Rating: 
Summary: Typical McKillip - beautifully written and engrossing
Review: Rook is a classically trained Bard with a mysterious childhood. He has nightmares of fire and an odd connection to ravens. He spends most of his life avoiding looking for himself until a catastrophic event forces him to face his identity. What follows is an interesting mix of revolution, opera and family dynamics.The book focusses intently on character, which McKillip writes quite well. Again, the blessed absence of sappy lovestory, there is romance but only in passing and the women are strong and intelligent.
Rating:
Summary: Typical McKillip - beautifully written and engrossing
Review: Rook is a classically trained Bard with a mysterious childhood. He has nightmares of fire and an odd connection to ravens. He spends most of his life avoiding looking for himself until a catastrophic event forces him to face his identity. What follows is an interesting mix of revolution, opera and family dynamics. The book focusses intently on character, which McKillip writes quite well. Again, the blessed absence of sappy lovestory, there is romance but only in passing and the women are strong and intelligent.
Rating: 
Summary: Started and finished reading on the day I got it
Review: Song for the Basilisk may not be Patricia McKillip's best work, but nothing in this story let me down. I was drawn into the world she created from the first word. Her thrifty use of imagery always takes me by surprise, and this world was full of music all its own. I admit that I was surprised by the ending. While I was pleased to be surprised, some of the characters lacked depth, as if McKillip did not really know what to expect from the characters or she wasn't sure who the hero should be. Of course, I will be waiting for the next McKillip book! I liked this one but not as much as The Sorceress and the Cygnet or The Cygnet and the Firebird, which remain my favorites.
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Summary: Another Masterpiece
Review: The characters are great, the plot excellent, and, as always, the writing superb. Much is left unexplained which allows the story to retain a sense of mystery and magic. As usual, the prose itself is enough to make the book worth reading, but the rest of the story, including plot, scenery, and characters are all top notch. Like all McKillip stories, one I recommend all of the time.
Rating: 
Summary: Fine, not Great
Review: The cover was gorgeous, such lovely eye candy from all 360 degrees. I really wanted to like the book, but I just couldn't swallow all the richly detailed texts and situations. Just like the cover, this book is way too detailed and tedious. Maybe next time.
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Summary: Lovely, but Lyrical?
Review: Thirty-seven years ago, the Pelloir House of the Basilisk wiped out the Trevalyn House of the Griffin - all except for the heir to the house. Now, having finally come to grips with himself, Rook Caladrius (nee Griffin Tormalyne) sets out from the Bard's Island of Luly to confront his past. Involving intrigue, adventure, and a gripping set of characters, Song for the Basilisk is an excellent read, whether you've read McKillip before or are a long-time fan. Alas, there are a few drawbacks to the book. McKillip's intention, as the title suggests, is an exploration of music upon the world. However, McKillip falls short of her mark, often wandering off to explore fabrics, color, art and language over the effect of tone and harmony. On the positive side, however, "Song for the Basilisk" is one of McKillip's few novels that does *not* include a completely incomprehensible ending (no "opening the mouth and speaking leaves" or some such interesting but utterly confusing image) - making this book an excellent introduction for the first time McKillip reader. Recommended for everyone, particularly lovers of McKillip's other works, those who enjoy Robin McKinley's style, and those searching for political fantasy.
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Summary: Wow!
Review: This is a splendid book. It is very magical. I can't recommend it highly enough. It has just gone on my Favorite Books shelf (alongside Ursula Le Guin's "Earthsea" trilogy, Robin McKinley's "Beauty," Terry Windling's "The Wood Wife" and Angela Carter's "The Bloody Chamber") -- Ms. McKillip is probably the very best fantasist of our generation. If you like great writing, don't miss this one. A classic. Thank you, Ms.McKillip, for putting such wonderful imagery into my dreams.
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Summary: This delicious book is an exquisite feast of words.
Review: This is the first book I have read by McKillip, and I was blown away. Using such simple words and metaphors, McKillip trounces all over the volumes of such fantasy and science fiction authors as McCaffrey, writers who seem to be allergic to grace and style! The book draws one in, as to an exotic Turkish bath, and leaves one feeling refreshed and cleansed. Some may find themselves drowning in the prose, but those who appreciate excellent writing will delight. Altho McKillip does not concentrate on characterization, the theme, settings, and elegant style more than compensate for this lack.
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Summary: Another tapestry of words from a world-class author
Review: Well, she's done it again; Patricia McKillip has entranced me once more. Reading her works--most recently, The Basilisk--is like reading a tapestry of words. The pictures she paints in your mind are unparalleled in their vivid, startling beauty. I constantly catch myself reading a metaphor and saying to myself, "I should have thought of that!" but, of course, I didn't! I'm ravenous for more, but while I wait I'm sure Song For the Basilisk will tide me over...several times over...:-)
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but vague
Review: When McKillip's at her best, she's pure magic. This book is not one of her best, but still holds enough of her quirky mysticism to capture a fan's attention. The basic plot will be familiar to McKillip fans: Rook Caladrius puzzles over the secret of his true identity while making astonishing music-- much like Morgon in her masterpiece "The Riddlemaster of Hed," with some echoes from her one space opera, "Fool's Run." Unfortunately, the reader knows the solution to Rook's identity crisis before he even starts looking, so the quest lacks suspense. However, when a troop of musicians must write and perform an opera for a king they hate, McKillip gets a lot of fun out of playing with the twisted relationships between art and life, truth and fiction. For that alone, the book was worth reading.
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