I love this book. It made me fall in love with reading. And every time that I re-read it I find new depths to the story that I never noticed before. ( )

This is the story of Rune, who a girl who strives to become a Guild Bard, but finds out that they aren't exactly what she thinks. The main character is named Rune, though she gains the name Lark midway though the book. She is very much the underdog in the world, and a reader can find themselves wanting to see her succeed. Many fantastic events happen to who throughout the story, like fiddling for a ghost, disguising herself as a boy, fiddling for elves, and stopping a murderer. Later on, more main characters are introduced like Rune's teacher Wren who later becomes her husband. The plot of the story is logical. It starts out with a goal, Rune wanting to be a guild Bard. It follows her trying to achieve that and the aftermath after she does and finds out that is what she wants. There are many journeys and side quest like episodes along the road that bring in more characters or more fantasy elements. There seems to be multiple themes throughout the book; the traditional good vs. evil shows up alot in different characters. There are also episodes of "love conquers all" and the underdog theme. Because it is a fantasy world (and the first book in it), the style seems to fit. Lackey even creates a Gypsy language to go along with the characters. I world recommend this book to 8th graders and above who are interested in fantasy or who like female protagonists. ( )

The first in the bardic voices series follows rune as her love of music leads her away from her home and into the arms of the leader of the free bards.

Sample Chapters: http://webscriptions.net/10.1125/Baen...

The story follows Rune, a young girl who wants to be a musician. Her biggest problem is that she's the daughter of a tavern wench, and is getting to the age where rape or an unwanted marriage have become all too likely. So, to follow up on a bet, she goes to play her fiddle for a murderous ghost - and since that all happens in the beginning of the book, I think it's safe to tell you that she survives.

It is a cute premise, if not a hugely original one (kid wants to prove him/herself, runs away from home, finds a kindly mentor, and succeeds in the face of opposition). And I like the way music factors so large in the story. I love music, and Lackey's knowledge of it shows.

But on a re-read, I find that the novel-as-a-whole isn't as interesting to me as it once was. It was disappointingly easy to put down to go to sleep at night. Now, to be fair, this is quite likely because I have read the story so many times (in pieces) that I know what's happening with no doubt whatsoever. But a part of it is that the writing itself doesn't seem to be as well polished as some other novels I have read lately, and so I get jolted out of the narrative too often. ( )