Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Publisher: Orbit (1st Edition)
Genre: Fantasy
Book Description:
Publication Date: December 14, 2011
Royce and Hadrian have been called upon to aid the
struggling kingdom of Melengar as it alone stands in defiance against the newly
formed empire. As war approaches a desperate gamble behind enemy lines is their
only chance at forming an alliance with the Nationalists to the south.
But Royce has plans of his own and uses this opportunity to discover if an ancient wizard is using Riyria as pawns in his own bid for power. To find the truth, Royce must unravel Hadrian's hidden past. What he discovers will lead them to the end of the known world on a journey rife with treachery and intrigue.
And so continues the second tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend.
But Royce has plans of his own and uses this opportunity to discover if an ancient wizard is using Riyria as pawns in his own bid for power. To find the truth, Royce must unravel Hadrian's hidden past. What he discovers will lead them to the end of the known world on a journey rife with treachery and intrigue.
And so continues the second tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend.
Review:
I’m absolutely blown away. Part
of me feels like I’m betraying some of my favorite epics with the new guys on
the block, but I find myself so impressed and infatuated, I can’t help but get
lost in my admiration. Sullivan is
quickly climbing *the list* of my all-time favorite authors, because he’s
created such wonderfully exciting characters inside a beautifully constructed
adventure. I call it an adventure
because there’s a huge difference between reading a story and being pulled into
an adventure. Those who’ve experienced a
great book know what I’m talking about.
Where to start? How to
start? The problem is, I want to go and
dive right back into the story, and am a little sad the ride is over. This review comes at the end of the third
installation, because I didn’t want to stop after the end of Rise
of Empire to write a review, and immediately jumped right into Heir
of Novron. In fact, I’ve
neglected editing on my own novel to enjoy a few days of adventure in the land
of Elan.
Okay, I’m pushing emotion aside and getting down to the stone
foundation of the story. After being so impressed and blown away with Theft
of Swords, I happily jumped right into Rise of Empire and was so
excited to find that it picks right up where the first installation left off. Well …sort of. I expected to instantly meet my new favorite
pair of heroes, but instead was introduced to a new character, Amilia. It took only about a page and a half to get
over my disappointment at not immediately meeting Riyria, before I was totally
consumed with compassion for this poor girl, and dripping with disdain for the
wretched hag, Edith Mon. I know how hard
it is to introduce a new character into an already established story. But characterization and development is one
of Sullivan’s greatest strengths. He
doesn’t use descriptions that haven’t been used before, especially in the
fantasy realm, but he masterfully uses what’s familiar in such a way as not to
bombard or heavily compound them to drown the reader. He delivers just enough
saturation to whet the appetite, and then allow the imagination to fill the
gaps. I, for one, appreciate that.
The story then re-introduces us to Thrace, a brave girl who overcomes
some very difficult obstacles in Theft of Swords, again … sort of. Sullivan does an exceptional job of describing
the shell of a person whose survived great tragedy and loss. Anyone familiar with survival would have
little problem instantly relating to Thrace’s (now re-named Modina) state, or
the compassion and understanding of Amelia’s role in her life. This again, is a testament to Sullivan’s
ability to master the art of characterization.
I’m a character-driven reader and writer. I’m always more interested in what’s going on
in, and about, a character. The personal
journey of a character is more important than the physical journey in my book
(both metaphorically and literally). I
wasn’t expecting this aspect of the story, but definitely found myself
completely immersed, both intellectually and emotionally. (Yes, I’m using a lot of “ly” adverbs. LOL! I must be disciplined when using them in writing
novels, but when it comes to reviews – I let them fly.)
Just when I’ve about forgotten about Hadrian and Royce, being so
completely immersed in Modina and Amilia, the boys make a return, and it’s like
diving into a pool of cool water after a time sunbathing. I don’t know why I call them boys, because there’s
nothing boyish about them, except their curt sense of humor. But even they are not the same upon arrival
in this second book. Hadrian is in a
sort of depression because he’s reached a point in his life where he desires to
step into maturation – living up to his potential and fulfilling some divine
purpose. He’s tired of running from
responsibility and facing his destiny. Royce
on the other hand, the carefree and careless wanderer, finds himself in love. Both, love and purpose pull our heroes into
different directions. There’s so much
involved with these two characters that it would probably take several books
just to explain it all. And not just
these two, but most of the secondary and third characters as well (Princess Arista,
Esrahaddon, King Alric, Hilfred, Degan, Mauvin, Gwen, Magnus, Arcadius, etc.,I
could go on, but what’s the point. They
all have their own stories and development, and I’ve come to love and hate them
respectively).
In an effort for Princess Arista to prove useful in her male-dominated
world, she leads Royce and Hadrian on a quest to try and partner with the rebel
forces fighting against the new empire (Boy! That sounds like a Star Wars
episode), but find things don’t happen as easy as she imagines. Her pampered and protected world, and
everything she believed and was used to, crumbles around her, and she discovers
who she really is beneath the rubble, dirt and persecution, and it happens to
made of some pretty strong steel. I’ve
come to admire this character. While she
has flaws, and makes some bad decisions (she is human after all), she’s not
weak and needy. There’s nothing I hate
more than a woman who can’t function on their own strength, or find their own identity,
without a man. Loving someone should be a choice,
not a necessity, and Arista is a
great example of the ideal woman in my mind.
She’s also one of the great heroes in this story. She may not fight with
a sword of metal, but her wit is a very sharp blade. In this second
installation (or the third and fourth parts), Sullivan
allows us to take that journey with Arista through all her encounters, failures,
mistakes, and her achievements, discoveries and successes.
Like I said earlier, the thing I love most about this series is that it
is character driven, even when it comes to the back story, as our characters move
through the historical, political, and religious chess board. Again, there’s no
new elements in this story that can’t be found in a dozen fantasy stories
already written, but how those elements are used, displayed and manipulated is
what makes this story stand out from the rest.
It’s like a painter. All painters use the same colors, but what makes
them different is how they mix them and apply them to the canvas. Sullivan is an excellent artist with a great
vision, and I love the masterpiece he’s presented.
I don’t want to give too much away with the plot, so I think I’m going
to end this review here, and finish it on the last segment of this series. I
just hope I was able to convey what I feel is the BEST element of this story
and it’s made other readers rush out to experience it for themselves. I wish Mr. Sullivan the best of luck with
this series and hope it brings him much, much, much success.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
Wow! Great review!
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