Customer Reviews

Song Of The Beast

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I loved this book it takes you to the place where Adian is and you see the world threw his eyes and you feel his pain. Its amazing when you read the things that happen to him and you see how things could be different if only this man didn't get him locked in the prison for almost all is life. well he gets freed after being in prison for seventeen years, he doesn't know what to expect from the world, he some how gets tangled in the same thing that got him locked up in the first place: Dragons.

In the way things turn out your not surprised by the way things end but a little shocked by it. Adian lived his life as a singer and expected to be nothing more for it brought him joy and he lived his life on the road only singing for food and a place to sleep every night, never staying in the same Inn for three nights, but in the end it was the thing that saved him and yet it mihgt have been his death.

I've NEVER in all my years read a book like Song of the Beast. I'd just finished the last of the Farseer books (Robin Hobb's Fool's Fate) and I was looking for something else to read. I got into a book called Through Wolf's Eyes, but was left at a cliffhanger, so I went onto the the next book Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart. What does this have to do with THIS book, you say? I'll get to the point. During that time I finally picked up "Song of the Beast" from the library. It was my intrest in suffering characters (FitzChivalry Farseer) that led me to this novel. From the very first time I was intrigued with the story line... A voiceless and emotionally as well as pysichally scarred Aidan MacAllister, beloved of the gods, finally let free from his horrendious prison, Mezadine, after 17 years, striving on a quest to find the truth behind his horrible imprisonment! One which stripped this valiant and beloved singer of his very heart......

Demon Huntress

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. ;-)

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.

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.

I instantly liked the first book of her other series, and I didn't have the same experience with this one. I wasn't surprised to read that this was her first book, because it had the feeling of having the same issues being worked through-- long imprisonment, the effect of torture on the psyche, hidden talents. While interesting in places, it felt unformed in others.

This said, Berg is still a formidable writer who managed to hold my interest throughout the book. I probably would have rated it more highly if I hadn't been comparing it to her other works.

I was most impressed by Berg's world building and detailing. Interesting version of the ever-popular dragon. Manages to handle emotional life and ethics without getting overly sappy. Hell of a female character, although the protagonist is male and the supporting cast is largely neuter (Literally). Worth the price of admission for anyone who's looking for something a little different from the usual sword-and-sorcery thud-and-blunder. Tad on the romancy side, though--you might just possibly guess the two leads will be in bed by the curtain. And what's wrong with a little schmaltz?

First of all, let me say, that Iï¿m not a fan of Dragon centered fantasy novels. Almost every second fantasy novel on the market now seems to be about Dragons, and I mostly read this one because I enjoyed this authorï¿s previous books.

Aidan MacAllister is first cousin to King Devlin and the finest musician the world has seen for 50 generations, called ï¿blessed by the godsï¿ by those who have heard him sing. Then at 21 years of age he ignores a warning from his cousin the King to stay away from the dragons of his army because he makes them ï¿uneasyï¿ with his music. Aiden then has his best friends killed in front of him and he taken away into solitary confinement where he is tortured for the first 10 years and kept in total silence for the next 7 years.

Suddenly released from prison one night he does not understand what he did to deserve a punishment so severe ï¿ one which did not kill him but has crippled him for life and killed his art in his heart. Aiden sets out to find out the truth behind his imprisonment and finds he has unexpected allies and friends in places he never suspected.

This is an enjoyable novel, though Iï¿m not sure if it is meant to be a stand alone book or the start of a series. The ending is open enough that another book could easily be written to complete the story (I donï¿t think its totally finished anyway). Aiden is a character you feel sympathy for and wonder at his gift of music, but if this is meant to be a stand alone novel then I donï¿t think Iï¿m totally satisfied with it which is why I would give it 3.5 ï¿ 4 Stars.

Never having read Carol Berg before, I don't know how representative of her work Song of the Beast is, and I'm not at all tempted to find out.

While the concept was interesting, the execution seemed flat. Aidan was a genius bard who (when in communication with his "god" -- a dragon) is moved to heights of rapture that he expresses in impromptu songs (that happen to have complete and perfect melodies and lyrics) and for reasons unknown to him was imprisoned and forced into silence.

After going nearly halfway through the book with Aidan's POV, Berg starts jumping POVs and uses infodumps (starting from the character's childhood) to show the reader where the characters (Lara and what's his name, the prince) are coming from up to the story to date. The prince's POV is shown only once, merely to explain how he's saved and his presence at the very end, which stuck me as lazy storytelling.

The world didn't really come alive for me. The twist in the ending was interesting, but once I know the twist, then what? While there were some lyrical passages in the book (mostly when Aidan was singing), no scene moved me enough to inspire a re-read, if only of that one scene.

On the other hand, I did finish the book, so that says something. Readable enough, but not a pageturner; it just didn't grab my attention and not let go. But I do wish I'd read it when I still had access to a used bookstore so that I could have traded it in.

Bottomline: Not a keeper

Even though, reportedly, Carol Berg penned this magnificent novel prior to her trilogy containing "Transformation/Revelation/Restoration, it is no less a fantastic, epic journey and a wonderful read!

Aiden McAllister is a prodigy. With a voice of an angel, and an ability to pluck from his harp music that makes Kings cry, he becomes entranced by imprisoned dragons. He learns that their angry cries are really music, if one can just listen. Threatened by Aiden's abilities to "talk" to the war beasts, his best friend and King has him imprisoned as well...for seventeen years. While in his dark cell, he's tortured mercilessly, his fingers irreparably broken, his voice irretrievably lost.

Aiden's journey across many vividly imagined lands is an epic fantasy that is timeless in its message. Carol Berg does it again with "Song of the Beast," adding another fabulous notch in her literary belt!