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Spellsong Cycle #1
The Soprano Sorceress
The world of Erde is governed by the power of music and song. When Anna Marshall, a singer and music instructor at Iowa State University, is drawn into Erde, she becomes a sorceress - potentially their strongest. Her power soon makes her the target of ruthless political factions.
672 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1997
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2,104 people want to read
About the author
L.E. Modesitt Jr.
185Ìýbooks2,535ÌýfollowersL. E. (Leland Exton) Modesitt, Jr. is an author of science fiction and fantasy novels. He is best known for the fantasy series The Saga of Recluce. He graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts, lived in Washington, D.C. for 20 years, then moved to New Hampshire in 1989 where he met his wife. They relocated to Cedar City, Utah in 1993.
He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, delivery boy, unpaid radio disc jockey, real estate agent, market research analyst, director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant for a Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer and writer in residence.
In addition to his novels, Mr. Modesitt has published technical studies and articles, columns, poetry, and a number of science fiction stories. His first short story, "The Great American Economy", was published in 1973 in Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact.
-Wikipedia
He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, delivery boy, unpaid radio disc jockey, real estate agent, market research analyst, director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant for a Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer and writer in residence.
In addition to his novels, Mr. Modesitt has published technical studies and articles, columns, poetry, and a number of science fiction stories. His first short story, "The Great American Economy", was published in 1973 in Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
March 27, 2021
Anna Thompson Marsali se sale de lo que se considera una tÃpica heroina de libro de fantasÃa (o tal vez yo he leido demasiado YA y middle grade ;P) , con 47 años , divorciada y con hijos adultos, esta viviendo una etapa difÃcil principalmente porque una de sus hijas murió hace poco, y el trabajo en la universidad le tiene insatisfecha y en tensión. Ella es una soprano que nunca pudo dar el gran salto, principalmente por cosas conocidas como apoyar al marido, los hijos, y luego por cosas politicas de su trabajo en la universidad donde hace clases como instructora. SÃ, ella se queja bastante, aunque es fácil conectar con muchas cosas de ella.
Mientras tanto, en otra dimensión o planeta, un joven invoca una gran hechicera rubia para que le ayude en su venganza. La magia invocada se une al deseo de Anna de escapar y de pronto ella se encuentra en Erde, un lugar donde los hechiceros cantan para hacer sus hechizos.
Lo que podria haber sido fantástico para crear este mundo, de haberse desarrollado más esta idea relacionada con la magia, las armonia y desarmonias, qué causa una desafinación, y por qué se necesitan los músicos como acompañamiento y todo eso, queda desperdiciado por falta de desarrollo, y es la mayor falla de la novela.
Lo que sà tiene la novela, es bastantes ideas feministas. Lo que es más exarcebado porque Anna se encuentra en Erde en un sistema medieval con lores y damas, siervos, soldados, rehenes, y además en Guerra. Unos monjes le han declarado la guerra los otros reinos, y han ocasionado sequias para arruinarlos
Erde is the world. She is governed by the laws of music, and by the influence of the moons—Darksong and Clearsong. She is also governed by iron, cold iron. That seems to be true to a degree in all worlds," Brill added sardonically. "The Dark Monks are a new force in the world, new in the sense that their brotherhood dates back only a few decades, but already they have taken over Ebra and threaten both Defalk and Ranuak, although the Matriarch of the Ranuans insists that the dark ones are no danger."
Anna aparece en una parte donde el hechicero Brill, que es un constructor de fortalezas y muros le empieza a enseñar y la acoge, pronto ella descubre que además de ser alta , es bonita, y poderosa. O sea todos la temen y la odian. La parte donde Brill , por error al parecer le da
"But it's sad," Anna said. "Why is it that some people only respect force?" And why do I have to be the one to apply that force?
"Most of them are men," Gatrune said.
"Is that because they're men, or because they're powerful and don't want to give up any power? If women were as powerful, would they be any different?'' Am I any different? If sorcery makes me more powerful, will I turn out like them?
Hay partes donde se repite muchas veces que ella debe comer bastante para recuperar energia, casi hasta el cansancio. Pan, manzanas y queso. Ahora, con tantas gallinas mencionadas, me sigue extrañando que los nobles no se coman su buena sopa de pollo o pollito asado o un cabrito asado ;)
Bueno, Anna se ve metida en medio de toda la guerra, y debe tomar partido y usar su poder para combatir , y claro unos quieren usarla, y otros matarla, asi que ella va a tener que tomar riendas, literalmente.
Como digo, hay indicaciones de profecia con las videntes y algo relacionado con las armonias, pero queda mucho sin explicar para cuando termina el libro, auque resuelva algunos conflictos directos. Probablemente me lea el sgte a ver si explica algo más.
"Most sorceresses are considered darksingers, whether they are or not, lady." Markan folded a blanket and sat down on it.
"Any woman with power is evil," Anna said wryly.
"Except in Ranuak, where men with power are evil. Or Nordwei, where both men and women with power are evil. Or Ebra, where anyone in a dark robe has power and is evil." Markan's boyish grin was wide enough to be visible in the dim light.
Mientras tanto, en otra dimensión o planeta, un joven invoca una gran hechicera rubia para que le ayude en su venganza. La magia invocada se une al deseo de Anna de escapar y de pronto ella se encuentra en Erde, un lugar donde los hechiceros cantan para hacer sus hechizos.
Lo que podria haber sido fantástico para crear este mundo, de haberse desarrollado más esta idea relacionada con la magia, las armonia y desarmonias, qué causa una desafinación, y por qué se necesitan los músicos como acompañamiento y todo eso, queda desperdiciado por falta de desarrollo, y es la mayor falla de la novela.
Lo que sà tiene la novela, es bastantes ideas feministas. Lo que es más exarcebado porque Anna se encuentra en Erde en un sistema medieval con lores y damas, siervos, soldados, rehenes, y además en Guerra. Unos monjes le han declarado la guerra los otros reinos, y han ocasionado sequias para arruinarlos
Erde is the world. She is governed by the laws of music, and by the influence of the moons—Darksong and Clearsong. She is also governed by iron, cold iron. That seems to be true to a degree in all worlds," Brill added sardonically. "The Dark Monks are a new force in the world, new in the sense that their brotherhood dates back only a few decades, but already they have taken over Ebra and threaten both Defalk and Ranuak, although the Matriarch of the Ranuans insists that the dark ones are no danger."
Anna aparece en una parte donde el hechicero Brill, que es un constructor de fortalezas y muros le empieza a enseñar y la acoge, pronto ella descubre que además de ser alta , es bonita, y poderosa. O sea todos la temen y la odian. La parte donde Brill , por error al parecer le da
"But it's sad," Anna said. "Why is it that some people only respect force?" And why do I have to be the one to apply that force?
"Most of them are men," Gatrune said.
"Is that because they're men, or because they're powerful and don't want to give up any power? If women were as powerful, would they be any different?'' Am I any different? If sorcery makes me more powerful, will I turn out like them?
Hay partes donde se repite muchas veces que ella debe comer bastante para recuperar energia, casi hasta el cansancio. Pan, manzanas y queso. Ahora, con tantas gallinas mencionadas, me sigue extrañando que los nobles no se coman su buena sopa de pollo o pollito asado o un cabrito asado ;)
Bueno, Anna se ve metida en medio de toda la guerra, y debe tomar partido y usar su poder para combatir , y claro unos quieren usarla, y otros matarla, asi que ella va a tener que tomar riendas, literalmente.
Como digo, hay indicaciones de profecia con las videntes y algo relacionado con las armonias, pero queda mucho sin explicar para cuando termina el libro, auque resuelva algunos conflictos directos. Probablemente me lea el sgte a ver si explica algo más.
"Most sorceresses are considered darksingers, whether they are or not, lady." Markan folded a blanket and sat down on it.
"Any woman with power is evil," Anna said wryly.
"Except in Ranuak, where men with power are evil. Or Nordwei, where both men and women with power are evil. Or Ebra, where anyone in a dark robe has power and is evil." Markan's boyish grin was wide enough to be visible in the dim light.
August 21, 2015
Modesitt, one of those writers who can turn out multiple books and maintain high quality story telling. Sometimes "every book" in a series may not be "the best", but I haven't found one that wasn't at least "pretty good".
Anna's life in Iowa, as music instructor and singer isn't a happy one. Family, career, and all are a disappointment and pain...then on the way sing at a fund raiser...she "changes worlds". Unfortunately, at least at first, things don't seem to be going a whole lot better.
I really enjoyed this book. I also liked the magic system (Modesitt did well here and the system bears no resemblance to the "Recluse system"). The magic system in this "slightly resembles the one used by Christopher Stasheff in his Wizard in Rhyme series. There the system is based on rhyming poetry here it's based on music...notes and tonal quality.
**UPDATE**
Okay I recall why I didn't rush on to the next book. This is (as are most of Modesitt's books) an excellent read. HOWEVER it does drag on a few occasions. The book tells a good story and the character[s] are well done (though other than the main character they get a little more sketchy) and the story well plotted.
I plan to get the next (actually I already have the next I mean that i intend to get to it) onto my currently reading list soon.
Anna's life in Iowa, as music instructor and singer isn't a happy one. Family, career, and all are a disappointment and pain...then on the way sing at a fund raiser...she "changes worlds". Unfortunately, at least at first, things don't seem to be going a whole lot better.
I really enjoyed this book. I also liked the magic system (Modesitt did well here and the system bears no resemblance to the "Recluse system"). The magic system in this "slightly resembles the one used by Christopher Stasheff in his Wizard in Rhyme series. There the system is based on rhyming poetry here it's based on music...notes and tonal quality.
**UPDATE**
Okay I recall why I didn't rush on to the next book. This is (as are most of Modesitt's books) an excellent read. HOWEVER it does drag on a few occasions. The book tells a good story and the character[s] are well done (though other than the main character they get a little more sketchy) and the story well plotted.
I plan to get the next (actually I already have the next I mean that i intend to get to it) onto my currently reading list soon.
April 1, 2018
Definitely not my favorite series by this author. It's one of the few written from a female's POV, not terrible, but her priorities certainly aren't mine. Judging by my wife, they're probably true, but I found them exasperating. The time & energy she spent trying to contact her adult children didn't make much sense to me.
The magic was interesting & the language it caused was fun. Music as theology. Since I'm practically tone deaf, a lot was lost on me. Audio wasn't a good format for me, although the narrator was good. While my library has the rest of these books, I won't be listening to the rest.
The magic was interesting & the language it caused was fun. Music as theology. Since I'm practically tone deaf, a lot was lost on me. Audio wasn't a good format for me, although the narrator was good. While my library has the rest of these books, I won't be listening to the rest.
November 12, 2007
Nightmarish! The book in itself was not terrible, if I can find the second and third book cheap I will certainly pick it up. What bothered me about the book was the detail. Let's just start with detail.
When a book starts like this "A dozen musicians sit on stoold under the oblong white silk awning held in place by four sturdy poles, each pole anchored by heavy cords to a pair of stakes. The silk flutters slightly in the almost still air that carries the scent of dust and horses."
The detail kills me. I like to know what's going on, certainly... hell I write insanely detailed when left to my own devices. But *nothing* in that paragraph grabbs my attention. It's the last paragraph on the page that shows a character and dialouge. The world isn't even introduced until much later. The tense... that's another headache.
All in all the story is interesting. An ordinary woman, musician of about 45, is sucked into a world by a desperate spell for a sorceress. In the world sorcery works through music, from there things get insanely tangled.
While I wouldn't say "Avoid this book", it has merits after all, I just didn't get anything out of it myself. The story drags along, the bad things that happen don't really make an impact on the reader and you have to wonder how they are going to fill two more books.
When a book starts like this "A dozen musicians sit on stoold under the oblong white silk awning held in place by four sturdy poles, each pole anchored by heavy cords to a pair of stakes. The silk flutters slightly in the almost still air that carries the scent of dust and horses."
The detail kills me. I like to know what's going on, certainly... hell I write insanely detailed when left to my own devices. But *nothing* in that paragraph grabbs my attention. It's the last paragraph on the page that shows a character and dialouge. The world isn't even introduced until much later. The tense... that's another headache.
All in all the story is interesting. An ordinary woman, musician of about 45, is sucked into a world by a desperate spell for a sorceress. In the world sorcery works through music, from there things get insanely tangled.
While I wouldn't say "Avoid this book", it has merits after all, I just didn't get anything out of it myself. The story drags along, the bad things that happen don't really make an impact on the reader and you have to wonder how they are going to fill two more books.
March 13, 2017
There are many things I could criticize about this book, but omg, I get it, she has headaches, she needs to eat a lot, the apples are rubbery, the wine is sour, but at least the bread isn't too bad. Oh, and it's hot.
March 17, 2009
I picked up this book because I love music and I honestly thought that music as magic was a great idea. In the end, that was the only good thing about the book. I love detail, but I don't need useless detail. Too much of it (and yes, there is way too much of it in this book!) bogs the story down. When you not only put too much detail but also repeat said detail numerous times... well, you've got a trainwreck, and that is the only reason I bothered to finish the book.
What little plot actually exists between all of the useless drivel is fairly interesting, but the main character manages to ruin it with her constant whining. How many times do I need to know that she wishes for a bath? She takes the free will of a man away from him without a second thought and slaughters thousands without hearing their side of the story. This isn't feminism, guys. It's brutality. Anna was not a believable character for me.
When I realized that there were two more books in the series I laughed.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
What little plot actually exists between all of the useless drivel is fairly interesting, but the main character manages to ruin it with her constant whining. How many times do I need to know that she wishes for a bath? She takes the free will of a man away from him without a second thought and slaughters thousands without hearing their side of the story. This isn't feminism, guys. It's brutality. Anna was not a believable character for me.
When I realized that there were two more books in the series I laughed.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
November 30, 2019
This is from the dust jacket on the book. I dunno why it's not in the description information about the book in the entry/info-page proper.
"From the author of the Recluse Saga
The First Book of a Major New Fantasy Series
When Anna Marshall is transported from her boring and frustrating life in Ames, Iowa, to the very different world of Erde, she's angry and confused, but soon finds out that for the first time in her life she's uniquely powerful. In Iowa Anna was a music instructor and small-time opera singer, but on Erde her musical ability makes her a big-time sorceress - potentially.
First she must figure out how to use her ability before the big-time rulers who've noticed her arrival kill her just because she's an unpredictable new power.... Those rulers may wish they hadn't waited as long as they did."
And here's some of the praise and reviews that were included on the book:
"Begins a new, enchantingly musical series.... Modesitt paints a convincing picture of a mature woman with integrity who, when given power and opportunity, rises from doormat to beneficent leader.... Watching Anna disprove the old adage about absolute power and corruption makes this.... a good deal of fun." - Publishers Weekly
"Resplendent... fantasy with an inventive and expertly handled scenario, life-sized characters, and flawless plotting." - Kirkus (Pointer Review)
"From the first page of this engrossing novel, you will find yourself unwilling to travel back to earth, for fear that you might miss some of the action on Erde." - Tahoe World, Tahoe City, California
" Fantasy fans who like political machinations with their magic will enjoy the layered plots. " - Starlog
😉Me? I've re-read this book so many many times since the first when I was 16. I finally found the rest of the series and am starting the next book now!🤓
Love this book!😃 And I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!!📚📚😊
"From the author of the Recluse Saga
The First Book of a Major New Fantasy Series
When Anna Marshall is transported from her boring and frustrating life in Ames, Iowa, to the very different world of Erde, she's angry and confused, but soon finds out that for the first time in her life she's uniquely powerful. In Iowa Anna was a music instructor and small-time opera singer, but on Erde her musical ability makes her a big-time sorceress - potentially.
First she must figure out how to use her ability before the big-time rulers who've noticed her arrival kill her just because she's an unpredictable new power.... Those rulers may wish they hadn't waited as long as they did."
And here's some of the praise and reviews that were included on the book:
"Begins a new, enchantingly musical series.... Modesitt paints a convincing picture of a mature woman with integrity who, when given power and opportunity, rises from doormat to beneficent leader.... Watching Anna disprove the old adage about absolute power and corruption makes this.... a good deal of fun." - Publishers Weekly
"Resplendent... fantasy with an inventive and expertly handled scenario, life-sized characters, and flawless plotting." - Kirkus (Pointer Review)
"From the first page of this engrossing novel, you will find yourself unwilling to travel back to earth, for fear that you might miss some of the action on Erde." - Tahoe World, Tahoe City, California
" Fantasy fans who like political machinations with their magic will enjoy the layered plots. " - Starlog
😉Me? I've re-read this book so many many times since the first when I was 16. I finally found the rest of the series and am starting the next book now!🤓
Love this book!😃 And I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!!📚📚😊
September 17, 2018
L.E. Modesitt Jr. does a great job of creating a unique fantasy setting. The story and characters are all interesting and I know I'll fondly remember my memories associated with this story.
The Soprano Sorceress is a long read. This will attract some and dissuade others from wanting to read it. I read about 60% of it and listened/read the rest via audio book. L.E. is amazing at painting a picture and knows which details to embellish and which to avoid. However there are a lot of details in this book. They describe important things and mundane things within the story. As I mentioned before depending on your tastes this will either be a good or bad thing.
What the story seemed to lack, in my opinion, was historical world building. Anna is brought to this magical and mystical world where magic is controlled by song and yet there was little time spent on the discussion of culture and the history of the cultures of the world. It's not a detractor from the book but something I would have liked and hope I see in future books of the Spellsong Cycle. Then again nearly the entire story takes place in one nation and the nation (Defalk) is fleshed out very well.
Overall I would recommend this book to fantasy fans. It stands out as unique and is worth of the 509 pages and many hours you will dedicate to reading it. I'm glad it's number one in a series as the ending left me wanting more.
The Soprano Sorceress is a long read. This will attract some and dissuade others from wanting to read it. I read about 60% of it and listened/read the rest via audio book. L.E. is amazing at painting a picture and knows which details to embellish and which to avoid. However there are a lot of details in this book. They describe important things and mundane things within the story. As I mentioned before depending on your tastes this will either be a good or bad thing.
What the story seemed to lack, in my opinion, was historical world building. Anna is brought to this magical and mystical world where magic is controlled by song and yet there was little time spent on the discussion of culture and the history of the cultures of the world. It's not a detractor from the book but something I would have liked and hope I see in future books of the Spellsong Cycle. Then again nearly the entire story takes place in one nation and the nation (Defalk) is fleshed out very well.
Overall I would recommend this book to fantasy fans. It stands out as unique and is worth of the 509 pages and many hours you will dedicate to reading it. I'm glad it's number one in a series as the ending left me wanting more.
March 21, 2017
1.5 stars, rounded down.
Very boring, and it had lousy pacing... the first 80% was extremely slow and almost nothing of interest happened (except a lot of eating and drinking, and ruminating on how much eating and drinking she was doing), then the final act was exceedingly fast.
The magic system is also pretty ridiculous, as well as being both exceptionally overpowered and lacking in a clear rule-system.
Finally, none of the characters---including the main character---were particularly likable.
Very boring, and it had lousy pacing... the first 80% was extremely slow and almost nothing of interest happened (except a lot of eating and drinking, and ruminating on how much eating and drinking she was doing), then the final act was exceedingly fast.
The magic system is also pretty ridiculous, as well as being both exceptionally overpowered and lacking in a clear rule-system.
Finally, none of the characters---including the main character---were particularly likable.
June 15, 2020
A heroine accountant 😄 #represent
March 1, 2019
I think one of the things I love most about this book is a normal, everyday human is sucked into a fantasy land and while trying to survive, realizes that they are stronger than they thought. Oh, and they have kick @ss powers in this new to them world, but they aren't special snowflakes. They make mistakes and learn and hurt and are afraid and are relatable.
I also love when the protagonist is a woman who is strong and intelligent, but who isn't perfect.
This book fulfilled both of those loves. It is also rather pro-woman, considering this was published in 1997. When I first read this, I loved that part of it. Now that I am older and wiser and more tired, it was exhausting for her to have to prove herself over and over and OVER again. I think that was the point, and I literally FELT her exhaustion and frustration with the backwardness of the place she was zapped into.
Highly recommended if you like fantasy, strong and smart female protagonists (bonus, she's 47 and ACTS and THINKS like it, no teenie-bopper here! Not a neg if she was young, but a woman of mature years who acts like it is great, we exist too!), who isn't afraid to drag the Medieval into the Modern way of thinking. :D
5, shiny, re-read when I need a book boost, I hand sell this like crazy at the store, stars!
I also love when the protagonist is a woman who is strong and intelligent, but who isn't perfect.
This book fulfilled both of those loves. It is also rather pro-woman, considering this was published in 1997. When I first read this, I loved that part of it. Now that I am older and wiser and more tired, it was exhausting for her to have to prove herself over and over and OVER again. I think that was the point, and I literally FELT her exhaustion and frustration with the backwardness of the place she was zapped into.
Highly recommended if you like fantasy, strong and smart female protagonists (bonus, she's 47 and ACTS and THINKS like it, no teenie-bopper here! Not a neg if she was young, but a woman of mature years who acts like it is great, we exist too!), who isn't afraid to drag the Medieval into the Modern way of thinking. :D
5, shiny, re-read when I need a book boost, I hand sell this like crazy at the store, stars!
July 1, 2017
This book is full of flat characters who have little emotional impact or lifelike responses. The main character spends about half of her lines and actions complaining about how women are treated as inferiors in this world. The magic system has potential, but did not achieve it. I might read the next one to see if things get better, because there really is potential here. Unfortunately, it remains potential through this book.
January 29, 2012
I wanted to enjoy this book because the premise of a singer being transported to a world where singers are the wizards was a great idea. Unfortunately, the pace and repetitiveness of the book really brought my enthusiasm down until I finally gave up about half way through the book.
The sad thing was that half way through the book the only interesting thing that had happened was a battle. Instead, we are treated to a litany of complaints as the main character lives and travels - she has a constant headache, she hates how bad the food and accommodations are, she doesn't understand this new world, etc. I'm a fan of realism in a fantasy series, but not to the point where that realism is repetitive and just padding. The main character is trying to think deep thoughts but really all her complaints are superficial (and she's rather messed up in that she's horrified by killing people (though she keeps doing it), but doesn't think twice about permanently brainwashing a person). I initially liked the main character for being unusual for the genre, but after awhile, I found I didn't care what happened to her, or to the world she lived in.
What didn't help were the constant info dumps where characters threw a million names with boring information like "that country is in the south" attached which we, as readers, were apparently expected to remember later. The hardest part was all the scenes without the main character which showed a number of other characters in the world whose names and countries I couldn't keep track of to save my life. Also, this book may hold the record for most vaguely motivated villains ever.
When I realized I was dreading returning to reading this book, I had to stop.
The sad thing was that half way through the book the only interesting thing that had happened was a battle. Instead, we are treated to a litany of complaints as the main character lives and travels - she has a constant headache, she hates how bad the food and accommodations are, she doesn't understand this new world, etc. I'm a fan of realism in a fantasy series, but not to the point where that realism is repetitive and just padding. The main character is trying to think deep thoughts but really all her complaints are superficial (and she's rather messed up in that she's horrified by killing people (though she keeps doing it), but doesn't think twice about permanently brainwashing a person). I initially liked the main character for being unusual for the genre, but after awhile, I found I didn't care what happened to her, or to the world she lived in.
What didn't help were the constant info dumps where characters threw a million names with boring information like "that country is in the south" attached which we, as readers, were apparently expected to remember later. The hardest part was all the scenes without the main character which showed a number of other characters in the world whose names and countries I couldn't keep track of to save my life. Also, this book may hold the record for most vaguely motivated villains ever.
When I realized I was dreading returning to reading this book, I had to stop.
August 17, 2019
DNF'd at 12%. Sorry, but this one just wasn't for me. I love older high fantasy novels for the most part, if only because it's interesting to explore how different the archetypes and tropes were implemented, as well as seeing the way modern high fantasy has evolved from those same themes. But The Soprano Sorceress just couldn't grab and keep hold of my attention at all.
To anyone else who enjoys older high fantasy novels, I do think it's worth possibly giving this a shot to see what you think. I have heard nothing but good things about L.E. Modesitt, Jr.'s books as a whole, and maybe someone else can find this more entertaining and engaging than I have. But as it stands, I'm happier having DNF'd this one and given the copy I bought away.
To anyone else who enjoys older high fantasy novels, I do think it's worth possibly giving this a shot to see what you think. I have heard nothing but good things about L.E. Modesitt, Jr.'s books as a whole, and maybe someone else can find this more entertaining and engaging than I have. But as it stands, I'm happier having DNF'd this one and given the copy I bought away.
November 30, 2022
Anna, a trained soprano and music teacher in Iowa, is recovering from the death of her eldest daughter when in a moment of introspective selfpity she wishes she was anywhere but where she is. Her wish is granted when a sorceress from the world of Erde sings a spell to summon a powerful ‘sorceress� from the mist worlds (our world) and Anna finds herself in a world in which songs are spells and music is the source of powerful magic. Because of her vocal training on earth, Anna is suddenly a sorceress of unprecedented ability. There is strong feel of realism in this story and having a hero who questions herself and her actions is a nice change from more traditional fare.
May 25, 2008
Loved the concept that singing and music could be the source of Magic, and used as a very effective weapon. Also appreciated that the Heroine was not a typical warrior type, that she was infact a middle aged woman, who helps to shape the new world that she finds herself in. That her confidence level increases and she becomes a powerful person, by using her talents for improvement and defense.
April 13, 2009
Love this series!
December 31, 2023
This book is basically an isekai before that word entered English lexicon. It's not too bad, but it was not my favoritest book this year.
I really did not care for the style of the prose. It's a little hard to describe, but it's like it was often overly detailed, or barely detailed at all, and I didn't really like much how things were worded or phrased. This book (and perhaps it was corrected in later printings) has a lot of strange errors: names are occasionally uncapitalized, some sentences looked as if it was rewritten but the old fragment of it was accidentally left in, and the narrative switches between first person and third person between chapters. In other words, one chapter will be in past tense, one in present tense with no apparent reason for it. I noticed every chapter with Anna was in past, while other ones were sometimes past, sometimes present.
The story itself is fine, though I think it drags a bit much. I hadn't realized just how long Anna spent with Behlem in Falcor until I went back to find if Secca was mentioned earlier in the novel (she was, I just forgot. There are a lot of names!) Also, Jimbob is a hilarious name for a prince.
I have the sequel so I will read it at some point, but when? I have no clue. I do also have the fourth book, but not the third, so I don't know if I'll hang on to them. And with that, I have finished 30 books in 2023! It's been a wild year, and I read a ton of great books, and a ton of not so great books. I'm planning on starting off 2024 with a few Star Wars books since it's been a while since I've read any.
I really did not care for the style of the prose. It's a little hard to describe, but it's like it was often overly detailed, or barely detailed at all, and I didn't really like much how things were worded or phrased. This book (and perhaps it was corrected in later printings) has a lot of strange errors: names are occasionally uncapitalized, some sentences looked as if it was rewritten but the old fragment of it was accidentally left in, and the narrative switches between first person and third person between chapters. In other words, one chapter will be in past tense, one in present tense with no apparent reason for it. I noticed every chapter with Anna was in past, while other ones were sometimes past, sometimes present.
The story itself is fine, though I think it drags a bit much. I hadn't realized just how long Anna spent with Behlem in Falcor until I went back to find if Secca was mentioned earlier in the novel (she was, I just forgot. There are a lot of names!) Also, Jimbob is a hilarious name for a prince.
I have the sequel so I will read it at some point, but when? I have no clue. I do also have the fourth book, but not the third, so I don't know if I'll hang on to them. And with that, I have finished 30 books in 2023! It's been a wild year, and I read a ton of great books, and a ton of not so great books. I'm planning on starting off 2024 with a few Star Wars books since it's been a while since I've read any.
December 26, 2021
I read this a few years back but had to write out of sentimentality. If you have ever been taught by Professor Modesitt (the woman that inspired this novel), you know that L.E. Modesitt caught her catch phrases spot on. Lol. I couldn’t help but laugh at hearing her in my head. Anne is not quite the woman of real life but oh the similarities are many.
I obviously loved Anne but aside from that the world building is so interesting. Music being the magic. Oooh love it! Also Modesitt in my experience with his books seems to have a real interest in the economics of his world. If you love economics this can be a fascinating thing if not you may find things slow and dry. The style is what I would consider older, more detail, less action in comparison to many writers currently entering the sci-fi/fantasy realm. Anyway I may be very biased but I enjoyed it overall.
I obviously loved Anne but aside from that the world building is so interesting. Music being the magic. Oooh love it! Also Modesitt in my experience with his books seems to have a real interest in the economics of his world. If you love economics this can be a fascinating thing if not you may find things slow and dry. The style is what I would consider older, more detail, less action in comparison to many writers currently entering the sci-fi/fantasy realm. Anyway I may be very biased but I enjoyed it overall.
February 5, 2019
If I could give half stars I would give this book three and a half stars. What could go wrong in a book that combines my two loves- fantasy and music? Anna is a singer on Earth, when suddenly she is transported to a fantasy land in which she is now a powerful sorceress. In this land, music is used to cast spells. Anna uses her custom-made "lutar" ( a combination lute and guitar) to perform magic that is often deadly, but she only uses it against evil. A pet peeve of mine in fantasy books is sub-par maps- this map is good, though not perfect. Several of the smaller towns are left off. Overall a fine read. A five-book series; I look forward to book two.
July 26, 2017
Ya'll this took me like a year to read.
All I can say is that Anna is a badass.
All I can say is that Anna is a badass.
January 10, 2025
This is a solid book! The world-building was phenomenal, the story was compelling, and the magic system was fantastic! I cared about many of the characters and cried for them. I will admit that at the beginning many important ruling class characters were introduced via their own point of view separate from the main character's, and it was confusing to keep track of all of the rulers of different places that were scrying her. Overall it almost made it better that it was confusing, because you empathized with the main character, as she was thrown into a world vastly different from her own.
March 21, 2010
Overall impression of this book: a sometimes ponderous but immersive look at what happens when a modern singer past her prime is dumped into a world where song is magic and has earthshaking effects. Some bright spots and low points throughout.
First off ... people have complained about the detail. Yes, there is a lot of it, but it's necessary to paint a full picture of the crudity of the world around Anna. The problem with the description is not the amount so much as the style - it's very plain and workmanlike. In addition, the description doesn't really "interact" with the characters - it's just there. Contrast that with the strong descriptions of the heat and the taste of the food, both of which directly affect Anna ... and consequently came through more vivid and less tedious.
There is a character named Jimbob. In a fantasy world. Now, I'm a stickler for not having "real" names in fantasy, but even allowing for my hardnosed nature ... Jimbob?
For the use of present tense, there is similarly no defense. It's actually a neat device to distinguish between Earth and Erde, but it really should have stopped once she crossed over. It makes it even harder to distinguish between the various countries, their spies and rulers.
On the positive, I found the story kept me reading - I kept needing to see what happened next. There's long periods of inertia, but they don't lose tension. There are also some interesting nuances of ethics, motives and justifications ... with few easy answers and some threads left unresolved. It's realistic without being unsatisfying.
(Jimbob?)
But on the other paw ... just a little too much repetition. And if I was reminded one more time that a certain character reminded Anna of Robert Mitchum, I was going to stab someone. I guess I'm just an uppity youngster. ;-)
I also found that Anna relied too frequently on simply charring people. It strained my belief that she couldn't come up with an immobility spell ... that she wouldn't have done so after the first incident. She lamented having to do it ... except I was never fully convinced that she did have to.
(JIMBOB?!)
There were other parts of this book that I did particularly enjoy. There's a real concrete sense of primitive culture, and Modesitt draws it out through some uncommon details. Erde certainly felt real, and I cared about its fate. And I loved Lady Essan and ... err ... Farinelli, Anna's horse. The horse is a force to be reckoned with on his own. Overall, the positive outweighed the negative and made for a decent reading experience.
First off ... people have complained about the detail. Yes, there is a lot of it, but it's necessary to paint a full picture of the crudity of the world around Anna. The problem with the description is not the amount so much as the style - it's very plain and workmanlike. In addition, the description doesn't really "interact" with the characters - it's just there. Contrast that with the strong descriptions of the heat and the taste of the food, both of which directly affect Anna ... and consequently came through more vivid and less tedious.
There is a character named Jimbob. In a fantasy world. Now, I'm a stickler for not having "real" names in fantasy, but even allowing for my hardnosed nature ... Jimbob?
For the use of present tense, there is similarly no defense. It's actually a neat device to distinguish between Earth and Erde, but it really should have stopped once she crossed over. It makes it even harder to distinguish between the various countries, their spies and rulers.
On the positive, I found the story kept me reading - I kept needing to see what happened next. There's long periods of inertia, but they don't lose tension. There are also some interesting nuances of ethics, motives and justifications ... with few easy answers and some threads left unresolved. It's realistic without being unsatisfying.
(Jimbob?)
But on the other paw ... just a little too much repetition. And if I was reminded one more time that a certain character reminded Anna of Robert Mitchum, I was going to stab someone. I guess I'm just an uppity youngster. ;-)
I also found that Anna relied too frequently on simply charring people. It strained my belief that she couldn't come up with an immobility spell ... that she wouldn't have done so after the first incident. She lamented having to do it ... except I was never fully convinced that she did have to.
(JIMBOB?!)
There were other parts of this book that I did particularly enjoy. There's a real concrete sense of primitive culture, and Modesitt draws it out through some uncommon details. Erde certainly felt real, and I cared about its fate. And I loved Lady Essan and ... err ... Farinelli, Anna's horse. The horse is a force to be reckoned with on his own. Overall, the positive outweighed the negative and made for a decent reading experience.
February 8, 2016
Ok, this book is way too long, and not in the good way: it drags. It drags worse that a slug, it would have benefited from good editing and removing 100 pages at least.
And please: the main character suddenly possess this awesome kind of magic but, for all her experience since she is a grow up woman, my little sister coul have come up with better ways of using it.
At some point almost every man tries to rape or is attracted to the protagonist, and as if it wasn't annoying enough, here:" "But it's sad" Anna said. "Why is it that some people only respect force?" And why do I have to be the one to apply that force?
"Most of them are men" Gertrune said. "
Get used to this reasoning because the main character is really fond of it, as she is with the story of her dead daughter that she will kindly stop to tell to whoever will listen her.
The story was far better before every man was falling for her (-_-)
Another things the author loves to do is making the reader remember how special Anna is by making someone say or think it every few pages, as if it's not enough that half the book is stupid dialogue to let you see how great the almighty Anna is.
After the first battle, more that 100 pages later still nothing happens, it's all blablabla. As half the book is stupid and useless dialogue I was able to skip few chapters without problem because nothing useful had happened in them.
It seems the only problem everyone in the book has is that's Anna is a woman, and it's really tiring to read the same issue again and again: "“You are powerful.� Hanfor said.
“And a woman,� Anna said dryly."
This conversation appears at least 20 times, the first one who seems to think everyone will treat her like shit for being a woman it's Anna herself. The first and last parts are good but the other 400 pages are about Anna whining and not even using her power for the most obvious solutions.
The thing I liked least is how, little before the end,
And please: the main character suddenly possess this awesome kind of magic but, for all her experience since she is a grow up woman, my little sister coul have come up with better ways of using it.
At some point almost every man tries to rape or is attracted to the protagonist, and as if it wasn't annoying enough, here:" "But it's sad" Anna said. "Why is it that some people only respect force?" And why do I have to be the one to apply that force?
"Most of them are men" Gertrune said. "
Get used to this reasoning because the main character is really fond of it, as she is with the story of her dead daughter that she will kindly stop to tell to whoever will listen her.
The story was far better before every man was falling for her (-_-)
Another things the author loves to do is making the reader remember how special Anna is by making someone say or think it every few pages, as if it's not enough that half the book is stupid dialogue to let you see how great the almighty Anna is.
After the first battle, more that 100 pages later still nothing happens, it's all blablabla. As half the book is stupid and useless dialogue I was able to skip few chapters without problem because nothing useful had happened in them.
It seems the only problem everyone in the book has is that's Anna is a woman, and it's really tiring to read the same issue again and again: "“You are powerful.� Hanfor said.
“And a woman,� Anna said dryly."
This conversation appears at least 20 times, the first one who seems to think everyone will treat her like shit for being a woman it's Anna herself. The first and last parts are good but the other 400 pages are about Anna whining and not even using her power for the most obvious solutions.
The thing I liked least is how, little before the end,
October 25, 2011
The Soprano Sorceress is one of those books that, at first, you want to put down. It took awhile to get interesting and I almost gave up on it. The only reason I didn't was because of the fact that I absolutely hate to put a book down unfinished. Now I'm glad I stuck with it. It wasn't anywhere near one of my favorites, but I plan on going straight on to the second book in the series, so that ought to say something. Anna is a strong yet conflicted woman, who has always had someone trying to 'direct' her life. Suddenly she finds herself in a new world and she is forced to lead others into terrible situations that leave her feeling guilty due to her part in them. There are a few very likable supporting characters and a few characters that you are pleased to see get their come-uppance (sp?) If you enjoy fantasy that includes alot of turmoil and a few battles, this book is for you. For those of you looking for a little medieval romance......well, you will find absolutely none here.It is a little bit different from most of the fantasy novels I have previously read, but I still recommend it. I would actually give it 3 and 3/4 stars, but alas, we don't have that option.
When Anna Marshall is transported from her boring and frustrating life in Ames, Iowa, to the very different world of Erde, she's angry and confused, but soon finds out that for the first time in her life she's uniquely powerful. In Iowa Anna was a music instructor and small-time opera singer, but on Erde her musical ability makes her a big-time sorceress-potentially.
First she must figure out how to use her ability before the big-time rulers who've noticed her arrival kill her just because she's an unpredictable new power....those rulers may whish they hadn't waited as long as they did.
When Anna Marshall is transported from her boring and frustrating life in Ames, Iowa, to the very different world of Erde, she's angry and confused, but soon finds out that for the first time in her life she's uniquely powerful. In Iowa Anna was a music instructor and small-time opera singer, but on Erde her musical ability makes her a big-time sorceress-potentially.
First she must figure out how to use her ability before the big-time rulers who've noticed her arrival kill her just because she's an unpredictable new power....those rulers may whish they hadn't waited as long as they did.
September 9, 2016
WARNING:I'm writing this review for the series as a whole, not just book 1.
I'm a big fan of Modesitt. I've read all of the Recluce novels as well as the Corean Chronicles. This series, however, just hurt. He always has stronger female characters in his books, but he kind of dives off the deep end with this series. He seems to turn into a self-loathing apologist in this series. The overarching theme in this series is that women are downtrodden and men are evil, tyrannical dictators by-and-large. Every so often you might run across one that the main character (who is a woman) would consider "a good guy...but" but, for the most part, the men are all thought of as massively misogynistic by the main character. To be fair, some are actually misogynistic, but most are not; to the extent that the main character thinks, anyway. It's like this series is his way of saying, "I'm sorry that men are men, women. I'm sorry for everything that has ever been done to a woman intentionally or unintentionally." I'm talking chapter after chapter of this. After a couple books of this, it got REALLY old. I think this series had promise, but let me down in a big way.
P.S. Modesitt also likes to impress upon the reader that this planet is a lot hotter than Earth. Again, chapter after chapter, there is something that lets the reader know, "This planet is hot."
I'm a big fan of Modesitt. I've read all of the Recluce novels as well as the Corean Chronicles. This series, however, just hurt. He always has stronger female characters in his books, but he kind of dives off the deep end with this series. He seems to turn into a self-loathing apologist in this series. The overarching theme in this series is that women are downtrodden and men are evil, tyrannical dictators by-and-large. Every so often you might run across one that the main character (who is a woman) would consider "a good guy...but" but, for the most part, the men are all thought of as massively misogynistic by the main character. To be fair, some are actually misogynistic, but most are not; to the extent that the main character thinks, anyway. It's like this series is his way of saying, "I'm sorry that men are men, women. I'm sorry for everything that has ever been done to a woman intentionally or unintentionally." I'm talking chapter after chapter of this. After a couple books of this, it got REALLY old. I think this series had promise, but let me down in a big way.
P.S. Modesitt also likes to impress upon the reader that this planet is a lot hotter than Earth. Again, chapter after chapter, there is something that lets the reader know, "This planet is hot."
April 12, 2023
Anna Marshall has been plagued by the men in her life along with the academics that she works with is transported to another world where her singing ability gives her tremendous magical powers. Along the way she has to deal with men who mistreat women in general and other abuses, she does overcome these problems in the end as well as facing up to her personal faults. Several other characters round out the novel, some good, others are a bit thin, but then the evil villain won't be around too long.
An excellent start to the series and since it's been over 20+ years since I've read it, it's like reading a new book.
An excellent start to the series and since it's been over 20+ years since I've read it, it's like reading a new book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2016
I freely admit to a biased rating. The protagonist of this novel very much reads like a combination of a dear friend and my voice teacher. The musician's concerns she has, and the academic politics she faces are absolutely real and serve as a perfect anchor to a fantasy story about an opera singer sucked from our world to a fantasy land.
Their are some pacing issues which keep this novel from 5 stars. While some scenes do seem to drag on longer than necessary, the plot is solid and includes both consequences and the protagonist's acknowledgment of same. An all too rare combination that has me excited for the next volume of the Spellsong Cycle.
Their are some pacing issues which keep this novel from 5 stars. While some scenes do seem to drag on longer than necessary, the plot is solid and includes both consequences and the protagonist's acknowledgment of same. An all too rare combination that has me excited for the next volume of the Spellsong Cycle.
September 7, 2009
It took me a little while to properly get into the story and plot of this book as I did not find the style of writing particularly engaging but once I did I found it quite enjoyable. I think the book particularly appealed to me because I am a musician and could appreciate the idea of using songs to create spells and the similarities between music and magic. It would stand alone well enough as a seperate book because the ending is well rounded and does not leave too much open to continuation, yet I feel that you still want the story to contiunue as well which is as it is part of a trilogy.
January 3, 2020
One of the cardinal tests a fantasy novel has to pass in order for me to invest in it is: do the characters' reactions ring true? Meaning, fantastical things are going to happen in a fantasy story, but the characters' reactions to those fantastical things still have to make sense. And this book failed that test, spectacularly, within the first few pages. Anna's reaction to being transported to another world is nonsensical. It does not ring true. It's a shame, because the premise is awesome.
Purchased at a dollar store. In retrospect, the first red flag. :/
Purchased at a dollar store. In retrospect, the first red flag. :/
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