Crystal Singer [Paperback]

Anne McCAFFERY (Author)

Book Description

Her name was Killashandra Ree. And after ten grueling years of musical training, she was still without prospects. Until she heard of the mysterious Heptite Guild who could provide careers, security, and wealth beyond imagining. The problem was, few people who landed on Ballybran ever left. But to Killashandra the risks were acceptable....

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Her name was Killashandra Ree. And after ten grueling years of musical training, she was still without prospects. Until she heard of the mysterious Heptite Guild who could provide careers, security, and wealth beyond imagining. The problem was, few people who landed on Ballybran ever left. But to Killashandra the risks were acceptable.... --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Del Rey; PF edition (July 1982)
• ISBN-10: 9993335827
• ISBN-13: 978-9993335825
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,237,121 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anne McCaffrey, the Hugo Award-winning author of the bestselling Dragonriders of Pern® novels, is one of science fiction's most popular authors. With Elizabeth Ann Scarborough she co-authored Changelings and Maelstrom, Books One and Two of The Twins of Petaybee. McCaffrey lives in a house of her own design, Dragonhold-Underhill, in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely top sci-fi and one of my top ten favorites, February 24, 2001

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crystal Singer (Mass Market Paperback)

Anne McCaffrey first wrote about Killashandra in a serialized short story. She expanded the story in Crystal Singer,which is the first of a trilogy of novels.

Killashandra fails her final exam in music school and faces a life of second-billing as a choir soloist and not a top performer as she had dreamed. She will not settle for second place, and impetuously takes off with a mysterious companion for Ballybran, a forbidden planet with an alluring secret.

Ballybran is the home of Crystal, which is mined and used for vital starship drives, interplanetary communications systems and most other types of equipment. It is controlled by the powerful and secretive Heptite Guild. Killashandra applies for membership and is accepted. She goes through the intensive schooling and special adaptation to become a Crystal Singer.

But singing Crystal has not only its rewards (and they are many) but its heavy price. Killashandra learns about the price as she becomes a full-fledged member of the Heptite Guild and becomes involved with its enigmatic Guildmaster Lanzecki.

This is one of those wonderful kinds of sci-fi novels that can create an entirely new world, complete with its slang, customs and characteristics. It's sci-fi at its best.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will Spend More Time in Your Hand Than On the Shelf!, September 20, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (California, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crystal Singer (Mass Market Paperback)

Crystal Singer starts off with an immature, melodramatic perfectionist whose philosophy seems to be that if she can't be the star, then she won't even play the game. But her stubborness and ingenuity prove to be incredible assets when she discovers the opportunities and risks in the Heptite Guild.

Anne McCafferty has provided us with a true treasure. A dynamic character that we can actually feel for, in a situation that grabs the immagination and the dreams of the reader. A true five star story.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great series, Sci Fic Romance., February 12, 2005

By 

G. E. Williams "Nunah" (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Crystal Singer (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a different kind of sci fic series. Well written, interesting, but mostly, its a romance so if that is not what you want, most of Ms McCaffreys' books are not for you. However this is as good as this kind of story gets, and has several unique concepts. An interestiong story about losing what you thought you wanted only to find what you really love. All three books in the series are comparable.