The Crown Conspiracy (The Riyria Revelations, #1)

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The Crown Conspiracy (The Riyria Revelations #1)

by Michael J. Sullivan (Goodreads Author)

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 3,261 ratings · 370 reviews

THEY KILLED THE KING. THEY PINNED IT ON TWO MEN. THEY CHOSE POORLY.
There's no ancient evil to defeat or orphan destined for greatness, just two guys in the wrong place at the wrong time. Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, are enterprising thieves who end up running for their lives when they're framed for the death of the king. Tr...more

Paperback, 296 pages

Published October 1st 2008 by Aspirations Media Inc (first published 2007)

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Feb 19, 2009 Sandi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, 2009

I have a problem with fantasy. I do like the genre, but I can't stand multi-volume epics with 900+ pages per volume. I don't like spending 25 pages in a cave or 150 pages fighting a battle. I don't need a six-page description of a tavern. I don't like struggling to figure out how a name is pronounced. Since the fantasy genre seems to be dominated by what I don't like, I tend to approach it with extreme caution.

In my opinion, fantasy authors and publishers could take some lessons from Michael Su...more

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Mar 30, 2013 Jon added it Recommends it for: fans of heist stories with a fantasy flair

Recommended to Jon by: Fantasy Book Club March Selection

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, signed, read-in-my-40s, liked-it

4 stars. Hadrian and Royce absconded with my review, but Myron convinced them he could preserve it for all eternity in his formidable memory: http://bit.ly/YKRhBR

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Mar 22, 2012 Jim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

16Mar2012: the 6th book finally came out in Jan of this year, so I'm re-reading the series in order. I hadn't realized it had been 3 years since I first started reading this series. I didn't read it in order nor did I read the final copy, except this book. I started out by ARC reading book 2, then read this book, then ARC read the rest of the series except book 6. IOW, I get to read this just for fun this time & enjoyed it very much.

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4April2009: It's a fun, quick fantasy read. The sett...more

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Mar 09, 2013 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of shorter fantasy novels

Shelves: library-checkout, first-in-series, amiable-rogues, dynamic-duo, epic-fantasy, plan-to-read-soon, 2013-200s-club-challenge, action-adventure-challenge-2013, all-things-winter-challenge, favorites, nun-monk-minister, laughed-myself-silly-while-reading, reluctant-or-unlikely-hero, thief, warrior, bromance, wizard-warlock-sorcerer, antihero

The Crown Conspiracy is perfect for readers who enjoy epic fantasy, but in a smaller package. When you have the time and energy for a 500 or more page epic, why not? But if you want a good historical fantasy tale that is shorter but doesn't lack what you enjoy in the genre, then it's great to find one. This is a good choice if you have encountered that dilemma. When I developed a renewed taste for fantasy as an adult reader, I looked at different fantasy novels that many established fans of the...more

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Apr 15, 2009 Colleen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Recommended to Colleen by: Reading Group

Shelves: fantasy, sword-and-sorcery, action-adventure

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. An enjoyable enough book, but nothing that wowed me. It was generally well-paced, but it also wasn't a book that I couldn't put down...

I think one of my complaints was that there wasn't really a lot of character development - it's very much a plot-based book. Which is fine, for what it is - I just, personally, tend to prefer more depth in characters. I felt it was kind of standard "reluctant thief, jovial merc, brat prince thrown into power... Go!"

There were also a few little technical points w...more

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Dec 16, 2008 Cindy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Thrilling, Captivating, Amazing are some of the first words that came to mind when I finished this book last night. I stayed up late into the night to finish this book, so that is a sign that I loved it. One of the better sword and sorcery books that I have come across in a while.

This book was a take back to the fantasy books that have quests, magic, and great characters and plots. At first I wasn't sure if I was really going to bond with any of the characters, but to my delight I found myself...more Thrilling, Captivating, Amazing are some of the first words that came to mind when I finished this book last night. I stayed up late into the night to finish this book, so that is a sign that I loved it. One of the better sword and sorcery books that I have come across in a while.

This book was a take back to the fantasy books that have quests, magic, and great characters and plots. At first I wasn't sure if I was really going to bond with any of the characters, but to my delight I found myself loving Royce and Hadrian. There was a touch of humor that didn't come across as forced, a lot of books try to force the reader to laugh and I found myself chuckling at a couple of the jokes between the two.

There is a tiny bit of magic and of course a wizard, which isn't too complicated. I think this is great for anyone that is a fantasy lover or for teens who are starting out in the fantasy section of their library. I get frustrated when the magic in books is so complicated I feel I have to take notes, this wasn't the case at all.

The plot was swift but not swift enough that I found myself lost or parts over looked.Sullivan had a real skill in keeping the plot going and knowing just when to throw that curve ball in the plot or at what time it was perfect to reveal a certain crucial part of the plot to the readers! I was never left waiting too long to find out when something was going to happen but I was still sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the next part of the book.

I loved that it was a stand alone novel of a series. The plot was wrapped up but there were parts of the book that were left open for the next book and the series beyond. A lot of series force the reader to wait till the next book to learn more, Sullivan can keep a reader and continue a series without leaving major cliff hanger and helps with the frustration of having to wait years for a book!

It's hard to find something to complain about in this book. Like any first time writers I look forward to seeing Sullivan grow as an author and I hope that in future books we get to know some more characters.

I highly recommend reading this book, whether your a fantasy lover or just looking to start out in it. I personally have recommended it to my family and anyone that will listen to read. It was good to see a lovely written fantasy/adventure novel. This book has found a place on my reading shelves next to my Terry Brooks books and of course Harry Potter. I really can't wait till the next book in the series! (less)

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Mar 31, 2009 Brooke rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, fantasy, own

The Crown Conspiracy is a worthy debut in the fantasy genre. It's simple (no getting bogged down in the complicated names and geography that so many fantasy novels have), yet totally engrossing. I actually put it down a few times because I didn't want to reach the end too quickly. I always appreciate some good political intrigue, and my favorite part of the book involved a secret prison decorated with the faces of the people who built it. It's a self-contained story, but I picked up on several t...more

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Nov 09, 2008 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

The Crown Conspiracy – Michael J Sullivan
I will admit, that over the last few years I have grown away from the fantasy genre, so this book sat in my “to be read” pile a bit longer than it should have. However once I opened it up, I was thrilled with the story. What we have here is a very well thought out tale of intrigue… regicide, battles over the throne, conspiracy, and two thieves thrown into the mix keep the story line moving at a rapid pace.
A short summary: Two expert thieves are commissio...more The Crown Conspiracy – Michael J Sullivan
I will admit, that over the last few years I have grown away from the fantasy genre, so this book sat in my “to be read” pile a bit longer than it should have. However once I opened it up, I was thrilled with the story. What we have here is a very well thought out tale of intrigue… regicide, battles over the throne, conspiracy, and two thieves thrown into the mix keep the story line moving at a rapid pace.
A short summary: Two expert thieves are commissioned to steal something from the castle, little do they know that they are to take the fall for the murder of the king. When faced with the executioner’s block, they are approached by an unlikely person to commit another crime which will possibly save their lives and possibly the kingdom.
I hate to tell you any more than that lest the story be spoiled. The author has gone to such great care to weave this tale with just the right amount of suspense as to keep the reader glued to the book. As far as the fantasy aspect of this novel, I was thrilled that true fantasy was very rarely employed. Sure there is a bit of magic, and an elf or two, but they are simply background to an excellent tale about a kingdom in trouble that seeks help from the unlikeliest of its subjects.
The characters are almost instantly loveable, they are all stereotypes but I wouldn’t really hold that against the author. Sometimes a good stereotype is what a book needs. We have the benevolent thieves, the whore with the heart of gold, the reluctant prince, the evil nobleman… so much of this book will be very familiar to the reader, but for some reason this really didn’t bother me. I did feel that there were are few areas which could have used a little more umph, or a bit more follow through, however I feel that this is probably the first of at least 3 novels following our new king and his thieving friends. If that is the case, then there is still plenty of time to wrap up these dangling ends. Would I read these follow up novels? It is highly likely. This is by far one of the most well written independent novels I have had the pleasure of reading. I highly recommend it to both lovers of fantasy, and also those who like stories along the lines of the King Arthur legends, and the tales of the Green Knight.
As far as age appropriateness, there is violence however it is not overly descriptive, there are prostitutes but their job is never detailed and then there are the questionable jobs of our heroes. I would say that this is probably readable by the 12 and up crew, however I would read it first to determine if it would be okay for your specific 12 year old. I would guess that by 15-16 they would be capable of fully enjoying the intrigue that is entailed. Again I highly recommend this book.
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Apr 15, 2009 Shannon (Giraffe Days) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club, fantasy, 2009

Skilled thieves and occasional assassins, Royce and Hadrian take a job for a nobleman on short notice and are framed for the murder of the king of Melengar, Amrath. Amrath leaves behind his first-born, Arista, and his only son and heir, Alric - who, at nineteen, is arrogant, demanding and pretty self-centred. Caught by the body of the murdered king, Royce and Hadrian end up chained to a dungeon wall, awaiting quartering and death in the morning.

Hope comes from unlikely quarters, in the form of...more Skilled thieves and occasional assassins, Royce and Hadrian take a job for a nobleman on short notice and are framed for the murder of the king of Melengar, Amrath. Amrath leaves behind his first-born, Arista, and his only son and heir, Alric - who, at nineteen, is arrogant, demanding and pretty self-centred. Caught by the body of the murdered king, Royce and Hadrian end up chained to a dungeon wall, awaiting quartering and death in the morning.

Hope comes from unlikely quarters, in the form of Arista, who knows they're innocent but fears for her brother's life. Or so she tells them. And who are they to argue, when it means getting out of the palace alive? Only, they have to kidnap the prince and take him to a prison they've never heard of, to see a prisoner called Esrahaddon. Who will explain everything.

This is only the start of their adventures, as they dodge assassins, try to keep the impetuous young king alive, and make some money in the bargain. There's a deep plot afoot, one of religion and murder and empire-building. Royce and Hadrian want nothing to do with it, but the choice might not be theirs.

This was a light, engaging read with steady pacing and an uncomplicated plot. It can be read as a standalone, though it also sets up the bigger, over-arching plot-line that will drive the next five books. The prose isn't fancy, and while it could have used some closer proof-reading (especially for commas, but also the use of "sometime" etc. instead of "some time"), it's also smooth.

Royce and Hadrian are great characters, without whom the novel would be sadly dull. Their banter gave me a laugh, and even though I was disappointed that the character development (of all the characters) was noticeably shallow, what I did learn about them piqued my curiosity for more. I know I'll get to know them much better in the following books, but I need more character development than I do plot, and the first book in a series can suffer without it.

There's tension and suspense, created by never knowing exactly who you can trust. For characters that are decidedly two-dimensional, it's interesting that they often have more than one face. While the prince did grow, it was less shown and more told, which was a shame.

The lack of character development was the biggest disappointment. It borrows heavily from generic, formulaic fantasy and brings little that is new. The setting is classic medieval-European-esque, populated by knights and kings and the common folk - though at least the story wasn't dominated by the aristocracy, like in A Game of Thrones: I like the "common touch". The thieves are great but frankly, Lynn Flewellyn did it better by far. There is also a somewhat jarringly modern court-room drama towards the end that surprised me, though I'm not so bent on formula that I actually minded it.

What I did mind was, on page 252 (yes I remember the page!), a paragraph telling us that we should use our knees and thighs to guide a horse!! It had me fuming for a while. Usually I read just a brief description, but this was an entire, deliberate passage. It's a natural instinct, when learning to ride, to grip with your thighs and knees, it gives you a sense of security, like you're not going to fall off. But you can't control the horse doing this, and you will rub the skin off your knees until they bleed - I know because it happened to me when I was learning to ride. Once you get the confidence to keep your seat, you realise just how cumbersome your knees really were - and how sore your thighs were getting. You only need to use your calves and your heels. Your knees shouldn't even touch the saddle - and with the saddle between your leg and the horse, there's no way it can even feel you squeezing.

I did have trouble getting a copy though, which I read for a Goodreads book club - I recommend going through the author or his wife, because I went through some American bookseller linked on Amazon and it took them weeks (I think they forgot about me), and I ended up paying more than the listed Canadian price, plus shipping. So I felt a bit ripped off. If you're on Goodreads, you can get a discount.

Even though I prefer my fantasy to have more depth and characterisation, there was plenty to enjoy here and if I can find a reliable seller, I would like to continue reading this series.(less)

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Feb 11, 2009 Jeanne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

My original assessment of this book stands, it's too darned short! It's a nice story, I just wish it would have been fleshed out more. Unfortunately, it, like so many other great stories, fell victim to that "first publication by a new author" problem that so many writers fall into these days. Publishers don't want to take a chance on a new author by publishing a true epic fantasy of 300,000 or more words so they put the word out that they want 80,000 to 100,000 word manuscripts and that's what...more My original assessment of this book stands, it's too darned short! It's a nice story, I just wish it would have been fleshed out more. Unfortunately, it, like so many other great stories, fell victim to that "first publication by a new author" problem that so many writers fall into these days. Publishers don't want to take a chance on a new author by publishing a true epic fantasy of 300,000 or more words so they put the word out that they want 80,000 to 100,000 word manuscripts and that's what they get.

Michael's writing is good. The story is interesting. It has a few twists and turns, but not as many as I would have liked, but those would all take words and when trying to keep within such a meager word count cannot be done. I really wanted to learn more about the religion in this world that built such a political system allowing for the long term development of Percy Braga's ascension aspirations. I wanted to understand how the monks of Myron's monastery fit into everything. I wanted to know more about the magic system that produced a wizard such as Ashrendon. I wanted to know more about the Dwarves magic and skills. I wanted to know more about Arista's sorceress training. And I don't want to have to read the next ten books to learn these things.

There were a few points in the book where I felt as though I was getting an information dump rather than being shown why things were the way they were, such as the whole back story on the Pickerings. Again, showing takes more words than telling. I almost feel as though I read the "abridged" or Reader's Digest version of the story and one of these days I will stumble across the complete unabridged version that will make my heart soar because even though I felt things were abridged, I fell in love with the characters and story.

J.K. Rowling's first Harry Potter book was within the "first publication by a new author" guidelines, but as her story about young Harry caught on, her books grew and grew to where by the 3rd and 4th book she was putting out 300,000 plus word volumes. I can only hope Michael's books catch on enough that he can grow to larger and larger volumes because he certainly has the talent to do so. And speaking selfishly on my part, I'd like to read what he can write once he no longer has any sort of word count restrictions imposed on his work.(less)

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Feb 01, 2009 Hana rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Found The Crown Conspiracy while browsing several fantasy groups on Goodreads. The cover description piqued my interest. A tale about two thieves who find themselves being blamed for the murder of their king! The beautifully created cover illustration also caught my eye. Both of these factors promised a great read. This fantasy didn’t disappoint!

I enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters of Royce and Hadrian. I particularly liked reading their dialogues. Their easy banter is beli...more

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Feb 06, 2009 Robert rated it 4 of 5 stars

First off, I found out about this book through Goodreads.com in a contest that I signed up for. I did not win, but was emailed by the author’s wife that I could purchase a signed copy of the book from them and took advantage of it. The Crown Conspiracy is the first book in a 6 book series, the second Avempartha scheduled to be released in April 2009.

The Crown Conspiracy main plot line is about two thieves who are hired for a job and end up framed for the murder of the king. There are some sub pl...more

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Jan 02, 2009 Jane rated it 5 of 5 stars

Heard about this from a friend of mine. They enjoyed it so I'll check it out. So far I'm very impressed with this book - it is a fun fast-paced read. If it weren't for the fact that I'm incredibly busy at work right now I would have read the whole thing in one sitting. I find the story just propels me along and I don't want to spoil anything but for instance I'm trying to decide if one of the characters is good or evil and I keep flip-flopping between the two.

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Mar 01, 2009 Henry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

This is a very fun to read fantasy/adventure story that follows the adventures of two ordinary rogues thrown in to extraordinary circumstances. No dark lord here, fantastic armies, or farm boy destined to save the world. No fancy names I can't pronounce either. Just to rogues that get blamed for the murder of the king and are doing whatever it takes to stay alive. There is a fantastic setting in the back, but you learn about it as you go, so no need to take a course on it before reading the firs...more

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Oct 07, 2008 Bill Franks rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone

I ran across this book by stumbling into a books store where the author was signing. It sounded like a good book so I bought it.

I'm really glad I did!

It was a great story with good characters. I read the whole thing over the weekend and when I was done I wanted more.

The author mentioned it was part of a series so I guess I'll just have to wait for the rest.

I highly recommend.

Bill.

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Nov 05, 2008 Liviu rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-fantasy, 2008_release_read, review_fbc, t2_recommended_2008, series_read

Fun romp from the beginning to the end. I enjoyed it a lot and did not put it down since it is a fast, light, not very deep way to pass 2-3 hours. I am in for the next novel in the series.

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May 12, 2009 Libby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2009, fantasy-epic-and-series

A welcome addition to the genre of Fantasy literature, Michael Sullivan’s The Crown Conspiracy will readers wanting more. It is technically shelved as Fantasy due to its alternate universe setting, but at its heart it is simply a great adventure story that will appeal to Fantasy and non-Fantasy fans alike. The characters are engaging and the novel is laced with intriguing hints at what I anticipate, will be well-developed back stories in the novels to come. The story is fast paced and interestin...more A welcome addition to the genre of Fantasy literature, Michael Sullivan’s The Crown Conspiracy will readers wanting more. It is technically shelved as Fantasy due to its alternate universe setting, but at its heart it is simply a great adventure story that will appeal to Fantasy and non-Fantasy fans alike. The characters are engaging and the novel is laced with intriguing hints at what I anticipate, will be well-developed back stories in the novels to come. The story is fast paced and interesting, my only criticism here would be that some elements are too convenient such as the character of Myron and his abundance of knowledge. However, as it is essential to the story to have this font of historical knowledge available, and it would be tedious to have the characters seek out every little detail along the way, Myron serves this purpose beautifully while being entertaining in his own right.

There are a variety of themes in the work which I hope will continue to be developed. There are religious and political power struggles, there is an interesting division of religious faiths, and a touch of feminism. I would be quite interesting in hearing where the author drew his inspiration in developing the religious background of the book as I see a mix of Greek mythology, Judeo-Christian and Roman Catholic history and beliefs.

For those familiar with Fantasy authors, I would shelf this between Terry Brooks and Robert Jordan, frankly, liking it better then both. It successfully straddles the literary fence between romantic and epic fantasy. You have the necessary elves, princesses and myths, along with the sword-play, but neither overpowers the other. The elements could be a bit better married together in the narrative. For example, the end of the work seems a bit rushed. You see the necessary battle scenes but the individual character development seems suddenly left behind, as if too much was edited out. I know what the characters did, but apart from a well written Prince Alric, I don’t know what they felt. Nonetheless, I believe that we will see the development and improvement of Sullivan’s style throughout the novels as they develop their own cohesive voice.

As an aside, it’s a fun detail that the cover art seems to done by Sullivan himself which makes it all the more representative of the novel as a whole.

Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait for the rest of the tale. I highly recommend this work to anyone who enjoys a good quality story, full of entertaining characters. Based on The Crown Conspiracy, the first book in The Riyria Revelations, the books look to a very promising and successful body of work.
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Feb 19, 2009 Dave Burgh rated it 5 of 5 stars

I noticed this book thanks to Fantasy Book Critic, and got the opportunity to read it thanks to Michael's wife and editor, Robin; Fantasy Book Critic (as usual) hit the nail on the head, and I can honestly say that this is a great book! :-)

We begin our journey through the book with Archibald, a minor noble who has a scheme to change that 'minor' status into 'major'; he has in his possession something with which to blackmail a noble with more connections and property, but the plan backfires when...more I noticed this book thanks to Fantasy Book Critic, and got the opportunity to read it thanks to Michael's wife and editor, Robin; Fantasy Book Critic (as usual) hit the nail on the head, and I can honestly say that this is a great book! :-)

We begin our journey through the book with Archibald, a minor noble who has a scheme to change that 'minor' status into 'major'; he has in his possession something with which to blackmail a noble with more connections and property, but the plan backfires when Archibald can't come up with the goods because they've been stolen from right under his nose - from then on, the tale surges ahead! We meet the thieves and their friends, the royalty and the nobles and their enemies; we are taken right across the kingdom to a place that shouldn't exist, and a tale begins to take shape of an ancient betrayal, a betrayal that shaped the whole world and the lives of those who call it home.

Michael's tale flows beautifully; moving from character to character is not jarring in the least, and the rythmn he has from the beginning builds until it takes you a while to realize that it is really late and that you need to get into bed! :-)

The characters themselves are vivid and unique - here we have everything from prostitutes, monks, princes, con-artists, even the odd Elf (but not as you've seen Elves before, let me tell you), and each character is true; I never had one moment where I thought, You know what? A Princess wouldn't do something like that - it doesn't make sense. They are all important to the story and bring us the different viewpoints we need to understand all sides of the tale. My favourite was Hadrian (one of the thieves), but the Monk (not saying who he is because he's pretty important) has also got a spot in my heart. :-)

Michael also doesn't overwhelm us with information - if we need to know something, that something is specific to what is being discussed, or leaves clues for what may happen a bit further on; he is really comfortable in his world, and it comes through beautifully when some of the main characters are travelling through the wilderness - nothing is dumped in our laps, and we are told what we need to know to keep us engaged and curious. :-)

And don't worry about the fact that if you read this you'll be starting a new series: The Riyria Revelations (as the series is titled) will be a six-part series, but each book can be read as a stand-alone! :-) The events will tie together, obviously, but not in a way that other series such as Erikson's Malazan epic do - here, everything is self-contained, and each book can be enjoyed on its own. :-)

This book is a great read; you'll find that you'll breeze through it, because Michael's writing style is so easy to get into; the action, tension and even the funny bits all work well with the style he's used to great effect here. I couldn't finish the book in one sitting because I was still working through the tail-end of '08, and Christmas and New Year also had their own interruptions, but I'm sure that once you sit down to read it, you'll be as entranced and swept-away as I was. :-)

April is still too far away, in my opinion; Avempartha, the second part of the Riyria Revelations, will be out then, and I'm hoping to have a review of it up and an interview with Michael at least two weeks before its publication date, so hold thumbs for me on that one. :-)
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Apr 08, 2009 Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people that like real-world thieves and real-world people

Recommended to Kathy by: many Goodreads sci-fi and fantasy members

Shelves: riyria-revelations

Michael J Sullivan is one of those authors that you don't see everyday. I picked up this book on the recommendation from a number of people on Goodreads, as well as a glowing recommendation from Michael's wife, Robin, and a book club was as good of an excuse as any to start reading.

The Riyria Revelations is a set of six novels by the author, with The Crown Conspiracy being the first. If read just for the story value, the book is a good action adventure novel with a bit of magic thrown in. There...more

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Apr 23, 2009 Chris rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who likes a great fantasy or adventure

Recommended to Chris by: the GoodReads Fantasy Book Club

Shelves: scifi-fan-group, signed-editions

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Wow. I can't say this was a surprise after reading all the positive reviews of this book, but I can say that I was impressed. A wonderful first novel from the author, and I am very much looking forward to Book 2.

I love the witty banter between the characters, especially that between Hadrian and Royce. They reminded me a bit of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, but have a style and flair all their own. I look forward to more adventures with them as well as their friends from the Rose and Thorn.

One thi...more

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Nov 18, 2010 Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, audiobook, 2010, humorous, reviewed, challenge-1010

3.5 stars

I actually enjoyed this book much more than I thought that I would. I will admit that I had some issues with it, but for the most part, I was pleasantly surprised. I had expected something very different, and something much less entertaining than this was.

Issues first: The characters were a little bit 2D, and I wanted them to be a bit more unpredictable and have a bit more personality. There were also some situations that just didn't really make sense, but seemed to be put in to ratche...more 3.5 stars

I actually enjoyed this book much more than I thought that I would. I will admit that I had some issues with it, but for the most part, I was pleasantly surprised. I had expected something very different, and something much less entertaining than this was.

Issues first: The characters were a little bit 2D, and I wanted them to be a bit more unpredictable and have a bit more personality. There were also some situations that just didn't really make sense, but seemed to be put in to ratchet up the excitement more than anything else - the keep scene from the trial section, in particular. I was scratching my head over that one. Then there's the outside of Gutaria scene, which reminded me, as perhaps it was supposed to, of The Fellowship of the Ring before entering the mines of Moria. Esrahaddon's scenes were a mite tedious too - on audio especially, and it was certainly unbelievable that the series of events in that section would have come about in just the way they did. It just seemed... convenient and out of character for some. Those are the only specific things that I can recall that bugged me. Otherwise it was just a general wish for more - more personality, more depth, just more.

I did like the two main characters, Royce and Hadrian. I thought that they were interesting and funny, and complemented each other well. I liked the unique way that elves were portrayed in the story, and not the perfection that they are in other fantasy books. I liked the REAL feel of the story, as though this could have happened some time in our own past. I liked the subtle and not-so-subtle church and religion aspects of the book, and the way that they are portrayed and their history. Very interesting. All in all, I liked the book, enough to continue to the next in the series, and perhaps beyond.

Now, regarding the audio. Oy. There are people who are cut out to be audiobook readers, and there are people who are not. I'm sorry to say it, but Nathan Lowell is definitely NOT. His reading was very inconsistent, running the gamut from bored and snooty to pompous and simpering, and that's just the narrative tone. Then there are the voices and accents, which were all over the board. He would do an accent one way for one character in one part of the book, and then a completely different way at a later point - but his "character" voice would always continue on to the narration until he caught himself and "reset", sort of. It was distracting. I tried not to let the reader affect my enjoyment or rating of the book, but I have to say that he did. If this was read by another reader, it could have been fantastic. As it was, the audio version was tolerable at best. The STORY is still good and enjoyable, but the reading does take away something, rather than adding something, as a good audio version should. *shrug*

Either way, I still would recommend the book. It was interesting and fun and different, and I look forward to the next in the series. :)(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Robin Hey Becky,
THanks for posting your review and I'm glad you liked the book. As for "more" - yeah there was a very conscious decision in this series to p...more
updated Nov 19, 2010 12:43am

Becky Hey Robin! Long time no talk. :)

I did enjoy the book, and I have Avempartha to read as well, so I look forward to that one. If I can't squeeze it in...more
Nov 19, 2010 07:10am

Jan 18, 2009 Amber rated it 3 of 5 stars

A nice, easy read set in the medieval period. The two main characters, notorious thieves Royce and Hadrian, take a job that lands them accused of murdering the king. As they struggle to save their own hides, they surprisingly find themselves engaged in the honorable act of defending the prince and princess' lives. I loved the touch of magic and the legends laced into the story added a nice depth. Add to that the political intrigue and MacGyver-like puzzles, and this was a fast-paced novel that I...more

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Mar 25, 2009 Ron rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, maps

The Crown Conspiracy is a light-weight, but fun read. The tale is told with fair humor and moderate style. Reminiscent of Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar stories.

Enough ends were left loose to justify a follow-on text or two, but the main tail was nicely concluded.

See what I've done. I grant one author a 4 out of 3.5 because it was her debut novel and I'm fairness bond to do it to the next who merits a 3.5. Sullivan does, so I did. Though, considering I only gave Leiber 2s for his stories, Sullivan luck...more

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Dec 10, 2008 Evan rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Crown Conspiracy is an amazingly awesome story. There is mystery, adventure, humor and the storyline keeps you guessing right from the beginning.

This book is very well written, easy to follow and the characters are people you wish you could know in real life. The Monk is one of my favorites.

I hope there will be another in this tale, soon.

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 20, 2009 Robin rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who likes books like CS Lewis or Harry Potter

Shelves: favorites, fantasy, fun-read, recommend

This was picked for the March Read (with discussion in April) for the Fantasy book club here on GoodReads so I'm going to re-read it in preparation for discussions on it.

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 01, 2010 Seak (Bryce L.) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, fantasy

Review Here

1 like · like · see review

Nov 22, 2010 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've been waiting quite a long time to finally read this book, and now that I have I'm pleased to discover yet another good fantasy series to follow.
I must admit, as I started it, I feared I was plunging into yet another overrated debut, with bland, familiar characters and a plot-centred story.
As I progressed, I found out, to my surprise, that I had completely misjudged it. The story, though generally fast-paced and full of action, doesn't neglect the characters and the way certain episodes aff...more

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Oct 31, 2010 Wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars

One of the things that make the Riyria Revelations different is that they were conceived as a single tale, told in six installments. Each book could stand alone, but they are oh-so-much better when the reader builds on the story that came before. Another outstanding quality is that these books are completely appropriate for any audience because there is no swearing or sex! How tedious it is to pick up a promising book only to find it’s just a chain of smut and profanity glued together with a pit...more One of the things that make the Riyria Revelations different is that they were conceived as a single tale, told in six installments. Each book could stand alone, but they are oh-so-much better when the reader builds on the story that came before. Another outstanding quality is that these books are completely appropriate for any audience because there is no swearing or sex! How tedious it is to pick up a promising book only to find it’s just a chain of smut and profanity glued together with a pitiful plot. If you want an excellent read, this is it. If you’re looking for a romp in the sheets, look elsewhere.

I’d heard about his first book, The Crown Conspiracy, on Goodreads and it sat on my To-Read list for months, but once I cracked it open, I couldn’t put it down.

His masterfully woven tale of two thieves blends humor and intrigue with a dab of brilliance. Completely sucked into the fantasy, I turned the pages, brain working overtime in a futile effort to guess the ending. You can read Fantasy Book Critic’s review of the Crown Conspiracy here.
Sullivan’s next two books, Avempartha and Nyphron Rising, likewise were wonderful books. Full of adventure, betrayals, magic and mystery—the epitome of what fantasy novels should be.

I was pleased to find each additional installment better than the last, but it wasn’t until the 4th book, The Emerald Storm that the series elevated to a whole new level for me. Packed with the usual rich characters, settings and banter, the storyline builds with twists and turns until the final cunning surprise knocks us clear out of the ring. I closed the book almost in reverence, marveling at how each piece fell nicely in place without me ever being the wiser.

With excitement and a little trepidation (because I couldn’t fathom how Sullivan could possibly top his last achievement), I pre-ordered book #5, Wintertide.

I am thrilled to report that he did it again. Wintertide opens with our two favorite thieves, Hadrian and Royce, riding into Aquesta, the new capital of the Empire—a government that has been thrust into power through the devious machinations of a corrupt few which work their trickery behind façade of divine rule. Circumstance and duty separates the thieves as they each strive to save the people they love. Do they succeed? I’m not telling. The battle for the throne is played in back rooms through subtle power-plays which culminate in the biggest power struggle of all. Personally, I’m dying to know who threw that fateful dagger, but I hardly dare guess because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from reading Sullivan’s books, it’s that I can’t guess what will happen next.

There are many authors that I admire, many more whose books are among my favorites, but Michael J. Sullivan’s books are in a class above.
I strongly suggest you grab the Crown Conspiracy today. You may as well buy the whole series because you’ll need them before the week’s out(less)

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Mar 28, 2009 Adam rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-reads, fantasy, book-club

I, like many of the other reviewers, enjoyed this book but found it a tad bit unoriginal. And, this sounds a little mean, but I found both the story-telling and the prose was a wee bit clumsy. Look at, for example, the character Myron. Myron lived his whole life in a monastery known far and wide for its hospitality, yet he had never seen a woman or a horse. Ever. And while Myron had read and memorized every book in the monastery and knew various random facts about all sorts of obscure thing, he...more

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Mar 04, 2009 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi

I just finished this book by Goodreads novelist Michael Sullivan. As others have said, it's a really enjoyable book surrounding two thieves - Royce and Hadrian. These guys are basically the best in their trade and manage to both be hired by and steal from nobles as a way to make a living. One of their jobs leads to them being framed for the murder of the king. The rest of the book is basically their adventures in trying to save the Prince and clear their names.

I did enjoy this book - particular...more

2 likes · like · see review

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About Michael J. Sullivan

After finding a manual typewriter in the basement of a friend's house, Michael inserted a blank piece of paper and typed: It was a dark and stormy night and a shot rang out. He was just eight years old at the time. But the desire to fill the blank page and see what doors the typewriter keys would unlock wouldn't let him go. For ten years Michael developed his craft by studying authors such as Step...more

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Books by Michael J. Sullivan

Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1-2)

Rise of Empire (The Riyria Revelations, #3-4)

Heir of Novron (The Riyria Revelations, #5-6)

Nyphron Rising (The Riyria Revelations, #3)

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“The abbot told me once that lying was a betrayal to one's self. It's evidence of self-loathing. You see, when you are so ashamed of your actions, thoughts, or intentions, you lie to hide it rather than accept yourself for who you really are. The idea of how others see you becomes more important than the reality of you. It's like when a man would rather die than be thought of as a coward. His life is not as important to him as his reputation. In the end, who is the braver? The man who dies rather than be thought of as a coward or the man who lives willing to face who he really is?” — 9 people liked it

“People are afraid of what they do not understand.” — 4 people liked it

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The Crown Conspiracy (The Riyria Revelations #1)

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