Review - The Emerald Storm (The Riyria Revelations #4) by Michael J. Sullivan

Title: The Emerald Storm

Author: Michael J. Sullivan

Series: 4th (The Crown Conspiracy, Avempartha, Nyphron Rising)

Pages: 375

Published: April 2nd 2010 by Ridan Publishing

 ISBN: 9780982514535

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: A MESSAGE IS INTERCEPTED. A SINISTER PLAN LAUNCHED. TWO THIEVES STAND IN THE WAY.  Ex-mercenary Hadrian Blackwater sets course on a high seas adventure to find the lost Heir of Novron. His only hope lies in confronting the ruthless and cunning Merrick Marius. Fearing his friend is not up to the challenge, Royce Melborn joins his old partner for one last mission. Their journey finds them adrift amid treachery and betrayals forcing Hadrian to face a past he hoped never to see again.


 I Give This ...

Despite a rocky third book in the series, I knew I would be continuing.  I genuinely like the characters and want to see how this entire series ends!

While Hadrian is not up to his perky old shelf, I enjoyed his character a lot more in this book than in the last.  He has a purpose, but he's not entirely sure what to do about it.  I think he really would like to retire but now realizes that it might not be in the cards.  He and Royce end up on a ship with no clear destination at first in hopes to recover a horn.  Arista leaves her perch as Mayor in hopes of finding Gaunt.  A tragic events leads to this decisions.  It's something that effects everyone, yet Arista is currently the only one who knows about.  I'm curious as to how this will effect the future story.

I felt the part of the story aboard the ship The Emerald Storm was a little dragged out.  But, I think the author fully intends on having you really think about the characters and their actions.  Everything is this is deliberate, with the full knowledge of how the ending is going to happen.  We might not see all the pieces right now, but I love how the author is slowly pulling them together.

I really loved the last 100 pages or so.  Arista hiding in plain sight and her interactions with Trace/Modina are especially interesting.  I keep thinking there's something that Modina isn't telling us.  I can't wait to figure out what that is.  I also enjoyed Royce and Hadrian's journey when the leave the ship.  It's non stop actions and so many different things are going on.  I'm hoping I didn't miss some key detail that makes everything make sense later.

I can see we are on the downward slide to the conclusion.  I'm happy I've decided to read these and can't wait to see how it ends!    

Review - Nyphron Rising (The Riyria Revelations #3) by Michael J. Sullivan

Title: Nyphron Rising

Author: Michael J. Sullivan

Series: 3rd (The Crown Conspiracy, Avempartha)

Pages: 346

Published: October 17th 2009 by Ridan Publishing 

ISBN:  9780979621147

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: War has come to Melengar. To save her realm, Princess Arista must reach the leader of the Nationalists and convince him to join forces. She turns to two trusted mercenaries to provide escort, but finds the team on the verge of dissolution.  Hadrian is tired of his lecherous profession and longs for a just cause. Royce knows a secret which could provide his partner a life’s purpose greater than anything his friend could imagine…but is it true? Or is an ancient wizard using them as pawns in his own struggle for power? To unravel the truth Royce convinces Hadrian to join him for one last mission—what they discover could change the future for all of Elan. 

I Give This ...

What's hard about giving this book a 3 rating is that I know how vital it is to the rest of the series.  There's a lot of information buried within the storyline.  Things that you know will be important and you need to pay attention to.

There are parts of this story that stand out.  I found that I really enjoy Princess Arista.  She's forced to really venture outside of her comfort realm in this book.  She goes against her brothers wishes and sets out to make a treaty with the Nationalist on her own.  She encounters people who think a Princess is the ultimate prize.  She also discovers that she can tap into magic she didn't really know that she had.  She finds a just cause that she can really believe in and maybe finds love along the way.  She's goes to extremes that you don't really imagine a  Princess ever even having to think about.  And amazingly she's knows just how lucky she is to be were she is.  She's humble, gracious, and many other qualities you would want to see in a ruler.

I think I had a hard time with Royce and Hadrian.  I know that Hadrian has been having a hard time with their line of work.  But, it seems like his attitude is a bit of a drastic leap from were we were at the end of book two.    I miss the carefree interactions between the two.  I'm hoping that a new found purpose will bring the old Hadrian back.  I do enjoy learning more about who Royce is.  It seems like know that we know his true heritage, it seems so obvious.

I was a little surprised at the turn of events leading surrounding Thrace.  I didn't see her a the puppet leader that they were expecting, but I was not expecting this.  I like how her Lady in Waiting handled everything, especially since she was a lowly servant before.  I think the two will have plenty in common and I'm intrigued to see what Thrace will do.

I'm also curious about the twist in the end.  I have no idea how the story is going to play out yet so that wasn't what I was expecting.  I'll be getting to the next installment soon that's for sure!

Avempartha (The Riyria Revelations #2) by Michael J. Sullivan

Title: Avempartha

Author: Michael J. Sullivan

Series: 2nd (The Crown Conspiracy)

Pages: 331

Published: April 1st 2009 by Ridan Publishing

ISBN: 9780979621116

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: When a destitute young woman hires Royce and Hadrian to help save her remote village, they find themselves once more drawn into the schemes of the wizard Esrahaddon. The two become the only hope for the isolated village plagued by nocturnal attacks. As each night brings death, and each day finds Royce frustrated in his attempts to breech the secrets of an ancient elven tower, Hadrian tries to help the people of the village defend themselves against the unseen killer. When the church arrives and declares that whoever slays the terror shall be emperor, they soon realize more is at stake than a handful of farms. The Church of Nyphron has decided it is time to establish the New Empire; all that remains is to convince the world they have found the Heir of Novron. Once more, what began as the simple theft of a sword has placed the two thieves at the center of a firestorm whose outcome could change the world. This fresh, heroic fantasy adventure is the second book of a series told through six self-contained episodes, each complete in their own right.

I Give This ...

I knew after reading the first book in this series that I wouldn't be able to wait long before I dove into the next one.  I made it a point to fit this into my review schedule.  

I'm still kind of surprised that these books are being republished as 2 in 1's.   While that is the version I have, I often dislike how publishers do this. I'm glad I decided to keep the books separate.   I felt like there was significant break between the two stories that warranted a separate book.  But, the story opens with familiar characters doing what they do best.

I loved that the story mostly revolves around Royce and Hadrian because they really are two of the best characters I've seen in awhile.  I find it so uplifting that they will take a job for reasons other than the money.  I think the get a kick out of screwy with the rich, so the demand ridiculous prices from them.  But, when it comes to a village girl who has been saving her whole life such a miniscule sum, they hardly bat and eye to help her.  The journey to the small village will cost more than the girl can give them, but the challenge alone is worth it all.

I was not surprised to find the wizard Ezra hanging out in this remote village.  I've learned quickly that nothing in this empire is as it seems.  Everything is twisted to present the basic facts and the rest we learn as we go.  Esra needs Royce to accomplish the impossible.  Turns out what's attacking the small village is a dragon who has been locked up in the Elven tower Avampartha for a really long time (The current events in the kingdom have unlocked the spell that restricts it to the tower).  The only way to kill it is with a sword with it's name on it.  And of course it's locked in the eleven tower.  Forgot to mention this Eleven tower is on a island that the tip of a waterfall.   No one knows how to enter it.  But, of course that's not the only reason that Ezra wants in the tower.  And there's a specific reason why Royce is the man for the job (how did I not see that coming).

I'm curious how the winner of the contest the Church put on will fit into this story.  The Church is looking for a puppet and I'm not sure they found the right one.  Really looking forward to the next in this series!   

 

 

Review - The Crown Conspiracy (The Riyria Revelations, #1) by Michael J Sullivan

Title: The Crown Conspiracy

Author:  Michael J. Sullivan

Series: 1st

Pages: 296

Published: October 1st 2008 by Aspirations Media Inc

ISBN: 9780980003437

Source: Personal copy but also have a combine edition for review

 

Description: THEY KILLED THE KING. THEY PINNED IT ON TWO MEN. THEY CHOSE POORLY.  Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles until they become the unwitting scapegoats to the murder of the king. Sentenced to death, they have only one way out…and so begins this epic tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend.  

 I Give This ...

I'm choosing to review these as separate books because that's how they were first published.  Plus, they aren't novellas so while having 2-in-1 editions is nice, I don't think it's important to review them as such.

I was pulled into this book from the very start.  Royce and Hadrian are not your typical thieves.  I loved their whit and their ability to think their way out of any situation.  They are good at what they do and they know it (which is reflected in the prices they charge).  I found it interesting the such thieves cater almost directly to the nobility.  I was most impressed how they could take cases that can pit people against each other.  Plus, they just seemed like fun men to be around.  Can you imagine the things you would see by being with them!

I enjoyed the royal lineup as well.  The prince is thrust into a position he does not want and no idea who he can trust.  He blindly follows Royce and Hadrian because he really has no idea what to do next and they at least have some idea.  I admired how much he grows and learns along his journey.  He's not the spoiled boy in the end.  I'm hoping we get to see what kind of king he has become in future books.

I loved some of the specifics that were included in this book.  I liked learning about the magician who is be imprisoned in the earth for like ever (was it 1000 years?).  He doesn't seem as dangerous as they say, so I'm curious how that plays out.  I loved learning about how Royce and Hadrian accomplish some of their thievery.  And one of my favorite parts was the rescue of the princess while the tower is collapsing around them! 

I hope this is a good indication of how the rest of the series might go.  If it is, I'm in for an awesome ride!