Rise of Empire

Riyria Revelations, Volume 2

By: Michael J. Sullivan

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Best-selling author Michael J. Sullivan’s mesmerizing Riyria Revelations series has found a welcome home with fans of magic, clashing swords, and daring heroes. This second volume finds Royce and Hadrian on a quest to enlist the southern Nationalists to aid the ever-weakening kingdom of Melengar. Royce suspects an ancient wizard is manipulating them all, but to find the truth he’ll have to decipher Hadrian’s past—a past Hadrian wants to keep secret.

Rise of Empire contains Nyphron Rising and The Emerald Storm, books 3 and 4 of Riyria Revelations.

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

This is becoming one of my favorite series

There are a few series that, after finishing a volume, leave me with an almost obsessive urge to get the next volume and continue the story. The Dark Tower books by Stephen King and The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan are two examples (I actually had "Michael Jordan" written... glad I caught that). After finishing the second volume of Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Revelations I am left with this same feeling. I want the next book...right now! I think I will just have to go buy the print version - if the local book store has it - because this story is really, really good. Definitely do not buy it if you haven't read the first volume though. In that case, go get "Theft of Swords" and hope that by the time you get to the end of "Rise of Empire" audible has released the next book in the series.

A good continuation

Would you listen to Rise of Empire again? Why?

Maybe - the story is good and entertaining, but I'm not sure there is enough depth to listen to the series over and over again. As another reviewer mentioned it's sometimes annoying in how easily the conflicts are overcome.

It might be one worth bringing out again later when I just need a fun "light" listen. The adventures are fun and move at a good pace.

Would you be willing to try another book from Michael J. Sullivan? Why or why not?

Yes, but I wouldn't expect to be wowed.

Have you listened to any of Tim Gerard Reynolds’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I'm not sure, but he is a very good narrator and would like to see what other stories he's narrated.

Great continuation from 'Theft of Swords'

This is Book 2 in the Riyria trilogy and it's as good as the first. It was great to spend more time with Hadrian and Royce.

ENJOYABLE

While not my favorite, It is fun and enjoyable story. Just finished the series and found it a perfect filler while waiting for the next installments of my fantasy favorites (WoT final and Rainwilds). Even though "somewhat" predictable ... this was a fun and interesting story,very likable characters and quite well read.

Getting better

If you could sum up Rise of Empire in three words, what would they be?

This series does get better as you develop more of a connection to the main characters. This series is definitely a worthy listen / read and most definitely should be experienced by fantasy fans.