Rating: 
Summary: Should have been a Harlequin Romance...
Review: My expectations were high after reading so many 5-star reviews, so I was tremendously disappointed to discover that I had purchased a blown-up Harlequin Romance disguised as a fantasy novel. I get the feeling that the author wants to BE Rhapsody rather than write about her, as it is the classic adolescent female attempt to live vicariously through story characters (Rhapsody is so beautiful she causes traffic accidents as she walks by, Rhapsody is so kind-hearted she swoons over and adopts every child she sees, Rhapsody is so talented that she succeeds at everything she does whether is be swordsmanship or diplomacy...). There are definitely some creative elements to the story, but creativity alone does not a masterpiece make. The author would have done well to shorten the story, create a more believable dialogue, and infuse the main character with a flaw or two. I will not be purchasing the second book in the trilogy as I am afraid it's plot will be restricted to "sexual tension between Rhapsody and Ashe as they journey together on a vaguely defined quest which climaxes (pun intended) with their long-awaited copulation."...In all fairness to the author, the writing does show promise. It's technically clean, creative, and at least mildly entertaining. It just needs a serious dose of maturity and realism. Maybe I'll check back in a few years...
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful book!
Review: I have read many authors and Elizabeth Haydon is one of the best! I love the characters, the little twists in the plot that you don't expect, and so much more about the book. It's one of those books that get you emotionally involved and its great!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Reading
Review: She created a wonderful world of fantasy. The charaters were great, her description of them were great. The only thing I did not like was the sexual parts of the dialog and the love making scenes. But other than that it was an over, good, fun, and exciting.
Rating:
Summary: Fantasy at its best
Review: I had heard so much about this book that I had to check it out. This is the one time I remember not being disappointed by a book that had soch great buzz. Haydon is a new breed of writer, with a skill at picture painting and character development rarely seen in fiction, especially scifi/fantasy fiction today. The title character is an emotionally complex, real woman dealing with power that exceeds her capacity to deal with. Achmed the Snake, one of the best characters I've ever seen, blends cool ability and attitude with an inexplicable charm. And who cannot love Grunthor? My interest was especially piqued by the fact we don't know who the bad guy is. In most popular fantasy the players are laid out for us in an obvious manner in the first 20 pages of the book. The Dark Lord visits Rand. Richard knows he's going to have to face Darken Rahl. But even after the sequel to this book, we are still guessing. Haydon give clues without giving the mystery away. I recommend this highly to anyone, whether or not you are a fantasy reader.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting story, detailed & character packed action
Review: Elizabeth Haydon has crafted a very intricate story and fantasy setting. While the plot is focused on the three main characters (who have very developed personalities), there is a lot of background action happening that defines them and brings to life a very historical sense of time and place. I struggled to read this book (the font was small and the lack of page breaks hindered the reading flow), but the visuals made up for that. All in all this was a very rewarding read and a good start to the trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful in-depth fun
Review: this book leads the mind on a rampage through a wonderful tale of a woman who is growing physically and mentally through challenges everywhere, along with her love and her two family members. so in depth and makes you feel like your really there. i wait non stop for the sequels because the books interest me and make reading fun again!
Rating:
Summary: A VERY APPEALING DEBUT
Review: Thumbs up to E.H.'s debut novel. Not since D. Edding's Belgariad have I stumbled over a group of protagonists that are so endearing, even though their background is less than savoury, to put it mildly (assassin, cannibal and one-time whore). Haydon shows uncanny talent to give her characters texture and life, she clearly loves her "gang" and lets everybody share that feeling. The universe she has created for her protagonists is complex and quite intriguing, with her very own, refreshing twists on common folklore and conventional high-fantasy settings we generally encounter in the dozens out there. Just try the sequence of the world tree and you'll see what I mean. The plot itself is rather conventional, but presented in an entertaining and crisp way - three characters that are trying to flee their past (absolutely charming how literal E.H. took that concept) embark on a journey of discovery in a land that is far, far away, trying to remake their lives. If David Eddings had been the screen writer to "The Man Who Would Be King", this book could have been the result - at least for 2/3 of the movie. Overall, the result provides for a highly enjoyable read; however, there are a few trouble spots that could compromise future instalments if not resolved adequately, e.g. (1) a certain lack of dramatic tension that makes part of the plot seem a little flat. The trio grows and gains its space, but the evil they will eventually be forced to confront is not very much in evidence. A real pity, because Haydon knows very well how to build to it. House of Remembrance, anybody ? More of that, we really want to root for our heroes here ! (2) raison d'vivre of major characters, or the risk of "sidekick-ization", as I would call it, e.g. what is the purpose of Jo in the entire story ? E.H. has only started yet, so time to make that character gain real life is given, but this type of standardized cannon fodder is what did the pos-Belgariad D. Eddings in. (3) the interrelationships seem a little banalized - especially among the three protagonists. The way these characters are structured, there should be way more friction and blow-ups among them. Whenever it may get to a real, interesting conflict, everything resolves to a teaparty-like, harmonious understanding. Nice, but ultimately tedious - especially in latter instalments, when the novelty effect of this saga has worn off. That's another thing that is doing Eddings in nowadays. In any case, these are just some minor details that do not take away very much from a highly captivating book. There are enough narrative threads left to keep future volumes as entertaining as this one. A very nice debut, indeed (if the rating scale allowed it, I would give it 4 1/2 stars).
Rating:
Summary: Worth rereading
Review: I actually read this one second. The transformation of the characters over the course of the two books is what impressed me the most. Rhapsody goes from being a victim, through the fire and into her own as a mover of the action. There is a mysterious ache in Achmed that Haydon is teasing us with, but we certainly feel it. Grunthor is by far the funniest cannibal you'll meet. Haydon's writing is also worth mentioning: I don't know anyone else who could juggle detail and complex forces all moving simultaneously as well as she does. I can't wait for the third book.
Rating:
Summary: Thank Goodness
Review: I was beginning to think nothing good was coming out in fantasy anymore. The authors of the bestselling stuff seem to be copying each other, or reaching to new depths of gore and depravity to hold the interest. Then along comes Elizabeth Haydon, a wordsmith with a real flare for writing and character creation. She obviously understands the root lores that form the basis of myth and fantasy, and has the ability to make her characters and plot come alive in text that is both colorful and easy to read. I wasn't planning to write a review of this book, just checking the site to find out when the next one comes out. It really bothers me to see the occasional spurious review, making me wonder what these people expect or hold up as better in the genre today. Is it the mindless, pointless S&M of Goodkind? The endless wandering droning of Jordan? Bah. I recommend this book and its sequel highly. Everyone I know who has read these two volumes has loved it, especially the folks in my reading group. And if someone didn't like the first book, let us nope they will not read any further in the series so that they will spare us the nasty comments about a book we love, and we can all be happy.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Journey
Review: This was an incredible experience. When I opened this book, I was caught by the way in which Elizabeth Haydon describes time and the way, in her universe, it may be manipulated. Then, as I read on, I became enraptured by her characters, who are, quite truthfully, incredibly real. I put down this book feeling as though I had crawled through the roots of Sagia down to the center of the world and come out renewed. I am still reverberating with it. I suggest this book to anyone who likes fantasy and has a taste for good writing. Again, it was an incredible experience.
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