and Frenn return to the Isle. Azri makes a peace treaty and swears never to hunt half-creatures again, and Kherron - whom Singer Eliya has been keeping track of through farlistening - is made into a Singer and asks to sing therapy to Frenn to show how he has reformed. The day after the Karcholders leave - all except Lazim, who elects to remain on the Isle - Frenn, Kherron and lazim go down to the beach, where they find Rialle being carried to shore by the merlee. Shortly afterwards, Singer Eliya dies of exhaustion after singing Yehn to several war criminals, including Frazhin and Lord Javelly. After the funeral Eliya shares with Singer Toharo, led by the newly appointed First Singer Graia, Kherron finally apologises to Rialle and, as Frenn begins to regain use of his arm, Rialle realises that the wounds they have suffered will heal over time. Characters Rialle - a gifted Final Year novice in the Echorium, the best student in her class and sensitive to the half-creatures' songs. Kherron - a Final Year novice who resents Rialle for her singing ability, and hates The Echorium's regime. Frenn - a close friend to Rialle, who becomes a non-singing orderly after his voice breaks, but runs away to join her on the Wavesong. He is badly injured and partially paralysed in an avalanche. Frazhin - the Khizpriest, manipulator of the powerful crystal khiz who attempts to destroy The Echorium. Lord Azri - the Karchlord, a young man poisoned by his khizpriests using merlee eggs. Singer Toharo - Second Singer of The Echorium. He is sent to investigate merlee hunting and to search for the runaway Kherron. He dies in an avalanche in the Karchhold. Lazim - a young man in the Karchhold who befriends Kherron and helps him heal the Karchlord. Singer Graia - a teacher at The Echorium who later becomes First Singer. Singer Eliya - First Singer of The Echorium. She dies of old age at the end of the book. Lord Javelly - a noble owning a castle northeast of Silvertown, who helps and supplies the Khizpriest also known as Frazhin. Karchlord - the ruler of the Karchhold. He was poisoned by his priest. Reception Song Quest received praise from reviewers and won the inaugural Branford Boase Award, given for debut works of children's fiction. In 2001, the critic of children's literature Victor Watson