Crystal Singer Trilogy

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Summary: THOUGHT PROVOKING SCIENCE FICTION
Review: ANNE HAS THIS WAY OF BRINGING THE MOST OUT OF A CHARATER. KILLISHANDRA REE IS THE MOST THAT THE UPWARD WOMAN OF THE 90'S WANTS TO BECOME. THE TRILOGY GIVES A PERSPECTIVE TO THE READER THAT IT IS OK TO STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE. THAT IS DEFINETLY NOT WHERE THE READER IS GOING. THE READER OF THIS TRILOGY WILL FIND THEMSELVES "THRALLED" BY THE EVER POWERFUL ANNE McCAFFERY. YOU WON'T LEAVE HOME UNTIL YOU'VE FINISHED!

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Summary: Will there ever be a sequel....?
Review: I have read these 3 books many times over a span of several years, and I still enjoy them thoroughly. Killashandra is a strong character and the Crystal League provide the Sci'Fi part, but I must admit that there is a very strong romance line to the plots, so be ready to be swept away by more than just a new and future "world". The stories are fun, the plot line thickens and the final solutions develop the stories in the most convincing terms. I want more... please Anne? Do some more on Killa!

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Summary: Pretty awful
Review: There's a lot wrong with Crystal Line. Anne McCaffrey would have done better to have left the Crystal Singer series at two books and not written this at all.
I enjoyed the first two books in this series despite Killashandra, not because of her. She's her usual unpleasant self in this book, only more so. But the problems in this book go far beyond an unsympathetic heroine.
The plot is disjointed. Killashandra and her lover/professional partner Lars travel to an alien planet in a brain&brawn ship to investigate "jewel junk" - a substance that may or may not be a life-form, and may or may not be intelligent. Having successfully completed that assignment, Killashandra and Lars return to Ballybran to resume their crystal-cutting career. It is here that the plot takes a ninety-degree turn. On Ballybran, tragedy strikes when Lanzecki, Guildmaster of the Heptite Guild, dies. Lars takes over the position - and Killashandra can't handle the change in circumstances. The lovers split, both personally and professionally. Killashandra goes off on her own, while Lars struggles to turn around the stuggling Guild. Eventually, they are reconciled - and then help with the "jewel junk" is requested from them once more. Tragedy in a couple of different forms strikes, and then everything is resolved happily. By this time it is clear than the "jewel junk" storyline, which took up so much space initially and promised a different kind of book, is nothing more than a deus ex machina device to manipulate a happy ending.
Characterisation is also a problem. The supposed depth of the supposed love between Killashandra and Lars does not shine through; and given how unpleasant Killashandra is, it's hard to believe that she cares for Lars, or that he could care about her at all. There's no real depth to any of the characters, and the "crises" that each of them face do not come across to the reader with the force with which they are meant to have struck the suffering characters. Then there's McCaffrey's usual propensity for cheap titillation.
McCaffrey seems to have been struck with a disease that is becoming more and more common amongst authors: the desire to control your imaginary world from beginning to end. All the problems of Killashandra, Lars, and the Heptite Guild and all its members are solved by the end of this book, or as good as - no room for more stories, everything closed off with a happy-ever-after ending. If she felt it absolutely necessary to close out this series, rather than leave it open-ended, she could have given us something better than this contrived, shallow effort.
Crystal Line is not up to the standard of The Crystal Singer and Killashandra. Read them instead, and remember how much better this series used to be.

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Summary: Exciting, provacative; I dare anyone to put it down.
Review: This book is beyond words. Read it over and over again and you will still find new things. The imagery is exqusite, and the feelings are overwhelming. In depth and full of details, this book is a must read for anyone who has ever dreamed of adventure, no matter the interest.

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Summary: What Oprah should have picked instead of Anna K.
Review: This is one of the best science fiction books i've read not just because of how realistic the characters are but because of the sexuality incorperated in this book. It's not the classic princess being chased by a knight but modern relationships built on lust and the need for companionship. Addmittedly, it is quite long but if you can get past the first 200 pages you'll love it. It took me about a week to get past 200 pages and then a day and night to finish it. The first book is the best while the second build on Killa's relationship with Lars. The last book doesn;t really continue the story but act more like an epilogue detailing Killa's loss of memory and the effects being a Crystal Singer has on her memory. It's quite sad at times but worth a read it you are in love with Killa as much as I am.

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Summary: A.M. does Sci-Fi/Romance novel, not bad if you like A.M.
Review: Your basic Anne McCaffrey 'young-troubled-yet- sensitive-girl' novel (think Menolly of the Harpers in a different setting), who runs away and discovers (big surprise) she has hidden talents and discovers an exciting life. What I found most interesting about this book was the culture of Crystal Singers and its guild. What I found least interesting was the obvious hystrionics and writing that got thin in places and the 'gushy romance-ness' (ie the hero sweeps her off her feet, big brawny shoulders, etc... Maybe if this were 2, instead of 3, books. I enjoy Ms McCafferys writing, but this is a bit more of a romance/sci-fantasy, I think younger readers might enjoy this, esp those of the female variety. Worth Reading, just don't expect a lot.