Crystal Singer

The world-building, main character, and narrative all form an enjoyable, easy to inhabit reality. I read this years ago and found it as engaging upon rereading it this time. I look forward to continuing the journey in the second book.

I loved this book when I first read it years ago and I loved it just as much this time around. I went through quite a McCaffrey stage when I was younger, reading all her dragon books, and then I happened across Crystal Singer and I was so glad I did.Killashandra Ree trained for ten years to be a top-ranked concert singer on the planet Fuerte and then wasn't accepted because of a minor burr in her voice. Her perfect pitch and eidetic memory didn't help her there. But then she hears about the Heptite Guild of the planet Ballybran, and despite many warnings, she is intrigued by what she hears about Crystal Singers on that planet.This first book in the trilogy takes Killashandra to Ballybran, through many adventures and leaves me ready to re-read the second book in the trilogy right away Killashandra.

MY RATING SYSTEM5 stars--WOW4 stars--would read again3 stars--was good, won't read again2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it1 star--didn't finish, it was so awfulDo I need to read books before this one: noCliffhanger: noSUMMARY“Did he fill your mind with garbage about mountains returning symphonies of sound? Crystalline choruses? Valleys that echo arpeggios?” “No. Nor did he feed me pap that all I needed was hard work and time.”Killashandra has been training as a performing artist for ten years when a jury tells her she'll never be a top soloist because of a burr in her voice. She leaves the school, finds herself in the space port, and identifies a crystal problem in an approaching ship at the same time Carrik, a member of the Heptite Guild, does. He invites her to spend time enjoying life with him, and since she's not doing "ought to" right now, she agrees. He has a lot of money, and they have fun. When they go back to the port--he to go home, she to figure life out--they hear another ship that doesn't obey getting away, and the explosion damages Carrik's mind. She escorts him home to Ballybran and there begins the process to become a member of the Guild, hopefully a Singer. If it doesn't kill her.EVALUATIONTold entirely from Killashandra's point of view, this story introduces the Heptite Guild business, its people, its planet, and its reputation to Killa at the same time as to us, and she asks our questions. Sometimes I got a little lost in the music or the science (especially weather), but it's not critical to understand a page about re-tuning crystals to love the story.I'm sure the author didn't intend to write more about Killa because the story finishes well with few loose ends. I'm guessing readers clamored for more because it is so entertaining, well written, and because Killa--stubborn, talented, smart, arrogant, and an introvert--is a strong character. I'm introducing it to my 16yo in 2021, hopeful she'll continue the series with me even though it was written in the dark ages.RECOMMENDATIONEveryone who likes softer sci-fi, who likes music careers, who likes romance.FAVORITE QUOTESAt that moment it did not occur to her that she was suffering an intense, traumatic shock or that she was reacting to that shock—first, in a somewhat immature fashion by her abrupt withdrawal from the center; second, in a more mature manner, as she divorced herself from the indulgence of self-pity and began a positive search for an alternate life.A restriction is only restricting because you know it exists.The sense of isolation, of total solitude and utter privacy, pleased her as much as the odors on the wind and the roughness of the dirt in her hand.POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)Sex: kisses, 1 phrase of petting, 1 metaphor to orgasm from crystals; all sex is entirely skipped, though it happens with multiple peopleLanguage: 0 F words, 0 Lord's name in vain, 2 S wordsViolence: miners defending claims, but no harm effectedCRITIQUE (SPOILERS)What happens to Carrik? She never follows up.

These aren’t literature, but as an early sci-fi feminist icon you have to give props to Killashandra Ree. Couldn’t be a headlining singer? She refused to accept a career teaching or performing at hospitals. She opted to go into the niche field of crystal singing, one that is physically and mentally challenging and financially rewarding. Took lovers for fun, and not necessarily monogamously. Had a moment of regret she couldn’t have children, but didn’t let it define her or slow her down. The treatment of memory loss as a professional hazard was interesting. They’re not perfect - like why wasn’t she willing to take the role of guildmaster, and why was she so blase about Lars attacking and kidnapping her? I still consider them a comfort read, after all of these years.

I've read this series so many times through the years that I wore out the original copy of this book. While female leads may be more common in current science fiction, they were not when this was written. These stories are timeless: Anne Mccaffrey's writing brings this and other books vividly to life. She is one of my favorite authors..

This book combines the three books in the SF Crystal Singer series, The Crystal Singer, Killashandra, and Crystal Line in one volume. I bought this for my wife, since she has read her original copy of The Crystal Singer until it's falling apart, and she couldn't find the other two books any more.For those who haven't read the books, it's an interesting take on McCaffrey's look at the way music could influence people's lives. In this case, Killashandra Ree is a highly trained singer with few prospects, so she joins a mysterious Guild that offers everything she wants except an explanation of what she will be doing. Turns out that her voice aids her in mining one of the most valuable crystals known to man, but in the process, it drives many insane and invariably damages the memory of all others, if they leave the planet. And that's just book one. As always with McCaffrey, there is a romance, an interesting new world, and likable characters.If you don't care for the dragons, but you want to experience McCaffrey's comfortable, enjoyable stories, this may be the series for you (of course, it's great for those who've read all the Pern books and want more). In this case, it's a handy 3 in 1 package.

I've had the paperback for ages. Well worn now, but wanted this series for my Kindle. I love this story so much, next to the Dragon Riders of Pern. Absolute favorite.

I don't remember the first time I read this book. I know I am on my third copy of the paper back and now I have it as an eBook. This and the two that follow form a unique set of people in a unique world. Anne Mccaffrey is a wonderful story teller that develops characters that you care about. I just reread the first book of the three for the umpteenth time. I am sure to reread it several more time in the years to come.

I first read the Crystal Singer series 30 off years ago & thoroughly enjoyed the books. I picked them up again in Kindle & wondered if I would be disappointed, if I would find that books I had read at a younger age were only good in my memory & that they would fail to live up to it. I need not have worried. The books are well written, the stories are inventive & the characters as enthralling as I remembered. At an older age it has also occurred to me that Anne McCaffrey wrote some wonderful female protagonists & (although less so in the Crystal Singer series) was open to diverse sexual preferences. Still great books which you can read again & again.

This about the 10th time I’ve read Crystal Singer and about the amazing Kilishandra Ree. Her story of becoming a Crystal Singer is one of Anne McCafferey’s best. I can’t recommend this book or the trilogy enough.Do yourself a favour and give it a read, you won’t be disappointed!

Read it before in paperback but thoroughly enjoyed it in kindle format.Highly recommended

I've owned a paperback version of this book, and copies of its sequels Kilashandra and Crystal Line-for many years and have re-read them several times, so they're getting scruffy. It has taken many years, but the Kindle versions of these and many other books by the author, have finally come down to a terrific price which I could not ignore! As with The Ship Who Sang, Anne McCaffrey took inspiration from an issue in her own life, when she was unable to continue with her hope of being a top opera singer, to create an immensely interesting and enjoyable world and universe where the single mindedness of 'prima donna' types (male and female) are valued and respected, while their personality flaws still exist. Recommended.

I love this writer, and I love this series. I own paper copies of all three of these books, but somehow forgot to bring the middle one on a trip. Clearly I couldn't just jump from Book 1 to Book 3, so I bought this. Great deal for a great trilogy.