Scan barcode
mpickard's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
mir_mortal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sehellys's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The mysteries, the revelations, the hurt/comfort and all the nods to the first empire ❤️
Such a fun read
Such a fun read
songwind's review against another edition
4.0
The sixth Riyria novel serves up a tasty helping of what I've come to expect from Michael Sullivan - adventure, humor, a bit of mystery, and some self reflection.
The main plot servers largely as an introduction to and exploration of Dulgath, a province in the southern country of Maranon. Hired to "consult" on the best way to kill a countess (excuse me, the areas where security needs tightening, of course) Royce and Hadrian arrive to find an unusually temperate, happy place where even the common people love their Lady. It doesn't take long for Royce to find the many holes in the castle's defenses, nor to realize they've stepped in something even more murky and confusing than they expected.
In addition to the storyline itself, there is a fair amount of personal growth for Royce and Hadrian. They've been together for some time now, and each has begun to affect the other. In addition, their circumstances have also started to wear some of the sharp edges off of Royce's paranoia and Hadrian's ennui.
The only somewhat down note is that the villains are a bit monotone. They are universally ruthless, greedy and self absorbed. They're believable and their actions are internally consistent, but they aren't very interesting.
I quite enjoyed two new characters in this book - Sherwood the portrait painter and Scarlet Dodge, entertainer and alchemist.
The main plot servers largely as an introduction to and exploration of Dulgath, a province in the southern country of Maranon. Hired to "consult" on the best way to kill a countess (excuse me, the areas where security needs tightening, of course) Royce and Hadrian arrive to find an unusually temperate, happy place where even the common people love their Lady. It doesn't take long for Royce to find the many holes in the castle's defenses, nor to realize they've stepped in something even more murky and confusing than they expected.
In addition to the storyline itself, there is a fair amount of personal growth for Royce and Hadrian. They've been together for some time now, and each has begun to affect the other. In addition, their circumstances have also started to wear some of the sharp edges off of Royce's paranoia and Hadrian's ennui.
The only somewhat down note is that the villains are a bit monotone. They are universally ruthless, greedy and self absorbed. They're believable and their actions are internally consistent, but they aren't very interesting.
I quite enjoyed two new characters in this book - Sherwood the portrait painter and Scarlet Dodge, entertainer and alchemist.
is_book_loring's review against another edition
4.0
Royce leaned forward in his saddle, the leather creaking with the strain. The chuckling had stopped, and what smile he wore melted into a grim, straight line. “Now that you’ve met Hadrian, let me introduce myself. I’m the one you don’t want to know.” He paused, letting that sink in. “Let the priest go, or I’ll be forced to demonstrate why Hadrian is the lesser of two evils.”
Fantastic as usual.
One thing that bothered me, two actually, one was the slight inconsistency in Royce and Hadrian character. Royce especially. I don't know why sometimes Michael made it looks like Royce was unnecessarily cruel and uncharacteristically slow. The opening scene with the guard and Royce insisted on killing him was so not him. Royce is cold rational thinker, he use logic and reasoning, not unnecessarily cruel. And the way sometimes Royce was clueless.... He's supposed to be smart and intelligent, keen and sharp. It annoyed me, really. And I know Hadrian was supposed to be gullible with all his ideal belief, but truly Michael made him sounded incredibly stupid sometimes, he was a mercenary and soldier, but it almost felt like he had no gut instinct at all.
And Royce didn't aware that he's part elf is weird. Could be my memory was wrong, but I am pretty sure in Riyria Revelations, there was this flash back in which Royce was 8 or 10 years old, and he begged Novron to save him, but he realized he was a not entirely human, instead was a mir.
Other than that, this book is another awesome adventure and tale.
“We are more than the bodies we inhabit,” Fawkes said. “They’re little more than clothes, and yet we judge so much by them.”
Fantastic as usual.
One thing that bothered me, two actually, one was the slight inconsistency in Royce and Hadrian character. Royce especially. I don't know why sometimes Michael made it looks like Royce was unnecessarily cruel and uncharacteristically slow. The opening scene with the guard and Royce insisted on killing him was so not him. Royce is cold rational thinker, he use logic and reasoning, not unnecessarily cruel. And the way sometimes Royce was clueless.... He's supposed to be smart and intelligent, keen and sharp. It annoyed me, really. And I know Hadrian was supposed to be gullible with all his ideal belief, but truly Michael made him sounded incredibly stupid sometimes, he was a mercenary and soldier, but it almost felt like he had no gut instinct at all.
And Royce didn't aware that he's part elf is weird. Could be my memory was wrong, but I am pretty sure in Riyria Revelations, there was this flash back in which Royce was 8 or 10 years old, and he begged Novron to save him, but he realized he was a not entirely human, instead was a mir.
Other than that, this book is another awesome adventure and tale.
“We are more than the bodies we inhabit,” Fawkes said. “They’re little more than clothes, and yet we judge so much by them.”
andypeloquinauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Once again, I'm reminded of how much I LOVE Michael Sullivan's snarky, irreverent writing. More than once, I found myself laughing out loud at some sarcastic/droll quip--most of the time spoken by Royce, but Hadrian gets in a few funny ones as well.
Though a bit slower than most of the Riyria books, this one is no let-down. It's another story to set up the relationship between the two characters that makes the Riyria books so awesome. A "buddy road trip with an assassination" story, and just enough of the supernatural in it to remind me of the world of Riyria.
Absolutely worth reading!
Though a bit slower than most of the Riyria books, this one is no let-down. It's another story to set up the relationship between the two characters that makes the Riyria books so awesome. A "buddy road trip with an assassination" story, and just enough of the supernatural in it to remind me of the world of Riyria.
Absolutely worth reading!
ngreads's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes I almost forget just how much I enjoy reading these characters. Then I read a new story about them, and it reminds me all over again how much fun they are.
This book was everything I've come to expect from Michael J. Sullivan. It was witty, fun, hard to put down, and though I've read the sequel series it still kept me guessing about what was going to happen next. It was excellent as a part of the series, yet manages to stand on its own. It also serves as what I suspect to be a nice setup for the upcoming First Empire series, which I imagine will be just as good as the Riyria books.
This book was everything I've come to expect from Michael J. Sullivan. It was witty, fun, hard to put down, and though I've read the sequel series it still kept me guessing about what was going to happen next. It was excellent as a part of the series, yet manages to stand on its own. It also serves as what I suspect to be a nice setup for the upcoming First Empire series, which I imagine will be just as good as the Riyria books.
ladyethyme's review against another edition
2.0
I’m sorry but holy shyte Hadrian is the stupidest and possibly one of the most annoying protagonists I’ve ever encountered. If I was Royce I’d have knifed him yeeears ago. He’s also a patronizing asshole who thinks he can treat a grown woman like a spoiled child without the ability of self determination or thought.
And as a professional artist with a history degree…four DAYS for a finished portrait is laughable. DAYS? Court artists stayed months at least to finish portraits.
Four days.
And as a professional artist with a history degree…four DAYS for a finished portrait is laughable. DAYS? Court artists stayed months at least to finish portraits.
Four days.
mellhay's review against another edition
4.0
We join our favorite duo on another adventure. To council on how to kill the Lady Dulgath, so she can be better protected.
We get to learn a bit of history of the world and elves. A very nice tie in with what we will learn in Michael's next series, The First Empire.
****FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW****
We get to learn a bit of history of the world and elves. A very nice tie in with what we will learn in Michael's next series, The First Empire.
****FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW****
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, how I missed Hadrian and Royce. It's been a while since I read one of their stories, and I can't tell you how happy I was to be part of their adventures again. It was everything I could have asked for– excellent main characters that grew (despite how much fangirls like me know them), lots of surprising twists and turns, adventure, and fantastic dialogue. I particularly liked the supernatural element to the story (which I won't spoil because believe me, it was a lot of fun figuring it out), and the major revelation that Royce has about who he is. An excellent fantasy novel that I was proud to help create (well, all I did was back the Kickstarter, but hey, that's something, right?). For anyone who hasn't started the Riyria books... What are you waiting for? Seriously, why aren't you reading them now? They're some of the best novels I've ever read, and Dulgath is easily one of my favourites. Don't miss out on it!