The Singer of All Songs: Book One in the Chanters of Tremaris Trilogy [Paperback]

Well, I don't usually read fantasy, but this was really, really good, and I don't regret reading it. When I saw the book, I made an exception because I skimmed through it beforehand, and it looked easy to read. And it was! It wasn't boring, dull or hard to read... like how I find some fantasy books (though those are mainly adult ones).

I loved the characters, and their descriptions were excellent. Everything was well described, and I could actually see in my mind what was happening as I read it.

I don't usually say 'wow' after I read a book, but after 'The Singer of All Songs', I did! I couldn't put the book down. I recommend this series to anyone who likes Tamora Pierce, Marion Zimmer Bradley, or just fantasy books in general. I'm dying for book 2 to come out. Kate, come out with it soon!!!

When a young man, Darrow, is found on her side of the wall, she takes care of him. Poorly injured, he fears someone who he claims will come after him. Sure enough, this person does, and Calwyn and Darrow flee. They travel to different countries in an attempt to keep from their pursuer, Samis. In going to the different countries they begin to learn their different songs and make new friends.

This story was good and pleasant, but I don't think it was worth paying $17 for the hardback edition. It is much better to buy as a paperback, for it will probably become a fairly good series. However, I thought it was too short and a bit simple. But it was full of fantasy and had a likeable heroine, as well as a likeable hero, and the premise is fairly original.

"Singer of All Songs" is a wonderful introduction to the fantasy genre (though I would not go so far as to say it's on a par with the Golden Compass). I especially love Constable's emphasis on music in the world of magic, as they're something I've often felt go hand in hand. Hardcore fantasy readers may find that some of the elements are overused (which is difficult to avoid in fantasy), though it's still an entertaining read.

My main complaint is that, as the book progresses, there seems to be a lack of development as far as the laws of the magic go. I began to feel as if pretty much anything were possible, which is a nice idea until one realizes that there can be no real challenges for the characters to overcome if they can do everything. The magic in the story is not consistent with what the author wants us to believe. For instance, in the beginning we are lead to believe that learning the different chants and magical modes is something extremely difficult and rare. Yet, Calwyn runs into so many master enchanters completely at random, and then herself learns so many modes in a matter of days and with little effort, that one begins to doubt that there is any difficulty to learning the chantments at all. In a nutshell, Constable is a little to impressed and self-indulgent with her characters to fully satisfy those readers who look particularly close at the story and are not satisfied with being only partially convinced (me).

That being said, I feel I should point out that the above is a magnified close-up of my critical opinion, and the book is by no means lacking merit. It kept my interest the entire way through, the descriptions were good, and it was overall an enjoyable book. And I would certainly be interested in reading the next book in the trilogy... when will it be published?!