Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Rhapsody : Child of Blood
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Elizabeth Haydon
Class/Genre: Fantasy
Series: Symphony of Ages # 1
Tor, Sep 1999, $27.95, 544 pp.
In deep trouble, the Singer Rhapsody flees from the troops of her former customer Michael. Just when she seems trapped, she meets the Brother and using her singer abilities Rhapsody renames the Brother as Achmed the Snake. She gets him to agree to immediately adopt her as she cannot tell a lie. With the help of her new relative and his companion Grunther, Rhapsody safely escapes.
The trio heads to Sagia, the Great Tree. The F'Dor demon Tsolston controls Achmed by knowing the assassin's true name. The F'Dor expects Achmed to release a gigantic wyrm that should destroy much of the planet. However, when she renamed the Brother, Tsolston lost his control. Instead, Rhapsody leaves music to keep the beast sleeping for eternity. They travel for centuries inside the great tree. When they finally exit to the surface, fourteen hundred years have passed and a new world of adventure awaits them as Achmed plans to become the King of his people, the monstrous Bolg.
RHAPSODY is a very entertaining fantasy novel that is one of the better epic adventures of the year. The story line divides into two parts: before entering and wandering inside the tree, and after emerging from the tree. The characters are warm and the next tale is already set in motion. However, in spite of establishing the grounds for Rhapsody's next story, Elizabeth Hayden provides closure to this novel's plot, making it a stand alone book. Though the role of Meridon and his Time Editor remains unknown, that takes little away from a stirring epic fantasy that will receive numerous accolades from fans and critics.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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