Customer Reviews

Dreamdark: Silksinger (Dreamdark Series)

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I discovered the first novel in this series, Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer, in a used bookstore, picked it up, hesitated, read the flaps, hesitated again and then took a moment to read the prologue. I found it delightfully intriguing and happily, I made the choice to take it home. That moment of chance discovery and the choice to buy have proven to be lasting gifts. Blackbringer is one of my two or three favorite books of all time - and I'm over 50, so my `all-time' comprises quite a few years and thousands of books. I've been anticipating Silksinger like crazy; first, just to immerse myself once again in author Laini Taylor's gorgeous world and second, to discover if the second volume in this series could possibly live up to my (very high) expectations.

And, oh wow - it does that and more! Silksinger might, just might, be BETTER than Blackbringer. ** To my amusement, I feel a little disloyal even thinking that! Like maybe I should go stroke the cover of Blackbringer and assure it that I will never let another book usurp its place in my heart. I know, I know, I'm a little strange at times. :-)**

From the moving sacrifices of the opening chase to Whisper's gift of song at the close, Silksinger simply soars. Taylor's lyrical prose combined with her brilliant imagination, her ability to create unforgettable characters and her strong, solid plotting makes for a whole so magical it actually boggles my mind a little.

Silksinger has action and adventure and heroes of many different types - some quite unexpected - that are daring and determined. Some really nasty characters and the rather dark scenes they inhabit are balanced with humor and romance, magic, beauty, friendship and love. The story is involving and intricate, building beautifully on Blackbringer and hinting at what is to come.

In Silksinger, we are given the chance to revisit old friends and to meet a new group of fully developed and marvelously interesting characters. It would have been very easy for Taylor to make Whisper and Hirik only slightly altered clones of Magpie and Talon, but she avoids that, giving them their own personalities, suited to their back-stories. Whisper, in particular, is a somewhat non-traditional heroine and I think she (and her bravery) will appeal to many people, particularly children. Taylor's secondary characters continue to shine; I truly believe that a number of them could support their own books. (And the crows alone could have their own series!)

Taylor has also done an excellent job of developing a variety of different clans and societies in her stories, each with their own histories, which enriches the world of Dreamdark and gives it additional texture and depth. Happily, she manages to do this with a light touch, keeping the world building accessible to all ages.

As with Blackbringer, Jim Di Bartolo's illustrations - including his gorgeous cover art - enhanced my enjoyment. I also appreciated the "List of Plates" added in Silksinger. It makes locating the interior drawings quickly much easier.

Is Silksinger for kids? Yes. However, as mentioned above, IMO Silksinger is somewhat darker than Blackbringer which may affect its suitability for younger children. With only the smallest amount of editing, I read Blackbringer to my five year old granddaughter more than a year ago and she handled the scary parts just fine. I plan to hold off on reading Silksinger to her for another year or even two as I think she may find some of the scenes fairly disturbing. Kids in the intended age group of 9 - 12 should be fine with the more mature themes. As I often do, I suggest parents of younger children read the book first and use their own best judgment to determine if it suits their child's maturity level.

Is Silksinger for teens? Yes. It's a great story with stellar writing that will provide them with a break from the angsty romance currently so popular in young adult fiction. (Not that there's anything wrong with angsty romance!)

Is Silksinger for adults? Oh yes, most definitely yes. A novel this well-crafted is a delight for any age.

One note: If you haven't yet read Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer, I strongly suggest you do so before reading Silksinger. While Silksinger can certainly be enjoyed as a stand alone, I believe readers will take much more pleasure in it if they have knowledge of the history of Dreamdark as referenced in Blackbringer's pages.

My heart tells me this series is destined to become a classic. I know that, for me, it has already attained that status.

Very highly and joyfully recommended!

Whisper Silksinger is the last of her clan, the brave Silksingers who protected their Djinn and their city when its appointed guardians, the Mothmage, failed at their post...and her last mission is to set the Djinn once again on his throne.

Hirik is the first of a shamed clan to rise above his reputation and become a true champion...

And Magpie Windwitch is still at work, capturing devils, seeking out forgotten magic, and restoring the fraying tapestry of the world.

Evil forces work against all three...will the three of them together be able to overcome the most daunting of obstacles?

Laini Taylor is a rare find in an author: she has masterful plotting and world-building skills, she crafts every sentence with skill, fluidity, and subtlety, and her characters are unforgettable, lovable, and completely unique. Fans of epic fantasies would be more than remiss to overlook this amazing specimen; the omniscient narrative viewpoint may at times be difficult for a reader not accustomed to fantasy to follow, but it is well worth the effort it may take to "get into" the first few chapters. I can promise you that the action, intrigue, world-building and relationships will pull you into this fascinating story, whether you usually enjoy fantasy or not.

(Note: This is a sequel to DREAMDARK: Blackbringer, and will probably be more enjoyed if you have read that first book already. However, it does stand on its own as well.)

Silksinger...

dear lovers of faery fiction,

... is the second in the Dreamdark series, of which these elves hope there will be many, many more. Once again Magpie the faerie and her crow friends are striving to save the world with an addition of several more delightful and enchanting characters, including Whisper, the Silksinger. Just as good as Blackbringer (Dreamdark) the first book, which was great, Silksinger has us eagerly awaiting the third in the series. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

Kyela,

the silver elves

Blackbringer was an amazing book. That Taylor could create such a detailed and consistent world, populate it with such compelling characters and then fill it with such great story telling was quite a feat. I had the pleasure of getting a copy of Blackbringer and an ARC of Silksinger at the same time, so I read through them one right after the other. (Couldn't stop myself)

I would have to say that as awesome as Blackbringer is, Silksinger exceeds it. We find out even more about Taylor's world and the people in it. She covers classic themes and plots but brings them all alive in a new way. That is what a strong author can do. The pace was perfect, the tension and excitement non-stop. This is a book that I'll be holding onto, reading again and I am sure my kids will be doing the same.

Silksinger picks up almost immediately after Blackbringer. We catch up with old friends and meet some new ones along the way. The stakes are, if possible, higher this time around and we begin to gain a much deeper understanding of what shaped the world we found in the first book. The level of darkness is a touch higher and this may bump up the age at which kids are going to be able to understand and enjoy the book.

That said, Taylor doesn't compromise on treating her readers with respect. I appreciate that as I think children will too. ( I'm a 40 year old dad.) There's a high level of honesty in both these books that I don't see too much in stories for the younger set. I cannot wait to read the next book.

This is the 2nd book in the Faeries of Dreamdark series. I loved the first book and would have to say that I love the 2nd one as well. In this book we find Magpie still searching for all of the Djinn. We also add 2 more faerie clans, the Silksingers and the Mothmages - one thought to be extinct and the other exiled in shame. Their destinies intertwine into a exciting nonstop story.

If you liked the first book, I'm sure you'll like this one. The story is a bit darker than the first but an exciting adventure nonetheless.

A first novel like Blackbringer is a very tough act to follow. I spent weeks seeing as my thoughts gravitated towards this novel long after I was done with it and I could barely wait until the next one came out. I must admit, I was afraid when I received my copy of Silksinger. Sequels tend to lack some of the wonder and originality that strikes a reader on a first novel, but Taylor's second installment on the Dreamdark series is magnificent and exquisite and even better than the first one.

The world of fairies in the Dreamdark series is vividly described, detailed, expertly-created and incredibly gorgeous. Silksinger might look like a hefty read compared to many other young adults reads out there barely making it to 200 pages, but the hours and the pages go by without you noticing because is impossible not to loose one self in this alternate reality and magical realm Taylor sets for us.

The characters, despite being tiny fairies, have incredible depth and feel more real than flesh and bone humans in many other series. Magpie is an unlikely and powerful lead on both books, even in this one when her protagonist role was shared with new characters. Whisper and Hirik, both new and mighty additions to the series, are beautifully rendered characters that make you cheer, laugh, weep and believe in them. Talon and the crows are as endearing as ever and Batch the imp is...well, Batch through and through.

The plot is amazing. There is no mistake or false step in Taylor's writing and the story unravels magnificently. Some things you see coming, but others will leave you breathless. And the art is amazing. I love the collaborations of Taylor with her artist husband because it makes the characters come to life so powerfully in one's imagination. Laini Taylor might just be the best young adult writer out there right now and its a pity not a lot of people are familiarized with her incredible works.

If you want one of the best works of fiction (and trust me on this one) and one of the best young adult novels in recent years, the Dreamdark series is what your looking for.

You know a book is a good book when you can't get it out of your head and you suddenly wish yourself submerged into that world. Well, Dreamdark does just that. Silksinger is right now at the top of my list of best books I've ever read and, once you read it, I'm sure it will be on yours too.

Great series for someone with an advanced reading level who enjoys good, clean fantasy reading.

Whisper Silksinger is on the run from devils, and is the only Silksinger left to protect the sleeping Azazel. Hirik Mothmage is on his way to offer himself as champion to the same djinn. Meanwhile, Magpie, Talon, and the band of crows are on a mission to rejoin the remaining djinn to save the tapestry which weaves the universe together. But there's a dark fairy hanging on from the dawn days ready to rule a new world with no djinn who will try to stop them all from succeeding.

I didn't quite enjoy this book as much as the first book Blackbringer (Dreamdark), but it was a very high bar. I still love this world and the characters in it. I can't wait for the next one.

Humor, character, imagination and heart supported by solid writing and first-class story telling, it's all here. I can imagine this narrative extending through seven or more books. I certainly hope it will.

Taylor's first book, Blackbringer, is the first story in this series (and no, I'm sorry, I don't know how many there will be) in which we meet Magpie Windwitch, the Djinn's champion. In Silksinger, Taylor brings Magpie, Talon, the Crows and even Batch Hangnail back, but the focus of the story is not on them. To be sure, they are an important part, but this tale is that of Whisper and Hirik.

Hirik is a young fairy with an amazing sword that is looking to make his mark on the world and recover the honor of his clan, the Mothmage. Their entire clan are still despised as the killer's of Fade (a dragon) and reviled throughout the faery world (and also considered to be no longer in existence). Hirik has a secret he's keeping from the others, but a chance encounter with Whisper changes his plans, possibly for the better.

Whisper is a Silksinger, also thought to no longer exist, but she has been hiding with the last of her clan protecting something very important for a very long time. All too soon, Whisper is adrift and alone in the world with an extremely large task ahead of her. The problem is whether or not she'll succeed in completing her task, but with help, she just might.

Taylor is a phenomenal story teller who will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout this stupendous book. I had a hard time putting it down to work or eat or sleep! She does an excellent job of keeping you guessing throughout the story and the thrills and chills are beyond compare!

Notes on the Cover:

Taylor is one lucky lady to be married to artist Jim di Bartolo. He did the illustrations for Blackbringer, Silksinger and also Lips Touch: Three Times (to be reviewed as soon as I finish it!). They're amazing and so detailed I could look at them for hours. The cover features Whisper and Hirik, and I love that the teakettle is included! And Bijal!