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chanelchapters's review against another edition
4.0
So…this is how it ends? What happened to brin and tesh and tressa?
Persephone just ended up being nyphrons broodmare? Brin is now the prophesied golden child? And what of suri and minna? So many unanswered questions
Persephone just ended up being nyphrons broodmare? Brin is now the prophesied golden child? And what of suri and minna? So many unanswered questions
jerbee02's review against another edition
5.0
I’m rating 5 stars sight unseen, because after reading “Age of Myth” (and all of his previous work, including short stories), I ended up putting down the series until the final installment was complete. I find his work to be so well written that, rather than reading as they are published then waiting a year or so for the next to be released, that I’d just have to delay my gratification until the end... which is soon upon us! I have zero doubt I’ll enjoy this as much as his other series, and as much as I enjoyed AoM.
dharmlost's review against another edition
5.0
He did it again, another book that I could not put down. Not that I wanted to, because it was just so good. Thank you, Michael, for the journey and the stories. I simply cannot wait for more.
kmcnay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A very conflicted 4.25 here. I was genuinely ready to give this 5 stars. I even said around the 320 page mark that as long as the ending was satisfying, it would be another 5 star read for me. I felt like everything from the series was coming together perfectly and the loose ends I wanted tied up were being tied up, but the last several chapters of the book felt rushed and incomplete to me. I was a little let down by Brin’s end… or more specifically by The Book of Brin’s end. Could she not have given Trilos the key’s location (real or fake) and used that borrowed time to quickly get her book to safety then kill herself to beat him to the key? Suri returning to the Glen felt right but again, rushed. Overall, it just felt like we did so well and had this amazing story that got reduced to a total bummer in the last two chapters. It felt like he was trying to tie things back into the Riyria timeline. I wouldn’t be so bothered by this ending, I think, if I had read the Riyria series first, but this turn felt so without warning that I just feel a little let down. Overall, I have to thank Michael J Sullivan for getting me back into reading again with this series. I hope to one day venture into his other works.
writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition
3.0
A door opens. An army of dragons advance. And the fate of the living rests with the dead.
After obtaining the secret to creating dragons, the leader of the Fhrey has turned the tide of war once more—but gaining the advantage has come at a terrible price. While Imaly plots to overthrow the fane for transgressions against his people, a mystic and a keeper are the only hope for the Rhunes. Time is short, and the future of both races hangs in the balance. In this exciting conclusion to the Legends of the First Empire series, the Great War finally comes to a climactic end, and with it dawns a new era in the Age of Empyre.
"All too often, that which we are most certain of is that which we are most wrong about; and that which we are wrong about can change everything."
3.5 stars.
This series has been a roller coaster of emotions for me. I'm sad that it's over, but also glad to have completed it. I will say that I feel like this series started out really strong, with the first two books being my favorites, but gradually got weaker as it went on. This was probably my least favorite book in the series, but I'm still giving it 3.5 stars.
While I liked this, I felt like it dragged a bit at times, and the part in the underworld went on too long. It got a little dark and depressing for me, but maybe that was just my mood. Also, for some reason I didn't feel the same connection to the characters that I felt in the previous books, although I still loved them.
On the positive side though, I loved that we got to visit some characters who had died in previous books in the underworld and the closure that brought to their story lines. I loved that we got to see themes of love and forgiveness in this book. I loved the growth of these characters throughout the series. And I especially loved the unlikely heroes.
I knew going in that this wasn't going to be one of those happily ever after kind of series, and indeed the ending was bitter-sweet, but at the same time it was just right. Brin, as usual was amazing, and the way her story ended up was pretty perfect. I've wondered throughout the series what happens to the Book of Brin, and now I know. Overall I liked the way things ended for all the characters, with only one minor unfulfilled wish on my part.
I enjoyed this series, especially the characters. They left a positive mark on me, and I smile when I think of them.
"I had always worshiped heroes in stories. I had no idea I was surrounded by them."
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
After obtaining the secret to creating dragons, the leader of the Fhrey has turned the tide of war once more—but gaining the advantage has come at a terrible price. While Imaly plots to overthrow the fane for transgressions against his people, a mystic and a keeper are the only hope for the Rhunes. Time is short, and the future of both races hangs in the balance. In this exciting conclusion to the Legends of the First Empire series, the Great War finally comes to a climactic end, and with it dawns a new era in the Age of Empyre.
"All too often, that which we are most certain of is that which we are most wrong about; and that which we are wrong about can change everything."
3.5 stars.
This series has been a roller coaster of emotions for me. I'm sad that it's over, but also glad to have completed it. I will say that I feel like this series started out really strong, with the first two books being my favorites, but gradually got weaker as it went on. This was probably my least favorite book in the series, but I'm still giving it 3.5 stars.
While I liked this, I felt like it dragged a bit at times, and the part in the underworld went on too long. It got a little dark and depressing for me, but maybe that was just my mood. Also, for some reason I didn't feel the same connection to the characters that I felt in the previous books, although I still loved them.
On the positive side though, I loved that we got to visit some characters who had died in previous books in the underworld and the closure that brought to their story lines. I loved that we got to see themes of love and forgiveness in this book. I loved the growth of these characters throughout the series. And I especially loved the unlikely heroes.
I knew going in that this wasn't going to be one of those happily ever after kind of series, and indeed the ending was bitter-sweet, but at the same time it was just right. Brin, as usual was amazing, and the way her story ended up was pretty perfect. I've wondered throughout the series what happens to the Book of Brin, and now I know. Overall I liked the way things ended for all the characters, with only one minor unfulfilled wish on my part.
Spoiler
I wanted to actually get to read about Percephone and Raithe being reunited in the afterlife. I know they most certainly did, but I wanted to witness it. After she sacrificed so much happiness, that would have been a nice bonus.I enjoyed this series, especially the characters. They left a positive mark on me, and I smile when I think of them.
"I had always worshiped heroes in stories. I had no idea I was surrounded by them."
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
topdragon's review against another edition
4.0
A nice, strong concluding volume to this second trilogy in the six-part "Legends of the First Empire" series. Lots of dramatic developments, character interaction, and quite a few surprises along the way. Just what you'd want in an epic fantasy series.
mhockenson's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - Not as satisfying an ending as I thought there was going to be. Don't get me wrong, I liked the series and this book is no better/worse than the rest. I'm just not feeling that ending.
roguette's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book series is everything. I have loved it so much!
webz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It is hard to summarize my thoughts on the final book of a series I have overall loved. Not every book was 5 stars but to have 2 books out of a 6 book series be 5 stars and all the others but 1 be 4 stars is pretty high praise for me. I do not rate books 5 stars lightly.
I will definitely be recommending this series, I already have to a few people now. I love the larger cast of characters and the multiple povs. I love that not every character is completely upstanding (Nyphron, Tresa, Tesh) and those that are more morally “good” are still very real people with their own struggles.
A few further thoughts; something I love about this series is the fact that every cover depicts a specific scene that happens in the story. I loved the cover for Age of Legend specifically and also with Age of Myth. Honestly the cover of Age of Myth made me want to pick the book up all the more!
Favorite quotes and scenes:
Gifford to Roan after saving her from Iver:
“I love you.” he said. “I always have and always will.” As if the words were magic, Roan calmed. She wiped tears from her eyes and under her own power rose to a sitting position. Then she smiled at him. “You’re my hero.”
The scene where Brin forgives Tesh and truly let’s go of her unforgiveness was powerful. Something I love is if what I read in a book can be impactful to me somehow in real life and this scene did it for me. The message of it was so true. Bravo to Sullivan for coming up with and portraying this scene as he did. From there I loved that she named the pillar the Pillar of Lost Regret.
I let out an audible “yes” upon Brinmeeting Raithe in Alysin!
Page 149:
One by one, they hugged her. Raithe was the last. “You’ll do fine,” he whispered in her ear. “You’re the only one who doesn’t know that.” She squeezed him back. “Persephone loves you. You know that, right?” “Yes. She talks to me all the time.”
One thing I do like about this book is the real stakes and the real consequences of events. Specifically I am referring to Tressa, Giddord, Roan, and Tesh being left behind in the Abyss. I don’t want to read a depressing story but this book isn’t that. Yes this specific scene was a sad moment but again I like there being real consequence and not just everything always working out the way I or the characters in this story want it to.
The scene where Elan and Brin talk was stunning. I loved the description of the changing mushroom colors and just in general the overall description was awesome.
Page 211
Suri on Mawyndule’s choice of fire:
Fire had been a poor choice, it she already knew Mawyndule was an idiot.
This sentence was so satisfying to hear.
Page 227 made me feel like my ship hasn’t been sunk!
“Give Persephone a kiss for me,” Raithe said. “Tell her I understand why she made the choice she did, and I’m not angry. Let her know we can still be together, and I have the perfect place picked out. Tell her, if she still wants me, I’ll be waiting for her.”
Page 234
Roan reached out and put her hand to Iver’s cheek. “You see, I finally figured it out. I want to hate you for all the things you did, but that’s just me hanging on to pain. If I wish to be truly free, I have to let it go.” She nodded. “Iver, I—“ She took a breath. “I forgive you, Iver.” She leaned in and kissed him. “I truly and honestly do.” Gifford stared in wonder as Roan put her arms around the carver and held him close as they both cried. As they rocked, Roan’s light stopped flickering, quit wavering, and began to grow.
The scene where Roan forgives Iver is astounding and is yet another powerful message in this book.
The scene where Nyphron fought dragon Raithe was amazing in its beautiful description. That was really cool.
I love that Roan ended up being healed as Tesh noted.
This scene made me tear up:
Page 296
“You can let all that go,”. Roan told him. He looked at her with blurry eyes. “How?” “Because now you know.” “Know what?” he begged. She took his face in her hands, and felt as if the sun itself were smiling at him: “That you’re not a cripple. That you never were.” Like any truth, upon hearing it, Gifford felt stupid. But feeling stupid next to Roan wasn’t like being a cripple, and he felt the weight fall as he reached out and hugged his wife, and life filled their world. “I carried a boulder.” Roan kissed him. “You had the same weight, only in countless pebbles.”
Page 334
Aria to Gifford:
“You are not a cripple. You aren’t weak, helpless, feeble, or pathetic. You are my son, and a power to be reckoned with.”
Page 344
Suri:
“You’re right to be afraid of human Artists, Jerydd. We don’t live long, but we live well. We don’t have so much knowledge and wisdom, but we have passion, and that makes us strong. We’ll always be stronger.”
Page 364
Suri to Persephone:
“I discovered that age isn’t measured in years, but rather by the roads we travel. Steep paths build muscles, know-how, and empathy, an easy one, only indifference. You as much as anyone helped teach me that. Thank you.” The river might have been dry, but the dam within Persephone broke with those words, and she began to cry. “What’s wrong?” Suri asked.
“My daughter is all grown up.”
Mawyndule’s character was well written. That has stuck out to me through the entire series. He never became more likable, I just found that I grew to tolerate more and appreciated the inside look on what was going on in the Frey side of the world throughout the series. I didn’t feel bad for him at all with the final scene we see him in which is props to the author for not trying to redeem this character. Not every character needs to be redeemed.
Brin was my favorite character in this book. I have noticed that depending on the book my favorite character can change from book to book. I didn’t really care which character was my favorite from book to book, I enjoyed reading from all the characters different points of view throughout.
Page 419
I teared up at this scene:
Persephone:
“Malcolm!” she shouted and then coughed. “Watch yourself!” Justine snapped. Persephone held out her arms. Malcolm crossed the room in three long strides and embraced her. “It’s been so long,” Persephone said. “I thought I would never see you again. Have you visited with Nyphron?” “No,” he replied softly, sitting on the bed beside her. Judging everything to be satisfactory, Justine grabbed the empty water pitcher and left the room. “Have you seen Nolyn? He’ll be thrilled. And you must meet Bran, Roan’s son. The boy is growing like a salifan plant. He’s taller than I am now.” Again, he shook his head. “What about Moya, Tekchin, and Sephryn? Oh, you probably don’t know their daughter, do you?” “I haven’t seen anyone. I came here only to see you.”
All in all, I had a great time reading this series and it was exactly what I was craving and wanting! I really want to read Nolyn next but I will probably not be able to for a bit. I am looking forward to reading that next book though and I am very much looking forward to getting back to the world of Elan! And Michael Sullivan is officially my new favorite author. Also, I would like to mention that Age of Empyre is definitely my favorite book in this series. It was just an amazing conclusion which warranted my love for it.
I will definitely be recommending this series, I already have to a few people now. I love the larger cast of characters and the multiple povs. I love that not every character is completely upstanding (Nyphron, Tresa, Tesh) and those that are more morally “good” are still very real people with their own struggles.
A few further thoughts; something I love about this series is the fact that every cover depicts a specific scene that happens in the story. I loved the cover for Age of Legend specifically and also with Age of Myth. Honestly the cover of Age of Myth made me want to pick the book up all the more!
Favorite quotes and scenes:
Gifford to Roan after saving her from Iver:
“I love you.” he said. “I always have and always will.” As if the words were magic, Roan calmed. She wiped tears from her eyes and under her own power rose to a sitting position. Then she smiled at him. “You’re my hero.”
I let out an audible “yes” upon Brin
Page 149:
One by one, they hugged her. Raithe was the last. “You’ll do fine,” he whispered in her ear. “You’re the only one who doesn’t know that.” She squeezed him back. “Persephone loves you. You know that, right?” “Yes. She talks to me all the time.”
One thing I do like about this book is the real stakes and the real consequences of events. Specifically I am referring to
The scene where Elan and Brin talk was stunning. I loved the description of the changing mushroom colors and just in general the overall description was awesome.
Page 211
Suri on Mawyndule’s choice of fire:
Fire had been a poor choice, it she already knew Mawyndule was an idiot.
This sentence was so satisfying to hear.
Page 227 made me feel like my ship hasn’t been sunk!
“Give Persephone a kiss for me,” Raithe said. “Tell her I understand why she made the choice she did, and I’m not angry. Let her know we can still be together, and I have the perfect place picked out. Tell her, if she still wants me, I’ll be waiting for her.”
Page 234
Roan reached out and put her hand to Iver’s cheek. “You see, I finally figured it out. I want to hate you for all the things you did, but that’s just me hanging on to pain. If I wish to be truly free, I have to let it go.” She nodded. “Iver, I—“ She took a breath. “I forgive you, Iver.” She leaned in and kissed him. “I truly and honestly do.” Gifford stared in wonder as Roan put her arms around the carver and held him close as they both cried. As they rocked, Roan’s light stopped flickering, quit wavering, and began to grow.
The scene where Roan forgives Iver is astounding and is yet another powerful message in this book.
The scene where Nyphron fought dragon Raithe was amazing in its beautiful description. That was really cool.
I love that Roan ended up being healed as Tesh noted.
This scene made me tear up:
Page 296
“You can let all that go,”. Roan told him. He looked at her with blurry eyes. “How?” “Because now you know.” “Know what?” he begged. She took his face in her hands, and felt as if the sun itself were smiling at him: “That you’re not a cripple. That you never were.” Like any truth, upon hearing it, Gifford felt stupid. But feeling stupid next to Roan wasn’t like being a cripple, and he felt the weight fall as he reached out and hugged his wife, and life filled their world. “I carried a boulder.” Roan kissed him. “You had the same weight, only in countless pebbles.”
Page 334
Aria to Gifford:
“You are not a cripple. You aren’t weak, helpless, feeble, or pathetic. You are my son, and a power to be reckoned with.”
Page 344
Suri:
“You’re right to be afraid of human Artists, Jerydd. We don’t live long, but we live well. We don’t have so much knowledge and wisdom, but we have passion, and that makes us strong. We’ll always be stronger.”
Page 364
Suri to Persephone:
“I discovered that age isn’t measured in years, but rather by the roads we travel. Steep paths build muscles, know-how, and empathy, an easy one, only indifference. You as much as anyone helped teach me that. Thank you.” The river might have been dry, but the dam within Persephone broke with those words, and she began to cry. “What’s wrong?” Suri asked.
“My daughter is all grown up.”
Mawyndule’s character was well written. That has stuck out to me through the entire series. He never became more likable, I just found that I grew to tolerate more and appreciated the inside look on what was going on in the Frey side of the world throughout the series. I didn’t feel bad for him at all with the final scene we see him in which is props to the author for not trying to redeem this character. Not every character needs to be redeemed.
Brin was my favorite character in this book. I have noticed that depending on the book my favorite character can change from book to book. I didn’t really care which character was my favorite from book to book, I enjoyed reading from all the characters different points of view throughout.
Page 419
I teared up at this scene:
Persephone:
“Malcolm!” she shouted and then coughed. “Watch yourself!” Justine snapped. Persephone held out her arms. Malcolm crossed the room in three long strides and embraced her. “It’s been so long,” Persephone said. “I thought I would never see you again. Have you visited with Nyphron?” “No,” he replied softly, sitting on the bed beside her. Judging everything to be satisfactory, Justine grabbed the empty water pitcher and left the room. “Have you seen Nolyn? He’ll be thrilled. And you must meet Bran, Roan’s son. The boy is growing like a salifan plant. He’s taller than I am now.” Again, he shook his head. “What about Moya, Tekchin, and Sephryn? Oh, you probably don’t know their daughter, do you?” “I haven’t seen anyone. I came here only to see you.”
All in all, I had a great time reading this series and it was exactly what I was craving and wanting! I really want to read Nolyn next but I will probably not be able to for a bit. I am looking forward to reading that next book though and I am very much looking forward to getting back to the world of Elan! And Michael Sullivan is officially my new favorite author. Also, I would like to mention that Age of Empyre is definitely my favorite book in this series. It was just an amazing conclusion which warranted my love for it.