Customer Reviews

Elegy for a Lost Star (Symphony of Ages)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have to admit that I toyed very briefly with giving this book 4 stars instead of 5, because it lacked the breadth and depth of previous Haydon novels, and I think a little more background and interaction with the characters was in order for those unfamiliar with earlier books. However, considering its much shorter length -- a little over 300 pages, compared to nearly twice that size for Requiem for the Sun, the first installment of this trilogy, and nowhere near the 850+ pages for Destiny, the last installment of the first trilogy -- you still get a lot of bang for the buck.

It is hard to top the cunning menace of the F'dor, yet Haydon still manages breathtaking suspense and action with the awakened Anwyn and the transformed Faron. I was delighted to see the emphasis on dragons in this book, and those who are fond of Haydon's beasts will be very satisfied. I would have liked to have seen more of Grunthor (my very favorite character, with Achmed a close second). And we at last have the birth of Meridion, the time manipulator; I'm hoping at some point in this series we get to see the time line that Meridion changed, which Haydon has tantalizingly hinted at on a few occasions.

If you are as entranced with these characters and Haydon's writing as I am, you will enjoy this book. If you are expecting another long, complex novel like the previous ones, you may be slightly disappointed and simply have to wait for the next installment, which Elegy has set up beautifully.

I've been waiting for this book for months, and was one of the first people at my local book store when it finally came out. I almost wish I hadn't bothered--a delay would have meant that I could have put off the disappointment for at least a few days, possibly even weeks.

Elogy has the same wonderfully complex type of storyline that characterizes all of Hayden's books, but the depth of character development that I've come to love is completely missing. The story moves quickly, which is admittedly a bit of a relief after Destiny and Requiem, which tended to drag a bit, but the increase in speed seems to have come at the expense of character insight and growth. I felt like Achmed, Grunthor and all the others were just pale reflections of the way they were portrayed in other books. Instead of letting the reader grasp things about the characters by allowing their actions to speak for them, Hayden simply tells us what to think and how to interpret everything and everyone. Also, while like many others I found Rapsody rather irritating and do-goody, her portrayal in this book is even worse--it is completely lacking in development and sparkle. I know we know these characters--we've been dealing with them for four novels now--but that doesn't mean that they can't reveal new sides of themselves and/or develop new ones.

To end on a positive note, this book is much darker than most of the others, and I think the change in tone is an interesting one--I won't go so far as to call it an improvement, but I found myself reading with baited breath more than while reading the earlier novels in this series. The increased suspense makes for a read that is more engaging in terms of plot, although it still doesn't make up for the failings in characterization. For Hayden fans it's definitely worth reading, but be prepared to make a major adjustment in the way you read, and don't expect the high quality of the original trilogy.

I hovered between three and four stars for a while, but eventually settled for three because I felt that Elegy for a Lost Star really doesn't stay up to scratch with the beginning of Elizabeth Haydon's wonderful series. The novel, rather than wrapping up any of the numerous dangling plot threads from Requiem for the Sun or the original trilogy, feels more like a frustratingly inconclusive continuation. While it does present an accurate sense of the many forces gathering against the Three and their allies, it certainly doesn't provide any closure or satisfaction.

In Sorbold, the depraved and ruthless Talquist is settling into his role as regent, and continuing his desecration of the Living Earth in the basilica of Terreanfor. Eventually he draws Faron, the mutated spawn of a demon's host, into his plans, with unforeseen results. Meanwhile, the vengeful and reawakened seer Anwyn, now trapped in the form of a wyrm, struggles with amnesia to discover just who is that blonde girl she wants to kill anyway. Back at the home front, Rhapsody is still struggling with her difficult pregnancy as the mother of a partly draconic child; Gwydion Navarne finally comes into his own as heir of Haguefort, and embarks on a small training mission with Anborn; Achmed struggles to rebuild his kingdom and the Lightcatcher, despite multiple warnings not to reconstruct the ancient artifact.

Obviously, Elegy for a Lost Star has a lot to cover, and it's probably not a good idea to start reading the series from here, due to the enormous amounts of backstory. For longtime fans, though, the book does have some fun aspects to offer, including the never-exhausted Rhapsody/Achmed spats, a small glimpse into Achmed's ever-mysterious past, and a larger than usual dose of dragons, including the returns of both Elynsynos and Llauron, and of course Anwyn. (Though whether anyone is happy to see Anwyn again is debatable, especially since her amnesia and insanity are a little irritating.) However, Grunthor doesn't get half enough page time, and some of Haydon's writing quirks are starting to wear thin, such as her characters' tendencies to declaim, rather than speak naturally, and her frequent use of minor characters' viewpoints, which fractured the already complicated plotline.

All in all, the bulk of the book is still vintage Haydon - lots of action and drama - but in the end, it's unfulfilling enough that one looks forward to the next book with more trepidation than eagerness.

After just reading the free online prologue of the latest book in Robert Newcomb's horrible series, I was compelled to run to my bookshelf and kiss my Elizabeth Haydon books.

There is something so wonderful about reading the work of an intelligent author who respects the intelligence of her readers. Haydon's books are filled with beautiful wriing, black humor, unflinching action and, most importantly, exceptionally well-drawn characters who you CARE about. I have not really given a damn about any fantasy character since Sam Gamgee, and so it's a delight for me to finally be reading about people who matter to me, wondering what happens to them next, and sometimes fearing for them, since Haydon has no problem killing them off rather brutally.

Elegy is a wonderful book, even if it's not the same doorstop length as her earlier offerings. Without spoiling, I just want to say that any one author who can write something as horrifying as the carnival of freaks [the Monstrosity] in the same book with the most gorgeous description of seeing inside an expectant mother's womb is a blessing for the discriminating fantasy fan who does not want to drown in the hogwash out there these days.

Buy this book, read this series.

In the midst of stories that devote entire novels to endless exposition, strain to breathe life into a story that should've ended seven books ago, or preach endlessly about political ideals while fabricating trite cataclysms for the heroes to avert in suspiciously convenient moments of inspiration, The Symphony of Ages is a rare gem of a story that the reader hopes will continue, instead of desperately awaiting the final volume.
The characters' abilities to use various types of magic almost seems natural, unlike the contrived, "the hero is born gifted," strictly categorized magic of other fantasy series. Magics range from using music to heal a wounded man to intuitively locating an unknown path to manipulating air for the purpose of speaking.
The world is rich with culture and magic and rings true even while leaving you breathless with the impossibility of it. The conflicts are believable, rising from the world we already know and not from some forgotten corner of the globe where a cataclysmic evil has been waiting all this time, beknownst to everyone EXCEPT the main characters.
In short, if you're sick of the same-old same-old of trite fantasy, sit down with Rhapsody: Child of Blood and work your way through to Elegy for a Lost Star, and remember why you fell in love with fantasy in the first place.

Fair warning: I will discuss some events in reasonable detail. If you dislike reviews that provide relative descriptive about events that take place in a book, please kindly scroll down.

Elegy for a Lost Star is the fifth book in Elizabeth Haydon's "Symphony of the Ages" series, which began with a core trilogy (Prophecy, Rhapsody and Destiny), then added on Requiem for the Sun, Elegy and forthcoming Assassin King (due in 2007, and that can't get here soon enough!). If you haven't previously read the first books, I cannot stress the importance of doing so. Some series you can jump into at any central point and pick up the thread; this is definitely not one of those. While Ms. Haydon goes over the basic sketch of history that brings the reader to the present through the chronicles of the three main characters, Rhapsody, Achmed and Grunthor, you owe it to yourself to immerse in the world.

I finished Elegy for a Lost Star after reading Requiem for a Lost Sun and revisiting the core trilogy the day or two before. Therefore, all the events sparkled fresh in my mind as I transitioned from one book to the next. While I found the core trilogy engrossing and impossible to put down, the speed slowed slightly through Requiem as I appreciated the detail more than anything else. However, the vagaries of Rhapsody being trapped in a sea cave became a bit wearing. Elegy's slim size, especially compared to the 800-plus pages of its predecessors, worried me a bit.

My initial judgment on Elegy is that it is a condensed novel, and while keeping the high standard of Ms. Haydon's writing skills, it lacks a certain sparkle. The plot wandered at points, picking up different story threads and weaving them in for a time, then discarding them again. Case in point: the hodgepodge use of Anwyn, the oracle of the past and now wholly a dragon, and Llauron, Rhapsody's father-in-law and also a dragon whose transformation completed three years earlier. From the cover, an informed reader clearly discerns Anwyn and Llauron looming over Rhapsody and her baby, Meridion. It should come as no surprise the dragon finally enter the limelight of the story. Unfortunately, they don't enjoy centerstage quite so fully as they should.

Anwyn's awakening jerks into the machinations of Talquisst, the highly unsavory regent for the troubled, divided nation of Sorbold (incidentally Ylorc and Tyrian's uneasy neighbour). The transition comes roughly and left me rather in the lurch, trying to figure out what happened with Anwyn's current struggles to regain her memory and exact her revenge on Rhapsody. Usually Ms. Haydon executes these different shifts in the storyline with a deft touch, but Elegy's movements lacked that particular elegance.

Another concern that dropped my initial rating from four stars to three lies in her treatment of the dragons. While we get background information through Elynsynos about how wyrmkin interact with their parents, and the sacrifice of the eldest dragon to seal the vault of Living Earth that keep the F'dor imprisoned in the heart of the earth, we lack more important details... Notably, Llauron's involvement with protecting Rhapsody, newborn Meridion, and her friends against his rampaging, furious mother. It feels as though Llauron suddenly manifests (no pun intended) in the story at some point, flits out of existence, then shows up when it matters most again. This form of deus ex machina disappoints me because Llauron's uneasy relationship with Rhapsody, Ashe, Anborn, and Achmed certainly changed after becoming a dragon and the first Cymrian Council meeting. The story covers very little of this in Elegy, beyond exchanging annoyed words with Ashe and Achmed's wry, superb brand of blunt-spoken displeasure.

Instead, we wander along between Sorbold's decline spiced up with scenes with Constantin, the Patriarch (and a new appreciation for the Chain of Prayer), the ongoing despair of Faron after washing ashore and ending up with a carnival of monstrosities, a sort of fantasy horror show (bearded lady, duck-footed performers, and other misfits apply here!). Faron makes for an interesting enemy because you have to feel some sense of compassion for the offspring of a tortured ancient Seren and a F'dor host, a lost soul tormented from the very beginning. Against Anwyn, the foil provides an entertaining level of comparison but it doesn't reach its fullest flowering.

The scattered state of the story comes as a surprise given Elegy's overall short length. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I felt rushed in places and hopelessly without direction in others. Major milestones such as Meridion's birth came as an anticlimax and the distinct lack of Grunthor was a real shame. We at least see a good deal of Achmed, a truly excellent character in fantasy for the realism in his flawed person (versus Rhapsody's near divine perfection).

On the whole, this isn't up to the standard of Ms. Haydon's other books but I hope it will redeem itself by the segue into The Assassin King and a re-reading. The apparent shadow of doom and destruction layered over the continent by Anwyn's bloody campaign of vindiction and Talquisst's use of the deck of Sharra lacks the treatment it really deserved, but hopefully things will pan out well in the forthcoming sequel.

As the fifth book in the Symphony of Ages series, ELEGY FOR A LOST STAR falls short.

There are three basic plotlines and all of which are creative and I think have lots of potential: Rhapsody and her soul mate Ashe are Lord and Lady Cymrian and expecting their first child, only since Ashe is part dragon, Rhapsody and the baby could be in danger. Danger is also rising in Sorbold, where we find that the new emperor is not only the one responsible for the deaths of the former empress and her son, but he has also used a few strange ancient artifacts in order to secure his position on the throne. He is planning to attacks the kingdom's of his friends and enemies and proposes a huge threat to Rhapsody and friends. And of course, the big plot centers around the awakening of Anywyn who is out for revenge on Rhapsody who ruined her life.

The problem with plot 1 is that we don't see enough of Rhapsody and Ashe, and when we do see them, the emotion seems to fall short. Plot 2 is done when, and the new emperor of Sorbold is definitely as evil and heartless as to be expected from a former slave trader, but there is no conclusion to the plot, so I assume there is another book coming. Plot 3 suffers because Anywyn is suffering from some sort of amnesia throughout the entire book until near the end. The chapters that were describing her were simply so boring, I wanted to skip them. All she can remember is anger and then anger at Rhapsody and wanting to kill her and then she doesn't know why.

Unlike the first three books of the series (RHAPSODY, PROPHECY, and DESTINY), the characters along with the plot action seem very strained. In this book, Haydon spends so much time reminding readers of what happened in the previous books that the characters, their conversations, their emotions, and their actions are limited. The four main characters (Rhapsody, Ashe, Grunthor, and Achmed) are not nearly in enough of the action. What saved the book for me was the further development of the two minor characters (Gwydion of Navarne and Anborn).

As far as fantasy novels go, it is still a decent read, better than some. However, if you are expecting a book worthy of the previous Symphony of Ages books, you are bound to be disappointed.

First of all if you haven't read the previous 4 books in these two trilogies, read them first!! While Haydon does include some background, believe me, it is not enough to enjoy this book. This book is considerably shorter than the last and many in the 1st set of 3 as well.

We have Rhapsody and Ashe at Navarrne and Gwydion, the son of the late Stephen Navarrne, coming of age. Anborn, Ashe's uncle, is always good for both humor and wisdom. Rhapsody is well into her pregnancy by human standards, but since she is Lirin as well and Ashe is wyrmkin, she has been suffering through this pregnancy with nausea and extreme tiredness. Now she is back to having nightmares about dragons as well.

Talquist in Sorbold, who is "regent" until he proclaims himself emperor, is so evil it is very scary!! Destroying what is called Living Stone for his own evil purposes. I won't say what here but his creation this time goes awry and I feel this part of the plot has some good things along with the evil happen.

Back in Ylorc with Achmed and Grunthor, we have the Guild plotting since their leader was killed in Ylorc, Achmed intent on rebuilding the Light Catcher and the Earth Child withering. None of this is good!!

Finally, the explosion at the end of the last story has "awoken" a dragon. Not just any dragon but Anwyn who is grandmother to Ashe, mother to the now elemental dragon and former Invoker Llauron who is Ashe's father. Fortunately or unfortunately, Anwyn suffers from amnesia and only has a few images in her mind. Unfortunately one of them is of Rhapsody so she sets out on a quest to find her. She is aided by her sister Manwyn which is a very entertaining scene.

Another part of the story I like was following Gwydion and Anborn and their adventures. We learn alot more about both of them and their characters. I also enjoyed Rhapsody going to Elynsynos lair to get help and ease during her pregnancy.

The more emphasis on the dragons in this book is very enjoyable and interesting. Only a few plot lines are actually closed so alot is left for the final book. I look forward to it!!

Just a quick note that this is an unfinished series. There were supposed to be five books in this series but only the first three have been written, with the last being published in 2006. Nothing has been heard from the author regarding this series in years. It's quite likely this series will never be finished and it left everything hanging. Very unsatisfying.

Elegy for a Lost Star is, perhaps, one of the most gripping and breathe-taking book of the series. Once again, we have Achmed and Grunthor coming closer and closer to completing Ylorc, and Rhapsody being pregnant with Meridion. Ashe, Anborn, Gwydion and Llauron are there as well in all there glory. And Anwyn just won't die...
This book caused me to double-take on my favorite character, Achmed The Assassin King of Ylorc. He may seem like he does some pretty rotten things for selfish reasons (so what else is new?) but his intentions are good. And we are once again reminded that Achmed knows a heck-of-a-lot about the world and it's mysteries, which Rhapsody isn't as All-Knowing as we sometimes are lead to believe. His obsession to build the Lightcatcher threatens his friendship with Rhapsody, but like I said above, Rhapsody fools herself and makes everything worse.
Talquist is stirring evil and pain, molding holy living stone into a Titan-being of the former son of Micheal, The Waste of Death/Breathe, Faron. While I read more and more about Talquist, he held a surprising resemblance to the former Master of The Brother, Tsoltan the F'Dor, as odd as that might sound to some. But while Talquist is a former Merchant who has risen to power with the help of one of the scales of the Stolen Deck, Tsoltan had risen to power with the help of the spirit, hosting demons F'Dor. With this resemblence, and war coming on it's way, dejavu is likely as the Wrym Lands are threaten with war by Talquist as Serendair was with Tsoltan.
Anwyn is on a rampage, emerging from the Hintervoid, destryoing all in her path to hunt down the Lady Cymrian, Rhapsody. While Rhapsody goes through her pregnancy with the help of Achmed, Krinsel, Ashe and Elynsynos, Anwyn is ever-searching for the Lirin Namer. When Anwyn does catch-up with her, it will take Achmed, Elynsynos and Llauron to stop her, when both Achmed, Rhapsody and Meridion are trapped within an ended Wyrm...
Elegy for a Lost Star is a fantastic book. A nice installment to the World Wide Bestselling series The Symphony of Ages. While most series becomes dull and boring after a while (like Dragonlance by Weis and Hickman was for me), and lost there former shine, I believe EFALS carries on Mrs. Haydon's masterpiece quite nicely. The book still causes me to feel for the characters, laugh, smile and cry when other books can't make me beat an eyelash. So if you haven't read past Requiem for the Sun, pick-up Elegy for a Lost Star, one of the grandest fantasy books to be written to date. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.