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Theft of Swords
(The Riyria Revelations #1-2)
by
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 unlikely heroes and classic adventure. Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, are two enterprising rogues who end up running for their lives when they're framed for the murder of the king. Trappe ...more
There's no ancient evil to defeat or orphan destined for greatness, just unlikely heroes and classic adventure. Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, are two enterprising rogues who end up running for their lives when they're framed for the murder of the king. Trappe ...more
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Start your review of Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1-2)
Jul 12, 2011
Michael
added it
· (Review from the author)
·
review of another edition
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I'm the author of this book, so I'm not going to do a rating but I did want to take just a moment to say a few words about what I was trying to do in this book.
For those who don't know, I wrote all six books in the series before publishing any of them (truth be told when I wrote the books I had no intention on publishing at all). This allowed me to weave threads between the books, but I made sure that each title had its own conflict and resolution. My intention was to start small and end big, wi ...more
For those who don't know, I wrote all six books in the series before publishing any of them (truth be told when I wrote the books I had no intention on publishing at all). This allowed me to weave threads between the books, but I made sure that each title had its own conflict and resolution. My intention was to start small and end big, wi ...more
UPDATE: $2.99 Kindle US 6/7/19
The two books in this tome are AMAZEBALLS!
Book 1 - The Crown of Conspiracy
I fell in love with Hadrian Blackwater and Royce Melborn right off the bat. They are moseying along to get to their destination and they are over taken by a few bandits of sorts. And Hadrian and Royce have this conversation with themselves and with the bandits. Said bandits are a little confused at the relaxed manner of the Riyria men. But . . . once they find out who Hadrian and Royce are, th ...more
The two books in this tome are AMAZEBALLS!
Book 1 - The Crown of Conspiracy
I fell in love with Hadrian Blackwater and Royce Melborn right off the bat. They are moseying along to get to their destination and they are over taken by a few bandits of sorts. And Hadrian and Royce have this conversation with themselves and with the bandits. Said bandits are a little confused at the relaxed manner of the Riyria men. But . . . once they find out who Hadrian and Royce are, th ...more
2.75/5 Stars
Buddy read with my favorites Sarah & Haifa
(This is an unpopular opinion, out of all my friends I'm literally the only one who rate this book lower than 3 so if you're easily offended please don't read this review.)
Don’t let my average rating fool you into thinking this is an average series, that’s my cumulative rating of the two books included in Theft of Sword and right now, I can’t really make a final decision on whether to recommend this series or not yet because of how this six b ...more
Buddy read with my favorites Sarah & Haifa
(This is an unpopular opinion, out of all my friends I'm literally the only one who rate this book lower than 3 so if you're easily offended please don't read this review.)
Don’t let my average rating fool you into thinking this is an average series, that’s my cumulative rating of the two books included in Theft of Sword and right now, I can’t really make a final decision on whether to recommend this series or not yet because of how this six b ...more
Those that know me, are aware that I never rate or review my own books. But I do use this space as a way to update you on things that you might find interesting.
Update: 03/27/20 -- Theft of Swords ebook is on sale for $2.99. I'm not sure if this is just US or not, and I'm not sure how long it will be discounted. So grab your copy soon! More than 22,750 5-star reviews on Goodreads!
Update: 08/03/18 -- I'm honored that The Riyria Revelations books have made a 50 BEST FANTASY BOOKS OF ALL TIME list ...more
Update: 03/27/20 -- Theft of Swords ebook is on sale for $2.99. I'm not sure if this is just US or not, and I'm not sure how long it will be discounted. So grab your copy soon! More than 22,750 5-star reviews on Goodreads!
Update: 08/03/18 -- I'm honored that The Riyria Revelations books have made a 50 BEST FANTASY BOOKS OF ALL TIME list ...more
Two words.
MIND.BLOWING.
What happens when a sarcastic thief/former assassin and an idealistic mercenary/brilliant swordsman get in the way of a conspiracy for world domination? Epic fantasy at its finest ,that's the answer.Include some legends about a God's heir who is going to unite the world,a plotting Church with a secret agenda,Elves who are waiting for the opportune moment to gain their lands back,swordfights,prostitutes,monks,hidden prisons and wit ...more
MIND.BLOWING.
“Riyria.
It's elvish for two.”
What happens when a sarcastic thief/former assassin and an idealistic mercenary/brilliant swordsman get in the way of a conspiracy for world domination? Epic fantasy at its finest ,that's the answer.Include some legends about a God's heir who is going to unite the world,a plotting Church with a secret agenda,Elves who are waiting for the opportune moment to gain their lands back,swordfights,prostitutes,monks,hidden prisons and wit ...more
(3.5) A fun escapist fantasy. Will continue the series!
4.25 stars
I loved this first installment. Royce and Hadrian’s friendship is the classic thief bond I so enjoy. They are such a great balance for each other. Neutral good with chaotic neutral? We love to see it. Plus we add in the classic themes of sword and sorcery, elves, dwarves, magical beasts, and a conniving Church.. honestly what’s not to love?
I gave The Crown Conspiracy 4 stars and Avempartha 4.5 stars.
I loved this first installment. Royce and Hadrian’s friendship is the classic thief bond I so enjoy. They are such a great balance for each other. Neutral good with chaotic neutral? We love to see it. Plus we add in the classic themes of sword and sorcery, elves, dwarves, magical beasts, and a conniving Church.. honestly what’s not to love?
I gave The Crown Conspiracy 4 stars and Avempartha 4.5 stars.
Full review now up!
3.5/5 ★★★
Buddy read with these gangsters; Oppa &Breadstick.
So first thing I noticed after purchasing theft of swords, was the hideous cover.. Yuck! I hate it. Seriously the description in the book of what Royce & Hadrian look like is nothing like the cover, for one Hadrian is a gorgeous blondie, why for the love of God does he look like a bald cretin on the cover? Seriously the cover did leave a sour taste in my mouth. Apart from the ugly cover i also hated the name of the b ...more
3.5/5 ★★★
Buddy read with these gangsters; Oppa &Breadstick.
So first thing I noticed after purchasing theft of swords, was the hideous cover.. Yuck! I hate it. Seriously the description in the book of what Royce & Hadrian look like is nothing like the cover, for one Hadrian is a gorgeous blondie, why for the love of God does he look like a bald cretin on the cover? Seriously the cover did leave a sour taste in my mouth. Apart from the ugly cover i also hated the name of the b ...more
*3.5 stars*...more
This was such a fun, fast read.
Theft of Swords has everything a fantasy reader wants: engaging characters, good plot, appropriate world building... what lets it down is that I was never quite invested in the lives of our 2 male leads, Royce and Hadrian.
If that wasn't disappointing enough, Sullivan ensured that the male characters were relevant while the women were depicted as either evil or prostitutes. This pulled me out of the story completely.
Further, the scope of the world buildi
Sale Alert: Kindle daily deal 27Mar20 $2.99
♘Re-Read with all my fantasy friends at Buddies Books & Baubles Starting Jun 22, 2019♘
Just as good the second time around and since I've also read
I'm looking at the lore of that time a little more closely. It is fun to see the historical inaccuracies as time changed the legends of the past.
Hadrian and Royce's bromance is a fantastic read on page.
Original Review:
♖Theft of Swords♖
This is my very first Omnibus, actually before this I ...more
♘Re-Read with all my fantasy friends at Buddies Books & Baubles Starting Jun 22, 2019♘
Just as good the second time around and since I've also read
I'm looking at the lore of that time a little more closely. It is fun to see the historical inaccuracies as time changed the legends of the past.Hadrian and Royce's bromance is a fantastic read on page.
Original Review:
♖Theft of Swords♖
This is my very first Omnibus, actually before this I ...more
Theft of Swords is an omnibus of the first two books in the Riyria Reveleations, The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha. It's also somewhat the story of an independently published author turned major publishing success as is nicely explained here by Iceberg Ink.
I have to first confess that this is exactly the type of story I love, so pardon my overlooking of any of the faults.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Theft of Swords is that it's "traditional" fantasy. It deals with good ...more
I have to first confess that this is exactly the type of story I love, so pardon my overlooking of any of the faults.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Theft of Swords is that it's "traditional" fantasy. It deals with good ...more
Cup of vanilla fantasy anyone? Something light, smart, and funny? Welcome to Riyria!
Before I started my adventure, I thought Riryia is a place and it turned out it's two dashing gentlemen who kept me well entertained. In reality, Riryia means two in elvish and it denotes a duo of mercenaries who accept only highly specific missions and heists that require something more than brute strength and killing prowess.
Royce Melborn is your “glass kind of empty” type of guy. He grew up on the streets pic ...more
Before I started my adventure, I thought Riryia is a place and it turned out it's two dashing gentlemen who kept me well entertained. In reality, Riryia means two in elvish and it denotes a duo of mercenaries who accept only highly specific missions and heists that require something more than brute strength and killing prowess.
Royce Melborn is your “glass kind of empty” type of guy. He grew up on the streets pic ...more
Full review now posted!
When I first read The Name of the Wind a few years ago, I just knew that Patrick Rothfuss would be my favorite fantasy author for the rest of my life. I’m a loyalist; once I hitch my little fan wagon onto a fandom train, I’m there until the end of the line. Even if the quality goes down, even if plot twists in a way that I hate, even if I have to wait years and years between installments, my mama didn’t raise no quitter. And I’m definitely not quitting the Kingkiller Chron ...more
When I first read The Name of the Wind a few years ago, I just knew that Patrick Rothfuss would be my favorite fantasy author for the rest of my life. I’m a loyalist; once I hitch my little fan wagon onto a fandom train, I’m there until the end of the line. Even if the quality goes down, even if plot twists in a way that I hate, even if I have to wait years and years between installments, my mama didn’t raise no quitter. And I’m definitely not quitting the Kingkiller Chron ...more
3.5* rounded up because I can. 3* for Crown Conspiracy and 4* for Avempartha
First of all, Royce and Hadrian is not the best duo of thieves from fantasy literature, Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen is. They can get 2nd position. And now that I cleared that out, I can continue with the review.
Royce and Hadrian are a famous duo of thieves that are hired to steal a sword and instead of finding what they were looking for they discover the dead body of a king for whose death they are blamed. In their que ...more
First of all, Royce and Hadrian is not the best duo of thieves from fantasy literature, Locke Lamora and Jean Tannen is. They can get 2nd position. And now that I cleared that out, I can continue with the review.
Royce and Hadrian are a famous duo of thieves that are hired to steal a sword and instead of finding what they were looking for they discover the dead body of a king for whose death they are blamed. In their que ...more
This is a brilliant piece of storytelling that any fantasy or action/adventure lover should go and read this. However before I divulge more information in that manner I would like to raise a few points. My first point being about fantasy in general while my second point will be about cliché and storytelling.
Fantasy as a genre in many ways was formed with The Lord of the Rings and then shortly afterwards, as much as people dismiss it, The Sword of Shannara. Subsequent books appeared such as The ...more
Fantasy as a genre in many ways was formed with The Lord of the Rings and then shortly afterwards, as much as people dismiss it, The Sword of Shannara. Subsequent books appeared such as The ...more
I was lucky, I guess. I came back to reading fantasy after a long hiatus, and this was the first book I picked up. To make a long story short, I like the book to the point I had to choose between reading a couple of more pages and getting a little more sleep at night. I would not say it grabs you right away, but it kind of grows on you.
A little more details. Two main characters and interaction between them are well written and very interesting, and none of the major characters are boring (I am l ...more
A little more details. Two main characters and interaction between them are well written and very interesting, and none of the major characters are boring (I am l ...more
This duology of an omnibus struck me as user friendly, but I also realize I had little love for it. Book 1 was definitely better than book two...with a better first, second, and third act. Also a better last chapter.
I thought the last chapter for the second book might be missing pages. It ended so suddenly. Another thing is that there was something unsatisfactory about the entire book.
It looked like I was expecting lembas and got cram instead. I can't put my finger on it but I'm in a less hurry ...more
I thought the last chapter for the second book might be missing pages. It ended so suddenly. Another thing is that there was something unsatisfactory about the entire book.
It looked like I was expecting lembas and got cram instead. I can't put my finger on it but I'm in a less hurry ...more
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
So Theft of Swords is actually a bind up of two novels, The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha. It follows the adventures of swords for hire, Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater.
My main struggle with this book is that neither of the stories really delved deep enough for me to invest. Every so often a scene would catch and hold my attention, but it was a bit of a roller coaster on my end.
I feel like I don't know Royce or Hadrian hardly at all. Aside from some good comedic mo ...more
So Theft of Swords is actually a bind up of two novels, The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha. It follows the adventures of swords for hire, Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater.
My main struggle with this book is that neither of the stories really delved deep enough for me to invest. Every so often a scene would catch and hold my attention, but it was a bit of a roller coaster on my end.
I feel like I don't know Royce or Hadrian hardly at all. Aside from some good comedic mo ...more
You can find this review and more at Novel Notions.
Buddy read with Sarah and Petrik
My rating hasn't changed since my first read and it's still somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars (rounded up because I absolutely love the series as a whole and might be a tiny bit biased)
Riyria Revelations is without a doubt one of my favorite Fantasy series and one that I will revisit again and again in the future. I think I can safely say this is the kind of series that gets better with each book. I thought that ...more
Buddy read with Sarah and Petrik
My rating hasn't changed since my first read and it's still somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars (rounded up because I absolutely love the series as a whole and might be a tiny bit biased)
Riyria Revelations is without a doubt one of my favorite Fantasy series and one that I will revisit again and again in the future. I think I can safely say this is the kind of series that gets better with each book. I thought that ...more
This is a light and fun fantasy that happens to be mostly traditional in that it features kingdoms, elves, betrayals, a wizard and a big bad monster and a broken sword.
And oh, yeah, two lovable rogues, a princess, a prince, and a geek. Um, sorry, I mean monk.
It's really all about the adventure, adventure, adventure.
This book was originally two smaller volumes that was combined into one, and I'm not quite sure that combining them was really the proper way to go about it. Do they really fit toget ...more
And oh, yeah, two lovable rogues, a princess, a prince, and a geek. Um, sorry, I mean monk.
It's really all about the adventure, adventure, adventure.
This book was originally two smaller volumes that was combined into one, and I'm not quite sure that combining them was really the proper way to go about it. Do they really fit toget ...more
Nov 02, 2016
Orient
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fantasy fans
Recommended to Orient by:
Ivan and Craig
I saw some fangirling/fanboying reviews on GR for this series and I always wondered what was the fuss about. This book was firstly recommended by one of my GR friends, Ivan. Thanks, Ivan :) Lots of people started reading this series and when one of my GR friends and awesome GIF master Craig reminded this book to me, I just thought – why not. Thanks, Craig ;) Also I want to thank the high priestess of Hadrian’s temple, aka TS and of course her right hand and great helper, Sarah, for emotional and
...more
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths Reviews
Theft of Swords was a novel I was tentative about beginning. Not because I did not want to sample this series, which I had read and heard so much about from its numerous followers on Goodreads, but for the simple reason that I have grown to like Mr. Sullivan a great deal since joining Goodreads: I’ve been his “friend” in the GR sense for many months, followed his reviews/blogs, and enjoyed his comments in numerous groups. However, as I sat there debating ...more
Theft of Swords was a novel I was tentative about beginning. Not because I did not want to sample this series, which I had read and heard so much about from its numerous followers on Goodreads, but for the simple reason that I have grown to like Mr. Sullivan a great deal since joining Goodreads: I’ve been his “friend” in the GR sense for many months, followed his reviews/blogs, and enjoyed his comments in numerous groups. However, as I sat there debating ...more
Lo and behold! I’ve done it. I’ve finally read this book. I know it’s taken me crazy long to get through it, but tis the life of a slothy slow reader. Theft of Swords was a pretty awesome book and I had so much fun reading it wooppppp!
From the very first page I was pulled into the story. But what really made this story so great were the characters. They were my favourite part of this entire thing! I found them to be so compelling and well rounded. Their personalities, traits, likes and dislikes ...more
From the very first page I was pulled into the story. But what really made this story so great were the characters. They were my favourite part of this entire thing! I found them to be so compelling and well rounded. Their personalities, traits, likes and dislikes ...more
3 Stars. Full review is up, after concluding my second attempt at reading this book!
Not much better from my original two star rating, but I can say that I actually enjoyed reading it this time around, which is a vast improvement. All things considered though, I can't help but feel that this book is vastly overrated . Fantasy is the genre, you would think, with the most potential for creativity and originality, and yet so often, it is the genre with the least variety. It's either a Tolkeinesqu ...more
Not much better from my original two star rating, but I can say that I actually enjoyed reading it this time around, which is a vast improvement. All things considered though, I can't help but feel that this book is vastly overrated . Fantasy is the genre, you would think, with the most potential for creativity and originality, and yet so often, it is the genre with the least variety. It's either a Tolkeinesqu ...more
Riyria books are like matryoshka dolls, books within books. Finding out that I actually had two books in my hands was like opening a present to discover more presents inside of it.
The story starts with the heroes getting robbed at sword point. When they started to educate the would-be robbers on the finest points of roadside robbery, however cliché it was, I knew I'd get interesting heroes. And I was not disappointed! After 50 pages, I was already emotionally invested in the heroes and wanted to ...more
The story starts with the heroes getting robbed at sword point. When they started to educate the would-be robbers on the finest points of roadside robbery, however cliché it was, I knew I'd get interesting heroes. And I was not disappointed! After 50 pages, I was already emotionally invested in the heroes and wanted to ...more
Apr 2016: Reread with the fabulous Buddies Books and Baubles
Third time in a span of just one year, and I am still loving it!
The characters are people whom you just do not want to leave (well aside from those you'd want to die from a horrible death), while the storyline simply and quite skilfully teases out a mystery of centuries past.
Highly recommended!
--------------------------
Dec 2015 (audio):
Finished my reread via audiobook, a great deal faster than I've expected as I just can't stop reachi ...more
Third time in a span of just one year, and I am still loving it!
The characters are people whom you just do not want to leave (well aside from those you'd want to die from a horrible death), while the storyline simply and quite skilfully teases out a mystery of centuries past.
Highly recommended!
--------------------------
Dec 2015 (audio):
Finished my reread via audiobook, a great deal faster than I've expected as I just can't stop reachi ...more
This book turned out way better than I expected. Its been a while I rated a fantasy book 5 stars, that is how much I love this.
This book is a combination of two books. The Crown conspiracy and Avempartha, the first two books of the Riyria Revelations. My review is going to be about the two books.
“Aren’t you going to say, I told you so?” Hadrian whispered.
“What would be the point in that?”
“Oh, so you’re saying that you’re going to hang on to this and throw it at me at some future, more person ...more
This book is a combination of two books. The Crown conspiracy and Avempartha, the first two books of the Riyria Revelations. My review is going to be about the two books.
“Aren’t you going to say, I told you so?” Hadrian whispered.
“What would be the point in that?”
“Oh, so you’re saying that you’re going to hang on to this and throw it at me at some future, more person ...more
I am so excited about this one: I made a longer review on my blog, here it is:
https://todaysdecameron.wordpress.com...
Please let me know what you think about it, a brand new blog to resume my love for books and my will to share it!
- - -
I have no mixed feelings about this book: I simply loved it. Now, this is two books in one pretty much. Both stories are really good but the second lays the foundations for the following development.
I am clearly in love with Royce and Hadrian, the good-deed doe ...more
https://todaysdecameron.wordpress.com...
Please let me know what you think about it, a brand new blog to resume my love for books and my will to share it!
- - -
I have no mixed feelings about this book: I simply loved it. Now, this is two books in one pretty much. Both stories are really good but the second lays the foundations for the following development.
I am clearly in love with Royce and Hadrian, the good-deed doe ...more
3ish stars
The first in a high fantasy series epic in length, if not necessarily in content. Or at least not by the time this first installment ends.
In a lot of ways this is a really refreshing book because, though it more or less follows the basic formula for an epic fantasy story (minus a few noticeable deviations), it does so with the lightheartedness, humor and joy that's missing from most books in the genre. For the same reason I wasn't affected by it quite as much as I hoped to be. I wasn' ...more
The first in a high fantasy series epic in length, if not necessarily in content. Or at least not by the time this first installment ends.
In a lot of ways this is a really refreshing book because, though it more or less follows the basic formula for an epic fantasy story (minus a few noticeable deviations), it does so with the lightheartedness, humor and joy that's missing from most books in the genre. For the same reason I wasn't affected by it quite as much as I hoped to be. I wasn' ...more
RTC - Great read as always.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myron is a CINNAMON ROLL | 1 | 7 | Aug 15, 2020 09:43PM | |
| Play Book Tag: Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan - 3 stars | 7 | 15 | May 21, 2019 06:34AM | |
| The Sword and Laser: * ToS: April 2019 Pick - Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan | 52 | 292 | May 05, 2019 08:16PM | |
| The Sword and Laser: TOS: Medford | 9 | 102 | Apr 19, 2019 01:26PM | |
| The Sword and Laser: #350 - Rye-Ear-Ah! | 9 | 117 | Apr 15, 2019 03:03AM |
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Backers will receive the ebook months before the retail release date.
Join the more than 400 people who received great savings during our current sale.
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...more
Other books in the series
The Riyria Revelations
(6 books)
Articles featuring this book
Where do you go for fantastical, must-read book recommendations? This summer we're turning to the experts of illusion,...
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4 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“Hadrian shook his head and sighed. “Why do you have to make everything so difficult? They’re probably not bad people—just poor. You know, taking what they need to buy a loaf of bread to feed their family. Can you begrudge them that? Winter is coming and times are hard.” He nodded his head in the direction of the thieves. “Right?”
“I ain’t got no family,” flat-nose replied. “I spend most of my coin on drink.”
“You’re not helping,” Hadrian said.”
—
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“I ain’t got no family,” flat-nose replied. “I spend most of my coin on drink.”
“You’re not helping,” Hadrian said.”
“Aren’t you going to say, I told you so?” Hadrian whispered.
“What would be the point in that?”
“Oh, so you’re saying that you’re going to hang on to this and throw it at me at some future, more personally beneficial moment?”
“I don’t see the point in wasting it now, do you?”
—
108 likes
More quotes…
“What would be the point in that?”
“Oh, so you’re saying that you’re going to hang on to this and throw it at me at some future, more personally beneficial moment?”
“I don’t see the point in wasting it now, do you?”
Aug 19, 2020 05:11PM
Feb 13, 2021 04:51AM