Throughout the novel, there is a recurring theme of agency. Aided and mentored by the fictional Myrdhin, stymied by the historical Gildas, the royal sisters embark on their own journeys to become the people they were meant to be. When a mysterious warrior, Tristan, arrives at their father’s stronghold with urgent news about an imminent invasion by a dangerous Saxon king, a chain of events is set off that will affect the sisters in unimaginable ways. Sistersong centers around three sisters, children of King Cador of Dumnonia, whom Holland interprets as the sisters from the ballad “The Twa Sisters.” Riva is the eldest of the three, scarred for life by a fire Keyne, the middle child, battles with her family to be accepted for who she truly is and Sinne, the youngest, is spoiled and thoughtless in her pursuit of romance. Lucy Holland’s Sistersong examines several social and political topics through the fascinating lens of a forgotten character from a traditional folk ballad. Exploring the implications of these topics is similarly vital and, as readers of historical fiction well know, an ideal place to do so is within the pages of a book. Regardless of where one falls on the social or political spectrum, there is no escaping the fact that these topics are instrumental in shaping the cultural narrative. In modern society, it can feel nearly impossible to escape from news focusing on politics, social issues, or conflict.
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