This year my A to Z theme is world building, and today I’m featuring Ballybran. But it’s also my book review day, so here’s a book review of sorts.
B is for Ballybran, and that is the setting for the Crystal Singer series by Anne McCaffrey. Well, the main setting, although Killashandra, book 2 in the series, is placed mainly on a planet Killa is sent to investigate as part of an ostensible review of a crystal installation… but I’m getting ahead of myself.
The Crystal Singer: Killashandra Ree is told she will never make an intergalactic opera star, but she’ll be fine as a second-rank soloist or support. Killashandra is not going to play second fiddle to anyone, and in outrage she sets off to find somewhere, anywhere, where she will be the best in the world. She ends up applying to be a crystal miner on the extraordinarily secretive Ballybran. It’s a job for life, due to the way Ballybran crystal interacts with those who mine it; and not everyone can, which provides a large population of supporting jobs for those who don’t make the grade but can’t leave Ballybran.
This is a book ideal for teenage and twenties girls who believe they can change the world, be anything they want to be, and don’t want to lie down and accept what life hands them. I don’t know anyone who might be like that… well, yes, I found Killa to be a heroine I wanted to be, out on the ranges, singing to crystal, and jetting round the universe installing it. Even better, in book 2, the eponymous Killashandra, she sets off to a wonderful planet conserved for the leisure enjoyment of all, to find a stifling set of rules and elders who insists that nothing should change. No creativity, no stepping outside of the norms. Not even interference with the ground of the planet, so that houses are built uncertainly on the surface and make the whole place look a tumbledown mess. And the rebels are free thinking, free spirited people, who roam around by boat in the south sea islands. Mmm…. And the hot one, I suddenly realise, is called Lars. He’s nothing like my Lars, although he’s just as sexy. Hm. I think I may have to work harder to make sure my Lars isn’t too much like Lars Dahl.
Book 3 is less memorable, and, since I have written all the above from memory, I find it interesting that the only part of the story I remember of book 3 (Crystal Line) is that Killa develops into the sort of crystal miner she hated in the first book, and Lars does other things (I remember what, but hey, spoilers!). In many ways, this book is the proof of the excellence of Ms McCaffrey’s world-building in the other books. People are who they are, the system is what it is, and the development of both is perfectly logical and inevitable. Having enthused about girls being able to be who they want to be, maybe this brings us back to earth with ‘but only within the rules of the society they live in.’ But we can change, indeed we have to change to survive.
I love most of Anne McCaffrey’s books, and I love the way they can cross into each other’s universes – Killa has a trip on a Brain Ship in one of them – which makes me feel that the world building has been fully rounded. I think I might have gone to be a Crystal Singer – but I’m afraid I might have failed the test. But as someone else says in one of their Goodreads reviews – nearly all Anne McCaffrey’s books feature a woman who is exceptional, whose talent is ignored, who breaks out with or without anyone’s help, makes a huge success of it, and generally finds a gorgeous man who adores her for it. Then again, what’s wrong with that?
PS The cover is on the book I have… it’s dated 1982. Just saying…
“nearly all Anne McCaffrey’s books feature a woman who is exceptional, whose talent is ignored, who breaks out with or without anyone’s help, makes a huge success of it, and generally finds a gorgeous man who adores her for it. Then again, what’s wrong with that?”
Can’t honestly find anything wrong with that at all!
Mary
Twitter: @KnottyMarie
Literary Gold
Jingle Jangle Jungle
Me neither. I was surprised so many people on Goodreads seemed to criticise the books for this.
I’ve heard of her, of course, but I don’t think I’ve read any of her books to date. Oops. I think my TBR just exploded! *lol*
LuAnn (approx #369 on the list) @ Back Porchervations.
(and one of co-host AJ Lauer’s #wHooligans)
It sure will, LuAnn. If you like your fantasy with feudal worlds and dragons, go for the Pern series, if you prefer spaceships and people overcoming accidents, start with the Ship Who Sang. If you like high drama with a touch more romance, go for the Crystal Singer. 🙂
I really need to read her books.
I recommend them 🙂
Love McCaffrey. I got into the Pern books in Jr. high and never lost my taste for them, though I like the early books better than where she took the world later. Another great series (and another well-realized world) is her Freedom trilogy.
Yes – I always forget what they’re called!
Had to look it up 😉
I just (re)found the Petaybee trilogy from the keywords of the world as I remembered it 🙂
I’ve heard of McCaffrey but never read any of her books – something else to try sometime. I do have a book for you that I know you will enjoy – it’s called Oy Yew (yes, that’s the name of the book!)
I’ve seen that mentioned on the Great Middle Grade Reads group. with nearly 500 on my TBR list, I’m trying not to put any on now. I mean – thant’s over 10 years’ reading!
Noelle, I’ve just done some more housekeeping on my site. Hopefully the comments won’t get lost for a while, until the next upgrade is required ….
Impressive memory! Good luck with the challenge.
Thanks, Stuart. Some books stay with you longer than others. But then, if I could find my glasses more often… and someone had to bring a sweater I’d left behind earlier today!
I haven’t read any of her books, but from the covers I’ve seen, the strong female MC seems apparent. And hey, strong females need love too. 🙂
They do indeed, Jean!
At one time we had all of her books. My kids devoured them.
I had more at one stage, too. I think I lost a boxfull in one of my moves 🙁
I love when different books meet up, like with Charlaine Harris. I get so excited. Anyway, intriguing book, will have to check it out! //fellow challenger
Thanks, Natalie 🙂
Hi there!
I’m stopping by from the #AtoZChallenge. Nice post…love the book cover.
I have two blogs in this challenge…my author blog at THE STORY CATCHER (www.donnalmartin.com) and my KICKS Kids Club blog (www.kickskidsclub.blogspot.com.
If you get a chance, check them out and good luck with the challenge!
Hi Donna! I’ll get over to you later today, probably. So much to do, so little time 🙂
I want to read this now! Also – looking forwArd to checking out the flash fiction Fridays!
It’s a dangerous thing, this AtoZ – you end up with even more TBRs!
No kidding! My life is filled with pages yet to be read!
I’d forgotten this world existed. Not my reading choice and amazed I managed to follow your post. Nothing wrong with strong women getting what they want regardless of what others tell them. Great to catch up again, must be April!
Indeed – it is April – and I’m loving your pictures popping into my email inbox. I’ll be over to say something soon!
I do think I need to get round to reading McCaffrey one of these days. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her on my local shelves though. I’m sad I missed these growing up 🙁
Anna
ATSP @ Deeply Shallow
@natzers
Yes, you should definitely read at least one of the series, Anna!
Wow! It sounds like a great premise 😀 I have heard about the author before, but never read her work. This one sounds like it would be fun! Thanks for the review 🙂
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
The Multicolored Diary
MopDog
Thanks, Csenge. I think you’d like her. I’ve been trying to remember another series I liked – I think you would too – Powers that Be, the first in the Petaybee trilogy. I can’t say much more without spoilers!
Cool theme for the month! I will stop by again.
I’ve only read one of her dragon books, the first one I think.
And world building is not my strong suit.
Well, I expect we all say that, Alex 🙂 Thanks for dropping in. xx
Dang she rings a bell – something in my head says Dragons. Now I’ll go have to look her up. I need a new author anyway, rather than re-reading my current ones for about the 300’th time.
Sue Hernandez
WordPress Blogs:
Learning to write and A-to-Z Challenge (#965)
Yes, indeed – the Dragons of Pern. Why not enter my giveaway, too, Susan 🙂
Excellent, thank you – just did so! And, yes, the Dragons of Pern is probably where I heard her! Thanks!
I’m always amazed at the world-building skills of fantasy/sci-fi writers. 🙂
I’ve heard of Anne McCaffrey but I’ve never read any of her stuff.
I forgot to leave my link in case you want to swing by. Writer In Transit
Thanks, Michelle – I shall swing by soon. I think I’ve probably mentioned all her series in the comments already – something for everyone!
I love The Crystal Singer – it is one of those books I can read over and over again. Saying that, I really should 🙂 Anne McCaffrey’s word building is always brilliant.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)