merenasedai's review
3.0
Caveat: I think my opinion of this book was strongly influenced by the fact that I have already read most of the Pern series. Killashandra, the main character, is interesting, but lacks the depth of character that other authors delve into (McKinley, for example).
This book seemed to be very repetitive with the first Pern book (Dragonriders, I think) - girl has relationship with high-ranking boy with a flat personality. The attraction and appeal of the characters for each other is overlooked by McCaffrey. Why are they attracted to each other??
Other than the relationship issues, the book has an interesting world - it is set up quite well. The plot is also interesting and will keep you reading until the (unfortunately very predictable) end.
This book seemed to be very repetitive with the first Pern book (Dragonriders, I think) - girl has relationship with high-ranking boy with a flat personality. The attraction and appeal of the characters for each other is overlooked by McCaffrey. Why are they attracted to each other??
Other than the relationship issues, the book has an interesting world - it is set up quite well. The plot is also interesting and will keep you reading until the (unfortunately very predictable) end.
kender's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
neilsef's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Even though I read the synopsis, I only purchased this because I had read and enjoyed most of the Pern books, therefore, it was a delight to find myself enjoying this equally as much.
In flavour this reminds me of the Pern book that introduced Menolly, and the main character, Killashandra, has similar traits making her a likeable and memorable character.
The concept of a Crystal singer is handled well with information on what it actually is, gradually unfolding throughout the story in a natural manner.
This is a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable read, with interesting and likeable characters together with a sense of mystery and suspense that surrounds a Crystal singer and the planet they come from.
aurora69006's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bassgirl456's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
skitchish's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
pencilforge's review
2.0
This book sucks you in with a compelling protagonist, who is given an unfair hardship in life and strives to overcome it. It then introduces a new job for her that she is warned against, as it is incredibly dangerous and life -altering. She is told of the dangers again and again, and bravely accepts these challenges.
And then she goes on to experience none of them. This is what's so bothersome about the book to me. To live in the new planet's biome she must first become acclimated to a symbiotic spore of some sort. She is warned that this process may kill her, if it takes at all, and afterwards she will never be the same. Some who were affected by it go blind or deaf, or become deformed in some way. Some can never leave the planet again because they will die from withdrawal. And the body is ravaged by illness for weeks. Well, none of this happens to her. She just wakes up one day and her 'handicap' is that her senses are heightened. That's it.
Also, singing crystal (the profession in this book that can only be done by the super special and talented) makes you really, really sleepy and really, really hungry. I know because half this book is about her eating or feeling tired, or having sex with some random guy who she holds no emotional attachment to.
I also thought it was wierd that one of the characters was mean, because she thought the spore wouldn't take, and she'd just die anyway, so everyone hated her. Then the spore wouldn't take and she died. Apparently because she 'didn't want it enough'. What the hell was that about?
Not a bad book- I'd give it more of a 2.5 if i could-, but the main character just isn't compelling after a while. Its like halfway through you go, I get it, nothing bad can happen to the main character, so your brain just starts falling asleep. There's no tension!
And then she goes on to experience none of them. This is what's so bothersome about the book to me. To live in the new planet's biome she must first become acclimated to a symbiotic spore of some sort. She is warned that this process may kill her, if it takes at all, and afterwards she will never be the same. Some who were affected by it go blind or deaf, or become deformed in some way. Some can never leave the planet again because they will die from withdrawal. And the body is ravaged by illness for weeks. Well, none of this happens to her. She just wakes up one day and her 'handicap' is that her senses are heightened. That's it.
Also, singing crystal (the profession in this book that can only be done by the super special and talented) makes you really, really sleepy and really, really hungry. I know because half this book is about her eating or feeling tired, or having sex with some random guy who she holds no emotional attachment to.
I also thought it was wierd that one of the characters was mean, because she thought the spore wouldn't take, and she'd just die anyway, so everyone hated her. Then the spore wouldn't take and she died. Apparently because she 'didn't want it enough'. What the hell was that about?
Not a bad book- I'd give it more of a 2.5 if i could-, but the main character just isn't compelling after a while. Its like halfway through you go, I get it, nothing bad can happen to the main character, so your brain just starts falling asleep. There's no tension!
jchinzi's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mbondlamberty's review
4.0
No more dragons!?!
Still I did enjoy this book with the musical connections to gemstones.
Not great literature mind you and not much redeeming value but to my teenage mind it was a nice distraction.
Still I did enjoy this book with the musical connections to gemstones.
Not great literature mind you and not much redeeming value but to my teenage mind it was a nice distraction.