This book was well written but slow - not for me.
I liked the previous book by the author, and the book might pick up after the mid mark, but not ideal for readers who want more fast-paced books.
The audiobook was not very engaging - perhaps it was just not for me, but I believe the writing style does not translate too well to audio.

Thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of the Wild Hunt. I’ve not read much set in this period but it perfectly lends itself to that blend of history and fantasy with mythological retellings and this was a beautiful example.

The prose was lyrical and gorgeously written from multiple perspectives. I was completely immersed in the setting of this and invested in the overall story. The narration of the audio was excellent and it’s definitely one I’d recommend to those who enjoy this period and retellings steeped in folklore.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan, and Lucy Holland for providing me with an audiobook ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a huge fan of historical fantasy and mythology, especially when told from a female POV. I've read a lot of Greek and Norse retellings but I know surprisingly little about British folklore. Song of the Huntress was a beautiful introduction.

This story read like a classic fantasy (I was constantly reminded of Lord of the Rings or even ASOIAF) and while that was partly due to the setting, I think it also says a lot about the way Lucy Holland writes. It felt poetic at times, and exciting at others. The imagery was so vivid and immersive, and the characters felt relatable while also being complex and compelling.

I'm definitely interested to read more about the historical period. For some reason it's never really appealed to me but Lucy Holland's storytelling has definitely changed that! Kristin Atherton's narration was flawless. She kept my attention throughout, and her tone perfectly conveyed the different POVs.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Song of the Huntress. While the pacing was a little slow at times, and the world was overwhelming at the start, I was gripped throughout!

This took me a long time to get into but once I did I was hooked! I loved the characters (although I didn’t know who was who as they were very similar). However, it then tailored off towards the end and became slow and quite repetitive. I think it would be a lot better if it was a bit shorter, as my interest did waver which is a shame as I was really enjoying it.

The writing is good, but the narrator sounds quite bored which I think reduced the excitement of what is quite an action-packed book. I ended up reading the last few chapters physically and I think it would’ve been 3.5 or even 4 stars if I’d read, rather than listened to it as the ending is quite moving.

Overall a good story, but overly long and narration is poor,

Song of the Huntress is a spellbinding fantasy novel set in 60 AD Britain, where the clash of cultures between Romans, Saxons, and Britons is at its peak. The story follows Herla, a woman who makes a pact with the Otherworld King to save her lover and her homeland from the Romans. This pact binds her to the Wild Hunt, where she is tasked with reaping the souls of wanderers. Her centuries-long journey takes a turn when she meets Queen Æthelburg of Wessex, a fierce Saxon queen who faces turmoil within her husband's court. As Herla and Æthel's destinies intertwine, they must confront ancient magic and dark forces that threaten not only their own lives but the future of the land itself.

It is a beautifully woven tapestry of myth, legend, and history. The novel immerses readers in the richly detailed world of ancient Britain, where magic and folklore intertwine with the harsh realities of political intrigue and shifting alliances. Holland's use of the Wild Hunt as a central theme is captivating, offering a fresh and feminist perspective on a classic folkloric concept.

Herla is a compelling protagonist, her tragic backstory and sense of duty make her a character to root for. As she rides with the Wild Hunt, her encounters with various souls, particularly her meeting with Queen Æthelburg, provide depth and complexity to the narrative. The developing relationship between Herla and Æthel is a key element, showing how two strong-willed women can find common ground despite their differences.

The historical context, with its focus on the Roman conquest and the power struggles within Saxon courts, adds layers of intrigue. The plot's pacing is well-balanced, with moments of action and tension interspersed with quieter, more introspective scenes. The writing is vivid and evocative, bringing to life the ancient landscapes and the eerie atmosphere of the Otherworld.

Tropes/Themes:
-Folkloric fantasy
-Historical setting (60 AD Britain)
-Wild Hunt mythology
-Strong female protagonists
-Romance and loyalty
-Political intrigue and treachery

It is a compelling and enchanting read. It appeals to fans of fantasy and historical fiction, offering a unique blend of ancient myths and strong character-driven storytelling. Lucy Holland's deft handling of feminist themes and the exploration of complex relationships make this novel a standout in its genre.

There are many recent books retelling Greek myths from the perspective of female characters, so it's not surprising someone has done the same for ancient British legends. 'Song of the Huntress' has three viewpoint characters: Ine, Saxon king of Wessex; his wife, the warrior queen Aethelberg; and Herla, supernatural leader of the ghostly wild hunt. It's a time of great strife - the Saxons are not only fighting native British tribes, but amongst themselves as the court is full of plots and counterplots. However they are soon to discover the greatest threat of all comes from the underworld, where the armies of the undead will wipe out everyone. Their only hope lies with Herla, once lover of Queen Boadicea, tricked into becoming the nightmarish shade she is now. If Herla can find the strength to fight her curse and the man who laid it on her, Gwyn ap Nudd, she may be able to defeat him.

The concept is interesting and British mythology is something I know less well than Greek, which has featured in so many books lately it has got boring. The characters are sympathetic and the plot is interesting and exciting. But it is very overwritten and focusses far too much on the romance elements, which are not very interesting. The story of the battle between the worlds and between the different human factions is the bit that holds the attention, whereas romance is something you can find in a million books. There's nothing wrong with a bit of a love story in a fantasy adventure - in fact, it's often an important ingredient - but this one is just so laboured. There is no subtlety, no 'showing not telling'. We not only have to be told the characters' thoughts and feelings about their love triangle once in great detail, but over and over again. Does Holland think readers are so stupid they won't remember what they've been told in the previous chapter in great detail? It's also very unbelievable and feels jarringly modern. People who are busy trying to survive don't have the luxury of endlessly ruminating over their finer feelings.

Because of this, the story is terribly slow and overwritten. It gets good in parts, when the characters stop navel gazing and mooning around over each other and do something, but soon we're back to melodramatic angsting again. It's a shame, because there's a good story buried in all this and I liked the concept. Readers who really like romances and books that go into tiny detail about the thoughts and feelings of the characters, will probably enjoy it more than I did.

The narrator puts a lot of feeling into the narration, more than is usual for audiobooks, which I found a bit offputting but others may like. As it's a very emotional story there's certainly lots of opportunity to show a range of feeling in the voice acting. It does mean it gets quite shouty at points though.

For the reasons above, I wouldn't recommend the book or the audiobook to readers/listeners with similar tastes to me. But if you like stories that heap on the emoting and focus on the characters and their internal struggles and relationships, you might enjoy it more than I did.

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

This is a great immersive read for anyone interested by historical fantasy, folklore, heaps of LGBTQIA+ rep and themes of politics, religion and love. It’s so well researched but delivered in a poetic storyline to get lost in.

Be aware that this isn’t a quick read but an immersive, slower paced storyline. I listened to the audiobook and at times I struggled to fully immerse myself - but that’s because I was keen to see what happened but was not always in the right space! So my fault not the books. I think this will be a re-read at some point :?

Leí hace poco que es el tema de los retelling de fábulas clásicas no es una moda pasajera, si no que es la forma natural de que estos relatos se vayan adaptando al paso del tiempo. La primera novela de Lucy Holland, Sistersong, ya seguía estos derroteros, por lo que no nos sorprende que en Song of the Huntress también utilice el mismo método.


La novela comienza en Bretaña en el año 60 DC, pero solo para que conozcamos el origen de Herla, condenada a vagar eternamente a la cabeza de la Cacería Salvaje. Acto seguido avanzaremos en el tiempo para conocer a la reina guerrera Æthelburg, que comanda las tropas de su reino mientras el rey legisla en la corte. Este papel guerrero y no sumiso, unido a su falta de descendencia sitúa a Æthelburg en una posición muy insegura en un mundo en el que el valor de las mujeres está constantemente en entredicho . Cuando Æthel y Herla se conocen, cambiará el destino del reino.

Una de las primeras cosas que llaman la atención en la novela de Holland es el amplio espectro de representación sexual en el que se sustenta, con personajes bisexuales, lesbianas, aces… todo tratado desde el respeto y dando luz a la problemática que estas opciones provocaban en el pasado y siguen provocando en el presente. Este es quizá el mayor logro del libro, que por otra parte adolece de cierta falta de ritmo y quizá una prosa demasiado florida.

La narración de Kristin Atherton hace que el audiolibro sea bastante entretenido, incluso aligerando alguno pasajes más morosos de lo necesario.

Esta obra recuerda en algunos momentos The Children of Gods and Fighting Men de Shauna Lawless, sobre todo por el enfrentamiento entre paganos y cristianos y cómo la magia se ha ido desvaneciendo del mundo con la hegemonía de los discípulos de Cristo, con más presencia del mundo mágico, aunque tampoco excesiva.

Como obra autoconclusiva, Song of the Huntress es de la fantasía más tradicional por el entorno medieval que podemos encontrar, pero tiene esos toques feministas e inclusivos que la hacen distinta a lo tradicional. Y también es autoconclusiva, algo que se agradece en estos tiempos de sagas inabarcables.

3.5 ⭐️ - I would definitely recommend this book to historical fiction lovers who are considering dipping their toes into fantasy or those looking for a well done sapphic, feminist historical romance. I think this book would be enjoyed by readers of Madeline Miller or Rebecca Ross’s ‘A River Enchanted’ duology who fancy something a little grittier.

I’ll admit that for the first 25% of this book I wasn’t particularly engaged but I’m glad I pushed on because by the second half I found myself gasping and nearly shed a tear.

I particularly enjoyed King Ine’s character and the explorations into his flaws and challenges. Particular standouts from this story, for me, were the political intrigue and the exploration of Æthelburg and Ine’s relationships with each other and their court.

The religious conflicts seen in 8th century Britain certainly made for an intriguing backdrop for this story which centres around the wild hunt and other pagan myths unrecognised by the Christian church.

I do love a good villain and this book certainly delivered on that front (won’t say who here to avoid spoilers). On the other hand, Gwyn seemed a little one-dimensional as an antagonist at times.

I did find King Ine and Queen Æthelburg’s POVs much more engaging than Herla’s, unfortunately. There were also times where the pace seemed to drop off, although this was less frequent as the story progressed. For these reasons, I can’t quite give this 4⭐️ but I do think it was a good book and would recommend to the right reader.

I would give the narration 3.5/5⭐️. It was easy to listen to and the range of accents helped distinguish between characters. Overall, the narration was a bit slow (I could easily keep up at 2x speed) and may have benefitted from variations in pace to keep the listener more engaged.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and MacMillan UK Audio for letting me listen to and review this ARC audiobook.

Song of the Huntress is a captivating tale rooted in history and folklore. Written in a beautiful, lyrical style, it is a relatively slow read that gradually unfolds the complex plot. While it took me a while to get familiar with the characters, setting and some archaic vocabulary used to bring to life the Anglo-Saxon world of the novel, I found myself spellbound by this atmospheric story. Lucy Holland created a fascinating background for her narrative. A lot of thought and research was put into the world-building.

The story focuses on three characters that are vividly described with their own motives and complex histories. They are likeable and fascinating to follow. Also, I liked that despite the growing connection between Herla and Æthelburg, Ine is not left behind but remains a crucial character. What I also liked about this novel was the portrayal of the court, with all the gossip, intrigues, and power play.

To sum up, this book is a slower, atmospheric read, perfect for fans of historical fiction with a fantasy twist.

A beautifully written book, but I think I picked it up at the wrong time or I'm just not vibing with the writing style despite its beauty. That's the thing with purple prose; it doesn't always get me, I'm not always in the mood for it.

Though I liked the narration and the themes, it was too slow-moving and dense for me to truly enjoy. It's a character-focused story as well and I don't have a problem with that, but I found myself getting bored and having to relisten to passages because it just wasn't grabbing my attention. Again, it could be I'm just not vibing with the writing.

I see a lot of people enjoying this and I wanted to join the group, but maybe if I revisit it, which I'm open to do, I will have a better experience. I can appreciate that it's constructed well and very detailed, and it's a good blend of historical fiction, mythology, and fantasy, but I just couldn't really connect to it.

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

“Tonight, Herla will give them a monster.”

Happy Publication Day to Song of the Huntress, the dark, fierce, feminist historical fantasy retelling of the folklore behind the Wild Hunt. This propulsive fantasy novel transports us to ancient Britain and introduces us to Herla, who has been cursed to be Lord of the Wild Hunt after making a desperate deal with the Otherworld King. For centuries she has ridden, reaping the souls of those she has slain in battle. When she meets Queen Æthelburg of Wessex on a bloody battlefield, Herla knows that her meeting with this fierce warrior Queen is no accident as there is danger lurking,, whispers about Æthel are louder than ever in court, the King is fighting his own brother, tensions between Christians and Pagans are at an all time high, people are dying strange deaths, and the Otherworld is getting ready to strike. Can Herla find a way to break her curse and help the Queen?

This was a gorgeously woven tapestry of history, folklore, fantasy and magic. I listened to this on audiobook, and was immediately captivated by the riveting narration. And, despite the fact it was quite a long story, the quality of both the storytelling and the narration never faltered, keeping me completely immersed in its pages from beginning to end. It is expertly written, richly drawn, and meticulously researched, Lucy Holland’s knowledge and passion for the myth evident in every word. Her evocative characters leaped from the pages and I was caught up in the emotions of these ferocious women and their unique love story.

Powerful, savage and striking, Song of the Huntress is a must read for anyone who enjoys stories filled with history, myth and magic.

SONG OF THE HUNTRESS is a brilliant standalone drawing on Early Middle Ages English history and myths and legends from the Britons and Saxons.

This is a book about Ine of Wessex and his wife, Queen Æthelburg (one of the few to get that title.) It's a fascinating period of history and Holland weaves in the myth of the wild hunt and Welsh mythology around the underworld and the dead. It's an engrossing tale of clashing cultures, backstabbing court politics, and dangerous magics.

Ine was my favourite character. Not only does he deal with a bit more of the politics than the others, but he is also amazing ace rep that distinguishes between being ace and being aro, as he loves romantically but has no desire for physical intimacy. I absolutely loved seeing that distinction on the page.

It also blends into a conflict between societal expectations and reality on both men and women. Ine is the one who does not want to have sex but it is Æthelburg who is blamed for the pair's lack of children. No one ever considers that it might be a choice, that someone might not want to be intimate. Likewise, no one considers that the fault of bareness might not be the woman's. Too often, historical novels only focus on the impact society's demand for children has on women, and not on what it means for me. I loved that this got addressed here.

This is set in the same world as SISTERSONG, but centuries later. There are a few minor character references or links, but you don't need to have read the other book to understand this. They make sense as separate entities.

The narrator Kristin Atherton is great, making all three narrators (Ine, Æthelburg, and Herla) sound distinct so you can quickly work out who is speaking. There's a lot of emotion crammed in too, their pain and loss and joy and grief brought to life. Plus there are a myriad of accents at play too.

I look forward to what Holland writes next.

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

Song of the Huntress written by Lucy Holland and narrated by Kristin Atherton is a powerful and yet poetic novel set in 60 AD England. I have not read Lucy Hollands previous book Sistersong but after listening to this fantastic audiobook

Firstly, Kristin Atherton's performance is brilliant. Versatile, dynamic and strong, the vocals match the narrative wonderfully. There is a powerful grasp on the various accents and to maintain the continuity of accents and character as well as across genders, was an epic achievement

The blend of mythology and history is elegant, and being told from multiple povs rounds out the already powerful narrative. Hollands writing is easy to become immersed in, the storyline paced perfectly and researched beautifully.

Herla is the leader of the Hunt for the King of the Otherworld, until one day, she meets Queen Aethelburg of Wessex on the battlefield in the midst of tragedy. This is the beginning of a chain of events including the deep love between Herla and Aethelburg, The love King Ine has for Aethelburg and his reliance on her, despite his entire court bristling against her

This is a novel of strength and meeting in the middle. Queen Aethelburg knows that dark forces are rising and must conquer them, King Ine must allow his inherited power to come to the fore and Herla must leave the darkness and release herself from the curse of the King of the Otherworld

An epic saga of kings and queens, warriors and politicians, history and mythology, love and plots. A glorious account of three very different people coming together in the face of adversity from all angles.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan UK Audio, Macmillan, the author Lucy Holland and the narrator Kristen Atherton for this very powerful ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I just finished reading Song of the Huntress by Lucy Holland- I was such a fan of Sistersong so I was so excited for this book.

And I loved it!

Lucy Holland has beautifully blended mythology, folklore, history and fantasy in this book, it feels so poetic, the language is beautiful and at times you can almost imagine a bard singing this tale of love and loyalty and land!

Song of the Huntress is set in a very tumultuous Britain in 60AD The history behind this book is at a time where Christianity is taking root in Britain and the magic of nature and links to the land is being broken.

As I was reading this book (and it shouldn’t really have been a surprise given my tastes) how much I love reading books set in this period- send me all your recs please?

At the core of the story we have the mythology and lore of the Wild hunt with a feminist twist- Herla originally of the Iceni makes a deal with the King of the Underworld to save their tribe and is bound to run with Annwn and the hunt for eternity.

Our other major players are King Ine and his Queen Aethelburg (who was my favourite) - Ine struggles with his position, identity and beliefs and Aethelburg is a powerhouse who defies the courts expectations to be the warrior that the kingdom really needs- while Ine and Aethelburg have love for each other their relationship lacks any intimacy and Aethelburg blames herself.

I thought this book was wonderfully crafted , for me the pacing worked so well and I appreciate Lucy Holland’s vast knowledge of the period.

There is a sapphic romance and it is so slow burn, I often think when I say slow burn is it that or is it a realistic timeline of a romance forming? I also loved the exploration of Ine and Aethelburg’s relationship and both of their identities - it felt very honest.

I really appreciated the Welsh pronunciation guide and the Welsh pronunciation on the audio was beautiful- I love the Welsh language and it was done so well!

The audiobook narration was fantastic, I tend to listen to audiobooks at 2x speed and the audio lost no clarity - the narration held my focus and I really appreciated the tone, as I've said above the pronounciation of the Welsh language was so lovely to hear.

I found myself fully immersed in this tale - epic battles, earth magic, honest representation and exploration of identity pulled together with history and mythology- Lucy Holland is 100% an auto buy author for me and I’m not even cross at them for making me bawl my eyes out at the end of this book!

I gave this one 4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Beautifully written and very well narrated but unfortunately the story just wasn't keeping me gripped and kept going over my head most of the time

Definitely will be checking out other books by this author because I absolutely loved this one. So refreshing to have this book feature a very early medieval Britain setting which is quite rare to see. The characters were truly amazing, would 100% recommend it. 5 stars