The Jester (A Riyria Chronicles Tale)

By: Michael J. Sullivan

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 53 mins

Publisher's summary

WHO WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH?

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A thief, a candlemaker, an ex-mercenary, and a pig farmer walk into a trap…and what happens to them is no joke. When Riyria is hired to retrieve a jester’s treasure, Royce and Hadrian must match wits with a dwarf who proves to be anything but a fool. Difficult choices will need to be made, and in the end those who laugh last do so because they are the only ones to survive.

This is a standalone short story of 7,200 words. No prior knowledge of The Riyria Revelations or The Riyria Chronicles is required to enjoy it to its fullest, making this a perfect introduction for new readers or a chance for Riyria veterans to spend a little more time with old friends. The Jester is a story of adventure, bonds of friendship, and a recognition that the choices we make dictates the future we find.

©2014 Michael J. Sullivan (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Michael Sullivan's writing is fun and exciting .

love Hadrian and Royce - the adventures they work through and all the characters they interact with - never shallow.

interesting

Not as good as his other short story, but it had a good message and was enjoyable. A bit confusing sense it felt like I missed half the story and was dropped into the last part. Finally, this is a nitpick I have with most novels these days, the 3rd person limited was frustrating. I would have preferred 3rd person omniscient to have a better perspective of the full setting and what Royce was thinking during the story. I like the POV character, but his view is often too limiting and I hate being trapped and unable to get to know the other main character.

just an excellent ride

enough twists and turns to keep it really moving. love the two main characters! so fun! really liked it!

Great one

This is an awesome book well explained here. So good to hear as the words are clear.

Perfect intro to a couple of adorable Blackguards

I love this story... It's always fun when Royce and Hadrian are on a job and added to the mix they're dealing with a couple of cranky clients. In this story they have to face a structure/puzzle tower built by a Dwarf, hopefully they'll get out alive. And Tim Gerard Reynolds is a perfect match for this reading. The book is currently available free on audible... The story is a perfect standalone and a great way to discover The Riyria Chronicles!

Greed versus cowardice versus ingenuity

Greed versus cowardice versus ingenuity
This is the first story I've listened to by Michael J. Sullivan, it won't be the last. I suspect that this is one of those series that just get better and better. I can't wait for more of this series, I want to say more about this story but I absolutely hate spoilers, so I won't do it to you by going into details. I wish we could give half stars I'd have given this a 3 1/2 stars.
The narrator brings the story to life.
Reasons I enjoyed this audio book:
Wonderful characters, Page-turner, Great world building, Unpredictable, Original, Easy-to-read/listen, Entertaining, Action-packed, Twisted, Funny, Scary, Tragic.

LOL

I liked this story for the ending. While the WHOLE story was well written and filled with action, the end was a surprise and filled with such truth that it touched me deeply. Want to know? Get this, it's worth it! 👍

Hard to get into

I didn't like this story as much as Professional Integrity. It starts in the middle of the action and is forced to tell the reader what happened that lead to the situation. I found it hard to get into the story and characters with such a brisk introduction.

Tim Reynolds did a great job narrating. He really has the perfect kind of voice for this genre.

What is most important to you?

This story asks an important question: What is most important to you? And I think that It dose this in a clever & entertaining way.
I liked the cherictors & the way they interacted with each other, the only problem I had with this tale was that it filt like it was a small interlude in a much larger story.
The story opens with our friends already falling, possibly to there doom, with no reason why or how they got there. And wraps up with an unsatisfactory, anti-climatic ending that tells you that (without a doubt) there is more to tell.
If you are writing a stand-alone story it should have it's oun beginning, middle, & ending.
But overall, I would read it again.

Integrity

Enjoyable short story. Action packed from the story. Outsmarting the evil jester is the game while hunting a hidden treasure. The narrator did a great job.