Rating: 
Summary: A very good fantasy
Review: I've read my share of fantasy novels, I love them. And this one was even a tad bit better than most. There were many things about this book that struck me as very unique, and interesting. I recommend it!
Rating: 
Summary: Rhapsody, Prophecy, Destiny...
Review: This enchantingly written, epic fantasy novel is the best book that I've ever read. It is movingly written, with a complex plot, and compelling characters. It brought out strong feelings, and by the end of the book, I had laughed out loud, cried, and decided to make everyone I know read it. I had my mom buy the trilogy, (Rhaps, Proph, Dest), and I've read it over and over again. The whole time I'm reading it, I can't put it down. I have never read a book that even starts to compare with this book, and I don't expect that I ever will. If you're into any kind of fantasy, historical fiction, adventure-and even if you're not, READ IT!! It is the best book ever!
Rating:
Summary: The Basic Fantasy Formula without too many pitfalls
Review: This really is a good book. The character development is superb and the story, while a bit slow and draggy at times is still a rather fresh take on the whole journey-to-discover-yourself-and-meet-the-love-of-your-life bit that turns up on every fantasy page these days. I know I've already said it, but character development truly is something special. Although I have to say that the bad guys are a little shadowy and don't really seem that important to the story, which of course makes things a little fuzzy in the plot. All in all though, a promising start to a fantasy career.
Rating:
Summary: Rhapsody
Review: Rhapsody is one of the best books I have ever read. Elizabeth Hayden does a wonderful job of developing the characters' personalities.
Rating: 
Summary: Shallow Characters. Could Not Get Past First Chapter
Review: For some reason, Amazon links the author Robin Hobb (of "Assassin's Apprentice") with Elizabeth Haydon. Intrigued, I decided to check out "Rhapsody : Child of Blood".Unfortunately, after the first chapter of the book, I was groaning in disgust. There is no depth of character, nor do there seem to be any plausible situations. In the first few pages, the main character is transported in time. Somehow, he just accepts this. It is as if the author does not care to go into detail. The hero then meets a breathtakingly beautiful, innocent and perfect girl. He realizes that this is his soulmate. They immediately fall in love. They have sex. (They are 14.) They become separated. End chapter one. It's that simple. I presume that the rest of the story details their struggles to find each other again. However, I could not stomach any more of this cheesy drivel.
Rating: 
Summary: Could have...
Review: ...been so much better. The setting is interesting. The idea of the Root is good. Most of the characters are, at least, mildly amusing. Some of them are genuinely intriguing. The downfall of this book is the heroine, Rhapsody. Let's see why. - She embodies virtue and compassion. Everywhere she goes, she adopts "grandchildren", the poor homeless or motherless kids that she runs into. - She is the most beautiful being ever born. Period. After the fifth time or so reading just how beautiful, physically perfect, alluring, dazzling, etcetera she is, the novelty wears off quite a bit. Wait, I'm being polite here, and Rhapsody the character doesn't deserve any politeness. She is what aspiring authors call "Mary Sue", the embodiment of (usually) female bad characterization. Virtuous, beautiful beyond telling, perfect in every way, gets any man she wants, and all males that behold her melt into slush. Think it can't be that bad? Think again. Rhapsody can charm any male into kissing the ground she treads. In one instance, she causes a traffic accident because the cart-drivers were staring at her. In another instance, a priest mistakes her for an angel. Heck, even Achmed and Grunthor, when they get a good look at her after she went through the fire (which "washed away all the imperfections" and apparently transforms her into a sex doll), "felt a swelling from below their belts". Mind you, Achmed is a heartless assassin who isn't susceptible to any musculine urges. Grunthor has been acting as Rhapsody's protector, sort of a brother figure. - The whole "I went through the Fire, was remade, and my virginity was restored" thing is pointless beyond pointless. Oh, wait - Haydon probably can't bear to let Rhapsody have any single flaw. - To top it off, Rhapsody is hardly an example of human intelligence. Achmed summarizes it best when he muses: "The Liringlas must have only air between their ears." And she's *modest*. See, she isn't aware what a goddess-like beauty she is, and so when people stare at her in awe, she thinks they are doing so because she is freakish. Gag. Attempt to make the character likeable? Fubar, Ms./Mrs. Haydon, fubar! She just looks more stupid. I can tell you that the book would have been infinitely better had there not been this shame in the history of characterization named Rhapsody.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: This is the best book (and trilogy) I've read since Robin Hobbs' Liveship Traders trilogy. It's exciting, well-written, and has great characters who are fully fleshed out. Rhapsody is pretty amazing, but I pretty much fell in love with Gunthor, tusks and all. My only quibble is the prologue. I understand it's purpose, but the flowery romance writing lets down the rest of the book. So don't let it sidetrack you - it's absent from the rest of the book, which is a cracker!
Rating:
Summary: Why I like this book
Review: Honestly, I've never heard of this book although, it had rave reviews from Amazon, Borders, and all other bookstores. I grabbed a copy because Amazon readers gave it such great ratings.
I do like this book, mainly, because upon reading the overture, I wanted to find out whether there will be a happy ending. All of us are familiar with Shakespeare's stories and how they mostly end up tragic. Elizabeth Haydon wrote the characters and their feelings so well, that I do not want them to have a tragic ending! With Valentines Day looming, Emily and Gwydion deserve that. I have not read Prophecy and Destiny yet. Beyond that, the plot itself is excellent - How the characters travelled through time (the means itself is unique) and how GOOD must prevail against EVIL.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty simplistic
Review: The story starts out with one of the most ridiculous love stories I have ever read. A boy of 14 is whisked physically away by some unknown controlling force for a chance meeting with a girl just turned 14. Of course, it is love at first sight, and everything is perfect. They plan to marry, but unfortunately, the unknown controlling force whisks them apart. Then the story starts anew, and you are left to figure out how the first part relates to the rest of the story. The love story could be summed up like, "Dick sees Jane. Jane sees Dick. Dick and Jane fall madly in love." I have only read about half the book, but I cannot force myself to waste any more time on it. After the first part of the book, the story begins about Rhapsody and her two buddies who are killer elites. They spend approximately the first half of the book running from some bad guys, and wandering through an underground huge root system to get away from some really bad guy who wants to destroy the whole world. As they are traveling, they are forced to go through a cleansing flame which remakes them on the other side. They essentially turn into happy perfect new people with clear conscious. Also, Rhapsody is now the most beautiful woman on Earth after the fire removed all impurities. It's just plain silly. There is a severe lack of depth to the story, and I am sorry that I helped fund the author's learning experience on how to write a novel.
Rating:
Summary: This is why fantasy shelves aren't worth perusing for adults
Review: Characters straight out of Saturday morning cartoons.
Stories that make no sense.
Written for the junior high school set.
|
