Customer Reviews

The Symphony of Ages Boxed Set I: Rhapsody, Prophecy, Destiny

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Really I would give the whole series about a 3.5 star rating, with books 1 and 3 being somewhat lower than Book 2. I found these books to be a good start for a promising new author, but reading them can be frustrating at times. Hayden starts out with an enjoyable concept and heroine, this girl who starts off with a grounded family life in the country only to throw it all away when she meets and is betrayed by (she thinks) the love of her life. Leaving home, she plunges into the darkest and lowest strata of human society. Finally pulling herself out of it, she goes on to learn a trade as a Singer, kind of like a bard with some curious powers. Untimely bereft of her mentor/teacher on the eve of her "graduation", Rhapsody (as she now calls herself) is trying to decide what to do with her life when she runs afoul of an old client from her dark days who wants her to return to that profession. This is where we catch up with her, as she takes matters into her own hands, turns her back on her old way of life forever and in the process of doing so meets the other two major characters, the Brother, an amoral assassin of supernatural ability, and his sidekick Grunthor, a huge ogre-like being who is jolly, but enjoys chopping up people with swords and other assorted bladed weapons (and eating them, if he can be believed). Together they turn the tables on her one-time suitor and embark upon a mighty adventure that spans the rest of the three books.

I have to agree with a lot of the comments posted here and under the individual book titles. While the overall plotline is quite entertaining and certainly deserves the often lavish praise doled out by the reviewers on the book jackets, at times the story drags almost interminably. At other times it rockets along and before you know it you have consumed 100 pages. In general, in my opinion the good parts outweigh the bad, but with a little more careful writing (and editing) these books could have realized the concept's greatness. Rhapsody's world is a compelling, well-thought out one, and I give kudos to the author for the obvious work she put into creating it. The characters are generally good, but the perfection of the main heroine after she emerges from "the Root" into the new world is tiring at times. Up until Rhapsody is transformed into this almost-goddess-like caricature, she is actually a very interesting character. We like at least some flaws in our characters, something we can identify with even as they look past their flaws to win against enormous odds. The problem is that Rhapsody has few flaws in the new world, other than possibly being too nice and unable to make hard choices when it comes to fighting the demon-like F'dor. That could in itself be a flaw, except that somehow Rhapsody ends up saving almost everyone she ever cared about in all 3 books while still triumphing in the end despite her propensity to forget the larger picture in favor of her "grandchildren".

The other characters do not have this perfection to such a degree, although all but Achmed (the former Brother) are very noble and likeable. Life is hard and war is hell, and at times the whole thing just seems to be a little too easy, a little too neat and convienent to be real. But all that being said, I do recommend this trilogy. Be warned, the ends of books 1 and 3 drag pretty badly at times, Book 2 is clearly the strongest. I can only hope that Hayden uses Book 2 as a template for furture efforts, because she definately has potential to create great books.

Nothing has captivated me since I picked-up Elizabeth Haydon's Prophecy in the bookstore many, many years ago. The front cover caught my attention right away, so I flipped it over, read the back and decided to give Haydon a try. It turned out that I got the wrong book, so I immediately went out and bought Rhapsody along with Destiny to finish the Rhapsody trilogy (AKA: The Symphony of Ages) and started reading Rhapsody on Christmas Eve.
The books turned out to be really good, and after reading them, falling head-over-heels with the three main characters, Rhapsody, Achmed and Grunthor I picked up other series, but have been coming back to this one ever since.
I know that a lot of people find this series a let-down, others are disgusted with this series because of its heroin, or Haydon's writing style, plus the element of romance mixed in. But don't let that fool you. I have read a LOT of fantasy series, and just about all of them have the typical trappings and plastic stables of the genre. The majority of the characters just bore me to death (such a the Shannara trilogy by Terry Brooks, which is a rip-off of J.R.R.Tolkiens Lord of the Rings) and the plots were too familiar for me to be able to continue reading.
But Elizabeth Haydon brings fresh air into a staled room. Her heroic trio are unlike anything I have ever read before and are very original. Rhapsody, a Lirin Namer who is sworn to tell the truth. Achmed, the Snake, who is the legendary Assassin from Serendair once known as The Brother. And his old companion, Grunthor, the Sergeant Major who loves singing marching cadences, "eating," Lirin and collecting weapons. The relationship between all of them is funny at times and yet very touching, and I' am so touched by how their moods can effect my own. This is a book where you "feel," for the characters, as I have explained in other reviews of this series.
But if you don't like romance, or fantasy for that matter, than don't bother with this series. But if you don't mind, than try picking up The Symphony of Ages, which is a Bestseller around the world and cherished by millions. And if you like or even love the trilogy, try picking up also the two "abridge, stand-alone," novels after the trilogy (Requiem for the Sun and Elegy for a Lost Star) as well as the final books The Assassin King (the first book of the War of the Known World trilogy), and the last two unknown titles.

These books are truely AMAZING! Elizabeth Hayden has created a whole world full of magic, mayhem, romance and sorrow. The detail she goes into in these books really makes you able to "see" these places and really get to know the characters. I have completely fallen in love with the characters and often find myself talking aloud telling them what they should and shouldn't do, haha. In each book there is more than one plot and each of them seem to "thinkin". The detail in the action sequences are so wonderful that I felt I was witnessing it myself. These books are number 1 on my list of favorites! Deffinately a must read!

This series was wonderful... eloquent with Characters that tear at our hearts. This series has elements of everything: romance, fantasy, a daring but compassionate heroine, the monstrous but kind-hearted companion, the quiet and mysterious and perhaps more monstrous other companion. I was hooked... and as long as these books are, it is quite a feat to be hooked for thousands of pages!!

What a delightful series! It's full of music and laughter and love and unbelievable friendship. The musical slant of these books is extraordinarily unique. The author has completely convinced me of this world, and I was bereft when I reached the end. Can't wait for Elegy for a Lost Star and get reaquainted with these marvelous characters.

So good i read the first trilogy twice in one year! 2nd trilogy in mail now...anxiously waiting!will let you know shortly how next 3 books in series are!

Elizabeth Haydon managed to capture my attention with these characters. I laughed out loud, cried openly and was thoroughly convinced that I was with each of these characters in every event of their lives. I recommend these books to every one and am passing them on the my 15 year old granddaughter.

for the most part i really liked this series. i will however admit it has a tendancy to get a bit deep in the romance. overall though a good story.

These books are truely AMAZING! Elizabeth Hayden has created a whole world full of magic, mayhem, romance and sorrow. The detail she goes into in these books really makes you able to "see" these places and really get to know the characters. I have completely fallen in love with the characters and often find myself talking aloud telling them what they should and shouldn't do, haha. In each book there is more than one plot and each of them seem to "thinkin". The detail in the action sequences are so wonderful that I felt I was witnessing it myself. These books are number 1 on my list of favorites! Deffinately a must read!

This is a fantastic trilogy. It has the complexity of Lord of the Rings with the humor of Star Wars. I greatly enjoyed it.