Rating: 
Summary: A vivid, bittersweet dream ... but of what?
Review: The Innkeeper's Song is a one-volume fantasy for mature readers that is by turns (or even simultaneously) lyrical and maddening. Lyrical because much of its language is, in contemporary fantasy, on par with only Patricia McKillip and Guy Gavriel Kay. Maddening because--despite the full-throttle beginning, intricately woven characters and a world made wondrous without a map or long descriptions but simply by names and prosaic brushstrokes--the promise of the beginning and middle absolutely fizzles to a all-but-incomprehensible anti-climax in which none of the characters' skills, virtues or flaws seem to matter. It's the equivalent of dreaming oneself into a world of rich and dread beauty, flying over that world so freely as to go beyond dreaming entirely ... and then being slapped awake to find oneself flailing at the air and wondering, "What might have been ..." Sigh. The tale concerns three women who arrive at an inn in the course of their quest to protect their ancient magician-friend from a renegade apprentice so that he might die in peace and not rise as a tormented ghost. The three are a warrior-nun who has escaped her convent; a legendary thief-sailor-swordsman; and a village girl whom the thief raised from a drowning death with the magician's ring. Added to these memorable figures are the earnest stable-boy; the gruff innkeeper; the nun's companion (a fox); and the stubborn boy who was betrothed to the village girl and follows her in the hope of reclaiming their lost love. Each chapter proceeds from the first-person viewpoint of a different character (central or not), which works well overall but sometimes proves tiresome, especially when the author chooses (or is forced to) use a minor character as the "camera" for a particular scene or plot development or when the character's "voice" is confusing or not quite right. However, the chapters told by the thief are particularly well done; and she emerges as one of the most admirable, engaging characters in contemporary fantasy. (One actually wishes for more tales of Lal, Sailor Lal, Swordcane Lal, Lal-after-dark.) Recommended as a library loan for dedicated fantasy buffs, fans of Kay or McKillip, or those looking for something completely different.
Rating:
Summary: A vivid, bittersweet dream ... but of what?
Review: The Innkeeper's Song is a one-volume fantasy for mature readers that is by turns (or even simultaneously) lyrical and maddening. Lyrical because much of its language is, in contemporary fantasy, on par with only Patricia McKillip and Guy Gavriel Kay. Maddening because--despite the full-throttle beginning, intricately woven characters and a world made wondrous without a map or long descriptions but simply by names and prosaic brushstrokes--the promise of the beginning and middle absolutely fizzles to a all-but-incomprehensible anti-climax in which none of the characters' skills, virtues or flaws seem to matter. It's the equivalent of dreaming oneself into a world of rich and dread beauty, flying over that world so freely as to go beyond dreaming entirely ... and then being slapped awake to find oneself flailing at the air and wondering, "What might have been ..." Sigh. The tale concerns three women who arrive at an inn in the course of their quest to protect their ancient magician-friend from a renegade apprentice so that he might die in peace and not rise as a tormented ghost. The three are a warrior-nun who has escaped her convent; a legendary thief-sailor-swordsman; and a village girl whom the thief raised from a drowning death with the magician's ring. Added to these memorable figures are the earnest stable-boy; the gruff innkeeper; the nun's companion (a fox); and the stubborn boy who was betrothed to the village girl and follows her in the hope of reclaiming their lost love. Each chapter proceeds from the first-person viewpoint of a different character (central or not), which works well overall but sometimes proves tiresome, especially when the author chooses (or is forced to) use a minor character as the "camera" for a particular scene or plot development or when the character's "voice" is confusing or not quite right. However, the chapters told by the thief are particularly well done; and she emerges as one of the most admirable, engaging characters in contemporary fantasy. (One actually wishes for more tales of Lal, Sailor Lal, Swordcane Lal, Lal-after-dark.) Recommended as a library loan for dedicated fantasy buffs, fans of Kay or McKillip, or those looking for something completely different.
Rating: 
Summary: Not all that much to say.
Review: There really isn't. This book just plain didn't grab me. The characters didn't interest me, and most of the plot twists came out of nowhere. In every review I read I hear people exclaiming over the inclusion of multiple first-person viewpoints, and I can't imagine why it's so fascinating. You can get the same effect from a Babysitters Club "super special." Stated simply, I just thought this book was dull and nowhere near the quality of Beagle's other works, both earlier and later.
Rating: 
Summary: opened book,feel in love
Review: this is a truly wonderful story. The people are faye and misty,the story enchanting. I loved the fox,he is a fox,a wizard and something even he doesn't know he is. I couldn't wait to see how it ended,but I couldn't bear to have it end ,LOVED IT!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: One for real-story lovers
Review: This is my favorite book by Beagle. It creates a perfect world of its own, with real characters and some very strange and disturbing things in it. I could spend years reading it and always finding some new things in it. The only annoying thing about it is the fact that it ends somewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Nor so good, neither so bad
Review: Unfortunately I agree with most of Ariod's comments about the novel (below). Still it is quite well written and much better than most of nowadays fantasy (which means almost nothing). There are some nice and new ideas (for example the great fox character!) but there is no magic in this book you could expect from the author of "The Last Unicorn".
Rating:
Summary: One of a kind
Review: Unlike some of todays fantasy, Innkeeper's Song is extremely original. The characters were so interesting. There was so much you wanted to know and their was multiple sub-plots. Every chapter was told by a different person--and a few told by a fox. I found that very original and kept my attention going. It was better than a first person perspective told by a single character throughout the book. Read this book!
Rating:
Summary: A master piece......A definitive fantasy
Review: When I read The Innkeepers Song I was enchanted. It is a beautifully lyrical piece full of warmth and kindness and reality. You are not sucked into a typical fantasy world where the "hero" must save the universe by reciting a magical incantation and waving a sword about. You are also not subjected to the idiocy of a innocent male hero who is simply confused and doesn't want any of the burden of saving the world. Rosseth has a completely new twist on this boring character and was a joy to read about. Subtlety was exquisite and it portrayed the truth in any world, ours or theirs. This is a true piece of artwork and defines the fantasy genre (or an ideal fantasy genre) to a T. Enjoy.........
Rating:
Summary: What a mess...
Review: Where to begin? The gimmick of each chapter being told by a different narrator is just that- a gimmick... The motivation for each character is *extremely* weak, and each person is steeped in fantasy-cliche:... the Gruff no-nonsense borderline abusive Innkeeper, the homely stableboy (stand in for 13 year old adolescent boys), who DOES get ALL the girls and a guy in bed, the assasins- mysterious and dangerous (yawn), who talk in a strange accent (natch), cliche upon cliche and all of it mishandled and written poorly. The characters (amazingly enough for a FIRST person narrative) are inscrutable and unreadable, you will have no real idea of what they were doing and why... Mr. Beagle boldly attempts to write in a literate fashion using the occasional oxymoronic passage or unusual and quick description, but these few successes add up to nothing on the score of "dramatic work." All of this adds up to a story I could never get in to- Beagle tried too hard to be a "writer," and in my opinion he fails at it completely here, missing out on what a fantasy writer should be doing: entertaining...
Rating:
Summary: should have been better, but worth your time
Review: You're safe in assuming that, when you pick up a Peter Beagle book, you're in for some astonishingly beautiful prose and well-crafted characters. OK, this book doesn't disappoint in THOSE departments (tho' while some of the main characters aren't too fascinating--Rosseth, Arshadin, Tikat, Marinesha and the old wizard are fairly standard--Lal, Soukyan/Nyateneri, and the Fox are yummy), it's rather short on plot. I mean, the build-up was really great, but when it comes to the resolution of the conflict...it just sort of fizzles. Still, it's definately worth reading for the sake of the characters, the language. Also, Beagle proves himself quite adept at molding a world that's believable, eerily familiar, and then at the same time tantalizingly alien. Side note to those who have read it--feed back please. Is the character of the "old wizard" a tongue-in-cheek nod to Schmendrick the Magician from "The Last Unicorn" (greatest fantasy novel of all time!) or what? Both were apprenticed to a great wizard named Nikos...both have green eyes...Lal or Nyateneri (I forget which) refer to a secret amusement in his mannerisms...the old wizard tells Tikat he once traveled with a woman for many years, and then she died...Molly Grue? Obviously they're not the same person, since they live in different "worlds"...but do you get the feeling that one is sort of a tribute to the other, too? (I must say, however, the old wizard has nothing on Schmendrick.) Just felt like I'd throw that in. I don't know.
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