Rating: 
Summary: Interesting ideas; Not gripping; Frustrating main character
Review: This book introduces a number of interesting ideas about life, time travel, immortality, and the demonic. All this interesting stuff, however, does not necessarily a good book make. Truth be told, the book's pace is choppy; The character development is not thorough; and the plot twists are hard to follow cleanly. There are elements of the story that one wishes the author would have better explored, while others enthrall. Despite the author's best intentions, the book did not have the edginess or the gripping/page-turning nature one truly hopes for. The main character goes through two(or more) incarnations as the book progresses, which leaves the readert wondering --"OK, why is the character acting this way now? Did I miss something?" Rhapsody is introduced as a go-getter, who has a lot of confidence -- even though her boyfriend is the scum of the earth. Great stuff. But through her associations with Achmed and Grunthor, she takes second place to story events, and fails to move the plot along in a way one knows a heroine should. In fact, Grunthor and Achmed seem to bend the story more than she does -- and even then ones gets the distinct impression that the author has (still) made them sidekicks -- not main characters. If the author intended to shift Achmed and Grunthor forward, it is certainly not effective here. All that said, it IS worth reading - just don't expect a miracle.
Rating: 
Summary: Intelligent tale of magic and power
Review: Ignore the naysayers. This book is first rate. The characterization is priceless. Ms. Haydon explores the question of magic and power in fascinating ways, which may be offputting for some who don't get it, or who prefer their fantasy one-dimensional. I am particularly fascinated with Achmed the Snake, by far the best anti-hero in any of the modern fantasy I have ever read. Watching this character dealing with being extraordinarily powerful but having that power not be enough to save him, then watching him lose that power and having to find a way to prevail in a now less-powerful state is some of the best plot ever to appear in a fantasy work.
Rating: 
Summary: No Big Deal
Review: No better, no worse than any other fantasy novel. This means generally poorly conceived and much of the characterization and actions are re-tellings of decades-old tales.Main character is a joke. Starts as an prostitute who has somehow become an amazing singing mage, but then later she becomes so beautiful that people are stunned by her. Also, at this time she starts acting wide-eyed and ignorant for some reason. Her side-kicks are equally stupid and un-explained. Divine powers in combat, such as slaying enemies from miles away with odd projectile weapons or gracefully wiping out everyone in hand-to-hand combat without breaking a sweat. So if you read and enjoy most modern fantasy novels this equally trashy book might be for you.
Rating:
Summary: I like it!
Review: I picked up 'Rhapsody' after hearing how good it was, how every one loves it. Believe the hype! My god, this book is gonna be a classic in 20 years, and we'll all be able to look back and say "Damn, I remember when that came out . . . ." The world is absolutly fascinating, with a complex history and believable charecters. The best thing I can compare 'Rhapsody' to would be ordering a hamburger and getting a triple cheese burger. Do your self a favor, next time you take a stroll to your local Barnes & Noble, walk into the fantasy section, ignore the dorks hanging around looking at the new D&D books, and grab this modern classic before one of those nerds decides he wants some real fantasy! Check the excellent sequal 'Prophecy'.
Rating:
Summary: A catcher, not one to let your eyes slide over
Review: When I first picked up this book of a Walmart shelf I thought it would be your everyday walk in the park book. I bough it out of shire desperation of need for a reading book, hoping for a good, nice read. I was expecting how it would suck me in and left me yearnig for more after the last dot on the last page. There are a few places that are slightly boring times, but they are thankfully short and forgettable, This book I would recomand for everyone with a bit of imagination, not just dreamers. It is a real catcher, like the second in the serios, and hopefully the third. I'm crossing my fingers.
Rating:
Summary: Clever, magical and beautifully written
Review: RHAPSODY is by far the best fantasy of the last ten years. The author has a real knack for character development, a great skill with plot and backstory, leaving as a result the perfect balance of humor, horror romance, action, mystery, intrigue and nail biting anticipation. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Rating:
Summary: It Just Didn't Flow......Like Frozen Water In A Creek
Review: I bought "Rhapsody" while searching through Amazon looking for the next Robert Jordan Book. It's high review rating enticed me into buying it. I expected greatness! What I received didn't knock me over like I hoped it would. My problem with the book was that, even though it had some nice ideas for plot, it didn't go about hitting them very well. Many plot and character points seemed to fall into the lap of the main characters. (If you aren't at least half of the way through the book this is a "Spoiler") Such as Grunthor gaining his land lore by just randomly deciding to dig from the center of the earth, then getting so into it that he becomes part of the earth. That just seems a bit too easy for me. Also Rhapsody finding her powerful sword Daystar Clarion just sort of sticking out of the ceiling as she walks by. It is as if Haydon has an agenda of things to fill her prophecy so just kind of throws things in. I want to see these great and powerful things take more to achieve. There are enough examples of this sort of thing that I can't just forget about it and go on. Since I had such expectations for this book I tried very hard to let myself forget some of the little things (like Grunthor carrying a poleax, a sword with a five foot blade, a long bow, and many other weapons around with no problem.... logistically it just doesn't work for me) but whenever I felt myself getting into the characters and story, I would run into a long winded section about killing worms and walking in a root forever. I like Mrs. Haydons ideas, and her intricate world, and her humor or at least attempt at humor. Even "trying" to be funny in a fantasy novel is a pleasant novelty. Her plot just needs to be connected on a string and not seem like a collection of short stories. I always rate books by whether or not I can get into them during some boring college class. I don't even take Rhapsody to school anymore. To conclude: If you have finished all your Tolkien, Jordan, and Eddings you might want to borrow a copy of Rhapsody from a close friend.
Rating:
Summary: Dissapointment
Review: Child of Blood starts up quite well. I found the Prologue and the first chapter very interesting. The rest of the book though drags on and on, narrating the endless travel of the protagonists through the root and drowning the important bits in sea of irrelevant descriptions. Rhapsody, the title character, becomes very inconsistent. While her change from an innocent young girl into the scarred, tough and resilient prostitute/Singer/Namer is realistic and believable, her later backslide into a sweet and fairly helpless, blushing perfection is rather hard to swallow. Her companions are a bit better, especially Grunthnor, but I lost interest in them fairly quickly. Dissapointing.
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing ideas, flawed presentation
Review: There are enough original ideas driving this book (the first in a series) to keep you engaged. The presentation, however, drags frequently, and I found that skimming long sections was the only way to keep moving. In particular, there is a journey through the center of the earth section of the book, which is interminable and not particularly interesting. Interest in the ultimate fate of the compelling three lead characters, Gunthor, Achmed and Rhapsody carry the book where the plot drags. The book also opens with two prequel-style chapters, which are never adequately tied up in the first book. The second book, Prophecy, ties these chapters into the story line, but I was annoyed that the first book left these bits dangling, seemingly unconnected to the main plot. Bottom line, this is a promising series, and I am interested to see what becomes of our heroine/heroes, but along the way I fully expect to skim long passages.
Rating:
Summary: A New Slant on the Fantasy Genre
Review: Rhapsody is one of the most exciting books by a new author I have read in a long time. I bought it on a whim and found that it really captured my imagination as did the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the first time I read them. It was refreshing to find real characters with weaknesses and bad character traits who made mistakes and paid for them. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars was because I found certain parts longwinded and lacking in any real plotline particularly the bits about establishing the Kingdom of the Bolg. It seemed that the author had put the plot on hold for a couple of hundred pages. I also found the continual references to Rhapsodys beauty a bit tiring. However, generally I found the book inspiring and am truly looking forward to reading the next part of the trilogy.
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