The Death of Dulgath - Michael j Sullivan

When the last member of the oldest noble family in Avryn is targeted for assassination, Riyria is hired to foil the plot. Three years have passed since the war-weary mercenary Hadrian and the cynical ex-assassin Royce joined forces to start life as rogues-for-hire. Things have gone well enough until they're asked to help prevent a murder. Now they must venture into an ancient corner of the world to save a mysterious woman who knows more about Royce than is safe and cares less about herself than is sane.

Kindle Edition, 1 edition, 432 pages
Published October 15th 2015 by Riyria Enterprises, LLC
The Riyria Chronicles #3, Riyria #3
Fantasy
Own

My thoughts:

All I could think about was how I could not remember how the Heir of Novron ended! I remember..no, I can't. I need to re-read. SO yes I know these take place before that. But I have forgotten things so this one revelation was all, I did not remember all of that. I knew about Royce, but the rest was lost in time.

Anyway. Royce and Hadrian are hired to protect...well sort of...the Lady of Dulgath. I do feel like this one can be read on it's own. He creates a nice tale that makes you want more, but you also feel fine just jumping in. I only wanted more since I know something happened at the end of Novron but that is years ahead of this story.

Royce is awesome, I love him.

Hadrian is more the happy shiny people person. Yes you are a nice friend Hadrian, but Royce ;)

So they have an adventure. Get into trouble and on to new adventures! A good story, and I need more! I still have not read the series taking place 3000 years in the past ;)

Good fantasy

Audio Reviews: Code Name Verity, The Jester, Professional Integrity

Oct. 11th, 1943—A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy? 

My thoughts:

There are things in this review I can not tell, things that happen later, but I really can not say anything, so I will focus on the story being told in the beginning.

We have Maddie, who loves flying and working on engines. She is working on getting her license, and she is a woman in a man's world, but she loves it. But then obviously the war starts and she she will join in the only way she can. Ferrying planes. We also see how she meet her best friend Queenie.

But all of this is told in France, when the Gestapo is trying to get out every piece of information. Having her write it on whatever they can find. And the story is told. The crash, life in England, info on planes and such.

And there is also another story told, but hey, I already said I could not speak of it...

It took me almost a year to listen to it. Not that it was bad, but because I first had the book on my old phone, and then I got a new one and sigh, not compatible since I refuse to upgrade to win10 cos that sucks. SO put it in my old mp3 player...and yes it took some time to listen to it. But I was never bored, I think I had a rocky start but can not remember. I even started crying when out walking once cos it got sad, and I am so glad I did not meet anyone on that walk.

Is this YA? I guess so, bloody sad YA if so. With the torture and well war and so on...

Conclusion:
But it was good, and the narrator did a great job.

cover
meh

Audiobook, 10 pages
Published June 6th 2012 by Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
Code Name Verity #1
Historical fiction / YA
OWN
Morven Christie (Narrator), Lucy Gaskell (Narrator)

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.

My thoughts:
A short story with Royce and Hadrian in a tight spot. There is humour, and a good little adventure. I can't say a lot really. They were like stuck in a cave most of the time trying to get out. It was good, and I have missed these guys.

Audible Audio, unabridged Audible download, 33 pages
Published January 17th 2014 by Audible Studios
Riyria #2.5, The Riyria Chronicles
Tim Gerard Reynolds (Narrator)
Fantasy
Own

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.

My thoughts:
A great narration.

Hadrian and Royce is an awesome pairing. They do bring out the best and worst in each other ;)

I like Sullivan's dry wit.

And last, a good little story to listen to

Audible Audio, unabridged Aubible download, 1 page
Published June 3rd 2015 by Audible Studios
Riyria #2.6, The Riyria Chronicles
Fantasy
Own

#FitReaders: Weekly Check-in April 23 2016 and The Jester

#FitReaders is hosted by Geeky Bloggers Book Blog  and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Join in!

Sun 1.15 h walk
Mon 4 km bike. 30 min walk
Tue 1 h workout class, 1 h yoga, 4 km bike
Wed 45 min walk, 4 km bike
Thu 30 min walk, 4 km bike
Fri 4 km bike, 30 min walk
Sat 1 h walk, 5 km bike

Sad. Only one more class this spring :/ And no summer classes this year! Booo.

Winter came back. Just for a day. Nothing new, last year it snowed in May. But hey look, first spring flower ;)

But more snow promised on Monday.

...........................................

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, originally published in the Unfettered anthology. 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. 

My thoughts:

This was a freebie on audible. I must say I have started to like audio books, but they are so damn expensive. Nope, wont buy that when print is cheaper. I do not even buy hardback! I wait a year on the PB instead.

Right. A short story with Royce and Hadrian in a tight spot. There is humour, and a good little adventure. I can't say a lot really. They were like stuck in a cave most of the time trying to get out. It was good, and I have missed these guys.

Audible Audio, unabridged Audible download, 33 pages
Published January 17th 2014 by Audible Studios
Riyria #2.5, The Riyria Chronicles

Review. The Rose and the Thorn - Michael J.Sullivan

TWO THIEVES WANT ANSWERS. RIYRIA IS BORN.

For more than a year Royce Melborn has tried to forget Gwen DeLancy, the woman who saved him and his partner Hadrian Blackwater from certain death. Unable to get her out of his mind, the two thieves return to Medford but receive a very different reception --- Gwen refuses to see them. The victim of abuse by a powerful noble, she suspects that Royce will ignore any danger in his desire for revenge. By turning the thieves away, Gwen hopes to once more protect them. What she doesn't realize is what the two are capable of --- but she's about to find out.

My thoughts:

Now what to say....there were a bunch of things that made me go, look look!!! You would have to read the later books to get them. But for those who have not then this is just a normal book, while I found the little things fun.

Like Hilfred! I did not expect that. And the moment Hadrian has in a later book, well that was explained here and made me so sad. Again, I am talking in riddles but I just liked the little things so much :D It also made me want to re-read the trilogy and go all awww I read that stuff here.

Ok this is where I should say something that makes sense then ;)

Hadrian and Royce comes back to Medford. Gwen is hurt and Royce is mad. All while back at the castle young Hilfred finds his destiny and we meet the royals again. The book has a conspiracy going on..I will not say too much but there is danger, death and foul things going on.

Conclusion:

I really should re-read the series, small things have slipped my mind. Alas, so many books not enough time. Oh and crush on Royce! Even when he is insane.

Cover

Nice

Paperback, 347 pages
Published September 17th 2013 by Orbit
The Riyria Chronicles #2, Riyria #2
Fantasy
own

Review: The Crown Tower - Michael J.Sullivan

A warrior with nothing to fight for is paired with a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Together they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the impregnable remains of the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm’s most valuable possessions. But it isn’t gold or jewels the old wizard is after, and this prize can only be obtained by the combined talents of two remarkable men. Now if Arcadias can just keep Hadrian and Royce from killing each other, they just might succeed.

My thoughts:

I have to compare, of course I do. And by comparing I do feel this book was not as strong as the Riyria revelation books. It was still a good book, but yes not as good.

I also wondered how I would have felt if I had read these before the series. Cos they are prequels, so I do know what will happen. But that does not make them any less exciting. It is after all the story of how Royce and Hadrian met, and trust me, their relationship is nothing like in RR. And I should not forget that it's also Gwen's story and I must say, I even think I liked her story the most. She took charge of her life in such a good way.

It also made me wanna re-read RR, cos all the things hinted at here, aww, I know those thing. I wanna read about those things again.

You can read this series first, or you can read RR and read this later. Do what ever fits you the best. Because everything here is still new to me. Sure I know how everyone will end up, I just do not know how they will reach that first destination on the way there.

Conclusion:

But, it did move slow at first before it picked up. Still it had to be told that way, I guess.

Cover

Nice

Paperback, 416 pages
Published August 6th 2013 by Orbit
The Riyria Chronicles #1, Riyria #1
Fantasy
Own

Review: The Viscount and the Witch - Michael J.Sullivan

The Riyria Chronicles Short
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 5400 words
Published: October 2011
Source: Free on author's page, but you can buy it too

Eleven years before they were framed for the murder of a king, before even assuming the title of Riyria, Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater were practically strangers. Unlikely associates, this cynical thief and idealist swordsman, were just learning how to work together as a team. In this standalone first installment of The Riyria Chronicles, Royce is determined to teach his naive partner a lesson about good deeds. 

My thoughts:

I do not have to say it again, but short stories are so hard to review and mostly they just leave me, wanting more. Then there are the good ones. This one left me satisfied but also wanting more. In a good way. I was happy with the story I got but I also really need more since it was so good. 

What I liked the most was the dry humor, or perhaps he was just series when he said those things ;) Oh just read it and see. A fun fantasy story, a perfect story to read while waiting for more, or as I did, in preparation to read book 1. And omg I want my pre-order book to arrive now! 

If this is his style then yes I do recommend it to other readers.

I also felt that you do not have to read this book before reading book 1, since this one was written after book 1 was already written. But it is a good place to start if you want to know his style.

Though I must say, doesn't it sound like a HR book ;)

Rating:

More please.