neilsef's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
This book is different from the first two, insofar as the tone of the writing does not have the same whimsical charm, this is primarily down to the fact that in the first two novels, Killashandra is relatively new to Crystal Singing, whereas in this novel she has been doing it long enough that she is suffering from the effects the Crystals have on a Singer's memory as well as the emotional and psychological problems that can cause.
Both the emotional and psychological stress, combined with the consequences memory loss can bring, form a major theme of this novel, which together with the wonderful characters and an interesting plot, make this a captivating read, with an unexpectedly tense and emotionally charged ending.
Both the emotional and psychological stress, combined with the consequences memory loss can bring, form a major theme of this novel, which together with the wonderful characters and an interesting plot, make this a captivating read, with an unexpectedly tense and emotionally charged ending.
feoh's review against another edition
4.0
I definitely enjoyed this book. There are undoubtedly some aspects to the story that make people such as myself living in the modern world realize just how much things have changed (particularly the depiction of gender roles in sci-fi) but I never let that get in the way of my enjoying a good story.
The plot moves briskly, the characters are vibrantly fleshed out and interesting, and the story doesn't try too hard to be an epic for all time or anything like that.
This is good, eminently readable, entertaining science fiction, and I appreciate that.
The plot moves briskly, the characters are vibrantly fleshed out and interesting, and the story doesn't try too hard to be an epic for all time or anything like that.
This is good, eminently readable, entertaining science fiction, and I appreciate that.
librarygirlreads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
aurora69006's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
felinity's review against another edition
3.0
My least favorite of all the Crystal Singer books, I'm still compelled to read it each time I re-read the other two, as we see Killashandra's arrogance make her just like Borella: dismissive, deliberately forgetful, and uncaring. I think that's actually the reason I don't like it - because I hate to see characters change in negative ways - but in many ways that was McCaffrey's intent, to help the reader feel the same emotions as the support staff and others who actually remember!
treasuressecret's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kjboldon's review against another edition
3.0
This book starts and finishes strong, has a terrible cover and is a hot mess in the middle but probably not for the reasons some might think. Killa behaves very badly in the middle, but that was entertaining to me. She is a damaged diva and fun for me to read. What wasn't was the terrible writing (so much chuckling, how many timea was the word dork used?), the sudden appearance and overuse of a religious epithet not used in either prior book, the timeline that felt completely wonky yet I dont want to go back to provide receipts (17 years seemed to get lost), woefully underdeveloped characters, one storyline that gets completely dropped, all of which highlighted the deficits in the world building that ought to have been addressed much earlier in the series, things like communications, cutter claims, thrall, fuel.... Also, this is so boringly cis, with a bi villain in book 2 and only the possibility of same sex love at the very end of this one! Dated as all get out. Still, a strong conclusion, interesting look at memory problems in singers, the problems inherent in a long term relationship, crystal more overt as addiction, and an ending that opened up some interesting avenues that were never followed up on, alas.
voldo's review
2.0
Seemed somewhat drawn out, I didn't feel like it went into any one thing that much. The main character was a bit useless this book.
thomcat's review against another edition
3.0
Crystal Singers are infected with a symbiotic life form that heals them and gives them longer life - but eventually they lose their memories. This story is told from the perspective of a much older Killishandra who has this poignant problem.
The story is one familiar to anyone who knows aging friends or relatives with Alzheimers or other degenerative conditions. Irritating, irascible, and yet loved and supported by her partner Lars Dahl, this novel can be at times painful to read. Stepping back, this is also a story about the growth of the crystal singers guild, and builds this interesting universe further. It also ties in with The Ship Who Sang, another McCaffrey book.
Unlike real life, the situation does get better here, and McCaffrey was sometimes criticized for these happy endings. Another criticism is a dual standard - characters misbehaving before or after criticizing others for the same behavior. Killishandra does this a lot, and though one could argue her seniority in the guild gives her the right, it is still irritating. This novel is a good conclusion to the series, but not as good a book as the second or first.
The story is one familiar to anyone who knows aging friends or relatives with Alzheimers or other degenerative conditions. Irritating, irascible, and yet loved and supported by her partner Lars Dahl, this novel can be at times painful to read. Stepping back, this is also a story about the growth of the crystal singers guild, and builds this interesting universe further. It also ties in with The Ship Who Sang, another McCaffrey book.
Unlike real life, the situation does get better here, and McCaffrey was sometimes criticized for these happy endings. Another criticism is a dual standard - characters misbehaving before or after criticizing others for the same behavior. Killishandra does this a lot, and though one could argue her seniority in the guild gives her the right, it is still irritating. This novel is a good conclusion to the series, but not as good a book as the second or first.