Silksinger

by Laini Taylor

Book Overview

Faerie Whisper Silksinger is the last of the secret guardians of the Azazel, one of the powerful Djinn who dreamed the world into being. Now she must fight to complete her sacred duty.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399246312
• ISBN13: 9780399246319
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group
• Length: 449 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.8" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

All of my fingers are crossed for more Dreamdark novels!

I LOVE this book. Silksinger is a sequel to Blackbringer -- only much, much more. The reader easily slides back into the fantastic world she created in the first Dreamdark novel, and then is catapulted into a story brimming with new secrets, quests, unusual creatures, and exotic settings. And the characters! I'm always drawn to books with strong characters, and the new additions -- especially Whisper and Hirik -- are just as intriguing and layered as Magpie and Talon. Like in Blackbringer, elements of horror and romance are intertwined with the fantasy, and it's all wrapped up with fabulous illustrations, beautiful prose, and a clever dialect/dialogue. I sincerely hope with the release of two new books this autumn, more people will discover Laini Taylor's work.

Awesome - Even better than Blackbringer

Blackbringer was an amazing book. That Taylor could create such a detailed and consistent world, populate it with such compelling characters and then fill it with such great story telling was quite a feat. I had the pleasure of getting a copy of Blackbringer and an ARC of Silksinger at the same time, so I read through them one right after the other. (Couldn't stop myself) I would have to say that as awesome as Blackbringer is, Silksinger exceeds it. We find out even more about Taylor's world and the people in it. She covers classic themes and plots but brings them all alive in a new way. That is what a strong author can do. The pace was perfect, the tension and excitement non-stop. This is a book that I'll be holding onto, reading again and I am sure my kids will be doing the same. Silksinger picks up almost immediately after Blackbringer. We catch up with old friends and meet some new ones along the way. The stakes are, if possible, higher this time around and we begin to gain a much deeper understanding of what shaped the world we found in the first book. The level of darkness is a touch higher and this may bump up the age at which kids are going to be able to understand and enjoy the book. That said, Taylor doesn't compromise on treating her readers with respect. I appreciate that as I think children will too. ( I'm a 40 year old dad.) There's a high level of honesty in both these books that I don't see too much in stories for the younger set. I cannot wait to read the next book.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

The second DREAMDARK book was fantastic! I truly love this series. Whisper, a fairy, isn't just an ordinary fairy but the last of her clan. Her clan, the Silksingers, can weave magic carpets out of silk using their voices. They were also the guardians of the Djinn, Azazel. Now, Whisper is the last of their clan and is being chased by devils. The devils want to destroy her and her kettle with the Djinn in it. Hirik is a member of a hated clan which years ago allowed the dragon, Fade, to be killed. He wants to clear his clan's name and find Azazel and be his champion. Since Magpie Windwitch wants to find all of the Djinn, she is looking for Whisper and by accident finds Hirik. The three of them, plus Prince Talon and the crows, have an adventure to last a lifetime. I had forgotten how wonderful the first book, BLACKBRINGER, was to read. This story is exciting and wonderfully told. It has bloody battles, courageous slaves, dastardly villains, a hint of romance, powerful friendships, and captivating writing. The characters are easy to love and I even shed some tears. Thank you, Laini Taylor, for such a superb fantasy series. Reviewed by: Marta Morrison

Breathtakingly Wonderful

I discovered the first novel in this series, Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer, in a used bookstore, picked it up, hesitated, read the flaps, hesitated again and then took a moment to read the prologue. I found it delightfully intriguing and happily, I made the choice to take it home. That moment of chance discovery and the choice to buy have proven to be lasting gifts. Blackbringer is one of my two or three favorite books of all time - and I'm over 50, so my `all-time' comprises quite a few years and thousands of books. I've been anticipating Silksinger like crazy; first, just to immerse myself once again in author Laini Taylor's gorgeous world and second, to discover if the second volume in this series could possibly live up to my (very high) expectations. And, oh wow - it does that and more! Silksinger might, just might, be BETTER than Blackbringer. ** To my amusement, I feel a little disloyal even thinking that! Like maybe I should go stroke the cover of Blackbringer and assure it that I will never let another book usurp its place in my heart. I know, I know, I'm a little strange at times. :-)** From the moving sacrifices of the opening chase to Whisper's gift of song at the close, Silksinger simply soars. Taylor's lyrical prose combined with her brilliant imagination, her ability to create unforgettable characters and her strong, solid plotting makes for a whole so magical it actually boggles my mind a little. Silksinger has action and adventure and heroes of many different types - some quite unexpected - that are daring and determined. Some really nasty characters and the rather dark scenes they inhabit are balanced with humor and romance, magic, beauty, friendship and love. The story is involving and intricate, building beautifully on Blackbringer and hinting at what is to come. In Silksinger, we are given the chance to revisit old friends and to meet a new group of fully developed and marvelously interesting characters. It would have been very easy for Taylor to make Whisper and Hirik only slightly altered clones of Magpie and Talon, but she avoids that, giving them their own personalities, suited to their back-stories. Whisper, in particular, is a somewhat non-traditional heroine and I think she (and her bravery) will appeal to many people, particularly children. Taylor's secondary characters continue to shine; I truly believe that a number of them could support their own books. (And the crows alone could have their own series!) Taylor has also done an excellent job of developing a variety of different clans and societies in her stories, each with their own histories, which enriches the world of Dreamdark and gives it additional texture and depth. Happily, she manages to do this with a light touch, keeping the world building accessible to all ages. As with Blackbringer, Jim Di Bartolo's illustrations - including his gorgeous cover art - enhanced my enjoyment. I also appreciated the "List of Plates" added in Silksinger. It mak

Even better than Harry Potter!

Its hard to believe that the Dreamdark series isn't much more widely known when its every bit as imaginative, brilliant, and absorbing as the Harry Potter series. Silksinger- and Blackbringer- are THAT amazing! The world created- along with the incredible range of characters- is so mesmerizing and intriguing. It was hard to believe that Silksinger could be as great as Blackbringer, but it is! It is much more than just a sequel though with new characters, especially Hirik and Whisper, who are as captivating and moving in their plight and struggle as Magpie and Talon continue in theirs. Much more than just an outward adventure, each of these characters also engages in their own internal voyages which make the stories all the more compelling. And, on top of that, they are infused with humor and silliness at times that make the read even more enjoyable. Definitely a series not just for kids. My brother, an attorney who never reads fantasy, is hooked and bought 14 copies last time to give to others. I can't recommend it highly enough!