Synopses & Reviews
A FELLOWSHIP OF THREE
To stand against the F'dor-- an ancient, vile being intent on destroying the world-- a fellowship has been forged: Rhapsody, a Singer of great talent and beauty; Achmed, an assassin with unearthly talents; and Grunthor, a giant of jolly disposition and lethal skill with weapons.
Driven by prophetic visions, the three know that time is running short, know that they must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all. But after their final, brutal confrontation with the F'dor, their world crosses the threshold of disaster and faces utter oblivion. The action reaches a fevered pitch, achieving a crescendo of tragedy, love, and triumph of human spirit over world-shattering cataclysm.
With death at hand and the world crumbling at their feet, these three will finally discover their true ...
DESTINY
Review
"Filled with detail and a complex, multi-faceted plotline, and readers will quickly pick up on the echoes of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth and David Eddings Belgariad series, as well as Celtic and Norse mythology, and even a dash of Mozart's Magic Flute."--
Toronto National Post & Mail
Synopsis
To stand against the F'dor--an ancient, vile being intent on destroying the world--a fellowship has been forged: Rhapsody, a Singer of great talent and beauty; Achmed, an assassin with unearthly talents; and Grunthor, a giant of jolly disposition and lethal skill with weapons.
Driven by prophetic visions, the three know that time is running short, know that they must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all. But after their final, brutal confrontation with the F'dor, their world crosses the threshold of disaster and faces utter oblivion. The action reaches a fevered pitch, achieving a crescendo of tragedy, love, and triumph of human spirit over world-shattering cataclysm.
With death at hand and the world crumbling at their feet, these three will finally discover their true Destiny.
Synopsis
To stand against the F'dor--an ancient, vile being intent on destroying the world--a fellowship has been forged: Rhapsody, a Singer of great talent and beauty; Achmed, an assassin with unearthly talents; and Grunthor, a giant of jolly disposition and lethal skill with weapons.
Driven by prophetic visions, the three know that time is running short, know that they must find their elusive enemy before his darkness consumes them all. But after their final, brutal confrontation with the F'dor, their world crosses the threshold of disaster and faces utter oblivion. The action reaches a fevered pitch, achieving a crescendo of tragedy, love, and triumph of human spirit over world-shattering cataclysm.
With death at hand and the world crumbling at their feet, these three will finally discover their true Destiny.
About the Author
In addition to traveling the world, Elizabeth Haydon enjoys music, anthropology, and folklore, and is an accomplished herbalist. A harpist and madrigal singer, she lives with her family on the East Coast, where she works as an editor in educational publishing.
Reading Group Guide
Questions for Discussion
1. Throughout Destiny, Rhapsody is referred to as naïve, and many of her actions prove this to be correct. Yet, she has led a life that could hardly be called sheltered. How has she remained so pure of heart, and how does this innocence influence the story? Does it make her more or less vulnerable to the Fdor?
2. Of the Firbolg culture, the author writes: “Bloodied warriors could lie on the battlefield and die of non-mortal wounds while medical attention was directed to a laboring woman, in the belief that the infant was the Future, while the soldier was merely the present. Anything that was the Past did not matter, save for a few stories and the allencompassing need to survive.” Is this an effective belief system for a civilized culture? How does this belief system help Achmed gain the Firbolg crown? How does this culture compare with other cultures?
3. Achmed, like all Dhracians, is literally a sworn blood enemy of the Fdors demonic race, biologically predisposed to track the demons through the scent of their vile blood, just as certain species of animals seem to know dangerous predators instinctively. Do you believe that enemies are born or made?
4. In all her books, Elizabeth Haydon confronts many of the most profound questions of religion and faith. In Destiny, as Rhapsody and Achmed discuss the disappearance of the Wellspring of Entudenin, the Firbolg king says, “Have you ever noticed, Rhapsody, that when something miraculous and good happens its a gift from the All-God, but when something baleful happens, it was mans fault? Perhaps everything that happens, good and bad, is just random chance.” Is this statement consistent with Achmeds personality? Do you think Rhapsody would agree with his observation? Do you agree with his observation?
5. Speaking of the Cymrians, Llauron says, “Longevity that borders on immortality is as much a curse as a blessing, my son, maybe even more so.” Discuss his contention, including how it relates to Rhapsody, Ashe, and Anborn, and to Llaurons own decision to attain his true dragon form.
6. Time is a dynamic and flexible dimension in Destiny, as Rhapsodys visit to the realm of the Lord and Lady Rowan illustrates. Before Rhapsody sets off, Oelendra warns that it may be hard to find her place in Time again. Yet, Rhapsody undergoes her ordeal and returns with apparently no ill effects. What character traits does Rhapsody have that allow her to endure, and keep her place in Time?
7. In the mystical realm of the Rowans, Rhapsody vividly dreams of her dead sister Jo, who tells her, “Its the connections that we make in life that allow us to know love in the Afterlife.” How does this knowledge influence Rhapsodys actions with the children of the Rakshas? With the Cymrians at the Moot?
8. When Rhapsody is tricked by Llauron into saying he has been killed, she feels that her truthfulness is tainted and that she is no longer a Namer. Achmed argues that Truth is subjective, and she bears no responsibility for Llaurons misleading her. Is he correct? Is an unwitting lie really a lie? What other examples of Rhapsody being deceptive are in the book? How does she justify them?
9. Rhapsody is a most altruistic character; virtually everything she does is for the betterment of others. Achmed repeatedly insists he is the opposite, that he does things for his own purposes and in his own time. Yet, his actions often belie his claims. Discuss in depth the character of Achmed, paying close attention to how the author portrays his seeming contradictions.
Questions for Discussion
1. Throughout Destiny, Rhapsody is referred to as naïve, and many of her actions prove this to be correct. Yet, she has led a life that could hardly be called sheltered. How has she remained so pure of heart, and how does this innocence influence the story? Does it make her more or less vulnerable to the Fdor?
2. Of the Firbolg culture, the author writes: “Bloodied warriors could lie on the battlefield and die of non-mortal wounds while medical attention was directed to a laboring woman, in the belief that the infant was the Future, while the soldier was merely the present. Anything that was the Past did not matter, save for a few stories and the allencompassing need to survive.” Is this an effective belief system for a civilized culture? How does this belief system help Achmed gain the Firbolg crown? How does this culture compare with other cultures?
3. Achmed, like all Dhracians, is literally a sworn blood enemy of the Fdors demonic race, biologically predisposed to track the demons through the scent of their vile blood, just as certain species of animals seem to know dangerous predators instinctively. Do you believe that enemies are born or made?
4. In all her books, Elizabeth Haydon confronts many of the most profound questions of religion and faith. In Destiny, as Rhapsody and Achmed discuss the disappearance of the Wellspring of Entudenin, the Firbolg king says, “Have you ever noticed, Rhapsody, that when something miraculous and good happens its a gift from the All-God, but when something baleful happens, it was mans fault? Perhaps everything that happens, good and bad, is just random chance.” Is this statement consistent with Achmeds personality? Do you think Rhapsody would agree with his observation? Do you agree with his observation?
5. Speaking of the Cymrians, Llauron says, “Longevity that borders on immortality is as much a curse as a blessing, my son, maybe even more so.” Discuss his contention, including how it relates to Rhapsody, Ashe, and Anborn, and to Llaurons own decision to attain his true dragon form.
6. Time is a dynamic and flexible dimension in Destiny, as Rhapsodys visit to the realm of the Lord and Lady Rowan illustrates. Before Rhapsody sets off, Oelendra warns that it may be hard to find her place in Time again. Yet, Rhapsody undergoes her ordeal and returns with apparently no ill effects. What character traits does Rhapsody have that allow her to endure, and keep her place in Time?
7. In the mystical realm of the Rowans, Rhapsody vividly dreams of her dead sister Jo, who tells her, “Its the connections that we make in life that allow us to know love in the Afterlife.” How does this knowledge influence Rhapsodys actions with the children of the Rakshas? With the Cymrians at the Moot?
8. When Rhapsody is tricked by Llauron into saying he has been killed, she feels that her truthfulness is tainted and that she is no longer a Namer. Achmed argues that Truth is subjective, and she bears no responsibility for Llaurons misleading her. Is he correct? Is an unwitting lie really a lie? What other examples of Rhapsody being deceptive are in the book? How does she justify them?
9. Rhapsody is a most altruistic character; virtually everything she does is for the betterment of others. Achmed repeatedly insists he is the opposite, that he does things for his own purposes and in his own time. Yet, his actions often belie his claims. Discuss in depth the character of Achmed, paying close attention to how the author portrays his seeming contradictions.