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Songs of Earth And Power Mass Market Paperback – November 15, 1996
Weaving the power of music, poetry, and myth into a headlong narrative of nearly overwhelming intensity, Song of Earth and Power is one of the most original fantasy epics of our time, a vast tapestry of relentless suspense, terrible beauty, and brilliant imagination. Originally published years ago in two parts, it now returns in a new edition rewritten by the author and published in a single volume as he originally intended. Wrote Analog on its original appearance: "A delight....A vision of Faery that may owe a bit to a wish to do it right. Read it."
- Print length704 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherTor Fantasy
- Publication dateNovember 15, 1996
- Dimensions4.2 x 1.15 x 6.7 inches
- ISBN-100812536037
- ISBN-13978-0812536034
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"A joy to read."--Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Tor Fantasy (November 15, 1996)
- Language : English
- Mass Market Paperback : 704 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0812536037
- ISBN-13 : 978-0812536034
- Item Weight : 11.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 4.2 x 1.15 x 6.7 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,169,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #145,642 in Fantasy (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Greg Bear is the author of more than thirty books, spanning thrillers, science fiction, and fantasy, including Blood Music, Eon, The Forge of God, Darwin's Radio, City at the End of Time, and Hull Zero Three. His books have won numerous international prizes, have been translated into more than twenty-two languages, and have sold millions of copies worldwide. Over the last twenty-eight years, he has also served as a consultant for NASA, the U.S. Army, the State Department, the International Food Protection Association, and Homeland Security on matters ranging from privatizing space to food safety, the frontiers of microbiology and genetics, and biological security.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonReviewed in the United States on April 11, 2016
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Top reviews from the United States
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This book is about the Sidhe and how music is magic. If you like Lord of the rings, I think you'll like this book.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 11, 2016
This book is about the Sidhe and how music is magic. If you like Lord of the rings, I think you'll like this book.
As other reviewers have said, that makes Songs different from the standard fantasies, with their central casting heroes, heroines,arcane artifacts and Terrible Awful Things; this one stands yet with the few great ones.
I was dreadfully disappointed. I think Greg Bear got lost in his own plot; I never ever do this but I left the second half unfinished because it was so boring and moody.
I thoroughly recommend Infinity Concerto, leave the rest alone. Five for Infinity, none for the follow up.
Top reviews from other countries
It is essentially 2 books in one, the tale of Michael Perrin a young lad of 17 who meets Arno the composer and follows his invitation to visit a different realm. At times it is hard work and the differences between the Sidhe, who are after all a different race, and the humans within the realm do little to endear one to the hero Michael, and it is to begin with quite heard work to work one's way into the tale.
It is as always with Greg Bear, written well and is detailed, nuanced and thought provoking. The nature of energy, magic and the worst traits of both humanity and the Sidhe are explored, as well as the prejudice and the concepts of gods, creation, religion, destruction and politics all are to be found within the pages.
I read this while away on holiday in Ireland, land of Tir na Og, and while the book is set in America, it resonates just as well for a reader from England.
The first book follows the journey of Michael through the Realm and towards his destiny which is not at all evident to him in the beginning. It is a book to begin with about survival in an alien world, as an alien.
The second book is Michael as a man and his journey to discover the depths of his self and his potential and the path to harmony with the energy of the world around him.
Tradition is not always good, innovation is always to be welcomed and magic is always reflective of the person using the magic.
Music is also a strong theme within this book and while one does not need detailed musical knowledge, an appreciation of some classical musical composers could be helpful.
A 5 star recommendation from me. A rare thing for a book. This book will remain in my mind for many years to come.
It is that good.
A great story in a great universe. I dont want to spoil it but everyone I have recommended the book to has loved it.
As to the plot and quality of writing, it did keep me reading to the end. However the same story could have been told more effectively in half the number of pages and would have been a better book for it.









