★★★★★RELEASED 21 MARCH 408 pages | Hardback/ebook/ audiobook Author Lucy Holland Publisher Tor
There are many books, both historical and fantasy, that deal with the famous kings of British history and mythology. Which isn’t to say that women have been completely overlooked – Guinevere at least has never wanted for attention. But it’s still heartening to see more tales focused on the other half of the human race.
Here, Lucy Holland (who presents feminist genre podcast Breaking The Glass Slipper under her real name, Lucy Hounsom) tackles historical couple Ine and Æthelberg, king and queen of Wessex in the early eighth century.
Battling rivals within the court, plus rebel Saxons and native Britons without, as well as dealing with the fractures in their childless marriage, they are attempting to keep their kingdom united when Herla, the female Lord of the Wild Hunt, enters their lives. And now they have an even more pressing problem – Gwyn ap Nudd, Lord of the Otherworld, is coming for them all…