The Song of Rhiannon

The Song of Rhiannon is the third book in Evangeline Walton's fantasy series based on the Welsh Mabinogion myths and legends. The novel retells the Third Branch of the Mabinogion, focusing on Prince Pryderi, his mother Rhiannon, and Manawyddan, the last survivor of the royal house of Llyr. The story begins in the aftermath of war as Prince Pryderi returns to his kingdom with Manawyddan. The realm faces a mysterious enchantment that transforms it into an empty wasteland, forcing the main characters to adapt to increasingly difficult circumstances. The tale follows their struggles for survival and quest to break the curse placed upon their land. Through journeys across different kingdoms, encounters with supernatural forces, and tests of loyalty, the characters face choices that will determine the fate of their realm. This retelling explores themes of power, sacrifice, and the relationship between the mortal and supernatural worlds in Celtic mythology. The novel stands as a bridge between ancient Welsh storytelling traditions and modern fantasy literature.

Readers call The Song of Rhiannon an engaging retelling of Welsh mythology that focuses on themes of love, honor, and redemption. The book maintains a 4.1/5 rating on Goodreads from 239 ratings. Readers appreciate: - The elegant, poetic writing style - Strong character development, particularly of Rhiannon - Faithful adaptation of the source material - Clear explanations of complex Welsh names and relationships Common criticisms: - Slower pacing in the middle sections - Some find the formal language style difficult to follow - Less action than other books in the series Review sources: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (239 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (21 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.2/5 (42 ratings) One reader noted: "Walton transforms ancient myths into a novel with psychological depth." Another wrote: "The formal language creates distance from the characters."

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🔸 Evangeline Walton wrote The Song of Rhiannon in 1972, but her first Mabinogion novel was published in 1936 - a gap of 36 years between installments. 🔸 The Mabinogion, the source material for Walton's book, is the earliest prose literature of Britain, compiled from 12th and 13th-century Welsh manuscripts. 🔸 Rhiannon, one of the main characters, is based on Rigantona, a Celtic horse goddess whose name means "Great Queen" or "Divine Queen." 🔸 The book received the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award in 1973, contributing to a revival of interest in Welsh mythology in modern fantasy literature. 🔸 Walton wrote under her grandmother's name, and her real name was Evangeline Wilna Ensley - she published her first story at just 18 years old.