Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: A good book, but not as good as everyone says. Review: I just finished this book and did in fact enjoy it. But I can't run around raving about how good these books are when I have problems with them.First though, I must say that the series is enjoyable. I'll stay away from all of the compliments, as everyone else is gushing with praise, so I'll play devil's advocate. These books have problems that everyone seems to overlook. First, there is just too much pointless character development on Rhapsody. I'm really glad that everything works out for her, sort of, but I don't need chapters wholly dedicated to her crying, kissing and loving. I'm not in the habit of reading romance novels, and now I really know why. I have my own imagination, so everything doesn't need to be spelled out. I'm happy for the central characters, but isn't it enough just to cover the events and some feelings? I don't need to be bombarded with how peoples' hearts are overflowing and such. There is so much time spent on Rhapsody and her broken heart that the plot often gets ignored. The book starts strong, stays that way for much of the book, then gets boring, but ends strong. I feel no sense of impending danger for the characters. Even when they go up against one of the main bad guys, they kill him with very little effort in about 10 seconds. It seems the only challenge they received was from fighting a stupid tree. Maybe I'm jaded and shallow, but I like sword fights and sorcery. I like my fantasy to have huge battles of good versus evil with armies and monsters and heroes and villians. That just isn't happening here. Overall, I recommend people read these books (they are entertaining), but don't expect so much out of them. Any book that gets as high a rating as these should be better. This series does NOT compare with Jordan, Goodkind, Martin, Brooks, Farland or any other of the great series being written today. It definately isn't Tolkein. Read them, but with a grain of salt.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: MARAVILLOSO! Review: Haydon has made a wonderful debut in the world of fantasy. I read Prophecy enjoying every page. I have to say that I find this trilogy developing very very fast; Contrary to swamped and slow Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. If you all fantasy fans want a refreshing, loving, sexy, warm and exciting novel do try Haydon and besides this sequel is absolutely fantastic. Who said sequels were never good. This one is GREAT!
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Good Read Review: I too fell into the hype of Rhapsody along with many others. I picked up the book, and was pleased with what I read. It was well written and the history was compelling. The plot was slow at times, but I enjoyed the depth it took into the past, so it didn't really bother me much. Prophecy is better three-fold. It is an extrodinary book, proving Haydon didnt' get lucky with her first book. The story speeds along faster, and the action is more numerous. The only possible problem is that on several occasions it is too much a romance novel. If, like me, you don't enjoy the detailed love scenes of who placed what where, causing this to pulse, just grit your teeth, because the rest of the story is worth suffering through it.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Tremendous, very visual and moving Review: This is a great book. I just discovered this author, apparently in the middle of the series, and she drew me in with such deftness that I had none of the awkward "previously on our show" nonsense that so often accompanies sequels. Nor was I lost, like I am when the writer has given up on giving context. The characters are richer than any I have seen anywhere else in the genre. They have lives outside the novel, and we taste them seasoned with the experiences that occur before we even met them. (How's that for a Bolg type reference). If you let it, this is one of the books that will reshape your vocabulary and your idea of what it is to be a good guy or a bad guy.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: The story continues in satisfactory ways Review: I received Rhapsody as a gift to read on a long plane trip, having just arbitrarily chosen it off the shelf. Little did I know that it would quickly capture my interest, so much that I HAD to have the second installment! Prophecy continues the story in ways that satisfy the reader, such as unraveling a few of the mysteries presented in the first book, giving further clues to others, and adding even other mysteries. Haydon pulls her readers along with little tidbits of clues to come, but, disregarding that, just the lushness of her writing style makes readers want to continue. Haydon's fantasy world is very well fleshed out, as are her characters, even when there is always more to learn about them. The pace of her books is never lacking yet I could do with a little less of the sappy romance. That could just be me though. Overall, Prophecy is a fine book, and I am sure the conclusion will be all that the first two books have set it up to be.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: One of the best novels Review: For the most part, I really dislike to read. And being only 14 years old, its perfectly normal. But I saw this book in a catalouge I was reading and put it on my Christmas list. Now I am an rabid reader of fantasy novels. I love the way Haydon described the characters and allowed them to grow as the story progressed. After reading this, I went out and got the first book. They are both so wonderful that I read them several times and talk about them with my parents till they tell me to be quiet. This is a must read book, and I throughly enjoyed it.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: A great story for women and guys alike Review: My wife bought this for me for Christmas, cause it was on the top of my list. another reviewer here called the manlieness of the book into question. I must protest. This is my favorite new fantasy series, and I think the male characters are the best around, better than wimpy Richard and ranting Rand. Achmed the snake makes me laugh out loud with his dry snese of humor, and Gruntor is even funnier. I thought the romance was well done, not mushy like some of the Riachrd and Kahlan scenes in the Sword of Truth books. What I really wanted to say, however, is that this series is addictive. I couldn't put the book down, and a book has to be special to hold my attention for that long.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: It's turned into a romance novel Review: I enjoyed the first book, Rhapsody, and looked forward to this one but I barely got through it. Maybe its because I'm a guy, but when whole chapters are spent on romantic interludes, or the heroine having a good cry, I'm sorry but I just can't hang in there. This book started out as promising as Rhapsody, then it turned into a therapy session/romance novel. By the time I finished this book I had the same nauseous feeling I get when my wife's got the TV remote and she's watching the Lifetime network. I don't mean to sound like a male chauvinist, but I'm sure many women feel the same way about a football game. :)
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: I couldn't put it down! Review: Elizabeth Haydens novel Prophecy is fantastic! I picked it up on recommendation of a friend. I started reading it and stayed up all night until I was done! The Characters here are fascinating and mysterious. I found myself trying to guess the ending before it came, many times being tempted to sneak a peak at the end! Its a great read and I recommend it to anyone who likes the series Like Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth. The only thing I didn't like was how extremely perfect Rhapsody becomes as the story progresses, going from the bottom of the barrel of humanity to perfection was a hard stretch I thought. At times I felt like Achmed, rolling my eyes, being overcome with the sickeningly sweet altruism she has for everyone and everything. Despite this imperfection because of perfection, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Left me drooling for the next in the Trilogy!!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Amazing. She's now on my list of favorite Authors Review: I have to say, I wasn't blown over by the first book in this series, Rhapsody. It was good, though, good enough to get the second, and for a debuting author, it was Very good. The concepts are new and interesting, the world building is impressive. It's not your typical seen that, done that fantasy. The second book... I can only gasp in envy and amazement. Envy, because I'd love to write like that. Amazement because it's hard to find that the pearl among all the oysters out there, and this is Quite a pearl! Elizabeth is now on my "favorite authors" list. She has knocked down Robert Jordan a rung, taking his place on that ladder. This book has wonderful character development. The world is unique. It is a must read.
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