Soul-Singer of Tyrnos

by Ardath Mayhar

Yeleeve, a young woman who can sing the image of a soul onto the wall behind her, to commend or condemn the owner, discovers that a powerful evil is overcoming her country and only she can help.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

195 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1981

About the author

Ardath Frances Hurst Mayhar was an American writer and poet. She began writing science fiction in 1979 after returning with her family to Texas from Oregon. She was nominated for the Mark Twain Award, and won the Balrog Award for a horror narrative poem in Masques I.

She had numerous other nominations for awards in almost every fiction genre, and won many awards for poetry. In 2008 she was honored by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America as an Author Emeritus.

Mayhar wrote over 60 books ranging from science fiction to horror to young adult to historical to westerns; with some work under the pseudonyms Frank Cannon, Frances Hurst, John Killdeer, Ardath P. Mayhar. Joe R. Lansdale wrote simply: "Ardath Mayhar writes damn fine books!"

Reviews

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. There is something about the story that "speaks" to me. Ardath Mayhar's writing style doesn't appeal to everyone. She writes like she thinks that her readers can actually read on their own and figure out the obvious - 'course she will lead you down the garden path and maybe spring a surprise on you. If you like the styles of Andre Norton and/or Mercedes Lackey; then you will do well with Ardath Mayhar.

Did you notice that I said nothing about the story? There are aliens and deities and a knight, a brave holder wife defending the hold until the men arrive home and a feline of unusual powers.

I've read this story so many times that my paperback is held together by a whisper and a prayer. A good read.

[Jean Triceratops · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quick read relies on classic fantasy tropes and scratches that fantasy itch without roping you into a vast series or using cheap tricks to hook you or exaggerated human emotion to make you feel things. While dated by modern standards, it was a good read.

Fair warning, while nothing graphic happens on screen, rape and sexual abuse of children do show up in the story, completely out of the blue.

[I read old fantasy and sci-fi novels written by women authors in search of forgotten gems. See a full-length review at

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic pulp fantasy, if there is such a thing. I love Mayhar's terse style of writing that assumes that the reader can catch up. Very different from what the fantasy genre has become, yet lovely and recognizable for those who enjoy it.

[Justin Howe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of Ursula K. LeGuin mixed with Terry Brooks and best of all it was short. I enjoyed it.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short easy read with engaging and interesting characters.