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Symphony of Ages #1-3
The Symphony of Ages Boxed Set I
Boxed Set containing Mass Market Paperback editions of Rhapsody , Prophecy , and Destiny Rhapsody
The brilliant new saga is born ... Rhapsody is a woman, a Singer of some talent, who is swept up into events of world-shattering import. On the run from an old romantic interest who won't take no for an answer, Rhapsody literally bumps into a couple of shady half-breeds who come to her rescue in the nick of time. Only the rescue turns into an abduction, and Rhapsody soon finds herself dragged along on an epic voyage, one that spans centuries and ranges across a wonder-filled fantasy world-- a world so real you can hear the sweet music of Rhapsody's aubade and smell the smoldering forges deep within the Cauldron. Prophecy
In Rhapsody , a fellowship was forged-- three companions who, through great adversity, became a force to be reckoned Rhapsody the Singer; Achmed the assassin-king; and Grunthor, the giant Sergeant-Major. Prophecy continues their powerful epic. Driven by a prophetic vision, Rhapsody races to rescue a religious leader while Achmed and Grunthor seek the F'dor-- an ancient and powerful demon. These companions may be destined to fulfill The Prophecy of the Three, but their time is running short. They must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all. Destiny
A Fellowship of Three To stand against the F'dor-- an ancient, vile being intent on destroying the world-- a fellowship has been Rhapsody, a Singer of great talent and beauty; Achmed, an assassin with unearthly talents; and Grunthor, a giant of jolly disposition and lethal skill with weapons. Driven by prophetic visions, the three know that time is running short, know that they must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all. But after their final, brutal confrontation with the F'dor, their world crosses the threshold of disaster and faces utter oblivion. The action reaches a fevered pitch, achieving a crescendo of tragedy, love, and triumph of human spirit over world-shattering cataclysm. With death at hand and the world crumbling at their feet, these three will finally discover their true ... Destiny
The brilliant new saga is born ... Rhapsody is a woman, a Singer of some talent, who is swept up into events of world-shattering import. On the run from an old romantic interest who won't take no for an answer, Rhapsody literally bumps into a couple of shady half-breeds who come to her rescue in the nick of time. Only the rescue turns into an abduction, and Rhapsody soon finds herself dragged along on an epic voyage, one that spans centuries and ranges across a wonder-filled fantasy world-- a world so real you can hear the sweet music of Rhapsody's aubade and smell the smoldering forges deep within the Cauldron. Prophecy
In Rhapsody , a fellowship was forged-- three companions who, through great adversity, became a force to be reckoned Rhapsody the Singer; Achmed the assassin-king; and Grunthor, the giant Sergeant-Major. Prophecy continues their powerful epic. Driven by a prophetic vision, Rhapsody races to rescue a religious leader while Achmed and Grunthor seek the F'dor-- an ancient and powerful demon. These companions may be destined to fulfill The Prophecy of the Three, but their time is running short. They must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all. Destiny
A Fellowship of Three To stand against the F'dor-- an ancient, vile being intent on destroying the world-- a fellowship has been Rhapsody, a Singer of great talent and beauty; Achmed, an assassin with unearthly talents; and Grunthor, a giant of jolly disposition and lethal skill with weapons. Driven by prophetic visions, the three know that time is running short, know that they must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all. But after their final, brutal confrontation with the F'dor, their world crosses the threshold of disaster and faces utter oblivion. The action reaches a fevered pitch, achieving a crescendo of tragedy, love, and triumph of human spirit over world-shattering cataclysm. With death at hand and the world crumbling at their feet, these three will finally discover their true ... Destiny
2272 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2003
1 person is currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Haydon
50 books1,024 followersElizabeth Haydon (* 1965 in Michigan) is a fantasy author, whose 1999 debut, Rhapsody: Child of Blood, garnered comparisons with Goodkind, Jordan, and even Tolkien. She has written two fantasy series set within the same universe, The fantasy/romance/whodunit fusion called The Symphony of Ages and the young adult series The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme.
An herbalist, harpist, and madrigal singer, Elizabeth Haydon also enjoys anthropology and folklore. She lives on the East Coast of the United States.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabet...
An herbalist, harpist, and madrigal singer, Elizabeth Haydon also enjoys anthropology and folklore. She lives on the East Coast of the United States.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabet...
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 19, 2007
Epic Fantasy at it's best (at least I think so). I hate those authors who drag their series out for whatever reason (money anyone?. Haydon does a fantastic job of packing in a compelling storyline, a likeable heroine,and scary good guys-into three books with a good opening for next three. But she still ties off all those loose ends, you don't need to read the next series to finish up the story. I especially liked the musical aspect of the book. I'm not a musician but it appealed to me.
July 23, 2008
I decided, VERY reluctantly, to give the first of this trilogy a shot. I have been less than enamored of science fantasy for a long time now. I devoured Anne McAffrey's Dragon books when I was 13 and moved on to Andre Norton's Witchworld, Ray Bradbury, Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series, Jennifer Roberson's Sword Dancer series,Zelazny's Amber series, Piers Anthony's Incarnation series and Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series among countless others. I got SO tired of the same plots thinly recycled through the same kinds of worlds with only a tweak here or there to differentiate them that I gave up on science fantasy altogether. I just don't have any interest in the Lovely Maiden Finding Her True Power in the Big Dangerous World or Callow Youth Journeying To His True Heritage with some aliens and some super powers thrown in for good measure. And the cheats disgusted me.
This book was not bad, but the whole more beautiful than is bearable or humanly possible thing has been done, and done with more skill, by Tanith Lee. And it gets boring and predictable after a while. It takes far too long to weave together the quickie little intro of Gwydion and Emily being thrown together by some Deist Watchmaker style entity and then ripped apart again with the overall point and plot of the rest of the book. And the intro is pretty awful - standard romance plot fare with no real support for the two characters to fall madly in love with each other literally within 5 minutes of seeing one another. Even Harlequin's give a little more support than that.
The best characters are the two Bolg Rhapsody ends up traveling with, and the plot was involved enough to keep me reading to see how it turned out, but the introduction of Ashe (who, by the way, just happens to be Gwydion from the ill fated introduction who is now somehow magically also a dragon as well as a person, although there's no explanation anywhere of how that transpired) is just too contrived to be anything other than an annoyance. There are two more books to go but I'm not sure I'll be able to stick with them to finish out the trilogy.
This book was not bad, but the whole more beautiful than is bearable or humanly possible thing has been done, and done with more skill, by Tanith Lee. And it gets boring and predictable after a while. It takes far too long to weave together the quickie little intro of Gwydion and Emily being thrown together by some Deist Watchmaker style entity and then ripped apart again with the overall point and plot of the rest of the book. And the intro is pretty awful - standard romance plot fare with no real support for the two characters to fall madly in love with each other literally within 5 minutes of seeing one another. Even Harlequin's give a little more support than that.
The best characters are the two Bolg Rhapsody ends up traveling with, and the plot was involved enough to keep me reading to see how it turned out, but the introduction of Ashe (who, by the way, just happens to be Gwydion from the ill fated introduction who is now somehow magically also a dragon as well as a person, although there's no explanation anywhere of how that transpired) is just too contrived to be anything other than an annoyance. There are two more books to go but I'm not sure I'll be able to stick with them to finish out the trilogy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2014
Even though it's been over 13 years since I've read this series, I have to say that it surprised me that I enjoyed it as much as I did. I think it really binded me when the main female lead Rhapsody, entwines herself with two unlikely companions who would be described as being more on the shady and anti-hero side. The relationship starts off very complex and dubious, but as the series progresses, they start to depend on each other more and more and develop a fondness for one another that you wouldn't expect.
April 3, 2008
I really enjoyed this trilogy. Come on, you can sing the true name of something and turn into it! That comes in handy for hiding, let me tell you. Also a love story without much sex--but will they ever find eachother and figure out what happened? Those evil aunts! So, intrigue, all sorts of non-human intelligent species, a love story, action...
But don't bother reading the fourth book. Stick to these three.
But don't bother reading the fourth book. Stick to these three.
August 31, 2010
If you enjoy good fantasy, don't read this series. The first book shows promise but after that it becomes less fantasy and more wishy washy romance. As I always finish reading a series, I will persist but it's a painstaking task. The main character, Rhapsody, is so fake that I hope something truly horrible happens to her just to make her more believable. If anyone wants to read these, I'll be selling my copies very soon!
July 18, 2007
I am currently rereading this set of books before I start The Assassin King. Hayden has left so many loose ends that I needed a refresher to keep it all from boggling my mind. This is the only set of books I have ever reread.
April 7, 2008
I end up reading this series over and over again. I love the musical references and the scope of time and the impact that one moment makes.
The series continues because no one could get enough Rhapsody. I love the 2nd set of books, but the first are what will hold you.
The series continues because no one could get enough Rhapsody. I love the 2nd set of books, but the first are what will hold you.
June 12, 2008
The characters in this series are so fun! I love how the author developed this story. Sometimes the author is much too sexually graphic, but I still enjoy the tale of star-crossed lovers and a fight against evil.
June 7, 2007
Good series. Strong female lead. I felt that the story had amazing characters and great plot building but lacked a gripping reality.
February 26, 2008
A good read for those who like fantasy and reading only for entertainment purposes. I really liked these books. The author did a great job of creating great characters that I loved.
July 17, 2008
Unlike any other scifi/romance I have come across. the first volume is definitely the best, but the author ties in all of the threads very effectively by the last one.
January 15, 2013
Fav series. I can read over and over!
August 8, 2013
I understand the complaints about the overperfection of the heroine but also: shut up, it's fun.
October 21, 2013
Say what you will about whether it's a world of Mary Sues, there's no question that Haydon's Symphony of Ages is one of the more unique fantasy worlds.
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February 10, 2015One of the best fantasy series. Recommended.
March 11, 2015
I adore this series. I just with two of the characters would have gotten together that didn't. ha ha
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews