To be held in Crystal's thrall. . .

Having read anything by Anne McCaffrey that I could get my hands on, I was greatly surprised to see a new series by her.

The series starts with this book. Killashandra Ree is a native of Fuerte, or as she calls it, Fusty Fuerte. When she is given the news that what she believes is her one talent, her voice, is flawed, she leaves here student lifestyle and looks for a better life that will allow her to use her voice.

Meeting up with a tourist to her planet, she agrees to show him her world. The tourist turns out to be a Crystal Singer, so called because they "Sing" crystal out of the ranges of another planet, Ballybran.

After the singer is injured, Killashandra decides to travel to Ballybran in order to apply for the job of Crystal singer.

The book details what happens to her once she lands on the planet, and what Crystal singing can do to those who work the ranges.

As always, McCaffrey spins a wonderful yarn. Although different from her Dragon series, the Crystal Singer series also has a believable "other planet" setting, with characters that are real and personable, right down to their flaws.

A must read for any McCaffrey fan.