This amazing tale inhabits the borders between myth and history.

We start in Wessex in the so called Dark Ages at the court of King Ine. His wife Aethelburg will not conform to the court's expectations and has long rode out to defend the kingdom.

On one of these journeys she meets Herla, Lord of the Hunt, and a bond is formed. Herla was originally of the Iceni, but in a desperate bid to save her tribe/clan, has made a pact with the terrible King of the Underworld , Annwn. This pact has cost her dearly, as she is then bound to serve Annwn as Lord of the Hunt ( this element is based on the Wild Hunt myth with its origins in Celtic Myth and other ballads/legends)

History- wise this is at an intersection between the native Britons and the Anglo Saxons. The Britons are being uprooted, despite Ine's more compassionate approach . Christianity is establishing itself more firmly in the land ( compare with Lucy's Sistersong) . The unique connection to the land and its "magic"/power is being broken.

Herla is impelled by her oath/pact to slay warriors in a Berserkr sort of way, but finds she cannot slay the strong Aethelburg. The ensuing relationship is beautifully drawn, with lots of telling details. The depiction has the real ring of truth about relationships.

However Aethelburg is married to King Ine. Although there is a loving relationship between the two, there is little intimacy for which Aethelburg blames herself.

Ine, meanwhile is finding his own challenges religiously, politically and a very fundamental challenge to his identity and power.

Themes of identity (gender and racial ), power, religion, loyalty, love and connection to the land (in a Tolkienesque way) are interwoven. The style is at times deeply lyrical and Lucy's style seems ever more confident and increasingly assured.

The stage setting at the beginning of the court with its rivalries means a "slower" start than Sistersong, but Lucy provides a useful "cast" for reference.

I feel it is a pity that other books in this genre of a lesser quality receive more publicity. I wonder if they will have the staying power . This is a book of a rare quality and I hope that will be appreciated.



There were so many moments that stopped me in my tracks to draw breath. As I said in my review of Sistersong, Lucy has
"an elusive raw quality( which you find in ballads, myths and fairy tales) which seems to connect directly to the subconscious in the way the best fantasy does.”

Lucy has created a "Secondary World" in which every detail is carefully chosen to add to the story and characters, not because she wants to demonstrate all the research she's done. (As a Welshwoman I also appreciated the pronunciation guide provided)

My personal reaction to the book is that appeals to my love of myth (especially Celtic) and fantasy of the heroic/epic type like Tolkien, Ursula Le Guin and Pullman. I felt like I was wrapped in an elven cloak of spells as I read it. Utterly enchanting.

A rare 5 stars from me.

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.

In early Anglo-Saxon Britain the various Kingdoms and clans vie against each other for ascendency. When Queen Æthelburg of Wessex leads her forces into a bloody battle she meets the Lord of the Wild Hunt, a harbinger of change.

Holland's expertise in this period of British history is much to the fore, and the underlying story blended with mythology is intriguing. However, the author's choice of writing in the style of an archaic text falls flat. The reading experience is as though glimpsing the slow-paced narrative through sackcloth.

I have always loved Britain in this historical period and especially I loved how the author integrated the folklore of the period within the political and fantasy elements thus managing to create a well-balanced world building. In addition, the author's writing was poetic ,fairy-tale-like and vivid enough to immerse me in the story without difficulty. I also loved every single POV and honestly couldn't choose my favorite character!

Gosh, this is such a well-built book. Holland's passion and research are really highlighted in this book. The world is rich, with huge amounts of detail woven through, with myth and legend closely intertwined. I felt it gives you such a good understanding of the makeup of Britain in these days, with the Roman legacy and Saxon invaders fighting for their place alongside native Britons.

The characters are wonderfully rich - with LGBTQIA representation an innate part of their characters, with a keen understanding of how their identities might interact with societal expectations for them. Having a male MC be asexual was also a wonderful choice, especially with the undertone of the patriarchal expectations of his wife, and the impact of not having a child on her.

The relationships between the characters were very interesting, though Aethel and Ine's inability to communicate made me want to ram my head into the wall a few times. The reasoning behind their lack of communication felt realistic though, rather than an inconvenience just for the plot.

It's a very slow build story, but I enjoyed it nonetheless because the focus on worldbuilding and the mythology was so strong and captivating. Overall, a really strong, feminist retelling of mythology.

I loved every second of this book. I loved Lucy Holland's previous book and this was just as good, maybe even better than her first. I also loved reading about a myth/event you don't usually hear about in retellings.

This was a slow burn for me and I struggled with it.

It was however very well written & the world building and character building whilst slower than I would have preferred didn't leave any questions unanswered.

The representation was spot on too.

Feel I would enjoy this more as a physical book and will reread once released in paperback as I did enjoy it partly

The scene setting at the beginning with all of the characters of the royal court was a little confusing at first - I was getting my Æthelburgs and my aethlings mixed up. But that aside, you can immediately feel Holland's understanding and passion for this time period, and I love how the history of the period was mixed with the myths and legends which was very evocative.

I found the character development to be slow - I understand that this is often the case in real life and that making the same mistakes is part of the human experience, but the constant escalating miscommunications made for frustrating reading. I wonder if the distance I felt to the characters was also due to the use of the third person present tense which I don't come across as often.

I thought the LGBTIA+ representation was thoughtfully done, especially Ine's asexuality. The patriarchy was also touched on too, and Æthel's frustration at being undermined and not believed was very believable and relatable.

Overall I wanted to love this book as I loved Sistersong, but this was a harder book to enjoy, and I felt like the plot didn't really move along until the last third of the book.

I will post my review on Instagram on the 16 March.

‘She is a leaf in a gale. Relief, remorse, revulsion, fear, a storm wind tearing the walls of her self apart’.

‘Song of the Huntress’ captivates from start to finish with its poetic prose and richly woven tapestry of mythological intrigue. Lucy Holland transports readers to ancient Britain with vivid descriptions that evoke both the lush beauty and harsh realities of the landscape.

Drawing parallels to Madeline Miller's ‘Circe,’ this tale immerses you in a world where history and mythology converge, inviting exploration of Saxon and Celtic lore. Through the eyes of Queen Æthelburg, the cursed Herla, and the troubled King Ine, we witness a journey of self-discovery amidst the clash of Christianity and Paganism, and the looming threat of Gwyn ap Nudd and Annwn.

The character dynamics are deeply compelling, particularly the nuanced development of Ine, whose empathy and resilience shine through amidst the turmoil. While the initial pacing may seem slow, the payoff is immense as the narrative unfolds, revealing layers of complexity and emotion. This is a story of love, loyalty, and betrayal, where every character is beautifully flawed and intricately layered.

As I delved deeper into the world of Welsh history and folklore, I found myself utterly enchanted and hungry for more. Lucy Holland's masterful storytelling has left an indelible mark, and she has truly earned a status of ‘immediately buy’ author for me. For anyone with a passion for folklore, ancient Britain, and deeply human characters, ‘Song of the Huntress’ is an absolute must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley & Pan Macmillan for an ARC of this book

4.25/5

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.

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.

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 Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I've held off on writing this review because I really don't want to admit that I didn't love this book. Sistersong blew me away, it's easily in my top three books and is very special to me. I had extremely high hopes for this one and was desperate to get my hands on it and while I didn't dislike it, I didn't love it either. It was nothing special to me.

The premise is fascinating and Herla and her hunt were legitimately interesting and one of the best parts of the story to me. However, the rest of the novel and the dynamics/politics felt a little tiring. The pace didn't feel quite right and it was a little tiring to read. The world-building is solid and the writing good but I just couldn't get this novel to work for me. I couldn't connect to any of the characters in any real way and it made the whole read feel a little bit hollow.

I hate that I didn't love this more but I just didn't.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

This book felt like a classic in the making.

Set in a period of history I don't know much about I lost myself in the folklore and the realities of that time period simultaneously. I enjoyed this balance of fantasy and politics and I enjoyed seeing them blend. Conversations over traditional beliefs and Christian beliefs have always intrigued me in any form of media and watching this unfold was tense but I couldn't stop reading.

Holland's writing really truly makes you feel as if you are stepping into a fairytale. Her writing was so beautiful, poetic, and raw. Holland's characterisation was so well done. I loved and enjoyed every single POV given and you can't help but root for the characters even as relationships between each other and the world get more complicated you just want them to succeed and find a way to live a harmonious life. But if I had to choose, my favourite would be King Ine.

I instantly need to read everything else she has written.

I had such high hopes for this book! Sistersong was an instant favourite for me, and this was an eagerly anticipated second novel, but ultimately it didn’t live up to my expectations.

Firstly, the things I liked! I really loved the relationships between the main characters, particularly between Æthulburg and her husband Ine. While they often felt estranged they also deeply cared about each other, and I found their relationship – especially when they embraced unconventionality – very tender and compelling.

Throughout the whole book, there was such an interesting exploration of queerness; of different sexualities, genders, and how those are expressed in this time period. I thought the depiction of asexuality was particularly noteworthy, as its an identity that is often looked over, but was explored here in a very truthful and heartfelt way.

There were also a couple of call-backs to Sistersong, just occasionally reminding us that they exist in the same universe even if the stories are not interlinked. I always love an Easter egg and so this was something I really appreciated!

As much as I enjoyed these aspects of the book, I just found it so difficult to get stuck into the story. I never felt particularly immersed in the world or invested in the plot, and I felt a lot like I was going through the motions reading it. So while I did like the main characters (I wasn’t fussed about the minor characters) and some of the themes, the actual reading experience was fairly average for me.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

A beautifully written historical fantasy based on the myth of The Wild Hunt.

Herla, along with her sister warriors, seeks the help of the king of the Otherworld to help repel the Roman invaders. But they soon realise that they have become ensnared in his web, destined to ride out as the Wild Hunt for centuries.
Then on one night, she meets the warrior queen Æthelburg, whose similarity to Herla's beloved Boudicca ignites a spark of remembrance.

The kingdom of Wessex, ruled by
King Ine and Queen Æthelburg, faces the threat from the Dumnonii, scheming from within, and mysterious deaths across their land.

The focus is on Æthelburg's relationships - her difficult but not unloving relationship with Ine, the contempt that many of her own court feel towards her, and the draw and kinship she feels towards Herla.

The story is a blend of politics, the clash of and merging of peoples and religion, plus an otherworldly threat.

I really liked the exploration of the Wild Hunt myth in an historical setting and the nods to Sistersong. And I always like a bit of death magic.

The writing is excellent and really gives a sense of the time and place.

I would have liked a little more time with Ine, I think he was a really interesting and sympathetic character. Herla and Æthelburg are both complex characters but some of their thinking, especially Herla's, felt slightly repetitive to me. But that is a fairly small quibble.

An evocative, feminist myth retelling with a dark edge.

I really enjoyed Sistersong and couldn’t wait to give this book, with its Easter egg references to the previous book, a go.

Unfortunately it did not resonate with me as well, The characters and setting did not feel as strong and I didn’t root for any of them. The prologue drew me in but the next 25 percent left me feeling bored and I found it pretty hard to get into. It felt like one for enthusiasts for early British history only.

DNF.’d at approximately 30 percent, which is sad because I like the authors writing style.

With thanks to netgalley for allowing me to review Song of the Huntress

I really enjoyed Lucy Holland's SisterSong and thought that Song of the Huntress would just be as good. Sadly it wasn't and I couldn't finish it.

Coming to the conclusion that Holland's writing may just not be for me. I always love her world building but it always feels like her characters keep me at arm's length. Added to which, bringing out of context 21st c sexism in here just didn't work for me. I like historical fantasy but I need the historical context to be exhaustively researched and accurate as possible. So even little things like Boudicca being red haired (she was blonde based on the one fairly reliable description we have of her - her hair colour was changed to flatter Elizabeth I) take me out of the story. Loved the huntress' pov and voice. Didn't really care about the other characters. Not for me.

"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.

Oh how I wanted to love this novel. Holland is a great writer and I'm not sure I ever read a retelling of any Wild Hunt tales. Add to that the promise of a sapphic romance, and I am more or less sold already.

'Song of the Huntress' tells the story of three characters whose lives intertwine in different ways. One is Ine, king of Wessex and husband to Aethelburg, our second pov character. The last of the three is Herla, who leads the Wild Hunt. Through these three perspectives we are told a tale about old and new religions in Ancient Britain and the fight against a superior mythological foe. I enjoyed our trio and loved how diverse they were. There's also a romance brewing between Aethelburg and Herla, and I was really excited about that.

But sadly, I just really really struggled to get through this book. The pacing is achingly slow, and while the writing is poetic and beautiful, there's just very little actually happening between all these lovely descriptions. By the time the story finally picks up speed I barely cared anymore about anything or anyone. In theory, there is so much to love here: the complex relationships between Ine and Aethelburg and Aethelburg and Herla, the exploration of gender roles and sexuality in these olden times, the Wild Hunt myths. 'Song of the Huntress' is heavy on the character development and focuses less on plot, and while that is perfectly fine and I do enjoy character focused fantasy, I feel like in this case, paired with a rather detached writing style (and third person present tense), it worked to the detriment of my reading experience. I was, frankly, often bored.

This is still a good book. It's clearly very well researched and written by someone passionate about these myths. The characters are complex and the overall plot is interesting. I'd still recommend this to anyone who's interested in a blend of fantasy and history set in this particular era and place.

Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland is a gorgeously written historical fantasy with Sapphic-Warrior-Women, The Wild Hunt, and vengeful-Saxon-Ghost-Kings.

Pros:
- Lucy has done anything and everything to pour as much accuracy into this book as possible, and yes, it is so so worth it. I want to spend my winters in a mead hall now.
- Women with swords. (Warrior Queens!)
- LGBTQ+ rep with realistic relationships explored? Heck yes!
- Stunning prose! Oh my lord! The Atmosphere!

Cons:
- ...
- I finished it.

4.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for providing the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!