Keith
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hello! I have heard great things about your writing and am about to jump in! I was just wondering if there is a recommended reading order? Thanks!
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Keith, it can be confusing. Here's why. I have two series The Riyria Revelations and The Riyria Chronicles (and people are always getting the two confused - understandably). Revelations was written first and it was all I intended to write. But, after the series concluded my wife (and a large number of fans) became depressed because their adventures with Royce and Hadrian had ended. I wrote all six of those books before publishing the first one so the ending wraps up in what I think is a very satisfying way. I didn't want to spoil a good thing by "tacking on" to the end of that series, but then it came to me that since the duo in the books (Royce and Hadrian) had been together for twelve years before the start of book #1 I could go "the other way" and show how they met and their early adventures together.
So....it depends on what you prefer. If you like books in chronological order then this should be your reading order: The Crown Tower | The Rose and the Thorn | The Death of Dulgath | Theft of Swords | Rise of Empire | Heir of Novron. If, however, you prefer order of publication then you should go with: Theft of Swords | Rise of Empire | Heir of Novron | The Crown Tower | The Rose and the Thorn | The Death of Dulgath.
Personally, I think order of publication is the best so start with Theft of Swords. There are many reasons for this including (a) it's the order I expected people to meet the pair and I build their relationship and background a bit at a time across all six books (rather than front-loading in book #1) (b) you get two full length novels in each of the omnibus editions of Revelations so you get two for the price of 1 (c) I have some little Easter eggs in the Riyria Chronicle books for those who have read Revelations. They aren't major things - just little nods and winks to people who have read both.
That said, I've heard from many people who read chronologically and they say THAT is the best read to read them. So what do I know ;-)
So....it depends on what you prefer. If you like books in chronological order then this should be your reading order: The Crown Tower | The Rose and the Thorn | The Death of Dulgath | Theft of Swords | Rise of Empire | Heir of Novron. If, however, you prefer order of publication then you should go with: Theft of Swords | Rise of Empire | Heir of Novron | The Crown Tower | The Rose and the Thorn | The Death of Dulgath.
Personally, I think order of publication is the best so start with Theft of Swords. There are many reasons for this including (a) it's the order I expected people to meet the pair and I build their relationship and background a bit at a time across all six books (rather than front-loading in book #1) (b) you get two full length novels in each of the omnibus editions of Revelations so you get two for the price of 1 (c) I have some little Easter eggs in the Riyria Chronicle books for those who have read Revelations. They aren't major things - just little nods and winks to people who have read both.
That said, I've heard from many people who read chronologically and they say THAT is the best read to read them. So what do I know ;-)
More Answered Questions
Lee Dunning
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I was told recently that editors are disliking the use of euphemisms. They don't want you to use anything other than pronouns and the character's name. So, in other words, you can't refer to one of your characters at the 'big warrior', or call someone as 'Fred's mother'. This also goes for body parts. You have to call an eye an eye, you can't call it an orb or any other descriptive word. Have you run into this?
Mike Taylor
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Mr. Sullivan, I happened on First Empire as my beginning into your world and am just gobsmacked. Your characters are so flawed, and interesting. I mean that in the best way. I just love the variations on a theme, your writing style (including release dates THANK YOU!). What are your favorites in the genre? btw, as a history teacher I identify with Malcolm way more than I should!
Uhuit
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Mankind in Elan is much younger than in our world, and has come from Calis, where humans are dark-skinned. Does that mean that all of humanity, also those in Elan, is much more dark skinned (than caucasian people in our world) in general, since there hasn't been that much time, evolutionary speaking, to develop different features such as pale skin? (How) would this influence the mir?
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