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Title: Song of the Beast by Carol Berg ISBN: 0-451-45923-7 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: 06 May, 2003 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.12 (17 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Engrossing
Comment: 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: 3
Summary: Until the last 50 so pages...GREAT!
Comment: Wow, loved it! until....
I have read the first of Carol Berg's other series (Transformation) and really enjoyed it. Song of the Beast sang to me one day and I picked it up to read. Loved it. Love the characters. Loved the new races, especially the Elhim ( still wanted to know a great deal more about them.) Liked the story, Aiden's imprisonment, his dealings with trying to get back some sort of life, and all. I was into the story completely. I stayed up late to finish it and then...WHAM! What the heck was that ending all about?? I mean, the ending for the main story was obivous, but the getting there was the fun part, so no problem. The story between Aiden and Lara...ummm, SOME sort of resolution would have been appreciated. That was one weird romance...neither one doing a thing about it. The relationship isn't strong enough (IMHO) for a sequel, but just to leave it hanging that way....ARGGGGG. And then Narim. No, I don't think I can forgive that. There was no warning, no idea...just a twist for the sake of it? Naww. The reader has opportunity to see what Narim is thinking and never once did that come through...then wham!! I felt cheated. Dropped a 4 to 5 star book to a 3 on that point alone.
Now, having just slammed the book, I did really enjoy it enough to write a review and the first 2/3rds was GREAT!. I'll certainly read more by Carol Berg...with the hope that she won't have to meet a deadline and will finish a story properly next time.
Rating: 3
Summary: Interesting World...Average Execution
Comment: This is the first book, I've read by Carol Berg so I won't be comparing "Song of the Beast" to any of her earlier works. That having been said, here's the things I liked and didn't like about the book.
First, the world she creates with Dragons and different races was very interesting. Dragons are the ultimate tools of war in this book, but you learn that there is more to them than it initially appears (this is hinted at right from the beginning of the book). I liked that there were different races with general characteristics common to all members (like most stereotypes, they're true some but not necessarily all of the time).
Second, Ms. Berg uses different perspectives for sections of the book. Its sometimes very interesting to see a scene or character from another's perspective. The technique is definitely not overused as about 90% of the book is from Aidan's perspective (Aidan is the main character).
Third, I like that Ms. Berg gradually reveals details about the world, the plot (why was Aidan imprisoned for so many years) and the nature of Aidan's talents.
There were a few things that I didn't really like about the book.
First, and this relates to the story that I enjoy reading, Aidan is pretty weak for most of the story. If its not clear from other reviews Aidan has an amazing gift for music. When he sings and plays, he moves people to experience his songs. For no reason (as far as he knows), he's imprisoned and tortured for 17 years. The story begins when he's released from prison. For most of the book, he's weak and somewhat broken from his imprisonment. Now this is completely understandable, but I tend to like my heroes a bit more heroic. In fact, it is only when I saw Aidan through the other character's perspectives that I began to appreciate him more.
Secondly, Ms. Berg was almost a little to ambitious with the world she creates. Some of the races seem a little undeveloped. I was left feeling like I didn't really have a grasp on some of the races and political groups that were introduced.
Overall, the book was good, but not phenomenal. I would be willing to read some of Carol Berg's earlier works to see what she can do when spreading a story over 3 books. I suspect that some of my frustration with lack of development would be addressed.
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Title: Restoration by Carol Berg ISBN: 0451458907 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: 06 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Revelation by Carol Berg ISBN: 0451458427 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: 08 August, 2001 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Transformation by Carol Berg ISBN: 0451457951 Publisher: Roc Pub. Date: 08 August, 2000 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Hidden Warrior (Tamir Trilogy, Book 2) by Lynn Flewelling ISBN: 0553583425 Publisher: Bantam Pub. Date: 01 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Devlin's Honor (Sword of Change, Book 2) by Patricia Bray ISBN: 0553584766 Publisher: Bantam Pub. Date: 03 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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