Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
I ended up coming back to this series way quicker than I thought that I would, which I guess is already a point in its favour. While I don't consider this a favourite series, and I do have my little quibbles with it, it's such an easy, engrossing read, and I really do enjoy the characters. You might think that it wouldn't be interesting going back to get a sort of prequel for these characters, especially since we already know what happens to Hadrian and Royce in the end. But there's almost something comforting in that: reading while knowing what's going to happen in the end. And after seeing them with such a close-knit friendship, it's pretty fun to get a close up look at how they started in animosity and distrust. And oh my god, Royce is even more of a feral wet cat than he is in the main trilogy. It's incredible. Can't wait to see this morph into bestfriendism.
(I'll say right off the bat: I think it's better to read this series in publication order rather than in chronological order. This book doesn't spoil anything about the later books, and the author assures you of that in the beginning, but I do think the experience would be better in publication order. And IDK, I feel like if you read it in chronological order, some of the mysteries and twists in the Riyria Revelations will be a bit too easy to figure out, and it won't be quite as satisfying. Mileage will vary on that, I guess; some readers would probably enjoy figuring out stuff beforehand. But I think this way is more fulfilling and just more fun, as we get nods to certain events and characters that pop up later down the line.)
Some spoilery thoughts.
- Very bittersweet to see Gwen. Oh, Gwen. But it's nice to have her side of the story as well! I'm not thrilled about probably having to read about every single piece of suffering and indignity that she's going to be put through, but I'm excited for her as a character. Interesting to see more of her foresight powers too. Although, the more I see of it, the more I dislike... idk, just how much people in this series are motivated by prophecies and vague edicts. Prophecies are big in a lot of fantasy books, of course; that's a given. But at a certain point, that fact that every thing is preordained starts feeling... idk, bad. I want to feel like characters are being motivated by their own actions and instincts and wants, and not just because, for example, their mother who read fortunes told them to go to a certain place, suffer as long as need be, until the time comes to save a certain man. The prophecies and power of foresight just start to seem like very blatant stand-ins for the author's hand, moving things into place as need be.
- The return of Kyle, lol. Or technically, the first sight of Kyle. Did we know already that Gwen had met him? I don't remember. The guy is more of a meme to me than anything, because of his name. I'm sorry. I also forget: do Calians follow the same religious system and gods as people in Avryn? I guess they must do, for Gwen to have been so affected by it. Or maybe seeing through the eyes of any god would be awe-inducing in the same way.
- I really enjoyed all the Royce and Hadrian scenes! Especially on the boat, and then during the heist. Hadrian is SUCH an irrepressible sweetheart, even when he's pissed off. And I love seeing Royce get confused and angry because of it. All of their banter was great.
- Interesting to see more of Arcadius and his machinations as well! I'm really happy that Pickles is alive; sad that he was just another Arcadius ploy to manipulate Hadrian. Well, not manipulate. But damn, just because Hadrian starts liking him, you decide he has to die? Cold. I hope Hadrian finds out about it. Though somehow, I doubt he will.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Tim Gerard Reynolds; great as always. I've become really fond of his voices for the main guys, and I'm glad there are more books to look forward to. Which I'll probably get to sooner rather than later!
(I'll say right off the bat: I think it's better to read this series in publication order rather than in chronological order. This book doesn't spoil anything about the later books, and the author assures you of that in the beginning, but I do think the experience would be better in publication order. And IDK, I feel like if you read it in chronological order, some of the mysteries and twists in the Riyria Revelations will be a bit too easy to figure out, and it won't be quite as satisfying. Mileage will vary on that, I guess; some readers would probably enjoy figuring out stuff beforehand. But I think this way is more fulfilling and just more fun, as we get nods to certain events and characters that pop up later down the line.)
Some spoilery thoughts.
- The return of Kyle, lol. Or technically, the first sight of Kyle. Did we know already that Gwen had met him? I don't remember. The guy is more of a meme to me than anything, because of his name. I'm sorry. I also forget: do Calians follow the same religious system and gods as people in Avryn? I guess they must do, for Gwen to have been so affected by it. Or maybe seeing through the eyes of any god would be awe-inducing in the same way.
- I really enjoyed all the Royce and Hadrian scenes! Especially on the boat, and then during the heist. Hadrian is SUCH an irrepressible sweetheart, even when he's pissed off. And I love seeing Royce get confused and angry because of it. All of their banter was great.
- Interesting to see more of Arcadius and his machinations as well! I'm really happy that Pickles is alive; sad that he was just another Arcadius ploy to manipulate Hadrian. Well, not manipulate. But damn, just because Hadrian starts liking him, you decide he has to die? Cold. I hope Hadrian finds out about it. Though somehow, I doubt he will.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Tim Gerard Reynolds; great as always. I've become really fond of his voices for the main guys, and I'm glad there are more books to look forward to. Which I'll probably get to sooner rather than later!
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loved reading about Royce and Hadrian getting to know each other! RTC
Nie jestem wielbicielką łotrzykowskiego fantasy więc nie bardzo ciągnęło mnie do czytania tej książki, tym bardziej, że jej początek był dość oporny. Gatunkowo też bliżej tej powieści do przygody niż fantastyki, bowiem autor poskąpił tej powieści charakterystycznych elementów fantastycznych, które zazwyczaj bywają takim motorem napędzającym fabułę w powieściach tego rodzaju. Zarejestrowałam coś o elfach i krasnoludach ale z żadną z tych osobistości nie spotkałam się w tej książce. Sama fabuła też nie jest najmocniejszą stroną tej historii, tak naprawdę jest takim preludium do dalszej opowieści, której akcja rozwinie się z pewnością bardziej dynamicznie w kolejnych tomach a póki co toczy się ona tutaj bardzo nierówno - raz się dłuży, żeby po chwili lecieć na łeb i szyję.
Arcydziełem tego raczej nazwać nie można ale czyta się szybko, bez wysiłku i całkiem sympatycznie. Mało rozwlekłych opisów, dużo dialogów i zabawnych komentarzy przesyconych gdzieniegdzie szczyptą zgryźliwej ironii "docierających" się wzajemnie postaci Royce'a i Hadriana, którzy - o dziwo! - zdołali mnie tak zaciekawić swoją osobowością (wzajemnie się przy tym nienawidząc), że chyba nie omieszkam sięgnąć po kolejny tom w celu poznania ich dalszych losów.
I tym czytelniczym akcentem zamykam kolejny rok a Wam drodzy czytelnicy, znajomi i nieznajomi życzę wszystkiego dobrego w Nowym Roku.
Arcydziełem tego raczej nazwać nie można ale czyta się szybko, bez wysiłku i całkiem sympatycznie. Mało rozwlekłych opisów, dużo dialogów i zabawnych komentarzy przesyconych gdzieniegdzie szczyptą zgryźliwej ironii "docierających" się wzajemnie postaci Royce'a i Hadriana, którzy - o dziwo! - zdołali mnie tak zaciekawić swoją osobowością (wzajemnie się przy tym nienawidząc), że chyba nie omieszkam sięgnąć po kolejny tom w celu poznania ich dalszych losów.
I tym czytelniczym akcentem zamykam kolejny rok a Wam drodzy czytelnicy, znajomi i nieznajomi życzę wszystkiego dobrego w Nowym Roku.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Okay, officially on track of reading this series in order LOL! This is how the epic partnership and bromance of Royce and Hadrian is born, reluctantly, with a lot of contempt and sarcasm, and lots of attempts to leave the other behind.
Reasons I Recommend:
1) Royce and Hadrian’s bromance is amazing and yet they don’t really trust each other which is interesting
2) Arcadius knows the two need to be together for something big and since I read Theft of Swords first, it helps show me more about this war and
3) Love the banter! I loved Gwen and her total badass attitude and I love seeing how it’s all unfolding into a saga that is definitely worth a read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PS — For the record it’s Chronicles THEN Revelations
Reasons I Recommend:
1) Royce and Hadrian’s bromance is amazing and yet they don’t really trust each other which is interesting
2) Arcadius knows the two need to be together for something big and since I read Theft of Swords first, it helps show me more about this war and
3) Love the banter! I loved Gwen and her total badass attitude and I love seeing how it’s all unfolding into a saga that is definitely worth a read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PS — For the record it’s Chronicles THEN Revelations
adventurous
funny
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
funny
lighthearted
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
Honestly 4 stars might be high for this particular book, but I love these characters so much that I don't think I can go lower. This one, in my opinion, is the weakest installment in Riyria, I think I'm just happier once Hadrian and Royce are already together. I did really enjoy Gwen's storyline though, that was the best part of this book.
These books are a total indulgence. The writing has improved but it's still clunky and tropey as hell and yet I adore them. The Gwen stuff was especially appealing; Royce and Hadrian are better together, so it's not until they start to work together that I really enjoyed those chapters.
All in all, a perfect diversion from all the professionally dictated reading!
All in all, a perfect diversion from all the professionally dictated reading!