The Books of Pellinor are a high fantasy series that is a more accessible version of Tolkein's Lord of the Rings with the same richness of imagery and world building but with straightforward names and a less complicated history. That said it could also be that The Books of Pellinor are less intimidating because they're not as famous or as widely read as Tolkein.

The Books of Pellinor are set in the land of Edil-Amarandh - a land which has been on the precipe of danger for years - ever since Sharma, the Nameless One stole the Treesong from the Elementals (Elidhu) and broke the song. Cadvan of Lirigon is working against the dark but there's only so much he can do - until while on a mission he runs into Maerad - a slave girl who can see through his invisibility. Soon they're travelling together and finding that all is not right in the land. Then Maerad leads Cadvan to a boy named Hem and nothing is the same. Maerad and Hem have an instant connection and it's not long before Cadvan realises nothing happens without a reason and that only by working together can the light prevail.

The final book begins after the end of The Riddle and The Crow and alternates between Maerad and Hem's viewpoint until they meet up again. I think this was part of the reason I didn't like it quite as much as the others. Although it wasn't split chapter by chapter, but a few chapters by a few, it still had the problem of jolting me out of the story each time the viewpoint changed. And after having Hem's point of view for the last book I just kept wanting him back. But it still is a really great book and I enjoyed the last addition to the series.

I really enjoyed Hem's debut as a player onstage. LMFAO. He begs and begs for the chance and hates it so much. Poor Hem. He never would've guessed to have stage fright. But it made for some pretty amusing moments. I liked Hekibel and the relationship she develops with Saliman. It was nice that he found someone to love. Irc was still hilarious.

Irc continued to live with Hem, and enjoyed as much honor as the other heroes of the Naraudh Lar-Chanë. He clearly never became modest: the phrase Irc-tongue passed into Turbanskian speech as a byword for boastfulness. He died at the ripe old age of twenty-eight, and it was popularly held that when he died, his soul flew to join the Elidhu Nyanar in his land near the Glandugir Hills.

Croggon, Alison. The Singing: The Fourth Book of Pellinor (Pellinor Series 4) (p. 459). Candlewick Press. Kindle Edition.

And I loved that Cadvan gave him the nickname of the Savior of Lirigon. Lol. I was really sad that Hem sees Zelika and she barely acknowledges him. It would've be nice for him to get the same peace that Maerad does when the dead appear. Cadvan still drove me nuts in this one. Even knowing how Maerad struggled with her thoughts and inner darkness in The Riddle, he still refused to speak up about his thoughts and feelings and it drove me mad. Especially since he should know better. Maerad was better, but still somewhat childish in this book as well. She could've said what was on her mind, but it was more understandable coming from her than it was Cadvan. Even when he said he trusted her, he never really seemed to back it up. Honestly I didn't really get their relationship but they seemed happy enough so *shrugs* I loved the relationship between Hem and Maerad though. Him telling her that he's not afraid, that he just sees her, his sister was sweet. And I was really glad to see a happy ending for everyone. It's always better when they live happily ever after.

Overall it was a strong end to a fantastic fantasy series. One I'm sorry to have reached the end of. 5 stars. ( )

The Singing was all I thought it would be. A truly lyrical novel. This one is scary, but not as dark as the last one. Alison Croggon is an amazing author. These novels have the taste of the Lord of the Rings series, but in an easier to read flavor. The characters are rich and developed. My only problem with this last book was the relationship between Cadvan and Maerad. I don't know why I didn't want them romantically linked. I think it was because I saw Cadvan in my mind as Maerad's father figure. She was 15 or so when he found her and began to teach her. He was like what like 30? I know, in these books bards live extra long lives, but she was a bard too. I just didn't see that connection between them. But, you know everyone loves a happy ending, and this definitely was that! I can't wait to see what else Croggon comes up with. I love an author with a good imagination! ( )

While I have enjoyed the arc of this story, this final instalment deserved better editing. In particular, the interactions between the characters just left me grating my teeth - confused, repetitive, and not in line with their previous characteristics. Though I must say, the poetry and, in this case, the addenda, are well done. ( )

A good conclusion to the series. ( )

Exquisitely finished, and though a tad rushed, a beautiful story. Well worth the read and ready to be read again and again. ( )