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Skin #2
Songwoman
A thrilling historical novel and the sequel to the critically acclaimed Skin, perfect for fans of Outlander and Game of Thrones.
One woman’s quest to defend her culture.
Haunted by the Roman attack that destroyed her home, Ailia flees to the remote Welsh mountains in search of the charismatic war king, Caradog, who is leading a guerrilla campaign against the encroaching army.
Ailia proves herself an indispensable advisor to the war king, but as the bond between them deepens, she realises the terrible role she must play to save the soul of her country.
Set in Iron-Age Britain, Songwoman is a powerful exploration of the ties between people and their land and what happens when they are broken.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2018
10 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Ilka Tampke
3 books129 followersIlka Tampke teaches fiction at RMIT University. Her first novel, Skin, was published in eight countries and was nominated for the Voss Literary Prize and the Aurealis Awards in 2016. Ilka lives on five acres in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 2, 2018
4.5★s
“And there, atop a mountain in the centre of the free tribelands, with my heart beating just a finger’s width away from that of Albion’s greatest war king, I felt the Mothers’ intention surge up from the stone, through my legs and spine and into my chest. I knew that they had wrought this land to strengthen our fight, and that there could be no more powerful place for the warriors of Albion to meet Rome than this.”
Songwoman is the sequel to Skin, the debut novel by Australian author, Ilka Tampke. When her village was destroyed by the Romans, it was guilt that drove Ailia of Caer Cad into a self-imposed exile for over a year. But finally, she knew that, as the Kendra of Albion, she had to seek out Caradog, the only chieftain who could help the free tribes resist the Roman attack. And that was crucial, if they were to retain their connection with the land.
But her welcome, when Ailia arrived at Llanmelin, was not at all what she had expected. Nor was Caradog how she had thought: this man was volatile, with mercurial moods, and seemed to place little value on her advice. Ailia had arrived as a Journeywoman, but with the barest minimum of training with the Mothers, she was not equipped to handle Caradog’s Journeyman, Prydd, who seemed to have his own agenda. His lack of respect for the Kendra was shocking, and he was a skilled manipulator, subtly directing both his War Chief and Ailia.
It was when Ailia heard Caradog’s Songman that she knew what was destined to be. Rhain was physically deformed but his voice, his song was pure and clear, his stories compelling. Ailia understood that it was thus, as a Songwoman, that she could ensure the voice of the Mothers was heard and that Caradog would heed her counsel, to defeat the invading force.
Tampke creates the perfect blend of historical fiction with a touch of fantasy. Her extensive research into Iron Age Britain is apparent on every page, but this wealth of interesting knowledge is presented in a form that is easy to digest. Her prose is rich and beautiful. Her characters are fascinating, flawed yet striving for integrity, and their dialogue adds authenticity. Tampke includes a very helpful map and, while a basic knowledge of the Roman invasion is useful it is not essential to the enjoyment of this excellent sequel.
“And there, atop a mountain in the centre of the free tribelands, with my heart beating just a finger’s width away from that of Albion’s greatest war king, I felt the Mothers’ intention surge up from the stone, through my legs and spine and into my chest. I knew that they had wrought this land to strengthen our fight, and that there could be no more powerful place for the warriors of Albion to meet Rome than this.”
Songwoman is the sequel to Skin, the debut novel by Australian author, Ilka Tampke. When her village was destroyed by the Romans, it was guilt that drove Ailia of Caer Cad into a self-imposed exile for over a year. But finally, she knew that, as the Kendra of Albion, she had to seek out Caradog, the only chieftain who could help the free tribes resist the Roman attack. And that was crucial, if they were to retain their connection with the land.
But her welcome, when Ailia arrived at Llanmelin, was not at all what she had expected. Nor was Caradog how she had thought: this man was volatile, with mercurial moods, and seemed to place little value on her advice. Ailia had arrived as a Journeywoman, but with the barest minimum of training with the Mothers, she was not equipped to handle Caradog’s Journeyman, Prydd, who seemed to have his own agenda. His lack of respect for the Kendra was shocking, and he was a skilled manipulator, subtly directing both his War Chief and Ailia.
It was when Ailia heard Caradog’s Songman that she knew what was destined to be. Rhain was physically deformed but his voice, his song was pure and clear, his stories compelling. Ailia understood that it was thus, as a Songwoman, that she could ensure the voice of the Mothers was heard and that Caradog would heed her counsel, to defeat the invading force.
Tampke creates the perfect blend of historical fiction with a touch of fantasy. Her extensive research into Iron Age Britain is apparent on every page, but this wealth of interesting knowledge is presented in a form that is easy to digest. Her prose is rich and beautiful. Her characters are fascinating, flawed yet striving for integrity, and their dialogue adds authenticity. Tampke includes a very helpful map and, while a basic knowledge of the Roman invasion is useful it is not essential to the enjoyment of this excellent sequel.
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August 17, 2018Text Publishing has five exclusive early reading copies of this dazzling historical fiction novel from Skin author Ilka Tampke to give away. Fans of Outlander, Game of Thrones and The Mists of Avalon will love Songwoman.
To enter, PM us with your full name, address, and 'Songwoman giveaway' in the subject line. Competition closes 17 September 2018. Good luck!
‘Songwoman is a sparkling piece of writing, shot through with complex moral struggles and questions about what it means to belong to a place. Ilka Tampke transported me into the mind of Ailia, into her intense relationship with war king Caradog and her even more intense relationship with the land. Fine-tuned historical research blends seamlessly into this gripping story of a young woman fighting to stop the destruction of her home.’
Jane Rawson, author of From the Wreck
To enter, PM us with your full name, address, and 'Songwoman giveaway' in the subject line. Competition closes 17 September 2018. Good luck!
‘Songwoman is a sparkling piece of writing, shot through with complex moral struggles and questions about what it means to belong to a place. Ilka Tampke transported me into the mind of Ailia, into her intense relationship with war king Caradog and her even more intense relationship with the land. Fine-tuned historical research blends seamlessly into this gripping story of a young woman fighting to stop the destruction of her home.’
Jane Rawson, author of From the Wreck
December 30, 2018
After adoring the first book in this series, Skin, I’m so disappointed to say that I just couldn’t get into this one. It felt like I was reading something completely different and the main character was so full of self importance for most of the book that I didn’t enjoy her POV as much.
It was still interesting to read about the Celtic tribes in Wales during the Roman invasions, and interesting to see how the author imagined the traditions of the tribes. For some reason this book just wasn’t for me.
I still enjoy Tampke’s writing so I’ll definitely pick up any of her future books and see if I get on better with those!
It was still interesting to read about the Celtic tribes in Wales during the Roman invasions, and interesting to see how the author imagined the traditions of the tribes. For some reason this book just wasn’t for me.
I still enjoy Tampke’s writing so I’ll definitely pick up any of her future books and see if I get on better with those!
October 1, 2018
Songwoman, Ilka Tampke’s second novel, is the sequel to her remarkably successful novel Skin which has had international rights sold in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, the US, UK and Vietnam. A blend of historical fiction and fantasy, Skin was shortlisted for the 2015 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel, and longlisted for the 2016 Voss. You can see my review here).
It isn’t necessary, however, to have read the first in the series. Songwoman is an assured novel, again a blend of historical fiction and fantasy, comfortably straddling both the genre and the Literary Fiction shelves. It is solidly grounded in the mud and dirt and ruthlessness of Albion (i.e. Britain) in 47AD when the Romans were consolidating their rule and stamping out the last vestiges of resistance in Wales. Tampke’s sources for the historical framework are the Roman historians I read at university: Tacitus and Cassius Deo, and her characters the Welsh war-king Caradog (Caratacus); his sister, the treacherous tribequeen Cartimandua; and the Roman general Scapula were all real-life people. So is the Emperor Claudius who makes an appearance at the end of the novel. But Roman Britain was only an afterthought in the coursework for Greek and Roman History, and I don’t remember studying anything about the conquest there. So the real-life historical events of this novel were new to me, except of course that I knew that #SpoilerAlert the Romans triumphed in the end.
Do young people still learn any British history or has it all been jettisoned? I loved learning about Roman Britain in both history and Latin classes, and I’ve enjoyed seeing traces of their presence all over Britain. But what I learned at school was of course all part of the imperial narrative, that is, that Roman imperialism brought peace, stability, and order; improvements in health (water supply) and transport (roads); technological advancement and impressive architecture; plus their number system and the written word. And of course we then went on to learn uncritically that British imperialism brought analogous benefits to the places they subsequently colonised. But we didn’t learn anything about what the Romans displaced, and we didn’t learn about the atrocities they committed in victory.
Tampke’s battle for Albion represents the conflict between modernity and tradition. Southeast Britain has been colonised and its leaders have sworn fealty to Rome. There is peace and order and the Romans go about doing what they did best, building things. But Ailia, the flawed heroine of the novel, has a spiritual connection to the land in the way that Indigenous Australians do.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/10/01/s...
It isn’t necessary, however, to have read the first in the series. Songwoman is an assured novel, again a blend of historical fiction and fantasy, comfortably straddling both the genre and the Literary Fiction shelves. It is solidly grounded in the mud and dirt and ruthlessness of Albion (i.e. Britain) in 47AD when the Romans were consolidating their rule and stamping out the last vestiges of resistance in Wales. Tampke’s sources for the historical framework are the Roman historians I read at university: Tacitus and Cassius Deo, and her characters the Welsh war-king Caradog (Caratacus); his sister, the treacherous tribequeen Cartimandua; and the Roman general Scapula were all real-life people. So is the Emperor Claudius who makes an appearance at the end of the novel. But Roman Britain was only an afterthought in the coursework for Greek and Roman History, and I don’t remember studying anything about the conquest there. So the real-life historical events of this novel were new to me, except of course that I knew that #SpoilerAlert the Romans triumphed in the end.
Do young people still learn any British history or has it all been jettisoned? I loved learning about Roman Britain in both history and Latin classes, and I’ve enjoyed seeing traces of their presence all over Britain. But what I learned at school was of course all part of the imperial narrative, that is, that Roman imperialism brought peace, stability, and order; improvements in health (water supply) and transport (roads); technological advancement and impressive architecture; plus their number system and the written word. And of course we then went on to learn uncritically that British imperialism brought analogous benefits to the places they subsequently colonised. But we didn’t learn anything about what the Romans displaced, and we didn’t learn about the atrocities they committed in victory.
Tampke’s battle for Albion represents the conflict between modernity and tradition. Southeast Britain has been colonised and its leaders have sworn fealty to Rome. There is peace and order and the Romans go about doing what they did best, building things. But Ailia, the flawed heroine of the novel, has a spiritual connection to the land in the way that Indigenous Australians do.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/10/01/s...
October 2, 2018
Wow! A spectacular and important book, which has left me with a vivid picture of this pivotal period in Britain’s history – and of which so many themes still resonate for the world today. Clearly extensive research has gone into writing this intelligent and insightful book. Loved it. Highly recommend it.
June 28, 2021
Stunning.
November 13, 2020
‘I had a title to bear. I had a war to win.’
Set in Iron-Age Britain, Ailia of Caer Cad has been in a self-imposed exile since her village was destroyed by the Romans. But she realises that she has a role to play if the free tribes of Albion are to resist the Roman attack and retain their ties to the land. Ailia is the Kendra of Albion, and after ending her exile, she seeks out the chieftain Caradog.
Ailia arrives at Llanmelin as a Journeywoman, but her minimal training with the Mothers has not equipped her to handle Caradog’s Journeyman, Prydd. Prydd barely tolerates Ailia, while Caradog is not initially interested in her advice. But when Ailia hears Caradog’s Songman, Rhain, she realises that she may have more influence as a Songwoman.
‘Whatever story we remember will determine what endures. This is your purpose. There is no other.’
Those of us who studied history know how this will end in fact, but in this fiction, I was free to dream. Ailia has difficult choices to make. With a touch of fantasy, Ms Tampke brings Iron-Age Britain to life. I was swept up in the story and have added ‘Skin’ to my reading list.
‘They could not take our songs.’
Recommended.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Set in Iron-Age Britain, Ailia of Caer Cad has been in a self-imposed exile since her village was destroyed by the Romans. But she realises that she has a role to play if the free tribes of Albion are to resist the Roman attack and retain their ties to the land. Ailia is the Kendra of Albion, and after ending her exile, she seeks out the chieftain Caradog.
Ailia arrives at Llanmelin as a Journeywoman, but her minimal training with the Mothers has not equipped her to handle Caradog’s Journeyman, Prydd. Prydd barely tolerates Ailia, while Caradog is not initially interested in her advice. But when Ailia hears Caradog’s Songman, Rhain, she realises that she may have more influence as a Songwoman.
‘Whatever story we remember will determine what endures. This is your purpose. There is no other.’
Those of us who studied history know how this will end in fact, but in this fiction, I was free to dream. Ailia has difficult choices to make. With a touch of fantasy, Ms Tampke brings Iron-Age Britain to life. I was swept up in the story and have added ‘Skin’ to my reading list.
‘They could not take our songs.’
Recommended.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
March 14, 2020
Songwoman by Ilka Tampke is set during the time of the Roman invasion of Britain, around the 40s AD. It is technically a sequel to Skin, but actually both books stand alone fairly well. They follow the same protagonist, but the two stories are separate, if sequential. I read Skin during a blog hiatus, so there is only a mini review of it, alas.
I started reading Songwoman after a day trip to northern Wales, during which a friend and I visited a few castles (built more than a millennium after this book was set), and drove through Snowdonia with some breathtaking views, even in winter. So I was excited to start reading a book set in roughly the same area. The setting of Songwoman did not disappoint. The plot, however, was a little slow.
The bulk of the story involves Ailia being part of the inner circle of Caradog's resistance army. Her personal journey is split between learning the mystical arts, her relationship with Caradog, conflict with some of Caradog's other advisors, and the actual war. The war is mostly a series of small skirmishes and recruitment negotiations, and hence felt like it moved slowly, but in a realistic way. I actually found the relationship with Caradog the most drawn out. I don't want to spoil too much, but I will say that it was interesting that he was portrayed in a way that could be read as bipolar, but that was the most interesting thing about him. I did not quite understand Ailia's emotional attachment to him, especially since I spent a chunk of the start of the book hoping a key character from Skin would make an appearance (he did not).
So on the one hand, Songwoman was a little slow — though not unpleasant to read, aside from a few brief atrocities — but on the other hand, I was actually surprised at how little time was covered in the book. Near the end, there's a scene in which Ailia returns somewhere and notes that it's been a year since she was last there, at the start of the book. I was honestly shocked that only a year was supposed to have passed. This is maybe because, as the author mentions in the afterword, a few years of historical events were compressed into one year for expediency. However, given my other reaction, I'm wondering whether that was the best choice. That said, I actually liked certain events around the ending a lot. (Being vague to avoid spoilers.) It added an extra dimension to the story, confusing timing aside.
Anyway, I mostly enjoyed Songwoman, even though it took me a while to get through. I recommend it to fans of historical fantasy and, particularly, Welsh settings. While it makes sense to read after Skin, it's not entirely necessary. While I don't expect a sequel, I am broadly interested in the author's future works.
4 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
I started reading Songwoman after a day trip to northern Wales, during which a friend and I visited a few castles (built more than a millennium after this book was set), and drove through Snowdonia with some breathtaking views, even in winter. So I was excited to start reading a book set in roughly the same area. The setting of Songwoman did not disappoint. The plot, however, was a little slow.
The bulk of the story involves Ailia being part of the inner circle of Caradog's resistance army. Her personal journey is split between learning the mystical arts, her relationship with Caradog, conflict with some of Caradog's other advisors, and the actual war. The war is mostly a series of small skirmishes and recruitment negotiations, and hence felt like it moved slowly, but in a realistic way. I actually found the relationship with Caradog the most drawn out. I don't want to spoil too much, but I will say that it was interesting that he was portrayed in a way that could be read as bipolar, but that was the most interesting thing about him. I did not quite understand Ailia's emotional attachment to him, especially since I spent a chunk of the start of the book hoping a key character from Skin would make an appearance (he did not).
So on the one hand, Songwoman was a little slow — though not unpleasant to read, aside from a few brief atrocities — but on the other hand, I was actually surprised at how little time was covered in the book. Near the end, there's a scene in which Ailia returns somewhere and notes that it's been a year since she was last there, at the start of the book. I was honestly shocked that only a year was supposed to have passed. This is maybe because, as the author mentions in the afterword, a few years of historical events were compressed into one year for expediency. However, given my other reaction, I'm wondering whether that was the best choice. That said, I actually liked certain events around the ending a lot. (Being vague to avoid spoilers.) It added an extra dimension to the story, confusing timing aside.
Anyway, I mostly enjoyed Songwoman, even though it took me a while to get through. I recommend it to fans of historical fantasy and, particularly, Welsh settings. While it makes sense to read after Skin, it's not entirely necessary. While I don't expect a sequel, I am broadly interested in the author's future works.
4 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
March 1, 2020
This second instalment in the Kendra series deals with events well known in history, anchoring the historical fiction elements perhaps more strongly than the fantasy elements, probably to my preference. Tampke creates a depressive Caradog, torn between lust for power, glory in battle, fear for his people and bouts of deep hopelessness. There is, of course, a romance (book would have been fine without it) and power struggles within the druids (more enjoyable) but the heart of this book is the imagining of a fleshed-out Albion, before Wales was a separate country. The pacing and plot were note-perfect, and all up it was a strong improvement on the first.
October 20, 2018
Songwoman is a powerful follow up to Skin and stands alone as a vivid window into a little-known period of history, the dogged resistance by tribal people to the Roman invasion of Britain. If this resonates with Australia's own history of colonisation, it is supposed to. This story honours people around the world who have resisted invasion as they try to hold on a culture that is being overpowered. In Ailia's world, the bond between people and the land, and their relationship with their spiritual guides 'the mothers', is literally being paved over by the Romans.
As well as a great battle story, peopled with intriguing figures from history, Songwoman is also a story of personal and creative growth as Ailia continues her quest to find and claim her own power. As individuals around her question her claim to be the 'chosen' one, more difficult still is her own doubt and self-judgement. She has a wonderful mentor in the songman Rhain and the journey she takes to self-expression is inspiring. As a reader and writer myself, I love the message here about the power of words and story and the courage it takes to forge something memorable. Ilka Tampke has done just that with Songwoman.
As well as a great battle story, peopled with intriguing figures from history, Songwoman is also a story of personal and creative growth as Ailia continues her quest to find and claim her own power. As individuals around her question her claim to be the 'chosen' one, more difficult still is her own doubt and self-judgement. She has a wonderful mentor in the songman Rhain and the journey she takes to self-expression is inspiring. As a reader and writer myself, I love the message here about the power of words and story and the courage it takes to forge something memorable. Ilka Tampke has done just that with Songwoman.
January 2, 2021
Although this book was a little jarring to start with due to the fact it had lost it's mythical, magical style of narrative to begin with, I was a little worried I wasn't going to love it like I did with Skin. I was also a little surprised by the lack of attention to the events that happened at the end of Skin. However, I soon began find the rhythm and flow of the book and began to really enjoy the story. So much so that I struggled to put it down and couldn't wait to pick it up again. I felt so many emotions reading this book that I knew I couldn't give it any less than 5 stars. I love this series so much.
December 8, 2018
It has been 10 years since a book grabbed me like this one-the last being Paulo Coehlo’s Brida. Songwoman was the first book of Ilke Tampke’s I’ve read and I absolutely loved it. It was a beautiful story of deep connection. Artfully and without being political at all, the story reflected so many parallels in the way dominant western culture continues to infiltrate the tribal culture and laws in respect and reverence for the earth and spirit. Ilke has crafted her way into my heart as one of my new favourite authors and Ailia as one of my favourite protagonists. I hope #3 is on it’s way soon!
November 16, 2019
“Once you make this bond between poem and earth, then you are bound to this place. The land will hold the poem for you, but you must come back to renew your memory and to honour the bond.” He placed his palms over mine and pressed them firmly against the stone. “For as the land gives you the song, so too must you give it the song.”
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.
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Ailia is The Kendra, the chosen one, the divine link between the Mothers and the tribes of iron-age Britain. Having watched her township slaughtered by Roman soldiers, Ailia joins the mercurial war king Caradog who is leading the resistance against the invasion. Plagued by guilt and self-doubt, Songwoman is predominately a story of how Ailia finds her sovereignty and her voice, but is also a love story. It explores the importance of our relationship with the land of our birth and the tension between history and modernity. Ilka Tampke has evidently done her research drawing on Roman historians such as Tacitus and Cassius Deo. I find this period of history fascinating, particularly the preservation of oral histories and how stories were memorised using notched iron rods and perhaps even memory palaces (thanks Sherlock) linked to the natural landscape. If you enjoyed The Clan of the Cave Bears with its elements of magical realism or the Boudica series by Mandy Scott then this is probably for you. Skin, the prequel to Songwoman is now on my Wishlist!
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.
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Ailia is The Kendra, the chosen one, the divine link between the Mothers and the tribes of iron-age Britain. Having watched her township slaughtered by Roman soldiers, Ailia joins the mercurial war king Caradog who is leading the resistance against the invasion. Plagued by guilt and self-doubt, Songwoman is predominately a story of how Ailia finds her sovereignty and her voice, but is also a love story. It explores the importance of our relationship with the land of our birth and the tension between history and modernity. Ilka Tampke has evidently done her research drawing on Roman historians such as Tacitus and Cassius Deo. I find this period of history fascinating, particularly the preservation of oral histories and how stories were memorised using notched iron rods and perhaps even memory palaces (thanks Sherlock) linked to the natural landscape. If you enjoyed The Clan of the Cave Bears with its elements of magical realism or the Boudica series by Mandy Scott then this is probably for you. Skin, the prequel to Songwoman is now on my Wishlist!
October 20, 2018
Ailia is as fierce as ever. I love this depiction of the Britons fighting back against the encroaching Roman Empire. This historical fiction breathes life into a people who are long since gone. Caradog is compelling. A culture comes to life with the rhythm of Tampke’s work. Reading her books, I want more than ever to hike these hills and explore this land so rich in history. One of the sad moments of the victors of war writing the accounts is so much richness is lost from history to give the winning hands a golden glow.
I liked the rhythm of this sequel, though I liked the first best. I’m unsure if the format played into that (I read this one as a kindle library loan rather than a book) or fully the story. I loved the first one with its love story with Taliesin && was waiting for it to resume.
Library read. I’ll probably buy this one for my shelves. Ailia is still in my favorites for babygirl names.
I liked the rhythm of this sequel, though I liked the first best. I’m unsure if the format played into that (I read this one as a kindle library loan rather than a book) or fully the story. I loved the first one with its love story with Taliesin && was waiting for it to resume.
Library read. I’ll probably buy this one for my shelves. Ailia is still in my favorites for babygirl names.
March 2, 2019
I was drawn to this as it is a historical fiction novel, which is a genre that I enjoy immensely, and the synopsis of the story reeled me in. The writer’s description of the geographical settings are very good and I could imagine myself being there along with the characters. The portrayal of how the people lived in there settlements was also excellent and the impact that the Mothers has on their lives.
Unfortunately I didn’t particularly like Ailia, Caradog and any of the main characters and, though this generally doesn’t bother me, the story wasn’t gripping enough to redeem itself in my opinion. I found it to be quite contradictory especially the characters in that they would say one thing and then do the complete opposite.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder Staughton for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Unfortunately I didn’t particularly like Ailia, Caradog and any of the main characters and, though this generally doesn’t bother me, the story wasn’t gripping enough to redeem itself in my opinion. I found it to be quite contradictory especially the characters in that they would say one thing and then do the complete opposite.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder Staughton for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 2, 2019
I was drawn to this as it is a historical fiction novel, which is a genre that I enjoy immensely, and the synopsis of the story reeled me in. The writer’s description of the geographical settings are very good and I could imagine myself being there along with the characters. The portrayal of how the people lived in there settlements was also excellent and the impact that the Mothers has on their lives.
Unfortunately I didn’t particularly like Ailia, Caradog and any of the main characters and, though this generally doesn’t bother me, the story wasn’t gripping enough to redeem itself in my opinion. I found it to be quite contradictory especially the characters in that they would say one thing and then do the complete opposite.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder Staughton for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion
Unfortunately I didn’t particularly like Ailia, Caradog and any of the main characters and, though this generally doesn’t bother me, the story wasn’t gripping enough to redeem itself in my opinion. I found it to be quite contradictory especially the characters in that they would say one thing and then do the complete opposite.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder Staughton for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion
August 29, 2020
The same beautiful writing style as 'Skin', with a story more focused on war, which was the main reason I didn't enjoy it as much. I didn't much care for Caradog as a character but liked Rhian and the storyline to do with Ailia's learning of songlore (would have quite liked more of that).
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January 19, 2019Fantastic sequel to Skin. Ailia is a kick arse heroine - complex and real and yet she is the chosen one...loved every minute of this book. Felt like I was there with my ancestors. Highly recommend.
July 19, 2023
One of the joys and frustrations of the history of Britain before the Roman invasion is that we know so little about the tribes, beliefs, social customs and cultural landscape. Often this has provided authors with a virtual blank canvas on which to paint a society of their imagination untethered by the constraints of history. This book is different, it has been properly researched and the author has worked within the few facts we do have, combined it with some clever extrapolation from poems probably originating prior to invasion but recorded much later, and inspiration from the landscape of western Britain. The result is an immersive and very enjoyable read.
The story is set against the war between Rome and a British War Lord called Caradog and the fight for the sovereignty of the land. In this story the druids are referred to as the journey-people, being the entering into trance states to obtain knowledge and visions of the future. The narrator of the story is The Kendra, a journey woman who holds the knowledge of the Mothers (main Goddesses of the land), who is returning from a self imposed exile to support the war effort. Part of her journey involves learning to become a Songwoman, the keeper and creator of the poetry and songs which record the history and soul of the tribe.
Unfortunately, it being history, we do know how the story ends with the defeat of the tribes. Ilka has crafted such a clever story that carries you along through every triumph and set back, willing Caradog to be successful, which makes the ending all the more poignant. I hadn't read the first book in this series, not that this detracts in anyway because this story stands up on its own merits. I will however be going back to read book 1.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story is set against the war between Rome and a British War Lord called Caradog and the fight for the sovereignty of the land. In this story the druids are referred to as the journey-people, being the entering into trance states to obtain knowledge and visions of the future. The narrator of the story is The Kendra, a journey woman who holds the knowledge of the Mothers (main Goddesses of the land), who is returning from a self imposed exile to support the war effort. Part of her journey involves learning to become a Songwoman, the keeper and creator of the poetry and songs which record the history and soul of the tribe.
Unfortunately, it being history, we do know how the story ends with the defeat of the tribes. Ilka has crafted such a clever story that carries you along through every triumph and set back, willing Caradog to be successful, which makes the ending all the more poignant. I hadn't read the first book in this series, not that this detracts in anyway because this story stands up on its own merits. I will however be going back to read book 1.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 17, 2019
It was an interesting experience reading this so close to Christmas, since it involved the occupation of Britain by the Romans and the imposition of their Gods and worship on the people. This is especially since the date that we celebrate the birth of Christ overlays the celebration of the solistice (a device no doubt to ensure this celebration was engaged in by all).
I found the passages relating to place, identity and sovereignty really interesting. I think Tampke showed the importance of these connections and their depth really well. People will never give up fighting for their homeland, a fact we still see today.
The relationships between the characters were also interesting, especially given the power structures, formal and informal, that overlaid them. Some lasted, and some ran their course.
The book also addresses questions about destiny and how even this comes down to a choice. One can believe something or someone is their destiny, but the fulfilment of this is down to human agency. And how much of what we ‘see’, in terms of what we think about is wishful thinking? These were all things I asked myself as I read the book.
I’m not sure whether there will be another instalment in Ailia’s story. I feel as if Tampke has rounded it off very nicely indeed. It was a sad ending in lots of ways, but there’s no changing history, what’s done is done.
I found the passages relating to place, identity and sovereignty really interesting. I think Tampke showed the importance of these connections and their depth really well. People will never give up fighting for their homeland, a fact we still see today.
The relationships between the characters were also interesting, especially given the power structures, formal and informal, that overlaid them. Some lasted, and some ran their course.
The book also addresses questions about destiny and how even this comes down to a choice. One can believe something or someone is their destiny, but the fulfilment of this is down to human agency. And how much of what we ‘see’, in terms of what we think about is wishful thinking? These were all things I asked myself as I read the book.
I’m not sure whether there will be another instalment in Ailia’s story. I feel as if Tampke has rounded it off very nicely indeed. It was a sad ending in lots of ways, but there’s no changing history, what’s done is done.
May 16, 2019
A two star review is probably unfair given that I absolutely love this author’s writing style - it is fast paced and has just the right amount of action vs world building/description. I love that it is dialogue heavy and some of the writing is so incredibly and beautifully poetic. BUT I was so disappointed in this book as sequel. It all felt kind of pointless. The magic and otherworldlyness I loved from the first book was no longer there - it was more about war strategy and becoming a war chief’s concubine. There was so much left unfinished at the end of the first novel and none of that was explored. Would she really not go and seek at the sister she had just learnt of, and has longed for so much. Helga doesn’t even get a mention in the story at all. I think I just didn’t like the direction the plot went. I get it - we all know the Romans do take over England so it’s about accepting the change in land and becoming a song-woman to preserve the most treasured part of their culture. But I think the author had creative licence to rewrite history and there could have been an epic story - and instead there was just a bit of a mess.
June 7, 2019
After loving Skin I couldn't wait to pick up this sequel and lose myself again in Ailia's story. The structure of this book is different to Skin in that the plot is predominantly focused on Caradog's fight against Roman invasion. In Skin there were more narrative threads which came together at the end so, overall, was a more mysterious and intriguing story. However I still loved Songwoman and found it be a solid, consistent continuation of Ailia's story. Ilka Tampke has a real talent for describing characters and landscapes in enough detail so we can create a clear picture in our minds without the prose ever becoming dry. I would love to see another book in this series but would be just as excited to read a new book by this author.
February 5, 2019
First things first, this book does not really stand alone, so will be hard to review without spoilers. Consider this fair warning not to read any further if you haven’t read Skin – though if you like historical fiction and are interested in Celtic Britain, go and pick it up, because it’s fabulous!
Songwoman picks up Ailia’s story and follows her from her secluded exile to her involvement with the warlord Caradog’s attempts to oust the Romans from Britain. I found that this second book focused a lot more on the historical and social realities of Ailia’s world, rather than the mystical aspects that took up much of book one – she is still the Kendra, the woman chosen by the Mothers, and she begins to train as a bard, combining the two different spiritual paths, but there is less doing-of-magic and more stating-I-am-magic-and-therefore-here’s-our-plan. This really worked for me – I loved the magic of the first book, but to add to that would have been repetitive, whereas bringing Ailia into the dangers of the real world allowed the story’s pace to really flow.
I have a particular interest in Britain on the cusp of Roman civilisation, and have actually studied a fair bit about it, so I enjoyed seeing how the historical figures were worked into the story. Of course, that did mean I knew how some events would turn out, but as with a lot of historical fiction, how much you know what’s coming up will depend on your knowledge of the period. I didn’t find this spoiled the story at all; in fact, I was impressed with how the author built the tension when I already knew the outcome! For some reason, these books really remind me of The Clan of the Cave Bear and sequels – I think it’s the spiritual but practical heroine who finds herself in the midst of important historical events.
Caradog looms large in this story, and I found him fascinating, if slightly unknowable. I did think that his decisions over how to fight back against the Romans took up slightly too much page space, and made the story sag a little in the middle, but on the whole, he was a really interesting character for Ailia to have to learn to deal with. I missed Taliesin, and wish we’d seen more of Rhain, the songman who trains Ailia, but that’s a personal preference as I just really love bards.
Although the plot can be summed up fairly neatly, there’s something larger than life about Ilka Tampke’s writing. You get the sense of a world deeper than you can know – the hills and forests of Ancient Britain are vivid and mystical. Reading Songwoman is an experience, as well as a story. There’s this richness to the language and the atmosphere it creates that makes it very hard for me to write about it – it really is one that you need to read for yourself. Four out of five cats from me, and it’s cemented for me that I’ll be reading anything the author writes.
January 3, 2020
An historical novel of betrayal, bitterness and the fight to reclaim what was brutally taken using equally brutal means. The eternal struggle for power threads throughout this story in various disguises but love hovers in the shadows, most believably and poignantly portrayed between war king Caradog and songwoman Ailia.
The descriptions and sense of place are strong, Ilka Tampke has certainly mastered the art of show-don’t-tell and puts the everyday things seamlessly into the narrative. Some paragraphs lean towards graphic, although the level of cruelty is appropriate for the Iron-Age setting. Other chapters border on movie-making scenes. In chapter 7, Role of the Songman, the back-to-back fighting was pure action movie. Probably intended and probably appropriate for today’s readers but a tad ho-hum for me.
It interests me that one or two historical fictions have used variations of the name Ayla, originally from Jean M. Auel’s ‘Clan of the Cave Bear’. A local name during many turbulent times in history? However, while I couldn’t quite get into the Ailia/Kendra headspace, she gives the reader a beautiful lesson in vanity, pride and self-doubt. “Rhain was right that I saw myself too readily through the eyes of others, imagining their judgement before I had fully shaped my own.”
Postscript: I’m glad I read this book (haven’t read ‘Skin’) but the plot didn't grab me. I’m more King Arthur Britain, the sorcery and seduction of the Knights of the Round Table. I can highly recommend the timeless classic ‘The Crystal Cave’ trilogy by Mary Stewart.
The descriptions and sense of place are strong, Ilka Tampke has certainly mastered the art of show-don’t-tell and puts the everyday things seamlessly into the narrative. Some paragraphs lean towards graphic, although the level of cruelty is appropriate for the Iron-Age setting. Other chapters border on movie-making scenes. In chapter 7, Role of the Songman, the back-to-back fighting was pure action movie. Probably intended and probably appropriate for today’s readers but a tad ho-hum for me.
It interests me that one or two historical fictions have used variations of the name Ayla, originally from Jean M. Auel’s ‘Clan of the Cave Bear’. A local name during many turbulent times in history? However, while I couldn’t quite get into the Ailia/Kendra headspace, she gives the reader a beautiful lesson in vanity, pride and self-doubt. “Rhain was right that I saw myself too readily through the eyes of others, imagining their judgement before I had fully shaped my own.”
Postscript: I’m glad I read this book (haven’t read ‘Skin’) but the plot didn't grab me. I’m more King Arthur Britain, the sorcery and seduction of the Knights of the Round Table. I can highly recommend the timeless classic ‘The Crystal Cave’ trilogy by Mary Stewart.
February 26, 2019
I read the first book in this series last summer and really enjoyed it so I asked my local library to order this one in and was first on the list for when it arrived. I also received 3 books from NetGalley to read and review at the same time so this ended up on the backburner for awhile.
I think the length of time between reading Skin and this book was a drawback. I felt I had to relearn the characters although many were brand new to the reader in the second book. Set in Britain around the time when Rome was ruthlessly doing her best to conquer the world, it would have been helpful for me to have a map to look at so I would better understand which areas were most affected.
The story itself picks up some time after the first book ended and once again is beautifully written and filled with legend and lore. As Ailia steps up in her new role as Kendra she still has much to learn before she can truly help Caradog, the War King with her counsel and song.
As a reader who has at least a basic knowledge of ancient history, I knew this desire to fight would probably not end well. To find out what happens, read the book for yourself.
I think the length of time between reading Skin and this book was a drawback. I felt I had to relearn the characters although many were brand new to the reader in the second book. Set in Britain around the time when Rome was ruthlessly doing her best to conquer the world, it would have been helpful for me to have a map to look at so I would better understand which areas were most affected.
The story itself picks up some time after the first book ended and once again is beautifully written and filled with legend and lore. As Ailia steps up in her new role as Kendra she still has much to learn before she can truly help Caradog, the War King with her counsel and song.
As a reader who has at least a basic knowledge of ancient history, I knew this desire to fight would probably not end well. To find out what happens, read the book for yourself.
July 13, 2021
I don't really know what I expected from this book, but maybe just more.
I really enjoyed the world building, the magic and the love in Skin. I liked Ailias character, how she fought for Taliesin and the story of her sister.
In songwoman the naive girl is gone and the world is big and brutal. Neither Taliesin nor her sister makes an appearance and Ailia learns that she isn't special at all. Instead she finds a new man and her own voice, but for me that wasn't enough. I wanted her to fight, to use her powerful geas and her new skills. I wanted more, of everything.
I still enjoyed this story and specially Manacca, it was heartwarming.
I learned a lot about rome and britannia, and still really likes the worldbuilding and the way the author writes. However it wasn't enough to give it 5 stars, so 3 it is!
I really enjoyed the world building, the magic and the love in Skin. I liked Ailias character, how she fought for Taliesin and the story of her sister.
In songwoman the naive girl is gone and the world is big and brutal. Neither Taliesin nor her sister makes an appearance and Ailia learns that she isn't special at all. Instead she finds a new man and her own voice, but for me that wasn't enough. I wanted her to fight, to use her powerful geas and her new skills. I wanted more, of everything.
I still enjoyed this story and specially Manacca, it was heartwarming.
I learned a lot about rome and britannia, and still really likes the worldbuilding and the way the author writes. However it wasn't enough to give it 5 stars, so 3 it is!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2019
I accidentally started reading this before Skin without realising it was the follow-up, so I did have to backtrack and read the first in the series, though not before I had spoiled a little of the first's plot. That didn't really matter in the end. Songwoman had a different feel to it, and a remarkably different plot, but I still felt completely carried away by Tampke's ability with words. The whole time I was reading it felt like a movie or series rather than a text. I realised while reading this that I had never really read a history about this time and place from a perspective other than the Roman point of view and that made the experience so much more valuable. Captivating.
February 6, 2020
Loved the deep spiritual journey this character goes on. Unfortunately I was half way through before I realised it was the 2nd in a series! I will now have to go back to read Skin.
Lots of war and tactical ploys, which was a little drawn out for me, but relevant to the story. The human sacrifice ritual was tough to read, but gave me a wonderful insight into what that experience may have been like back then and how the dominant culture was able to do this. Especially as the person performing this ritual.
I would love to read more books like this, exploring the sacred connection in earth based cultures, so rich and such a contrast to our own current culture.
Lots of war and tactical ploys, which was a little drawn out for me, but relevant to the story. The human sacrifice ritual was tough to read, but gave me a wonderful insight into what that experience may have been like back then and how the dominant culture was able to do this. Especially as the person performing this ritual.
I would love to read more books like this, exploring the sacred connection in earth based cultures, so rich and such a contrast to our own current culture.
September 16, 2019
Ailia joins forces with Caradog in his battle to prevent Rome from taking over Albion entirely. As Kendra, her power is absolute and she is able to advise on matters of war as well as more spiritual things. But through the powers of the Mothers, Ailia learns that all cannot be as hoped for. I absolutely loved Skin, the first book about Ailia, so approached this with some trepidation as second novels can often disappoint. This one did not. I loved the setting, the characters and the storyline. It was a little bittersweet reading of Caradog's fight knowing the history of what actually happened.
September 26, 2020
There were many ways that made this a very enjoyable read. A standout was the way the characters spoke that for me, read as very realistic with a pleasurable amount of poeticism.
The story overall was interesting and spoke to history.
However, I found the lack of strong female characters annoying. The lead character is of course but beyond that there is a lack and maybe this reflects history, but, I feel with it being fictionalised history it could easily have had another strong (positive) female.
That said, I would recommend it for an enjoyable read.
The story overall was interesting and spoke to history.
However, I found the lack of strong female characters annoying. The lead character is of course but beyond that there is a lack and maybe this reflects history, but, I feel with it being fictionalised history it could easily have had another strong (positive) female.
That said, I would recommend it for an enjoyable read.
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