Even though I read the synopsis of these books, I only purchased them because I had read and enjoyed most of the Pern books, therefore, it was a delight to find myself enjoying these equally as much.
The first book in this series has a similar tone to the Pern book that introduced Menolly, and the main character, Killashandra, has similar traits making her an instantly likeable and memorable character.
There is a charm about the first two novels which derives from the slightly naive and simplistic manner in which the events are related to the reader, they also come across as being a bit tongue in cheek at times, which coupled with wonderfully written main characters with sparkling personalities, makes them a must read.
In the third novel, Killashandra has been a Crystal Singer for long enough that she is now suffering from the effects the Crystals have on a Singer's memory as well as the emotional and psychological problems this can bring, and as such these themes form a major thread in this novel, which together with the wonderful characters and an interesting plot, make it a captivating read, with an unexpectedly tense and emotionally charged ending.
These are a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable read, with interesting and likeable characters together with a sense of mystery and suspense that surrounds what a Crystal singer is, which is defly handled, with information gradually unfolding throughout the story in a natural and fascinating manner.
Killashandra thought her world had ended when she was told she would never become a concert singer. And then she met the stranger from off-world...
He said he was a Crystal Singer - one of the unique ones of the Galaxy - and when Killashandra tried to find out what a Crystal Singer was the answers were vague and obscure. All she could discover was that they were special people, shrouded in mystery, and danger, and beauty - and something altogether incomprehensible.
It was then that she decided that she too must try and become a Crystal Singer...
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
2nd June 2022Retail Cost
£9.99Number of Pages
375Year Read
2023She was one of the Crystal Singers, the élite, mysterious ones, who cut the crystals from the planet Ballybran - precious glittering crystals without which the universe could not function.
Sent to the planet of Optheria to repair the famous crystal organ, she was - at first - accorded all the honour and pomp due to her rank. Then her life became threatened and she found herself isolated at the very heart of the planet, knowing that she alone had the power to confront and destroy the evil that had permeated the world of Optheria.
Would she be able to find the strength she needed?
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
2nd July 2022Retail Price
£15.99Number of Pages
385Year Read
2023Killashandra was the most gifted Crystal Singer on Ballybran. With her partner, Lars Dahl, she held the record for cutting the terrible, fascinating, and infinitely rare black crystals - crystals that could destroy the brain of a Singer if they were not properly controlled. Killashandra and Lars Dahl together were an invincible pair.
So when, on the distant planet of Opal, a new, beautiful, unfathomable manifestation was discovered, Lars and Killashandra were the team asked to explore the 'Jewel Junk'. All those who had previously encountered it had died. Only the Crystal Singers, with the immune system of Ballybran in their blood, were thought to stand a chance of survival.
The 'Jewel Junk' was brilliant and mysterious, and became even more so when fed with some of Ballybran's precious crystals. But it was to be twenty-five years before the planet Opal released one of its secrets - a secret that was to prove the salvation of Ballybran and the Crystal Singers.
Format
Kindle EditionDate Acquired
2nd July 2022Retail Price
£8.99Number of Pages
309Year Read
2023