Michael J. Sullivan

An idealist and an amoral assassin are best friends

Michael J. Sullivan’s Riyira Revelations series was an Audible find, and it had me at the Audible sample, in which best friends Royce and Hadrian are accosted on the road by some would-be brigands.

Hadrian tries to negotiate with the thieves, but it is apparent very quickly that his negotiation isn’t for fear of his life, but theirs.

The thieves eventually catch on and decide to let them go, and Royce offers them tips on how to rob people more effectively in the future—much to Hadrian’s exasperation.

The whole scene is perfect, and sets the tone for the rest of the series. Hadrian is an idealist and expert swordsman, Royce is the expert in stealth and related murderous skills. They became unlikely friends at some point in the past (which story is available in a different book), and are now a team called Riyira which can be hired for all your nefarious needs—such as, but not limited to, stealing letters for the purposes of blackmail, stealing BACK the letters being used for blackmail, that sort of thing.

If you look for the books, you’ll see a trilogy running around, and you might see a couple other titles and be very confused where to start. This is because originally Sullivan put out 6 shorter stories self-publishing, then got picked up by a publishers and bound them in pairs.

My personal recommendation is to start with Theft of Swords, and if you’re having fun keep going as long as you like in his now quite extensive world.

The Riyria Revelations (Omnibus Editions)

• Theft of Swords (Nov 2011): contains The Crown Conspiracy  & Avempartha

• Rise of Empire (Dec 2011): contains Nyphron Rising & The Emerald Storm

• Heir of Novron (Jan 2012): contains Wintertide & Percepliquis

Sullivan’s done small press, indie, traditional, and has run a few successful Kickstarters as well. He’s written quite a lot in Royce and Hadrian’s world since the original trilogy. If you’re interested in the gory details, he’s actually got quite a lot of information on his website.

Here is the Goodreads summary:

Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles-until they are hired to pilfer a famed sword. What appears to be just a simple job finds them framed for the murder of the king and trapped in a conspiracy that uncovers a plot far greater than the mere overthrow of a tiny kingdom.

Can a self-serving thief and an idealistic swordsman survive long enough to unravel the first part of an ancient mystery that has toppled kings and destroyed empires?

And so begins the first tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend.

These books are a good time. Magic is important, but rare. The stories have heart, and depth, and action, and soooo much plot. There is a huge supporting cast, as is typical of high fantasy, but I feel like they are introduced slowly, and brought back in reprise roles to add depth and feeling to the series as it grows. I love the friendship between Royce and Hadrian. It’s never a question in the story, which I find particularly inspiring and beautiful considering how different they are as people. They sometimes annoy each other, but they are FOR each other no matter what.

There are only the barest hints of romance throughout (like, Megan Whalen Turner levels of subtle), but I’m delighted with who Hadrian ends up with.¹

Bonus points that the plots do not involve extensive sieges or long battles with armies. Such events may or may not occur, but do not form the backbone of the plot.

If you’re looking for a rich high fantasy with a solid and unique world, that also has humor to go with its world changing stakes, these books are absolutely for you. Also, the audiobooks are excellent.

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I feel like I need a pithy sign off for these reviews. They’re informal, so I’ve felt no need to treat them like an essay with a wrap up sentence/paragraph, but it feels odd to jump right into the sign up button scrapple.

Maybe…..

Keep Reading. That’s confusing.

Or…Stay bookish! Ehhh, maybe.

Go forth and read what you want! Too long, but about the gist of it.

Read whatever! **cries in Millennial**

1. There are a handful of kisses throughout the trilogy. Also, Royce and Hadrian are based out of a brothel, which is described very tamely. So, 1 on the spice-o-meter.