Prophecy - Elizabeth Haydon

Finally finished this one.  I've been incredibly distracted lately, so makes for a very unfocused book-whore.  But, I seem to be back on track, as I picked up Ender's Game yesterday and am already halfway through.  So, it was a good choice.






Nothing much to report about Prophecy other than that it was quite good.  I could rave about the same things I raved about for Rhapsody, but that would be plain silly of me.  I'm excited to continue the series.

Running hasn't been going too well.  I'm running inside (which I detest) and I don't dare touch the heater because my brother is a bit picky over it.  In other news, I've found an apartment I like and will be going to see it when I start the new job in March. 

Rhapsody

I read Rhapsody many years ago.  It's the first in what began as a trilogy, which turned into a six part saga--one that I never finished.  So, the goal was to have this stack of library books read before they are due at the end of the month.  I don't see that happening...  I'll just have to renew some.  Well, most.

So, the book.  I love Haydon's writing style.  She is descriptive without being overly wordy.  Her dialogue flows well and is realistic.  If I am not mistaken, Rhapsody is her first novel--and I think it's quite an impressive novel.  It's certainly stuck with me since I read it way back when it was first published.  I was roughly fifteen or sixteen when I read it, and I've always loved the character Rhapsody.  She is one of my favourite heroines. 

Easily sidetracked...  I was on the dialogue.  The characters exchange banter, making them more realistic, instead of the atypical lofty language that tends to be present in fantasy novels.  I also like the characters' flaws, both physical and psychological.  Again, serving to make them more realistic and giving the reader the ability to actually relate, instead of having this beautiful, perfect damsel--you've got Rhapsody.  She's is beautiful, but she has no idea, and seems to think she is quite the opposite.  Definitely a trait a large amount of women are guilty of (raises hand).  She is class conscious, though she believes in equality.  I just find it so refreshing, even on the second read through, that Haydon gives Rhapsody such real perspective and personality.  I have never been fond of the larger than life heroes and heroines--I've been reading science fiction, fantasy and horror novels since I was a little girl.  The books I love the most are the ones with characters who are faulty, realistic and have a firm grasp on the fact that they are not entitled or guaranteed to win just because they are "good."

Hopefully, I'll finish the next book in the series this weekend and work out another post.

2012 Books

1. Robert Jordan - A Crown of Swords
2. Tina Fey - Bossypants
3. Elizabeth C. Mock - Shatter
4. Elizabeth C. Mock - Render
5. Kim Harrison - A Pure Blood
6. Jim Butcher - Fool Moon
7. Jim Butcher - Grave Peril
8. Jim Butcher - Summer Knight
9. Jim Butcher - Death Masks
10. Jim Butcher - Blood Rites
11. Stephen King - Thinner
12. Jason Tesar - The Awakened, Book 1
13. Robert Jordan - The Path of Daggers
14. Jason Tesar - The Awakened, Book 2
15. Jason Tesar - The Awakened - Book 3
16. Robert Jordan - Winter's Heart
17. Suzanne Collins - Hunger Games
18. Suzanne Collins - Catching Fire
19. Suzanne Collins - Mockingjay
20. Lois Lowry - The Giver -
21. Lois Lowry - Gathering Blue
22. Lois Lowry - Messenger
23. Gena Showalter - The Darkest Whisper
24. Margaret Atwood - The Handmaid's Tale
25. Kazuo Ishiguro - Never Let Me Go
26. E.L. James - 50 Shades of Grey
27. E.L. James - 50 Shades Darker
28. E.L. James - 50 Shades Freed
29. Charlotte Bronte - Jane Eyre
30. Robin McKinley - The Hero and the Crown
31. Amy Tan - The Bonesetter's Daughter
32. Rick Riordan - The Lightning Thief
33. R.A. Salvatore - The Crystal Shard
34. R.A. Salvatore - Streams of Silver
35. Madeleine L'Engle - A Wrinkle In Time
36. J.V. Jones - A Cavern of Black Ice
37. Ian McEwan - Amsterdam
38. Patricia Briggs - Moon Called
39. Eckhart Tolle - A New Earth
40. Patricia Briggs - Blood Bound 
41. Patricia Briggs - Iron Kissed 
42. Patricia Briggs - Bone Crossed 
43. Patricia Briggs - Silver Borne
44. Jeff Lindsay - Darkly Dreaming Dexter
45. Jeff Lindsay - Dearly Devoted Dexter 
46. Patricia Briggs - River Marked 
47. R.A. Salvatore - The Halfling's Gem 
48. R.A. Salvatore - The Legacy
49. Elizabeth Haydon - Rhapsody

Sadly, I didn't make it to fifty.  But, since the world didn't end, I shall use the opportunity of another year to read my way through my gigantic list of books (and quite a pile that has amassed in my bedroom).