You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
For more of my reviews, check out my blog.
Another good popcorn fantasy book set in the Riyria universe. Nothing heavy or hard to read here, just pure fun. Maybe wish it was a little longer, but overall, a decent mostly light-hearted book.
Hadrian is still the best.
Another good popcorn fantasy book set in the Riyria universe. Nothing heavy or hard to read here, just pure fun. Maybe wish it was a little longer, but overall, a decent mostly light-hearted book.
Hadrian is still the best.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my first Riyria book that wasn't 5 stars. It was something with the pacing for this one I think. Maybe just who it followed as well. And it lacked some of the humour that I love - got a bit more dark and gory. I get that it's Riyria's backstory, and showing Royce before we see him in Revelations, where Gwen and Hadrian have rubbed off on him. It was still a good book and I liked it! Just not a favourite. Fun to read as a prequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
funny
tense
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
Highlights: getting first hand perspective on the fire that killed the Queen and the surrounding events. Even knowing what was going to happen, I was stressed! π© Meeting viscount Albert in nothing but a shirt. π Gwen telling Hadrian about a moment in the future when heβll think of her and cry. π’
The more of these I read the better I like them. While fans will already be familiar with some of the early chapters (they were previously available as 'bonus' vignette/short stories) they are given their full context in this story.
Where 'The Crown Tower' establishes the relationship between Royce and Hadrian and gives further context to some of the events in the later parts of the Riyria Revelations. 'The Rose and the Thorn' establishes Riyria and gives context to the events in 'Theft of Swords'.
Where The Crown Tower could be read at any point without creating significant spoilers for 'Revelations', I believe 'The Rose and the Thorn' really should be read after.
Where 'The Crown Tower' establishes the relationship between Royce and Hadrian and gives further context to some of the events in the later parts of the Riyria Revelations. 'The Rose and the Thorn' establishes Riyria and gives context to the events in 'Theft of Swords'.
Where The Crown Tower could be read at any point without creating significant spoilers for 'Revelations', I believe 'The Rose and the Thorn' really should be read after.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A really great read! I cannot stress how much I enjoy revisiting the world of Royce & Hadrian (along with all the ancillary characters). Finding out how they grew to become the great Riyria is a wonderful journey made all the more rich & bittersweet by the knowledge of how it will end for certain characters. I can't wait to read the next installment.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Once again, I loved the Royce and Hadrian POVs and found myself not caring much for any of the other POVs. They're super important to the story (especially in terms of the bigger picture laid out by the original trilogy), and it wasn't that I disliked reading about any of them, but I just have a special fondnes for Royce and Hadrian and wanted to get back to what all was going on with them.
Seeing the rise of Riyria has been an absolute joy. I am eagerly looking forward to continuing with these books.
Seeing the rise of Riyria has been an absolute joy. I am eagerly looking forward to continuing with these books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Vomit, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Cursing, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment