Rating: 
Summary: I CA'NT BELIEVE IS A SEQUEL!
Review: Sequels tend to be...an awful waste of time. But this is not the case. In this sequel to Rhapsody, mrs.Haydon just put a spell on the reader. You just can't put the book down. A lot of questions get answered, and she leaves you cursing with a new twist, that left you ready for the final book. Do yourself a favor, READ IT! You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Another amazing book by Elizabeth Haydon
Review: This book continues the enjoyable story of Rhapsody, Ashe, Achmed, and Grunthor. Finally Ashe and Rhapsody realize that they really are soul mates-- and once knew that when they were Gwydion and Emily. Unfortunately, their time apart has put many scars on both of their souls, and it is hard for them to be close again, especially because of a secret that Ashe reveals to her near the end. Achmed continues to consolidate his control over Yloric by talking with ambassadors and establishing trading systems. Grunthor is his usual lovable self. I recommend reading the first book of this series before this one, but if you don't, it's still a treat. Dig in!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reading...a series for my collection
Review: On a whim and because I liked the cover I picked up Rhapsody from my local library. Although a little slow in the beginning I found the book captivating and couldn't stop reading it. It made me wonder why I ever stopped reading fantasy novels in the first place.After waiting for over 7 weeks for the second book through the library system I went out and purchased it. Not often I'd be willing to spend [price] on a hardcover bit it was a decision I"ll never regret. The book moves swiftly and hooks the reader right from the opening page. My only criticism deals with two chronological 'errors'. Although not detrimental to the story itself it is a little reason for "Huh? When did they..". My wife who enjoys a good book herself started reading Rhapsody last week and is 1/2 way though Prophecy now....she has finally realized why I wouldn't mow the lawn last week. My brother-in-law also picked up Rhapsody when I put it down, he is waiting for Prophecy...a little anxiously too. As for the final book in the series...I"ll be at my local bookstore first thing on Aug. 11/01.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I really loved reading Rhapsody. It was excellent. The second installment of the series was a prodigious disappointment. I`m sorry to say that it reminded me of Mills and Boon publications. Anyway, how many times can you read about Rhaps being so excruciatingly beautiful? I will however buy the third book for closure...
Rating: 
Summary: Like candy
Review: This book is like candy to a sweet tooth. If I was to look at the book critically I would have to say that it is another book with a jaded premise and storyline like hundreds of other fantasy novels. However that would not do the book justice. The characterizations have enough depth to make them interesting and there are enough unique twists and situations that allow the book to take on a favourite status at the very least. Try the book if you need something light but ultimately filling.
Rating: 
Summary: Well, it IS enjoyable...
Review: I have mixed feelings about Rhapsody, as well as Prophecy. On one hand, Elizabeth Haydon does an excellent job of creating a breathtaking world. But...I have my lists of complaints as well. For one, Rhapsody is far too perfect. Everybody instantly loves her, she's an expert at magic and singing, and she picks up swordfighting easily. It gets a bit annoying after a while. Secondly, she (as well as the other characters) don't run into a lot of conflict. They either get hidiously wounded in a fight or they defeat the enemy in about three paragraphs. And then there comes the second part of the novel. I like romance in my fantasy as much as anyone else, but what's in Prophecy is overkill. I think cutting out a good 20 pages of sex wouldn't have hurt the novel at all. Yet I still give the novel 3 stars. Why? Because its enjoyable and it keeps me reading, and not too many novels do that lately. I'll probably read the next book, Prophecy, but I think I'll wait until it comes out in paperback.
Rating:
Summary: better than the first
Review: Amazing! Usually the second book in a trilogy is filler and moves slow. This book breaks that stereo-type. Where Rhapsody had some lag in the middle, the story line in Prophecy moves along smartly. The tension between Rhapsody and her partners over the mysterious stranger is managed well and rings true. All in all this is a series that I highly recomend: it is written well, the characters are real and interesting, the plot compelling, and the story line is new and fresh.
Rating:
Summary: Enthralling!
Review: Elizabeth Haydon is the Jane Austen of the Fantasy world! In a genre populated by stereotypes straight from Dungeons and Dragons she has developed characters that are wonderfully orginal and compelling. In Prophecy we get to know them even better while they establish themselves in their new world. Rhapsody continues to be endearingly naive as she searches for her role in this world and her almost childlike adoration of Ashe, which is sucking her dangerously into the devious political machinations of the Cymrians. Ashe seem to mean well but somehow in spite of his love for Rhapsody, seems to lead her into danger, deception and tragedy. In contrast Achmed, who in most books would be the archetypal villain, always seem to be on hand to help and support her, in spite of his suspicious and cynical nature (not to mention a deliciously dry sense of humour). Between these two opposites stands Grunthor, who gets some of the best lines in the book (and thats saying something!), loyal and protective of them both. Even the minor characters in this book are richly drawn, from the selfish Tristan to the manipulative and amoral Llauron and the unforgettable oracle sisters. In terms of the plot, the story moves forward with increasing pace. We learn more about Achmed and his Dracian heritage, some of Ashe's secrets and Rhapsody comes to terms with her past and her powers. We also learn quite a few of Grunthor's increasingly gory marching songs. Just one thing- Who on earth is the F'dor? Roll on book 3 to find out all and complements to Elizabeth Haydon for resisting the temptation to stretch the story out into a never-ending multi-book saga like so many others. Still, I do hope that she will write may more books in this universe and about these characters - I will read them all!
Rating:
Summary: Poor motivation and diluted plot
Review: Okay, there are some good parts of this book. I'm willing to admit that. My poor rating comes not from those parts of the book, but from what transpires in the second half. After a rousing good time meeting dragons, gaining clues, and encountering the bad guy we get bogged down. What some people say is character development, I say is a simpering romance. I skipped quite a few passages where I can honestly say I missed nothing of the plot. In one instance, an exploration that I thought would add some clue in the fight against the foe only ended up to be a lead into yet another round of therapy. It and many other parts could easily be cut in an abridged edition and nothing be lost from our understanding of how the story moved forward. What is worse, is that these characters, in the light of a foe that will destroy the whole world and with knowledge that time was short, spent a whole season in blissful dismissal of their responsibilities. It wasn't just "why isn't the story moving". I was screaming at them that things are happening around them that they need to take care of now. This episode certainly did not prove to me that they had true love. (More like true lust in an ideal setting) If you want to show something like true love, it is actually better to leave details out because everyone has a different idea of what true love is, and their actions did not fit my definition. And then to crown it off, having given the readers the resolution of a long inner conflict, she wasn't willing to give up that conflict as a motivater in the next book and wiped the memory of the character! This writer, while adept at beautiful prose, is a poor developer of motivation and watered down the plot too much.
Rating:
Summary: Superior Fantasy
Review: I have to agree with the previous reviewer who said this series doesn't compare to Feist and Farland. It doesn't--it is so vastly superior that it would be hard to quantify it properly. While the construct of this series is a hero's journey as identified by Joseph Campbell, this is NOT the standard reissue that Farland, Feist, Jordan and Goodkind write over and over again. There is true character development here, something none of those authors excel at. The women are multifaceted, with warts despite their strengths, and that is considered to be a good thing. The men are not the biggest-baddest-SOB's-in-the-valley, but a wonderful combination of good and evil. If you are looking for the straight line good versus evil, you will find aspects of it, but only aspects, here. There are many more levels in this book, things you catch upon rereading, which judging by the boards devoted to the series, many people do. This is NOT typical hack and slash fnntasy. It's different, which is why so many people love it. If you are looking for something different yet familiar, give it a try. If you want the same old thing, well, you know where to find it. Mark Greenberg
| 
