Upsetting 8

Early History
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The "Songhouse" is an ancient place, existing in the Empire, all existentes political structures. And this is the last independent structure, which alone can say no to the Emperor.

The "Songhouse" is a place where the most promising singers gathered. 4-5 years to about 10 years, they spend their isolated life in monastic conditions except that the songs are substituted for prayer. Around 10 years, the child is sent to a 5-year contract, occur under the protection of a boss. Puberty, blocked until 15 years, so inevitably, at age 15, the child returns to the "Songhouse" this time become a Master Singer, or hold another household task if it is really more able to sing.

All singers do not have the same quality. The best, those whose song touches the sublime, are called "Birds Singers". They emerge from so rare, sometimes once every 10 or 20 years or more. Listen song of a bird Singer is the ultimate dream of most of the inhabitants of the Empire.

The emperor Mikal no exception. And what is not the wonder of the Empire heard that the "Songhouse" had agreed to find a Bird Singer. The quest will be long, but after about 60 years, the rare bird is found is Ansset, hypnotic physical and divine song.

Ansset will be at the center of power, and the story is that of an exceptional being, for high art, which rubs beings who live only for the Power.

What I think
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As with Ender, we will see how a boy can become the center of the universe and perform amazing acts. And as with Ender, the final wisdom is overwhelming.

But more than Ender, I was touched by all the characters described. In Ender, I was focused on the main character. Here, perhaps because Ansset owes its quality to his singing listening to others, the other characters seemed to me to take more thick, and each is unique in its own way.

The universe described (the Empire, of course with Earth, but all other planets) is not too described the story remains confined to the privacy of power. After all music is the intimate. There are not too many descriptions, not too many dialogues either. Especially descriptions of feelings / sentiments of non effective way to describe the music (because you can not hear, both in describing its origin and effects). Still, there is the action: we will keep close to several emperors, we will witness a kidnapping, assassination attempts ...

The story, besides being original (talk about music as a power) is only a tremor of emotion (buried, blocked at home and Ansset Esste, twisted as in Mikal II, just as in human Kya Kya ...). This short novel is the striking demonstration that can touch the hearts of readers without them about their daily lives. It is a book all age where non fantasy lovers will not be destabilized because we only speak of the human.

Note: Some commentators warn against how pedophilia is discussed here. Personally how the author addressed the subject not shocked me, however this is not a book for a young audience.