Rhapsody : Child of Blood - Softcover

Elizabeth Haydon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0575072792 ISBN 13: 9780575072794

Publisher: Gollancz, 2001

Synopsis

In RHAPSODY Elizabeth Haydon tells a story that encompasses a world and centuries of time and which introduces three characters who have already captured a new generation of fantasy fans in the US. They embark on a journey through the centre of their world only to reach its end and find that centuries have passed and the land faces the awaking of a demon. Haydon's world building is unusually well thought out and vivid, her magic system is rigorous, her battle scenes realistic and massively exciting. But it is her characters, the intelligent and resourceful Rhapsody, the enigmatic assassin Achmed and the gruff but dependable Grunthor that have captured the imagination and affection of thousands of readers. This is a trio of characters who will carry the first great fantasy series of the 21st century on their shoulders.

About this title

Review

Rhapsody is high fantasy, descended from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings through Eddings's Belgariad and Malloreon series, complete with an elf-like people, cannibalistic giants, fire-born demons, and dragons. Inquiring fantasy readers will wonder whether it can live up to such distinguished predecessors. The answer is yes. Haydon's first fantasy is a palpable hit. The three protagonists are well-realized characters whose adventures are by turns hilarious, horrific, and breathtaking. Best of all, though elements are drawn from familiar sources ranging from Norse myth to Mozart's The Magic Flute, Haydon's magic worldbuilding is convincing, consistent, and interesting.

Rhapsody, a young woman trained as a Namer, can attune herself to the vibrations of all things, tap the power of true names, and rename people, changing their basic identities. Her magic lies in music: "Music is nothing more than the maps through the vibrations that make up all the world. If you have the right map, it will take you wherever you want to go," she tells her adoptive brothers. They are "the Brother," a professional assassin able to sense and track the heartbeats of all natives of the doomed Island of Seren, their homeland, and his giant sidekick Grunthor, a green-skinned Sergeant Major who enjoys making jokes, using edged weapons, and honing his cannibalistic palate. Inadvertently, Rhapsody has renamed the Brother Achmed the Snake, breaking his enslavement to Tsoltan the F'dor (a fire-born demon). Tsoltan sends minions in pursuit to rebind Achmed. The three escape into the roots of a World Tree, Sagia, emerging transformed into another country and century. But have they truly escaped the F'dor's evil? And how does all this relate to the prologue's story of Gwydion and Emily, two young lovers brought together across history and then separated by the mysterious Meridion?

Like most first volumes, Rhapsody contains a lot of background information and foreshadowing, though Haydon ties up numerous plot lines at the end. The dislocations in time can be confusing, and some readers may find that the very 1990s dialogue clashes with the epic storytelling of the descriptive passages. Overall, however, Rhapsody is a smashing debut that delivers hours of great reading and will have you impatient to read the rest of the series. --Nona Vero

From the Publisher

"September marks the hardback debut of a great new fantasy talent. With RHAPSODY (4+), Elizabeth Haydon begins an epic saga worthy of Eddings, Goodkind and Jordan as the strands of time are twisted to bring two people together who would otherwise have never met. That encounter will reverberate through time and change everything. First, however, we must follow the adventures of a young woman who falls into the company of two mysterious strangers fleeing a deadly demon. Their journey will change her almost beyond recognition as she faces unspeakable evil and discovers unexpected camaraderie with her unusual companions. Beautifully rendering a mythological backdrop with a Welsh sheen, Ms. Haydon proves herself to be a spellbinding storyteller with the rare ability to manage remarkable characters with both intimacy and power." --Romantic Times

"Rhapsody is a very entertaining fantasy novel that is one of the better epic adventures of the year. . . a stirring epic fantasy that will receive numerous accolades from fans and critics." --Midwest Book Review

"With Rhapsody, Elizabeth Haydon makes a magnificent fantasy debut. Her voice is warm, often humorous, and sure, her world a richly realized place of myth and magic, and her characters complex and utterly compelling. I can hardly wait for the next book in the trilogy!" --Mary Jo Putney

"In Rhapsody, Elizabeth Haydon gives us strong, compelling characters in a world both mysterious and familiar. Drawn through wonders of the fantastic and of the human soul, we, the readers, are always moving forward, never sure of where the plot, with its surprising twists and turns, is taking us. But we are always interested in finding out." --J. Gregory Keyes

"A strong book . . . I wish you the best." --Mario Puzo

"A stunningly told tale by a new fantasy author who is sure to go far." --Anne McCaffrey

"Rhapsody is movingly-written, epic fantasy that works on many levels. I read this book with a growing sense of pleasure, impressed not only with the author's deft plotting but also with her use of language. Haydon is a writer." --Morgan Llywelyn

"A powerful novel. It is lucid, interesting, well paced, well organized, adventurous, magical, and with characters who are original yet consistent to themselves. There are sequences of considerable power . . . I see a larger story framework developing, as it were the foundation of a pyramid we have as yet glimpsed only in part. This author will surely go far. I am amazed by the growing number of strong new voices that are appearing these days in fantasy, hitherto mostly male. Elizabeth Haydon is sure to change that." --Piers Anthony

"Rhapsody provides readers with a different heroine and the kind of action and interplay that proves the art of story-telling is alive and well without recourse to huge and endless battles. Rhapsody is entertaining and often witty." --L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

"Prepare to lose a weekend. Elizabeth Haydon's Rhapsody is filled with wit, adventure, and delightful characters. Pick up this book at your own risk--of neglecting your family, friends, and chores--while under the enchanted spell of Rhapsody." --Kathi Kamen Goldmark

About this edition

• Publisher: Gollancz
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0575072792
• ISBN 13: 9780575072794
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 624