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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Murder
Minor: Grief
This book was on my top five most anticipated for 2013 and [a:Michael J Sullivan|7161155|Michael J Sullivan|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nophoto/nophoto-U-50x66-251a730d696018971ef4a443cdeaae05.jpg] did not disappoint. This is the beginning - the coming together of Royce and Hadrian and the story of Gwen, which I found extremely interesting. This could have been a tale on how my best friend and I became friends since we both hated each other. Add in some video games and we became the best of friends, lol.
[b:The Crown Tower|16043804|The Crown Tower (The Riyria Chronicles #1)|Michael J. Sullivan|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1375570227s/16043804.jpg|21821161] is a book worth reading. It takes you along for the ride and provides the introspection necessary by each character to give them depth in their struggles to understand one another. Royce lives in a different world and his questions are appropriate in trying to find answers to questions he fights with. Those are his demons. Hadrian takes a similar look inside, clouded by his trust for people. But it is this unlikely pairing that can provide common ground in ways we don't expect.
Highly recommend. Sullivan has yet to disappoint and I look forward to the next adventure.
[b:The Crown Tower|16043804|The Crown Tower (The Riyria Chronicles #1)|Michael J. Sullivan|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1375570227s/16043804.jpg|21821161] is a book worth reading. It takes you along for the ride and provides the introspection necessary by each character to give them depth in their struggles to understand one another. Royce lives in a different world and his questions are appropriate in trying to find answers to questions he fights with. Those are his demons. Hadrian takes a similar look inside, clouded by his trust for people. But it is this unlikely pairing that can provide common ground in ways we don't expect.
Highly recommend. Sullivan has yet to disappoint and I look forward to the next adventure.
3 stars for the story on its own and the extra for the backstory on two of my favorite characters. I think it is definitely best to read these in publication order rather than chronological order.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a huge fan of the series, I was glad to have a prequel. I'm a huge sucker for anything that expands on characters I know and love, and this was no exception.
Other than few misfires, this book delivered a great volume of backstory for the Riyria duo. It was another easy/fast read and all the beloved characters are there.
I definitely felt the Gwen half of the book was stronger, and would have enjoyed a volume dedicated just to their struggles. It definitely was the more believable of the two storylines. The Royce/Hadrian stuff fell too far into the expected, with a few unbelievable (Royce's 180 on how he felt about Hadrian) or predictable twists (Pickles, anyone?). Still the banter was there, the attitude was there, so no substantive complaints.
The reason I've liked this series so much is because it feels like the old fantasy novels I used to love. The Crown Tower keeps that going.
Other than few misfires, this book delivered a great volume of backstory for the Riyria duo. It was another easy/fast read and all the beloved characters are there.
I definitely felt the Gwen half of the book was stronger, and would have enjoyed a volume dedicated just to their struggles. It definitely was the more believable of the two storylines. The Royce/Hadrian stuff fell too far into the expected, with a few unbelievable (Royce's 180 on how he felt about Hadrian) or predictable twists (Pickles, anyone?). Still the banter was there, the attitude was there, so no substantive complaints.
The reason I've liked this series so much is because it feels like the old fantasy novels I used to love. The Crown Tower keeps that going.
Another fantastic story from Michael Sullivan. Sullivan is an interesting author. His books don't break any new ground within the fantasy genre. His books are PG, maybe PG-13 (not that that's a big deal). And yet, his books are immensely readable and enjoyable. He can just tell a good story. Some of the dialogue in this book seems a bit unnatural, but overall another fantastic story from Sullivan. I've been recommending these books whenever I can at my job at B&N.
10/19/2017 Re-read: I love these books! Re-reading them in preparation for the upcoming release of Winter's Daughter!
10/19/2017 Re-read: I love these books! Re-reading them in preparation for the upcoming release of Winter's Daughter!
I really enjoyed the books in the Riyria Revelations and even picked the first for my library's science fiction/fantasy discussion group.
The Crown Tower is volume 1 of the Riyria Chronicles, a series of prequels to the events in the Riyria Revelations. It is not quite as good as the other titles by Michael J. Sullivan. This is partly because we already know that Hadrian and Royce survive the dangerous situations they are in, but that's not the only reason. The pair move very quickly, too quickly, from hating each other to being partners. Also, I found the back story on Gwen very slow moving. I am a reader who values character development over plot, but even for me I wanted the pace to pick up. Royce's willingness to kill anyone anytime is also easier to take in the later books, when we know he is beyond that behavior.
The book ends very abruptly. I know a sequel is due out soon, but I would have liked a somewhat tidier ending.
There is a definite Butch & Sundance vibe to this book. If you are a fan of Royce and Hadrian already I do recommend The Crown Tower. If you are not yet a fan, start with Theft of Swords instead.
The Crown Tower is volume 1 of the Riyria Chronicles, a series of prequels to the events in the Riyria Revelations. It is not quite as good as the other titles by Michael J. Sullivan. This is partly because we already know that Hadrian and Royce survive the dangerous situations they are in, but that's not the only reason. The pair move very quickly, too quickly, from hating each other to being partners. Also, I found the back story on Gwen very slow moving. I am a reader who values character development over plot, but even for me I wanted the pace to pick up. Royce's willingness to kill anyone anytime is also easier to take in the later books, when we know he is beyond that behavior.
The book ends very abruptly. I know a sequel is due out soon, but I would have liked a somewhat tidier ending.
There is a definite Butch & Sundance vibe to this book. If you are a fan of Royce and Hadrian already I do recommend The Crown Tower. If you are not yet a fan, start with Theft of Swords instead.
Questo primo libro della serie prequel ci mostra il primo incontro tra Hadrian e Royce, di cui conoscevamo già un po' di cose: da dove veniva Hadrian, chi li aveva fatti incontrare e costretti a collaborare, come alla fine di questa prima missione avessero incontrato Gwen.
Intervallata alla storia dei due futuri Riyria, abbiamo infatti anche la storia di Gwen, arrivata a Medford per compiere il suo destino e finita a lavorare in un bordello per sopravvivere.
Diciamo che le due trame stonano un po' tra loro, ma del resto questa è la storia.
Piuttosto, mi sono goduto il libro avendo già letto la serie originale. Non so però quanto sarei stato in grado di godermelo fosse stato il primo libro, troppi riferimenti a personaggi e situazioni future per essere realmente una serie leggibile indipendentemente, malgrado le dichiarazioni dell'autore.
Intervallata alla storia dei due futuri Riyria, abbiamo infatti anche la storia di Gwen, arrivata a Medford per compiere il suo destino e finita a lavorare in un bordello per sopravvivere.
Diciamo che le due trame stonano un po' tra loro, ma del resto questa è la storia.
Piuttosto, mi sono goduto il libro avendo già letto la serie originale. Non so però quanto sarei stato in grado di godermelo fosse stato il primo libro, troppi riferimenti a personaggi e situazioni future per essere realmente una serie leggibile indipendentemente, malgrado le dichiarazioni dell'autore.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes