Rhapsody by Elizabeth Haydon
01/05/2002 . Source: Jacqueline Kirk 

pub: Gollancz. 609 page paperback. Price £ 6.99. ISBN: 0-57507-2792.

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The assassin Brother and his Firbolg companion are in thrall to a demon F'Dor. In an attempt to escape they happen upon Rhapsody, bard and ex-whore, who whilst trying to elude the city guard re-names the assassin where upon his bonds are broken.

With the help of Rhapsody and her magical musical talent they travel to the Great Tree and through the earth along its root to find the Wyrm that slumbers at the centre of the Earth.

When they re-emerge thousands of years have passed and the world has changed drastically.

They learn that all they once knew is now twisted into legend, one in particular about the Child of Earth, Child of Blood, Child of Sky. But even more worrying is the random and mindless violence that is tainting the land.

Suspecting the F'Dor are responsible the assassin, Achmed, begins a campaign to unite the Firbolg under one king - himself.

The main characters in this book are well-developed and the interaction between the three of them is enjoyable.

Haydon's writing style is easy to read and she paces it well. All her characters are credible (one annoying!) and she has created a vast backstory full of legends and historical events.

There are a few unpleasant moments like the tree of slaughtered children but she offsets this with well-written humour, particularly the camaraderie between the characters. An example being of how the giant Firbolg, Grunthor, occasionally threatens to eat Rhapsody.

This one is a definite must for my collection and Haydon has set it up well for the next installment.

Jacqueline Kirk