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A review by esmayrosalyne
Age of Legend by Michael J. Sullivan
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
First read 2021: 4 stars
Second read 2025: 4.5 stars
Surprise surprise, another instalment in the Legends of the First Empire series that I absolutely adore. Age of Legend kicks off the second arc of this grand tale, and it's just everything I love about Michael J. Sullivan's storytelling jam-packed into 400-ish pages of peak character-driven epic fantasy.
After all the heavy action and devastating losses and sacrifices in Age of War, this fourth instalment really feels like a nice reset and little breather for our characters. Don't get me wrong, the stakes are still sky-high and the emotions run even higher, but now it's time to recuperate and figure out the next steps in the war against the menacing Fhrey.
For me, the slightly slower pacing and smooth five-year time-jump at the start of Age of Legend worked extremely well and proved to be exactly what this story and these characters needed to progress to the next level. Seeing how far everyone has come, some in good ways and others in not so good ways (looking at you, Mawyndulë) since the start of Age of Myth honestly makes me emotional, and I just continue to love the earned personal growth and satisfying development of all the beautifully heartfelt interpersonal relationships that lie at the heart of this story.
Especially Suri's storyline in Age of Legend just tugged on my heartstrings way harder than it had any right to, and I loved seeing how far everyone was willing to go to get her back to safety; she is so loved, even if she maybe doesn't totally realise it herself. The start of the wild adventure that we go on with our ragtag crew of reluctant rescuers is one of my favourite aspects of this entire series, especially because all the trials and tribulations come to test them and their relationships in the most profound ways.
Also, the world building really gets even more expansive and nuanced in this fourth instalment, and I loved how Sullivan played around with his own in-world lore in such clever and unique ways here. The whole mystery and mystical vibe surrounding the Tetlan witch had me glued to the page, and I also simply adore everything to do with the ever-enigmatic and cryptic Malcolm.
Similarly to in the previous books, I found myself even more invested and on the edge of my seat this second time through the series, and the ending of Age of Legend once again left me reeling and desperate for more in the best way possible. Sullivan just hits different, I can't get this beautifully human yet wonderfully escapist storytelling. What a joy.
Second read 2025: 4.5 stars
Surprise surprise, another instalment in the Legends of the First Empire series that I absolutely adore. Age of Legend kicks off the second arc of this grand tale, and it's just everything I love about Michael J. Sullivan's storytelling jam-packed into 400-ish pages of peak character-driven epic fantasy.
After all the heavy action and devastating losses and sacrifices in Age of War, this fourth instalment really feels like a nice reset and little breather for our characters. Don't get me wrong, the stakes are still sky-high and the emotions run even higher, but now it's time to recuperate and figure out the next steps in the war against the menacing Fhrey.
For me, the slightly slower pacing and smooth five-year time-jump at the start of Age of Legend worked extremely well and proved to be exactly what this story and these characters needed to progress to the next level. Seeing how far everyone has come, some in good ways and others in not so good ways (looking at you, Mawyndulë) since the start of Age of Myth honestly makes me emotional, and I just continue to love the earned personal growth and satisfying development of all the beautifully heartfelt interpersonal relationships that lie at the heart of this story.
Especially Suri's storyline in Age of Legend just tugged on my heartstrings way harder than it had any right to, and I loved seeing how far everyone was willing to go to get her back to safety; she is so loved, even if she maybe doesn't totally realise it herself. The start of the wild adventure that we go on with our ragtag crew of reluctant rescuers is one of my favourite aspects of this entire series, especially because all the trials and tribulations come to test them and their relationships in the most profound ways.
Also, the world building really gets even more expansive and nuanced in this fourth instalment, and I loved how Sullivan played around with his own in-world lore in such clever and unique ways here. The whole mystery and mystical vibe surrounding the Tetlan witch had me glued to the page, and I also simply adore everything to do with the ever-enigmatic and cryptic Malcolm.
Similarly to in the previous books, I found myself even more invested and on the edge of my seat this second time through the series, and the ending of Age of Legend once again left me reeling and desperate for more in the best way possible. Sullivan just hits different, I can't get this beautifully human yet wonderfully escapist storytelling. What a joy.