The Singing (novel)
| Author | Alison Croggon |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Series | Pellinor |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Penguin Books |
|
Publication date
|
30 June 2008 (Australia) 1 September 2008 (UK) 10 March 2009 (US) |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 470 |
| Preceded by | The Crow |
30 June 2008 (Australia) 1 September 2008 (UK)
The Singing is the fourth and last novel in Alison Croggon's Pellinor series. The novel was completed in June 2007 and was published in Australia on 30 June 2008.
Direct quote from Alison Croggon:
"I'm pretty certain [the singing will] open in Innail (it's about time we went back there) and that there will be a travelling theatre troupe in there somewhere. I am planning to sit down and write the thing in the second half of next year - I haven't been contracted, but Walker is anxious to get a publication date, and would like to keep the series on track.
It has been described by a fan as:
"It is such an amazing tale of good versus evil. I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed The Lord of the Rings."
Maerad and Cadvan have returned to Innail. Maerad has realised that she has been carrying the runes of the Treesong (the magical, ancient song through which it is believed the Speech came into being) with her the whole time - on her lyre. Maerad believes it is imperative that she find her brother soon, as she senses he has a part to play in the Treesong as well. After spending time resting and catching up with old friends they attempt to leave, only to be forced back to discover themselves in a besieged Innail It is supposed to be the doing of the Landrost, a minor elidhu who is collaborating with Sharma/the Nameless One. None of the occupants are able to leave because of an unnatural snowstorm that brings extreme and fatal cold. Maerad is able to locate the Landrost's attacks, and the bards of Innail are able to hold it back. After witnessing much destruction and facing near-death, Maerad merges into her Elidhu being to destroy the Landrost She is able to strip the Landrost to almost nothing. She is saved by a combination of Arkan, the Winterking, taunting her, and Cadvan calling her her Truename, Elednor. Maerad is now also known as 'the Maid of Innail' and is bedridden for many days.
Meanwhile, Hem, Maerad's 13-year-old brother is traveling with his caretaker, Saliman of Turbansk and Soron of Til Amon. Hem too feels the need to get to Maerad. He now knows the significance of the tuning fork Irc (Hem's pet white crow, with whom he can converse in the Speech) stolen from Sharma's tower - the runes it is decorated with are the second half of the Treesong, to match Maerad's lyre. Hem is still mourning the death of Zelika, a friend of his. All party members are anxious to get to Til Amon, Soron's home school. Along the way they meet up with a trio of traveling players named Karim, Marich, and Hekibel, who are unaware of the advancing Black (Sharma's) Army and to warn them about the same. Upon arriving at Til Amon, Hem falls seriously ill, but recovers very quickly. Til Amon prepares to defend themselves against the Black Army, which they believe will arrive shortly. Later, the traveling players show up, hoping to make a quick profit before moving on. Saliman decides that it would not serve Hem and his purposes to be trapped in Til Amon during a siege, so they decide to accompany the players when they leave.
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