A review by ariaslibrary
Avempartha by Michael J. Sullivan

You don’t win battles with hate. Anger and hate can make you brave, make you strong, but they also make you stupid.

“Avempartha” is the second book in The Riyria Revelations of the greater Riyria Universe. It is found in the bind up Theft of Swords.

The plot follows Hadrian and Royce as they are hired by a girl called Thrace Wood to help her father kill a beast that is terrorising her village. Contrary to Royce’s policy, Royce himself offers to do the job cheaper than usual, especially when he learns that the wizard Esrahaddon was the one to point Thrace in their direction and is still residing in Dahlgren Village.

Hadrian looked into her eyes and shook his head. “I hate to say it, and I’m very sorry, but we can’t take—”

“Your money,” Royce abruptly interjected as he spun around. “It’s too much. To take the full twenty-five silver for this job … Ten really seems like more than enough.”

Hadrian raised an eyebrow and stared at his partner but said nothing.

We also follow Princess Arista, who has been appointed by her brother to be an Ambassador for Melengar. Her first assignment is to travel to Dahlgren Village where a tournament is being held by the Church of Nyphron.

The world is expanded as we learn more of the Erivan Empire, the legacy of the elves as well as the prophesied heir of Novron. More politics come into play as Arista learns exactly why the church is holding the tournament and secrets are revealed that may change the future of the world. There’s not much I can say in my review as it would be delving into spoiler territory but I just love this world and the humour is especially top-tier.

He returned to the fire, where Thrace was dishing out a thick broth of carrots, potatoes, onions, and salted pork. Royce was sitting with a bowl on his lap and a smile on his face.

“You don’t have to be that happy,” Hadrian told him.

“Look, Hadrian—food.”