Song of the Beast (Mass Market Paperback)

by Carol Berg (Author) "The light had almost undone me..." (more)
Key Phrases: dragon camps, dragon whip, dragon legion, Cor Neuill, Cor Talaith, Carag Huim (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Berg's fascinating fantasy is a puzzle story, with a Celtic-flavored setting and a plot as intricate and absorbing as fine Celtic lacework. Aidan MacAllister, cousin of the king of Elyria, was an extraordinary musician. But when he turned 21, the king sentenced him to be imprisoned and silenced on a charge of treason. Now it is 17 years later, and a scarred, voiceless Aidan is released, not knowing exactly why he was sentenced in the first place. Finding the answer to that question is the plot of the book, and it involves dragons, a race of nonhumans, politics great and small, and the truth or falsity of various long-held beliefs about the gods of a well-wrought pantheon. The pantheon isn't the only aspect of the book that is well wrought. Although the complexity of the plot makes the pacing variable, the characters are memorable, and Berg's intelligence and narrative skill make this stand-alone fantasy most commendable. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
Carol Berg lights up the sky. -- Midwest Book Review

Her heroes come alive. -- Lynn Flewelling

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Roc (May 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451459237
• ISBN-13: 978-0451459237
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,874 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting World...Average Execution, October 28, 2003

By	Rusir-10 (Gaithersburg, MD United States) - See all my reviews

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.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not sure., August 31, 2003

By	C. Gilbert "frumiousb" (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another remarkable tale from a great writer !, May 30, 2003

By	R.Parklane (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.