The Singer's Crown [Kindle Edition]

Elaine Isaak (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kattanan duRhys, the appealing hero of Isaak's engaging fantasy debut, is a singer whose golden voice came at the expense of his manhood. He was castrated as a child, when his uncle, Duke Thorgir, usurped his father's throne and murdered his family, sparing only his "favorite nephew," but rendering him unable to bear children who could threaten his reign. Since then, Kattanan has served master after master, his incredible talent making him the perfect gift to exchange for favors. His days of being passed around end-and his real adventures begin-when he's given to Princess Melisande of Berenholt as a betrothal gift. From here on, the story follows some predictable plot lines. Still, many of the details are moving, and the prose is taut. Rivals become fast friends, blood enemies fall in love and families unite and fly apart at breakneck speed. Despite its flaws, this stand-alone is an enjoyable read, and fans are likely to eagerly await Isaak's next book.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

In this well-done variation on the archetypal plot of the prince who must reclaim his kingdom, Kattanan duRhys is the only member of his family who survived his uncle's seizure of the throne of Lochalyn. He survived only because he was castrated so that he could never threaten the new line of succession. He was then trained as a singer. A decade or so later, however, magic and intrigue together push Kattanan to claim his birthright. His grandmother is determined to avenge her murdered daughter, and with the help of an exiled prince, a wizard, a legendary magic-breaker, a fiancee Kattanan doesn't want, and the man who does love her, Kattanan is forced closer to a crown he has many doubts about claiming. Meanwhile, his uncle and the betrothed of the woman Kattanan has come to love plot to destroy him and the kingdom. Although a list of the characters would have been welcome, this is a very well-done first novel that keeps one happily turning its pages. Frieda Murray
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 705 KB
• Print Length: 512 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0060782536
• Publisher: HarperCollins e-books (March 17, 2009)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishers
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000FCKIBO
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #548,486 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

I began writing stories at an early age, and my mother's keepsake chest contains several tiny spiral-bound notebooks full of childish block-lettered tales. I spent much of my youth guiding friends on imaginary quests and rescues in the forests of central Massachusetts--I used to pretend I was Aragorn.

After discarding other career options including archaeology and genetic engineering, I elected to attend the Rhode Island School of Design, intending to study fashion design and perhaps work for the theater, combining my interests in art and literature. Instead, I opted for a sculpture major where I created artworks based on the history of books and wrote an installation proposal no artwork could hope to live up to. While studying abroad in Italy, I acknowledged my inner drive and withdrew from school to work on a novel. Yes, I am an art school drop out.

In the meantime, I worked creating animal mascot costumes for corporations and parades. During this time, I began writing The Singer's Crown, the third novel I started, and the second one I completed. In 1997, I founded Curious Characters, creating and marketing unique stuffed animals like greelings, hyffers, and the Amazing Zahnee! Part of the plan included a "storyletter," the Curious Times, where I told stories about the mythos of these creatures to introduce them to the public.

Rekindling an old passion for poetry, I became a regular at a local coffee house open mike where I discovered a new passion: Edward, a fellow poet, who married me. We bought an old house, painted it mint green, and moved in two cats, two computers and a collection of masks from around the world. That same year, I attended the Odyssey Speculative Fiction Workshop where I learned to sculpt words into something stronger, bolder and better by far.

After taking time to visit India, China, and Mongolia, Ed and I welcomed our daughter, Laurel. My husband is a software engineer and Laurel, now 5, is working on becoming an engineer or a fairy princess. In addition to soft sculpture, Curious Characters specializes in a line of light-hearted small-scale metal sculptures available at gift shops across the country. I write in a quiet office in my new green house, where I am free at any moment to leap into a new adventure.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Satisfying Read after slightly rough start, June 30, 2006

By 

A. Lee (L.A., CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Singer's Crown (Paperback)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Promising new author, July 13, 2007

By 

guitarchick24 (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Singer's Crown (Mass Market Paperback)

"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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good World, Fun Read, February 24, 2007

By 

Cat Rambo (Redmond, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Singer's Crown (Mass Market Paperback)

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.