Ilka Tampke has been named the winner of year’s Most Underrated Book Award (MUBA) for her gripping historical novel, Songwoman.

Set in Iron-Age Britain in the middle of the Roman invasion, Songwoman is an evocative imagining of ancient British history told through the perspective of the enigmatic Ailia. With evocations of Arthurian legend and Celtic mythology, Songwoman blends all the pleasurable trappings of historical fiction – epic battles, political machinations, complex power dynamics and, of course, romance – with a still resonant story of one woman learning to find power and strength in an unwelcoming world.

The MUBA judges commented: ‘A wonderfully escapist epic, bound to draw in lovers of historical fiction and fantasy – with an engaging narrative and a relatable hero.’

The MUBA is run by the Small Press Network (SPN) and celebrates hidden gems – engaging and creative books across all genres that deserve to reach a wider audience. Songwoman was shortlisted alongside two other titles in 2019: Brontide by Sue McPherson and Antidote to a Curse by James Cristina.

You can learn more about the MUBA and SPN here.