This is the beginning of a saga set in a fairly typical fantasy world - although there are a couple of surprises. Magic is shunned, and elves are both the enemy and a despised underclass. The two main characters are a pair of rogues who hire themselves out to nobles for odd jobs that nobody else can do. There's a real sense of camaraderie between them, as well as a constant but restrained sense of humor throughout the books.

This audiobook is really two books in one. The first book has a simple, predictable plot with overpowered main characters and two-dimensional villains...but it gets better. The second book picks up where the first left off, and now it really begins to shine. Details from the first book that seemed unimportant or incongruous come back and take on new meaning. The characters from the first book get more back story and personality. While I never quite lost the idea that I was listening to someone's RPG campaign, I ended up enjoying myself quite a lot. It's no grand literature, but what it is isn't bad - a bit like how fast food can hit the spot, but will never replace a fine meal.

This is an excellent series if you're looking for something engaging, but also not too mentally draining.

Some of the great perks of this series:
Consistant and hilarious characters and banter, I actually found myself snorting aloud!
A LOT of delightfully unexpected turns! For being a rather light-hearted series, there are a lot of things that I just didn't expect to happen, I was happily surprised, and it kept me on my toes
These characters aren't undefeatable. But at the same time, they are wholesome-ly likable
The series has a clear ending, it's NOT 15 books long
There is light magic that doesn't run amok. It's powerful, but limited
There are strong female characters. (although, this doesn't really show up as much until later in the series. It's slow to rise, but believable)

Will I listen to this series again? Absolutely, I had a lot of fun with it the first time, and I can't wait to do it again. It's not sophisticated reading by any means, but it's a really fun lark that really wants you to enjoy yourself while you listen.

I really enjoyed this book it was actually two books in one. So my credit seemed to go twice as far. Hadrian and Royce were great they seemed to feed off each other and I am looking forward to seeing more of them. This was a light hearted fantasy novel filled will adventures. The narration was all you could hope for and will keep you captivated.

The setting, story, and characters have great potential for an original fantasy epic. That potential got me through the first book (there are two in this recording). Unfortunately, it never quite lives up to that potential. The two main characters are not well fleshed out, and the glimpses of greatness that you see in them is never fully realized. What is lacking is depth; characters have motivations and histories that are barely glimpsed but never seen, and what results is a lot of action without consequence, and danger without drama. When the dialogue is witty it is funny, but gets lost when it's trying to be meaningful. Narration is okay, but not well served by the material. I had to stop about one hour into the second book once I realized that I didn't care for these characters anymore.

There are some parts that are a bit slow but the funny parts are great, was laughing while driving down the road. Hope the rest of the series turns out the same.

The first time i heard this book preformed was a wonderful and refreshing adventure. the narration is fantastic and i found myself easily engulfed in the storyline. I am just finishing listening to the trilogy of books and fully intend to immerse myself in this adventure again before long.

A story about a pair of adventurous lead characters that find themselves thrust into a game of kingdoms and intrigue. Not since the Shannara series have i found a story so carefree and compelling.

Tim Gerard does a great job of differentiating the characters. he is very diverse in his skills and i continually found myself impressed by how captivated i became during this story telling.

While this novel is truly a set up for the following books there were lots of moments that stick out to me. without ruining the story line you should just know that there are few times that things work out like you expect them to

a good read i would recommend for anyone.

If you are in the mood for a light, fun read without gore, sex, and foul language, this is the book for you. It is clean enough for an 8 year old to listen to it, exciting enough to keep a pre-teen enchanted through the entire telling, and deep enough to entertain adults.

Theft of Swords is probably the worst of the trilogy, but it really is a very good book (4 stars out of 5). The two that follow it are even better. This is one book (and series) that won't disappoint

I have read a lot of epic book series in my time, but this one has to be my favorite. I loved the characters, I loved their adventures, I loved the secrets, and I LOVED the ending. Honestly, I don't think that there is anything I DIDN'T like about the Riyria Revelations.

Make the villans interesting. They are petty and predictable.
Most of the heros are half brain dead.

Too much of the story reflects the dreariness of everyday life. That is exactly what I don't want in a fantasy story.

It's got the sophistication of pink pony story for teenage girls.

Easily it would work well for kids afternoon TV.

So much potential, so much disappointment. I skipped over the court case it was just too annoying to stomach.

Yes! Absolutely! In fact, I've already done so, several times over. This is the first book in a fabulous action-adventure fantasy series that hits the ground and doesn't stop. The basics of the story are that, basic. Standard archetypal characters, typical questing story in a world that feels, familiar. However, where I think the author succeeds is in writing a fun, fast-paced story with well-written and vibrant characters. I was totally engaged and found myself looking for every available opportunity to sneak a listen!

Harry Potter series (Jo Rowling), Lord of the Rings, The Dark is Rising series (Susan Cooper), Pillars of the Earth & World Without End, Inheritance series

Hadrian, Myron and Thrace

Yes - I got completely caught up in this story and felt a lil' bit like a drug addict waiting for a fix while I was waiting for Rise of Empire to download. It was bad in the best way possible.

I enjoyed it so much I've started listening to the entire series again, and I only finished it last night!