Product Description

When the Song of Power opens a gateway to the Realm of the Sidhe, young Michael Perrin slips through, only to face years of captivity and deadly struggles for the future of the Realm and the future of Earth, with all of humanity at stake. Reprint. PW.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1635335 in Books
• Published on: 1998-11-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 704 pages

Customer Reviews

How fantasy should be written.
Originally two separate books, Greg Bear's 'Infinity Concerto' and 'The Serpent Mage' are brought together in one volume renamed 'Songs of Earth and Power'.
The story revolves around Michael Perrin, a young poet who is searching for meaning in his life but with no direction. When he befriends Arno Waltiri an elderly neighbour who is also artistic (a composer), it is a meeting of minds and Michaels life changes forever. Unfortunately Arno dies soon after meeting Michael but leaves him a key to an old abandoned house. What Michael is about to discover is that this house is a gateway to another realm, the Realm of the Sidhe, a realm that is both compelling and dangerous, a realm that is difficult to escape from.
Greg Bear's land of elves is not the pretty, enchanted place of so many fantasy novels but is an oppressive, menacing land of cruelty and fear, ruled by the unfeeling Sidhe. His brilliantly descriptive narrative draws the reader in until you feel part of this world. It is a difficult book to put down. Songs of Earth and Power isn't an easy or comfortable read but it is one that is well worth the effort. It's definitely one of the better novels in the fantasy genre and it's a great addition to the bookshelf of any lover of fantasy.

One of, if not the, best books ever!!
This book captures your imagination from start to finish. I am a fantasy fan, and this book didn't disapoint, combining make-believe elements in such a powerful way that it seems more believable than any other fantasy book I've ever read! Both books that make up this one publication are great, but their contrasting styles make this the best book I've ever read.

Inspiring Celtic Epic
A wonderful story of a boy transported to the realm where the Sidhe (the much feted faerie folk of Ireland) rule. Magic is created in the forms of Songs of power - which may take the form of any of the great arts - music , dance , poetry. The story tells of the boy Michael's rise to Magehood through his talent for poetry , leading to the destruction of the realm and the return of the Sidhe to earth . I have lived in Ireland all my life and heard stories of the good folk or the sidhe all my life . This folk takes these wonderful legends and weaves them into a brilliant story . Highly recommended