Rating: 
Summary: read all of it !
Review: I hate it when you read a review that says, "I was dissapointed that this or that didn't happen so I didn't even finish the book". Sure there were some parts that I didn't like (Ashe) but it wasn't worth sacrificing a truly wonderfull reading experience that this series really is.
I mean the book is more than a REALLY good doorstop! It would also make a good stabler for a wobbly table... but that's not the point!! This book has alot to offer, as do the others in the continueing story. And you better read it now before the movie is done being made, or it will be another "harry potter" fiasco. (all the publisity really ruined that series)
All I have to say is, you either like it or you don't, but just read the WHOLE thing before you deside!!
Rating: 
Summary: Detail in the wrong places.
Review: There were certain things I enjoyed about this book, and there were certain things I didn't. I read the last half in a day, and I don't know if that's because I really liked it or I had to summon up some Supreme Willpower to do so. Most likely, the latter, unfortunately. Basically I'm going to talk about what I didn't like.I think a strong point in this book is the dialogue. It's entertaining to read, and if you're into it, it goes by fast. The problem with it is, sometimes entire chapters are devoted to massive exposition scenes, usually all in one large speech. They go on, and on, and only stop completely once they've said all they needed to in order to hammer in the information to Rhapsody and the readers. Dialogue between characters, however, is well done. I enjoyed, on some level, the exchanges between Rhapsody and Ashe. During these times I did grow somewhat exasperated, nonetheless, constantly saying to myself, "Ok, when are they going to find out what I already know about them?" That more than anything probably drove me to finish it. The author preserved that irony very well. And then the sex began.
Many other reviews have addressed it, and I'm going to as well. The first time, I suppose, was acceptable. Yeah, they love each other, so they're going to show it. But it didn't stop there. The scenes and instances grew in painful detail that really should have been devoted to other places (which I will talk about later). For instance, they make love on a mountain: "There on the mountain pass... they made love in panic, in desperation, cloaked in the night wind..." A little gratuitous, maybe? Yes. They can't control themselves. "Not again," I moan as I encounter their next profession of love for one another. Because once that happens, you know they're gonna fly into bed and spend the night in bliss. Then when they each wake up, they decide to do it again. It just got agitating. There was enough detail in the sex; unfortunately the same cannot be said of travelling. Major problem. No time is devoted to travelling. Destinations are decided, and the voyage begins. But then they arrive. A chapter ends or a new paragraph begins with "eleven days later..." It's like, how far did they actually go? I simply dismissed the map because if the characters arrive at their destinations a page later, there's no point in figuring out the amount of time it took to get there. The only exception to this is in the beginning, when Rhapsody is searching for the dragon. Of course, that is not the only journey she's going to make, and some good examples of this expedient travel are Rhapsody's search for the Seers, and the hunt for the Rakshas, an event which wrapped up way too quickly, in my opinion. It was written like a climax, but the end of the book was still over a hundred pages away, creating a drawn-out ending, a falling action that was not falling fast enough. Ashe bothered me a lot in the beginning. Specifically, his apologies. I can't believe how often he said he was sorry to Rhapsody. Every other thing out of his mouth was "I'm sorry." While I certainly plan on concluding this trilogy, I have no wish to read Requiem for the Sun and Elegy for a Lost Star, and however many others the author decides to write. It makes for a good tale, but not a never ending saga. Destiny's as far as I go.
Rating:
Summary: Nice book
Review: Prophecy is the sequel to Rhapsody. Once again, the book is very detailed and with a complex yet non-confusing plot. The characters are developed really well. Things that were confusing in Rhapsody are usually given some sense in this book. I gave this book only four stars, however, because it does have some problems. First of all, Rhapsody is so honest-to-God blind in this book it makes her seem stupid. Sure, people make mistakes, but the amount of mistakes she makes is a bit overwhelming for me. Second, I don't think the dragon stayed for long enough. She was cool, but then suddenly she was just... gone. Being a dragon lover, I was disappointed by this. Third, Rhapsody and Ashe's romance took way too long. To me, the same thing seemed to just be repeated over and over again. Despite these few disappointments, I feel the book was excellent. It is worth it!
Rating: 
Summary: Fun, but way too long.
Review: Most of my issues with this book have been covered in other reviews; endless prose, sappy romance, easy or brief solutions to supposedly major obstacles. However, one thing that bothers me is Rhapsody's visit to the seer of the present, Rhonwyn. She asks the name of the F'dor, than says to herself that of course Rhonwyn couldn't know, because the F'dor is from a dead land. This is, in my opinion, BS. The F'dor exsists in the present, whether or not Serendair exsists or not, and besides, if she can ask who the demon's children are, she can certainly ask who the demon's host it. This seems to me just a circular way of turning what could have been ended in the next 50 pages (considering how every major conflict is accomplished in about three, this leaves 47 page for the requisite travel time, dialogue and exposition). In spite of the rediculous length, the prose itself is pleasant, and probably why it is so easy to read. I will of course read Destiny, to find out how the story ends. Good for a light read.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: When writing a trilogy of this nature when one story almost seamlessly flows into the next, the middle book is probably one of the most difficult to read and enjoy. There is no real beginning. There is no end. Elizabeth Haydon somehow makes her second book not only good but better than the first. For the first time, Rhapsody and her foster brothers, Achmed and Grunthor must part when Rhapsody goes off to meet a mysterious Dragon of legends in order to learn more of a prophecy. Her guide is Ashe, a mysterious and sometimes dangerous wanderer who hides his face from the world with a strange mist cloak. As she travels to the dragons lair, then to train in the art of the sword with a Lirin swordsmaster, Achmed and Grunthor are left at home, Ylorc, with their foster sister Jo. The half-Dhracian Achmed, the newly appointed Firblog king, with his sergeant major, Grunthor accidentally come across a strange hidden place in his castle, left over from the time that king Gwylliam ruled. Here they learn more about the prophecy of the three and the part that they all must play in the dangerous times they face. Meanwhile Rhapsody, ready to face the world, runs off to save the live of a famous religious man, and comes back with knowledge that could change her life forever. This book was even better than the last. The highly complex and fascinating characters of Rhapsody, Achmed, and Grunthor really develop in this novel as they find out more about their destiny. Jo, I'm happy to say, is not as annoying in this book. In fact she has really developed into a likable character. Ashe, who played a smaller part in the last book, takes on a major role, first as Rhapsody's guide then as something much more. A lot happens in this book that we saw little of in the last one. A captivating romance blossoms between two characters. Friendship deepens between main characters and new supporting roles develop. Once again I love the descriptive writing style of Elizabeth Haydon. I felt like I could really see the Loritorium and the insides of the dragons lair. Her characters are amazing as well. I can't wait to read the next volume in the trilogy, Destiny: Child of the Sky. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
Rating:
Summary: Bring on the Adults!
Review: After starting the Robert Jordan series but failing to finish, Elizabeth Haydon's work is a refreshing change. All of the important characters have real depth. Especially in the case of quite a few of his female characters, some of Jordan's cast still seemed shallow even after five or six massive volumes. The dragon in Prophecy, furthermore, is not a character to be missed by any discerning fantasy reader. If you have not read this Trilogy, by all means, it will be worth your while.
Rating:
Summary: Simply captivating.
Review: This is the second book in the Rhapsody Trilogy (after Rhapsody and before Destiny). Rhapsody the Singer-Namer, along with her adopted sister Jo and her old friends Achmed the Snake and Grunthor, now respectively king of the Bolg and leader of the Bolg army, have finally settled in Ylorc, in a place they call the Cauldron, a gigantic underground network devised by Gwylliam, the late Cymrian king. Recently, upon exploring the tunnels of their stronghold, the companions have come across a dragon's claw. To Rhapsody it's all very clear, they should return it to the ancient beast. They are all arguing about who should go when Ashe, the enigmatic, hooded stranger the girls have met in Bethe Corbair, whom Jo has secretly taken to but whom Achmed doesn't like nor trust, declares he knows where the dragon hides. Reluctantly, Achmed agrees to let Rhapsody and Ashe leave together. On the way, they'll start to learn about each other and slowly become friends. In the meantime, Grunthor and Achmed continue to parley with the rulers of the neighbouring provinces to establish peace treaties and trade agreements, as well as to roam the mountain and its the caves in search of their ancient, hidden enemy: the fiery F'dor. Prophecy truly is one of the most captivating middle volumes I have ever read. Not only is it packed with action and romance, joy and sorrow, but it is also brimming with mysteries and secrets the heroes have only started to uncover. And as answers are found to some of the story's questions, others remain unsolved, other gates open, leaving hardly any clue as to what will happen in Destiny, the final volume.
Rating:
Summary: Rhapsody grows stronger
Review: Prophecy: Child of Earth is Elizabeth Haydon's second volume of the Rhapsody trilogy. The story that began in Rhapsody: Child of Blood continues and twists even further within Prophecy. As the Three continue to search out the identity of the F'dor and further establish their new kingdom within Ylorc, Rhapsody journeys with Ashe, the mysterious stranger she met in the first book, and learns why he keeps himself hidden. Rhapsody also meets and befriends the dragon Elynsynos and trains with the Lirin warrior who once carried Rhapsody's sword, Daystar Clarion. The secret of the romance shown at the very beginning of Rhapsody is finally revealed, though it must be kept secret and forgotten at the end, to protect those involved. The magic of Haydon's words will keep you reading through the Three's meeting and rescuing of the Sleeping Child, and through the tragic loss that affects all of them more than they thought it would. Rhapsody's skills with her sword are shown several times as she battles against the F'dor's evil and tries to save her world from destruction.
Rating:
Summary: very Engrossing
Review: I search a long time to find a book that I can sink my teeth into. Prophecy is one of those rare treats that brought out that old ravenous bookreader in me. I especially loved the touch of romance.
My only desire is the author not repeat facts over and over again but I suppose since it is a sequel that that must be done. I just skipped over it quickly, realizing that it no doubt is necessary to fill in the reader or remind them of the last book. You know..for FLow. After a while you start to feel as though you are reading some ancient mythology such as a Greek tragedy.
All in all I highly recommend this series to anyone searching for a good escape in a fantasy novel. This one will satisfy you.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting!!!
Review: `
Two words... "Yeah baby!" This book explains the fact that Everything - and I do mean everything - happens for a reason.
The figures that didn't add up.... the unexplained - all accounted for and clarified. This is truly the making of a solid fantasy series. You've got your Dragons, Heroes, immortals, monsters, demon like creatures, sword bearers, rangers - wow! Will the world as the characters know it be destroyed?, Can there be peace again?, Will the rightfull heir take the throne?, Will the "Prophecy of three" be fulfulled? Will 'The Three' find the F'dor and it's demon spawn in time?. Read this book and find out the answers to these questions and more in the 3rd - Destiny: Child of Sky But seriously - the book is cool. Just read it! (provided that you read the first one - it'll make the experience even more enjoyable)
|
