Customer Reviews

The Singer's Crown

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were complex and interesting, although at times a little bewildering. The world-building was good--there was a strong sense of a developed and unique culture and magic system.

The prologue is intense and moving--beginning with a mother, a queen, trying to save her last child from the usurper of the throne... and failing. The first part of the tale seems like a second prologue where we see the child grown a bit, but still very much a child, lose yet another bit of stability in his life. It's an important scene in his development, yet it really isn't part of the main story, which truly begins when he meets the princess, Melisande.

Both Kattanan/Rhys and Melisande seem very young and immature, even then. It's a little frustrating waiting for them to grow into themselves, but it's worth it. As the characters experience all the tumultuous events (evil and not so evil wizards, plots and machinations, betrayals and loyalty, death and destruction, friendship and love, forgiveness and revenge), I grew to like them more and more--even the "bad guys."

I will definitely look forward to the next book.

"The Singer's Crown" is, like so many fantasy novels out there, full of the same old storyline. Still, it's got enough twists and turns to keep you interested.

The story follows Kattanan duRhys, the youngest prince of Lochalyn. When his uncle takes over the kingdom, Rhys (later known in the book as Kattanan or Kat) witnesses the murder of his mother and faces mutilation at the hands of his uncle's men. Now a eunuch, Kat gains a reputation as an amazing singer, but is forever barred from his kingdom. When circumstances throw him together with the nobility of the former court, he faces gaining a crown and kingdom he's not sure he wants.

After a slow beginning, Elaine Isaak throws in enough action to keep you interested. I found myself eagerly turning the pages, especially once certain characters reappeared. But while Isaak gets credit for a solid storyline, some things are a little weak.

For one thing, while everyone's horrified that Kat can't father children, they never really explain how this could truly prevent him from ruling (unless you count the fact that he'd never produce an heir). I would assume that he'd be able to appoint a successor, even if it was out of the family bloodline. But for some reason, the whole eunuch thing is so terribly important that a big elaborate plot is concocted to cover it up. Since the author never stresses purity of bloodline or anything, it just seems a little much.

Kat and Melisande (the princess of the neighboring kingdom) both grow through the adversity they face, but since Melisande is so annoying throughout most of the book, you have to wonder what Kat sees in her. Plus, in his initial interactions with her, they don't really share much of their lives with each other - all Kat does is sing for Melisande. So I thought their romantic relationship was a little forced.

In fact, the characters I cared about the most were Wolfram (he had a great substory going there) and Jordan and his love interests. (Another weak point in the story - the author pulls a total fast one on you and you never see the setup, so you're wondering why Jordan chooses the way he does.) It's not good when your minor characters outshine your leads.

Overall, a good read for the beach or to pass the time. It's not necessarily a keeper, but I am looking forward to the sequel.

I really enjoyed the world-building, and I thought this was a nicely done transformation of a weak-willed and passive character to someone who becomes a hero. I'll certainly be picking up the next book - I'm intrigued by the idea at the heart of it, the more so because I hope we get some hint of Kattan's fate, post-Singer's Crown.

"The Singer's Crown" centers on a young, eunic slave with a marvelous singing talent. His latest owner is a selfish young princess, whose family is threatened by a magical curse. The singer's past catches up with him, as you'll no doubt read on the back cover.

The pace is liesurely, with descriptive prose. There is plenty of action and events, but still, the pace seems measured and with more detail than I prefer. Little magic in this book, mostly personalities and political maneuvering. The singer's attitude is formed by his status (slave) in a consistent way that I found charming; that is his place in life, and he accepts it. Overall, a pleasant read.

In 1215 in the Kingdom of Lochalyn, Thorgir murders his brother the king, kills his nephews except the youngest prince Rhys, and when his sister in law Queen Caitrin refuses to cooperate, he slays her too; none are buried properly. He completes his dastardly coup by having a surgeon insure that Rhys would never have whelps and he would qualify as a singer with the Virgins of the Goddess.

In 1229 Rhys knows he cannot fight for the throne since he cannot produce heirs. Instead he makes a living as a singer; his current patron Baron Eadmund gives him as a courting gift to seventeen years old Princess Melisande. Normally avoiding anything that stirs the testicles, Rhys the eunuch finds he wants Melisande as his. However, he knows that cannot be, but will die to keep her safe. He will soon test his fortitude when the Baron is killed, Melisande's hounds murdered and her father bewitched by the wizard who enabled Rhys' uncle to kill his family so easily.

THE SINGER'S CROWN is a terrific romantic fantasy starring a wonderful hero, a fabulous princess, and a dastardly killing villain. The story line is action-packed, but character driven from the moment that Caitrin tries to save her only living child from his uncle and never slows down as he must choose between his beloved song and the dreaded consequences of love. Though readers will wonder why Thorgir allowed Rhys to live though removing a future threat, fans will take immense pleasure in this powerful tale of betrayal and love in a realm in which wizardry seems so real that the audience is beguiled.

Harriet Klausner

(Duplicated from my blog, for those who might find this exact text elsewhere)

I've omitted the synopsis paraphrased by others since it's already attached to the listing.

This was something that had been catching my eye for a while at the library and finally decided to check it out. I think this is one of the faster reads I've had in a long time. Possibly under 24 hours spread across three days.

It starts out kind of dry, but usually I try to give a book a few chapters to get warmed up before giving up and in this case, I'm glad I did.

If you like light-hearted fantasy stories like The Princess Bride; full of cult high fantasy stereotypes and predictable arguments, then you might want to give this a try. It's not quite as funny, but it's amusing. The princess is bratty and childish to expectations, but the prince is smitten with her anyways. There are schemes and plots layered one on top of another. Some of it is cheesy and Disney-esque, but it's a fun story. It could be better, but it's not bad.

I've seen some reviews describing the story as a romantic fantasy. I wouldn't really call it that, unless you call Princess Bride a romantic fantasy as well, which it is and it isn't. There are also opinions on the maturity and supposed lack of manliness of male characters. . . The main character is 18 at the close of the book. Boys will be boys. Has someone not figured this out yet? He's also a boy who's been snipped and passed along as property time and time again when his previous owner finds a better use for him, with only one consistent companion for most his journeys. It's not exactly a lifestyle that nurtures a confident go-get-em manly man ready to take on the world. I personally didn't question the actions of the male characters. Strength in a male character does not require an iron fist, nor is it effeminate for them to show a soft side.

The biggest con: the characters more or less all talk alike and thus are rather flat.
The biggest pro: the story itself is very intriguing and has a few interesting twists to make up for the con.

Text is clean, PG level violence (when it does show up, it's not graphically described), no modern cussing.

Recommendation: try your local library first, but it's worth a read through if you enjoy the genre.

The Singer's Crown captivated me from the start, with the nefarious uncle, and later the scheming grandmother, coupled with a variety of plot lines author Isaak effortlessly keeps interwoven until the surprising end. "There's magic in them, thar family jewels?" I was invested in her secondary characters and enjoyed how she let them be strong in their own right. This wasn't strictly a good-vs-evil plot--the hero was young and distracted by what he lacked, and the heroine was overawed by her protectors. Nevertheless, it made a compelling read, and I look forward to Isaak's next book with eager anticipation.

My reading tastes run to murder mysteries, spy novels, intrigue and suspense. I was delighted to find all these combined in this wonderful fast paced fantasy novel. I found it difficult to put down. Even if fantasy isn't your genre, you should give this book a read. The characters and plot line are well developed and complex.

Music plays a major role in this book - the main character is a highly sought-after singer - and I like the way Isaak handles the music. Rather than try to write a collection of songs, I've never seen this done successfully (Writing stories does not make you a song writer), she focuses on the songs story and the emotion it triggers in the singer and his audience. It's as if the music is a living object - excellent. I found this book riveting, with lyrical prose, compelling characters, and a story that made it hard to put down. I can't wait for her next book.

The premis of this book had a lot of promise but unfortunately, it doesn't quite make good. Others have summarized the plot so I will not do so here. The thing that I disliked most about this novel was the main character. Katanan is so weak, lacking in personality, that it is hard to cheer for him. When he is found by his family, who attempt to train him to be a king, you can't help but think."why bother?". He does grow a bit of back bone near the end of the story but by then it is almost too late for the reader.

The pacing of the book is also pretty poor and I think the author is trying to work with too many charas. She is clearly floundering.

Still, this is not a terrible book. But I am not sure I would recommend it.