Adam Stemple, Jane Yolen's son, is a musician and an author.

I don't think I live under a bush, or on top of Mt. Everest, nor do I have my head buried in sand...I think.

So why haven't I heard of him? Why haven't I heard of Singer of Souls ?

Or, I guess I should say, I did hear of him, but why did it take me so long?

Singer of Souls felt like reading Emma Bull's War for the Oaks, if it starred an addicted rock musician trying to stay clean and make money during the Fringe festival on the streets of Edinburgh written by Stephen R. Donaldson.

All the urban fey goodness (or should I say, evilness as these fey are by no means...benign) you could desire, coupled with a totally believable hero who makes the WRONG choice all the time.

He leaves people to be killed by bad guys, he's selfish, he treats his potential love interest as if she doesn't exist, when he realizes his powers, he doesn't use them for good, he uses them to TAKE OVER and expunge every compassionate and human feeling from his own mind.

I mean, really, it's almost like watching the birth of a villain. Except you want to root for Douglas, because you see your own self in the way he walks past sticky situations, the way he talks himself out of venturing into danger.

Excellent work. I've already requested the sequel at the library.

Very recommended for urban fantasy fans, or readers who want to see how a hero can be flawed and consistently make wrong choices, and still be sympathetic.