Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
Oh, that was fun. It was like reading two books simultaneously: one full of innocent people and other full of treacherous bastards. And Exeter, oh, Exeter. I loved this guy.
Certainly don't read this before [b:Theft of Swords|10790290|Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1)|Michael J. Sullivan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1307959785s/10790290.jpg|15702572], [b:Rise of Empire|10790277|Rise of Empire (The Riyria Revelations, #2)|Michael J. Sullivan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1307960500s/10790277.jpg|15702555] and [b:Heir of Novron|11100431|Heir of Novron (The Riyria Revelations, #3)|Michael J. Sullivan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1307960132s/11100431.jpg|16022532] - 99% of the fun is in knowing who is who and what will happen in the future.
Certainly don't read this before [b:Theft of Swords|10790290|Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1)|Michael J. Sullivan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1307959785s/10790290.jpg|15702572], [b:Rise of Empire|10790277|Rise of Empire (The Riyria Revelations, #2)|Michael J. Sullivan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1307960500s/10790277.jpg|15702555] and [b:Heir of Novron|11100431|Heir of Novron (The Riyria Revelations, #3)|Michael J. Sullivan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1307960132s/11100431.jpg|16022532] - 99% of the fun is in knowing who is who and what will happen in the future.
3.5
Not enough Hadrian and Royce that's really my biggest complaint. But still loving this prequel series!
Not enough Hadrian and Royce that's really my biggest complaint. But still loving this prequel series!
A nice reminder of the things that happened before the Riyria Chronicles.
Absolutely fantastic. More plot-based than character-based this time around (which I don't mind but I do prefer otherwise), yet still great fun.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
The Rose and the Thorn starts simply enough but as the story progresses it becomes more complex, darker and interconnected. I loved seeing how it ended up fitting in the larger story and how it connects with the Riyria Revelations. It is so much fun to read the things that were mentioned in the first series and to see them actually take place rather than them just being stories.
It is also wonderful to see the characters who appeared in the Revelations and read their stories expanded on. In the first book we got to see a lot of Gwen and in The Rose and the Thorn we get to know more about Hilfred, Arista’s bodyguard. His overall story takes on a much sadder edge after this book and it just makes you feel for him more.
Of course Royce and Hadrian are just utterly perfect. How can they not be? I don’t think it is possible for them to be anything other than completely amazing. I adore their interactions and I like seeing how their friendship is growing. The Rose and the Thorn demonstrates just how deadly Royce can be and the dark side of his character really comes out to play which I liked reading and no matter how many times Sullivan writes about Hadrian’s inner conflict over killing I can never get enough of it. There’s just something about a character being in emotional turmoil that makes me love them even more.
The Rose and the Thorn helps to add a new layer to the overall Riyria series. We get the chance to find out the origins of The Rose and the Thorn, we see the events which we are told about in Theft of Swords and we also get to read about the development of the relationships between the characters. If you’ve already read The Riyria Revelations then you know what it going to happen but it is great to see how the events in the Rose and the Thorn relate to the first series and if you’ve never read the first series, this book just intrigues you even more.
The Riyria novels are as close to perfect as you can get for me. They are fun to read with amazing characters and a deeply engaging plot. Every story has been an absolute winner for me and I cannot wait to get the next two books read because I get the feeling they are going to be just as amazing.
It is also wonderful to see the characters who appeared in the Revelations and read their stories expanded on. In the first book we got to see a lot of Gwen and in The Rose and the Thorn we get to know more about Hilfred, Arista’s bodyguard. His overall story takes on a much sadder edge after this book and it just makes you feel for him more.
Of course Royce and Hadrian are just utterly perfect. How can they not be? I don’t think it is possible for them to be anything other than completely amazing. I adore their interactions and I like seeing how their friendship is growing. The Rose and the Thorn demonstrates just how deadly Royce can be and the dark side of his character really comes out to play which I liked reading and no matter how many times Sullivan writes about Hadrian’s inner conflict over killing I can never get enough of it. There’s just something about a character being in emotional turmoil that makes me love them even more.
The Rose and the Thorn helps to add a new layer to the overall Riyria series. We get the chance to find out the origins of The Rose and the Thorn, we see the events which we are told about in Theft of Swords and we also get to read about the development of the relationships between the characters. If you’ve already read The Riyria Revelations then you know what it going to happen but it is great to see how the events in the Rose and the Thorn relate to the first series and if you’ve never read the first series, this book just intrigues you even more.
The Riyria novels are as close to perfect as you can get for me. They are fun to read with amazing characters and a deeply engaging plot. Every story has been an absolute winner for me and I cannot wait to get the next two books read because I get the feeling they are going to be just as amazing.
So good! Learning more of Reuben Hilfred's backstory and getting to experience Royce and Gwen falling in love really tugged on my heartstrings. And I'm always up for some vigilante justice! It was fascinating to see how a handful of (seemingly small) selfish and thoughtless actions impacted the course of history. The principle of lex talionis was definitely in effect here. Maybe the motto of this book should be do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Or possibly just: don't f@#k with Royce Melborn!
One of the most likeable duos in fantasy continue their adventures in a much darker tale. This series definitely has an old western feel. A slow burn of dastardly deeds leading to an explosion of action by the end. Great stuff.