The Singing Stone [Hardcover]

O. R. Melling (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up

When Kay Warwick is drawn back in time to ancient Ireland, she sets out to search for four treasures of power: the Spear, the Sword, the Cauldron, and the Stone of Destiny.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8 A time-fantasy and coming-of-age romance in which orphan Kay seeks her origins and finds her ancestors in a supernatural past. Following anonymous clues and increasingly strong dream-visions, modern-day Kay travels to Ireland and enters the Bronze-Age. She and a De Danaan foundling, Aherne, are charged with finding the lost treasures of the De Danaans. Ultimately, their quest will redeem the ancestors and reconcile warring invaders and settlersmoral concerns that mirror modern ones. Melling's interpretation of Celtic themes is ingenious and inventive, and the device of restoring the De Danaan to their lost status as gods is magically imagined. Despite some plot weaknesses and patches of graceless writing (and Kay's speech made more colloquial than Aherne's to underscore the time-gap), this reads and paces well. Kay's relocation to the present and her budding romance with the young man in the nearby apartment is a satisfying outcome, with time-travel still an option. Ruth M. McConnell, San Antonio Public Library
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 206 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile; First Edition edition (May 29, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670808172
• ISBN-13: 978-0670808175
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,710,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!, May 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Singing Stone (Hardcover)

I loved it because it had everything I enjoy in a book. Adventure, myth, history, legend. It is exciting and definately keeps you interested. The mysterious protaganist, Kay, is strong and independant and you feel for her and her hardships. The twist ending is unexpected and answeres many questions and starts many more, making you wish the book wouldn't stop.

I definately recomend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and also suggest Melling's other books, The Druid's Tune and The Hunter's Moon.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TERRIFIC FANTASY AND ADVENTURE!, May 14, 2000

By 

Sherry S. Korthals (Vermillion, SD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Singing Stone (Paperback)

THE SINGING STONE is an extraordinarily well-written fantasy. If you enjoy the works of Lloyd Alexander, Susan Cooper, or Ursula LeGuin, do not miss out on this title! Melling masterfully blends Irish history and legend with daring and adventure to create a fantasy that is rich in detail and beauty. It is the story of two spirited young women--Kay and Aherne--who traverse ancient Ireland on a quest to gather the four treasures of the Tuatha De Danaan. Successful in their venture, they also discover their hidden identities and the true meaning of friendship. The tale, as intricately woven as Louis Sachar's HOLES and E.L. Konigsburg's A VIEW FROM SATURDAY, comes full circle, leaving readers immensely satisfied with its conclusion. A MUST READ FOR FANTASY FANS!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, May 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Singing Stone (Hardcover)

This book was absoutley amazing and probably the best book I have ever read. I really could not put it down. We read it in our English class and I am sure that everyone was truly moved by it. Ms. Melling is a wonderful writer and a wish there was a sequel, because I cried at the end when I turned to the last page and realized it was over. I just didn't want it to end. Everyone should read this book-it's great. And thank-you Ms. Melling for writing such a great story.