Three cheers for Elizabeth Haydon! One great book (Rhapsody: Child of Blood) might be a fluke. But its sequel, Prophecy: Child of Earth, keeps right on developing great characters in a believable fantasy world without sacrificing the momentum of a terrific story. Best of all, Haydon promises to bring the current adventure to a conclusion in the next book, so no need to fear TNS (the never-ending saga).

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


From Publishers Weekly
A sequel to Haydon's acclaimed first novel, Rhapsody, this is a novel of modest virtues. Again following the adventures of Rhapsody (the Cymrian Namer) and her friends King Achmed of the Firbolg and the giant Grunthor, the narrative recounts their battles with the demonic F'dor. Although Grunthor is the Child of Earth to whom the title refers, most of the action revolves around Ashe, half of whose soul has been torn away by the F'dor and used to create the monstrous Rakshas. The Rakshas (which, to make things worse, looks exactly like Ashe) is going about killing innocent people and plotting to destabilize the power of local governments. After Rhapsody falls in love with Ashe, she sets out (with the help of Achmed and Grunthor) to kill the Rakshas and to end the F'dor's hold over Ashe. This will clear the way for Ashe to reunite the warring Cymrian factions by becoming Lord Cymrian. As they fight their way to this conclusion, Haydon's three heroes must also protect the Sleeping Child, a mystical creature who's likewise threatened by the F'dorAand Rhapsody must train herself to use her magic sword, which can link her to the element of fire. Although the characters are appealing and Haydon's world intriguing, things there are so complicated that they require an excessive amount of backstoryAexplanations of what happened in the previous volume and in Cymrian history. Although impressive, these explanations tend to appear at inopportune moments and break the adventure's pace. The romance between Ashe and Rhapsody is, however, charming, and the novel has enough magic, good fights and thrilling love scenes to make it a keeper. (July) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
The skysinger Rhapsody and her two Fir-Bolg companions seek to carve out a place for themselves in a new world even as their lives move inexorably toward the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy. As momentous events take shape around the three heroes, other forces work hard to undermine their hope and bring the powers of evil closer to victory. Continuing the story begun in Rhapsody: Child of Blood (LJ 9/15/99), Haydon's epic saga of the endless battle between light and darkness resounds with the richness of ancient myths reworked into new forms. Highly recommended for most fantasy collections. Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The second book of Haydon's epic high-fantasy trilogy is as strong and compelling as its predecessor, Rhapsody: Child of Blood. Here the story's three heroes learn that they are the Three who are prophesied. Achmed the assassin is Child of Blood, the armed giant Grunthor is Child of Earth, and Rhapsody--namer, singer, healer, and possessor of the magic sword Daystar Clarion--is Child of the Sky. They alone can defeat the demon that plans to waken the primal wyrm that will devour Earth. More particularly in this volume, Grunthor's affinity with Earth itself and his ability to merge himself with rock and soil prove invaluable. And while Achmed and Grunthor explore the underground caverns, Rhapsody is off on her own quest, accompanied by the mysterious, cloaked Ashe, whom Achmed distrusts, to seek out the great dragon Elynsynosto, of whom she has dreamed. Once again, the action is exhilarating; and sometimes broad, sometimes wry humor leavens the story's horror. The addition of an affecting love story enhances the characterizations and helps explain events left hanging in Rhapsody. As in high fantasy at its best, the sense of foreboding--in this case, primarily arising from Rhapsody's horrific nightmares--is palpable, the world building is convincing and consistent, the evildoers are truly wicked, and the battles are ferocious. Although some questions are resolved in Prophecy, enthusiastic readers will be left eagerly awaiting the trilogy's conclusion in Destiny: Child of the Sky. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


From Kirkus Reviews
Continuing the fantasy series begun with Rhapsody (1999), this sequel involves much ado in pursuit of an obscure prophecy, with, of course, the fate of the world hanging in the balance. The F'dor, a powerful fire demon, wants to wake up the Primal Wyrm from its slumber at the heart of the world; this will make things much warmer and cozier for the F'dor, but incidentally destroy the world. Taking up round two of the struggle are: beautiful Rhapsody, with her Namer-magic and flaming sword; Achmed the renamed, clairvoyant assassin; and Grunthor the gigantic Bolg warrior with his earth-powers. Each volume is more or less self-contained, with respectable ideas, plotting, and characters--within the confines of conventional fantasy. -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Review
"The superlative Haydon elevates craftsmanship to a new level of excellence as she deftly weaves mythology into high fantasy, catching our hearts with the extraordinary power and intensity of both characters and concepts. This series already has 'landmark' written all over it."--Romantic Times Gold Medal Review



Book Description
In Rhapsody, a fellowship was forged-- three companions who, through great adversity, became a force to be reckoned with: Rhapsody the Singer; Achmed the assassin-king; and Grunthor, the giant Sergeant-Major. Prophecy continues their powerful epic. Driven by a prophetic vision, Rhapsody races to rescue a religious leader while Achmed and Grunthor seek the F'dor-- an ancient and powerful demon. These companions may be destined to fulfill The Prophecy of the Three, but their time is running short. They must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all.



From the Back Cover
In Rhapsody, a fellowship was forged-- three companions who, through great adversity, became a force to be reckoned with: Rhapsody the Singer; Achmed the assassin-king; and Grunthor, the giant Sergeant-Major. Prophecy continues their powerful epic. Driven by a prophetic vision, Rhapsody races to rescue a religious leader while Achmed and Grunthor seek the F'dor-- an ancient and powerful demon. These companions may be destined to fulfill The Prophecy of the Three, but their time is running short. They must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all.

"The superlative Haydon elevates craftsmanship to a new level of excellence as she deftly weaves mythology into high fantasy, catching our hearts with the extraordinary power and intensity of both characters and concepts. This series already has 'landmark' written all over it."
--Romantic Times Gold Medal Review



About the Author
In addition to traveling the world, Elizabeth Haydon enjoys music, anthropology, folklore, and herbalism. She lives with her family on the East Coast where she works as an editor in educational publishing.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In Rhapsody, a fellowship was forged—three companions who, through great adversity, became a force to be reckoned with: Rhapsody the Singer; Achmed the assassin-king; and Grunthor, the giant Sergeant-Major. Prophecy continues their powerful epic. Driven by a prophetic vision, Rhapsody races to rescue a religious leader while Achmed and Grunthor seek the F'dor—an ancient and powerful demon. These companions may be destined to fulfill The Prophecy of the Three, but their time is running short. They must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

A sequel to Haydon's acclaimed first novel, Rhapsody, this is a novel of modest virtues. Again following the adventures of Rhapsody (the Cymrian Namer) and her friends King Achmed of the Firbolg and the giant Grunthor, the narrative recounts their battles with the demonic F'dor. Although Grunthor is the Child of Earth to whom the title refers, most of the action revolves around Ashe, half of whose soul has been torn away by the F'dor and used to create the monstrous Rakshas. The Rakshas (which, to make things worse, looks exactly like Ashe) is going about killing innocent people and plotting to destabilize the power of local governments. After Rhapsody falls in love with Ashe, she sets out (with the help of Achmed and Grunthor) to kill the Rakshas and to end the F'dor's hold over Ashe. This will clear the way for Ashe to reunite the warring Cymrian factions by becoming Lord Cymrian. As they fight their way to this conclusion, Haydon's three heroes must also protect the Sleeping Child, a mystical creature who's likewise threatened by the F'dor--and Rhapsody must train herself to use her magic sword, which can link her to the element of fire. Although the characters are appealing and Haydon's world intriguing, things there are so complicated that they require an excessive amount of backstory--explanations of what happened in the previous volume and in Cymrian history. Although impressive, these explanations tend to appear at inopportune moments and break the adventure's pace. The romance between Ashe and Rhapsody is, however, charming, and the novel has enough magic, good fights and thrilling love scenes to make it a keeper. (July) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

Library Journal

The skysinger Rhapsody and her two Fir-Bolg companions seek to carve out a place for themselves in a new world even as their lives move inexorably toward the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy. As momentous events take shape around the three heroes, other forces work hard to undermine their hope and bring the powers of evil closer to victory. Continuing the story begun in Rhapsody: Child of Blood (LJ 9/15/99), Haydon's epic saga of the endless battle between light and darkness resounds with the richness of ancient myths reworked into new forms. Highly recommended for most fantasy collections. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

Romantic Times

Combine the witty banter of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew with the star-crossed soulmates of his Romeo and Juliet, add a dash of modern fairy tale a la Star Wars, and you'll get a hint of the fantastic new world created by first-time novelist Elizabeth Haydon.

Kirkus Reviews

Continuing the fantasy series begun with Rhapsody (1999), this sequel involves much ado in pursuit of an obscure prophecy, with, of course, the fate of the world hanging in the balance. The F'dor, a powerful fire demon, wants to wake up the Primal Wyrm from its slumber at the heart of the world; this will make things much warmer and cozier for the F'dor, but incidentally destroy the world. Taking up round two of the struggle are: beautiful Rhapsody, with her Namer-magic and flaming sword; Achmed the renamed, clairvoyant assassin; and Grunthor the gigantic Bolg warrior with his earth-powers. Each volume is more or less self-contained, with respectable ideas, plotting, and characters—within the confines of conventional fantasy.