The Singing

The Singing is the final book in Alison Croggon's Pellinor series, bringing the epic fantasy saga to its conclusion. The story tracks two parallel journeys as siblings Maerad and Hem race to unite the ancient magical verses of the Treesong. Maerad travels with her mentor Cadvan while carrying crucial runes on her lyre, facing supernatural threats and battles that test her growing powers. Her quest leads her through conflicts with dark forces and encounters with ancient beings as she works to fulfill her destiny. Hem journeys with his guardians and his white crow Irc, bearing the second half of the mystical Treesong inscribed on a stolen tuning fork. His path takes him through dangerous territories as he seeks to reunite with his sister. The novel explores themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the bond between siblings against the backdrop of an intricate magical world where music and language hold tremendous power.

Readers call this conclusion to the Pellinor series satisfying but slower-paced than previous books. Many note it provides closure while maintaining emotional depth. Readers appreciate: - Character development, particularly Maerad's growth - The detailed world-building - Resolution of storylines - Strong prose and poetic elements Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in the middle sections - Less action than previous books - Some plot points feel rushed near the end - Too much focus on traveling sequences Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (90+ reviews) Reader quotes: "The relationships between characters carry the slower parts" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful writing but could have been shorter" - Amazon reviewer "A more contemplative ending than expected, but it works" - Goodreads reviewer "The poetry and songs add authenticity to the world" - LibraryThing reviewer

The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix The series follows siblings wielding musical magic to battle dark forces in a fantasy realm where sound holds supernatural power.

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley A young woman discovers her destiny as a magical warrior in a desert kingdom where ancient powers and forgotten songs shape reality.

The Riddlemaster of Hed by Patricia McKillip A prince learns to harness word-magic and ancient riddles while undertaking a quest across lands filled with mythical beings.

The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin The series traces a young mage's journey through a world where true names and language form the basis of all magic.

The Symphony of Ages by Elizabeth Haydon Music weaves through the story of a singer who uses her magical abilities to prevent an ancient evil from destroying the world.

🎵 The magical system in the book draws inspiration from ancient Celtic bardic traditions, where poets were believed to possess supernatural powers through their songs. 🌟 "The Singing" concludes the Pellinor series, which spans four books and took Alison Croggon seven years to complete. 📚 Croggon was originally a poet before turning to fantasy writing, and she weaves this expertise into the lyrical prose and verse elements throughout the series. 🗺️ The world of Pellinor was partially inspired by ancient Welsh mythology, particularly the Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales. 🎭 Before writing the Pellinor series, Alison Croggon worked as an opera librettist and theater critic, which influenced her intricate portrayal of musical magic in the books.