Theft of Swords

I am picky with books and I still loved this one!

I had never heard of this book or the author but I took a chance on them and I was/am very impressed. I do not even usually wright reviews but I really want to get the word out on this book plus, I think it would make an awesome movie! Buy this book and you will probably end up like me...rushing out to buy the second book (Rise of Emire) BEFORE you have even finished the first book so you can get your fix without having any gaps inbetween! Great job Mr. Sullivan!!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Response to Anoymous's Question....

Hey Anoymouus...not sure why you gave the book a one star review without reading it but...as to your questions.


Can someone tell me what order these books go in?
Theft of Swords (books 1 & 2)
Rise of Empire (books 3 & 4)
Heir of Novron (books 5 & 6)

This is in the description as well.


Also, is there any bad stuff like cursing, impurity or immorality? Thank you in advance!

The book is free of foul language. It is about people who steal for a living so I guess you could say they are immoral. But I wouldn't classify them as such. It is remarkably "clean" (no swearing, sexual scenes or graphic violence) and although written for adults can be enjoyed by people of a younger age.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I picked up Theft of Swords nearly three weeks ago, looking

I picked up Theft of Swords nearly three weeks ago, looking for a new book or series to read. I read the back, trying to get a feel for the book. It looked interesting but I was not going to get my hopes up. All I expected was a decent story. I was proven wrong. The story was not decent. It was brilliant. Sullivan begins the story with the two main characters on a mission. While many books take a while to draw you in, Theft of Swords abandons that, drawing you in on the first page. And it does not relinquish it's hold.
In my reading, I have found that many authors have "filler" sentences and chapters. While these are okay, they often detract from the story. Throughout the Riyria Revelations, I cannot think of a single word, let alone sentence or chapter, that I would call "filler". There were many times that a character was introduced, one whom I THOUGHT was "filler" and would simply disappear. Time and time again, I was proven wrong. The character would be introduced again, be it a chapter or a book later, and would interact with the main characters, Royce and Hadrian, proving vital to the progression of the story.
If I were to identify one thing I think Sullivan does that is truly exceptional, I would have to say CHARACTERIZATION. Throughout the series, Sullivan carefully describes the characters, giving them their own lives and meaning. After reading the series, there is not a single character that I do not identify with (and understand). To use a cliché, the characters "jump of the page", taking over your mind and thought. Ultimately, this is a goal all writers have: to make the reader understand their characters, enjoy them, and find entertainment with them. This does not always happen, however, and the impressive thing Sullivan accomplished is not only pulling it off with one or two characters but each and every one of them. Literally.
I am an avid reader, always have been, and always will be. Bookshelves adorn the walls of my house, the one in my bedroom reserved for my favorite books. The top shelf (on the far left) is specifically reserved for my favorite book, or series. This is where my copy of the Riyria Revelations now reside. I also have each of them on my Nook (tablet), Apple iPad, and Apple iPhone so I can have them wherever I go (literally). I have heard it said many times that a great book is one that you feel you can read over and over again. I do not always agree with this statement. There have been books I have read that I would classify as great that I would not read again, at least for a very long time. Riyria: I will read over and over again. I know it. I cannot now. I am in college, currently struggling my way through a week of midterms before Spring Break, and I want to try out a long list of books I have stored in Notes on my iPhone. But come summer in a couple months, after I have gotten through four or five of the sixty books on my reading list, I have no doubt that I will return to the Riyria Revelations for another, in depth read. For me, Riyria was not just a great series. It is my favorite series and Sullivan, whom I had never heard of before has become my favorite author. I am looking forward to what the future brings in terms of his writing and hope, or pray, that he will return to it (and publish more) someday.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sucks you in!!

I love Hadrian and Royce. These books are awesome if you are looking for an adventure!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of the best book series I've read in years

Michael J Sullivan takes you on a thrilling adventure with two witty and charismatic thieves who have a knack for getting into trouble. Good thing they are also talented at getting out of it as well!

Having read all 6 books in the series I must say if you are a regular of the fantasy genre, this is well worth your time. Not heavy handed or overly detailed for the sake of detail alone like many in the genre these days, Riyria Revelations is simple, fun and humorous while also having a depth about it that at first you may not notice. The best thing about the books, aside from the adventure, is the characters. From the start you find yourself enjoying the two leads, Royce and Hadrian, and you will soon find yourself hooked by their magnetic personalities.

I highly recommend reading this series and hope you enjoyed it as much as I have!

Bryan

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

JeanBookNerd Review

At first glance, Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations Series) seem like your familiar fantasy series attached with everything that you have come to expect from that genre. The one thing that makes this stand out from the rest is how the author, Michael J. Sullivan, takes those familiarities and twists them into a refreshing approach, yet keeping that fantasy feel. The characters within the pages were radiantly crafted with care and the chemistry between them was strong and vivid.

The story is about two thieves, Royce and Hadrian, and their planned heist to take an important item within the walls of the king’s castle. Just as they laid their hands on their prize, a trap is triggered when the lifeless body of the king is at their feet and they are accused for his demise. The story goes on a wild ride with the reader in the front seat the whole way.

Between the first page and the last, the reader will be entertained and taken into a journey of mystery, adventure, and murder. At the end, it seems like everything is back to normal and everyone is at
ease. Since this is the first book in the series, it is inevitable that our duo thieves will find themselves again in another predicament. Sullivan has done an outstanding effort in making a popular genre very likable for all. If you like fantasy and tired of the same thing you have come to expect, this book will offer new approaches to the genre. Just remember that Theft of Swords is book one of a trilogy and contains two “stand-alone” stories with endings.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent writing, Outstanding story

What I like:
- The book is very well written with excellent dialogue and pace.
- A story with a lot of ¿weaving¿ of story-within-story to give more depth. This is rich reading that you can¿t race through.
- This being a trilogy, and as stated by the author, was completed before the first book was published allowed him to tinker with book one to drop hints and clues that reveal themselves later in book two or book three. Very clever.
- Though this is book one of a trilogy, it consists of two ¿stand-alone¿ stories that conclude, as do all three books in the trilogy have two stand-alone stories.
- The story can be read by young adults and older adults equally without an ¿R¿ rating.

Reading this series makes me think that it is written in a way that it could be made into an HBO [PG-13] mini-series.

What I¿m not all that ¿jazzed¿ about:
- The ¿what I like¿ outweighs that what does not grab me.
- I would say the story about power-hungry church(s) versus non-churched and the drama and intrigue does not keep me glued as other fantasy has.
- Unlike other fantasy I¿ve read, I seem unable to find the truly good or the truly evil. Instead of good versus evil you have what seems gray versus gray that leaves me not sure who I want to win or succeed.

Bottom line: Just because it¿s not Lord of the Rings or Dragon Riders of Pern or The Song of Albion¿ The writing quality and stories are up with them [IF] this type of story subject is up your alley - Better than MOST other fantasy out there.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A great fun fantasy adventure.

A great fun fantasy adventure.

Very enjoybable read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to start the next one in the series. I found the characters interesting and well developed and I've found I just couldn't put the book down. The story line has kept me engaged and I'm looking forward not only to the next book but to more from the author.

Awsome series, could not put it down!

Awsome series, could not put it down!

Incredible series. Great pace, dialogue, and the plot is beautif

Incredible series. Great pace, dialogue, and the plot is beautifully woven across all six/three books. Excellent addition to the fantasy/sci-fi genre. I hope he publishes more someday. My only concern is that you'll start reading and not give yourself time to immediately purchase the sequel. I was running around town like a chicken with my head cut off trying to find internet to purchase the books on my Nook!

Good Find

I don't usually write reviews but love to read. Always looking for an author that writes a good story that makes sense and is good (grammer/punctuation) read. I am about half way through the first book just can't put it down. I just love it!! Glad I found this series.

Great book

Very good writing style and wonderful story

great series.

Nice start to the series. Great characters. Storyline is easy to follow. No gratuitous sex and incest akin to GRRM. Reminds me of Eddings, Brooks, Brett.

highly recommend

I really enjoyed the world that Mr. Sullivan created. and I really love the characters! I can't wait to read the 3rd book!

Sword & Sorcery Fun

If you're looking for a fun light fantasy series, if you're a fan of the sword and sorcery pulp era, or if you grew up reading the serial books of Dragonlance or Forgotten Realms give this book a shot. Fun characters. Good banter. By no means perfect but perfectly enjoyable.

Theft of Swords by Michael Sullivan

It is amazing that Michael Sullivan can keep you enthralled from the front cover to the back cover. During the week that I read this book I could not put it down. Characters are interesting and plot is Original. Michael Sullivan should be proud.

Mystery, adventure, and Epic fun fantasy!

Mystery, Adventure, and Epic. If you like these three things in a book, this is the read for you. There are Kings, thieves, wizards, monks dwarves, and elves¿Then you have Murder, lost magic, history, religion, politics, and rivalry. Many times the starts of a new book and world have me slightly lost until I figure out the pieces, Michael Sullivan has made the beginning easier on me and I LOVE it. The book starts right out with the deception and conniving of the Noble world that introduces you to the characters and their wit along with a new world gently, yet pecks your interest through action. Most of the Noble world looks to help themselves to better holdings; this leaves a job opening for Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater to do what they do best¿ steal. By 55 pages the main characters have fallen into the course of hot water. By 155 pages you have touched on the history and details, starting to see a bigger picture of the mystery along with much more details of the history and happenings of the world. One rule Royce and Hadrian live by is to not take a last minute job, as the need to do their research. However, Hadrian whom has a big heart and seems to be pulled to do good deeds agrees to a last minute, simple job of removing a valued sword from an empty room. This job goes awry, when there is no sword and something else, or should I say someone else¿ On their way to the gallows, as the prince believes they should be killed, the princess devises a plan. The story takes up with the men needing to escape taking and protect the young, new king. Then we read Avempartha, the second half. I thought it was going one direction, but was very pleased with it went a different way. The beginning seemed a little slower, but realized in the end I was getting a lot of character details I needed to come to my speculations. These details help me in trying to figure out the bigger picture with the lingering thoughts I have. It is worth it. So after being framed for murder, what do you do? Go looking for the man who sent you in the first place. I enjoyed this book very much! I love the humor in the book, the characters sarcasm and jokes. We also learn more of the 2 main men in Avempartha. And a new mission that just might have a guiding hand behind it¿ I look forward to reading more of Royce, Hadrian, Esrahaddon (yes I have not mentioned this name till now.) and Myron. After reading through the whole book I realized there is much more going on in the underlining of the book than I realized while reading. My mind just raveled at the many possibilities and questions. Wonderful fantasy read!

a fun tale filled with twists, sword fights and much more.

After foiling a robbery near the small town of Warric, notorious for hire thieves Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater known as Riyria visit the Earl of Chadwick Archibald Ballentyne. The pair steals parchments from Chadwick who was planning to use these incriminating letters to blackmail Marquis Victor Lanaklin in supporting his marriage to the man's daughter Alenda. Riyria also borrows the Marquis' carriage and clothing before meeting with their client Alenda.

However, soon afterward the pair is accused of trying to kill Prince Alric whose older sister Arista hired the pair. They soon encounter an ancient wizard and others as they begin to unravel the conspiratorial truth that the Church of Nyphron plans to control all of Apeladorn. While keeping the royals safe as she is their client, they must also prove their innocence by finding the framers.

With a swashbuckling tongue in cheek sense of humor starting with the thieves providing tips to their wannabe robber, the first Riyria Revelations fantasy is a terrific tale starring two close friends and partners. Their daring do escapades make for a fun tale filled with twists, sword fights and much more.

Harriet Klausner

One of the best fantasy series I've read

While I've read this in its original form (Two novels: Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha) I wanted to put some comments here. I'm very glad that this well deserving author was picked up by a big publisher. I can't wait until this version is released and am anxious to see what has changed between the original and this version. I've already got my preorder made. Highly recommended.