Song Castle by Luke Waterson is a historical fiction novel centring on the 1176 CE events in Wales during which Prince Rhys of Deheubarth arranged a most magnificent contest of song and music to establish Wales as a place of culture, and not just of war. People came to this, the very first Eisteddfod, from as far afield as the Middle East. Many of the big names of the time attended, as did many who wished to gain fame. But, as the story notes, put a bunch of performers of any type together and trouble must surely come calling.

I adored this story! Wales is home to some of my ancestors, and as such, has quite captivated me. We follow multiple viewpoints from Avery and Dog, to Marie and Bernart, and of course Rhys himself, weaving a rich and varied tapestry, with a colourful cast of characters. Avery was my favourite of them all. I still want to know how he ended up in his initial predicament in which we meet him. There must be an interesting story that left him tied to a tree. Just sayin’… Dog quickly became a fave as well. He’s quite the opposite of Avery, yet the two forge a friendship of sorts. He plays the harp with a skill you wouldn’t guess from his brawler’s appearance. Chretien was also rather adorable.

Bernart was my least favourite. That dude was just skeezy. And there are better ways to overcome writer’s block. Again, just sayin’… I didn’t care much for Hamid either, and didn’t fully grasp his story. I felt I perhaps missed some information somewhere. Most of the others were likable. It was neat to see Rhys and Gerald brought to life. I’ve read of them, of course, and I’ve read Gerald’s travelogue, which was fascinating and enjoyable.

The story is written in lyrical prose reminiscent of the Celtic writings I’ve read- the Tain, the Mabinogion, and the like. The author also incorporates various of the traditional Welsh song/poetry styles, though the words are in English. I enjoyed the different perspectives, and never found it hard to adjust, even when changes occurred within a chapter. I would have liked seeing a greater resolution to some of the story threads, like the events in the prologue, which seemed out of place, and of the immediate aftermath of the closing events, so far as Rhys was concerned. I loved how Dog’s story wrapped up. It was unexpectedly sweet. Avery’s, not so much, and his ending made me cry. Rhys did get his wish though. This first Eisteddfod is still remembered today, and the tradition still continues.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Urbane Publications for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.