Customer Reviews

Crystal Singer Omnibus

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book combines the three books in the SF Crystal Singer series, The Crystal Singer, Killashandra, and Crystal Line in one volume. I bought this for my wife, since she has read her original copy of The Crystal Singer until it's falling apart, and she couldn't find the other two books any more.

For those who haven't read the books, it's an interesting take on McCaffrey's look at the way music could influence people's lives. In this case, Killashandra Ree is a highly trained singer with few prospects, so she joins a mysterious Guild that offers everything she wants except an explanation of what she will be doing. Turns out that her voice aids her in mining one of the most valuable crystals known to man, but in the process, it drives many insane and invariably damages the memory of all others, if they leave the planet. And that's just book one. As always with McCaffrey, there is a romance, an interesting new world, and likable characters.

If you don't care for the dragons, but you want to experience McCaffrey's comfortable, enjoyable stories, this may be the series for you (of course, it's great for those who've read all the Pern books and want more). In this case, it's a handy 3 in 1 package.

This is a GREAT book! If anyone is familiar with Anne McCaffrey and her Crystal Singer series, they have been out of print for a while. I saw this and couldn't believe it. Ordered it and it took a while to get here because it was coming from England, but received brand new perfect copy! Five stars for this one!

Have read this several times. McCaffrey does a wonderful job of weaving a story line and keeping you riveted to the book. Am in the process of getting all her titles on my Kindle. This is a trilogy that has been made into a single book.

I first read these books when I was about eighteen. Since then I've read many, many science fiction books over the years, and yet I keep returning to this series in much the same way I return to Lord of the Rings or Narnia. These are like a favored old friend. McCaffrey creates such a strong and independent female character in Killashandra Ree, yet she is an imperfect one. I like that. This is a perhaps a more "realistic" view of science fiction and off-SOL III living then you get in many sci-fi stories. Killa is not a superhero type character like The Rowen or Doctor Who, [though I could see the Doctor visiting someplace like Ballybran] but more what a normal woman would be if this were an actual setting. The story also nicely crosses over a bit with some of McCaffrey's other "brain ship" stories. No dragons. No super-hero stuff. No mind-bending telekenetic powers. Just the story of a girl who can sing with a job to do.

I highly recommend these.

enjoyed all the stories in this book. the characters were great and the the stroy was interesting.