neilsef's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
4.0
As with the first book, this one also has a charm about it that makes it an enjoyable and engaging read. This charm derives from the slightly naive and simplistic manner in which the events are related to the reader, which gives the impression of also being a bit tongue in cheek, coupled with wonderfully written main characters with sparkling personalities.
A fun, quick, fast-paced adventure that is a pleasure to read.
aurora69006's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
treasuressecret's review against another edition
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
librarygirlreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sarracenia's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this second volume of the Crystal Singer series. McCaffrey's writing is always a pleasure, easy to read without being too simple. It was great to be back in Killashandra's world. The plot took us far from Ballybran and was more exciting than I had expected with elements of mystery, romance and adventure.
kjboldon's review against another edition
3.0
A problematic page turner. Where Crystal Singer held up for me, this one fell apart as it went, with an ending that felt particularly drawn out and cruel, for silly things on analysis. More later. This one both enthralled and infuriated me.
thomcat's review against another edition
3.0
The crystal singer returns in a sequel that is better than the first book. This musical mystery story uses elements of politics and isolationism to add to individual character goals.
Where the first book was coming of age, this book presents the main character as an adult. When sent as a guild representative to perform a job on another world, she must adapt her outlook, especially when external forces try to use her to achieve their own goals. Where the first book was about her job (crystal singer), this book is about her.
The plot that drives her to this new assignment is somewhat contrived. Unlike the first book, this one focuses on the politics of a single planet. The descriptions of the islands are rich, which lead me to believe McCaffrey wrote some or all of this part on island time. An enjoyable read.
Where the first book was coming of age, this book presents the main character as an adult. When sent as a guild representative to perform a job on another world, she must adapt her outlook, especially when external forces try to use her to achieve their own goals. Where the first book was about her job (crystal singer), this book is about her.
The plot that drives her to this new assignment is somewhat contrived. Unlike the first book, this one focuses on the politics of a single planet. The descriptions of the islands are rich, which lead me to believe McCaffrey wrote some or all of this part on island time. An enjoyable read.
tarana's review against another edition
3.0
This was just an average story. Some of the sequences of events simply are not believable. Having previously read book 3, you can skip this story in the series, but you would miss some of the characterization of Lars and Trag (Killashandra doesn't really change much).
secre's review against another edition
4.0
A novel that left me with a huge smile on my face. Very different to the first novel and I wasn't enjoying it any where near as much to begin with but the last third of the book very nearly made this a five star on their own merit. It's been a while since I finished a book with such a sense of absolute satisfaction. To have managed that whilst successfully building a suspenseful and engaging fantasy mystery that doesn't tend towards the soppy that much.... McCaffrey did herself proud.