Prophecy: Child of Earth (Gollancz S.F.)

Prophecy continues the stories of Rhapsody, the Namer who uses song, herb-lore and affinities with fire and starlight to heal and protect, and her adoptive family: Achmed the Snake, an obnoxious former assassin and King of the savage Firbolg race, and Grunthor, his huge, cheerfully cannibalistic sidekick. Rhapsody travels in the company of the mysterious Ashe, who becomes much less mysterious as the story progresses. She meets a dragon, trains with a Lirin swordmistress who once carried Rhapsody's fiery sword, Daystar Clarion and races to prevent the assassination of the Patriarch of Sepulvarta. Meanwhile, Achmed and Grunthor discover secrets of their mountain stronghold and learn more of their own powers. Together they repel renewed attacks by the F'dor, a demon seeking apocalyptic destruction. But they have not yet identified the demon's host or disarmed all of its agents, and time is running out.

Fans of epic fantasy will find Haydon a worthy successor to Tolkien, ranking with Robin Hobb and Guy Gavriel Kay. Just don't start reading too late in the day--once you've begun, you won't want to stop. --Nona Vero, Amazon.com

I really enjoyed her 1st novel, the world she had created seemed fresh and intresting, the twists and turns came from nowhere but didn't feel at all contrived.

HOWEVER this book is the complete opposite, the world has gone from fresh to last weeks socks left under the bed. The characters have changed from intresting into the most hackneyed soap characters. The plot twists have become tangled implausable and just lame.

What a shame, for anyone who has read the 1st book don't bother with this. Just leave yourself wondering as its far kinder.


My personal favourite   November 19, 2003
Prophecy by Elizabeth Haydon is the second in the “Rhapsody” trilogy. Again following the three heroes from the old world of Serendair as they emerged from the great White tree into a strange land. While Achmed and Grunthor concentrate on securing the Bolg mountains, Rhapsody focuses more on the danger of the F’dor and his spawn. Ashe, a mysterious man who appears to have a tie to water through his sword, becomes more of a lead character as he befriends Rhapsody.

This is my personal favourite in the whole series because it’s action all the way, and even the rebuilding of the Bolg empire in interesting, as Achmed designs produce and Grunthor trains the troops. Highly recommended.


Disappointing   September 5, 2002
J. Bilbao
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

Rhapsody was not the most innovative fantasy ever written (three very different creatures banded together to escape from some supreme evil is not really a novel plot), and sometimes lacked pace, but the intriguing and complex characters and clear prose made it an above average reading.

Unfortunately, at some point whilst writing Prophecy, Mrs. Haydon completely lost her bearings. Instead of the interesting character interaction from Rhapsody, we are now faced with a torrid love story that, at some point, makes you think that you are reading a romance book rather than a fantasy novel. Reading page after page about Rhapsody's kissing and lovemaking made me think about skipping full chapters of the book (and not out of any feeling of inapropiateness, mind you, but out of pure boredom). Eventually, the story bogs down, the characters become cartoonish and stereotyped and, by the time you finish this book, you are left wondering why you felt attracted to the series in the first time.

There are, however, still a few redeeming qualities. The prose is still good. Some of the characters (Achmed and Grunthor) still retain their (yet untapped) potential. I just hope book 3 in the series (which I bought together with Prophecy after reading Rhapsody but, for the time being, now remains untouched on the shelf) is able to deliver on some of that potential.


Impressive Work   June 29, 2002
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

On a whim and because I liked the cover I picked up Rhapsody from my local library. Although a little slow in the beginning I found the book captivating and couldn't stop reading it. It made me wonder why I ever stopped reading fantasy novels in the first place.

After waiting for over 7 weeks for the second book through the library system I went out and purchased it. Not often I'd be willing to spend [price] on a hardcover bit it was a decision I"ll never regret. The book moves swiftly and hooks the reader right from the opening page. My only criticism deals with two chronological 'errors'. Although not detrimental to the story itself it is a little reason for "Huh? When did they..".

My wife who enjoys a good book herself started reading Rhapsody last week and is 1/2 way though Prophecy now....she has finally realized why I wouldn't mow the lawn last week. My brother-in-law also picked up Rhapsody when I put it down, he is waiting for Prophecy...a little anxiously too.

Recomendations, The Price of Immortality and anything by Tolkein


One of the best in our time.   January 25, 2002
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

Prophecy was an excellent book which rivaled the likes of Anne McCaffrey, Terry Pratchett and Alan Dean Foster. I was enraptured by the unique way in which Elizabeth Haydon writes and captures the spirits of her characters. The suspence of finding out about Ashe and Rhapsody meant that I could not put the book down and had to go to college with sleepy eyes but a happy smile. It was a book which could take your imagination anywhere, from the depths of the sea to the song in the sky. I can't wait to read the next book and find out about what happens to the Firbolg, Dragons, Cymrians and other fantastic creatures in this epic fantasy.