Rating:  Summary: Even better than Rhapsody Review: Rhapsody is torn between loyalty to her friends and adoptive family and the emotions she feels toward Ashe--a man who just might be possessed by the demons that are trying to destroy the world. This is the very personal and emotional core that drives an exciting fantasy adventure forward. Because we care very deeply about Rhapsody--frankly, because Elizabeth Haydon makes us care about her--we cannot help making a profound emotional investment in the story and in Rhapsody's survival.All of the major characters from RHAPSODY are back. With demons threatening destruction of her new world, Rhapsody cannot sit back and enjoy Achmed's new place as a king. Rather, she (along with Ashe) undertake the trek to one of the last dragon's lairs. There Rhapsody makes another friend (it is a talent) and is gifted with another challenge. Fantasy fans will definitely enjoy this one.
Rating:  Summary: This is a must-read book! Review: I found Ms. Haydon's writing to be exquisite. Not only does she develop her characters in the context of society, time, music, and power, she chooses to make the characters interact at such a level few would have imagined. Many would expect Rhapsody and Grunthor to be enemies, but instead are the best of friends, only a foreshadowing of the many plot twists and turns that are taken. Not only is the characters well written, but the storyline is very easily read. Often, the book cannot be put down because you feel so hyped up over what happened. A lot of surprises await the readers of Rhapsody in this novel, and her next book will hopefully answer them... But for now just get embroiled in Prophecy.
Rating:  Summary: Better and Better Review: Hard as it was for me to believe, I found this book even more interesting that the first in the trilogy, Rhapsody, which kept me up at night reading to the wee hours. Prophecy, like its predecessor, has ringing prose and beautiful poetry, moments of horror and great magic, and characters that I love. Above all it does not preach, like Terry Goodkind's newest [swful] book, but inspires. READ THIS SERIES.
Rating:  Summary: Solid but not spectacular sequel Review: While I enjoyed the first book of the series, there were several passages that dragged on for what seemed an interminable length (particularly the section while they travelled along the root). I attributed the length of the prose in that section to be a mirror of the length of time the trio of main characters spent. Unfortunately, the second book also falls prey to long passages of relatively pointless, introspective text. My biggest complaints, however, do not have to do with the style of writing so much as the lack of purpose in the book. Quite often I felt that the main character seemed to be merely 'following along' in a passive role rather than that of a protagonist/leader. The first book of the series was propelled by Achmed's character and thus didn't rely on Rhapsody to drive the plot. Prophecy, however, is much more focussed on Rhapsody and less so (to the book's detriment) on her two companions. Without as much of the humor imparted by Grunthor's presence, or the dry practicality of Achmed, I found this book tended to wander from event to event aimlessly. Worse, for a book entitled "Prophecy", often the elements of the prophecies were only introduced moments before they fulfilled their role in the prophecy. I much prefer a prophecy like a good riddle - all the components are known ahead of time and once the riddle is solved you slap your forehead and exclaim "Of course! How could I have missed that!". Still, having said all of this, I am still looking forward to the conclusion of this series and I suppose that says everything right there.
Rating:  Summary: Powerful sequel! Review: Haydon continues to enchant and enthrall me with her powerful sequel to Rhapsody.This novel has scenes of lyrical beauty, witty dialogue(especially from Grunthor, one of the most memorable characters to every grace a fantasy novel) and scenes of unspeakable evil.Haydon's world-building skills are above average, characterizations are also great.This novel answers some of the questions of the first novel and she moves her heroes one step closer to fulfilling their destiny in defeating the evil F'dor.You will also learn Ashe's real identity in this novel as well and how he fits into the plot of the novel.Few writers I know can switch gears from scenes of beauty and romance and take you into some graphic depictions of evil and soul possession. The only thing else I can say is Bring on Book 3!
Rating:  Summary: Another great one Review: Prophecy: Child of Earth is an excellent second book in this incredible series and Elizabeth Haydon's storytelling continues to be fresh and new in this cluttered genre. With a very non-Campbellian plot line and great characters, this book and series is exciting to read and unlike anything I have read before. I would encourage new readers to begin with Rhapsody: Child of Blood, and then continue to this book. Those who enjoyed Rhapsody will be delighted in this book as well, as many of the subplots from Rhapsody surface again in Prophecy and integrate themselves with the continuing story.
Rating:  Summary: Believe the hype Review: This is the best high fantasy series to come along in 10 years. I have not read two books like this since the first two in the Wheel of Time. While the plot is not quite as deep as Jordan's books the characters are amazing. I can not explain how good the character development/interaction is. You have to read these books. Now. Right now. I'm not kidding.
Rating:  Summary: A great sequel to Rhapsody Review: This one is nearly a five-star effort. A great read, and better than the first book in the series, Rhapsody. It loses one star because again I found that there were fairly substantial passages in the second half of the book that failed to hold my interest, and I found myself skimming through them. That being said, there are many wonderful things about this book. The lead characters --Rhapsody, Achmed, Grunthor and Ashe -- are all absorbing. My favorite quality, however, was the way that Haydon evokes archetypal themes in the same way that fairy tales do. The earth/water/fire/sky elemental concept is beautifully done, and the ages-old conflict among the races is wonderful. All told, this is a great fantasy series and I look forward to the next entry.
Rating:  Summary: A great writer, a wonderful lyricist Review: One of the things I loved about Tolkien, and miss in later works of fantasy, are the songs. There was something so magical about "The Road Goes Ever On and On," and the other songs the characters sang; it made the world JRR drew bwautiful and mythic, and made me fall in love with fantasy. Since that time I have watched sadly as various fantasy writers have taken a stab at the same thing. It has been pretty pathetic when tried. Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, Anne MacCaffrey. and others have committed awful acts of musical savagery, making me want to scream "Stop! Leave this to a professional!" The worst by far, and something that made me fling a book across the room for the first time ever, was the awful Spellsong Trilogy by L. E. Modesitt, which took children's nursery rhymes, Carpenter's songs and the Battle Hymn of the Republic and slaughtered the lyrics in the name of "musical magic." What I loved most about Rhapsody and Prophecy, among many other reasons, was the simple and crystalline musicality of Haydon's work. The lyrics of the songs, particularly in Prophecy, are sometimes gorgeous and poignant, sometimes hilarious. My three favorites are the lullabye to the Child of the Earth, the song Rhapsody's mother sang her [not sure what this is called,] and the lament Achmed sings for her. As a music professor, it stands out when someone with musical training is actually writing about something she knows. It is the FIRST author since Tolkien to evoke real music from the written word. What an amazing series! Can't wait for the next book.
Rating:  Summary: Magical Review: The second of the Rhapsody series doesn't disappoint, and if anything, it's even better than the first, because the action moves faster (no overlong trips through the earth!). The characters and the plot become richer, better developed, and more complex. Haydon draws you into her fantastic world, complete with a wonderful melancholy dragon, and you don't want to leave it. While I am awaiting the third book of the trilogy with great eagerness, I hope that she will continue to use these characters in later novels, because I want to see what else Rhapsody, Achmed, and Grunthor are up to. Even someone who normally doesn't read fantasies will enjoy the splendid writing, plotting, and characterization! She is a wonderful storyteller.
|