Pete Vagiakos
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hey Michael, so I am one of those that actually "discovered" you and your work with Age of Myth (and can't wait to get my hands on Age of War, it's my next-in-line to read at the moment). So my question is; for someone like me who's not exposed (yet) to your Riyria novels, what would you recommend? Chronicles and then Revelations, or vice versa? Thanks!
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey there. I'm so glad you found me via Age of Myth, and I do hope you'll love Age of War. This question is asked often (and it can be hard to decide. Personally, I suggest reading in order of publication so that would mean: Theft of Swords, Rise of Empire, Heir of Novron, The Crown Tower, The Rose and the Thorn, The Death of Dulgath, & The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter.
The reasons I recommend this order are:
* It's the way in which I intended you to "meet" the main characters of the books. I wrote the entire Revelations series before publishing the first book and I implied a "dole it out slowly" technique with those books. What I mean by that is I wanted you to learn about the characters histories and backstory a bit at a time (instead of cramming it all into book 1). This means there was always something to discover about their pasts and as the tale is spun you learn more and more about what makes them tick. I should note that because of this technique you might think there isn't much "there there" when reading Theft of Swords. That's because I'm holding stuff back and you WILL get to know everything by the time the entire tale is revealed.
Another reason why I suggest the order of publication is I've added little "Easter eggs" in the Chronicle tales for people who have read Revelations. I'm not talking about any plot points that will require Revelations "to get." It's more of little "winks and nods" to people who are "in the know." You might even find some Easter eggs of this type that relate to Legends of the First Empire books.
All that said, I know many, many people who have read in Chronological order: The Crown Tower, The Rose and the Thorn, The Death of Dulgath, The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter, Theft of Swords, Rise of Empire, Heir of Novron and they all claim that their way was "the best." What that tells me is that either way you pick you'll have a good experience and so if you tend to like "chronological order" then, by all means, go that way. But if you want my opinion, then I do suggest order of publication.
Thanks for asking, and for the interest. I do hope you'll check them out.
The reasons I recommend this order are:
* It's the way in which I intended you to "meet" the main characters of the books. I wrote the entire Revelations series before publishing the first book and I implied a "dole it out slowly" technique with those books. What I mean by that is I wanted you to learn about the characters histories and backstory a bit at a time (instead of cramming it all into book 1). This means there was always something to discover about their pasts and as the tale is spun you learn more and more about what makes them tick. I should note that because of this technique you might think there isn't much "there there" when reading Theft of Swords. That's because I'm holding stuff back and you WILL get to know everything by the time the entire tale is revealed.
Another reason why I suggest the order of publication is I've added little "Easter eggs" in the Chronicle tales for people who have read Revelations. I'm not talking about any plot points that will require Revelations "to get." It's more of little "winks and nods" to people who are "in the know." You might even find some Easter eggs of this type that relate to Legends of the First Empire books.
All that said, I know many, many people who have read in Chronological order: The Crown Tower, The Rose and the Thorn, The Death of Dulgath, The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter, Theft of Swords, Rise of Empire, Heir of Novron and they all claim that their way was "the best." What that tells me is that either way you pick you'll have a good experience and so if you tend to like "chronological order" then, by all means, go that way. But if you want my opinion, then I do suggest order of publication.
Thanks for asking, and for the interest. I do hope you'll check them out.
More Answered Questions
Chris McGrath
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
With The First Empire series being basically written already, and some sold, is there a plan to release them in relatively quick succession or will they be spread out like normal sequels, one a year or so? I ask mainly because as much as I am looking forward to that series, it would be a shame to have to wait 3-5 years for more Royce & Hadrian.
DarkChaplain
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hey Michael! Would it be possible to make the The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter audiobook available for preorder through Audible.de as well? Audible has this nasty habit of only showing German folks like me the new, non-German releases on launch day. Since preorders do help a good deal, I'd like to spend my credit as far ahead in advance as possible.
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