Simply captivating.

This is the second book in the Rhapsody Trilogy (after Rhapsody and before Destiny).

Rhapsody the Singer-Namer, along with her adopted sister Jo and her old friends Achmed the Snake and Grunthor, now respectively king of the Bolg and leader of the Bolg army, have finally settled in Ylorc, in a place they call the Cauldron, a gigantic underground network devised by Gwylliam, the late Cymrian king.

Recently, upon exploring the tunnels of their stronghold, the companions have come across a dragon's claw. To Rhapsody it's all very clear, they should return it to the ancient beast. They are all arguing about who should go when Ashe, the enigmatic, hooded stranger the girls have met in Bethe Corbair, whom Jo has secretly taken to but whom Achmed doesn't like nor trust, declares he knows where the dragon hides. Reluctantly, Achmed agrees to let Rhapsody and Ashe leave together. On the way, they'll start to learn about each other and slowly become friends.

In the meantime, Grunthor and Achmed continue to parley with the rulers of the neighbouring provinces to establish peace treaties and trade agreements, as well as to roam the mountain and its the caves in search of their ancient, hidden enemy: the fiery F'dor.

Prophecy truly is one of the most captivating middle volumes I have ever read. Not only is it packed with action and romance, joy and sorrow, but it is also brimming with mysteries and secrets the heroes have only started to uncover. And as answers are found to some of the story's questions, others remain unsolved, other gates open, leaving hardly any clue as to what will happen in Destiny, the final volume.

8/10