Song of the Huntress
Ratings2
Average rating4.5
The acclaimed author of Sistersong transforms the story of Herla and the Wild Hunt into a rich, feminist fantasy in this stunning tale of two great warriors, a war-torn land, and an ancient magic that is slowly awakening.
Britain, 60AD. Hoping to save her lover, her land, and her people from the Romans, Herla makes a desperate pact with the king of the Otherworld. But years pass unheeded in his realm, and she escapes to find everyone she loved long dead. Cursed to wield his blade, she becomes Lord of the Hunt. And for centuries, she rides, leading her immortal warriors and reaping wanderers’ souls. Until the night she meets a woman on a bloody battlefield—a Saxon queen with ice-blue eyes.
Queen Æthelburg of Wessex is a proven fighter. But when she leads her forces to disaster in battle, her husband’s court turns against her. Yet King Ine needs Æthel more than ever. Something dark and dangerous is at work in the Wessex court. His own brother seeks to usurp him. And their only hope is the magic in Ine’s bloodline that’s lain dormant since ancient days.
The moment she and Æthel meet, Herla knows it’s no coincidence. The dead kings are waking. The Otherworld seeks to rise, to bring the people of Britain under its dominion. And as Herla and Æthel grow closer, Herla must find her humanity—and a way to break the curse—before it’s too late.
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Lucy Holland's “Song of the Huntress” grabbed my attention from the first couple pages and and held it firmly until the last.
Queen Æthelburg and Herla of the Wild Hunt are the sort of characters I enjoy reading about. They are both strong women who know what they want, know what they need to do, and know when something has to give.
The writing is poetic and descriptions are vivid. Action scenes are well thought out and emotional reactions are described beautifully.
I've not yet read “Sister Song” by the same author, but since reading this one, I did purchase it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read “Song of the Huntress” in return for an honest review.
This is a retelling of the Wild Hunt.
Herla mistakenly asked for help to ensure Boudica's victory, but she was tricked. Hundreds of years later, she is still trying to right that wrong. Herla and her sisters of the hunt are determined to fight.
With war brewing between humans and the Otherworld, they will have to choose sides.
I loved the setting and all the historical aspects. Great characters. The writing was just a bit flowery for me. Otherwise I thought it was great.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an e-arc.
