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wamainon's review against another edition
4.0
Adventurous, a little mystery, not too dark. Love Myron.
karlijnvc's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
cjtanner's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up as I was looking for a new series that wasn't overly complicated, just enjoyable, and this definitely fit the bill, but was still so fun and entertaining. Characters were developed just enough to really like them, but there were also plenty of secrets left lingering and hinted at. The story took turns and POV would change at just the right cliffhangers that it gets so hard to put the book down at certain points. I thought it was really neat how much I grew to like not only the main characters, but the supporting characters as well. Such a fun read, can't wait to continue the series!
madiantin's review against another edition
4.0
Review has a spoiler. Beware.
A couple of thieves get accidentally involved in nefarious political happenings. Shenanigans result.
Some bits were really good and had me totally enthralled.
Some bits were eh.
Some bits were SO FREAKING ANNOYING. I literally cheered "HOORAY!" when
Some bits were irritatingly trite. Ok, a lot of it was trite, but most of it was *good* trite. Other parts were all blech.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading it. It was very light fluffy fun reading. Or listening, rather. The narrator was really good. Hold on, let me find his name.
Tim Gerard Reynolds.
Anyway, he was good.
Do I want to read the rest of the series? Ehhhhhh. Maybe. I looked up the synopses of the following books - including the spoilers which was duuuuumb but that's how I roll. I think I may be interested enough to listen to/read the next book or so even though I know some spoilers. BUT, I'm reticent because of the irritating bits. I know every book needs a bad guy but uuuggghhhh I find that so annoying. And the bad guys are really freaking irritating. I straight up skipped some bits in this book because they were so irritating.
I really liked the characters of Hadrian and Royce though. They were solid and likeable. I like it when the book allows their expertise to shine - those are the most fun bits.
I'll check out some reviews of the sequels and see whether they're worth reading.
A couple of thieves get accidentally involved in nefarious political happenings. Shenanigans result.
Some bits were really good and had me totally enthralled.
Some bits were eh.
Some bits were SO FREAKING ANNOYING. I literally cheered "HOORAY!" when
Spoiler
Berenice died.Some bits were irritatingly trite. Ok, a lot of it was trite, but most of it was *good* trite. Other parts were all blech.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading it. It was very light fluffy fun reading. Or listening, rather. The narrator was really good. Hold on, let me find his name.
Tim Gerard Reynolds.
Anyway, he was good.
Do I want to read the rest of the series? Ehhhhhh. Maybe. I looked up the synopses of the following books - including the spoilers which was duuuuumb but that's how I roll. I think I may be interested enough to listen to/read the next book or so even though I know some spoilers. BUT, I'm reticent because of the irritating bits. I know every book needs a bad guy but uuuggghhhh I find that so annoying. And the bad guys are really freaking irritating. I straight up skipped some bits in this book because they were so irritating.
I really liked the characters of Hadrian and Royce though. They were solid and likeable. I like it when the book allows their expertise to shine - those are the most fun bits.
I'll check out some reviews of the sequels and see whether they're worth reading.
nicklein's review against another edition
5.0
This is PERFECTION. This is absolutely one of the best books I've ever read in my entire life!
The writing was gawrjus. It's so captivating and beautiful and I seriously want to weep at how the author managed to keep me engaged and interested down to the very last words of this wonderful volume.
First of all, this volume consists of two books: The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha. So this review might be a lot longer than usual. Second of all, you might want to buckle up your seatbelts because you are going on a hell of a ride. Just enjoy and relax. This book got you.
The way each book ended brought happy tears to my eyes! The first drop of salty tears trickled down on the last page of the first book because it ended in such a badass and most fist-bump worthy way that I can drop dead right now and I WON'T EVEN MIND.
The ending of the second book made me cry because of all the hints the author threw of who the heir might be but he did not even tell us! Only Esra, Arista and Royce knows! Savage author is savage. That just made me want to dive into the second volume ASAP.
And I will. Right after I finish voicing out all my FEELS.
BOOK I: THE CROWN CONSPIRACY
“Just another game he played in a world where heroes were legends and honor was a myth.”
I'm still undecided whether I love this more than book 2.
I was totally hooked right after the first three pages. I'm not even kidding. It was that good. Seriously that first scene with the robbers had me laughing my ass off. Royce and Hadrian stole my heart right off the bat with their sassiness (both of them) and crankiness (mostly Royce). They have the best friendship of ever. Their banters crack me up. They're, hands down, the best characters I've read of ever. The depiction of them was so realistic and glorious and I could not ask for better protagonists.
Hadrian Blackwater: A sassy and do-gooder (according to Royce) swordsman with three swords.
Royce Melborn: A cranky and grumpy thief who can see in the dark and carries a small, jeweled dagger.
“For a minute, I wondered if you’d gone from jumping on the good-deed wagon to leading the whole wagon train.”
-R to H
I can't say much about them without spoiling everyone. But know that they're the GREATEST and they're the main reason why this book has my absolute adoration.
Of course the side characters have my love too. Especially Alric and Myron. But I love Myron a teeny bit more than Alric because (1) he has an eidetic memory, (2) he's so pure and innocent, (3) he hasn't seen a woman before, (4) he thought blue horses exist and (5) he's a FREAKING BOOKWORM, YOU GUYS!
“While they lay open, I couldn’t resist reading them. I usually can’t resist reading anything.”
I just love everything about this book. All the witty dialogues, unexpected twists and turns, fight scenes, all the travelling, magic and lovable characters and even the hateable villains.
“NEVER INTERFERE WITH MELENGAR AGAIN
BY ORDER OF THE KING
… AND US”
Have I said badass yet?
BOOK II: AVEMPARTHA
"Riyria."
"It's elvish for two."
Two years after The Crown Conspiracy.
Same main plot.
Different subplot.
Same epicness.
At this point, I am already in too deep with this series to turn back. And I don't want to go back to the pre-Riyria me. No, thanks.
The sassiness, banter and amusing lines from the first book were still here bless praise. The premise was still very clever and unpredictable. There were new characters which were nice addition and there were a few returning characters which I truly love *cough Pickering brothers cough*.
The evil plot of the church was revealed. Unveiled secrets + new deceptions + monster on the loose + stabby scenes = heart palpitations. I couldn't love this more than I already do.
This was brilliant.
Sogoodsogoodsoooooooogood.
The humor in this one was on point as well. Especially when Hadrian and Royce were joined by their acquaintance from the previous book, Magnus. He's a dwarf by the way.
"You next, little man."
-H
&
"Coming, short stuff?"
-R
were a few of what you would expect from Hadrian and Royce. Adorable, right?
Mr. Sullivan threw way too much information at, like, the last few lines then he ended it in a manner that resulted to a grumpy Nicklein! And you don't want to see a grumpy me. I make Grinch look like an adorable puppy.
BUT seriously... that ending! My screaming was probably heard by the astronauts in the NASA's space station and I was filled with all the feels you can imagine. I have so many suspicions left hanging in the air and I. Need. Answers!
All in all this book knocked my socks off all the way to Mars (in case my feelings still wasn't obvious)! One volume in and I am already declaring this series to be my favorite high fantasy series of all time!
Please stop sleeping on this series. Do yourself a favor and read this immediately!
FUNNY LINES (imo):
Why are you still here reading this review instead of this book? Go. Grab yourself a copy and you're welcome.
The writing was gawrjus. It's so captivating and beautiful and I seriously want to weep at how the author managed to keep me engaged and interested down to the very last words of this wonderful volume.
First of all, this volume consists of two books: The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha. So this review might be a lot longer than usual. Second of all, you might want to buckle up your seatbelts because you are going on a hell of a ride. Just enjoy and relax. This book got you.
The way each book ended brought happy tears to my eyes! The first drop of salty tears trickled down on the last page of the first book because it ended in such a badass and most fist-bump worthy way that I can drop dead right now and I WON'T EVEN MIND.
The ending of the second book made me cry because of all the hints the author threw of who the heir might be but he did not even tell us! Only Esra, Arista and Royce knows! Savage author is savage. That just made me want to dive into the second volume ASAP.
And I will. Right after I finish voicing out all my FEELS.
BOOK I: THE CROWN CONSPIRACY
“Just another game he played in a world where heroes were legends and honor was a myth.”
I was totally hooked right after the first three pages. I'm not even kidding. It was that good. Seriously that first scene with the robbers had me laughing my ass off. Royce and Hadrian stole my heart right off the bat with their sassiness (both of them) and crankiness (mostly Royce). They have the best friendship of ever. Their banters crack me up. They're, hands down, the best characters I've read of ever. The depiction of them was so realistic and glorious and I could not ask for better protagonists.
Hadrian Blackwater: A sassy and do-gooder (according to Royce) swordsman with three swords.
Royce Melborn: A cranky and grumpy thief who can see in the dark and carries a small, jeweled dagger.
“For a minute, I wondered if you’d gone from jumping on the good-deed wagon to leading the whole wagon train.”
-R to H
I can't say much about them without spoiling everyone. But know that they're the GREATEST and they're the main reason why this book has my absolute adoration.
Of course the side characters have my love too. Especially Alric and Myron. But I love Myron a teeny bit more than Alric because (1) he has an eidetic memory, (2) he's so pure and innocent, (3) he hasn't seen a woman before, (4) he thought blue horses exist and (5) he's a FREAKING BOOKWORM, YOU GUYS!
“While they lay open, I couldn’t resist reading them. I usually can’t resist reading anything.”
I just love everything about this book. All the witty dialogues, unexpected twists and turns, fight scenes, all the travelling, magic and lovable characters and even the hateable villains.
“NEVER INTERFERE WITH MELENGAR AGAIN
BY ORDER OF THE KING
… AND US”
Have I said badass yet?
BOOK II: AVEMPARTHA
"Riyria."
"It's elvish for two."
Two years after The Crown Conspiracy.
Same main plot.
Different subplot.
Same epicness.
At this point, I am already in too deep with this series to turn back. And I don't want to go back to the pre-Riyria me. No, thanks.
The sassiness, banter and amusing lines from the first book were still here bless praise. The premise was still very clever and unpredictable. There were new characters which were nice addition and there were a few returning characters which I truly love *cough Pickering brothers cough*.
The evil plot of the church was revealed. Unveiled secrets + new deceptions + monster on the loose + stabby scenes = heart palpitations. I couldn't love this more than I already do.
This was brilliant.
Sogoodsogoodsoooooooogood.
The humor in this one was on point as well. Especially when Hadrian and Royce were joined by their acquaintance from the previous book, Magnus. He's a dwarf by the way.
"You next, little man."
-H
&
"Coming, short stuff?"
-R
were a few of what you would expect from Hadrian and Royce. Adorable, right?
Mr. Sullivan threw way too much information at, like, the last few lines then he ended it in a manner that resulted to a grumpy Nicklein! And you don't want to see a grumpy me. I make Grinch look like an adorable puppy.
BUT seriously... that ending! My screaming was probably heard by the astronauts in the NASA's space station and I was filled with all the feels you can imagine. I have so many suspicions left hanging in the air and I. Need. Answers!
All in all this book knocked my socks off all the way to Mars (in case my feelings still wasn't obvious)! One volume in and I am already declaring this series to be my favorite high fantasy series of all time!
Please stop sleeping on this series. Do yourself a favor and read this immediately!
FUNNY LINES (imo):
“Aren’t you going to say, I told you so?” Hadrian whispered.
“What would be the point in that?”
“Oh, so you’re saying that you’re going to hang on to this and throw it at me at some future, more personally beneficial moment?”
“I don’t see the point in wasting it now, do you?”
“Yes.” Fanen nodded. “He wants to see the two thieves in his chambers right away.”
“You didn’t steal the silver or anything, did you, Royce?” Hadrian asked.
“I would bet it has more to do with your flirting with Lenare this afternoon and threatening Mauvin just to show off,” Royce retorted.
“And he did say anything, so we could easily have asked for land and noble rank.”
“Why didn’t we?”
“Oh? So you would like to be the count Blackwater, would you?”
“It might have been nice,” Hadrian said, sitting up straighter in his saddle. “And you could be the infamous marquis Melborn.”
“Why infamous?”
“Would you prefer notorious? Nefarious, perhaps?”
“What’s wrong with beloved?”
Neither could hold a straight face at the thought.”
“And there’s no benefit to killing him.”
“Enjoyment,” Royce said. “Enjoyment and satisfaction are benefits.”
“He left me with a very don’t follow me attitude, which under normal circumstances would ensure that I followed him, but I had other things on my mind.”
“Wizards and their drama.” Royce rolled his eyes. “A simple please keep your mouth shut would do."
Royce continued to look at him.
“What is it? Am I that entertaining?” Hadrian asked.
Why are you still here reading this review instead of this book? Go. Grab yourself a copy and you're welcome.
suribot's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
I really wanted to like this more than I did because the narrator was really good. But it just did not do it for me. I kept hoping it would get better but it felt a bit rushed. I was at the end of book two before I actually wanted to know what happens next or really cared about any of the characters.
rackoodle's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
4.0
I love this series so thought I’d try the graphic audio for a reread. I really enjoyed it apart from the guy that voiced Royce. He was very lighthearted and even kind of posh. If you’ve read even a single Riyria book you know that is 100% NOT Royce. So if you can look past that it was a great time!
dead_owl2's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75