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Title: Song for the Basilisk
Title: Song for the Basilisk
Series:
------
Author:
Patricia McKillip
Rating:
5 of 5 Stars
Genre:
Fantasy
Pages:
318
Format:
Digital Edition
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Synopsis: |
The city of Berylon was ruled by 4 Great Houses, which in turn were led by House Tourmalyne. 30 some years ago House Griffin [Tourmalyne] was overthrown by House Basilisk, led by Arioso Pellior. Pellior killed every direct member of House Griffin, or so he thinks. One young boy survives and is spirited away to the Isle of Luly to become a nameless bard.
Caladrius grows up, has a son and
refuses to remember. Until he makes his trip off the island and
realizes that he must revenge his family and destroy House Basilisk.
He becomes a nobody musician and works his way into the palace. With
a magic lute filled with killer fire, Caladrius plans on
assassinating the Basilisk at his birthday celebration. What he
doesn't count on is his son also coming to the city to find him.
He also doesn't count on the daughter
of the Basilisk having the same powers as her father. But where the
Basilisk is evil, it isn't so clear that his daughter is. Caladrius
must decide if revenge for his past is the worth sacrificing the
future of his son. And when it becomes apparent that the Basilisk
plans to rule Berylon from beyond the grave through his daughter, she
must decide if House Basilisk will stay ascendant over a dead city or
bow its head to House Griffin and return things to their rightful
place.
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My Thoughts:
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This book was about
the power of magic within the guise of music. I don't know how to go
about talking about this book without just fanboying. McKillip can
write like no one else I've ever read. I think then next book of hers
I will read selections outloud to see if there is rhythm to her
sentences. Her words flow.
The story itself is
good. A tale of revenge that redeems itself instead of creating more
death and destruction. The use of multiple instruments to show
characteristics of the various people was fun to realize. It was
skillfully drawn and I couldn't remember which direction the
Basilisk's daughter took, so the ending was new all over again. The
benefits of waiting 11 years between re-reads I guess.
Last time I gave
this 4 Stars, but this time around I'm calling this a solid 5.
McKillip's writing is top notch. It is well crafted and more than
that, it is artistic. It is a joy to read the story and a joy to read
the wordcrafting itself.
Part of the reason
I like most of McKillip's writing so much is that this is as close to
poetry as I'm going to get and to enjoy. I've tried various books of
poetry throughout the years and each time it has defeated me and left
me bored. But I WANT to like Poetry.
I've also included
a high quality picture of the full cover art. Definitely
the top contender for cover love in my June Roundup & Ramblings.
★★★★★
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