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Summary: Absolutely top sci-fi and one of my top ten favorites
Review: Anne McCaffrey first wrote about Killashandra in a serialized short story. She expanded the story in Crystal Singer,which is the first of a trilogy of novels. Killashandra fails her final exam in music school and faces a life of second-billing as a choir soloist and not a top performer as she had dreamed. She will not settle for second place, and impetuously takes off with a mysterious companion for Ballybran, a forbidden planet with an alluring secret. Ballybran is the home of Crystal, which is mined and used for vital starship drives, interplanetary communications systems and most other types of equipment. It is controlled by the powerful and secretive Heptite Guild. Killashandra applies for membership and is accepted. She goes through the intensive schooling and special adaptation to become a Crystal Singer. But singing Crystal has not only its rewards (and they are many) but its heavy price. Killashandra learns about the price as she becomes a full-fledged member of the Heptite Guild and becomes involved with its enigmatic Guildmaster Lanzecki. This is one of those wonderful kinds of sci-fi novels that can create an entirely new world, complete with its slang, customs and characteristics. It's sci-fi at its best.
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Summary: Inspiring
Review: Great plot. Interesting characters. Not your typical sci fi or fantasy book - which puts it way up there on my list of favorite books of all time.
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Summary: Crystal Singer
Review: I absolutely LOVED this series. Anne McCaffrey creates worlds so real that by the end of the book I had a mind to book a passage to Ballybran myself. Having said that, Anne's one weakness is male character dialogue. If you're looking for strong male characterization, you'll probably want to look elsewhere. For powerful, determined female characters who hold their ground while still growing and developing, however, Ms. McCaffrey's books can't be beat. Killashandra Ree, the Crystal Singer referenced in the title, has got to be one of her strongest heroines yet.
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Summary: One of her best books for sure!
Review: I have read all Anne McCaffrey's books and this book, "Crystal Singer" is one of my favorites. I get so turned off by the predominately male oriented writing style of most of the good science fiction writers. I find Anne McCaffrey's writing style to be very refreshing and having a female main character is outstanding! I can really feel what Killashandra is feeling as I read the story, it almost comes alive in my mind the way the author breathes life into her characters. The male characters as well as the female characters are given equal roles in Anne McCaffrey's books and "Crystal Singer" is no exception!
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Summary: The book that started it all
Review: I was given this book by a friend during summer break from college. I was desperate for something to read, and even though I didn't think I liked science fiction, I decided to read it. Thus began a life long love of science fiction and more notably, Anne McCaffrey, possibly the greatest (and most prolific) writer on the planet. The universe she creates in Crystal Singer is like those in all her books... not a perfect place to live, but certainly a bright light for the future of mankind. And also like most Anne books, the main character is a strong, vibrant, woman who has overcome adversities and made a wonderful life for herself. And although the book is not overly scientific, she always has enough interesting scientific concepts to make it a fun read. If you've never read an Anne McCaffrey book, buy one and enter the world of Anne. You won't be sorry.
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Summary: Killashandra Ree (by stardustraven)
Review: Killashandra Ree, music student on the planet Fuerte, who after failing her final exams quits with her singing career (she simply won't be second rank!). A chance meeting with a crystal singer of the Heptite Guild of Ballybran, induces her to apply as a crystal singer. Killashandra's training and initiation into the Guild make for a riveting read. Ms. McCaffrey shows off her usual skill in world building, in defining the Crystal Guild and Ballybran. Killashandra's strong personality, resourcefulness, intelligence, musical training, her easy transition to the Ballybran spore and her affinity to the rare black crystal make her an asset to the Guild. Killashandra belongs to the most memorable of Anne McCaffrey's heroines. Right from the first page she became intensely alive for me (I really felt her disappointment and joys), as does her first great love the fascinating and enigmatic guild master Lanzecki. Beautifully Anne McCaffrey describes the singing of crystal itself. The idea of whole crystal ranges singing back at you was very poetic (see for instance the effect of singing black crystal on Killashandra). A wonderful first volume!
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Summary: The Lure of Crystal...
Review: My first encounter with Anne McCaffrey may very well be the best. "Crystal Singer" is an engrossing book, with a very headstrong and admirable female character. By the time her new direction in life is setup and put into motion, I was totally entranced with the book and simply could not put it down. The characters, both male and female, are well fleshed out, and her rise from a rejected opera student to a full fledged crystal singer is a fascinating journey to embark on. The premise for the book - singing and cutting crystal - is unusual and well presented. There is a definite otherworldly flavor to the book as it has a strong sci fi theme that does not assault the reader with too much techno babble, thus its an enjoyable book for the diehards and the casual alike. As the first of a trilogy, its delightful, but also stands alone well with its satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended, but with a word of warning, its nearly impossible to break away from the lure of crystal.
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Summary: I reread this trilogy every 10 years
Review: The Crystal Singer series is a must read for anyone who loves imagining what the distant future might bring. The author creates fantasy future worlds that are so very believable - I feel I have been to the places she describes. The additional treat is the characterizations - Anne McCaffery is a genius when it comes to creating strong characters with a variety of interesting traits. Put these two things together and you end up with the very best of storytelling. The only complaint I have is that there's not an unending supply of this series! One important note: I highly recommend that you read these books in order. (Crystal Singer, Killashanra, Crystal Line)
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Summary: One of Anne McCaffrey's best
Review: The Crystal Singer Trilogy is probably my favorite non-Pern adventure by Anne McCaffrey. I highly recommend it to readers of David Eddings, Mercedes Lackey and Guy Gavriel Kay, as well as Ms. McCaffrey's own fans.
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Summary: Great series, Sci Fic Romance.
Review: This is a different kind of sci fic series. Well written, interesting, but mostly, its a romance so if that is not what you want, most of Ms McCaffreys' books are not for you. However this is as good as this kind of story gets, and has several unique concepts. An interestiong story about losing what you thought you wanted only to find what you really love. All three books in the series are comparable.
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