Book Review: The Singing

The Singing: The Fourth Book of Pellinor by Alison Croggon

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SUMMARY: In an increasingly battle-ravaged land, Maerad and Cadvan, Hem and Saliman desperately search for one another as they make their separate journeys. The Black Army is advancing north, and even as Maerad faces a mighty confrontation with the Landrost to save Innail, all of the Seven Kingdoms are threatened with bitter and devastating defeat. Yet in Maerad and Hem lives the secret to the mysterious Singing, and legend holds that if they release the music of Elidhu together, they have the power to defeat the Nameless One. Can brother and sister find each other in time to fight this all-powerful enemy, and are they strong enough—even reunited—to defeat him before all is lost?

OPINION: First, I have to thank Marissa for getting a lot of us hooked on this series when the first book came out. This long-awaited conclusion to the Pellinor series does not disappoint, remaining both engaging and satisfying. You will want to curl up with this book and see the characters through to the end without stopping! The story picks back up with Maerad and Cadvan, even though the previous book followed Hem. However, a significant portion of the plot is also devoted to Hem and Saliman, as they desperately make their way toward Maerad in a last-ditch attempt to stop the advancing forces (literally) of the Dark. This story has all the trappings of questing fantasy, but Maerad is surprisingly introspective as well. She wrestles extensively with the ramifications of her powers, knowing that she has the capability to be just as evil as the Nameless One. Fighting, even for a good cause, can corrode the will and the spirit, and Maerad has to find the Balance even as she is coming into her full power for the first time. I don't want to spoil anything for you, but I think you will be happy with the ending, though probably wishing for more details that are not included. I hope Alison Croggon writes more books set in the Seven Kingdoms in the future!

THE SERIES: If you have not read the other books in this series, they are The Naming, The Riddle, and The Crow. We own them all, so come check them out. If you are a reader of epic fantasy, they are definitely worth your time.

Book Review: The Riddle

The Riddle: The Second Book of Pellinor by Alison Croggon

SUMMARY: Maerad, who was rescued from slavery and became a Bard in Croggon's The Naming, has her hands full here. Along with her tutor Cadvan, she has been charged with finding the Treesong, a source of power so ancient that nothing but the barest of rumors remain. Their journey is hounded by agents of a treacherous Bard professing to act in the name of the Light and by an enigmatic entity known as the Winterking, an ally of Maerad's adversary, the Nameless One. At the same time, the protagonist struggles to understand the light and darkness within herself. Deep currents of sorrow, loneliness, and love run through this haunting epic fantasy; Maerad's feelings of alienation and self-doubt will resonate with readers. Appendixes help to further flesh out the characters and cultures of Croggon's Edil-Amarandh, an engrossing world that fantasy aficionados will be eager to revisit. (from School Library Journal)

OPINION: After the first book, The Naming, I was eager to read the second one in the series...and now I can't wait for the third to be released this summer! How will I survive until the fourth and final volume comes out, whenever that is?! Thanks, Marissa, for getting me (and a lot of other people) to read this series. This book is another epic journey for Maerad, who is still trying to learn how to use her powers appropriately. Cadvan continues her training, and one of my favorite scenes is when she uses her powers of transformation to turn a rock into a lion! It was so unexpected, it made me laugh. Later, she uses that power to get herself and Cadvan out of a desperate situation, but I won't tell you about that because that would be a spoiler. Anyway, this book is a fantastic adventure with a bit of romance. If you have a bad boy complex, you will love the Winterking. Check out The Naming and The Riddle today!

LINK: Here's my review of The Naming from a few weeks ago. And here's Marissa's review that started the whole thing!