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The Echorium Sequence #1
Song Quest
Welcome to a world from another time -- where legendary half-creatures still exist. A world where nature itself can be controlled by unearthly music. A world where the forces of good and evil are held in harmony by the Singers who have mastered the secret Songs of Power. A world on the brink of destruction, threatened by a dark lord whose evil knows no bounds. Rialle and Kherron, two novice Singers, are all that's left to stand in the enemy's way. Stranded in a strange land with only one another to rely on, these former rivals must work together if they are to survive. In a timeless coming-of-age journey, Rialle and Kherron discover the strength of spirit that lies within them in their quest to help good triumph over evil.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
18 people are currently reading
1258 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Roberts
73 books144 followersI grew up in the south west of England and studied Mathematics at the University of Bath, writing fantasy and science fiction in my spare time. After graduating with 1st class honours (in maths, not fantasy writing!), I worked with computers for several years before redundancy convinced me that working with horses might be healthier.
I spent the next decade working in various horse racing yards, and kept on writing. "Song Quest" was eventually published in 1999 and went on to win the Branford Boase Award for best debut children's novel by a UK author.
I spent the next decade working in various horse racing yards, and kept on writing. "Song Quest" was eventually published in 1999 and went on to win the Branford Boase Award for best debut children's novel by a UK author.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 72 reviews
June 22, 2018
Really original YA fantasy story. I originally read this maybe 20 years ago and absolutely loved it. I’d completely forgotten the story except that it had singers who could do clever things with their voices. As with many coming of age plots, the story starts at the Echorium, where Singers are trained. I’d forgotten about the wonderful quetzal, a rather wonderful and fantastical half creature. There are Merlee and evil priests too. I’m so glad I reread this. I plan to reread the rest of the trilogy too. Recommended.
May 10, 2010
4.5 Stars
This is one of those books I really wish I had read when I was younger. As an adult it’s a book I really enjoyed but as a child I would have absolutely treasured it.
I love Rialle from the get go. She came across as really caring and sweet, vulnerable yet strong and I really enjoyed spending time with her. I also adored Frenn - he was really kind and obviously cared a great deal for Rialle. I wasn’t sure how much I like Kherron in the beginning – but as the story progressed he really started to grow on me.
I liked the dual aspect of the book – getting the story from Rialle and Kherron’s point of view. I do think I favoured Rialle as a narrator (possible because I liked her more) but the story definitely benefits from having the two points of view and gives it a appeal to both male and female readers.
The story itself is great – many twist and turns and plenty of action. I found myself holding my breath in parts - either anxious to know what was going to happen or shocked by the turn of events. I found it completely unpredictable and loved that!
I will admit this is a book that is slightly outside my comfort zone. Although I read many books that have fantasy elements in them I’m not usually very good at reading a ‘straight’ fantasy. There is something about all the made up names and places that confuses me. I believe it is testament to Roberts' writing that this wasn’t the case here. I found myself so completely immersed in the story that it wasn’t a problem at all. I would definitely recommend it for readers who are looking for their first fantasy read.
Overall - Fantastic characters, a wonderful story and lovely writing. Brilliant!
This is one of those books I really wish I had read when I was younger. As an adult it’s a book I really enjoyed but as a child I would have absolutely treasured it.
I love Rialle from the get go. She came across as really caring and sweet, vulnerable yet strong and I really enjoyed spending time with her. I also adored Frenn - he was really kind and obviously cared a great deal for Rialle. I wasn’t sure how much I like Kherron in the beginning – but as the story progressed he really started to grow on me.
I liked the dual aspect of the book – getting the story from Rialle and Kherron’s point of view. I do think I favoured Rialle as a narrator (possible because I liked her more) but the story definitely benefits from having the two points of view and gives it a appeal to both male and female readers.
The story itself is great – many twist and turns and plenty of action. I found myself holding my breath in parts - either anxious to know what was going to happen or shocked by the turn of events. I found it completely unpredictable and loved that!
I will admit this is a book that is slightly outside my comfort zone. Although I read many books that have fantasy elements in them I’m not usually very good at reading a ‘straight’ fantasy. There is something about all the made up names and places that confuses me. I believe it is testament to Roberts' writing that this wasn’t the case here. I found myself so completely immersed in the story that it wasn’t a problem at all. I would definitely recommend it for readers who are looking for their first fantasy read.
Overall - Fantastic characters, a wonderful story and lovely writing. Brilliant!
March 8, 2012
I read this series while at school and I think must have annoyed the librarian very much by forever re-reading these as I really loved them and will probably end up buying them some day :)
May 22, 2016
OH MY GOD. i remember being obsessed about this book when i was...12? gotta re-read it. i think it had mermaids...
May 12, 2019
I just remembered that I used to read and re-read this book as a kid! Don't ask me about the plot or the characters but I do remember the singer bits. The cover is what jogged my memory.
December 19, 2014
Rialle has spent her whole life in the Echorium, learning to be a Singer. But after her ears distinguish a cry in the storm, she is appointed to a delegation leaving the island to talk to the mainlanders. The treaty that protects the Half Creatures like the merlee (mermaids) from being slaughtered is being broken, and the Singers intend to stop it. Kherron, another Singer in training, is also determined to get off the island, but his rebellion lands him in the middle of an international conflict and pits everyone against him.
Rialle and Kherron are a good pair of main characters, as Kherron's angry rebellion contrasts nicely against Rialle's quiet acceptance of duty. And because their motives are so different, it's interesting to see how they end up going in the same direction, to the same cities, and ultimately to the same side of the final confrontation.
The plot powers ahead with a good deal of action, but the story as a whole feels paper thin. Almost no history is given besides the fact that a treaty had been signed to protect the Half Creatures: the details of this treaty, why the nations signed it, who enforces it on the mainland when the Singers aren't there.... not to mention the gaping holes in everyone's personal history. Rialle was born and raised in the Echorium, and no more than a sentence or two is devoted to this. No childhood memories for her or Kherron, no backstory on any of the important characters like the First Singer or the Second Singer, and very little place description all lead to the story feeling tenuous.
I also mistrusted how little power the Khizpriest, in the end, was able to wield. Surely with all of the factions in the priesthood some of them would have been on the current Khizpriest's side? Or at least he'd have found support from elsewhere, in men he controlled or who wanted to control him. The Khizpriest's magic was nebulous; for that matter most of the power that was used was not explained well. It was mentioned that metal would interfere with the ability to Sing, but Kherron's bracelet did not appear to have any impact on him, where the spear of the Khizpriest did.
Rialle annoyed me severely in how often she got sick. Seasickness, altitude sickness, sickness from drinking sleeping potions or being hit upside the head---she spends the entire book ill from one thing or another, and it got quite frustrating. It was rarer to find a moment when she wasn't ready to puke her guts out.
The end of the story drops off before resolving the relationship between Kherron and Rialle. I would hope she chooses Frenn, particularly after all he went through for her, but the ending leaves everything so open it's practically up to the reader which one she chooses. Overall this was a decent enough story, but without the necessary backstory or description to make it good. I rate this book Not Recommended.
Rialle and Kherron are a good pair of main characters, as Kherron's angry rebellion contrasts nicely against Rialle's quiet acceptance of duty. And because their motives are so different, it's interesting to see how they end up going in the same direction, to the same cities, and ultimately to the same side of the final confrontation.
The plot powers ahead with a good deal of action, but the story as a whole feels paper thin. Almost no history is given besides the fact that a treaty had been signed to protect the Half Creatures: the details of this treaty, why the nations signed it, who enforces it on the mainland when the Singers aren't there.... not to mention the gaping holes in everyone's personal history. Rialle was born and raised in the Echorium, and no more than a sentence or two is devoted to this. No childhood memories for her or Kherron, no backstory on any of the important characters like the First Singer or the Second Singer, and very little place description all lead to the story feeling tenuous.
I also mistrusted how little power the Khizpriest, in the end, was able to wield. Surely with all of the factions in the priesthood some of them would have been on the current Khizpriest's side? Or at least he'd have found support from elsewhere, in men he controlled or who wanted to control him. The Khizpriest's magic was nebulous; for that matter most of the power that was used was not explained well. It was mentioned that metal would interfere with the ability to Sing, but Kherron's bracelet did not appear to have any impact on him, where the spear of the Khizpriest did.
Rialle annoyed me severely in how often she got sick. Seasickness, altitude sickness, sickness from drinking sleeping potions or being hit upside the head---she spends the entire book ill from one thing or another, and it got quite frustrating. It was rarer to find a moment when she wasn't ready to puke her guts out.
The end of the story drops off before resolving the relationship between Kherron and Rialle. I would hope she chooses Frenn, particularly after all he went through for her, but the ending leaves everything so open it's practically up to the reader which one she chooses. Overall this was a decent enough story, but without the necessary backstory or description to make it good. I rate this book Not Recommended.
July 7, 2013
While I don't think this book really deserves the comparison one reviewer made to Le Guin, it's still a good young adult fantasy. It's rare in that male and female characters each have their chance to shine. I particularly liked the apparent transformation in Kherron's character. The half-creatures were interesting, especially since they were given their own specific skills and personality traits.
And the device underlying the plot -- that trained singers can affect others by singing particular songs (for sleep, laughter, tears, fear, or death) -- is creative, and makes for a fascinating story. There's a little bit of deeper message (the importance of respecting all life forms, not just human ones), but that's not the reason to read the book.
And the device underlying the plot -- that trained singers can affect others by singing particular songs (for sleep, laughter, tears, fear, or death) -- is creative, and makes for a fascinating story. There's a little bit of deeper message (the importance of respecting all life forms, not just human ones), but that's not the reason to read the book.
February 15, 2014
Rediscovering this book in my collection had really given me a burst of nostalgia.
When I was younger, this book truly captivated my imagination. Every spare moment I would spend thinking of Rialle, how I would love to live as a Singer in the Echorium.
I recommend this to anybody ages 8 upwards, it is an imaginative and enthralling series [Crystal Mask, Dark Quetzal are the following books in the trilogy.]
The descriptions are detailed and fabulously creative. Gives free rein and encouragement to the reader to allow their imaginations to roam, exploring the vivid world in which the Singers inhabitate.
When I was younger, this book truly captivated my imagination. Every spare moment I would spend thinking of Rialle, how I would love to live as a Singer in the Echorium.
I recommend this to anybody ages 8 upwards, it is an imaginative and enthralling series [Crystal Mask, Dark Quetzal are the following books in the trilogy.]
The descriptions are detailed and fabulously creative. Gives free rein and encouragement to the reader to allow their imaginations to roam, exploring the vivid world in which the Singers inhabitate.
July 9, 2014
Yes! I finally found this book. I remember my mom buying this book for me at a small bookstore in Bayfield, Ontario during the summer when I was in elementary or middle school. I COULD NOT remember for the life of me what this was called (give me a break, it was 14 years ago) but I am so happy I finally tracked it down. All I could remember was "children, island, masks, songs." I don't even remember why masks...
I LOVED THIS BOOK. Fantasy, school, action, adventure, it had it all. In fact, I am going to try to see if I can get my hands on a copy to re-read it this summer.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. Fantasy, school, action, adventure, it had it all. In fact, I am going to try to see if I can get my hands on a copy to re-read it this summer.
January 10, 2014
This is one of my very favorite fantasy books which borders between Middle School and YA. This is likely because singing has such a huge part in this book. I loved how there were different songs that did different things, so original, and so much fun to read!
Rialle and Kherron were both wonderful, interesting, developed characters. They were such a joy to read. I definitely will be reading the next book.
Rialle and Kherron were both wonderful, interesting, developed characters. They were such a joy to read. I definitely will be reading the next book.
March 24, 2016
Rialle is not the most...energetic of protagonists, nor is Kherron the most likeable of characters, even in later books, but the premise of Song Quest is unique. These are humans, yet not humans that can do awesome things. There are half-creatures that many don't believe in, even though they themselves have awesome power and so it's kinda a learning and growing book for everyone.
April 26, 2015
I like the series, but:
a) They need to go into a bit more detail with the character's feelings/wy hey're doing what they are doing.
b) The female characters need to do more, rather than just sitting there.
c) The whole 'Rialle will be terrified of ever going in doors after a few weeks in prison' thing is unbelievable - it either needs to be more traumatic, or else she needs to be written as a character who is very emotional/mentally weak.
d) The whole 'skipping a generation' between books in annoying, because seeing the characters develop as people would be really nice.
e) The world they live in is interesting, but I want more of it. What are the main countries? Are there other Singers in different parts of the world (maybe with different songs)?
f) All in all, a decent book (And a decent series for kids), but it would be better if there were more of it.
a) They need to go into a bit more detail with the character's feelings/wy hey're doing what they are doing.
b) The female characters need to do more, rather than just sitting there.
c) The whole 'Rialle will be terrified of ever going in doors after a few weeks in prison' thing is unbelievable - it either needs to be more traumatic, or else she needs to be written as a character who is very emotional/mentally weak.
d) The whole 'skipping a generation' between books in annoying, because seeing the characters develop as people would be really nice.
e) The world they live in is interesting, but I want more of it. What are the main countries? Are there other Singers in different parts of the world (maybe with different songs)?
f) All in all, a decent book (And a decent series for kids), but it would be better if there were more of it.
June 26, 2014
I really liked this book. I liked how there were two POVs: Kherron's and Rialle's. The whole concept of Singers really intrigued me. I liked that there was a glossary in the back of the terms the author made up. I really connected with Rialle, and near the end of the book, Kherron. The merlees and the quetzals really fascinated me, as I think they were supposed to. I wanted to know more about them! I thought this was a great book and will recommend it to anyone I know.
July 31, 2017
Direi anche un 3.5 su 5.
Il problema fondamentale con questo libro è che sulla copertina del libro c'è scritto "dai 10 anni" quando al suo interno ci sono scene veramente crude: sirene squartate, uomini che si uccidono tra loro, gente che si dà fuoco, ali tagliate...insomma io non lo farei leggere a un bambino di 10 anni.
La storia è abbastanza interessante, la fine forse un po' troppo veloce, ma soprattutto i typo: dopotutto e dopo tutto non hanno proprio lo stesso significato, ma la tipa che ha tradotto il libro non sembra saperlo e avrà ripetuto 250 volte la parola 'impavesata', che anche se è una parte della nave leggerla per una decina di volte nello stesso capitolo mi ha rotto!
Il problema fondamentale con questo libro è che sulla copertina del libro c'è scritto "dai 10 anni" quando al suo interno ci sono scene veramente crude: sirene squartate, uomini che si uccidono tra loro, gente che si dà fuoco, ali tagliate...insomma io non lo farei leggere a un bambino di 10 anni.
La storia è abbastanza interessante, la fine forse un po' troppo veloce, ma soprattutto i typo: dopotutto e dopo tutto non hanno proprio lo stesso significato, ma la tipa che ha tradotto il libro non sembra saperlo e avrà ripetuto 250 volte la parola 'impavesata', che anche se è una parte della nave leggerla per una decina di volte nello stesso capitolo mi ha rotto!
March 8, 2020
Full review on my Market Garden Reader book blog.
By no means a perfect fantasy, but worth reading if you don’t expect it to be Lord of the Rings or The Earthsea Trilogy, or even Harry Potter. First in the Echorium Sequence, but the ending is satisfying, leaving you wanting more tales from this universe. Singing is the novel superpower of the Singers, an elite class of negotiators. Rialle is our heroine, a nearly-qualified Singer who seems to be exceptionally talented, but she needs her friends to help her meet the challenges she will face.
By no means a perfect fantasy, but worth reading if you don’t expect it to be Lord of the Rings or The Earthsea Trilogy, or even Harry Potter. First in the Echorium Sequence, but the ending is satisfying, leaving you wanting more tales from this universe. Singing is the novel superpower of the Singers, an elite class of negotiators. Rialle is our heroine, a nearly-qualified Singer who seems to be exceptionally talented, but she needs her friends to help her meet the challenges she will face.
December 13, 2011
Oh my goodness, I loved this book.
I don't know exactly how to describe this book... it just sorta, I don't know... drew you in, but not in the same way some other books do.
I really don't know how to describe this book, it was...simply amazing.
It pulled me in, but at the same time.. I wasn't THERE, like with some books, yet, I still couldn't put it down. I wasn't crying over semi-main deaths, yet I still was very, very, sad. I wasn't extremely happy with the ending, and yet I'm dying to read the next one.
So yes, I am 14 and HIGHLY recommend this absolutely immensely awesome book.
I don't know exactly how to describe this book... it just sorta, I don't know... drew you in, but not in the same way some other books do.
I really don't know how to describe this book, it was...simply amazing.
It pulled me in, but at the same time.. I wasn't THERE, like with some books, yet, I still couldn't put it down. I wasn't crying over semi-main deaths, yet I still was very, very, sad. I wasn't extremely happy with the ending, and yet I'm dying to read the next one.
So yes, I am 14 and HIGHLY recommend this absolutely immensely awesome book.
March 1, 2010
Interesting and entertaining. A great twist in a fantasy book. Young kids and young adult live in an island and never had venture out from there. They are trained in different things according to their abilities and talents. Some are healers other teachers and so on.
Life in the world become very interesting when a mankind kingdom is killing mermaid people and feeding it to their king. The king doesn't know it but instead it is poising him.
Good book.
Life in the world become very interesting when a mankind kingdom is killing mermaid people and feeding it to their king. The king doesn't know it but instead it is poising him.
Good book.
October 5, 2014
Highly recommended.
Read this when I was really young and forgot about it. Remembered it years later and could only remember it was a fantasy, it started with an S, and I had a vague idea what the cover was like.
So, I went to my library's website and looked through pages of fantasy books until I found it again.
I never got into its sequels, will be trying them again at a later time, but I absolutely love this book.
Read this when I was really young and forgot about it. Remembered it years later and could only remember it was a fantasy, it started with an S, and I had a vague idea what the cover was like.
So, I went to my library's website and looked through pages of fantasy books until I found it again.
I never got into its sequels, will be trying them again at a later time, but I absolutely love this book.
August 15, 2015
Not a patch on anything by CS Lewis, Ursula Le Guin or Anne Macaffery
(or even 4 Children and It)
Why do they dye their hair blue and with what?
And how does it work on dark hair? or red?
And what about regrowth?
Not to mention that it's bad for their hair - it ruined the First Singer's......
Not good enough to make me want to read the rest of the series but I'm an adult - and read much better 'fantasy'as a child
(or even 4 Children and It)
Why do they dye their hair blue and with what?
And how does it work on dark hair? or red?
And what about regrowth?
Not to mention that it's bad for their hair - it ruined the First Singer's......
Not good enough to make me want to read the rest of the series but I'm an adult - and read much better 'fantasy'as a child
February 22, 2015
I am not usually drawn to this type of book, however, this one captured my interest right away and it held my attention all the way through. I think there are several students in my 5th grade class that will enjoy this book. The characters are interesting and believable and the plot events are compelling.
May 11, 2009
This is just a good book, not great, not wonderful, but good. I enjoyed the story and the plot. Oddly enough i really liked that she had blue hair! i also really enjoyed the half-creatures; they were painted very clear and they played a very simple but important role in the story.
May 20, 2009
I really liked it! I read the edition where the cover was a half of a girls face. And she had blue hair which curled at the bottom to form waves. Except.. I hate how the series has to have like the second book 20 years after the first...
June 22, 2009
Exciting and mysterious, with a poetic feel that adds to the magic. The concept of using songs to heal and destroy is an original one, and elevates Song Quest from the typical adolescent adventure to something more. A great read.
February 13, 2012
I Loved this book when i read it, which was many years ago. I found it amazing as the world described seemed so interesting. I always found myself wanting to join the school, i dreamed of being a singer with a voice which could control emotions.
March 26, 2013
Lovely fantasy adventure. It follows two young singers who are like representatives of the UN (except they sing) who set out to resolve the mysterious messages sent by the merlee (sort of mermaid things). I'm looking forward to learning more about the world in the next one.
August 15, 2015
At times I really liked it but sone parts I found harder work. Those times I found that the story left me with too many Why questions or I missed the logic which I found distracted me from the story.
August 1, 2016
I read this while I was still in school, I think I waa 13 at the time. I absolutely LOVED this book!! To this day it is still one of my favourite stories. I think over the years I have re-read it about 10 times.
March 12, 2017
If I hadn't read this when I was younger I'd probably give it 2 stars, but it gets three because nostalgia. Wasn't exciting enough to warrant reading the second book, which is about new characters in a different time period.
September 3, 2019
Ok. An interesting world but feels a little underdeveloped, especially the characters. I think in a way i would be better twice as long to flesh things out, though only that if well executed of course.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 72 reviews