The crystalline rock of Ballybran, when skilfully cut, is essential to advanced power and communications systems at the heart of interstellar civilization. Further, one of its occupational hazards leaves him in a coma, but Killashandra determines to accompany his return home under life support, and to investigate membership in the Heptite Guild of crystal singers for herself. He treats her to a whirlwind romance and the experience of her home planet in ways entirely unknown to her, but sincerely warns her against the high-status, high-income occupation that makes such a vacation possible for him. She dreads a life limited to choral work and supporting operatic roles so she plans to exit both school and home planet discreetly.Īt the spaceport she meets a vital older man who uses perfect pitch, and his occupational experience as a 'crystal singer' on Ballybran, to identify an incoming space shuttle on the verge of explosion. After a final exam she learns that a flaw in her voice will prevent her from singing lead. Killashandra Ree has spent ten years studying music and training to be a vocal soloist, anticipating interstellar celebrity. Narrative style: First person POV from Killashandra's perspective.It was then that she decided that she too must try and become a Crystal Singer. All she could discover was that they were special people, shrouded in mystery, and danger, and beauty - and something altogether incomprehensible.

He said he was a Crystal Singer - one of the unique ones of the Galaxy - and when Killashandra tried to find out what a Crystal Singer was the answers were vague and obscure.

And then she met the stranger from off-world. Killashandra thought her world had ended when she was told she would never become a concert singer. 'What a writer - she is amazing!' - ***** Reader review 'The pages of her books are coated with glue.you just can't put them down!' - ***** Reader review 'Engaging and entertaining' - ***** Reader review

'One of the best books I have ever read' - ***** Reader review 'A simply stunning start to a trio of books' - ***** Reader review

'Anne McCaffrey, one of the queens of science fiction, knows exactly how to give her public what it wants' - THE TIMES If you like David Eddings, Brandon Sanderson and Douglas Adams, you will love this. The beginning of a beautifully written, compelling and captivating trilogy that runs the gamut of human experience and emotion from Anne McCaffrey, storyteller extraordinare and New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author.

Cristal singer