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4.52 AVERAGE
4.52 AVERAGE
Excellent. I'm continually impressed with the author's pacing and plotting. If you're interested in the Riyria books I recommend reading them in the order they were published, and not leaving so much time between series that you forget characters, as many names appear across series.
I have been a Sullifan for many, many years. Picking up Esrahaddon, knowing the end of the story going in, but not knowing the reasons/backstory, gave me a little trepidation. I need not have worried. This is Michael J. Sullivan's best work to date. I have always appreciated not having to lift weights in preparation of a read (I'm looking at you, Mr. Sanderson), but this is one story that deserves every page.
There is a sense of finality in this book that left me satisfied and content. I know there are perhaps more Riyria books coming and room for more Elan books to tie up 'the world', but if it should all end here, Mr. Sullivan has left me feeling like Thanksgiving afternoon, knowing there could be amazing leftovers, but thankful for a great meal.
I have always loved Esrahaddon from his first appearance. I fell in love with him all over again, getting the full story of why he did what he did and how close to really screwing up. To quote another great story teller: maybe not the hero we deserve, but definitely the hero we need.
There is a sense of finality in this book that left me satisfied and content. I know there are perhaps more Riyria books coming and room for more Elan books to tie up 'the world', but if it should all end here, Mr. Sullivan has left me feeling like Thanksgiving afternoon, knowing there could be amazing leftovers, but thankful for a great meal.
I have always loved Esrahaddon from his first appearance. I fell in love with him all over again, getting the full story of why he did what he did and how close to really screwing up. To quote another great story teller: maybe not the hero we deserve, but definitely the hero we need.
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one seemed too short for me. I loved the characters, like always. Michael Sullivan is so good at character development. I am missing out on all the connections to the other books. I feel like I should read them all again.
Amazing. Twenty-ish years of reading to get here and I’m ready for what’s next!
If you have read Riyria Revelations, which I hope you have if you are reading this book, then we know where Esrahaddon was found and the legend behind him. But like most things after a thousand years the real story has been so lost and changed it was fascinating to read the real history of one of the most powerful human Artists in history.
This is a fascinating tale and an epic journey. The book was too long and too short all at the same time. As a child Esra was the sole survivor of a lion attach and then again when jackals came at his village. He was thrown out into the wilderness to die. But Turin had other plans for him and instead he was found by Goblins (Ba Rhen) and raised to serve one huge purpose.
Mawyndule has been busy moving people into position for years and it is all about to come to a head. He has spent time sowing distrust between the Teshlor and the Artists, so much that each thinks the other holds the emperor’s favor and is a danger to the empire. The time is ripe to pull the strings taught and find the horn, blow it, to be able to be crowned Fane. It a goal he has worked at for 2000 years since he lost the last battle.
Esra in Turin’s cloak is the strongest human Artist since Suri. He has been selected to tutor the prince Nevrik along with Jerish. I totally loved this part of the story. Nevrik is a handful for such a young boy and enjoyed how maneuvered these two into his life. Going to the Avenpartha again was also interesting to see it before the Riyria tales. The reluctant friendship between Esra and Jerish reminded me a lot of another duo I loved.
I always feel a little bad for Turin in these stories as he is so alone in trying to set right previous wrongs. His journey is to counter some events and facilitate others and sometimes the events needed are horrible indeed. Complete series readers know what happened to the city of Percepliquis and now we know why.
Parts of this story are absolutely heartbreaking. Elinya and Esra, in a different time could have had a different life together and I was so sad for their very short time together after realizing the feelings they had for each other. Esra is a hero and a villain, it just depends on which side of the battle you are standing on.
I was sad with where the story ended though. I had anticipated Yolrik and Turin’s conversation and I really would have liked to have that story told. Maybe in the time after Revelations we will see the fruition of that conversation. One can only hope.
I’ve loved all of these stories set in the between years from the Age of Legends to the time of Riyria. Each added a new layer of depth to the overall story. I think one of these days I will do a huge re-read of the entire series again and can’t wait to see all the new things I tease out on my 2nd and 3rd reads of some of the books.
Narration
Al always Time Gerard Reynolds is beyond fantastic in this tale and brings it all to life. I always enjoy his performances in all of Michael J. Sullivan's stories. He always brings the story to life in ways I might not be able to do in my own head and I love it.
This is a fascinating tale and an epic journey. The book was too long and too short all at the same time. As a child Esra was the sole survivor of a lion attach and then again when jackals came at his village. He was thrown out into the wilderness to die. But Turin had other plans for him and instead he was found by Goblins (Ba Rhen) and raised to serve one huge purpose.
”What is this crime I’m expected to commit? The one you must kill me to prevent. Maybe I can just promise not to. What is it I’m supposedly going to do?”
“Destroy the world.”
“And you’re okay with me destroying the world.”
“I exaggerated. He didn’t actually say that.”
“What did he say?”
“He said you world destroy the empire.”
Mawyndule has been busy moving people into position for years and it is all about to come to a head. He has spent time sowing distrust between the Teshlor and the Artists, so much that each thinks the other holds the emperor’s favor and is a danger to the empire. The time is ripe to pull the strings taught and find the horn, blow it, to be able to be crowned Fane. It a goal he has worked at for 2000 years since he lost the last battle.
”A man cannot stand with two broken legs. I fought, but it’s like trying to reason with water and convince it not to run downhill; that’s the direction it has always wanted to go. Mawyndule has only provided the opportunity.
Esra in Turin’s cloak is the strongest human Artist since Suri. He has been selected to tutor the prince Nevrik along with Jerish. I totally loved this part of the story. Nevrik is a handful for such a young boy and enjoyed how maneuvered these two into his life. Going to the Avenpartha again was also interesting to see it before the Riyria tales. The reluctant friendship between Esra and Jerish reminded me a lot of another duo I loved.
“You have something on your face.“
“Really?“ The knight wiped a hand over his mouth. “Is it gone?“
Esrahaddon shook his head. “Nope.“
“What is it?“
“I think it’s a smile.“
Jerish frowned.
“Ah, there it goes. You got it that time.“
I always feel a little bad for Turin in these stories as he is so alone in trying to set right previous wrongs. His journey is to counter some events and facilitate others and sometimes the events needed are horrible indeed. Complete series readers know what happened to the city of Percepliquis and now we know why.
Parts of this story are absolutely heartbreaking. Elinya and Esra, in a different time could have had a different life together and I was so sad for their very short time together after realizing the feelings they had for each other. Esra is a hero and a villain, it just depends on which side of the battle you are standing on.
I was sad with where the story ended though. I had anticipated Yolrik and Turin’s conversation and I really would have liked to have that story told. Maybe in the time after Revelations we will see the fruition of that conversation. One can only hope.
I’ve loved all of these stories set in the between years from the Age of Legends to the time of Riyria. Each added a new layer of depth to the overall story. I think one of these days I will do a huge re-read of the entire series again and can’t wait to see all the new things I tease out on my 2nd and 3rd reads of some of the books.
Narration
Al always Time Gerard Reynolds is beyond fantastic in this tale and brings it all to life. I always enjoy his performances in all of Michael J. Sullivan's stories. He always brings the story to life in ways I might not be able to do in my own head and I love it.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
More than a few loose ends left waving in the breeze, but an interesting tale of conflict and the development of a character from [bc:Theft of Swords|10790290|Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1-2)|Michael J. Sullivan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1659900253l/10790290._SX50_.jpg|15702572] [b:Theft of Swords|10790290|Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1-2)|Michael J. Sullivan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1659900253l/10790290._SX50_.jpg|15702572]. I will reread a section from "Theft."
Mr. Sullivan separates his stories of Elan by thousands of years, however the Fhrey (fey) live that long. And of course, so do the immortal gods. Wizardry and swords abound. This tale happens a long time before the aforementioned "Theft," so beware. I suspect I should look up the author's chronological order of books. I believe I read them in publication order. Michael Sullivan bounces around quite a bit in his world.
Overall, entertaining.
Mr. Sullivan separates his stories of Elan by thousands of years, however the Fhrey (fey) live that long. And of course, so do the immortal gods. Wizardry and swords abound. This tale happens a long time before the aforementioned "Theft," so beware. I suspect I should look up the author's chronological order of books. I believe I read them in publication order. Michael Sullivan bounces around quite a bit in his world.
Overall, entertaining.