Rhapsody: Child of Blood is the first book in The Symphony of Ages

Symphony of Ages

The Symphony of Ages is a series of fantasy–romance books by Elizabeth Haydon. The books tell the story of Rhapsody, a young singer of considerable talent who travels across time to a new land only to learn that it was foretold in a prophecy...

 by Elizabeth Haydon

Elizabeth Haydon

Elizabeth Haydon is a fantasy author. She has written two fantasy series set within the same universe, The fantasy/romance/whodunit fusion called The Symphony of Ages and the young adult series The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme....

, and was first published in 1999 by Tor Books

Tor Books

Tor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...

. The story is continued in Prophecy: Child of Earth

Prophecy: Child of Earth

Prophecy: Child of Earth is the second book in The Symphony of Ages by Elizabeth Haydon, and was first published in 2000 by Tor Books. Rhapsody, Grunthor and Achmed work to find a place in the new world.-Plot summary:...

Plot summary

Rhapsody: Child of Blood is a fantasy/adventure novel, though it opens with a strong romantic scene. The main story begins in Easton, when the protagonist Rhapsody finds herself in jeopardy, having refused the advances of Michael, the self-titled Wind of Death. In her attempt to get away, she falls in with two mysterious men named Grunthor and Achmed and soon finds herself the unwilling accomplice in their own escape. Though they run from their pasts, they eventually realize that no one can outrun their destinies.

Mythological elements

Rhapsody: Child of Blood draws on myriad different world mythologies. For example, the first Sleeping Child in the book can be likened to Jormundgandr from Norse mythology, with its waking similarly bringing about the end of the world. In addition, the different races—Lirin, Bolg, Nain, and so on—bear a great many similarities to the elves, ogres, and dwarves recognizable in Gaelic and Eastern European tradition. The Symphony of Ages series is unique in the way that these classic mythologies are blended together to create a story that is familiar and yet at the same time, fresh and unique.

Main Characters

• Rhapsody - Child of Sky, Namer and Singer. A young woman of human and Lirin descent, she is a talented musician who uses music as a force to change the world around her. Having suffered a great deal of trauma, she's become self-sufficient by necessity but is prone to bouts of melancholy when she thinks about all she has lost. Rhapsody is also unnaturally beautiful as a consequence of her journey, a fact that she refuses to acknowledge and brings her more trouble than fortune.

• Achmed the Snake - Child of Blood, Assassin. A man of unknown age and mixed Dhracian and Firbolg heritage who leads Rhapsody and Grunthor on their journey, and who ultimately (by the climax of this book) unites the Firbolg race in the nation of Ylorc.

• Grunthor - Child of Earth, Warrior. A gigantic man of mixed Firbolg and Bengard descent who is Rhapsody's first protector even before their journey begins. He is Achmed's loyal sergeant and follows him without question.

Miscellaneous

• F'dor - Race of evil demons born of Fire
• Serendair - Island where Time first began
• Sagia - Oak of Deep Roots
• Daystar Clarion
  Daystar Clarion
  Daystar Clarion is the fictional sword which appears frequently throughout Elizabeth Haydon's the Symphony of Ages series. It is originally introduced after being found within a stalactite, jutting out from the walls of the root tunnel, as Rhapsody and her two companions travelled the roots of the...
  
  - Legendary Star Sword from Serendair