Theft of Swords: A Brief Review

Two books in one! After reading Age of Myth, Michael J. Sullivan's most recent book, I went to the library to see what else he had written.

Theft of Swords (2011) is the first book in Sullivan's Riyria Revelations series, originally self-published as e-books The Crown Conspiracy (2007) and Avempartha (2009). I have yet to be disappointed in Sullivan's work.

Fencing and Fighting

Royce and Hadrian's escapades are full of witty comments, sword fights, and an unbreakable friendship. I was heavily reminded of Sebastien de Castell's Traitor's Blade, which I read earlier this year. While I'm entertaining the comparison, Theft of Swords is, in my opinion, a better adventure.

The Crown Conspiracy

Royce and Hadrian accept a simple job to steal a sword from a nobleman, but it turns out to be a trap and soon they are facing disembowelment for the murder of the king. The princess helps them escape on the condition that they kidnap the crown prince to keep him safe from the real killer and the political games behind the murder.

Great Character Development

It didn't take long to get caught up in the personalities of Royce and Hadrian. By dropping the reader into the middle of the thieves' career, Sullivan creates the impression that their lives continue before and after the story--a tactic I greatly appreciated in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, and one that Sullivan carried off well.

Avempartha

The second book is about a monster terrorizing a village, and it was fun seeing the characters tackle a different kind of problem.

Sullivan is definitely an author to continue watching.