A review by cappuccino136
Sistersong by Lucy Holland

adventurous dark mysterious sad 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

4.5

Riva, Keyne and Sinne are siblings, children of King Cador, in the post-Roman Britain kingdom of Dummonia. The Saxons are threatening their borders and the Queen has embraced Christianity and brought a priest into their court as a powerful advisor. His work is to cleanse the people from their Pagan gods and magic. The siblings each have their own power, given as an inheritance by blood and from the land. But the magic has been failing since the ascendance of a new religion. Magician and storyteller, Myrddin (Merlin) arrives agian after a long absence and is welcomed warmly by those who are tired of the priest's influence. When Tristan comes to court as an emissary from another king, his presence threatens their family bonds. Each sibling must make their own path and it will cost dearly.

We get the three points of view and feel the torrent of their emotions. Riva is scarred and disabled by a traumatic accident as a child. She struggles against the pity of others for being "the damaged one". Keyne is a trans man and fights to get anyone to recognize him as his true self. The rejection of his identity and the dysphoria are a prison for him. Sinne is a romantic dreamer who wants life to be an exciting adventure. This novel is based on the ballad of the Two Sisters. The time period and Merlin make it Arthurian adjacent. The prose is descriptive and expressive without being overdone at all. The family dynamics and sibling relationships are very well done. The themes and characters are interwoven very well.
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