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megelizabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
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.
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
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Transphobia, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, and Pregnancy
cersmessenger's review against another edition
- 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
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
theeo's review against another edition
- 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
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!
Moderate: Sexism, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Blood, Dysphoria, and War
thewillowwood's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
Trans masc rep. Gender fluid rep.
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
lanid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Transphobia, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, War, and Injury/Injury detail
bluejay21's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Death, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, and War
abbeyroad1410's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
I want to start with the things I felt the book did exceptionally. To begin, it carries a plot about a transgender boy, Kenye, throughout the novel which is moving and has a happy ending. I find this rare, especially in a historical fiction novel, and I enjoyed the representation in a way that made sense. For people that think this is unrealistic for the time period, I would look into the thirteenth century text Le Roman de Silence by Heldris.
The book also does a great job showing Riva's insecurity with her disability (she is a burn victim) and the pressure she feels from having to be the older, more responsible sister. Dealing with her insecurities gives Riva's character depth, though I will admit she may be the most frustrating character in the book.
This novel is also great at drawing emotion. At the emotional peak,
Now, I want to touch on the things that just generally confused me about the novel, Sistersong. I think my biggest issue with this novel is the fact that there seems to be no rhyme or reason for the magic in it. The novel began with the sisters having specific powers, but by the end, they blurred together and you could also half raise the dead. This is very frustrating.
Additionally, the driver of the main event
Overall, I wouldn't say that I am disappointed with the book. I am mostly just left confused. It was a beautiful adaptation of the Ballad of the Twa Sisters, but at times, it was doing too much.
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, Fire/Fire injury, and War
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
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.
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