Requiem for the Sun (The Symphony of Ages) (Hardcover)

by Elizabeth Haydon (Author) "The light of the harbor torches fluttered on the waves and reflected back at the night sky, a dim imitation of the waxing moon that..." (more)
Key Phrases: guild scion, tile foundry, elemental sword, Lord Cymrian, Gwydion Navarne, Yarim Paar (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Requiem for the Sun is the standalone sequel to the USA Today-bestselling Rhapsody trilogy (Rhapsody , Prophecy , and Destiny ). This novel will please fans of Elizabeth Haydon's high-fantasy series, but it may confuse newcomers because numerous characters from the trilogy return, and most are introduced in the book's early pages.

In the peace following the events of the trilogy, the singer Rhapsody believes she and her husband, the part-dragon Lord Cymrian, can at last start a family. Meanwhile, the assassin-king Achmed seeks to rebuild Canrif, his mountain capital. Then Lord Cymrian rejects Rhapsody's heart's desire; the giant Sergeant-Major Grunthor hears the earth itself screaming; the Dowager Empress of Sorbold, a realm of deep magic, dies under suspicious circumstances; and a powerful unknown enemy, as ancient and youthful as Rhapsody, seeks stealthily to steal her for himself. --Cynthia Ward

From Publishers Weekly
There's something utterly refreshing about a fantasy hero and heroine, half-human masters of the elements and rulers of a continent, whose private names for each other are Sam and Emily. With bright and tender touches like these, Haydon breathes new life into fantasy cliches in this sequel to her bestselling Rhapsody trilogy. The fierce, compassionate and exquisitely gorgeous Rhapsody and her draconian husband, Ashe along with their longtime companions, Achmed, King of the Firbolg, and the ferocious but kindhearted Sergeant-Major Grunthor once more take on an evil F'dor demon and its human host, a man Rhapsody believed long dead. The author has smoothed out many of the rough edges evident in Rhapsody (1999), Prophecy (2000) and Destiny (2001), toning down the most overt references to the series' roots in Welsh mythology and Regency bodice-rippers. At the same time, the stated history and dropped hints, as well as style and tone, remain consistent with earlier volumes. Unfortunately, the characters change little or not at all throughout the course of the story, but the rich complexities of historical subtext, unsubtle scheming of religious and political leaders and classical romantic elements are enough to keep the pages turning. Although quite readable as a stand-alone work, the many loose threads left untied promise numerous future volumes, which are certain to be devoured by Haydon's growing legions of fans.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (September 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312878842
• ISBN-13: 978-0312878849
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #781,934 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The magic continues, August 27, 2002

By	Amy Rittenaur "Rittwasp" (Plano, Texas) - See all my reviews

I was so sad to see the Rhapsody trilogy end, and have been checking constantly to see when Requiem would be out. I was nervous that this one would not be able to match the magic of the previous three, but thankfully that fear was not realized. Requiem for the Sun is a fast paced, fascinating sequel, beginning a new part of the history of Haydon's amazing world.

Achmed the Snake is in his glory here, though showing a vulnerability and obsession that was not evident before. My favorite character, Gruthor the Bolg sargeant, brings even funnier lines and Rhapsody has evolved into a more complex, more real woman. The threads of the past, present and future, as laid out in the first three chapters of the book, form an intricate story with great depth. Elizabeth Haydon has once again shone herself to be one of the best writers of epic fantasy out there.

I read this book in one VERY long sitting. I am happy. Now I can go back to agonizing wait for the next one.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Joy to Read..., September 4, 2002

By A Customer

"Requiem for the Sun" is Elizabeth Haydon's sequel to the best selling "Rhapsody" Trilogy. From the very beginning of the book she takes a tangled skein of plot threads, from the ancient past and the present, and weaves them into a richly colored and very satisfying novel.

We begin three years after the almost cataclysmic conclusion of "Destiny: Child of the Sky." King Achmed and Sergeant-Major Grunthor are overseeing the Bolg restoration of Ylorc. A severe drought is crippling Yarim and their normal water supply has dried up. Only the monstrous Firbolg have the skill and the muscle to restore the water supply. But the nobles of Yarim aren't exactly happy to have the savages in their lands. The Lord and Lady Cymrian, Ashe and Rhapsody, decide it is time to have a child. To the south, the death of the Dowager Empress, and her heir, leaves Sorbold in chaos while they select a new leader. Meanwhile an ancient evil, bent on torture and destruction, looms just over the horizon.

We learn even more about the characters we've come to know and love over the course of the "Rhapsody" trilogy and are introduced to other equally enjoyable characters never seen in the series until now. There are plenty Haydonesque plot twists and dialog quips. Readers will be delighted. It was a joy to read.

"Requiem for the Sun" is another outstanding movement in Elizabeth Haydon's The Symphony of Ages.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful continuation, September 25, 2002

By A Customer

Requiem for the Sun picks up a few years after the end of the Rhapsody trilogy in a new era of history, where peace reigns and rebuilding is taking place after the battles that culminated in Destiny. Within this era of calm, however, evil is brewing in many different places--a political coup to the south in Sorbold, the bloody plans of a murderous assassin queen bent on revenge, and the long-denied lust of a demonic monster. Haydon is such a master of suspense that I found myself physically anxious as I read, turning pages and being afraid to stop reading.

While the focus is more on the male protagonists in this book--the uneasy relationships between Achmed, Gruntor and Ashe, as well as some older-generation characters--it is amazing to see how firmly entrenched these "people" are in my mind, and how much I care about them. The loss of one who has been with the series from the beginning was heartbreaking, but Haydon writes with a brutal honesty that reflects life in all its glory and horror. Sometimes there are no second chances.