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summerline's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mademoiselleemadeline's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
chelsbels's review against another edition
5.0
Sistersong by Lucy Holland
Is perhaps the most perfect novel ever written!
The novel is based on the song Twa Sister, similar to Circe being based on the Odyssey. I did not know this as I started the novel. And I would suggest not learning of the contents of the Twa Sister, it may ruin the novel. Or not, how would I know.
Either way it is a re-telling. And it is masterful!
The novel is routed in so much history and magic that it is the perfect blend of curiosity and familiarity that it brings you in so easily.
I learned much about ancient Druid’s festivals and it’s meshing with the early Christianity that was brought by the Romans. And the politics between the saxons and the anglos, a time I know very little about.
Fascinating was that one of the days I was reading it my church was celebrating St Bridget’s Feast and Candlemas! Days celebrated in the novel it was interesting to learn they use to be separated, and how they bleed together.
Told between 3 different voices of very different siblings it easily makes you question who’s telling us truth, what is reality. Who are truly the baddies, the good, those at fault, who should be listened to, and why and who is just doing what must be done.
Besides the story being very well told, and fascinating. It is maybe the most refreshing novel I have read in ages. I say that in the sense of inclusion, it was like breathing fresh air after not knowing the air you breath was stale.
There are disabled character who live full and interesting lives, main transgendered characters, no-binary characters, a pretty one that longs to be more than just a prize. There are characters and aspects in so many of the characters that one would recognize in our world, voices that need to be told. Struggles different, and similar to ours that bring more depth and nuance to this simple song than I could ever imagine.
There are fork tales and folk songs intertwined into this novel. But the relationship between these three siblings is good even without the world they inhabit. The characters are so rich. Keyne, Riva, and Sinne’s individual stories could entertain you full, but to see how each other’s stories morph’s the other’s life and way of being is just… WOW!
This novel should be read, and read again. I don’t think there is anything about this novel I disliked. There were many parts that I guessed out, or was walking around going “oh no no, was I right, no, am I?” But the slow burn was dreadfully good. I could start it all over again now!
I read this book in February as part of my reading, February’s theme is LOVE. This book could not be more apt. So many forms of love.
This novel is for anyone interested in stories.
Is perhaps the most perfect novel ever written!
The novel is based on the song Twa Sister, similar to Circe being based on the Odyssey. I did not know this as I started the novel. And I would suggest not learning of the contents of the Twa Sister, it may ruin the novel. Or not, how would I know.
Either way it is a re-telling. And it is masterful!
The novel is routed in so much history and magic that it is the perfect blend of curiosity and familiarity that it brings you in so easily.
I learned much about ancient Druid’s festivals and it’s meshing with the early Christianity that was brought by the Romans. And the politics between the saxons and the anglos, a time I know very little about.
Fascinating was that one of the days I was reading it my church was celebrating St Bridget’s Feast and Candlemas! Days celebrated in the novel it was interesting to learn they use to be separated, and how they bleed together.
Told between 3 different voices of very different siblings it easily makes you question who’s telling us truth, what is reality. Who are truly the baddies, the good, those at fault, who should be listened to, and why and who is just doing what must be done.
Besides the story being very well told, and fascinating. It is maybe the most refreshing novel I have read in ages. I say that in the sense of inclusion, it was like breathing fresh air after not knowing the air you breath was stale.
There are disabled character who live full and interesting lives, main transgendered characters, no-binary characters, a pretty one that longs to be more than just a prize. There are characters and aspects in so many of the characters that one would recognize in our world, voices that need to be told. Struggles different, and similar to ours that bring more depth and nuance to this simple song than I could ever imagine.
There are fork tales and folk songs intertwined into this novel. But the relationship between these three siblings is good even without the world they inhabit. The characters are so rich. Keyne, Riva, and Sinne’s individual stories could entertain you full, but to see how each other’s stories morph’s the other’s life and way of being is just… WOW!
This novel should be read, and read again. I don’t think there is anything about this novel I disliked. There were many parts that I guessed out, or was walking around going “oh no no, was I right, no, am I?” But the slow burn was dreadfully good. I could start it all over again now!
I read this book in February as part of my reading, February’s theme is LOVE. This book could not be more apt. So many forms of love.
This novel is for anyone interested in stories.
beckywatts's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
extra points for writing a trans character in a historical fantasy!! don't see that every day and I greatly appreciated it.
lucidbina's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
ktindol's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
missmultitasking's review against another edition
4.0
Muy bien escrito, con ideas originales y personajes que saben crecer más allá de sus tópicos. Mi mayor problema ha sido ese inevitable sabor a tragedia desde el primer capítulo que me ha impedido meterme de lleno para evitarme sufrimiento
lilsnowpea's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful books I've ever read. At so many points, this story left me speechless and truly longing for more.
august_ambrosia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
YEAH OKAY. this book made me like fantasy again <3 AND I LOVEEED HOW KEYNE WAS PORTRAYED!!!!! i thought he was so realistic. i thought his story was genuinely beautiful i admired him so much!! at first i thought it was going to be a typical girl power type of story but i've gotta be so honest i loved this. i know there could be something to complain about in that they still just reinforced gender stereotypes technically???? since a boy heir took the throne but i thought it was handled so well and like. surely this is the best ending?? for the time period and how horrified the nobles were at having to defer to a "woman" i think constantine was the best option for king. full stop. brought tears to my eyes. especially the part where he says he wishes it went more like "i am constantine and the rightful heir" and then they all bowed and kneeled but it didn't happen like that and i just!! loved that detail!!! but he won the people's hearts and i just aaah what a lovely protagonist. i loved him to bits.
i thought the prose was beautifully written and the really heart wrenching scenes hit me when i did not expect them!! it got darker than i thought it would!!! and it was stunning to read!!!!obsessed with how humanity 'wins' in the end how magic does help but ultimately it's the siblinghood that saves them and how constantine makes a point of saying peace isn't forever!! god i loved that. because no it isn't!! they have so much power but time is relentless and unforgiving and they cannot stop war forever but they can try and that's all that matters. idk it just felt very realistic and honest and Holland weaves magic into the world in such a seamless way i actually could believe that it existed. absolutely amazing. left me reeling. would absolutely recommend
i thought the prose was beautifully written and the really heart wrenching scenes hit me when i did not expect them!! it got darker than i thought it would!!! and it was stunning to read!!!!
marthe1998's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5