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Sistersong cover art

Sistersong

By: Lucy Holland
Narrated by: Robyn Holdaway
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Summary

In a magical ancient Britain, bards sing a story of treachery, love and death. This is that story.

For fans of Madeline Miller's Circe, Lucy Holland's Sistersong retells the folk ballad ‘The Twa Sisters'.

King Cador’s children inherit a land abandoned by the Romans, torn by warring tribes. Riva can cure others, but can’t heal her own scars. Keyne battles to be seen as the king’s son, although born a daughter. And Sinne dreams of love, longing for adventure. 

All three fear a life of confinement within the walls of the hold, their people’s last bastion of strength against the invading Saxons. However, change comes on the day ash falls from the sky - bringing Myrdhin, meddler and magician. The siblings discover the power that lies within them and the land. But fate also brings Tristan, a warrior whose secrets will tear them apart. 

Riva, Keyne and Sinne become entangled in a web of treachery and heartbreak, and must fight to forge their own paths. It’s a story that will shape the destiny of Britain.

Sistersong is a powerfully moving story, perfect for those who loved Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale. 

©2021 Macmillan Publishers International Limited (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

Critic reviews

"A gripping retelling of an ancient tale. I loved it." (John Gwynne)
 

"A beautiful reimagining of an old British folklore ballad, Sistersong weaves a captivating spell of myth and magic." (Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne)

What listeners say about Sistersong

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Problem With Recording Disturbs Enjoyment

I enjoyed the story and the narration was good.

Unfortunately, there are parts where narration overlaps, and other parts where there are gaps and jumps. I thought it might have been when I downloaded it so went to download it again. I then noticed reviews from other listeners who also mentioned having the same issue. I tried reporting it, but just got a standard response asking me to identify exactly where the problems occurred which would have meant listening again with pen and paper in hand. Disappointing.

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7 people found this helpful

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Magical!

A simple tale told wonderfully and with magic in every sentence! The characters were complex, likeable and realistic and written beautifully. I would recommend to anyone who likes stories about magic, sorcery and anyone who likes historical novels.
The writer obviously has a lot of knowledge about the time period and interweaves details about the way the people lived and thought very well.
The narrator was fantastic and did a great job of distinguishing the characters voices.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Don’t dismiss this.

Was a bit harsh on this to start with, but ended up being a bit disappointed that there wasn’t a sequel. Could really have seen it as a trilogy. A historical novel that’s surprisingly modern, with a pinch of girl power thrown in. Would read another of this author’s novels. Someone is bound to adapt this for TV.

Not the strongest narrator and would have personally preferred different narrators, but perfectly fine.

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4 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Amazing seeming story wrecked by narrator

I’m so sad that I couldn’t make it past the first few chapters of this audiobook. I tried to get on board with the narration style but it’s unfortunately quite similar to listening to an am-dram down the local village hall. The narrator speaks as though she is on stage at a student play night. Worse, she makes all the voices of the sisters so irritating, it’s like listening to very precocious young girls.

Really bemused by narrating choice here, as it’s clear even from an hour or so of listening that this is a complex, lyrical novel. So why oh why was the choice made to have it narrated in this way? Massive disappointment.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Very absorbing!

This is a epic story with many twists and turns. Beautifully narrated, had me gripped and eager to listen!

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A wonderful, magical book.

A retelling of historical figurez with a great, if very contemporary twist.
I loved it from beginning to end.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful story.

This book surprised me with how much I loved it. It is beautiful and sad but wonderful.

Robyn Holdaway was honestly magnificent in my opinion. The character and feeling she put into each of the very different characters was amazing, and had me in tears at some points.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautifully written and performed

I loved the story, I loved that the characters were all flawed, I loved the writing style. I also thought the performance was wonderful and that each character had a voice that was unique enough that I was nerves confused about whose perspective I was hearing.

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Sister song review

The narration was excellent probably the best I've heard. Very atmospheric, magic meets folk tale.

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totally immersing

nicely written story of love, betrayal, tragedy, joy and the human condition. the auther takes you back to times long lost but with struggles and subjects very relevant to current times. this is one of those books that will forever stay with me and i am all the better for it.
the narrator was a perfect choice for this book, with seamless transition between each characters voice making it obvious who is talking. a joy to listen too.

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