Sample

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

Theft of Swords

By: Michael J. Sullivan
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.79

Buy for $25.79

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Fantasy, 2013

Acclaimed author Michael J. Sullivan created instant best sellers with his spellbinding Riyria Revelations series. This first volume introduces Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater, two enterprising thieves who end up running for their lives when they’re framed for the death of the king. Trapped in a conspiracy bigger than they can imagine, their only hope is unraveling an ancient mystery - before it’s too late.

Theft of Swords contains The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha, books 1 and 2 of Riyria Revelations.

©2011 Michael J. Sullivan (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Featured Article: The top 100 fantasy listens of all time


When compiling our list of the best fantasy listening out there, we immediately came up against the age-old question: Is this fantasy or science fiction? The distinction is not as clear as you may think. Dragons, elves, and wizards are definitely fantasy, but what about wizards that also fly space ships? (Looking at you, Star Wars.) For the sake of fantasy purity, the top 100 fantasy listens include the best audio works in all manner of fantasy subgenres.

What listeners say about Theft of Swords

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    22,899
  • 4 Stars
    6,587
  • 3 Stars
    1,349
  • 2 Stars
    331
  • 1 Stars
    161
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    23,045
  • 4 Stars
    4,552
  • 3 Stars
    926
  • 2 Stars
    166
  • 1 Stars
    94
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    20,593
  • 4 Stars
    6,186
  • 3 Stars
    1,463
  • 2 Stars
    333
  • 1 Stars
    170

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good story.

Good story pulling in the threads of previous stories in this universe. Many unexpected reveals.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic listen

Wow, very interesting with unexpected twists and turns. Tim Gerard Reynolds one of my favorite narrators did a fantastic job as always. Listening to the second book in the series now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

Fast paced enjoyable story. Well done; great narration. Recommended by a friend and he will remain one.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Slow Start But Very Enjoyable

I found myself bored at the beginning but I enjoyed the story more as it went along. Tim Gerard Reynolds is brilliant as always and I will be getting the next book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Likeable leading characters

A much easier read than LOTR but I enjoy the leading duo. They are interesting, with a past that is slowly being revealed. Their rapport with one another is entertaining and believable. You get the sense that they been on many adventures. I'm looking forward to the next volume.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Chapter breaks???

Only 4/5 because chapter breaks are very irregular 🥴
Otherwise a great new jump into a new world.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect Escapism

Tim Gerard Reynolds is Flawless.
The stories are well paced and thoroughly engaging of the imagination.
I actually care about ALL of the characters.
My second time through the audio series.
Just as much fun!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Give it time and you are in for an amazing journey

To start, this is a fantastic book. This volume is actually two books in one. The first book is a bit normal. It is good and the chemistry between the two lead characters is amazing, but you can tell that this is a new author finding his legs. Let him. The second book in this volume is incredible and really steps up the plot to become a great work of fantasy. I flew through this volume and immediately went on to the next. It is worth buying and the series only gets better from here.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love love LOVE! but help me out here...

... can you PLEASE fix the scene in book two when you say "Ulrich stared at him, confused..." (Book 2: Avempartha, chapter 3: Ambassador, 32:45). This is a scene in the carriage with only Arista, Sully, and Bernice. Arista is staring at him confused, after he's begun to explain how the contest/tournament isn't actually a competition.
I listen to these books (as well as ALL of your books) over and over and over and over and over again. I sure wish someone would take the time to make this correction. Little things like this get to me (just like punctuation and spelling) in books.

Off Subject, but ABSOLUTELY important:
Mr. Sullivan, please write more books! I'm waiting for lots more (as I'm sure all your fans are, too).
Mr Reynolds, PLEASE keep narrating! I'm always searching for your narrations on Audible, and can't wait to find more!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

All roads lead to Tolkein

If you could sum up Theft of Swords in three words, what would they be?

Friends, enemies, frenemies

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Royce. Throughout the book, he surprised me, whether through his actions or attitudes or by the author's revelations about his character. His dialog was also some of my favorite

What about Tim Gerard Reynolds’s performance did you like?

He was easy to understand and did a decent job at differentiating the different characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed and cried in various parts.

Any additional comments?

While this volume is really good fantasy writing all on its own, it's also proof that all roads lead to Tolkein and that's not a disparagement to the author. We have humans and elves and dwarves and a flying creature. There's a wizard, a hidden heir, and a quest here and there. And while I wouldn't call them a Fellowship, a set of characters does appear over and over no matter what action is taking place. And yet it doesn't feel derivative. I see the bones of Tolkein here, but Sullivan has created a rich and wonderful world where I want to remain for another 26 hours (next volume) at least. Bonus: it's the perfect soundtrack for walking the dog.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!