Published by Saraband, The Lyre Dancers follows the character of Rian and her family. After suffering the life of a slave and losing her only son, the matriarch tries to carry on with her life as best she can. As well as embracing her love with Mannigan the Walrus Mutterer, she gives one of her daughters away to be married and intends to train the other in her legacy. Try as she might to avoid it, however, the past may still come back to threaten her small clan.
With the story being focused on this small family unit, the perspective jumps between Rian and her two daughters as they follow each of their own stories. While Rian’s part of the plot is written in the third hand perspective, her two daughters’ – Rona and Soyea – are written in the first hand, reinforcing the idea that even though much of what happens is influenced by Rian, her story is coming to an end and it’s moving onto the next generation.
One of the strengths of the Stone Stories trilogy is the love that has gone into crafting each of the stories, and the Lyre Dancers is no exception. Haggith has worked to extensive lengths to breathe life into an age that has long been forgotten, and masterfully weaves fictional characters who feel quite at home in this world. There is also just a splash of fantasy, which helps the plot’s strength rather than weaken the historical aspect of the novel.
Another one of the strengths of this book is how Haggith’s background in poetry comes into the writing. As well as using heavily descriptive language to help the reader see through millennia old eyes, she also approaches telling her story with eloquence that makes the reading itself an adventure of its own.
The only qualm with the book is how Ussa is handled. Throughout the books, she has served as the main antagonist and is directly linked to Rian. In the Lyre Dancers, she acts as a looming threat for the woman, adding tension to the overall story. However, while each of the other characters’ story arcs feel earned, Ussa’s feels a little off. Though it does make a nice conclusion, it would’ve probably been a little more appropriate that the villain met an end fitting of the fierce reputation that has been the driving force of the trilogy’s plot.
Despite this one minor issue, The Lye Dancers is a wonderful end to Rian’s story. After suffering so much turmoil, this book is a satisfying end for all the pain and suffering she has gone through. There aren’t many pieces of historical fiction from the Iron Ages, and while it’s a shame to see the conclusion of this series, the last book is a more than worthy way to finish the trilogy.
Review copy provided
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