Rating: 
Summary: Very good take on an old theme
Review: I was most impressed by Berg's world building and detailing. Interesting version of the ever-popular dragon. Manages to handle emotional life and ethics without getting overly sappy. Hell of a female character, although the protagonist is male and the supporting cast is largely neuter (Literally). Worth the price of admission for anyone who's looking for something a little different from the usual sword-and-sorcery thud-and-blunder. Tad on the romancy side, though--you might just possibly guess the two leads will be in bed by the curtain. And what's wrong with a little schmaltz?
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing
Review: I'm not going to give the 411 on all the details that happened in the story. Katmax1 did an excellent job in that and if you have any questions, please refer to that review. What I do want to impart is that Berg is a fantastic writer with some of they most rounded and interesting characters I have read. The world she creates is vivid and remarkably realistic for a fantasy world. It is easy to fall into her books because of these reasons. Most of the reviews I read had one major complaint -- the ending. I won't give away what happened, but for those of you out there who are apprehensive about picking up this book simply because your afraid of being disappointed in the ending, please do not let these few discourage you. I, for one, GOT the ending. I think most readers are picturing themselves as the characters and are thinking about how they would handle the situation and what they would do in the characters situation. Whereas, the two main characters are not like normal people and they had very tramatic experiences in their lives that would effect how they would handle situations. I thought Berg chose to end the story well based on the characters. She stayed true to her art. Frankly, I can't wait to read what she comes up with next. ;-)
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC!
Review: I've NEVER in all my years read a book like Song of the Beast. I'd just finished the last of the Farseer books (Robin Hobb's Fool's Fate) and I was looking for something else to read. I got into a book called Through Wolf's Eyes, but was left at a cliffhanger, so I went onto the the next book Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart. What does this have to do with THIS book, you say? I'll get to the point. During that time I finally picked up "Song of the Beast" from the library. It was my intrest in suffering characters (FitzChivalry Farseer) that led me to this novel. From the very first time I was intrigued with the story line... A voiceless and emotionally as well as pysichally scarred Aidan MacAllister, beloved of the gods, finally let free from his horrendious prison, Mezadine, after 17 years, striving on a quest to find the truth behind his horrible imprisonment! One which stripped this valiant and beloved singer of his very heart...... Demon Huntress
Rating: 
Summary: 3.5 stars..
Review: If you are a fan of Berg's previous novels, you will enjoy this one. I have always been a fan of dragon-centric fantasy thanks to McCaffrey but this story gave dragons and their story a fresh twist. The main character in the story, Aiden,is easy to like and cheer for. Someone pointed out that he is similar to Seyonne in her other books and that is true in some ways but Aiden, the protagonist in this book is a gentler more innocent soul then Seyonne ever was. He has none of that character's hardness. Even in the midst of betrayal his essential nature never lets him give in to hate. Unfortunately, the dragons and Aiden are the best part of the story. Few of the secondary characters are as interesting. Infact, they are rather flatly drawn. Not that they don't have potential but clearly the writer didn't have the time to develop them in this stand-alone work. The Elhim,Sendai, and Udema remained mere sketches and never develop into the type of characters we saw in the first trilogy. Several characters that would have made excellent foils for Aiden-- like his cousin and King, Devlin, or Devlin's son, Donal, are never brought to their full potential. As for characters who are supposed to be significant friends and allies, the relationships are never developed to the extent that you actually believe the depth of that regard. Finally, Berg uses a lot of POV changes in this novel. The story is told primarily by Aiden but there are a few sections where other characters-- Narim, Donal, Lara-- tell the tale. Unfortunately, these bring little to the story. Her reason for using them--- to tell events Aiden could not have known, are obvious, but I found them to be annoying and distracting from the main story--except for possibly Donal's brief interlude. Though I think Berg does well writing in the first person, I would rather this book had been in 3rd person omni rather than she use the pov switch device. Over all I recommend this book. I am fairly confident you will enjoy it despite the drawbacks I have mentioned.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: If you are looking for a book that has bold, richly drawn characters, and that doesn't shy away from strong emotional content and as well as action, you've found the right book. Carol Berg always chooses an atypical protagonists: older, wiser, "tortured souls" (literally and figuratively) who wrestle with their consciences more often than they wrestle with your usual fantasy "bad guys." This book is no exception. I have found that a refreshing change from the usual fantasy heros or heroines, who normally start out young and naive and eventually grow into their worldlyness. The main characater here is already worldy and in many ways experienced beyond his years, and his growth as a person deals not with "growing up" but rather with greater themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and self understanding. Aidan doesn't need to wield a sword, command an army, or call down magic in order to show his strength and power. He is instead quiet, contemplative, gentle and solumn. Yet his talent is awe-inspiring, and his gift frighteningly grand, and it is the way he unwittingly changes everything he comes in contact with that shows off his supernatural skill and inhuman ability. While we hear about the deeds of kings and princes, it is the musician who carries the true power in this world, and the one whose story commands the reader's attention. There is mystery here, and action, unexpected humor, and even a little bit of romance. This is obviously going to be the first of anoother series, because the ending, while satisfying, still leaves questions unanswered. If you like a book that deals with big themes, such as social inequality, the nature of the divine, greed, fear, revenge and the complexities of human nature, than Carol Berg is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Carol Berg has done it again!
Review: If you loved Carol Berg's Transformation, Revelation, Restoration trilogy, you've got to read Song of the Beast. And if you haven't read her trilogy ... go buy all four books right now! You're missing a terrific writer! Berg's characters are richly drawn, fully dimensional characters. Her writing draws you into their lives and makes you feel their every emotion. Song of the Beast is a book you can't put down, but you don't want to rush through it, because every word is a treasure. Read this book!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Read!!
Review: Like her other series, Transformation, Revelation, and Restoration, you will not be able to put this book down. It is one of those "stay up all night" type of books. Aidan MacAllister is born with the gift of music that transcends beyond understanding. As a young man, he discovers his ability to communicate with dragons (which is written in such a clever way here). But before he is able to understand his gift, he is wrongly imprisoned by his cousin, King Devlin. There Aidan remains, brutally tortured for 17 years, his jailor purposely mangling his hands. Aidan is freed but still hunted. Without giving out more of the plot, I will just say that you will read about a man who rediscovers his gift of communicating with dragons, the people who help him, and all the conflict that follow. What makes this story so unique is the author's ability to make a story involving dragons and overcoming hardship so refreshing from the other books out there. Once you start reading the first page, you will see what I mean. It's a story you will not be able to put down.
Rating:
Summary: Ho-hum
Review: Never having read Carol Berg before, I don't know how representative of her work Song of the Beast is, and I'm not at all tempted to find out. While the concept was interesting, the execution seemed flat. Aidan was a genius bard who (when in communication with his "god" -- a dragon) is moved to heights of rapture that he expresses in impromptu songs (that happen to have complete and perfect melodies and lyrics) and for reasons unknown to him was imprisoned and forced into silence. After going nearly halfway through the book with Aidan's POV, Berg starts jumping POVs and uses infodumps (starting from the character's childhood) to show the reader where the characters (Lara and what's his name, the prince) are coming from up to the story to date. The prince's POV is shown only once, merely to explain how he's saved and his presence at the very end, which stuck me as lazy storytelling. The world didn't really come alive for me. The twist in the ending was interesting, but once I know the twist, then what? While there were some lyrical passages in the book (mostly when Aidan was singing), no scene moved me enough to inspire a re-read, if only of that one scene. On the other hand, I did finish the book, so that says something. Readable enough, but not a pageturner; it just didn't grab my attention and not let go. But I do wish I'd read it when I still had access to a used bookstore so that I could have traded it in. Bottomline: Not a keeper
Rating: 
Summary: Can't put it down.
Review: Once again, as with her previous novels, Carol Berg has written a novel that has kept me past my bedtime. When you start reading it's difficult to put down. This book has similar elements to book 1 of the books of the Rai Kirah. It tells the story of Aidan, his betrayal by his cousin and his revelation about this betrayal. Using first person narration, she draws you into the world of her characters, seeing what they see, thinking what they think, and doing what they do. It's very effective in immersing you into the book.
Rating:
Summary: colorful epic fantasy
Review: The world has never known a musician as powerful as Aidan MacAllister, a man whose voice can make grown men weep. He is the cousin of the king of Elyria a powerful ruler who has conquered many nations and made it part of his empire. He couldn't have done it without the help of the Ridemark clan who control the bloodstones that make the dragons obey them and turn them into a fierce fighting machine. Aidan is not interested in wars only music and travels the world giving his songs to who ever wants to listen. At twenty-one the king ordered Aidan thrown into the hellacious prison of Mazadine where he was tortured until he broke. He stayed there for seventeen years and when he was released, he found out the reason for his imprisonment was that he disturbed the dragons. The long-lived, gender neutral race of the Elhim look upon him as their savior because only he can free the dragons in thrall to humans and right a wrong the Elhim committed against these glorious creatures. Aidan will do his best to succeed on his quest but there are many obstacles in his path, many of them deadly. Fans of "THE DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN" series by Anne McCaffrey will love this novel and will care more for the dragons than they do for any other character except Aidan, a man wounded in body and spirit. Carol Berg has written a brilliant and colorful epic fantasy placed in a world that is highly creative and imaginative. Although this is a stand-alone book, this reviewer hopes that there will be more tales written about this wondrous world. Harriet Klausner
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