On one fateful night, Herla encounters Queen Æthelburg of Wessex, a formidable warrior with a troubled reputation at court. As tensions escalate within Wessex and the dead kings awaken, King Ine, facing threats from within his own family, seeks to harness the dormant magic in his bloodline.
While the story involves a handful of characters, with narrations from multiple viewpoints, the characters are richly drawn, each dealing with their own complexities and motivations, which are left for the reader/listener to discover through the pages. Along with the myriad of characters, the novel explores themes ranging from power, love, sacrifice, and identity, all in the context of a tumultuous historical period for ancient Britain.
On the audio side, Kristin Atherton's narration is impeccable, capturing the essence of ancient Britain and the characters' emotions with finesse. With her versatile voice brings depth to each character, making them distinct and memorable, her skillful narration enhances the storytelling, drawing listeners deeper into the enchanting world of Song of the Huntress.
The combination of Atherton's narration and Holland's storytelling created a spellbinding experience, weaving together history, mythology, and romance into a captivating narrative!
From its vivid characters to its evocative setting, the audiobook captivates listeners with its blend of history and myth. Whether in audiobook or print form, I highly recommend “Song of the Huntress” as a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and mythology!
Special thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan UK Audio, Macmillan, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #SongOfTheHuntress #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning
The story takes place in ancient Britain when Herla, desperate to save her lover, land, and people from the encroaching Romans, strikes a perilous deal with the king of the Otherworld. As time flows differently in the Otherworld, she finds upon her return that centuries have passed, leaving all her loved ones long gone. Cursed to lead the Wild Hunt, she roams, collecting the souls of wanderers. On one fateful night, Herla encounters Queen Æthelburg of Wessex, a formidable warrior with a troubled reputation at court. As tensions escalate within Wessex and the dead kings awaken, King Ine, facing threats from within his own family, seeks to harness the dormant magic in his bloodline.
While the story involves a handful of characters, with narrations from multiple viewpoints, the characters are richly drawn, each dealing with their own complexities and motivations, which are left for the reader/listener to discover through the pages. Along with the myriad of characters, the novel explores themes ranging from power, love, sacrifice, and identity, all in the context of a tumultuous historical period for ancient Britain.
On the audio side, Kristin Atherton's narration is impeccable, capturing the essence of ancient Britain and the characters' emotions with finesse. With her versatile voice brings depth to each character, making them distinct and memorable, her skillful narration enhances the storytelling, drawing listeners deeper into the enchanting world of Song of the Huntress.
The combination of Atherton's narration and Holland's storytelling created a spellbinding experience, weaving together history, mythology, and romance into a captivating narrative!
From its vivid characters to its evocative setting, the audiobook captivates listeners with its blend of history and myth. Whether in audiobook or print form, I highly recommend “Song of the Huntress” as a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and mythology!
Special thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan UK Audio, Macmillan, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #SongOfTheHuntress #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning
March 27, 2024
I usually enjoy prose-heavy books. I love to get lost in the words and admire authors writing such beautifully written novels.
After reading Song of the Huntress, I've concluded I only like short prosy books that are more vibes than plot. This book numbers just over 400 pages, an average length of fantasy/historical fiction. But the sheer amount of prose hid any character development or plot. It was a slog to get through. It's truly a shame, considering how interesting the world and character dynamics could have been, but it was never strong enough to truly invest in.
If you love lengthy prose novels, this will work for you! Just be aware the meat of the story gets lost in the flowery words.
Thank you, Netgalley and Redhook books, for the advance copy, in exchange for an honest review.
After reading Song of the Huntress, I've concluded I only like short prosy books that are more vibes than plot. This book numbers just over 400 pages, an average length of fantasy/historical fiction. But the sheer amount of prose hid any character development or plot. It was a slog to get through. It's truly a shame, considering how interesting the world and character dynamics could have been, but it was never strong enough to truly invest in.
If you love lengthy prose novels, this will work for you! Just be aware the meat of the story gets lost in the flowery words.
Thank you, Netgalley and Redhook books, for the advance copy, in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2024
"Run fast and don't look back."
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
➳ 3.5✶
TW: acephobia, animal death, blood, child death, death, death of a loved one, fire/fire injury, grief, infidelity, injury/injury detail, murder, sexual assault, sexual content, violence, war.
Poetically written and thoroughly researched, 'Song of the Huntress' felt more like an experience than a book.
Even for someone with admittedly little knowledge on the historical events this novel retells, I found myself completely immersed in the politics and setting, due to the author's lyrical and yet concise prose. The Wild Hunt has always been a part of mythology that has fascinated me and it was easily my favorite aspect of this book, though I wish that it had been given more time.
As it was, this is a slow-paced, dense book that focuses more heavily on character development than anything else. Which was fine, but also quite tedious at times. I found myself struggling to connect with the story, whenever the chapters started to feel like a repetition of conversations we had already had and emotions we had already felt, just slightly reworded for the new context.
Though I found the character development monotonous at times, I can't deny that it produced vivid, three-dimensional, and compelling characters. Æthel particularly was such a fascinating character to follow, as her intensity and courage weren't excuses to keep her from tenderness and vulnerability. Ine and Herla were also extremely interesting (as were their dynamics with each other), but Æthel was easily my favorite of the three protagonists.
Without giving any spoilers, in the beginning, I struggled with the developing romance between Herla and Æthel. I understand that one of the characters was supposed to be regaining a sense of self, but having them secretly watch the other character bathe (only to never bring it up again) was both bothersome and unnecessary. I had to pretend that it hadn't happened by the time their romance was a prevalent part of the book.
On a more positive note, I was particularly fond of how this story blended historical fiction with fantasy, blurring the line between mythology and reality in such a dreamlike way. I see the comparison to "The Bear and the Nightingale" though I feel like this book was much less whimsical and more... academic leaning when it came to the power-struggle between paganism and Christianity.
Overall, I enjoyed this! Though I wouldn't recommend it to someone trying to fight a reading slump, I do think this was an incredibly well-crafted, interesting story that many people will enjoy. I'm grateful for the chance to have read it.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
➳ 3.5✶
TW: acephobia, animal death, blood, child death, death, death of a loved one, fire/fire injury, grief, infidelity, injury/injury detail, murder, sexual assault, sexual content, violence, war.
Poetically written and thoroughly researched, 'Song of the Huntress' felt more like an experience than a book.
Even for someone with admittedly little knowledge on the historical events this novel retells, I found myself completely immersed in the politics and setting, due to the author's lyrical and yet concise prose. The Wild Hunt has always been a part of mythology that has fascinated me and it was easily my favorite aspect of this book, though I wish that it had been given more time.
As it was, this is a slow-paced, dense book that focuses more heavily on character development than anything else. Which was fine, but also quite tedious at times. I found myself struggling to connect with the story, whenever the chapters started to feel like a repetition of conversations we had already had and emotions we had already felt, just slightly reworded for the new context.
Though I found the character development monotonous at times, I can't deny that it produced vivid, three-dimensional, and compelling characters. Æthel particularly was such a fascinating character to follow, as her intensity and courage weren't excuses to keep her from tenderness and vulnerability. Ine and Herla were also extremely interesting (as were their dynamics with each other), but Æthel was easily my favorite of the three protagonists.
Without giving any spoilers, in the beginning, I struggled with the developing romance between Herla and Æthel. I understand that one of the characters was supposed to be regaining a sense of self, but having them secretly watch the other character bathe (only to never bring it up again) was both bothersome and unnecessary. I had to pretend that it hadn't happened by the time their romance was a prevalent part of the book.
On a more positive note, I was particularly fond of how this story blended historical fiction with fantasy, blurring the line between mythology and reality in such a dreamlike way. I see the comparison to "The Bear and the Nightingale" though I feel like this book was much less whimsical and more... academic leaning when it came to the power-struggle between paganism and Christianity.
Overall, I enjoyed this! Though I wouldn't recommend it to someone trying to fight a reading slump, I do think this was an incredibly well-crafted, interesting story that many people will enjoy. I'm grateful for the chance to have read it.
March 19, 2024
I initially rounded up on this one but as I sat a little longer with my feelings and considered how long I struggled with this one, despite trying to convince myself I was feeling invested, I just.. well. I couldn't quite do it here.
I'm starting to think that no matter how much I enjoy historical fiction and mythology, maybe I don't quite like experiencing this particular time period. Because this is the second book with a similar setting that just didn't pan out for me and maybe I need to stop trying (or maybe it's just bad luck?). Plus y'know getting through The Last Kingdom was generally an effort in stubbornness with little overall reward, so, yeah, that makes three. Or it's just a string of bad and coincidental luck.
But this could've worked and I think that's why I'm rounding down because I'm sad that it didn't as the potential is just maddeningly out of reach. The story in here, the relationship dynamics, the magic, it all glimmered but felt muffled, as if trapped just under the surface, and whether it was the writing or the tense or the fact that only one of the three POVs felt remotely interesting (and having said that it was only in the latter half because in the first half he is painfully brutal to watch but I guess that was the cost of his character development or something).. either way there was something holding this hostage from greatness.
There is a strong feminist angle and acknowledgement of the lack of equal representation from women throughout history but by the same token the two female characters we have are basically just.. angry warrior cliches and it got tired (again, this is why my favourite of the three was not one of the women, making me a sad panda). Equally, while the slowburn between them was starting to work for me, I'm not sure I bought the big love story. But, again, the way it informed the overall dynamics of the three main characters was interesting. Or at least angsty. Maybe I'm confusing the two.
Unfortunately, the slow pace and disconnect of the writing worked against me but I definitely think (hope) this will find success in the hands of other readers.
2.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
I'm starting to think that no matter how much I enjoy historical fiction and mythology, maybe I don't quite like experiencing this particular time period. Because this is the second book with a similar setting that just didn't pan out for me and maybe I need to stop trying (or maybe it's just bad luck?). Plus y'know getting through The Last Kingdom was generally an effort in stubbornness with little overall reward, so, yeah, that makes three. Or it's just a string of bad and coincidental luck.
But this could've worked and I think that's why I'm rounding down because I'm sad that it didn't as the potential is just maddeningly out of reach. The story in here, the relationship dynamics, the magic, it all glimmered but felt muffled, as if trapped just under the surface, and whether it was the writing or the tense or the fact that only one of the three POVs felt remotely interesting (and having said that it was only in the latter half because in the first half he is painfully brutal to watch but I guess that was the cost of his character development or something).. either way there was something holding this hostage from greatness.
There is a strong feminist angle and acknowledgement of the lack of equal representation from women throughout history but by the same token the two female characters we have are basically just.. angry warrior cliches and it got tired (again, this is why my favourite of the three was not one of the women, making me a sad panda). Equally, while the slowburn between them was starting to work for me, I'm not sure I bought the big love story. But, again, the way it informed the overall dynamics of the three main characters was interesting. Or at least angsty. Maybe I'm confusing the two.
Unfortunately, the slow pace and disconnect of the writing worked against me but I definitely think (hope) this will find success in the hands of other readers.
2.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
February 14, 2024
Thankfully this was exactly the kind of book I needed to read after my January of disappointments. Not as good as Sistersong (I found the relationships between the siblings in that book more heart-wrenching but maybe that's because I have siblings of my own) but this is an excellent historical fantasy set in early Britain. I loved the exploration of both the ace and sapphic characters whose identities are a key point to the narrative; I loved the discussion around asexuality especially, though not give these terms it's clear to see what they're representing.
I may do a full review of this eventually once I've processed my thoughts.
I may do a full review of this eventually once I've processed my thoughts.
March 12, 2024
Song of the Huntress begins with the tale of Herla who was tricked by the King of the Underworld to wield his blade as the lord of the Hunt. Under every old moon Herla and her army kill without discrimination until Herla misses her kill and looks in to the eyes of a fierce warrior.
Queen Æthelburg never meets the demands of courts and favour because she does not behave like a typical Queen and instead takes herself to battle and fights for her King and Kingdom. Her character is constantly twisted by the courts, blinding the King and bringing a greater divide between them. Despite everything she faces, she continues to fight for what she knows is for her family, her country. I loved her strength and her character, her unwavering resolve to do her best.
When a neighbouring King is murdered, King Ine is thought to be the killer and must leave to save his kingdom from evils trying to take over. During this he begins to feel he is losing his mind as he develops strange abilities.
There is epic battles, intriguing mythology, fierce warriors, sapphic romance, strong, beautiful woman!
I really loved Songs of the Huntress and the World that Lucy holland created rich with politics, mythology, strong female main characters and strength that conquers all.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Queen Æthelburg never meets the demands of courts and favour because she does not behave like a typical Queen and instead takes herself to battle and fights for her King and Kingdom. Her character is constantly twisted by the courts, blinding the King and bringing a greater divide between them. Despite everything she faces, she continues to fight for what she knows is for her family, her country. I loved her strength and her character, her unwavering resolve to do her best.
When a neighbouring King is murdered, King Ine is thought to be the killer and must leave to save his kingdom from evils trying to take over. During this he begins to feel he is losing his mind as he develops strange abilities.
There is epic battles, intriguing mythology, fierce warriors, sapphic romance, strong, beautiful woman!
I really loved Songs of the Huntress and the World that Lucy holland created rich with politics, mythology, strong female main characters and strength that conquers all.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2024
Rep: bi mc, lesbian mc, ace mc, nonbinary side character
Galley provided by publisher
something of a review here , but to add to that there were aspects of this that just felt anachronistic and not helped by the fact it was in present tense (the writing, for instance, being one of those aspects). in the 3 years since i read sistersong, clearly my tastes have changed, so i probably won't ever be able to reread that one now haha
Galley provided by publisher
something of a review here , but to add to that there were aspects of this that just felt anachronistic and not helped by the fact it was in present tense (the writing, for instance, being one of those aspects). in the 3 years since i read sistersong, clearly my tastes have changed, so i probably won't ever be able to reread that one now haha
Want to read
June 21, 2021my og twisted faerie mythology loving heart is beating so fast for this book
January 28, 2024
3 stars
As someone who has shouted about SISTERSONG from the rooftops, I am admittedly a bit disappointed in this. I read it over the course of 2 weeks, when typically I would read something like this in a few days. I just couldn’t read more than a few % at a time.
I love Lucy’s writing style and the setting of her books, as the “historical fantasy/mythology/folklore” market has historically been overwhelmingly Greek, so I love when books focus elsewhere. Ancient Britain is a time period I am particularly interested in, so I appreciate that Lucy writes in the era.
You can tell that as an author, Lucy takes great care in doing in-depth research to provide a solid historical basis before taking creative liberties for her stories, which is great. The three main characters- Ine, Æthelburg, and Herla were enjoyable and it was nice to have a multi-pov once again.
I love that Lucy explores the struggle of women in history, and her prose during Æthel and Herla’s POV capture it beautifully. As a woman, it is very powerful to see these powerful women but to also recognize how the patriarchal societies diminish everything about them.
I also appreciated the complex and diverse identities Lucy gave the characters: asexual, bi-sexual, non-binary, and lesbian. It is refreshing to see the representation and existence in a historical setting.
My main gripe was the pacing, and that is why it took me so long to get through this book. It was so. slow. By the point things did start to pick up, I was feeling apathetic towards the characters and their struggles; I just wanted to get to the end of the book. This really disappointed me because I was so excited for another Lucy Holland book in ancient Britain and Welsh folklore and magic.
Speaking of Welsh, I would have really appreciated a pronunciation guide for all of the characters and places, because it took me out of the story to be searching the correct phonetic pronunciations. I understand it’s difficult to phonetically translate Welsh to English, but something would have been better than nothing. I say that I still greatly appreciate that she used Welsh and Old English to add to the historical truthfulness, but it did add complexity without a complete pronunciation guide.
I also disliked the third person present tense, at times it read like a movie script or screenplay, which was not immersive at all. Third person past tense or first person would have been much better, in my opinion.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the relationship subplot between Herla and Æthel, and Æthel and Ine. While I always wish everyone to have a happily ever after, the resolutions to the relationships were well executed.
I think at some point I would like to give this a re-read, after having read it once and having better understood how ambitious of a project this book was, especially after SISTERSONG.
Overall, while there were many things I enjoyed, I do wish the story overall could have been executed and explored a little better, especially with a team of editors.
Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook/Orbit US for the e-arc!
I’m looking forward to what Lucy does next.
As someone who has shouted about SISTERSONG from the rooftops, I am admittedly a bit disappointed in this. I read it over the course of 2 weeks, when typically I would read something like this in a few days. I just couldn’t read more than a few % at a time.
I love Lucy’s writing style and the setting of her books, as the “historical fantasy/mythology/folklore” market has historically been overwhelmingly Greek, so I love when books focus elsewhere. Ancient Britain is a time period I am particularly interested in, so I appreciate that Lucy writes in the era.
You can tell that as an author, Lucy takes great care in doing in-depth research to provide a solid historical basis before taking creative liberties for her stories, which is great. The three main characters- Ine, Æthelburg, and Herla were enjoyable and it was nice to have a multi-pov once again.
I love that Lucy explores the struggle of women in history, and her prose during Æthel and Herla’s POV capture it beautifully. As a woman, it is very powerful to see these powerful women but to also recognize how the patriarchal societies diminish everything about them.
I also appreciated the complex and diverse identities Lucy gave the characters: asexual, bi-sexual, non-binary, and lesbian. It is refreshing to see the representation and existence in a historical setting.
My main gripe was the pacing, and that is why it took me so long to get through this book. It was so. slow. By the point things did start to pick up, I was feeling apathetic towards the characters and their struggles; I just wanted to get to the end of the book. This really disappointed me because I was so excited for another Lucy Holland book in ancient Britain and Welsh folklore and magic.
Speaking of Welsh, I would have really appreciated a pronunciation guide for all of the characters and places, because it took me out of the story to be searching the correct phonetic pronunciations. I understand it’s difficult to phonetically translate Welsh to English, but something would have been better than nothing. I say that I still greatly appreciate that she used Welsh and Old English to add to the historical truthfulness, but it did add complexity without a complete pronunciation guide.
I also disliked the third person present tense, at times it read like a movie script or screenplay, which was not immersive at all. Third person past tense or first person would have been much better, in my opinion.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the relationship subplot between Herla and Æthel, and Æthel and Ine. While I always wish everyone to have a happily ever after, the resolutions to the relationships were well executed.
I think at some point I would like to give this a re-read, after having read it once and having better understood how ambitious of a project this book was, especially after SISTERSONG.
Overall, while there were many things I enjoyed, I do wish the story overall could have been executed and explored a little better, especially with a team of editors.
Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook/Orbit US for the e-arc!
I’m looking forward to what Lucy does next.
April 2, 2024
3.5/5
Review to come after I think about it for a bit and get through an extremely hectic day.
Review to come after I think about it for a bit and get through an extremely hectic day.
February 16, 2024
"Song of the Huntress" by Lucy Holland is a brilliant historical mythology inspired novel about the Wild Hunt. Set in the same world as her novel, "Sistersong," this book is an incredible masterpiece on merging fantasy, history, and mythology.
It also has Sistersong Easter eggs, which made me very happy reading them.
It's a multiple POV book that follows Herla, the Lord of the Hunt, Æthel who is the Queen of Wessex, and Ine, her husband and the King. I loved all three characters, and each offered its own unique stamp on the wider story. We get to be devastated by Herla's nearly hubric curse. Her choice of searching for dark powers is also so very human and costs her so dearly. Æthel's desire to be loved is contrasting with her sense of duty and the love she already feels for her husband. Finally, Ine, my favourite character, has his own unique arc, during which he needs to accept himself and share his truth with those he loves while also facing the consequences of his earlier fearful ruling.
Despite the characters finding themselves in battle very often, the book is about peace. I really liked that it explored peace in a more nuanced way and perhaps in some not very agreeable to me ways. It explores the very political idea of where the line between peace and inaction really is. For Ine, especially the novel forces him to answer and face a very tough and painful question. Is it peace he truly wants or to avoid conflict?
The theme of peace is further explored in Herla's story. She is looking for peace, too. Not the end of all strife but the end of her personal strife and pain. It's the more spiritual peace and the escape from her curse and deep felt guilt for being a woman out of time.
Æthel is searching for war because she can not find happiness in the made-up peace of her court life. Unable to feel love and contentment as she needs, she goes to battle. In a bizarre way her constant eagerness for battle is a search of inner peace and a cowardice (although that word might be too harsh) of facing the problems in her life that cannot be solved with a sword.
Then, on a higher level, there is the contrast of peace and war between two kingdoms, the living and the dead, and two faiths, which as the story is explored prove they share a lot of similarities. This is for me, especially highlighter through Ine and Cadwy. These two characters interplay with each other, and through their growing relationship, the similarities between Wessex and Dumnonia are further highlighted. Both cultures need to face their own past, from where their enmity and their similarities originate, and I think they do that best through Ine and Cadwy and their interchanging positions.
An exceptional book, clever which exposes some very dark themes, hopeless situations but also ends on a note of quiet hope, which makes it further real.
I received an ARC through NetGalley to provide an honest review.
It also has Sistersong Easter eggs, which made me very happy reading them.
It's a multiple POV book that follows Herla, the Lord of the Hunt, Æthel who is the Queen of Wessex, and Ine, her husband and the King. I loved all three characters, and each offered its own unique stamp on the wider story. We get to be devastated by Herla's nearly hubric curse. Her choice of searching for dark powers is also so very human and costs her so dearly. Æthel's desire to be loved is contrasting with her sense of duty and the love she already feels for her husband. Finally, Ine, my favourite character, has his own unique arc, during which he needs to accept himself and share his truth with those he loves while also facing the consequences of his earlier fearful ruling.
Despite the characters finding themselves in battle very often, the book is about peace. I really liked that it explored peace in a more nuanced way and perhaps in some not very agreeable to me ways. It explores the very political idea of where the line between peace and inaction really is. For Ine, especially the novel forces him to answer and face a very tough and painful question. Is it peace he truly wants or to avoid conflict?
The theme of peace is further explored in Herla's story. She is looking for peace, too. Not the end of all strife but the end of her personal strife and pain. It's the more spiritual peace and the escape from her curse and deep felt guilt for being a woman out of time.
Æthel is searching for war because she can not find happiness in the made-up peace of her court life. Unable to feel love and contentment as she needs, she goes to battle. In a bizarre way her constant eagerness for battle is a search of inner peace and a cowardice (although that word might be too harsh) of facing the problems in her life that cannot be solved with a sword.
Then, on a higher level, there is the contrast of peace and war between two kingdoms, the living and the dead, and two faiths, which as the story is explored prove they share a lot of similarities. This is for me, especially highlighter through Ine and Cadwy. These two characters interplay with each other, and through their growing relationship, the similarities between Wessex and Dumnonia are further highlighted. Both cultures need to face their own past, from where their enmity and their similarities originate, and I think they do that best through Ine and Cadwy and their interchanging positions.
An exceptional book, clever which exposes some very dark themes, hopeless situations but also ends on a note of quiet hope, which makes it further real.
I received an ARC through NetGalley to provide an honest review.
February 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Lucy Holland for the ARC!
This was an incredibly written sapphic, poetic, and mythological tale. Holland does a wonderful job of immersing you in the landscape; rolling hills and lush scenery, contrasted by the harshness of ancient Britain. This had the same feeling as Circe by Madeline Miller (a favourite read of mine). I really enjoyed being thrown into the complex history and I found myself searching terms and places to learn more as I read along. We follow a Saxon queen, the cursed leader of the Wild Hunt, and the troubled King of Wessex through their extraordinary journey to understand themselves and their love for each other. We see the tension between Christianity and Paganism, the struggles of misunderstandings, and the burden of the human soul. The conflict arises with the plague that is Gwyn ap Nudd and Annwn (the underworld), with their ghastly creatures and soul stealing abilities. We see the importance of land and magic in Welsh lore and get teasers of the ancient stories of the Wild Hunt.
I was sad to leave this world…I could have spent ages reading more about Herla, Æthelburg, and Ine. There’s so much more I’d love to see of all the characters. I want to know Gweir and Cadwy more!! And I would have loved a POV of Ingild and his traitorous dealings.
This was an excellent story of love, loyalty, and betrayal. This was definitely a book where I had to use my whole brain to read it, especially when it got more detailed. But I loved every second of it and would definitely recommend it to anyone with an interest in folklore, ancient Britain, and humanly flawed characters.
“If her scars must remind her of anything, it should be that mistakes are part of living”
I was already deep into my love for Celtic folklore and mythology, and this book really brought my interest in Welsh history to the forefront. I cannot wait to learn more! And I thank Lucy Holland immensely for this inspiration. I’ve already purchased Sistersong, and can’t wait to read that too!
This was an incredibly written sapphic, poetic, and mythological tale. Holland does a wonderful job of immersing you in the landscape; rolling hills and lush scenery, contrasted by the harshness of ancient Britain. This had the same feeling as Circe by Madeline Miller (a favourite read of mine). I really enjoyed being thrown into the complex history and I found myself searching terms and places to learn more as I read along. We follow a Saxon queen, the cursed leader of the Wild Hunt, and the troubled King of Wessex through their extraordinary journey to understand themselves and their love for each other. We see the tension between Christianity and Paganism, the struggles of misunderstandings, and the burden of the human soul. The conflict arises with the plague that is Gwyn ap Nudd and Annwn (the underworld), with their ghastly creatures and soul stealing abilities. We see the importance of land and magic in Welsh lore and get teasers of the ancient stories of the Wild Hunt.
I was sad to leave this world…I could have spent ages reading more about Herla, Æthelburg, and Ine. There’s so much more I’d love to see of all the characters. I want to know Gweir and Cadwy more!! And I would have loved a POV of Ingild and his traitorous dealings.
This was an excellent story of love, loyalty, and betrayal. This was definitely a book where I had to use my whole brain to read it, especially when it got more detailed. But I loved every second of it and would definitely recommend it to anyone with an interest in folklore, ancient Britain, and humanly flawed characters.
“If her scars must remind her of anything, it should be that mistakes are part of living”
I was already deep into my love for Celtic folklore and mythology, and this book really brought my interest in Welsh history to the forefront. I cannot wait to learn more! And I thank Lucy Holland immensely for this inspiration. I’ve already purchased Sistersong, and can’t wait to read that too!
January 20, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for an ARC of this book.
Song of the Huntress is a lyrically written reimagination of the legend of the Wild Hunt. The story is told from three perspectives: Herla, Lord of the Hunt; Æthel, fierce warrior and queen of Wessex; and Ine, king of Wessex with an increasingly tenuous grip on his kingdom. I enjoyed all of these perspectives, and the relationship between these characters is definitely one of the strong points of the story. Herla, Æthel, and Ine all felt real and flawed, and the contrast in their approaches to their problems, and to one another, were well done. The supporting cast was just as compelling as our main characters, too, with Emrys in particular being a welcome face wherever they appeared.
This book took me significantly longer to read than I was expecting, for a couple of reasons. The first of these is the pacing. Until Æthel and Herla met, I was having a difficult time getting invested in the story. There's also the writing style of the book. While beautiful, I was glad that the dictionary feature was on my Kindle; Holland uses a lot of archaic words that fit the time period, but it would sometimes interrupt the flow of the story.
Song of the Huntress was also full to the brim with Anglo-Saxon history and British folklore, and it was clear that Holland meticulously researched this novel. The political intrigue of Wessex, the Church, and the Britons was interesting and tied in well with the more fantastical elements of the story. Speaking of those, Holland's interpretation of the Otherworld and iconic figures from myth was fascinating. The magic and characters here were ethereal and menacing.
While I struggled with the flow and pacing sometimes, Song of the Huntress overall was beautiful, magical, and filled with complex, interesting characters.
Song of the Huntress is a lyrically written reimagination of the legend of the Wild Hunt. The story is told from three perspectives: Herla, Lord of the Hunt; Æthel, fierce warrior and queen of Wessex; and Ine, king of Wessex with an increasingly tenuous grip on his kingdom. I enjoyed all of these perspectives, and the relationship between these characters is definitely one of the strong points of the story. Herla, Æthel, and Ine all felt real and flawed, and the contrast in their approaches to their problems, and to one another, were well done. The supporting cast was just as compelling as our main characters, too, with Emrys in particular being a welcome face wherever they appeared.
This book took me significantly longer to read than I was expecting, for a couple of reasons. The first of these is the pacing. Until Æthel and Herla met, I was having a difficult time getting invested in the story. There's also the writing style of the book. While beautiful, I was glad that the dictionary feature was on my Kindle; Holland uses a lot of archaic words that fit the time period, but it would sometimes interrupt the flow of the story.
Song of the Huntress was also full to the brim with Anglo-Saxon history and British folklore, and it was clear that Holland meticulously researched this novel. The political intrigue of Wessex, the Church, and the Britons was interesting and tied in well with the more fantastical elements of the story. Speaking of those, Holland's interpretation of the Otherworld and iconic figures from myth was fascinating. The magic and characters here were ethereal and menacing.
While I struggled with the flow and pacing sometimes, Song of the Huntress overall was beautiful, magical, and filled with complex, interesting characters.
March 19, 2024
3.5/5
This was a beautifully written feminist retelling of the Wild Hunt told from the perspectives of three characters: Queen Æthelburg, King Ine, and Herla, Lord of the Hunt. I was super excited to read this story as I enjoyed Sistersong, and because it takes place in Wessex, 60 AD, a setting that I’ve recently become very interested in, though, admittedly, I didn’t know much about it prior to reading this.
I loved the way that historical fiction was blended with mythology, and I found the characters and relationships to be incredibly compelling and well crafted.
Though I thoroughly enjoyed Holland’s writing, this is a very character-driven story, and I found myself getting slightly bored at times. The beginning of the book follows a very slow pace, as it was a very dense story, packed with folklore and mythology. However, the second half of the story picks up and I flew through the rest of it.
Overall, I enjoyed this, and I’m excited to read whatever else Lucy Holland writes!
Thank you to Netgalley and Redhook/Orbit for the e-arc!
This was a beautifully written feminist retelling of the Wild Hunt told from the perspectives of three characters: Queen Æthelburg, King Ine, and Herla, Lord of the Hunt. I was super excited to read this story as I enjoyed Sistersong, and because it takes place in Wessex, 60 AD, a setting that I’ve recently become very interested in, though, admittedly, I didn’t know much about it prior to reading this.
I loved the way that historical fiction was blended with mythology, and I found the characters and relationships to be incredibly compelling and well crafted.
Though I thoroughly enjoyed Holland’s writing, this is a very character-driven story, and I found myself getting slightly bored at times. The beginning of the book follows a very slow pace, as it was a very dense story, packed with folklore and mythology. However, the second half of the story picks up and I flew through the rest of it.
Overall, I enjoyed this, and I’m excited to read whatever else Lucy Holland writes!
Thank you to Netgalley and Redhook/Orbit for the e-arc!
March 20, 2024
This has been one of the longest audiobooks (18+ hrs) after the Poppy War series that I struggled with and enjoyed all at once. Besides the jarring plot, the author's writing style will truly captivate the readers.
Spindling in the ancient world of 60 A.D., this story is about a constant clash between Britain and Romans who are divided by religious beliefs. A ruler hiding his secrets, a queen winning wars for the kingdom and a cursed Lord of the Hunt, intertwine in a frivolous path of fate and a shadow world.
The book requires both patience and attention to be enjoyed at a full span and while the narrators did a wonderful job, I do feel that reading it in physical form will be even better (maybe 5 ⭐️ too). I enjoyed the personal characterization of the King of Otherworld whose presence raises the stakes of the story to another level. The climax has beauty and heartache which lead to a perfect ending. I already want to reread this in physical form.
Thank you @netgalley @macmillan.audio and @silvanhistorian for the Audiobook.
Genre: #fantasy #historicalfiction #lgbt
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
#SongoftheHuntress #NetGalley
Spindling in the ancient world of 60 A.D., this story is about a constant clash between Britain and Romans who are divided by religious beliefs. A ruler hiding his secrets, a queen winning wars for the kingdom and a cursed Lord of the Hunt, intertwine in a frivolous path of fate and a shadow world.
The book requires both patience and attention to be enjoyed at a full span and while the narrators did a wonderful job, I do feel that reading it in physical form will be even better (maybe 5 ⭐️ too). I enjoyed the personal characterization of the King of Otherworld whose presence raises the stakes of the story to another level. The climax has beauty and heartache which lead to a perfect ending. I already want to reread this in physical form.
Thank you @netgalley @macmillan.audio and @silvanhistorian for the Audiobook.
Genre: #fantasy #historicalfiction #lgbt
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
#SongoftheHuntress #NetGalley
April 8, 2024
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Oh, that was glorious. Song of the Huntress is a historical fantasy inspired mostly by the scant knowledge currently available, telling a wonderful story about Ine, 8th Century king of Wessex, his wife Æthelburg, and a war between humanity and the Otherworld for control of magic. Brought into the mix is the Wild Hunt, led by Herla, and a host of other historical figures and events, and it's all seasoned by just a soupçon of queer and ace representation.
I genuinely enjoyed this book from start to finish. It never gets anywhere near as dark as the author's other historical fantasy, Sister Song, but that's fine because this is a very different tale to the one in that earlier book. Not everything has to be Grimdark.
If you're a fan of historical fantasy with a bit of queerness to it, or just want something a bit different to more traditional fantasy, give this one a read. I think you'll enjoy it.
Oh, that was glorious. Song of the Huntress is a historical fantasy inspired mostly by the scant knowledge currently available, telling a wonderful story about Ine, 8th Century king of Wessex, his wife Æthelburg, and a war between humanity and the Otherworld for control of magic. Brought into the mix is the Wild Hunt, led by Herla, and a host of other historical figures and events, and it's all seasoned by just a soupçon of queer and ace representation.
I genuinely enjoyed this book from start to finish. It never gets anywhere near as dark as the author's other historical fantasy, Sister Song, but that's fine because this is a very different tale to the one in that earlier book. Not everything has to be Grimdark.
If you're a fan of historical fantasy with a bit of queerness to it, or just want something a bit different to more traditional fantasy, give this one a read. I think you'll enjoy it.
April 16, 2024
I greatly enjoy reading about strong female characters so when I heard this was a feminist fantasy story, that's all I needed to know. Set in Britain in 60AD, the Song of the Huntress touches on the Anglo-Saxons' quest to rule new lands and the conflicts that arise from it. It's not a time period I'm particularly interested in, but the characters kept me invested in the story.
I loved the main characters Herla, Æthelburg, and Ine. They each dealt with internal struggles and personal growth, and I enjoyed reading about their personal experiences and the choices they made because of them. I thought there was such a great ace representation through Ine and it was particularly interesting because I haven't read a lot of male ace characters in fiction.
I was also particularly intrigued by the romance and how Lucy Holland went about it. Some of the dialogue between the characters definitely got me. Oof.
Thank you Orbit for sending me a copy to review. All opinions my own.
I loved the main characters Herla, Æthelburg, and Ine. They each dealt with internal struggles and personal growth, and I enjoyed reading about their personal experiences and the choices they made because of them. I thought there was such a great ace representation through Ine and it was particularly interesting because I haven't read a lot of male ace characters in fiction.
I was also particularly intrigued by the romance and how Lucy Holland went about it. Some of the dialogue between the characters definitely got me. Oof.
Thank you Orbit for sending me a copy to review. All opinions my own.
January 7, 2024
*I was lucky enough to receive an arc from Netgalley and Pan Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.*
I was absolutely enthralled by this book from start to finish. I'm not hugely knowledgeable about the historical setting or the mythology and folklore that drive the plot but I didn't feel like I needed to be. The character and world building in this book was just incredible.
The themes of religion and love and loyalty were explored so deeply and I made connections with so many of the characters through the multiple POVs. Æthelburg and Herla are such strong and amazing heroines and I loved watching as their relationship grew while being badass warrior women.
Song of the Huntress comes out 21st March 2024
I was absolutely enthralled by this book from start to finish. I'm not hugely knowledgeable about the historical setting or the mythology and folklore that drive the plot but I didn't feel like I needed to be. The character and world building in this book was just incredible.
The themes of religion and love and loyalty were explored so deeply and I made connections with so many of the characters through the multiple POVs. Æthelburg and Herla are such strong and amazing heroines and I loved watching as their relationship grew while being badass warrior women.
Song of the Huntress comes out 21st March 2024
February 1, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC! Here is my honest review.
This was a wonderful mix of historic England, Fae and strong female warriors. My favorite! I thought the switching of POVs was a great way to tell each piece of the story. Aethel is my favorite kind of FMC. She is strong of mind and body and loyal. As the story is told she is torn in different directions and I found myself rooting for both. I enjoyed trying to figure out the mysteries before the characters and was pleased that I wasn’t always able to. It can be irritating at time when you can see what is going on but the characters can’t lol. Overall, this was a wonderful read and would recommend to anyone who enjoys FMCs, the show Vikings and all things Fae.
This was a wonderful mix of historic England, Fae and strong female warriors. My favorite! I thought the switching of POVs was a great way to tell each piece of the story. Aethel is my favorite kind of FMC. She is strong of mind and body and loyal. As the story is told she is torn in different directions and I found myself rooting for both. I enjoyed trying to figure out the mysteries before the characters and was pleased that I wasn’t always able to. It can be irritating at time when you can see what is going on but the characters can’t lol. Overall, this was a wonderful read and would recommend to anyone who enjoys FMCs, the show Vikings and all things Fae.
February 26, 2024
Review to come!
(FINAL REVIEW): [Please note that this is the full review to the one that I posted on my bookstagram.] This was a fantastic take on the Wild Hunt myth and historical southwestern Britain. Mixed with LGBTQ+ representation (ace, lesbian, bi, and non-binary representation), this was a beautiful story filled with love, revenge, and finding strength in yourself. 💚
The story follows three POVs- Herla, the Lord of the Hunt; Æthelburg, a warrior queen of Wessex; and her scholarly husband, Ine. Herla, as in the original myth, is a figure that is tricked into being the leader of the notorious Wild Hunt. I loved the gender flip on this mythological figure, with her being a woman driven to make a bargain to save her queen and lover, Boudicca. She was probably my favorite of the three simply because I enjoyed her journey of finding herself and her humanity in a time that’s not her own. Her drive for revenge is so understandable since she was cursed by the wily fae lord, Gwyn ap Nudd. Her relationship with Æthelburg was tender in a way that two female warriors can come together in soft moments. The warrior queen herself was formidable, but I like that she was a vulnerable figure in the story. It’s quite refreshing to see a strong woman who still can show weaknesses and/or insecurities, especially when it comes to her husband. Ine was such an interesting character to me. There’s not a lot of representation for ace men in literature, and I found his struggle to voice his inability/reluctance to be sexually intimate with Æthel to be a portrayal that I wish happened more often. It also really shows just how much men are expected both by society and themselves to be sexually active and constantly seeking it. I found his love for his wife redeeming to his inaction on certain situations, and that his love for her is so strong that he’s willing to allow the relationship to open up for her to sexually satisfy herself. 💕
The historical elements were well mixed with the magical ones. This was definitely more magical than Sistersong, and I also really liked how both can be read as either standalones or a continuation of the other. I liked the mentions of the siblings from Sistersong and the inclusion of the mysterious figure from that tale as well. I do wish we had gotten a bit more of them in this book, but I liked that air or mystery for them was still strong here. 🧙🏼
In general, I really enjoyed this take on the Wild Hunt and loved the mix of Welsh and even Cornish/Briton elements and locations. Would definitely recommend to those who are looking for a historical tale that has a gender flipped Wild Hunt retelling element to it!
Big thank you goes to Orbit Books and NetGalley for accepting my request in exchange for an honest review, and to the author, Lucy Holland, for crafting a beautiful and magical tale in 7th century Britain! 🏹
Publication date: March 19! 🦌
Overall: 4.5/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW): [Please note that this is the full review to the one that I posted on my bookstagram.] This was a fantastic take on the Wild Hunt myth and historical southwestern Britain. Mixed with LGBTQ+ representation (ace, lesbian, bi, and non-binary representation), this was a beautiful story filled with love, revenge, and finding strength in yourself. 💚
The story follows three POVs- Herla, the Lord of the Hunt; Æthelburg, a warrior queen of Wessex; and her scholarly husband, Ine. Herla, as in the original myth, is a figure that is tricked into being the leader of the notorious Wild Hunt. I loved the gender flip on this mythological figure, with her being a woman driven to make a bargain to save her queen and lover, Boudicca. She was probably my favorite of the three simply because I enjoyed her journey of finding herself and her humanity in a time that’s not her own. Her drive for revenge is so understandable since she was cursed by the wily fae lord, Gwyn ap Nudd. Her relationship with Æthelburg was tender in a way that two female warriors can come together in soft moments. The warrior queen herself was formidable, but I like that she was a vulnerable figure in the story. It’s quite refreshing to see a strong woman who still can show weaknesses and/or insecurities, especially when it comes to her husband. Ine was such an interesting character to me. There’s not a lot of representation for ace men in literature, and I found his struggle to voice his inability/reluctance to be sexually intimate with Æthel to be a portrayal that I wish happened more often. It also really shows just how much men are expected both by society and themselves to be sexually active and constantly seeking it. I found his love for his wife redeeming to his inaction on certain situations, and that his love for her is so strong that he’s willing to allow the relationship to open up for her to sexually satisfy herself. 💕
The historical elements were well mixed with the magical ones. This was definitely more magical than Sistersong, and I also really liked how both can be read as either standalones or a continuation of the other. I liked the mentions of the siblings from Sistersong and the inclusion of the mysterious figure from that tale as well. I do wish we had gotten a bit more of them in this book, but I liked that air or mystery for them was still strong here. 🧙🏼
In general, I really enjoyed this take on the Wild Hunt and loved the mix of Welsh and even Cornish/Briton elements and locations. Would definitely recommend to those who are looking for a historical tale that has a gender flipped Wild Hunt retelling element to it!
Big thank you goes to Orbit Books and NetGalley for accepting my request in exchange for an honest review, and to the author, Lucy Holland, for crafting a beautiful and magical tale in 7th century Britain! 🏹
Publication date: March 19! 🦌
Overall: 4.5/5 ⭐️
February 22, 2024
Lucy Holland is, without a doubt, one of my most favorite authors of Celtic/pre-Christianized British Isles folklore and historical fantasy. Sistersong resonated soundly with me, and I found myself incredibly excited to read Song of the Huntress. Just like Sistersong, Song of the Huntress is well researched and full of depth and flavor, and I loved the aspect of the Wild Hunt against the backdrop of the Saxon grab for power during the 600s-700s. Christianity as a tool for colonization and imperialism makes a compelling motivation for the antagonists working against the goals of the main characters, and I appreciated that perspective. The three points of view were well rounded and each had their own agency that made sense. However, what slightly tarnished my own personal and subjective reading experience was the prevalent miscommunication trope. This is wholly preferential for me as a reader, but I just get so frustrated when an entire character arc and plotline could have been solved with the main characters just sitting down and actually listening to each other rather than assuming the worst of the other. Overall, this book was so skilled at framing the setting and characters, but my one drawback was that I wish that the two characters could have had another development arc that was more than constant misunderstandings that escalated. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to read a historical medieval fantasy, but with the caveat that they fully know about the miscommunication aspect as well as the content notes listed below. I fully plan on reading more of Holland's works, and I look forward to when more works are published.
Some content notes include: infidelity, acephobia, blood, death, violence, war
A huge thank you to RedHook and Netgalley for a gifted eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Some content notes include: infidelity, acephobia, blood, death, violence, war
A huge thank you to RedHook and Netgalley for a gifted eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
January 15, 2024
Thankyou to NetGalley, PanMacmillan and Lucy Holland for my e-ARC copy of this title.
•
*mild spoilers*
The initial half of the book moved at a slow pace, which combined with a writing style that included complex sentence structures and eighth-century British language, made it initially a difficult read.
However, I did eventually come to appreciate the inclusion of period specific language and became familiar with Hollands writing style which meant it became an easier read as I went on- and it is definitely one worth sticking out for!
The story was a satisfying blend of historical fiction elements with the incorporation of Welsh folklore and magic. It had multiple POVs but each voice was distinct and unique and each angle of the story was just as interesting as the other meaning no one character dominated the narrative.
It was a well-constructed plot filled with political intrigue, Christian-pagan conflict, a believable magic system, tense moments of confrontation, and a unique Wild Hunt retelling.
The subplot of a heartfelt sapphic romance added depth to the narrative, and the addition of an asexual character further built on its inclusivity and both stories enhanced the story with themes of love and duty.
In summary, "Song of the Huntress" earns a 4 star rating. While the initial hurdles of pacing and writing style required some adjustment, the book ultimately unfolds into a rewarding historical fantasy adventure.
•
*mild spoilers*
The initial half of the book moved at a slow pace, which combined with a writing style that included complex sentence structures and eighth-century British language, made it initially a difficult read.
However, I did eventually come to appreciate the inclusion of period specific language and became familiar with Hollands writing style which meant it became an easier read as I went on- and it is definitely one worth sticking out for!
The story was a satisfying blend of historical fiction elements with the incorporation of Welsh folklore and magic. It had multiple POVs but each voice was distinct and unique and each angle of the story was just as interesting as the other meaning no one character dominated the narrative.
It was a well-constructed plot filled with political intrigue, Christian-pagan conflict, a believable magic system, tense moments of confrontation, and a unique Wild Hunt retelling.
The subplot of a heartfelt sapphic romance added depth to the narrative, and the addition of an asexual character further built on its inclusivity and both stories enhanced the story with themes of love and duty.
In summary, "Song of the Huntress" earns a 4 star rating. While the initial hurdles of pacing and writing style required some adjustment, the book ultimately unfolds into a rewarding historical fantasy adventure.
April 2, 2024
Britain, 60 AD. Hoping to save her lover and her land from the Romans, Herla makes a desperate pact with the Otherworld King. She becomes Lord of the Hunt and for centuries she rides, 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 after a battlefield defeat she finds her husband’s court turning against her. Yet King Ine needs Æthel more than ever: the dead kings of Wessex are waking, and Ine must master his bloodline’s ancient magic if they are to survive.
When their paths cross, Herla knows it’s no coincidence. Something dark and dangerous is at work in the Wessex court. As she and Æthel grow closer, Herla must find her humanity – and a way to break the curse – before it’s too late.
An amazing book which has benefitted from extensive research from the author. Having been a big fan and advocate of Sistersong, I had high hopes for this novel, possibly a wee bit too high. I confess that I did find it difficult to get into and hard going in some places, but it is a brilliantly written character driven adult historical fantasy told in multiple points of view - those of the three main characters. Their mature relationships and both their strengths and vulnerabilies were well portrayed throughout the novel and interwoven with ancient British lore. Song of the Huntress has it all; battles, political machinations and old magic vs the rise of religion as well as love, both of people and of the land itself.
Queen Æthelburg of Wessex is a proven fighter, but after a battlefield defeat she finds her husband’s court turning against her. Yet King Ine needs Æthel more than ever: the dead kings of Wessex are waking, and Ine must master his bloodline’s ancient magic if they are to survive.
When their paths cross, Herla knows it’s no coincidence. Something dark and dangerous is at work in the Wessex court. As she and Æthel grow closer, Herla must find her humanity – and a way to break the curse – before it’s too late.
An amazing book which has benefitted from extensive research from the author. Having been a big fan and advocate of Sistersong, I had high hopes for this novel, possibly a wee bit too high. I confess that I did find it difficult to get into and hard going in some places, but it is a brilliantly written character driven adult historical fantasy told in multiple points of view - those of the three main characters. Their mature relationships and both their strengths and vulnerabilies were well portrayed throughout the novel and interwoven with ancient British lore. Song of the Huntress has it all; battles, political machinations and old magic vs the rise of religion as well as love, both of people and of the land itself.
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