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Title: Rhapsody : Child of Blood by Elizabeth Haydon ISBN: 0-8125-7081-2 Publisher: Tor Fantasy Pub. Date: 15 June, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.01 (322 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Great Source of Creativity. (also an RPG player's dream)
Comment: At first glance, this book seems like another long fantasy set novel; another author-created universe with its own aspect of time, faith, and life. In a way this can be said of this book, however its far much more than a mere creation of imagination. Being the first in this series, Rhapsody must introduce so much within the story, and its in doing this that Haydon shows her talent as an author. The book retains the essence of storytelling while avoiding a boring textbook equal in definition. Through this way, things are explained while not leaving the action or the current setting.
The main plot in short summary is the adventures of two shady figures (one a mysterious assassin, the other an ex-military warrior) and their encounter with the main character Rhapsody. Rhapsody, being hunted down by the villan of this tale literally bumps into the other two, and its from this encounter that paths combine and the story continues on its long trail. The characters all have seperate traits which are helpful as well as unique and its from this base of character ability that reminders of great RPG's (Role Playing Games) like Final Fantasy or the Chrono Series come to mind (Thus, those who are fans of these type of games will love a book series like this). For example, the differences in all three characters are well shown as one uses an aspect of stealth and ranged weaponry, one fierce melee, and one a mystical faith of singing (more on that later). This can be compared to something of Chrono Trigger, Radical Dreamers, or Chrono Cross in the sense of each character having a strict stregnth, and weakness as to support teamwork (i.e. Rhapsody's singing as a stregnth, and swordsmanship as a weakness at first). Also like an RPG the characters undergo transitions throughout the tale in skill or weapons which is obviously important as the story progresses. The final comparison is the battle sequences that are unpredictable, long and very detailed.
On the topic of detail, the biggest thing which really defines this tale is that detail level. Haydon adds an outstanding amount of this detail toward scenes of importance, and its these details that not only explain things further, but also give the reader a better image of the situation. What is good about this detail is that analyzing the book for hidden answers is not a problem, as everything is defined along the flow of the tale. However, why would there be so much of this detail? Remember this is an alternate universe, and everything must be explained.
Face it, creating a new universe is not simple. Everything from background, creatures, faiths, and all that good stuff must be created as to not base too much on Earth-like qualities. Haydon passes this test with flying colors with the diversity of races, locations, weapons, and faiths. If you like stories of travel and a large cast of creatures at every turn then this is your kind of book. Everything in this book from Rhapsody's singing faith (which by the way is the belief of song as the universal control of all matter), to Achmed's (the assassin) weapon is literally modeled for a new creative version that can be easily understood, but is still questionable and interesting. Achmed's weapon for example is a crossbow. Plain and simple yes? (*yawn*). Haydon though steps in and creates a newtype enigmatic weapon called a cwellan. Its with these transitions that a feeling of something new appears with every scene.
As the first in an exciting series, this book does everything an introduction is supposed to do. It not only entertains the reader with a great start, but also lures readers into the world that Elizabeth Haydon created in this series.
Rating: 4
Summary: A satisfying debut from a promising author
Comment: Elizabeth Haydon's debut novel Rhapsody: Child of Blood shows her talent for character development and narrational magic. In the story's epic duration are all the ingredients for a fascinating read: creation myths handed down in succeeding generations, cataclysms with the power to destroy half the world, prophecies of Tolkein-esque mystery, and characters of such power and unpredictable appeal make the rest of the series a given.
The title character, Rhapsody, is introduced to us as a mysterious bard who has learned to Name. This unanticipated wrinkle in the normal fantasy world gives the singer inconceivable power over the temporal and the spiritual of that world. Yet though she knows her profession holy and takes it very seriously, her knowledge of the immensity of her power remains dim. Her unassuming personality in the face of her talents and grace makes her both loveable and awesome, a perfect combination for a fascinating character. She is joined in her flight from danger by two mercenaries. Contrary to Rhapsody's first impression, these deadly warriors, Achmed and Gunthor, are not the villains they might appear. Through their long journey into places that time forgot, the three grow close and learn each other's pasts. Like Rhapsody, Achmed and Gunthor both possess and develop powers that set them apart from other races, making these three a combination unlike any other in their world. This is important, for in their future lies a fate where much rests on their singular abilities and their trust.
While losing nothing of the grand scale Tolkien pioneered in his much-loved Fellowship, this trilogy's foundation spends many pages lovingly developing the characters, their triumphs and their failures. For these details alone, this story cannot be missed. You'll speed straight through it begging for more. Watch out for the first 15-20 pages, though, and don't worry: it gets much better.
Rating: 5
Summary: Different book
Comment: 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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Title: Prophecy: Child of Earth by Elizabeth Haydon ISBN: 0812570820 Publisher: Tor Fantasy Pub. Date: 13 August, 2001 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Destiny : Child of the Sky (The Symphony of Ages) by Elizabeth Haydon ISBN: 0812570839 Publisher: Tor Fantasy Pub. Date: 19 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Requiem for the Sun (The Symphony of Ages) by Elizabeth Haydon ISBN: 081256541X Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 18 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Sword (The Sword, the Ring, and the Chalice, Book 1) by Deborah Chester ISBN: 0441007023 Publisher: Ace Books Pub. Date: 01 February, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
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Title: The Runelords: The Sum of All Men (The Runelords, Book One) by David Farland ISBN: 0812541626 Publisher: Tor Fantasy Pub. Date: 15 April, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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