Name: Singer of Souls
ISBN: 9780765350275

Adam Stemple

Leaving behind a life of petty crime and drug abuse, young guitarist Douglas finds himself under the watchful eye of his stern but fair-minded Scottish grandmother, but when he is tempted to return to his past behaviors, he discovers an ability to see the fey folk. Reprint.

Singer of Souls

Sarah Sammis

Singer of Souls by Adam Stemple caught my attention when I was walking through the science fiction and fantasy offerings at my library. I'd actually eyed the book on a couple of times. I finally grabbed the book because I recognized the author's name; he's Jane Yolen's son.

So Singer of Souls is about a heroin addict and musician named Douglas. He decides to clean up his life and seeks out the help of his grandmother who lives in Edinburgh Scotland.

While there he hones his craft and meets up with the fae who come out amongst the humans during the annual arts festival. Music and lyrics together equal magic in the right hands. Douglas realizes he has power but it comes at a price.

I want to say I loved the book but I can't exactly. It started strong. I loved Grandma McLaren. I loved the blending of magic and urban life. Then things end abruptly. I knew how it had to end because I'd skimmed the first chapter of the second book, Steward of Song but I was expecting a gradual building to that outcome. Instead it's tacked on in the last chapter. What's the fun in that?