Symphony of Ages Series continued

Previously I reviewed Rhapsody, which is the first book in this series. The biggest problem I had with it was that the beginning was a bit slow going, but it was great once the characters arrive at their destination (about halfway through the book).

The next two books in the series were EXCELLENT from start to finish.

Prophecy pulls you along with much of the same love story that you started in Rhapsody. The thing I was most amazed and frustrated with is that in Prophecy you have the scene you are dying for with the main characters... while still keeping you hoping for the romance until the end of Destiny. There are also many side stories in this book, but instead of being distracting, they keep you interested, and make you wonder when the author is going to return to a certain character or story you were curious about. I had a tough time putting Prophecy down, and the only thing that allowed me to tear myself away was the fact that the character I was following changed, and then I could take that as a break. Thoroughly enjoyed the book, and I started the next one immediately after finishing it.

Destiny was my favorite of the three I have read in the series to date. I became completely entrenched in the story to the point that I was still reading it when my husband came home. (Usually I break from my books to spend time with him in the evenings... but I couldn't stop with this one.) The most surprising thing about this story is how the main conflict in the book actually gets resolved a good hundred or more pages before the end, and yet there are new conflicts that keep you reading, continually shocked by the new developments. I believe that I know books pretty well, and so many times I have seen certain plot developments coming, but I was completely surprised by some of the twists and turns in this book. I recommend Destiny so highly that even if you don't love the first two books, you will love this one.

I am excited to read the next books in the series, and if they are worthy, I will post them here.

Out of 5* possible-
***** Overall
***** Hooking me into the story
***** Desire for a sequel
***** How far removed from this world

Rhapsody

This book I picked up because a good friend of mine with similar taste in books recommended it highly to me. I had heard her and another friend of mine talk about it multiple times, so I was sure that it would be one that I could dive right in and be absorbed in the story.

It was not a "dive right in" kind of book. It wasn't even a "cannonball" kind of start where it was not pretty, but you are still completely in the water in a few seconds.

I would say this book was more like a kid who doesn't like how cold the water is, so he starts taking steps in, slowly, surely, then when he is standing on the bottom of the pool, he gets up the courage and actually goes under the water. Once completely submerged, the water is great, and he doesn't want to get out.

That is my best analogy for how I felt about this book. For a good many chapters in the beginning I was confused, I didn't know how all the characters connected, I was frustrated with the location of the story and how long the characters were there, but... less than halfway through... it picked up, and I was completely hooked.

All of the pieces of the beginning that didn't make sense before started falling into place. The setting of the story improved vastly so I could really picture it and enjoy the ride. By the time I got to the last page, I was so ready to start the sequel (there are at least 2 more in the series, maybe more, but I haven't read them yet, so their reviews will follow later).

This is a fantasy story, set in another world with its own unique history. It has time travel elements in it. It starts with a lot of loose ends, and as the story continues it starts to come together, and I was surprised when some of these connections were revealed.

Rhapsody is the name of the strong female main character, who you grow to like with all of her faults. She has two unlikely companions, neither of which are fully human (not Disney movie cutesy companions, but races that are dark and scary and misunderstood). The three of them undertake a journey that takes them somewhere that I don't think any of them expected.

I apologize if this review seems to be very vague. I do always try in these reviews to not give too much away, but this book requires me to be more vague than normal. As I said before, I really enjoyed how the loose ends got tied up in a surprising way, and I am concerned that if I give too many details about the story of the book, I will take away some of those surprises and thus some of the fun of the book. You will have to read it and experience it yourself.

My biggest recommendation with this book is don't quit when the characters are on their journey, because once they get to their journey's end, the book becomes much more interesting, and everything will make sense.

In my ratings, I had to take stars off for how long it took to get hooked, and that is reflected in the overall score too. But keep in mind, that I still recommend it because I only post books I really enjoy.

Out of 5* possible-
**** Overall
*** Hooking me into the story
***** Desire for a sequel
***** How far removed from this world