Steward of Song [Hardcover]

Adam Stemple (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2008

Leaving his life of petty crime and drug abuse behind, young Douglas flees from Minneapolis to Edinburgh, Scotland, to his stern but fairminded Grandma McLaren, who will take him in if he can support himself. Fortunately, few cities are friendlier than Edinburgh to a guitarist with a talent for spontaneous rhyme, and soon Douglas is making a decent living as the busker who can write a song about you on the spot.

But Edinburgh has its dangers for the unwary. The annual arts festival, biggest in Europe, draws all manner of footloose sorts, and tempted by the drugs offered by a mysterious young girl, Douglas stumbles.

What follows isn’t what he expects. Suddenly, Douglas can see the fey folk who invisibly share Edinburgh’s ancient streets—in all their beauty and terrifying cruelty. Worse, they can see him, and they’re determined to draw him into their own internecine wars--wars that are fought to the death.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stemple explores the complications of family ties in this shimmering sequel to 2005's Singer of Souls. American musician Douglas Stewart has imprisoned his former mistress, the evil but beautiful former queen Aine, and now rules the Daoine Sidhe. Douglas's sister, Bridie, a former cop, thinks he killed their grandmother and is scouring Scotland for him. Their brother, Scott, an Iraq war veteran tormented by hallucinations, is stuck caring for the baby who has mysteriously appeared on his doorstep. Fortunately, Mundoo, a mysterious Native American god, is around to provide parenting advice. When the siblings reunite in the realm of the Sidhe, Bridie and Scott must decide how much Douglas, who seems to be taking a turn for the megalomaniacal, can be trusted with his newfound power. Stemple riffs off Native American and Celtic myths with ease while skillfully depicting a world where any move can have dire consequences. (Mar.)
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From Booklist

Ex-cop Bridie Stewart comes to Edinburgh, which she hates (rains all the time), to get to the bottom of her grandmother’s vicious murder and her brother Douglas’ disappearance. Edinburgh’s constabulary thinks Doug is the perp, but Bridie bullies them into helping her find out otherwise. After she offs a sleazebag in self-defense, though, they try to put her on the next flight back to the States. She eludes them by ducking into subterranean Edinburgh, from which she’s abducted to Faerie, where Douglas is now malevolent, absolute lord. Meanwhile, the third Stewart sib, psychologically derailed Iraq vet Scott, mysteriously acquires a foundling whom he must protect against hordes of Faerie beasties. The family finally rendezvouses in Faerie, and Doug surrenders his powers to the baby. None of the clan is off Faerie’s hook yet, however; expect further books about their exploits. Stemple’s magnificent first novel, Singer of Souls (2005), arguably didn’t need a sequel at all. Still, this grungy, bloody thriller, though not as morally piquant as Singer, isn’t a bad one. --Ray Olson

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765316307
• ISBN-13: 978-0765316301
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,879,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable ride, May 3, 2009

By 

Catscradle (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steward of Song (Tor Fantasy) (Paperback)

I found Adam Stemple's new series at the library. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his smooth prose and storyline. Steward of Song continues the story started in book one, Singer of Souls. It truly is a series, so don't read this one if you haven't read Singer.

The story follows Scott and Bridie Stewart. Scott is a recovering veteran, living quietly in rural Massachusetts. One night, a baby is left at his door and his whole world turns upside down. Meanwhile, his sister Bridie is in Scotland searching for their missing brother Douglas (Singer of Souls) who's been accused of a terrible crime.

Stemple does a nice job of combining modern life with the world of myth and fairy. However, unlike some fantasy authors, his mythical creatures are not always "good." Humanity may interact with their world but other forces motivate it.

Be warned that the book's ending, while not a cliff-hanger, is not a true ending. The action pauses but more adventures are waiting in the wings. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this unique series.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars enchanting fantasy, March 6, 2008

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Steward of Song (Hardcover)

Douglas Stewart went to Scotland and through a series of circumstances (see SINGER OF SOULS) becomes the ruler of Faerie. His magic puts the rightful queen Aine in a magical stasis. The prophecy says his son will kill him so he is prepared to kill the child but his loyal retainer Martes has him taken away and he is left at the door of Douglas' brother Scott.

Scott was injured and now sees visions of the future but he doesn't know the child he takes in is his nephew. He takes care of him and loves him and the brownies and hobs watch over the house because there are two magical beings who want the baby; one to drink his blood and inhale his soul while the other wants to eat his flesh.

The third Stewart sibling Bridie is looking for Douglas who the police believed killed his grandmother and a priest. Bridie is positive he is innocent but when she crosses over into Fairie she finds a cruel Douglas who reigns with an iron fist. When the three siblings meet, the fates of the trio will be decided depending on the choices Douglas makes.

This sequel picks up where SINGER OF SOULS leaves off and concentrates mostly on Scott and Bridie with Douglas making only brief appearances. This fantasy is enchanting, spellbinding and readers will finish it in one sitting to find out what happens to the three siblings and the baby. The audience will admire Scott as he comes to recognize he is a precognitive and his love for his nephew heals his mind and lets him accept what he has became.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Weak effort, June 24, 2008

By 

Calibandar "calibandar" (Netherlands) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Steward of Song (Hardcover)

I just finished Adam Stemple's The Steward of Song, released by TOR in hardcover in 2008. It looks like all new releases are getting a hardcover treatment nowadays and they are no indication of quality at all. This particular urban fantasy is about three relatives who all have some fey connection of their own, and they embody the blend of modern life and the faery setting that this book is. I found it all rather dainty and girlish, even if two of the main characters are male. I'm sure there is a readership for this book, if you're particularly interested in faery and urban combinations and are interested in singers, flute music and lesbian cops. I wasn't engaged.