A Goodreads user
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Michael, I would love to start reading your work, but was wondering where to start. Are the Riyria books best read in publication order?
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Chuck,
Thanks for asking! Reading order is a question I'm often asked. And it's a bit more complicated now that we have 2 books out in Legends of the First Empire series released. Let me start by talking about Riyria: (and whether Revelations or Chronicles should be first).
When I wrote The Riyria Revelations (Theft of Swords | Rise of Empire | Heir of Novron), I penned the entire series before publishing the first book. I had a very particular starting point, and a well determined end, and that was all I expected to write.
Well, after the series was released, my wife (and others) were lamenting that they missed the pair (Royce and Hadrian - my two main protagonists). Seeing as how Riyria Revelation ended in what I though was a very satisfying manner, I didn't want to "tack on" and risk ruining something that was, in my mind, pretty special.
Then it occurred to me that Riyria had been together for twelve years before the first pages of Theft of Swords, so I decided I could "bring them back" if I went to the other end the timeline. In other words, explore in detail how they met and their early years adventuring together. Hence, the Riyria Chronicles was created. Now, because I'm still protective of the pair, I'd rather have them leave too soon than stay around too long. To that end, I don't know how many Chronicle books there will be. I've plotted out an arc that has a total of 11 books, but my moods operandi is to release a book, take the temperature of the readers, and only if it seems like they want more to release another. So, presently that series is kinda "open ended" and the books are much more "stand alone" while Revelations is a single tale broken down into six self-contained episodes.
That's a long way of saying there are several things that come into play when deciding what to read.
Do you like completed series? - Start with Theft of Swords
Do you like to read chronologically? - start with The Crown Tower
Do you like reading in order of publication - start with Theft of Swords
There are also some other factors, and those make me suggest Theft of Swords first. Here's why:
* It's a better value - each book is two full-length novels in one volume, and since all the books cost the same, you get two books for the price of one.
* It's the way I wanted to introduce readers to the characters and the world. I start out simply (holding a lot back so I can expose character backgrounds and world building across the whole narrative). And I ramp up the stakes with each subsequent novel. The idea was to make each book better than the previous, and feedback indicates I hit that goal.
* I put little Easter eggs in Chronicles for people who have read Revelations. These aren't anything that would affect the plot, just little winks and nods for "people in the know."
Now, all that said, I've heard from plenty of readers who have gone "chronologically" as that is their preference and I've yet to hear anyone regret that choice. The consensus seems to be that both orders work (although obviously a slightly different experience as you'll learn certain aspects at different times). But I will say that it was a high priority of mine to make both possible choices work, and I think the jury is in on that and I'm happy to say I hit the goal I was aiming at.
So...my suggestion is to start with Theft of Swords, but if you REALLY REALLY enjoy your books in chronological order, than by all means you'll still get a good experience starting with The Crown Tower.
Okay, so that covers where to start if you start with Riyria, but what about when you add Legends of the First Empire into the mix. Should you start with Legends or Riyria? Well, both work. Legends is my latest work and therefore "better written" then Theft of Swords which I wrote 13 year ago. But I do have a preference for "reading order." So I would still start with Theft of Swords.
DL:TR: Start with Theft of Swords unless you prefer chronological reading in which case you may wish to begin with The Crown Tower.
Thanks for asking! Reading order is a question I'm often asked. And it's a bit more complicated now that we have 2 books out in Legends of the First Empire series released. Let me start by talking about Riyria: (and whether Revelations or Chronicles should be first).
When I wrote The Riyria Revelations (Theft of Swords | Rise of Empire | Heir of Novron), I penned the entire series before publishing the first book. I had a very particular starting point, and a well determined end, and that was all I expected to write.
Well, after the series was released, my wife (and others) were lamenting that they missed the pair (Royce and Hadrian - my two main protagonists). Seeing as how Riyria Revelation ended in what I though was a very satisfying manner, I didn't want to "tack on" and risk ruining something that was, in my mind, pretty special.
Then it occurred to me that Riyria had been together for twelve years before the first pages of Theft of Swords, so I decided I could "bring them back" if I went to the other end the timeline. In other words, explore in detail how they met and their early years adventuring together. Hence, the Riyria Chronicles was created. Now, because I'm still protective of the pair, I'd rather have them leave too soon than stay around too long. To that end, I don't know how many Chronicle books there will be. I've plotted out an arc that has a total of 11 books, but my moods operandi is to release a book, take the temperature of the readers, and only if it seems like they want more to release another. So, presently that series is kinda "open ended" and the books are much more "stand alone" while Revelations is a single tale broken down into six self-contained episodes.
That's a long way of saying there are several things that come into play when deciding what to read.
Do you like completed series? - Start with Theft of Swords
Do you like to read chronologically? - start with The Crown Tower
Do you like reading in order of publication - start with Theft of Swords
There are also some other factors, and those make me suggest Theft of Swords first. Here's why:
* It's a better value - each book is two full-length novels in one volume, and since all the books cost the same, you get two books for the price of one.
* It's the way I wanted to introduce readers to the characters and the world. I start out simply (holding a lot back so I can expose character backgrounds and world building across the whole narrative). And I ramp up the stakes with each subsequent novel. The idea was to make each book better than the previous, and feedback indicates I hit that goal.
* I put little Easter eggs in Chronicles for people who have read Revelations. These aren't anything that would affect the plot, just little winks and nods for "people in the know."
Now, all that said, I've heard from plenty of readers who have gone "chronologically" as that is their preference and I've yet to hear anyone regret that choice. The consensus seems to be that both orders work (although obviously a slightly different experience as you'll learn certain aspects at different times). But I will say that it was a high priority of mine to make both possible choices work, and I think the jury is in on that and I'm happy to say I hit the goal I was aiming at.
So...my suggestion is to start with Theft of Swords, but if you REALLY REALLY enjoy your books in chronological order, than by all means you'll still get a good experience starting with The Crown Tower.
Okay, so that covers where to start if you start with Riyria, but what about when you add Legends of the First Empire into the mix. Should you start with Legends or Riyria? Well, both work. Legends is my latest work and therefore "better written" then Theft of Swords which I wrote 13 year ago. But I do have a preference for "reading order." So I would still start with Theft of Swords.
DL:TR: Start with Theft of Swords unless you prefer chronological reading in which case you may wish to begin with The Crown Tower.
More Answered Questions
Mike
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Mr. Sullivan, I wanted to tell you that your Riyria series are incredible! I sent you an email several weeks ago, but I think I might have misaddressed it. The world you have created and the characters are simply amazing! Thank you so much for your hard work and efforts. Would love to read more stories featuring Royce and Hadrian, and I'd love to pull up a chair if there is room at the table in the Dark Room?!
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