Welcome to Litsy!

Lucy Holland immediately put herself on my list after Sistersong. That was everything I‘ve wanted in a book, and she‘s got a dedicated fan.

I also love Seanan McGuire. Her Wayward Children series never fails to feel like she‘s cracked me open and pulled the shadowy bits of myself into the sun.

#SundayFunday Have a wonderful day, and don‘t forget to tag me in your posts!

I picked this one up on a whim during a slow day at work, and I absolutely loved it! I‘ll for sure be looking out for lord of Holland‘s work. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#PhotoChallenge prompt #bones

This is a retelling of the English murder ballad The Twa Sisters. Also known as The Singing Bones. And one of my favorite books.

#Scarathlon2023 #HHC @dabbe, @Clwojick, @Liatrek, @JessClark78, @Chrissyreadit, @StayCurious, @TheDaysGoBy, @vonnie862, @LadyCait84, @Sresendez12, @Nessavamusic, @kelli7990, @JessieKB

Thank you so much @Cuilin for the lovely books and gifts! I love everything so much especially the cute pin and socks! Thank you for swapping with me!

#Naturalitsysummerswap #NLSS @jenniferw88 and @AllDebooks

“You will find the world eager to push them on you. But the only names that matter are the ones we take for ourselves.”

“He is who he is. The world cannot change that and neither can you.”

(I've finally found my favorite read of the year so far. This one gets 5 stars, all the stars.)

Did I spend equal parts for book and shipping to get a signed UK edition of my favorite read of the past few years?

… No comment.

The tale of the three children of a fading king & a dying land, their choices & the consequences that affect the kingdom.

GODDAMN. This may be my favorite read in the last 5 years. Lush & complicated & epic, a historical fantasy retelling of The Twa Sisters, while also dealing with the encroachment of Christianity, fracturing families, the power of story, & discovering identity. 10 out of 10, no notes. When is her next book coming out? 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕

The spring has sprung! ☀️

Loved!! Last read of 2022 !

Hallelujah! The new books are here!

#BookHaul

I‘ve wanted a novel length retelling of The Twa Sisters since I read Patricia C Wrede‘s “Cruel Sisters” short story more than fifteen years ago. That short story was my introduction to fairy tale retellings. 💖

I loved this book. The story, the sisters, the fact that it is inspired by (and includes) one of the Child ballads. Magic. Religion. Heartbreaking perfection.

June #bookspin @thearomaofbooks

Ok. This book is going to be a favorite, isn't it? ❤️❤️❤️

Brilliant. An inspired retelling of old British murder ballad ‘The Twa Sisters‘. The ballad dates back to the 17th century but the author decides to set it in the 6th century at a fascinating time; Romans have left England, paganism is being pushed out by Christianity and the Saxons are coming. Beautifully written and blending historical fiction with fantasy and magical realism. Each siblings voice is clear and fully developed.

Cons:
- SO gory out of nowhere. IYKYK.
- I wanted more historical context.
- I couldn‘t quite visualize/understand the magic system and how it all worked.

Pros:
- Strong transgender representation.
- Thought provoking relationships.
- Even tho I saw certain things coming, other things were very surprising in a good way.
- The ending was satisfying in a poetic and heartbreaking kind of way.

Ok, it‘s a pick for sure! I am a sucker for fictional tales of ancient Britain, and this one doesn‘t disappoint. It‘s a rather dark tale, with characters that you love and hate simultaneously. I loved the narrator, and the song was so beautifully sung, I listened to it over and over….

A coming-of-age fantasy set in Briton, 3 sisters battle with becoming who they truly are and embracing the old magic with the shadow of Saxon invasion looming ever closer. Beautifully written with battle scenes that bring to mind Helms Deep, with twists and heartbreaking turns as the sisters battle who they truly are and their fidelity to each other, their people, the land, their hearts and what they are to become.

#Fantasy #LGBTQIA+ #sisters

I believe that Sistersong is based on this folk ballad ‘The twa sisters‘ so I thought it would be nice to add it here

Seems a perfect day to begin this book!
💙 Imbolc Blessings, all! 💙

Based on an English folk ballad and some parts of Medieval English history, this is a novel of three royal siblings coming of age against the backdrop of rising Christianity and the threat of Saxon invasion. You don‘t need to know the ballad or history beforehand to enjoy the tale (in fact, not knowing prevented spoilers). There is magic, romance, sibling rivalry, war, and trans and disability representation. Not YA, but has crossover appeal.

“And then Sinne starts to sing.”

“The smile he gives me - that smile used to make my heart race and my blood pound. It used to wake parts of my body that had never woken for anyone else. Now all I feel are the spiders, and the quiet despairing presence of Os standing behind me.”

“The Saxon‘s blood is pooling, dripping between the cracks in the boards.”

“Keyne‘s dark eyes are sober, but when they meet mine, he smiles. I go to sit by him and I put my arms around his neck, abruptly brimming with gratitude that the land returned him to us.”

“I could. Maybe I should, but I don‘t. Because now I know I owe her a terrible debt, one I can never reveal and can never repay.”

“I swallow a gasp. The voice is Riva‘s.”

“‘What if Father does know?‘ The stink of candles clogs my nose. And what if he doesn‘t care?”

I totally forgot to post this! Here is the Christmas book haul I received from my parents and sister! 🎄🎅⛄I'm very excited about all of them! 😍

This is my last full day here in NJ - we leave tomorrow morning to come home! I'm really looking forward to cuddling with my kitties again! 😸

#christmasbookhaul #bookhaul

Merry Christmas @Jari-chan 🎅 🎄 ❤ Everything is absolutely perfect I love every single present. The books are perfect and I cannot wait to read them. Thank you so so so much ❤💚❤💚❤💚 I am honestly blown away 🥰🤓🥰 I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Day and a Very Happy New Year my wonderful friend

#MerryChristmas #PenPals #BestGiftEver #ChristmasWishList #Treats #Chocolate #Tea #Coffee #Books #Bookworm #BookNerd #InkDrinker #LibraryMouse

YIPPEEEEEE! Thank you SO much @shortsarahrose for this gorgeous book!! I heard the author give a book talk a few months ago and was completely taken! Also could this cover be any more stunning?! I‘m so excited to dive in. And delicious Reese‘s to fill this #jolabokaflod package to perfection! Wishing you a wonderful holiday!! 😄❤️😄 @MaleficentBookDragon

This is one of the first times I read a retelling/reimagining of a traditional tale without reading the original. It had hype and a gorgeous cover so I was anxious to finally read it, and I‘m happy I did! While Keyne‘s narrative (and it‘s modern relevance) was my favorite to follow, it was interesting to see the journey fared by all three main characters in their POV. Magic, love, betrayal, struggle, transformation - this loaded novel has it all!

Officially on vacation and halfway through my first read.

My Black Friday impulse buy just arrived! No ragrets!

This book was so good. I feel like it hasn't received the attention it deserves. A retelling if an old British folklore ballad that follows three sisters as they face the coming of Christianity and the Saxons. I think anyone who enjoys the Greek retellings that are so common now will appreciate this book. One of my favourite books of the year and I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next.

My new little indie bookshop is in a village that I seem to need to drive through to go everywhere…. Which of course means I need to pull over and make a quick stop! #bookhaul!

Weird, dark and intriguing
Medium starMedium starMedium starMedium star
#bookreviews #reading #myth #NetGalley #fantasybooks
Full review at: https://lostnagoodbook.wordpress.com/2021/10/29/sistersong-lucy-holland/

Happy happy #bookmail! 💙

#fantasticstrangelings

Yay received some goodies! Sistersong (tagged) was this month‘s #FantasticStrangelings book club pick, and I am ready for book 2 in the Devious series…

I received a super exciting package from @LibrarianRyan … assumed it was #hhs, the only one I‘m waiting for… but was there a mistake re your tag, Ryan? You wrote #ANS … I think that‘s your swap, which I didn‘t sign up for this year Bc of time limitations 😔 … let me know! 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃