"You can choose tales that keep your nose in the dirt—or look around for talk that lifts you. Then it's up to you...."

In 598 CE/AD, Anglo-Saxon invaders have colonized the edge of the fens in uneasy peace with their neighbors, the Britons. The settlers enslaved some of these Celtic people.

When Ursel jumps down from an oak to save a mother deer from the hunt, her uncle beats her but cannot silence her.

Hilda the storyteller strides into their settlement, her pack full of myths of the peaceful queens and shamans of Peony Valley. She fills her listeners with dreams of honey and blood—and longing for justice.

Slave-girl Meg yearns to be a storyteller like Hilda—but dare she? What do headmen do to women who stand tall?

Her mother, Seren the Healer, longs to use her spells - but has to sweep and gut fish for her owner.

Oswynne, headman's wife, is torn between loyalty to him and the nourishing company of women. Is Seren's magic mist dangerous?

When they grow from fear to friendship they have a chance to stop Thane Roger grabbing "whatever, and whoever, he wants". Will he take over their inclusive moot, or can the women work together?

Historical fantasy—with a difference! Earth lovers, climate activists, environment protectors—use this novel and its questions for book clubs or for groups to envision a sustainable future together. The characters in Wellstowe and Peony Valley live in harmony with nature—until the rule of the fist crashes into their peaceful lives with arrows and groping hands. They resist; as they protect each other and reclaim their inclusive democracy, we see how we can re-create our lives and society.

Where can we start? The self-help elements of The Swan-Bone Flute include information about listening partnerships; the characters discover how healing this simple technique can be. They base their cooperation on friendships strengthened this way.

Hilda's stories bring shamanic wisdom which sustains and guides her listeners through challenges. They learn to direct their anger and use its power to confront wrongs.

If you like Juliet Marillier, Mary Renault, Philip Pullman, enjoy this book as a gripping listen.