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Summary: If you read this book you are in for some fun!
Review: -Be prepared to fall in love with Rhapsody. -Be prepared for a true epic fantasy. -Be prepared to lose sleep. -Be prepared for an incredible journey.I know because all of the above happened to me (and I admit that as a bookseller - this happens less and less over the years). Buy this book (or borrow it) - you won't regret it! Happy reading! P.S. Ms. Haydon, can we expect any short-stories or anything else to keep us going while we wait for the next book in this massive series?
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Summary: Best new book of the year
Review: Rhapsody by Elizabeth Hayden has to be the best first book in a new series this year. Right from the get go the reader is pulled into the book. I couldn't put it down. If there is one book you need to buy this year, this is the one.
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Summary: This one's really special
Review: Finally I have gotten to see what all the fuss is about! This book, which I got to see in advance form, will finally cross the great divide in fantasy and appeal to both men and women. Hayden has a gift with words and images, can make you laugh out loud, cower with fear or fight back tears within the space of a couple of pages. Her men are as real as her women, and all of them are multifaceted. I particularly like the tales of the history, which remind me of Tolkien's storytelling at it's best, while maintaining a humor and a willingness to get bloody or diabolical with the best of them. I have been growing bored with my old favorites of Feist, Silverberg, Jordan and Goodkind, having abandoned McCaffrey long ago when she started to babble. Both Jordan's and Goodkind's last books were tremendous disappointments, with no end in sight to either of their ever-more-pointless tales. Here is a new beginning, a series which seems to have been mapped out from the start, and which I pray will not become as unfocused as the others. With the ability she shows in weaving immensely complicated plotlines together without missing a beat, Hayden shows more promise than any fantasy author who has appeared in the last decade, man or woman. I wholeheartedly recommend you give her a whirl--you won't be disappointed!
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Summary: Fantastic epic fantasy
Review: In deep trouble, the Singer Rhapsody flees from the troops of her former customer Michael. Just when she seems trapped, she meets the Brother and using her singer abilities Rhapsody renames the Brother as Achmed the Snake. She gets him to agree to immediately adopt her as she cannot tell a lie. With the help of her new relative and his companion Grunther, Rhapsody safely escapes. The trio heads to Sagia, the Great Tree. The F'Dor demon Tsolston controls Achmed by knowing the assassin's true name. The F'Dor expects Achmed to release a gigantic wyrm that should destroy much of the planet. However, when she renamed the Brother, Tsolston lost his control. Instead, Rhapsody leaves music to keep the beast sleeping for eternity. They travel for centuries inside the great tree. When they finally exit to the surface, fourteen hundred years have passed and a new world of adventure awaits them as Achmed plans to become the King of his people, the monstrous Bolg. RHAPSODY is a very entertaining fantasy novel that is one of the better epic adventures of the year. The story line divides into two parts: before entering and wandering inside the tree, and after emerging from the tree. The characters are warm and the next tale is already set in motion. However, in spite of establishing the grounds for Rhapsody's next story, Elizabeth Hayden provides closure to this novel's plot, making it a stand alone book. Though the role of Meridon and his Time Editor remains unknown, that takes little away from a stirring epic fantasy that will receive numerous accolades from fans and critics. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Can't wait to see it
Review: I've never heard so much buzz about an unpublished book in my life! I hope its out soon.
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Summary: An Incredible Talent, An Amazing Book
Review: I was fortunate enough to get to read an advance copy of this book, and have been haunting the web, looking for it ever since. I cannot wait for its release in the actual hardcover. Finally the fantasy genre has produced an author who is both a born storyteller and a wordsmith, someone with a feel for legend lore and mythos that harks back to Tolkein [the inevitable comparison, this one actually deserved] or Robert Jordan at his best. Unlike the typical fantasy model of callow young hero up against the forces of darkness, RHAPSODY gives us a totally new construct, a trio of flawed characters whose weaknesses are as appealing as their strengths. Haydon has a true understanding of magic [though I don't think she ever uses the word] and shows it to her readers not only in its traditional form but in every aspect of her world, in the geography, the history, and the people who make it up. She spins a tale that is mysterious and fascinating. When this book came out for review, some of the most respected authors in the field raved about it, but the most interesting to me was Piers Anthony's comment. He said while most of the strong new voices appearing in fantasy these days are male, Elizabeth Haydon is sure to change that. I agree. She holds her own with Jordan, Goodkind, Martin, and the best of them, and brings something new and magical to the genre. I cannot recommend this book too highly, for anyone who loves epic fantasy, or anyone who just loves good writing.
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Summary: Different book
Review: The approach to this book is so different from the usual Fantasy novel, that I found myself drawn in from the beginning. Nicely written and well paced, it is a distinct departure from the slash-em up's of Salvatore or the wasted time of Jordan. I highly recommend this book to people who are fans of fantasy as well as non-fans who are looking for an introductory novel. Bravo!!
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Summary: Excellent start to Symphony of Ages
Review: Being a great lover of fantasy dash with just a bit of romance and wit, I have to say that I have found everything I have been looking for(and more)in this very excellent novel. Elizabeth Haydon has created a wonderful world where the good are truly good and the bad are really horrible. The characters in 'Rhapsody' are well-crafted although Rhapsody herself borders on the unbelievable side cos she is just too perfect. However, Achmed the Snake and Grunthor the jolly giant are characters you can't help but love; the former for his wit and skills, the latter for his jolly disposition and gigantic frame. Ashe, the enigmatic part-dragon also makes an appearance at the end of the book and I am looking forward to seeing more of him in the later books. 'Rhapsody' opens with the mysterious Meridion with his Time Editor machine which can (surprise surprise) manipulate time, in the process bringing together 2 children from different Time and parts of the world who discover their love for each other.Sam and Emily are later torn apart again (Why?) But do not think that it's the end of the story cos the scene then changes to that of Rhapsody, a former courtesan. The story continues with her meeting up with Achmed and Grunthor and thus beginning their epic journey which crosses Time. The description of the book is exellent, but the changes in the Time may prove a bit confusing, making the reader often having to refer to previous pages.But overall, this is truly an amazing series judging by the first book. Haydon ties up soon loose ends here, letting us know how the prologue is related to the story, but still leaving us hanging, anticipating the continuation of the story. There is no doubt that Elizabeth Haydon can be compared to great authors like Tolkien and Robert Jordan.
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Summary: Excellent Beginning To A Trilogy
Review: Whoever wants to pick up a trilogy and start reading this is nice place to start. First book of the Symphony of ages is a excellent beginning for people who just stepped into reading trilogy's of fantasy. The way this writer writes is she is very sensual in her words. She makes you feel the story but not be too involved. You can get a good kick out of some of her jokes she puts into the story also. One small part I would share is this book is a fantasy from a womens point of view at times. It does even have some sexual parts that turn out to be very funny from a point of view. If you want to start a fantasy trilogy with some sensual side, adventure, a little humour and be part of the story this is a excellent book. If you are just looking for blood, guts, gore and fighting all the time then this may not be your type of book. I like this book and am starting the next book prophecy.
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Summary: A book to read more than once
Review: I found Rhapsody: Child of Blood, on this very site when looking for my usuall epic fantasy books. It looked interesting from the first glance, and my assumption was proved right when I read the first page. This book is richly written, a clear picture of every step of the characters in your mind. There is never a moment wasted reading this book. Never had I experienced such a diverse atmosphere in a novel, containing very different characters and spanning over a massive period of time. A well written book at that. Nothing is out of order, and every event leads to another, even if it is at the begining and end. If you are looking for a book to thrill you with the twisted life of a fantasy world, this is a book to get.
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