Singer of Souls

by Adam Stemple

Book Overview

Leaving his life of petty crime and drug abuse behind, young Douglas flees from Minneapolis to Edinburgh, Scotland, to his stern but fairminded Grandma McLaren, who will take him in if he can support himself. Fortunately, few cities are friendlier than Edinburgh to a guitarist with a talent for spontaneous rhyme, and soon Douglas is making a decent living as the busker who can write a song about you on the spot. But Edinburgh has its dangers for the...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765311704
• ISBN13: 9780765311702
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 237 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Great Fantasy Writing

This is so clearly the best book ever written (by Adam Stemple) that I don't know how there is any debate. Buy this book or I will come to your house and punch you in the groin until your ears bleed.

possibly spoileriffic

The running comments here seem to focus on how harsh the ending is. Ignore them, honestly. Yes, the ending is a surprise, and not what one would call happy. But, this is a beautiful book, a very fast read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Douglas Stewart is a very believable and surprisingly sympathetic character, and given his background, everything he does makes perfect sense in the context of the novel. BTW, Adam Stemple's website indicates that the first draft of the sequel, "Steward of Song," has been turned in to his editor, and I will absolutely pick it up the day its' released.

GREAT! A Full Story with a hard-landing finish.

Adam Stemple has created an interesting and engaging story which crosses from our world to faery. From the very beginning, the books pulls you in. The story is well told and the language flows perfectly. You won't find yourself stumbling over clumsy style or grammatical errors. Most notable he establishes a fascinating relationship between music and magic. The characters are full and often dark. Watch out for Father Croser...Whoa! We could do with out the one sex scene, which is boring and obviously plays to the fantasy of male readers with little experience. Of course you might laugh too since it's so incredibly over the top cheesy. The pace near the ending of the book changes suddenly. It took me by surprise anyway, and unpleasantly so. Days later I'm still digesting and can't quite get it out of my head. But upon reflection, it all makes sense. The main character stumbles into a world where his only talent becomes his greatest power. Sympathies, loyalties and positions change, dramatically. If you need a feel good, fuzzy, happy ending this story is NOT for you! Personally I can't wait for the sequel.

A faery tale...And everything that means.

The two most important things to know about this book: 1. It is a faery tale. 2. It is *not* a disney faery tale. Adam's first solo novel is still running through my head and in the end, I'm not entirely sure I liked it; Singer of Souls will stay in my library, but it may be a while before I can re-read it. I sure didn't know what I was getting into. It is 'good' from the perspective that while I did not see most of the big turns coming, retrospectively, they made sense. It's also worth noting that Singer of Souls, while somewhat reminiscent of some of the faceted-darkness works of Charles DeLint, perhaps owes more to the deeply incestuous music/literary scene of the twin cities. This interconnected group of serious local musicians has involved, off-hand, emma bull, will shetterly, neil gaiman, and steven brust. Heck, a former band, Cats Laughing, now has 3 published authors as alumni, in Emma Bull, Steven Brust, and Adam Stemple. As a former observer of this musical/literary scene, I can't believe no one has done a PhD dissertation on it yet. In conclusion, read the book, but don't say you weren't warned.

wild urban fantasy

An addict trying to quit, guitarist Douglas knows he must leave Minneapolis and the temptation of his friends. He is estranged from his siblings and parents, so to dry out he heads to his Grandma McLaren in Edinburgh. While awaiting a passport he cuts a deal with Twin Town Guitar owner Zack Johannson. A few weeks later, his grandma welcomes Douglas, but sets three conditions that if he does any he is out. Douglas makes money with his guitar and a gift for rhyme. When the city hosts the annual Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival, Douglas performs and does quite well until he meets Aine. She gives him a vial promising him he will see the world from a different light. He resists at first but finally takes the drug. Douglas questions his mind as he see fey folks walking the streets of the city; worse they see him with each wanting to either recruit him to their cause or kill him as Douglas learns how dangerous the war between the fey is even as humans thinks he tripped out one time too many. SINGER OF SOULS is a wild urban fantasy starring a likable expatriate American struggling with controlling his addiction while wondering if he finally went over the edge as the only human who sees the Fey and more terrifying they see him. The story line starts off as a character study as the audience sees Douglas trying to kick the habit, but once he takes that step he feels like Alice through the looking glass. Fans will enjoy Adam Stemple's zany joy ride in the streets of Edinburgh from a distinctly weird perspective. Harriet Klausner