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teachinsci's review
3.0
This book seemed very uneven... fast changes with exciting plot movement one chapter, millennia of fighting & eating for the next few. They are together for years of time in their view and still can't fully learn each other's languages? Or trust each other? The sweeping amounts time covered in parts of this book would have made a couple of novels alone if the authors pace were consistent.
The other problem I have is that, while I can appreciate that you must have versatile characters in an epic fantasy, Rhapsody (and to a lesser extent Achmed) seem to be able to do EVERYTHING. Impressive appearances? Check. Amazing sword-work? Check. Weapon designers? Check. Carpentry, plumbing, HVAC on mystery technology? Check. Psychology, history, linguistics? Check. Yes, people can do amazing things but no one can do the impressive variety of things these three can accomplish.
It did have good enough ideas that I will attempt the second book of the series, but I am hoping for a maintainable of idea quality and an evening of pace.
The other problem I have is that, while I can appreciate that you must have versatile characters in an epic fantasy, Rhapsody (and to a lesser extent Achmed) seem to be able to do EVERYTHING. Impressive appearances? Check. Amazing sword-work? Check. Weapon designers? Check. Carpentry, plumbing, HVAC on mystery technology? Check. Psychology, history, linguistics? Check. Yes, people can do amazing things but no one can do the impressive variety of things these three can accomplish.
It did have good enough ideas that I will attempt the second book of the series, but I am hoping for a maintainable of idea quality and an evening of pace.
highlady_ofthe_nightcourt's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Let me start by saying I've read the Symphony of Ages Trilogy at least 10 times and have happily loaned my copies to friends.
5/5 recommend Rhapsody (as well as Prophesy and Destiny) as high fantasy featuring a strong female lead, excellent world building, loveable cast of characters (hello, Grunthor!), and a great plot across all three novels. Don't sleep on the audio books, either. The narrator is very good, especially the voice for Grunthor!
5/5 recommend Rhapsody (as well as Prophesy and Destiny) as high fantasy featuring a strong female lead, excellent world building, loveable cast of characters (hello, Grunthor!), and a great plot across all three novels. Don't sleep on the audio books, either. The narrator is very good, especially the voice for Grunthor!
jeremybost's review
3.0
I guess the book was okay. I didn't like the POV changes much, though. And Rhapsody can be quiet stupid and stubborn, it seems.
kelmallo's review against another edition
5.0
Note: I am writing this review after finishing the second book. A longer review of this series and author can be found with my rating of the second book.
This was my first high fantasy read in a long time but I can without a doubt say this is one the best.
Rhapsody, a Singer that has achieved Namer status, finds herself suddenly in the middle of an epic adventure, one that spands millenniums and is hunted by dark magic. Though of peasant origin (and one of plain looks, or so she believes), Rhapsody becomes a character of great value to her two Firbolg friends, an assassin and a giant.
I can't admire Rhapsody enough, both for her independence and her strength to name. Of course I also love Grunther and Achmed, but mainly because they have grown to love Rhapsody just as much as I have.
This is a great fantasy series, and I was sucked into the world Haydon created from the first page.
This was my first high fantasy read in a long time but I can without a doubt say this is one the best.
Rhapsody, a Singer that has achieved Namer status, finds herself suddenly in the middle of an epic adventure, one that spands millenniums and is hunted by dark magic. Though of peasant origin (and one of plain looks, or so she believes), Rhapsody becomes a character of great value to her two Firbolg friends, an assassin and a giant.
I can't admire Rhapsody enough, both for her independence and her strength to name. Of course I also love Grunther and Achmed, but mainly because they have grown to love Rhapsody just as much as I have.
This is a great fantasy series, and I was sucked into the world Haydon created from the first page.
winterreader40's review
4.0
Rhapsody has left her former profession as a prostitute and has almost finished her training as a Namer when one of her former clients sends a lackey to bring her to him. She politely declines and threatens him until he leaves, she knows it won't last and he'll be back so she makes a break for it and is caught in the streets where she asks two strangers to adopt her for a moment and winds up changing all their lives and tying them together and that's just the beginning.
You can definitely tell this is a book one with all the set up and world building but it still manages to move the story slowly forward. We have different races than you usually see and a few old standards as well, all 3 MC's are halfbreeds. There's elemental magic, musical magic, blood magic and more. The only thing that annoys me about this story is Rhapsody's refusal to see herself as she truly is, it eventually just grates on my nerves, I know from experience that I will get over it though.
You can definitely tell this is a book one with all the set up and world building but it still manages to move the story slowly forward. We have different races than you usually see and a few old standards as well, all 3 MC's are halfbreeds. There's elemental magic, musical magic, blood magic and more. The only thing that annoys me about this story is Rhapsody's refusal to see herself as she truly is, it eventually just grates on my nerves, I know from experience that I will get over it though.
amandameowly's review
3.0
I enjoyed the epic breadth of the story line--the world building is obviously very in depth.
However, I did find the character of Rhapsody to be very annoying after her re-birth in the fire (much like everyone has already said).
Overall, I enjoyed most of it and I did enjoy a lot of the ancillary characters, like Achmed, Jo, etc.
I will be reading the next one to find out what happens with her and Gwyllium, since that part of the story intrigued me.
However, I did find the character of Rhapsody to be very annoying after her re-birth in the fire (much like everyone has already said).
Overall, I enjoyed most of it and I did enjoy a lot of the ancillary characters, like Achmed, Jo, etc.
I will be reading the next one to find out what happens with her and Gwyllium, since that part of the story intrigued me.
misterkait's review
3.0
A bit slow in places, but a fully realized rich fantasy world makes up for that. It's written in such a way to make you want to immediately start the next book.
bibliocat08's review
5.0
So I've this book for about nine years and finally got around to reading it a few weeks ago. It was a great good story. It has all of the detail that I like about Robert Jordan but you don't need an encyclopedia to remember who the characters are. I do agree with the other reviewers on their thoughts of the character Rhapsody. Some times she just pisses me off.
dr_laurie_1968's review
5.0
This is one of my very favorite fantasy series. Utterly engaging and well-written!