Age of War

The Legends of the First Empire, Book 3

By: Michael J. Sullivan

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 16 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's Summary

Rich in magic and adventure, Michael J. Sullivan’s soaring fantasy novels are masterworks of heroism, love, and sacrifice. Now, in the New York Times best-selling Age of War, the epic battle between humankind and the cruel godlike beings who once ruled them finally ignites in all its fury. 

The alliance of humans and renegade Fhrey is fragile - and about to be tested as never before. Persephone keeps the human clans from turning on one another through her iron will and a compassionate heart. The arrogant Fhrey are barely held in check by their leader, Nyphron, who seeks to advance his own nefarious agenda through a loveless marriage that will result in the betrayal of the person Persephone loves most: Raithe, the God Killer. 

As the Fhrey overlords marshal their army and sorcerers to crush the rebellion, old loyalties will be challenged while fresh conspiracies will threaten to undo all that Persephone has accomplished. In the darkest hour, when hope is all but lost, new heroes will rise...but at what terrible cost? 

©2018 Michael J. Sullivan (P)2018 Recorded Books

long

What can I say about this audio book? The narration by Tim Reynolds was great, but the book was a long drawn-out suicide.

I'm Done With Sullivan

I really wanted to like this series. It starts out great, crashes on the second installment, the third never gets back off the ground and at that point, like the sharks, “I'm out!”

Riyria was so great. I eagerly read every book. I listened to the audiobooks. I reread along with the audio. Overall some really great books. Royce and Hadrian, and the supporting characters were real and fleshed out. The other characters, intriguing! Arista, Gwen, Myron and Esrahaddon. Thrace. Hilfred. Some of the best characters in modern fantasy fiction. With Riyria, Sullivan has put together some of the best, strongest, most admirable female characters I have ever read; and he didn't have to reduce the male characters to sniveling, knuckle-dragging, idiots to do so.

Unfortunately, Sullivan forgot how to do that in Legends.

With Legends, I started out with great anticipation. I purchased the ebooks, the audiobooks, and the Graphic Audio Editions of Both “Age of Myth” and “Age of Swords,” while eagerly anticipating “Age of War” which I scooped up in ebook and audiobook as a preorder when it became available.

“Age of Myth.” Okay, good book. Another good job of world building by Sullivan. I read it through, listened to Tim Gerard Reynolds’ excellent (as always) narration, and then the fabulous GA edition. So far, so good; with one caveat. Shades of “Hollow World” (Sullivan’s faux pas) poked in as Sullivan tosses a cookie to the LGBTXYZs with Arion’s rather exasperated proclamations that her partner had been another female. Okay, no biggy. Not my particular taste, but fine – if it drives the plot. Does it? Nope! It has absolutely nothing to do with anything. It’s just a badge she wears, “Hey! I’m a lesbian, elf! Deal with it!” Okay, that alone didn’t sink the series for me, in fact, I give “Age of Myth” a strong 4-stars. But it was a shadow of things to come.

“Age of Swords” Had I read this before purchasing the next installment in preorder, I’d have never spent the money. “Age of Swords” is a train wreck. Sullivan goes completely, 100% WOKE. He destroys EVERY male character in the series; they are ALL either inept, cowardly, stupid, or evil and maniacal. No, I’m not exaggerating. Every Single One. Sullivan even destroys a character that he had previously exalted, the now deceased clan leader and Persephone’s husband, Reglan. In book one he was a strong leader and husband. In book two however, he posthumously becomes a cretin and an adulterer and an attempted murderer of infants. Why? Was this change plot driven? Nope! Just another chance to demean patriarchy. And not to be outdone by the demeaning of men, Sullivan also exalts ALL of the women to ridiculous extremes. Every Single One of the women is altruistic, smart, inventive, strong and courageous. And when it appears that one of the gals is doing something untoward, her motive turns out to be of the afore mentioned list of accolades. This world collapses under ludicrous presumption. The girls invent everything imaginable from the wheel to the bow, to written language. Give me a break! And it is the girls who go on a desperate mission to save the world, and do, destroying the patriarchic domain of the Dwarfs in the process; Girl Power, Dude! And then it is of course the girls who have to return from the mission just in time to save all of the men from destroying each other in useless battle. The pathetic nature of this book is just a shame. It could have been so good if Sullivan hadn’t had to demean his own entire gender to falsely elevate the other.

Nevertheless, I persevered and read, listened to the audiobook, and even suffered through the GA edition too. Eh, what the hey, I’d already bought it. Which leads us to:

“Age of War” in ebook and audiobook which I’d also already purchased in preorder. (I did and will skip the GA). More of the same.
Girl = good!
Male = bad!
With the exception of the cripple, with questionable mental health, EVERY male in the series is of dubious character, EVERY female stalwart, brave and intelligent. Even when Raithe sacrifices himself, it is for a selfish reason. Poor fella just can’t live without Persephone on his arm.

Anyway, at this point, I’m done, Mike! I’ll pass on the rest. No more Sullivan books, ebooks, audiobooks, or GA audios. This has even left a bad taste for any future Royce and Hadrian books. I’m just not gonna chance it.

If you are a female looking for a series to encourage you, skip this one. The false narrative of female superhuman ability is counterproductive and unreal.
If you are a young man looking for a character driven series to encourage you – well you won’t find it here.

To have to relegate the men to knuckle-dragging nit-wits in order to make the women look strong, is an affront to females everywhere. Demeaning one group in order to falsely exalt another is the real problem. The only really strong female character is the one who can take her place among strong male characters. These are the ones who will persevere, these the ones who are truly strong. You won’t find that here in Sullivan’s WOKE trope.

Unrealized potential

I have loved everything done by the author prior to the "Age" series. I did enjoy the connections to the more modern age. Too much self-loathing and undeserved guilt and nonsense daddy issues. Adolescent love amongst teens, totally fitting, but between adults is ridiculous. Author sound like he has an SJW Patriarchy disorder while writing a world dependent upon swords and armies. (Not that I won't read all that follows). I can't wait to hear more about Gifford.

Meh. First 2/3 of the book is painfully slow.

Really struggled to get through this book (a first for me with a MJS book). I can't recommend it as a good read and will probably quit the series here. The first two thirds of the book was painfully slow and I kept hoping it would get better. It didn't, not until the very end (which was on par with the other MJS books). At the end of the day, many of the characters aren't very likable, making their sections of the book slow plodding.

Raithe the ruined

I just finished the book, and I can't help but feel a bit angry at how Raithe was handled in this book. It wasn't even the major plot points in which he was involved. He is just a chump in this book. Thanks for treating my favorite character in this series like bear scat.

Story Lost Me

Second book started to loose me when the author decided to make Wraith a non-character and Malcom all powerful. This just finished the process. The rest of the characters do things but many of the ones that I grew to like stood still.

Conflict was good. Narrator is excellent. Just bummed at the authors decision making. I likely won't listen to the next books in this series.

The series started out so good...

I thought with the Age of War title this would be the most exciting book in the series but it is getting progressively worse each book. Sullivan is really good with friend relationships, but it’s a chore to get through the love interests. The first book was awesome and now I realize a large part of that is because he hadn’t developed the love relationships. There was very little war in this book and really very little of anything happens until the very end.

A disappointing offering that does not capitalize on one of the author's key strengths

I would like to preface this review by saying I truly enjoy Michael J. Sullivan's works. The Ryira series is the first contemporary series in years that I have read (listened to) multiple times. I find his insights into his craft entertaining and enlightening (and I confess I share his wife's affinity for Hadrian :) ). Sullivan's strengths are his wonderfully indelible characters, his mastery of combat scenes that place you right in the midst of the action, and his engrossing way of weaving you from each mini-adventure to the next. His books hearken back to the swashbuckling films of Errol Flynn. Really my only criticisms of his works are the character's names, which seem to be borrowed from a peculiar variety of inexplicable sources ("Moya" from Farscape, "Arista" from a record label, "Royce" from a car, "Persephone" from Greek Mythology, Suri from Katie Holmes' daughter, etc), and the gratuitous use of "smirking". EVERYBODY smirks. They don't leer, they don't sneer, they don't grimace, they don't grin. It's like the "chuckling" that pervaded the ridiculous "Twilight" series. Please: find (and use) a thesaurus!

(Spoiler Alerts)
It is because of my admiration for Sullivan that it is difficult for me to say I was quite disappointed in "Age of War". In fact, I find the series is diminishing rapidly in appeal with each book, to the point where I questioned if I would continue with it. After devouring "Age of Myth", I (like many) waited on tenterhooks for its follow-on. But when "Age of Swords" arrived, it took me weeks to get through it. It had the characters endeared to us in the
first book behaving in ways that, at best, went against the grain, or, at worst, were wholly unbelievable. The elimination of one of my favorite characters also did not sit well; I accepted that it might have needed to be done to satisfy the storyline, but the way in which it was done was so clumsily prolonged it was excruciating, and, as noted earlier, was simply not believable (especially on repeat).

Now comes "Age of War". Here, Sullivan pulls a Rowling and disperses with yet another beloved character in a horrid deja vu from AoS. And if that wasn't enough, throughout the book, almost all the characters engage in lengthy internal dialogues of incessant vacillation which undermined the depth of characterization and quickly became wearisome. Having these formerly strong characters churn repeatedly in emotional indecision ("Does Persephone love me or is
she shagging Nyphron?" "Do I still love Reglan, or do I love Raithe, or ???" "Will Tesh notice me? He's so wonderful and I am nothing!" "Ivar said I'm useless so it must be true, mustn't it?") was painful. I think these thought-spews are meant to help us empathize with the characters, but for me they had the opposite effect. In fact, I grew to hate Persephone--who was such a powerful female force in the first book, overcoming both terrible sorrow and adversity with aplomb--so much that I confess I was cheering for the Raow when he was dispatched to eat off her face! And don't even get me started on that self-serving slimeball Nyphron! Those two deserve each other!

Of course, there was more smirking, though less perhaps in this book than the others. (One of the characters actually did sneer!) I also got pretty tired of all the "Tetlin" epithets. Even the cute "Sure?...Pretty sure." exchanges were repeated enough in AoW that they were in danger of becoming cloying. Like Royce flipping up his hood...funny the first dozen times...then, not so much.

AoW was not completely without its bright spots. I thought the chapter where Raithe took a walk with Suri was a real coup for Sullivan, and one of the most beautiful and touching pieces of writing I have experienced in a while. I was also captivated by Tesh. This boy is going places! And he is intriguing enough that I'm already imagining how his tale will spin out and blend with that of Hadrian and his father and the Pickerings--which is
the main reason why I will probably continue with the series. And yes, as others have noted, there was climactic scene that moved me (against my will) almost to tears. (I was saved only by the fact that it wedged an old Barry Manilow song into my head for a bit: Even Now. Darn you Mr. Sullivan!)

I suppose one might argue that a work that stirs such a diversity of emotion is powerful indeed. And perhaps they would be right. Maybe it's just that I am overfond of happy endings.

As for the narration, Tim Gerard Reynolds is as superb as ever; I believe I would pay to hear him read a cookery book!

The series continues, but the best of it has been left in book one

I want to love this series. I greatly enjoyed the first book and the other books Sullivan has written. This installment has taken my favorite parts and aspects of book one and shattered them without ceremony.

Too much of the villains and drama felt like a copy from book two. This book felt a lot less creative and more geared at gutting the fan base. I can’t say if I’ll continue with the series (which I thought was an unshakeable dedication) or not at this juncture. I know it’s a prequel story that isn’t meant to be roses and rainbows, but I wasn’t looking for a tragedy and that is what this book felt like to me.

Weakest in the series

Not a lot of story here, in the first half of the book almost nothing happens. The speed with which the protagonists progress beyond the bronze age would put a game of Age of Empires to shame. Notably, how Roan decides to name steel made me want to throw something. Gifford's storyline is just comical. This book was another continuation of the decline in quality started by book two after a promising start to the series.

Can’t put this down

Great continuation left wanting more as always
Only let down as for once I thought it was cramped it should have been a little longer ended up getting board waiting for cliff hanger endings and not enough intrigue but that’s me being over the top it’s a very good book

A good book, but painful.

So sad.....

It's a good book.... it's just sad....

I like Sullivan. Reynolds does a great job.

Always leaves you wanting more..

I loved this book, its stuffed full with great characters who you cant help but care for. For me Michael J is one of the best around when it comes to writing dialogue , always interesting and engaging . From the first word to the last i was hooked and couldn’t stop listening.
Having TGR deliver the words makes the experience all the more rewarding . In my opinion he’s one of the best narrators around.
This third book in the series was my favourite so far and i cant wait for the next, and thankfully with that book already written the wait wont be too painful..

Really enjoyable series that keeps improving.

Excellent book really enjoying the series overall. Highly enjoyable other the writer and the narrator. Both do an excellent job.

These

books get better everytime I listen, the man's a wordsmith and TGR does the job of storyteller perfectly.

Fantastic

I loved so much about this story. took me a while to get going but suddenly it clicked and I was in up to my neck. Brilliant.

Captivating, enjoyed every second.

Couldn't Wait to start this book as the story developed and didn't want it to end. Deep and colourful, passionate and lovingly crafted, such a roller coaster of emotions :) ;) :') using my next credit to pre-order #4 can't wait.

This Does Not End Well!

Nyphron, a Fhrey, has persuaded his people to surrender the great fortress of his people to the humans, led by Persephone, who is now leader of all the clans.

War is coming and Fane, Lothian, accompanied by his son, Prince Mawyndulë will lead the battle himself. This book will see:

Nyphron show just how devious he is.
Malcolm reveal himself to be more than just a Fhrey slave.
Suri start to come into her own as the clans' mystic.
Gifford show that he is much more than his disability and heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
Persephone ... well, she, in my opinion, proves to be a great disappointment.

This is a book of struggle, of Fhrey, Dwarfs, Elves and a Dragon and an ending no-one will want.

Ooooh wow

After listening to books one and two that are throughly enjoyable I can safely say I’m hooked and pleased to say that Michael j Sullivan is an author I’m going to keep an eye on.

Thankfully the narrator (Tim G Reynolds) has a voice that’s easy to listen to (which is vital for me I dislike it when a good book that’s a truly enjoyable read is turned into a badly narrated dialogue that makes me want to shout out in frustration at their monotonous sounds )

All the characters along with their situations are made to fire the imagination and have me engaged even more so when theses likeable characters meet new challenges that make me say
What!! ....
Why ?? .....
Ohhhhhh (thumbs up) as the storyline unfolds.

My only dilemma is what to listen to while waiting for the next book in this series.

GOOD BOOK

I have over 300 audible titles and I have to say that the narration and performance of this book is one of the best I've heard. It's a compelling universe with a great story and awesome characters. I can't wait for a sequel.