Scan barcode
csdaley's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ktloureads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
An adventurous ye olden buddy cop tale that is fun but lacks depth, especially with the main characters. I imagine we will learn more about Royce and Hadrian's backstories in later installments and I would be interested to see how they handle failure or loss. Having read most of the Legends of the First Empire series it was fun trying to pick out how those character's stories are told centuries later.
sazzyrazzy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
felipeheld's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful start to this series! It's a short and such wholesome and warm book! I loved every word in it! So excited to read more about the Riyria Revelations!
kyceshep's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
julia_reads_more_now's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
3.5
The first book in the Riyria Revelations, this book does start slow, but the series is definitely worth reading. The biggest draw of the series are the characters and cozy fantasy setting which are all-consuming and lovable. It takes a few chapters to get fully immersed (which is why I took some points off for the first book), but when you do, it's well worth it. The series does have a decent amount of political intrigue which can get slow if that's not your thing, but I find myself thinking about the characters and setting often when I'm not reading, which in my opinion is the mark of a good book!
ladyethyme's review against another edition
4.0
I was actually really pleasantly surprised by this book. A perfectly good light hearted fantasy, with elements of drama but nothing over the top gory, or scenes of rape or sexual violence, which seem to be so common these days in fantasy books.
Maybe the ‘trial’ chapter could’ve been condensed-because rehashing an event we as the readers already lived through was a teeny bit tedious. Buuuut that’s ok.
Although there are some issues with a few minor plot holes and issues a person well-versed about horses and medieval life might pick up on, I don’t think that they are enough to ruin this story for anyone. (Although the little worth put on gold and silver was a bit extreme….I mean honestly-most peasants wouldn’t SEE silver in their entire lives….but here it’s like ten silver for a low end coat? The amount of gold you’d need to buy a horse would weigh twenty pounds or more-much less anything else you wanted to purchase….sadly it’s a real irritation-as this world must SWIM in gold and silver for it to be so devalued)
I really enjoyed the humor, and the elements of mystery and tantalizing bits of clues that indicate a much bigger and wider story for each of the characters.
I particularly like that the characters are thieves, not afraid of violence, murder or acting in self-interest-but still have a sense of honor, and it is not at all grim dark-which seems to be the fashion these days, making everything as miserable and horrible as possible… It’s actually hard to find books that are not like this, but still are adult and not childish or full of romance which I hate.
Really looking forward to the next book, and I’m starting it now, I recommend this for anyone who wants a good fantasy read that is not as intense or complicated as, say, Brandon Sanderson‘s Way of Kings, but generally far and above most of the fantasy out there imo.
Maybe the ‘trial’ chapter could’ve been condensed-because rehashing an event we as the readers already lived through was a teeny bit tedious. Buuuut that’s ok.
Although there are some issues with a few minor plot holes and issues a person well-versed about horses and medieval life might pick up on, I don’t think that they are enough to ruin this story for anyone. (Although the little worth put on gold and silver was a bit extreme….I mean honestly-most peasants wouldn’t SEE silver in their entire lives….but here it’s like ten silver for a low end coat? The amount of gold you’d need to buy a horse would weigh twenty pounds or more-much less anything else you wanted to purchase….sadly it’s a real irritation-as this world must SWIM in gold and silver for it to be so devalued)
I really enjoyed the humor, and the elements of mystery and tantalizing bits of clues that indicate a much bigger and wider story for each of the characters.
I particularly like that the characters are thieves, not afraid of violence, murder or acting in self-interest-but still have a sense of honor, and it is not at all grim dark-which seems to be the fashion these days, making everything as miserable and horrible as possible… It’s actually hard to find books that are not like this, but still are adult and not childish or full of romance which I hate.
Really looking forward to the next book, and I’m starting it now, I recommend this for anyone who wants a good fantasy read that is not as intense or complicated as, say, Brandon Sanderson‘s Way of Kings, but generally far and above most of the fantasy out there imo.
solange's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
meganm43's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
mellhay's review against another edition
5.0
Mystery, Adventure, and Epic. If you like these three things in a book, this is the book to read. There are Kings, Thieves, Wizards, Monks, Dwarves, and Elves... Then you have Murder, Lost Magic, History, Religion, Politics, and Rivalry.
I don't know about you, but many times at the start of a new book I am slightly lost until I figure out the world I am in and the characters it's about. Michael Sullivan has made the beginning easier on me and I LOVE it. The book starts right out with the deception and conniving of the Noble world along with action that introduces you to the characters and the world gently, yet pecks your interest. With most of the Noble world looking to help themselves to better land and holdings this leaves a job opening for Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater to do what they do best... Steal.
I was not lost at all in the book. By page 50 the main characters have fallen into the main course of hot water. By page 105 you have touched on the history and details, starting to see a bigger picture of the mystery along with much more details of the history and happenings of the world.
One rule Royce and Hadrian live by is to not take a last minute job. They need to do their backgound checking on the job and people to do the job properly. However, Hadrian whom has a big heart and seems to be pulled to do good deeds agrees to a last minute, simple job of removing a valued sword from an empty room. Then this easy job goes awry, there is no sword to steal and they find something else, or I should say someone else... This is where they are caught and the mystery of who done it and why starts.
You meet the Prince, Alric Essendon, who is now King and the Princess, Arista Essendon. The Prince believes the thieves should be publicly tortured and executed, yet the distrought and emotional Princess has her wits about her better than others realize, believes their story. Now, Royce and Hadrian need to escape and protect the young, new King.
While Royce, Hadrian, and the new King Alric travel they find crafty ways to escape death from whoever wants the new King dead. This journey is not drawn out to unnecessary lengths, it is just right. On this journey a lone, brilliant monk, Myron, is encountered and convinced to return with the new King.
Once you are aware of the truth the momentum of the story keeps going, if not picks up more speed. Are the two thieves, Royce and Hadrian able to help the young new King save what is left of his family and stabilize th government again in Melegar... Or will the realm fall under a new Empire and spread across to the other Realms in Avryn?
I enjoyed this book very much. I do still have questions on some mysteries introduce, but this series is to be a multi-book series of six books. I look forward to reading more on Royce, Hadrian, Esrahaddon (Yes, I have not mentioned this name till now. You will have to read the book to see who he is and why I am interested in him. I am sure you will be too.), and the monk Myron along with the two churchs.
After reading through the whole book I have realized there is much more going on in the underlining of the book than I realized while reading. My mind just raveled at the many possiblities and questions. There are many stories left to be told here and I will be waiting to get to them.
I don't know about you, but many times at the start of a new book I am slightly lost until I figure out the world I am in and the characters it's about. Michael Sullivan has made the beginning easier on me and I LOVE it. The book starts right out with the deception and conniving of the Noble world along with action that introduces you to the characters and the world gently, yet pecks your interest. With most of the Noble world looking to help themselves to better land and holdings this leaves a job opening for Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater to do what they do best... Steal.
I was not lost at all in the book. By page 50 the main characters have fallen into the main course of hot water. By page 105 you have touched on the history and details, starting to see a bigger picture of the mystery along with much more details of the history and happenings of the world.
One rule Royce and Hadrian live by is to not take a last minute job. They need to do their backgound checking on the job and people to do the job properly. However, Hadrian whom has a big heart and seems to be pulled to do good deeds agrees to a last minute, simple job of removing a valued sword from an empty room. Then this easy job goes awry, there is no sword to steal and they find something else, or I should say someone else... This is where they are caught and the mystery of who done it and why starts.
You meet the Prince, Alric Essendon, who is now King and the Princess, Arista Essendon. The Prince believes the thieves should be publicly tortured and executed, yet the distrought and emotional Princess has her wits about her better than others realize, believes their story. Now, Royce and Hadrian need to escape and protect the young, new King.
While Royce, Hadrian, and the new King Alric travel they find crafty ways to escape death from whoever wants the new King dead. This journey is not drawn out to unnecessary lengths, it is just right. On this journey a lone, brilliant monk, Myron, is encountered and convinced to return with the new King.
Once you are aware of the truth the momentum of the story keeps going, if not picks up more speed. Are the two thieves, Royce and Hadrian able to help the young new King save what is left of his family and stabilize th government again in Melegar... Or will the realm fall under a new Empire and spread across to the other Realms in Avryn?
I enjoyed this book very much. I do still have questions on some mysteries introduce, but this series is to be a multi-book series of six books. I look forward to reading more on Royce, Hadrian, Esrahaddon (Yes, I have not mentioned this name till now. You will have to read the book to see who he is and why I am interested in him. I am sure you will be too.), and the monk Myron along with the two churchs.
After reading through the whole book I have realized there is much more going on in the underlining of the book than I realized while reading. My mind just raveled at the many possiblities and questions. There are many stories left to be told here and I will be waiting to get to them.