Customer Reviews

Song of the Beast

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I fell in love with Carole Berg through her Rai-kirah books, even though the trilogy lost much of what I loved halfway through book 2. It was the powerful portrayal of the interesting, conflicted, incredibly brave-despite-adversity main character Seyonne that I loved, and his relationship with the charming, aggravating-yet-sympathetic Aleksander.

There's a lot of the same good stuff in Berg's latest novel---but some of the *great* stuff is missing. We have the interesting conflicted brave-despite-adversity character, this time named Aidan MacAllister. (Despite his name, the world of this story has nothing to do with Earth and Aidan isn't Irish any more than Aleksander was Russian.) On this world, humans live alongside two other sentient races: the Elhim, vaguely elflike albino creatures who have no gender and live hundreds of years; and the dragons, which are... well, dragons. =P The dragons breathe fire and once lived wild (although they were sentient), but many years before the story begins the humans of this world learned to enslave them using powerful magic "bloodstones". Since their enslavement, the dragons have become mindless and vicious, living only to wreak havoc at the command of the humans who control them. These humans, warriors of the Twelve Familes of the Ridemark, hire themselves out to various kingdoms in the region, resulting in a state of near-constant war as the kingdoms with dragon legions attempt to dominate each other, and those without.

Aidan, a musical genius who once seemed destined to become the greatest singer ever known, paid little attention to these world events during his early years. He was obsessed with his music, especially once he first heard the dragons roar and heard music and intelligence within that sound. At age 21 he seemed on the verge of a great discovery... until his cousin the king threw him into prison for seventeen years. We discover through flashbacks that, like Seyonne, Aidan is tortured for much of this time. He is released at last, scarred and broken, at the beginning of the novel---still with no clear idea of why he was imprisoned. The rest of the novel concerns his efforts to uncover this mystery, which is connected to the dragons and the Elhim in a surprising way, and which has terrible implications for the future of human society.

Berg does a better job of plot in this novel---the story is clear and to the point, and doesn't veer off into uninteresting stretches as the Rai-kirah books sometimes did. Some parts of it are predictable, but not so much that the story is transparent. She does about the same job of characterizing Aidan as she did with Seyonne---not surprising, since Aidan is essentially the same character. In fact, Aidan and Seyonne are so alike that I kept forgetting Aidan's name as I read the book. I didn't mind this, however; I liked the Rai-kirah novels, so it felt nice to see Seyonne return in a different form. But Berg falters from the Rai-kirah formula in a bad way by not including another powerful, difficult friendship in the story. Not one of the side-characters in Song of the Beast is half as interesting as Aleksander, which is a shame because the morally upright and long-suffering Aidan becomes a bit boring on his own. About halfway through the book we're given a secondary character, Lara, who becomes the generic tough-chick/ugly-duckling romance object for Aidan. Aidan falls in love with her for unclear reasons---it almost seems as though he loves her simply because she's a woman, available, and up to her neck in the same mess as him. After the pleasantly unconventional friendship between master and slave in the Rai-kirah books, this very conventional relationship seems tiresome and lackluster. I think I would have preferred no romance at all to a cliched one.

Still, the novel is generally entertaining, so I'll cautiously recommend it. It's a good book, and I probably wouldn't have been as hard on it if I hadn't read the Rai-kirah stuff first... but I did, so I expected better from this author.

I instantly liked the first book of her other series, and I did not have the same experience with this one. I was not surprised to read that this was her first book, because it had the feeling of having the same issues as the Seyonne novels being worked through-- long imprisonment, the effect of torture on the psyche, hidden talents. While interesting in places, it felt unformed in others.

This said, Berg is still a formidable writer who managed to hold my interest throughout the book. I probably would have rated it more highly if I hadn't been comparing it to her other works.

If you are new to Berg, then I would begin with Transformation. Established fans will most likely enjoy the ride.

This is the first book, I've read by Carol Berg so I won't be comparing "Song of the Beast" to any of her earlier works. That having been said, here's the things I liked and didn't like about the book.

First, the world she creates with Dragons and different races was very interesting. Dragons are the ultimate tools of war in this book, but you learn that there is more to them than it initially appears (this is hinted at right from the beginning of the book). I liked that there were different races with general characteristics common to all members (like most stereotypes, they're true some but not necessarily all of the time).

Second, Ms. Berg uses different perspectives for sections of the book. Its sometimes very interesting to see a scene or character from another's perspective. The technique is definitely not overused as about 90% of the book is from Aidan's perspective (Aidan is the main character).

Third, I like that Ms. Berg gradually reveals details about the world, the plot (why was Aidan imprisoned for so many years) and the nature of Aidan's talents.

There were a few things that I didn't really like about the book.

First, and this relates to the story that I enjoy reading, Aidan is pretty weak for most of the story. If its not clear from other reviews Aidan has an amazing gift for music. When he sings and plays, he moves people to experience his songs. For no reason (as far as he knows), he's imprisoned and tortured for 17 years. The story begins when he's released from prison. For most of the book, he's weak and somewhat broken from his imprisonment. Now this is completely understandable, but I tend to like my heroes a bit more heroic. In fact, it is only when I saw Aidan through the other character's perspectives that I began to appreciate him more.

Secondly, Ms. Berg was almost a little to ambitious with the world she creates. Some of the races seem a little undeveloped. I was left feeling like I didn't really have a grasp on some of the races and political groups that were introduced.

Overall, the book was good, but not phenomenal. I would be willing to read some of Carol Berg's earlier works to see what she can do when spreading a story over 3 books. I suspect that some of my frustration with lack of development would be addressed.

I have looked forward to this latest fantasy from Berg as I was greatly impressed with her last effort, the splendid Rai-kirah saga. I finished the "Song of the Beast" in a day. It is a highly addictive fantasy with a unique plot and definitely a notch above most fantasies out there today. Berg's writing is as brilliant. However, I just have to rate this book four stars though I like it. Reason being Song of the Beast lacks the depth of characterization and intensity present in the Rai-kirah saga.
Aidan is a likable character but somewhat pales in comparison to Seyonne, the protagonist in the Rai-kirah saga. The side characters in the Song of the Beast also lack depth, including Lara who narrates the story in the later part of the book. Though this gives a different perspective to the tale as seen from Lara's view I wished Berg has just kept to Aidan as the narrator. Song of the Beast is not a series and its tale too short to justify 2 narrators. Maybe Song of the Beast could have been more worthy of Berg if she has added another 100 pages. After reading the Rai-kirah saga, Song of the Beast seems like a novella which could also be the reason this book lacks the intensity in the Rai-kirah saga. However Berg has continued to prove her talent and my only regret is that she is not writing fast enough.

I'm not going to give the 411 on all the details that happened in the story. Katmax1 did an excellent job in that and if you have any questions, please refer to that review. What I do want to impart is that Berg is a fantastic writer with some of they most rounded and interesting characters I have read. The world she creates is vivid and remarkably realistic for a fantasy world. It is easy to fall into her books because of these reasons.

Most of the reviews I read had one major complaint -- the ending. I won't give away what happened, but for those of you out there who are apprehensive about picking up this book simply because your afraid of being disappointed in the ending, please do not let these few discourage you. I, for one, GOT the ending. I think most readers are picturing themselves as the characters and are thinking about how they would handle the situation and what they would do in the characters situation. Whereas, the two main characters are not like normal people and they had very tramatic experiences in their lives that would effect how they would handle situations. I thought Berg chose to end the story well based on the characters. She stayed true to her art. Frankly, I can't wait to read what she comes up with next. ;-)

Like her other series, Transformation, Revelation, and Restoration, you will not be able to put this book down. It is one of those "stay up all night" type of books. Aidan MacAllister is born with the gift of music that transcends beyond understanding. As a young man, he discovers his ability to communicate with dragons (which is written in such a clever way here). But before he is able to understand his gift, he is wrongly imprisoned by his cousin, King Devlin. There Aidan remains, brutally tortured for 17 years, his jailor purposely mangling his hands. Aidan is freed but still hunted. Without giving out more of the plot, I will just say that you will read about a man who rediscovers his gift of communicating with dragons, the people who help him, and all the conflict that follow. What makes this story so unique is the author's ability to make a story involving dragons and overcoming hardship so refreshing from the other books out there. Once you start reading the first page, you will see what I mean. It's a story you will not be able to put down.

First of all, let me say, that Im not a fan of Dragon centered fantasy novels. Almost every second fantasy novel on the market now seems to be about Dragons, and I mostly read this one because I enjoyed this authors previous books.

Aidan MacAllister is first cousin to King Devlin and the finest musician the world has seen for 50 generations, called blessed by the gods by those who have heard him sing. Then at 21 years of age he ignores a warning from his cousin the King to stay away from the dragons of his army because he makes them uneasy with his music. Aiden then has his best friends killed in front of him and he taken away into solitary confinement where he is tortured for the first 10 years and kept in total silence for the next 7 years.

Suddenly released from prison one night he does not understand what he did to deserve a punishment so severe  one which did not kill him but has crippled him for life and killed his art in his heart. Aiden sets out to find out the truth behind his imprisonment and finds he has unexpected allies and friends in places he never suspected.

This is an enjoyable novel, though Im not sure if it is meant to be a stand alone book or the start of a series. The ending is open enough that another book could easily be written to complete the story (I dont think its totally finished anyway). Aiden is a character you feel sympathy for and wonder at his gift of music, but if this is meant to be a stand alone novel then I dont think Im totally satisfied with it which is why I would give it 3.5  4 Stars.

Serious, heart-stopping problems, real people, genuine, deep, believable emotions--and dragons! Dragons that sing! If you're looking for chewing-gum-for-the-eyes same old same old, don't read this book, because you won't like it. If, however, you're looking for genuine magic in storytelling, you'll love it. It's ambitious; Berg's reach may sometimes exceed her grasp, but I'd rather a writer who took chances and dreamed big than someone who spat out one more tired, rehashed sword-and-sorcery whose language sounds like Miami and whose magic is just another name for cell-phones or ... Books like this are why I fell in love with fantasy.

If you are a fan of Berg's previous novels, you will enjoy this one. I have always been a fan of dragon-centric fantasy thanks to McCaffrey but this story gave dragons and their story a fresh twist. The main character in the story, Aiden,is easy to like and cheer for. Someone pointed out that he is similar to Seyonne in her other books and that is true in some ways but Aiden, the protagonist in this book is a gentler more innocent soul then Seyonne ever was. He has none of that character's hardness. Even in the midst of betrayal his essential nature never lets him give in to hate.

Unfortunately, the dragons and Aiden are the best part of the story. Few of the secondary characters are as interesting. Infact, they are rather flatly drawn. Not that they don't have potential but clearly the writer didn't have the time to develop them in this stand-alone work. The Elhim,Sendai, and Udema remained mere sketches and never develop into the type of characters we saw in the first trilogy. Several characters that would have made excellent foils for Aiden-- like his cousin and King, Devlin, or Devlin's son, Donal, are never brought to their full potential. As for characters who are supposed to be significant friends and allies, the relationships are never developed to the extent that you actually believe the depth of that regard.

Finally, Berg uses a lot of POV changes in this novel. The story is told primarily by Aiden but there are a few sections where other characters-- Narim, Donal, Lara-- tell the tale. Unfortunately, these bring little to the story. Her reason for using them--- to tell events Aiden could not have known, are obvious, but I found them to be annoying and distracting from the main story--except for possibly Donal's brief interlude. Though I think Berg does well writing in the first person, I would rather this book had been in 3rd person omni rather than she use the pov switch device.

Over all I recommend this book. I am fairly confident you will enjoy it despite the drawbacks I have mentioned.

Aidan is the king's cousin, but as he begins his narrative he has just been released after seventeen years brutal imprisonment; imprisoned at the age of twenty one for reasons not quite clear to him, but presumably with the king's knowledge.

Aidan is a remarkable man. In his youth he was renowned as a singer of unsurpassable talents, able to move the hardest of hearts; as such he travelled throughout the lands performing to all from kings to beggars. But now, having been silenced he is released from his home fro most of his manhood, the dungeon. But his is not free; there are still those who pursue him, some to keep him silenced, others who seek to use his voice for other reasons.

Aidan takes us along his epic journey, and gradually unravels the part the dragons play in his life and troubles. He encounters the Elhim, the at best ignored and at worst despised race who have neither male nor female, and Lara, the daughter of a warrior dragon rider who aspires to be as her father. While Ms Berg seems to like her main characters marred on the outside, which the once handsome Aidan after his torturous imprisonment most definitely is, on the inside he has only a good and pure heart, a mild and good mannered man wishing vengeance on none.

Although Aidan narrates most of the tale, occasionally one or another of the characters takes over if only briefly; a device which keeps us on edge for we can never be sure of anyone's survival. From the very first pages it is certainly a gripping tale such is Carol Berg's writing skill; something we are accustomed to with her other three volume epic, the Rai-kirah saga. Song of the Beast weaves an intricate, unpredictable, imaginative and enthralling story, producing a book which once started is hard to put down.