This is the emotional journey of Ansset, not just a "Songbird" but one of the most talented to ever leave the Songhouse, which is above rule by even the Emperor. Songbirds are the best at a kind of "music therapy", and they are only assigned to the most deserving of individuals. The Emperor of all of the worlds goes to the Songhouse to request a songbird, but of course this is very irregular, because Songbirds must be deserved. Amazingly, he proves the Songhouse wrong, and shows that he is deserving, and now the Songhouse must provide the songbird best suited to him.

A highly unusual book. Some parallels to Ender's Game are apparent, such as Ansset's unusual intelligence for his age, and the isolation he experiences as an anomaly in the Songhouse. Overall an interesting read, although it does have some disturbing moments.