FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SISTERSONG
'Lucy Holland's lyrical prose and powerful storytelling will lure you in' Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne
A must-read for fans of Circe, Song of the Huntress recasts the folklore behind the Wild Hunt into a dark, feminist fantasy set amidst the legends and beauty of ancient Britain.
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Britain, 60AD. Hoping to save her lover, 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, 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: the dead kings of Wessex are waking, and his own brother seeks to usurp him. Ine's only hope is to master the magic that's lain dormant in his bloodline since ancient days.
When their paths cross, Herla knows it's no coincidence. Something dark and dangerous is at work in the Wessex court. The Otherworld seeks to rise, to bring the people of Britain under its dominion. As she and Æthel grow closer, Herla must find her humanity - and a way to break the curse - before it's too late.
'A brilliantly assured storyteller' - Molly Flatt
About the Author
Lucy Holland is a former Waterstones bookseller and has a BA in English and Creative Writing from Royal Holloway. She went on to complete an MA in Creative Writing under Andrew Motion in 2010. Lucy lives in Devon and co-hosts Breaking the Glass Slipper, an award-winning feminist podcast. She is the author of Sistersong.
Industry Reviews
Holland's debut, Sistersong, gave us a beguiling blend of Dark Ages history, strong heroines and magic. She's gone and done it again, but even better. Two women warriors - one a cursed British immortal, the other a Saxon queen - must find common ground to fight a growing evil. Captivating' * Daily Mail *
Striking, bold and beautifully written Song of the Huntress is a feast for readers. Holland is a powerful writer and this, a propulsive tale, a brilliantly woven tapestry of folklore, fantasy and history. Epic and wild. -- Angela Slatter, award-winning author of The Briar Book of the Dead
Richly imagined and meticulously researched, Song of the Huntress makes history vibrant -- Hannah Whitten, NYT bestselling author of For the Wolf
Original and wrenching, this take on the Wild Hunt is as dark, and wild and beautiful as love itself. Lucy Holland's skill is even sharper than it was in Sistersong-It won't be long before you fall in love with Aethel, Herla, and Ine, just like I did -- C.L. Clarke, author of The Unbroken
Holland dives into the myth of the Wild Hunt in this powerful and evocative historical fantasy... Lyrical and captivating, with an ending that will leave readers devastated, the narrative hits just the right balance of action, romance, and character development. In Holland's skilled hands, this stands out from the crowded field of legends retold. * Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) *
[A] captivating fable of politics, religion, treachery, betrayal, longing, and commitment... The intersection between magic, love, and peaceful coexistence will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fantasy * Booklist *