Rating: 
Summary: A Great story is buried by crummy editing
Review: Whatever happened to editors? Don't publishing houses have them any more? "Raphsody: Child of Blood" is a marvelous 200 page fantasy adventure story that is struggling to stay afloat in a bloated 500+ page sea of talking heads, and unnecessary and boring history lessons. It can't decide whether it is a romance or a 'Swords and Sorcery' or a boring lesson in imaginary geography. All "Raphsody" needed to make it perfect was some judicious trimming of the talking heads scenes, the elimination of a few extraneous plot lines, a bit more focus on the real story, and a snappier beginning.Nor am I particularly fond of flawlessly beautiful heroines with an overabundance of super-talents (c'mon Elizabeth, I need someone I can relate to, besides the ogre). Nevertheless, I'm following "Raphsody" through to the bitter end of the trilogy because some of the writing is really, really good---And I fell in love with that Sargeant (Pournelle readers, if you liked the sargeant major in his John Christianson SF series, here he is again, marvelously resurrected as an ogre).
Rating: 
Summary: Worst Thing About this Book is that it is only the First!
Review: But at least it only promises 3 books, and it won't turn into a never-dying abomination like Jordan's Wheel of Time. I hope. I guess I'm one of those didn't get it. Boy am I dumb and those who enjoyed the book are quite bright. Sure. Read it again? yeah right, some authors are skilled enough that not only do you not have to read the book twice, but you don't even feel like you're reading it the first time, rather, it feels as if you are there, living the novel. That's skilled writing. Shouldn't have to depend upon the readers' "amazing" intellect, I don't think the reader should have to put forth effort at all. If you like to read a book and constantly ponder "What are they doing?, who are they, why did they do that, what is that odd creature and why is it in the book", then this is definitely the book to please you. Not me, I didn't get it. But it looks like some reviewers did get it, they CAN see the emperor's clothes and boy, they're the best ever, right?
Rating:
Summary: If you can make it to chapter 32...
Review: I would not recommend this book. It was un-necessarily long. The book became boring until the 32nd Chapter. After that, it was pretty good. There were some good parts throughout the book, but they were so scattered about that the book became boring. My biggest problem was that the story did not move along as it should have; a lot of the scense were stretched and some were excessive. I don't think I'll be reading the sequel anytime soon.
Rating: 
Summary: She makes you work for it
Review: This was not a fast read. There were fast parts, and I had to go back and read them again, because like life they moved too fast to catch everything the first time. Those parts that were not fast were deep and moving and different from the regular fantasy schlock. The history and the lore woven into this story is nothing short of amazing. Elizabeth Haydon is a great author, and she makes you work for it. You really have to think to get everything out of her work. It's not light. It's masterful.
Rating:
Summary: It IS a rhapsody
Review: I think the play on words of the title says it all. Just as a musical rhapsody has many moods and many colors, this book is full of many emotions, many character traits, many types of action. I loved it. The character of Rhapsody is a complex one, and I can see that some people don't get it. Elizabeth Haydon skillfully weaves the portrait of a woman with powers she doesn't understand, and beauty she doesn't see. I once read that she said one of her models for this character was Princess Diana, someone whose beauty and charm brought obsession and misery. Most readers seem to get this, but for those of you who don't, I recommend reading it again. Don't miss the intensity of this modern masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: I returned it to the Library..
Review: ...as soon as I realized that the storyline seemed to be going no where. Reads like a good writer writing as quickly as possible with the first ideas off the top of her head regarding characters and events.
Rating:
Summary: Can't wait for more!
Review: Wow, great book. I got hooked on sci-fi/fantasy books of this nature after reading the Mists of Avalon series. I am always on the lookout for writers who can tell a tale like Bradely. Bravo Elizabeth! You certainly get my vote for a shining star. I have just finished reading Rhapsody and can't wait to start Prophecy. Rhapsody drew me in completely with it's exciting and heartening story line. The characters were vivid and I found myself looking forward to getting home from work so I could find out what happened next. Keep 'em comming Elizabeth.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent, subtle and darkly humorous
Review: What a great book! It breaks so many of the awful Terry Brooks-type Tolkien wannabe fantasy molds, and takes risks. There is great action done in the manner of Alfred Hitchcock and Tolkien himself, who did not show tons of endless action and graphic violence, unlike today's "masters." It has great character depth and shows many sides of each person, which is new as well. I am in awe of the deft way in which the author, like Meridion in the prologue, spins and then weaves together so many subplots and storylines in a wonderful opening to what is sure to be a fabulous series.
Rating:
Summary: Rhapsody: Child of Blood
Review: Celebrate this new writer and her visions of what makes a Soul in a changing world battered by the knowledge that all will be "for naught." Yet the characters use their varied strengths to combat the coming destruction of their home.....only to start on the most amazing journey under the earth imaginable. At least in my imagination....but Elizabeth Haydon paints pictures that remain behind your eyelids even after you close them for the day. I have read hundreds of books over a period of 30 years with the majority of them being science fiction and fantasy but I really enjoy Epics set in cultures very different from my own (Shogun). This writer has spurred me to write a public review for the first time and with my testimonial, I hope that you will also support her by reading her thoughts and taking a peek inside her world.
Rating: 
Summary: underdeveloped plot + overdeveloped characters = BORING
Review: After all the honors and sparkling reviews given to this book, I was excited to begin what I thought would be a great fantasy adventure. That was my mistake...this book may be decent if you're not expecting much but I'm warning you to pick it up with low expectations. I feel the author compromised too much of the action and plot to work (tediously) on character development. Potential high points in the plot were wrapped up in a couple paragraphs while at some points, characters would sit around the campfire talking for page after page after page. Even with all the effort put into character development, I feel the author still came up short. I found that most characters were painfully one-dimensioned. For example, Rhapsody, the main character, is a divinely beautiful singer; no man can resist her, she LOVES children, and people can't help but be drawn to her wonderful personality. Oh yeah, did I mention that her only flaw, supposedly, is that she has some callouses on her fingertips because of her wonderful harp playing abilities? ugh...gag me please. Personally, I think Haydon should have tested her writing expertise in the romance genre instead. Yes, she is a good writer in that her settings and sweeping landscapes are tangible and real, but her plot setup and her characters need some major help. You know you're in for a bad ride when you start out disliking the main character and being extremely confused as to the whole direction and purpose of the story.
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