Rise of Empire

Riyria Revelations, Volume 2

By: Michael J. Sullivan

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 26 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Gotta get Volume 3

Oh wow, it's over and left me hanging. After all those hours of listening, there are giant twists and turns in the end that will propel you right on to the conclusion in volume 3. Royce and Hadrian are on a quest to find Merek, which will lead them to the emperor. Arista is on her own quest to find the abducted emperor. What they do find is full of surprises, deceit, death and heartbreak. This is an excellent series, will recommend it to all those that love epic fantasy.

I've read them but hearing them is such a treat!

I think this man could write terms and conditions and I would read it. Such a great story, it's been years since I read them so hearing it was like getting the story again for the first time. The narrator is great you can tell by his inflections who is talking in the story.

The story itself is about a former mercenary and seasoned thief for hire and their many many jobs and encounters that are woven into on bit mission with unlikely allies. The friendship and brotherhood of this story is what stole my heart in my initial reading and I've never forgotten it. These books were my first introduction into the Fantasy genre but nothing I've read since can come close.

Great narration

He makes the characters come alive and has many subtle ways when telling this story, that truly bring it to life. Highly recommended this audible book... AFTER reading book one (:

Great Easy listening entertainment

Great story line easy listening good character development often had me laughing... A great book to listen to during your workouts

Don't Plan Anything Special

What made the experience of listening to Rise of Empire the most enjoyable?

I found myself finding any reason to get away to listen to the next mess the characters were going to get themselves out of. Adventure and a bit of magic made it a fun read.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the magic and power and strength that Royce and Hadrian display throughout the story.

What does Tim Gerard Reynolds bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Fantastic abitlity. How does he do all those voices and make it seem so believeable?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved the battle scences and how they kick butt.

Any additional comments?

Don't miss out on the change to read a great series. Buy all of them!

Rise of Empire kept us rivited across 1500 miles

I love this series. We listened to this book driving across and around the Southwest. The characters are complex and the story exciting. While the second installment has more clichés than other parts of the series, there are constant surprises and plot twists that keep you hanging on every word. The strong female characters nicely complement our heros Royce and Hadrian. I also find it interesting that the dwarves, elves, wizards and goblins add historical and geopolitical context to the story, not just a fantasy element. The narrator, Tim Gerard Reynolds, is fantastic. His voices are "just right."

Good adventure book

I thought this was easy to listen to and follow along with the story. I liked that I could pick up where the story is after not listening to it for days. I enjoyed the characters personalities.

one of my favorites. I love Riyria

Such a fun sequel book. Be sure to ready the next one. Royce and Hadrian are a great team.

A great mid part of a trilogy!

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

Thanks! more please! :)

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rise of Empire?

Kind of hard to say with out spoiling... So I'll just say there were a lot and some were very moving and / or fun.

Which scene was your favorite?

Same as above :)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Hell yes!

Any additional comments?

Again, a great performance by the voice actor / narrator.
This book is a fantastic read/listen and is a great transition to the final chapter of the trilogy! It continues into the world building and helps progress the events and story to a larger more epic scale.

Great Book

I really love everything about this book. Great story, great narration / voice acting.

The Narrator brought this great story alive, which kept me intrigued to know what would happen next to Royse and Hadrian.