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nova121's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
5.0
melanieking's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bergamot_breeze's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
phil_e98's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
teokajlibroj's review
3.0
Alright, but nothing special. The story felt half-baked and rushed. The characters are bland and the plot is a bit simple, with far too convenient and neat endings. I didn't feel any connection to Hadrian or Royce or know anything about them. Were they supposed to be funny? The writing was clunky, veering from paragraph long information dumps that the characters already know, to not telling us enough to keep us connected.
But worst of all is the amount of cliches. For some reason the book is promoted as subverting tropes, but this isn't true at all. There is a host of the usual cliches you've read in so many other fantasy novels. Secret heir, rescuing the princess (twice), evil schemes for world domination, poor damsels in distress, dwarves who work with stone and elves who live long lives in the forest, basically the same medieval Europe world-building in all other fantasy.
The depiction of women is particularly lazy, they basically don't do anything in the story except look pretty (in fact their only characteristic is their beauty) and get rescued by men. I was sick of Thrace constantly doing nothing except crying for her Daddy and the completely unnecessary rape scene (that is immediately forgotten because it served no purpose) was stupid. What was the point of Arista, especially in the second book? She sat around, acted like an idiot and then got rescued. Rescuing the princess is a lazy cliche, even worse when it's done twice
But worst of all is the amount of cliches. For some reason the book is promoted as subverting tropes, but this isn't true at all. There is a host of the usual cliches you've read in so many other fantasy novels. Secret heir, rescuing the princess (twice), evil schemes for world domination, poor damsels in distress, dwarves who work with stone and elves who live long lives in the forest, basically the same medieval Europe world-building in all other fantasy.
The depiction of women is particularly lazy, they basically don't do anything in the story except look pretty (in fact their only characteristic is their beauty) and get rescued by men. I was sick of Thrace constantly doing nothing except crying for her Daddy and the completely unnecessary rape scene (that is immediately forgotten because it served no purpose) was stupid. What was the point of Arista, especially in the second book? She sat around, acted like an idiot and then got rescued. Rescuing the princess is a lazy cliche, even worse when it's done twice
sarahkhanmoose's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
capgambit's review
4.0
To start off anyone starting this series NEEDS to understand that this is actually 2 books packaged into 1.
I wasn't sure about this one at first. The first book was pretty good but slow to get in to. If I were to rate it based on the first book it would have been only 3 stars.
Then even as I started the second book it was still slow to get in to, but, by the time I got to the end I was very much enjoying listening to the story and actually look forward to the next books.
The discouraging thing about Sullivan is that it takes a while to get into the book. Once you actually get into the story it gets better.
This book is great for the person that likes more of a medieval story with only a little magic mixed in.
I wasn't sure about this one at first. The first book was pretty good but slow to get in to. If I were to rate it based on the first book it would have been only 3 stars.
Then even as I started the second book it was still slow to get in to, but, by the time I got to the end I was very much enjoying listening to the story and actually look forward to the next books.
The discouraging thing about Sullivan is that it takes a while to get into the book. Once you actually get into the story it gets better.
This book is great for the person that likes more of a medieval story with only a little magic mixed in.
constantine2020's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.5
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Fantasy
Theft of Swords consists of the first two books in the Riyria Revelations.
The Crown Conspiracy: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The plot revolves around two highly skilled thieves who agree to undertake challenging missions, typically for nobles. This time, Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater are being falsely accused of committing a crime that they have not committed: the assassination of the king! They are able to avoid being killed thanks to the assistance of another character. Still, the situation continues to become more bizarre, and it is unclear who is telling the truth and who is being dishonest at this point.
This was such an excellent first book. It was a rollercoaster with lots of politics and intrigue. The characters are fleshed out, and the world-building is top-notch. I really enjoyed the adventures that the main two characters and their companions faced. This is a fast-paced and fully action-packed fantasy. The entertainment value of the series appears to be quite high, and this book will, without a doubt, be an excellent escapism book.
Avempartha: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It is the second book in the series and continues the story from where the first book left off. This time, the protagonists continue their journey, and they come across Thrace, a young woman who is determined to protect her remote village from a dangerous beast. She is only interested in acquiring a sword that is capable of killing the beast. The only problem is that the sword is locked up in a tower that is particularly difficult to access. The thieves decide to take on that mission, only to discover that it is more difficult than they had anticipated.
Even though this one was just as entertaining as the first one, I found that the pace was a little bit slower than it was in the first book. In spite of this, there is a significant amount of character development, and the reader is given the opportunity to learn more about these characters. It is clear that all of the politics that made the first book so captivating are still present in this installment, which provides you with an indication of how the series is developing.
I can’t wait to start the next volume in the series. Highly recommended.
evan_aruba's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
actrs02's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0