AustLit

'Based on the tale of Rapunzel and drawing on Celtic myth and the poetry of Tennyson, The Hollow Song tells the story of Beitris and her sisters who live in a secluded abbey in the forests of northern England. They believe they are orphans and are cared for by an old woman called Maira. Each morning they greet the dawn on the lake shore with a song in praise of their Mother who lives within the lake and who they will join when they are women. Beitris is the eldest. One night Beitris sees a man lured into the water and discovers her life is a lie and she and her sisters are being prepared to do Galan's evil work, luring men to her using the song. With the help of a man named Baird, Beitris leaves the abbey to seek another man who has the power to save her sisters from Galan. She journeys to the city of Brugh, on the way meeting Merek with whom she falls in love. Beyond the abbey she encounters prejudice and is almost killed for being a witch. She discovers she is not an orphan and finds her father but she also learns Galan is her mother. Finally she is able to return to the abbey and, with Baird, who she discovers is her brother, and her father, kills Galan. She is swept into the lake and presumed dead but found on the shore and reunited with Merek.' (Publication summary)

'"Gasping for breath and furious, I began to struggle, dropping the staff and kicking wildly at the man holding me, Breandán, the commander of the garrison. He didn’t even flinch as my foot struck his shin. Instead he wound one hand firmly around my throat and squeezed."

'On Skalig Eimhir has left behind the life that shamed her and though sometimes abused for her healing gifts, she lives in peace. When she is forced by the arrogant commander of the king’s garrison, Breandán, to shelter from a storm with others of the settlement, it sets in motion events that will see her leave Skalig to confront an ancient evil kin to that which drove her from her home.

'With Breandán, Eimhir seeks the help of his father, Gearárd, to rid herself of the evil shadows that inhabit her mind. They go to Caerden where Eimhir must face the family she once tried to kill and learn to use her healing ability to save an entire world. And on the way she discovers Breandán isn’t quite as hateful as she supposed.

'The third book in The Abbey series, Those Wicked Shades draws on the tale of Sleeping Beauty to tell the story of a woman who in an effort to do good is beset by evil and who survives because of the steadfast love of a man and a gift she despises.' (Publication summary)