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58th out of 1,611 books
—
10,832 voters
Rhapsody: Child of Blood (Symphony of Ages #1)
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 characters: half-breeds who come to her rescue in the nick of time. Only the rescue turns into an abduction, and Rhap...more
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 characters: half-breeds who come to her rescue in the nick of time. Only the rescue turns into an abduction, and Rhap...more
Mass Market Paperback, 656 pages
Published
June 15th 2000
by Tor Fantasy
(first published 1999)
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There are aspects of this book that are worth more than one star. Achmed, one of the book's central protagonists, is reasonably awesome. Grunthor is pretty likeable in a gruff ogre sort of way. But things would be far more tolerable without Rhapsody, the third in the company, the heroine supreme. When you feel that way about the book's/series' namesake, it reflects poorly on the author. The plot was just interesting enough to keep me reading (did it for Achmed), but I just kept getting punished...more
I love sci-fi/fantasy and I was suckered in by many of the good reviews on Amazon. It did sound interesting, three people transported hundreds of years into the future, so I gave it a shot. I still can't believe I wasted two days on this book and the two following it. I curse the fact that I'm one of the sort of people that needs resolution, even if it means wading through three books of complete drivel.
Achmed and Grunthor were the only reasons I didn't use this book to start a bonfire. Those tw...more
Achmed and Grunthor were the only reasons I didn't use this book to start a bonfire. Those tw...more
Second Review
Read: January 2, 2012 - January 13, 2012
2.5 - 3 stars
Second Review in progress
I reread this book for Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired Group Series Read in order to refresh my memory to properly read Book 2.
Having been exposed to much of the story and knowing what to expect, this read went more smoothly for me. I was less impatient. I was able to get a better feeling for the world-building. I appreciated the mythology. I found the magic system as interesting and as flawed a...more
Read: January 2, 2012 - January 13, 2012
2.5 - 3 stars
Second Review in progress
I reread this book for Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired Group Series Read in order to refresh my memory to properly read Book 2.
Having been exposed to much of the story and knowing what to expect, this read went more smoothly for me. I was less impatient. I was able to get a better feeling for the world-building. I appreciated the mythology. I found the magic system as interesting and as flawed a...more
4 likes · like · see review
Apr 10, 2012
Ariana Deralte
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people with low standards for fantasy, people who like Mary-sues
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
May 12, 2008
Jocelyn Zombie
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Romance-novel loving Faire-Goers.
Recommended to Jocelyn by:
Amy
Shelves:
fantasy
The good: This book is very well plotted - in fact the series is very well plotted. The overall story was gripping. I think I saw that the author is a musician, and used music theory to help structure the book. That's a pretty neat idea. The heroine consistently is the one moving the plot forward, and is clearly the hero, all men are rescued by her and not the other way around. Girl power! (Too bad she's such an idiot - which brings us to...).
The bad: The writing and characterization of the peop...more
The bad: The writing and characterization of the peop...more
while i really enjoyed the world set up in this book (enough that i am willing to read the sequel), there were some major problems. i liked the entire first half of the novel where Rhapsody was kidnapped and traveled through the root of the world and ended up in the future. the part that i started having problems with was firstly, Rhapsody, in her travels, is transformed into the most beautiful woman ever. this isn't as annoying as her total refusal (read denial) that this is the case. she think...more
Something else to go on that long list of awful things through which I put myself. Torturous volumes of Angel Sanctuary tops it, I think, but this has to come a close second.
Rhapsody is an awful Mary Sue and every sweet chime of her irresistible voice and sweeping charm was an affront to my very being. Why, then, did I put myself through four episodes before a) I couldn't take anymore and b) the school library ran out of copies? It was all for Achmed, my friends--one of the two likable character...more
Rhapsody is an awful Mary Sue and every sweet chime of her irresistible voice and sweeping charm was an affront to my very being. Why, then, did I put myself through four episodes before a) I couldn't take anymore and b) the school library ran out of copies? It was all for Achmed, my friends--one of the two likable character...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Seldom do I find an author so astounding that I would deem them a word smith. Yet I must say that Elizabeth Haydon is a word smith of no small skill. Within the first few chapters I was enraptured by the tale unfolding, nearly throwing the book away in despair and defiance after a poignant moment. Yet I couldn't help but read on enthralled at the same time. There's a certain way an author lays out a tapestry on which you can see every detail.
The imagery of the world, the characters and everythi...more
The imagery of the world, the characters and everythi...more
4 likes · like · see review
This book is good, but not as good as I had come to expect after reading most of the reviews. I expected it to be at almost the same level as Jordan's WheelOfTime or Martin's SongOfIceAndFire (which are my -unreachable- top standard fantasy series). Unfortunately I was highly disappointed by Rhapsody. The story is interesting, the book is enjoyable, but... ...some events are hardly credible or at least unlikely, some others just take a time too short to happen (I'm thinking of Achmed ascent amon...more
The first in the series. An unlikely trio forge a strong, trusting bond when they travel together through the center of the earth. Each one bound to the earth through different elements.
Rhapsody is the lone female of the band.
She is first introduced to us as Emily, who lives in a boring country town on what we learn later is a huge island. At the tender age of 13, Emily is swooped off her feet when she meets this mysterious boy, night when she is to be "chosen" to be the mate of a boring farme...more
Rhapsody is the lone female of the band.
She is first introduced to us as Emily, who lives in a boring country town on what we learn later is a huge island. At the tender age of 13, Emily is swooped off her feet when she meets this mysterious boy, night when she is to be "chosen" to be the mate of a boring farme...more
Rhapsody, by Elizabeth Haydon was a really good book. It didn't really explain things to you, but let them explain themselves as the story unfolded through what the characters see, hear, and think. Although this leads to a bit of confusion in some places, it amounts to great character and plot depth. She doesn't say she was blah, blah, blah, or the situation was blah, blah, blah, but hints at it in the most subtle yet obvious ways that you know exactly what's going on without saying, ok, I figur...more
I very much enjoyed the entire series (although I'm a little bit frustrated that the author wrote a cliffhanger in her last book and seems to have vanished), although I did have to read them more as an ode to the fantasy genre. There are too many elements that are obviously copies, and some of the plot points are entirely too convenient-- a magical sword just happens to be there at the moment they need one? Ashe happens to be, well, everywhere Rhapsody is, purely on happenstance (even when we ge...more
I’m conflicted here.
I like this book.
But it’s a bad book.
The story, the basic premise and idea… They sound interesting.
I can’t tell you whether they actually are because, despite all pages in the book, the basic beginning force of the story isn’t explained. Not surprising really, as that’s most likely being saved for exploration further down the series. The plot contained in this particular book itself, the journey of Rhapsody, Achmed, and Grunthor, THAT part I did find quite enjoyable and would...more
I like this book.
But it’s a bad book.
The story, the basic premise and idea… They sound interesting.
I can’t tell you whether they actually are because, despite all pages in the book, the basic beginning force of the story isn’t explained. Not surprising really, as that’s most likely being saved for exploration further down the series. The plot contained in this particular book itself, the journey of Rhapsody, Achmed, and Grunthor, THAT part I did find quite enjoyable and would...more
6 likes · like · see review
I picked this book up in a Wal-Mart in Ramona, CA. I was about halfway through a long block at summer camp, and had already finished the books I'd brought. Given a choice between King/Grisham/etc. and a trashy fantasy, I will choose the trashy fantasy every time. The cover is ridiculous -- I was soon to learn that the cover art is always ridiculous -- but I was wholly surprised by the story. It's fantastic!
The book starts off a little confusingly, with a tale in the past that will not be explain...more
The book starts off a little confusingly, with a tale in the past that will not be explain...more
All of my original opinions from my status update still stand. I made it to page 50 and officially had to give up. I found myself skimming to try to block out some of the horrible cheesiness, and still I got tired of the taste of bile in the back of my throat from where I kept trying not to vomit from the totally false character interactions & the awful hyperbole.
I stole this from "Jocelyn Zombie's" review, because it was oh, so perfect that I couldn't have said it better myself:
"The Ugly:...more
I stole this from "Jocelyn Zombie's" review, because it was oh, so perfect that I couldn't have said it better myself:
"The Ugly:...more
I really liked how this world, magic system, and history are laid out in this series. The characters have rich backgrounds that are not just dumped on you to further the story but are given to you to help it along as would happen with more natural pacing. This is a six book arc and many of them are rather long but with the lifespans listed in the book the pacing fits with everything. This series reminded me of more of watching a movie about the characters as you are a seperate but limited scene...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This book is quite an interesting tale. I found it to be smoothly transitioned and mostly linear tale.
It has an interesting time travel setting. Certainly a fantasy world that is well explained and created as the story progresses. For a bit it feels like you are lost but all comes together as you meet the main three in the story and begin to follow them into the root system of this giant tree.
I found the mysteries that were created in this book are pretty much answered by the end, but that you...more
It has an interesting time travel setting. Certainly a fantasy world that is well explained and created as the story progresses. For a bit it feels like you are lost but all comes together as you meet the main three in the story and begin to follow them into the root system of this giant tree.
I found the mysteries that were created in this book are pretty much answered by the end, but that you...more
Picture yourself back in time, the year 1139. When women mostly married and raised their children. The town is having the annual Foreharvest dance. Emily is attempting to avoid the marriage lottery. Told this year she must enter she is upset that she must give up all the dreams she has.
Gwydion has been transported back in time and to the other side of the world. He is invited to the Foreharvest dance by the farmer who has agreed to hire him. Still trying to get his barrings he leaves the Forehar...more
Gwydion has been transported back in time and to the other side of the world. He is invited to the Foreharvest dance by the farmer who has agreed to hire him. Still trying to get his barrings he leaves the Forehar...more
This is acutally the second or third time I've read Rhapsody, and I'm enjoying it just as much as all the previus times. Elizabeth Haydon just writes such great relationships! If she wrote a book that was nothing but Rhapsody, Grunthor, Achmed and Jo hanging around and taking, I'd probably read it and consider it time well spent.
Rhapsody is more than a bit of a Mary Sue, but it's more than made up for by the banter between the major characters. You know it's a really close group when the teenage...more
Rhapsody is more than a bit of a Mary Sue, but it's more than made up for by the banter between the major characters. You know it's a really close group when the teenage...more
The main plot follows the woman Rhapsody and two men, Achmed the Snake and Grunthor. She’s a Singer, with Naming abilities, and when she accidentally renames Achmed it frees him from his evil master. All three are on the run, and Achmed needs to keep Rhapsody close until he discovers the effects of his re-Naming.
Rhapsody is beautiful. Achmed and Grunthor are frightening, half-breeds where neither half is human. The banter they share is delightful.
Readers follow them on an epic journey and then a...more
Rhapsody is beautiful. Achmed and Grunthor are frightening, half-breeds where neither half is human. The banter they share is delightful.
Readers follow them on an epic journey and then a...more
Someone spilled a very good story across 650 pages and left several dozen really incredible pieces soaking in puddles of soggy text. I agree with the reviewer who said Rhapsody is "a romance novel heroine, thrown into a fantasy novel." As much as my other complaints, the oft annoying and ever self-righteous heroine lost this book its third star.
I wish I had been able to like this book, because some of the ideas are truly great. Haydon's version of Naming magic and Time-slipping are appealing and...more
I wish I had been able to like this book, because some of the ideas are truly great. Haydon's version of Naming magic and Time-slipping are appealing and...more
Just couldn't quite make it through it. I see in some reviews that there are points that people really like about this story, but I didn't make it that far. The first forty or so pages really turned me off - incredibly over-done and flamboyant romance taking place within the space of three, maybe four hours...triggered my gag reflex. I hear that this portion of the story isn't explained until later in the series, which is fine - mostly I just can't handle things which read to me as "Hi you're re...more
I wish I could rate it more than once, because I have to be completely honest: I was in love with the plot and in whole the entire world Haydon created, but the fact of the matter is that it was horribly written. I barely finished the first book with a lot of skimming; trying to read e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g was simply too excruciating. Even though the story-line had me at page one, the way it was written frankly made me want to die. It sounds horrible of me to put it like that, but I really cannot f...more
I loved the different elements tied to different characters in this set. I've only finished three of the series, so far, but have enjoyed them as storytelling devices. There seems to be a lot of the feeling that these characters have mysterious ways of magically getting out of the impossible scenario through improbable methods - almost as though they are pulling on deus ex machina through themselves.
Rhapsody definitely made me sympathetic to the characters and their plight, as well as intereste...more
Rhapsody definitely made me sympathetic to the characters and their plight, as well as intereste...more
From what I've read of other reviews, I have the same problems with this book that most do - the annoying descriptions of how beautiful Rhapsody is, the Mary Sue-ness of Rhapsody along with her Gary Stu counterpart Ashe, and the over-usage of really long words.
However, putting that all aside, Symphony of Ages is most assuredly my favorite series I've read to date. The plot is complex and leaves you guessing and on edge, hoping to find out more. The lore of the land is intense and interesting, u...more
However, putting that all aside, Symphony of Ages is most assuredly my favorite series I've read to date. The plot is complex and leaves you guessing and on edge, hoping to find out more. The lore of the land is intense and interesting, u...more
I can't stand the word 'infinitesimal' now because this author used it on every other page. The story started out ok, then it just got worse and worse because it seemed like she was trying to hard in her word usage. You don't have to use every long word in the dictionary that you find in order to write something magnificent! It just got to be too much, I tried reading this book, I couldn't get through them traveling through the earth because IT WOULD NEVER END! They were traveling and doing the...more
What I learned from this book is that too much of a good thing is not always too much of a good thing. If there is imagination enough to keep multitudes of strange adventures happening, even I, with a science background, could make myself forget that someone could never get through the center of the world without being crushed by gravity or boiled by the molten furnace at the center or suffocated in the miles and miles of airlessness in deepest underground. Haydon has just that much imagination...more
This is the first in a six book series. Taking this into consideration, I'm setting aside the fact that the book is a very slow read (which I would normally give less stars for) and focusing on other factors of the book instead. The characters are
very
well formed. This is one of the only books that I've actually felt like I know the characters better than I know myself at times. You can literally feel the emotions that are portrayed in this book. If you allow yourself to be completely emerged...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romance Lovers fo...: Series Read: Symphony of Ages, #1: Rhapsody: Child of Blood ("Buddy Read" DQs) Start Date: January 2, 2012 | 307 | 59 | Feb 11, 2012 05:28pm | |
| "Buddy Read" in January, 2012 | 1 | 23 | Sep 09, 2011 01:36pm |
Elizabeth 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,...more
More about Elizabeth Haydon...
An herbalist, harpist, and madrigal singer,...more
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