Audible Book Review: Piles of Bones by Michael J. Sullivan

This is a nice, quick introduction to the young mystic, Suri, who is a character in the larger series.
Pile of Bones - FREE
By: Michael J. Sullivan
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Series: Legends of the First Empire, Book 0.5
Length: 1 hr and 45 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-07-20
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Short Story
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
When a storm reveals a mysterious cave behind a waterfall, the young mystic’s apprentice and her wolf investigate. Inside, she discovers a secret place containing a pile of human bones and the young girl makes what could be a fatal mistake.
In this Legends of the First Empire prequel, we witness the events that helped shape the woman who would one day become Suri the Mystic, the first Rhune Artist, and a hero to a generation.
©2020 Michael J. Sullivan (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Review:
The author introduces this short work as a piece to introduce one of the important characters in the Legends of First Empire. Here we meet Suri, a young mystic, and her ‘sister’ wolf, Minna. Suri is being mentored by Tura to become a mystic. Suri has begun to develop a close relationship with nature, the animals, the trees, the wind, and the water. She tries to listen to her friends to stay safe, but sometimes she has to learn through her own errors and curiosity.

One day Suri notes a tree branch has fallen near the waterfall, exposing a tunnel. She is excited thinking the tunnel will take her to a special hidden world. Minna doesn’t want to go in but Suri insists. Once down the tunnel, Suri has to puzzle how to open a hidden door. Instead of a tunnel to another world, she finds a room full of human bones. Inadvertently she and Minna end up with a bone which she takes home. She has no idea the trouble that will follow.

I enjoy Michael Sullivan’s writing as he creates a remarkable world with remarkable characters. He is an excellent storyteller weaving magic that pulls the listener in. There is a lengthy introduction to explain why Sullivan has produced several short stories in his series. This story is only half of the audio, leaving a good half-hour to pull the reader/listener into the first novel, The Age of Myth. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a strong medieval type fantasy.

Audio Notes: Tim Gerard Reynolds is a superb narrator. He infuses the characters with personality that helps to engage the listener. I enjoyed this quick audio experience.

Source: 1/21/2020 Free at Audible. This qualifies for 2020Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Professional Integrity (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) by Michael J. Sullivan

This is a quick listen with the usual Riyria 'charm' and mystery solving.

Professional Integrity (A Riyria Chronicles Tale)
Written by: Michael J. Sullivan
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 1 hr and 18 mins
Series: The Riyria Chronicles
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-03-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
One of the genre's favorite pairs returns in a classic fantasy short for both Riyria veterans and first-time readers.
Several years have passed since the war-weary mercenary Hadrian and cynical ex-assassin Royce joined forces to start their thieves-for-hire organization better known as Riyria. Things have gone well enough for the team as they do "jobs" for various nobles throughout Elan. Usually that means stealing something, but when a young heiress asks them to steal her…well, that's a first for the pair. All is not as it seems, but Royce is determined to get the bottom of what's actually going on. After all, he has his professional integrity at stake.
Originally released in the Blackguards anthology published by Ragnarok Publications, this is a standalone short story of 10,800 words. No prior knowledge of The Riyria Revelations or The Riyria Chronicles is required to enjoy it to its fullest, making this a perfect introduction for new readers or a chance for existing fans to spend a little more time with old friends.
©2015 Michael J. Sullivan (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Royce and Hadrian are a crafty ex-assassin and a gutsy former mercenary who have teamed together as a thieves-for-hire known as Riyria. Hadrian is apt to rush into a job with more brawn than plan while Royce plots out a methodical strategy.

As soon as I started listening I was pulled in by the characters, Royce and Hadrian. There is a great banter between them. It was quickly clear that the offered job of kidnapping, proposed by the victim herself, would present a risk they didn’t quite expect. Or perhaps Royce suspected but he couldn’t resist finding out. Once committed, Royce insists that professional integrity requires that they see the mystery through to the end.

If you have read the Riyria books you will enjoy a visit with this dynamic duo. If you haven’t read their adventures (and misadventures), then this is a great short story to introduce the characters. I am ready to get to listen to book 3 in the Revelations series and move on to the Chronicles.

Audio Notes: I really love Tim Gerard Reynolds’ narration of these stories. He delivers the calculating attitude of Royce and the puckish spirit of Hadrian with wonderful perfection. He also manages the other voices, including females to fit the personalities. I greatly enjoy listening to his narration.

This is a free read and TBR from my own Audible Library. It qualifies for TBR Mountain, Audio Challenge and “P” in Alphabet Soup Challenge.

Audible Book Review: FREE: The Jester (A Riyria Chronicles Tale) Written by: Michael J. Sullivan

This is fun, quick entertainment! 

FREE: The Jester (A Riyria Chronicles Tale)
Written by: Michael J. Sullivan
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 54 mins
Series: The Riyria Chronicles
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:01-17-14
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
WHO WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH?
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A thief, a candlemaker, an ex-mercenary, and a pig farmer walk into a trap…and what happens to them is no joke. When Riyria is hired to retrieve a jester’s treasure, Royce and Hadrian must match wits with a dwarf who proves to be anything but a fool. Difficult choices will need to be made, and in the end those who laugh last do so because they are the only ones to survive.
This is a standalone short story of 7,200 words. No prior knowledge of The Riyria Revelations or The Riyria Chronicles is required to enjoy it to its fullest, making this a perfect introduction for new readers or a chance for Riyria veterans to spend a little more time with old friends. The Jester is a story of adventure, bonds of friendship, and a recognition that the choices we make dictates the future we find.
©2014 Michael J. Sullivan (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Review:
Royce, the thief, and Hadrian, the ex-mercenary, have joined to create a business known as Riyria. They take odd jobs to recover lost objects or escort travelers and seekers. Once again they have stepped into a job that brings trouble. They were hired by a candlemaker to help gather pieces of a treasure map and then locate the treasure. The problem is that the treasure belonged to a dwarf who not only left mixed, riddling clues, but the passage is riddled with traps.  One of the clues was possessed by a pig farmer who insisted on joining the treasure hunt. Now he is sorry he came along as the four escape one monster only to get trapped in another room. They face another puzzle and have to make the right choice of action if they want to survive and escape.

I enjoyed the puzzle and the moral in the solution. There is plenty of action and fun dialogue to make it interesting even though short. I enjoyed the main protagonists in Volumes 1 and 2 of The Riyria Revelations. I have Volume 3 in my Audible library and plan to listen to that soon. I was glad to pick up this free story that gives a short, quick visit with Royce and Hadrian. If you haven't read in the Revelations or Chronicle series this is a good way to get just a little taste of the excitement and fun. If you have read any of the other books you will no doubt want to grab this morsel to enjoy. The story can easily be read or listened to without having read the other works, although I recommend the whole series.

Audio Notes: Tim Gerard Reynolds does a wonderful job with this quick story. He manages voices for each of the characters that conveys a bit of their personalities that fit into the tale. I am looking forward to listening to Reynolds on Heir of Novron.

This is a very quick story from my own TBR library. It qualifies for TBR Double Dog Dare, and COYER and Audio challenges.

Book Review: Rise of Empire (Riyria Revelations) by Michael J. Sullivan

This is a wonderfully full, swashbuckling action adventure of good individuals fighting corrupt government. Think of Star Wars or The Lord of the Rings adventures. Don't be intimidated by the size of the book as it is really two books in one volume.

Rise of Empire (Riyria Revelations)

by Michael J. Sullivan

• Paperback: 816 pages
• Publisher: Orbit; 1 edition (December 14, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316187704
• ISBN-13: 978-0316187701

Also available in Kindle and other ebook formats.
Genre: Fantasy

My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 14, 2011
Series: Riyria Revelations (Book 2)
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.

When author Michael J. Sullivan self-published the first books of his Riyria Revelations, they rapidly became ebook bestsellers. Now, Orbit is pleased to present the complete series for the first time in bookstores everywhere.

BOOKS IN THE RIYRIA REVELATIONS
Theft of Swords (The Crown Conspiracy & Avempartha)
Rise of Empire (Nyphron Rising & The Emerald Storm)
Heir of Novron (Wintertide & Percepliquis)

Review:

This volume picks up a half a year after the ending of Theft of Swords.  The Imperialist empire, controlled by corrupt church leaders, is trying to train the young farmer’s daughter, Thrace, who has been made Empress Modina.  The sad girl is living like a beggar prisoner, shut away inside herself as if in a trance, refusing to eat or recognize anyone around her.  By unexpected fate a scullery maid, Amilia, is assigned as the new Imperial Secretary and she is slowly able to make progress with Modina. Modina shrewdly uses those around her to hide the fact that she has become aware of her circumstances and isn’t happy being an Imperial pawn.  She has the power to bring down all of the evil Regent Saulder’s plans if she isn't discovered.

Royce and Hadrian, the thieves and heroes from volume one, have become official employees of the king of Melengar, one of the last kingdoms to stand against the Imperial Empire.  The King’s sister, Arista, joins forces with Royce and Hadrian to find the true heir in the effort to defeat the Imperial foes. There are betrayals of supposed friends and eventually the team is divided. Royce and Hadrian infiltrate a ship to discover secrets of their enemy, Merrick Marius, another spy/thief who has sold his services to the Empire. The daring duo pose as sailors gaining friends and enemies. A handful of sailors escape an attack from aliens who are more frightening than pirates.  They manage to get to land and there they face more perils including fighting their way out in an arena battle against larger, faster, carnivorous monsters.

Along their adventures they discover a plot to bring down the kingdom in the south with whom they were hoping to form an alliance. They are unable to convince the leaders of the threat so they try to sneak in to prevent part of the attack. Instead they walk into a trap and once again discover betrayal, treachery, unexpected foes and unexpected friends.

Meanwhile, Arista has shown herself as a much stronger person than merely a pampered princess. She infiltrates the Imperial strong hold as a maid. She is able to meet up with Modina who helps her on her quest. Arista’s magical powers are growing but they may easily get her arrested and executed as a witch.

I loved the non-stop adventure and intrigue. I like the friendships developed among the characters as they travel and plan together. Mr. Sullivan has woven a thoroughly engaging adventure. I sense the despair, fear, and small joys of the characters and I am cheering on the heroes!  This book does recap what happened in Volume One but I think you will miss a lot if you don’t read the first books. I am totally engrossed in the story and am anxious to read the next volume of two books.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Royce tries to understand Hadrian's discontented struggles wanting to be more than a mercenary.

Royce defined right and wrong by the moment. Right was what was best for him--wrong was everything else. He stole, lied, and even killed when necessary. This was his craft and he was good at it. Location 351

The Imperialists try to justify their lies in hiding and imprisoning the true heir as "the protectorate of the faith..."

"We don't want to wallow in superstition like ignorant peasants. ... The truth is a powerful thing....The truth must be kept safe, reserved only for those capable of handling it." Location 4249-4252.

Thank you to Orbit division of Hachette for allowing me to review this through NetGalley.

I will be adding this to my ARC Challenge list.

Book Review: Theft of Swords (Riyria Revelations) by Michael J. Sullivan

This is action packed adventure and very enjoyable entertainment!  Love adventure? Treat yourself to this book, which is actually two books in one.

Theft of Swords (Riyria Revelations) 

by Michael J. Sullivan

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 1082 KB
• Publisher: Orbit; Original edition (November 23, 2011)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004XWBUKK

     Genre:Fantasy Adventure
     My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Product 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 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 in order to keep a secret too terrible for the world to know?

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

When author Michael J. Sullivan self-published the first books of his Riyria Revelations, they rapidly became ebook bestsellers. Now, Orbit is pleased to present the complete series for the first time in bookstores everywhere.

Review:
Thieves are not always likeable...but sometimes they are. This is one of those stories. Royce and Hadrian are somewhat like Robin Hood as they tend to steal from the rich and help the poor. They are clearly thieves for hire and have been known in the past to be assassins. Royce was once a member of a well known thieves’ guild. However his successes made someone jealous and fearful so they set him up and got him banished. When he and Hadrian started working together, independent of any guild, they became known as the Riyria - successful and daring thieves who managed always to escape.

They have just returned from a successful job, particularly in light of a double play. They would not normally take another assignment immediately but their greed lets them get talked into the job of stealing a famous sword. Unfortunately for them when they enter the chapel to get the sword they find the King murdered and suddenly they are accused, captured, gagged and sentenced to execution by the Prince without even the chance to speak out.

A surprising source helps them escape provided they kidnap the Prince, for his own protection, and sent off on another adventure. They are hunted criminals with an unhappy companion who takes some understandable convincing of their good, or at least not malevolent, intent.

This story is packed with action and made me think of other great adventures like Robin Hood, Lord of the Rings and others.  There are elves, who are hated and abused. Myths that add to the story. There is a masterful, all but forgotten wizard with riddles and secrets. There are multiple suspects in the King’s daughter, who has studied sorcery and in the King’s brother, who might be protecting the Prince or plotting against him. No sooner do Royce and Hadrian rescue the Prince, a second time, than the Prince must send them out for another, seemingly impossible, rescue. All of the danger is part of a bigger political intrigue and villainy as nobleman and church leaders battle for power.

Theft of Swords contains The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha, the first two novels in the series.  I was very glad that this story consisted of two books as I wasn’t ready for the adventure to end with the first part. In the second book Royce and Hadrian are sought out by a young farm girl who seeks their services to save her father and village from the biggest, “baddest” (okay that’s not a real word but it fits) beast. She doesn’t have enough coin to pay their fee but their kind hearts are pulled into her plight.

I truly enjoyed these characters and liked that we learned some, but not all their history and secrets, as they struggle through their obstacles. The writing has a good flow that fit with the action. The descriptions bring the scenes alive. The second book ends with a big question that makes me want to get the next book sooner, although I already wanted to get it.  If you enjoy action packed fantasy stories I highly recommend this!

Descriptions to enjoy:
Myron, a monk who had never been outside of the abbey thinks this as he travels with Royce, Hadrian and the Prince:

He had seen snow, of course,... He never had seen how it settled on a forest or glittered on the edges of rivers and streams. Location 3166

The incredibly lustrous blade of Pickering's rapier caught the faint light in the corridor and glowed as it streaked through the air. It flashed and sparked when steel met steel. Location 3439.

Received for review from Orbit through NetGalley.

NOTE to my followers:
New feature: At the end of each month I will be hosting a monthly giveaway of a favorite book that I read that month - most likely books that are not already part of a giveaway. The Theft of Swords is likely to be my pick for February, although the month and reading isn't over yet. I may (possible but not guaranteed) be influenced by comments. So you might want to comment on reviews for books you are particularly interested in as it may effect my choice plus review comments will earn extra credit. :-)