Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Sistersong by Lucy Holland

33 reviews

megelizabeth's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

"Outside, the wind howls on, uncaring of humans and the dramas they act out. It will blow across this land long after all of us are dust. After Dunbriga is dust. And other lives call this place home."

I really enjoyed this book overall. Not being much of a fantasy reader, it took me a minute to get into and I did find some parts either to drag a bit or go slightly over my head, but the powerful and devastating explorations of siblinghood and historical truth and societal advancement and change really pulled me through and I ended up both invested and ultimately devastated. The writing is absolutely gorgeous and the balance between meticulous historical detail on the one hand and invention and characterisation on the other is perfectly struck. There's a lot going on and at times I did feel as if it was really trying to be two stories when it could have worked as one, but ultimately it did all come together and I felt satisfied (if also heartbroken) by how things turned out.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement and Pregnancy

Minor: Child abuse and Rape

aylabell's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I absolutely loved this book. It’s a beautiful tale of family, identity, loss, and hope. Each character had their share of flaws alongside lovable attributes, making them feel real. I cried during the last few chapters of this book, both in sadness and relief. A must read for historical fictions fans. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Transphobia, Death of parent, and War

Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, and Pregnancy

cersmessenger's review

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, and War

Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Ableism, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria

lorraine19's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Despite the plot moving slow at first, the multiple layers of story keeps it interesting. There's the Christian church dominating a pagan community, war with Saxons looming, and the personal stories with each of the siblings. I found the parallels between these elements fascinating. 

If you know The Twa Sisters ballad, most of the plot likely won't be a surprise for you. If you are like me and went in blind, you'll probably find certain points predictable and others completely shocking. Character development is there - some for better and some for worst. The most moving - and arguably he main character of this multiple POV story - to me is the middle child Keyne. Their development and story of self discovery and empowerment is absolutely beautiful. 

As someone that is a fan of multiple POV books, I felt like it was almost unnecessary here. However, I do feel like it did result in some points being more effective. I'm left with conflicted feelings about the ending (specifically regarding Riva) but I think that's up to the individual reader. 

Overall, interesting read - especially if you are into paganism, European history, or magic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Colonisation

Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Deadnaming, Death, Sexual content, and Pregnancy

Minor: Slavery

theeo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Sistersong is tragic and beautiful. I went into this book unfamiliar of the Twa Sisters ballad but this didn’t take away from the experience at all. 

Some of the characters’ motivations had me rolling my eyes a little, mostly Sinne and Riva, but their flaws were also interesting at times. Also really enjoyed the trans rep and the portrayal of magic!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Blood, Dysphoria, and War

thewillowwood's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

this was so sad man…like damn.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body horror, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Transphobia, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Murder

gemstonejasper's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Twa Sisters murder ballad retelling. Tragic with lots of character development. Themes of identity, magic, power, and being true to yourself. 

Trans masc rep. Gender fluid rep.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Transphobia, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

musicalpopcorn's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

In this retelling of a gruesome old song, a magical world on the brink of destruction needs saving, but who will be the one to protect it?

This was quite the story. I’m glad I looked up the Twa Sisters beforehand otherwise I think I would have had a massive shock about 3/4 of the way in. The book definitely takes a sharp turn. 

I wasn’t all that interested in it to begin with. I didn’t find the story grabbed me, but once it took a darker turn, I definitely felt more inclined to see how it ended. 

Interesting idea, so-so execution. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Confinement, Deadnaming, Misogyny, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

claire_riach's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming and Transphobia

Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

careinthelibrary's review

adventurous mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

I was sure I'd like this trans-affirming early middle ages feminist retelling of one of Child's murder ballads and I did 😌
Didn't expect so much to feel like an honouring of <i>Hild</i> by Nicola Griffith, one of my all-time favourite historical fiction epics. Although <i>Hild</i> takes place in this book's future, it feels like they are referencing the same texts, worldviews, problems, and imaginings of the land. Even the references to the patterns that connect us all to the land felt very Griffith and very <i>Hild</i>! Love it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexism, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Dysphoria, and War