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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
This was a fantastic prequel to one of my favorite series. I absolutely loved getting to know the characters' backstories more in depth, particularly Gwen. She's such an amazing character. I'm also a total sucker for the "hate each other then grow to love/trust each other" trope, and Sullivan pulls it off well. This was incredibly enjoyable as a fan of the Riyria revelations (I loved the nods to things that happen later in the lives of the characters), but you can easily go into this without having read the other series. Honestly, my tiny, rushed review doesn't do the series or author justice - if you like fantasy, or are interested in trying the genre, definitely pick these books up.
Ein detailreiches Prequel, das den Leser in eine mittelalterliche Welt entführt und neugierig auf mehr macht. Man muss die dazugehörige Reihe (Riyria, 6 Bände) nicht gelesen haben, aber man wird es nach der Lektüre dieses Buches wahrscheinlich wollen, allein um zu wissen was aus den Charakteren geworden ist. Da selbige in diesem Band erstmal vorgestellt werden und noch ganz am Anfang ihrer Reise stehen, fehlt zwischen manchen Ereignissen vielleicht auf den ersten Blick der rote Faden, vieles wird jedoch bereits am Ende des Buches aufgeklärt. Für mich war es genau die richtige Prise unbeantworteter Fragen, um sehnsüchtig auf den nächsten Band zu warten! Ich mochte vor allem die sehr gut geschriebene Beziehung zwischen den beiden Hauptcharakteren, die sich am Anfang aber mal so gar nicht leiden können! Gerade ihre Szenen haben beim Lesen sehr viel Spaß gemacht, aber auch insgesamt ist der Schreibstil sehr angenehm und flüssig zu lesen.
Royce and Hadrian may be my all-time favorite fictional relationship and I was so glad to revisit their world again and see the beginning of their friendship. Each time I immerse myself into the deeds of Riyria, I realize anew how much I've missed them. While I feel that I know each character really well, as this novel is a prequel, it still felt true to how both Royce & Hadrian would have been before the character growth of the years and adventures of the previous novels. I loved the plot and seeing familiar faces again (Gwen!). I cannot wait to get the next installment. Seriously, I need the bromance that is Riyria in my life. It's not often that friendship is celebrated, nor is it often that it's a friendship that's so deep & feels so true.
This book was recommended to me on bookstagram, I fell for the hype again however this time I was no disappointed. I predominantly read YA fantasy, but I am trying to move towards adult fantasy slowly but surely. I was advised that this was a good book to begin with. Adult fantasy always confuses me, there are so many ways you can read these series however I have decided to do it in chronological order, mainly because this book was the only one available at my local library.
I found this book flowed really well, I feel like it was a really easy read. It is definitely a slow burn fantasy so if you want something with constant action this is not the book for you. I loved the fact that I could get to know the characters, I really feel like I built up a connection with them. I absolutely love Hadrian he is such a wonderful caring character. I feel like he is quite unique when it comes to fantasy male characters, instead of being robust and obnoxious he is such a caring and sweet character whilst doing what he needs to do to survive. I have such a hot spot for him and I really loved his character progression I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. I also love Gwen, she is amazing. She is such a strong independent lady who has been through so much in her short life and I love seeing her become stronger and stronger as the book continues! I really can't wait to see what happens with her next. Towards the end of the book I really started to warm towards Royce, obviously I haven't read the other books so this is the first time I meet this duo. It is easy to admit that Royce is not a likeable character to begin with - as the plot progresses I really love him just as much as Hadrian and I can't wait to see how this bromance continues.
I don't think I have ever spoken about characters so much in a review however Michael's character focus an development is amazing and I just want to shout about it as much as I can.
I love the mystery and the world that Michael has created. This book had me on the edge of my seat and I just could not get enough of it. The ending came as a shock to me. Maybe it was obvious to others, but as a reader who is moving towards adult it was not so obvious to me. I did immediately put this book down wanting to read the next one. COME ON LIBRARY GET A MOVE ON. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
If you are a reader of YA fantasy and are looking to move towards adult fantasy this is probably a good series to start with in my opinion. Make sure you check out the authors website so that you can decide what order you would like to read these series' as there are two different ways.
I'm sure I will be back soon with a review for the next book in the series, once I have my hands on it I do not think I will be able to resist. Michael J Sullivan is quickly becoming my favourite adult fantasy author.
I found this book flowed really well, I feel like it was a really easy read. It is definitely a slow burn fantasy so if you want something with constant action this is not the book for you. I loved the fact that I could get to know the characters, I really feel like I built up a connection with them. I absolutely love Hadrian he is such a wonderful caring character. I feel like he is quite unique when it comes to fantasy male characters, instead of being robust and obnoxious he is such a caring and sweet character whilst doing what he needs to do to survive. I have such a hot spot for him and I really loved his character progression I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. I also love Gwen, she is amazing. She is such a strong independent lady who has been through so much in her short life and I love seeing her become stronger and stronger as the book continues! I really can't wait to see what happens with her next. Towards the end of the book I really started to warm towards Royce, obviously I haven't read the other books so this is the first time I meet this duo. It is easy to admit that Royce is not a likeable character to begin with - as the plot progresses I really love him just as much as Hadrian and I can't wait to see how this bromance continues.
I don't think I have ever spoken about characters so much in a review however Michael's character focus an development is amazing and I just want to shout about it as much as I can.
I love the mystery and the world that Michael has created. This book had me on the edge of my seat and I just could not get enough of it. The ending came as a shock to me. Maybe it was obvious to others, but as a reader who is moving towards adult it was not so obvious to me. I did immediately put this book down wanting to read the next one. COME ON LIBRARY GET A MOVE ON. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
If you are a reader of YA fantasy and are looking to move towards adult fantasy this is probably a good series to start with in my opinion. Make sure you check out the authors website so that you can decide what order you would like to read these series' as there are two different ways.
I'm sure I will be back soon with a review for the next book in the series, once I have my hands on it I do not think I will be able to resist. Michael J Sullivan is quickly becoming my favourite adult fantasy author.
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
I thought I loved Royce and Hadrian as best friends/a mercenary dynamic duo.
After reading this book, it turns out that I also love Royce and Hadrian as a pair of mortal enemies forced to work together, and who want nothing more than to shove one another off the top of the Crown Tower.
Seriously, the banter between these two is top notch.
The climax and ending of this book were amazing. Royce and Hadrian went through some of the best character development I've seen in a book this short. I loved all the little hints and nods to events that will later occur in the original trilogy.
Out of the Riyria books I've read, this one is my favorite once Royce and Hadrian actually get forced to team up. It takes a little bit for that to happen though (not until around Chapters 9 and 10 when we're over 100 pages into the book).
I didn't care much for Gwen's chapters. Don't get me wrong, her story is a very important part of these prequels, and is a critical part of the original trilogy. I think she's an awesome character. I just always found myself wanting to get back to Royce and Hadrian when reading her chapters. (Plus, her POV gets rather..... dark...... at times.)
After reading this book, it turns out that I also love Royce and Hadrian as a pair of mortal enemies forced to work together, and who want nothing more than to shove one another off the top of the Crown Tower.
Seriously, the banter between these two is top notch.
The climax and ending of this book were amazing. Royce and Hadrian went through some of the best character development I've seen in a book this short. I loved all the little hints and nods to events that will later occur in the original trilogy.
Out of the Riyria books I've read, this one is my favorite once Royce and Hadrian actually get forced to team up. It takes a little bit for that to happen though (not until around Chapters 9 and 10 when we're over 100 pages into the book).
I didn't care much for Gwen's chapters. Don't get me wrong, her story is a very important part of these prequels, and is a critical part of the original trilogy. I think she's an awesome character. I just always found myself wanting to get back to Royce and Hadrian when reading her chapters. (Plus, her POV gets rather..... dark...... at times.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual violence
Minor: Child death, Cursing
Finally! The story that I’ve been wanting since I heard it was going to be released (and since I finished the books two months ago). THE EARLY ADVENTURES OF HADRIAN AND ROYCE!
Didn’t take long for me to finish this book – quickly devoured it over the weekend. Watching Hadrian trying to tame Royce is, indeed, like trying to tame a tiger. Watching Royce trying to tame Hadrian while not really trying to tame Hadrian was a laugh!
It was nice to see Gwen, Arcadius, and other familiar faces that I met in the previous books. I can’t wait until the next book so I can see the rest of the story unfold and catch up to the point where we meet the characters in the first book—which is probably called book three now?
It is nice to have my boys back!
Didn’t take long for me to finish this book – quickly devoured it over the weekend. Watching Hadrian trying to tame Royce is, indeed, like trying to tame a tiger. Watching Royce trying to tame Hadrian while not really trying to tame Hadrian was a laugh!
It was nice to see Gwen, Arcadius, and other familiar faces that I met in the previous books. I can’t wait until the next book so I can see the rest of the story unfold and catch up to the point where we meet the characters in the first book—which is probably called book three now?
It is nice to have my boys back!
This was exactly how I would expect these two to meet.
This is my second time going through this series and I'm enjoying just as much.
This is my second time going through this series and I'm enjoying just as much.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Prooobably like 4.5 but it was 5 star enjoyment from me. Royce and Hadrian meeting? Gwen getting her start? PICKLES?! Amazing.