Rating: 
Summary: Rhapsody
Review: Well worth the read, I can't seem to get enough of it!
Rating:
Summary: very good
Review: it was awesome! The only thing i didn't like was it ended short. Well thats why theres a sequal. Don't listen to some of the people who gave it a bad review. Their arguments aren't true or just stupid.
Rating:
Summary: YES! YES! YES!
Review: I loved this book. The writing is definitely superior to most of what's out there today, and the plot is refreshing and interesting. I like my fantasy multilayered, and this is big time.If you listen to the grousing by the few and picky minded, you will miss a really intriguing read. It takes a little insight and intelligence to understand the messages about beauty and self image in this book. Even if you don't get it, the humor and lore alone are worth the time to read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Seriously?
Review: I purchased this book based upon the swooning reviews I saw, but I can think of no explanation for said wonderful reviews other than the possibility that the reviewers are conspiring to play a rather spiteful joke on the fantasy-reading public. In the book's favor, I will say that certain elements were intriguing - the Sleeping Child, for instance, caught my fancy (the only reason I gave this book 2 stars). The creativity falls short relatively quickly, though, since the same old tired fantasy cliches shine through pretty quickly (Lirin = elves, Firbolg = trolls/ogres, etc.), and there was very little else to like in this book. My objections are as follows: 1) Childish, clumsy writing. The dialogue, especially, is highly contrived and frequently entirely unmotivated. Honestly, what possible reason could the author have had to include a scene in which the point of contention is how dirty one's "underclothes" should be before they need to be washed? Here is Rhapsody, by some inexplicable accident of fate one of the most powerful beings on the planet, having climbed for centuries through the bowels of the earth, and she is afraid of dirty underwear? And this is supposed to pass for depth of character? Or perhaps it is merely one of the book's misguided attempts at humor, in which case Adam Sandler movies are pure comic genius by comparison. Another example: every other sentence features characters shivering in revulsion or fear at something which pales in comparison to the tribulations they have faced. Rhapsody has buried the corpses of a score of murdered children, but when she sees a dead Firbolg warrior she shivers? Oh, wait, I forgot, she is the embodiment of all that is good and pure, so OF COURSE she is thoroughly appalled each and every time she sees a fly get its antennae bruised. 2) Arbitrary, unmotivated plot. It is my belief that good plotting keeps coincidences to a bare minimum, but practically every occurence in "Rhapsody" revolves around a barely-believable coincidence - Rhapsody happens to stumble into Achmed and Grunthor, who despite their fearsome appearance, happen to be in the city at precisely the time that a long-absent would-be lover decides he wants her back. Furthermore, she happens to be a Namer of immense untapped power, and she happens to rename Achmed just in time to allow him to escape from The Dark Lord of All that is Evil in the Universe, or whatever his name is (does it really matter? We've met carbon copies of the same big bad boss in about half a million fantasy novels...he was still interesting when his name was Sauron). Oh, Achmed happens to be the last Dhracian and also the finest assassin in the world as well as an inventor, and Grunthor is the world's greatest warrior and general. Oooooh, the three most invincible people in the world team up to fight... what? Ummm, well, Rhapsody puts this big worm thing to sleep with her godlike powers... sigh... If you are looking for a quick, light read and don't want to be bothered with niceties like plots that make sense and characters worth caring about (some, like Jo, have no apparent reason for existing other than to be thoroughly annoying to the reader), then by all means, enjoy. If you are looking for a book that can be read quickly and with a minimum of thought, then dig in, but there are a lot of generic Dungeons & Dragons books out there that do the same thing with fewer exasperating problems. Many of the reviews here make "Rhapsody" out to be a thoroughly engaging and serious novel: it is not. For a fantasy series you can sink your teeth into, check out George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" serie, beginning with "A Game of Thrones." "Rhapsody," by comparison is just another addendum to the long list of forgettable fantasy novels.
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Summary: By gosh, she's done it!
Review: Wow! The fantasy novel (and series) that everyone has been waiuting for is finally here. Rhapsody, a character you can't help but love, struggles on the path of life as she finds over and over again that she will probably never achieve happiness. The man she loves deserts her (as far a s she knows), and in an attempt to find him, she loses her loving family and is forced to partake in a profession that disgusts her. Then, against all odds, she is whisked across the globe by two unlikely rescuers and friends. She emerges from a grave-like tunnel to find that her world, the world she knew, is gone. What will her reaction be? Read this book, you won't be disapointed! Can't wait till the third book, Destiny, comes out in August!
Rating: 
Summary: Refreshing and entertaining
Review: Like so many things in life, "Rhapsody" falls somewhere between the earth-shattering revolutionary and ordinary failure that so many seem to be trying to place it. However, although it may not change the genre, it is certainly worthwhile and a wonderful read. If Haydon improves over time, as she well should, we can look forward to wonderful books for years to come. "Rhapsody" is a terrific first effort by this writer, but you must stick with it to really appreciate it. At first you'll be confused as to what is even going on, then you hit a section that, frankly, drags on a bit too long, but then the story truly comes alive. You'll get to know exciting characters an intriguing world and a good diversion from the boredom of everyday life.
Rating:
Summary: Stands out from the pack
Review: if you are tired of the soame construct repeated over and over again, but love deeply drawn fantasy and great characters, this book is for you! Everyone I know had been talking about this for a while, and I have to admit to a bias from the cover Man was I wrong. The male characters in this book are some of the best I've ever seen, male or female author. Achmed has to be the greatest anti hero, an unabashedly obnoxious assassin whose better side is there, but not miraclously transformed. People who do not catch the irony in the character of rhapsody probably would not appreciate a book of this depth anyway. Looking at the authors that some recommned instead--Bertin, and the odious Axis series by Sara Douglass--I can see the cutoff quite clearly
Rating:
Summary: Not as great as I expected, given the great reviews
Review: I must admit, I expected a truly superlative read, given the great reviews others have given this book. If I hadn't expected it to be so great, maybe I wouldn't have been so disappointed to find it was actually pretty ordinary. I have read several novels recently by relatively new writers that haven't received anywhere near as much fanfare yet were far better books. I recommend anything by Robin Hobb, Joanne Bertin or a pretty good first novel by Kristen Britain called 'Green Rider'. Also if you can get hold of them you will fall in love with the Axis trilogy by Sara Douglass, an Australian writer whom I believe will be published in the US later this year. Sorry, I digress. Anyway, like other reviewers, I agree that the character of Rhapsody is too flawless and reads badly. Large parts of the book were boring and moved too slowly, especially the time they were underground. On the other hand, if you're like me, and love fantasy, you will be happy to add this to your collection, because it's better than not reading anything at all! However, a word of warning if cents matter, and you can buy just one book this month...don't waste them on this.
Rating:
Summary: Blecch.
Review: This book proves that just because a person has the technical ability to write doesn't mean that they _should_. This writer has nothing new to say. She blends fantasy & romance. Well, woo. Both genres are better off without this blending. I've read all the elements of this story somewhere else, and better executed at that. Magic swords, elemental beings, prophecies, bla bla bla. Been there, done that. The reader never exactly figures out why any of these people do anything. Someone said that 'out of character' responses made the characters more charming. Well, no, it just makes the story that much more mystifying. One is left neither knowing nor caring what these people are doing or why. I am one of those unfortunate souls who can't put a book down until it is done, and for that reason I _never_ start reading a series of novels until I know that the last one has been published. Unfortunately, I didn't realize this was the first in a series until mid-book. Thankfully, my usual 'I must find out how it all turns out' mindset hasn't been engaged and I won't put myself through the torture of reading any more of Rhapsody's adventures with the less-beautiful creatures of the universe. Oh, one last thought: I hope Jo gets killed. She is a wretched, useless character with zero redeeming qualities.
Rating:
Summary: Great beginning....
Review: I am a big plot person but these characters spoke to me and I didn't want the book to end. I have to agree with the reviewer who said the plot was weak and the heroine seemed to hang back and yet it was the best book I've read in the past 6 months.
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