The Crown Tower

The Riyria Chronicles, Book 1

By: Michael J. Sullivan

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael J. Sullivan garnered critical raves and a massive readership for his Riyria Revelations series. The first book in his highly anticipated Riyria Chronicles series of prequels, The Crown Tower brings together warrior Hadrian Blackwater with thieving assassin Royce Melborn. The two form a less-than-friendly pairing, but the quest before them has a rare prize indeed, and if they can breach the supposedly impregnable walls of the Crown Tower, their names will be legend.

©2013 Michael J. Sullivan (P)2013 Recorded Books

Fantastic Fantasy and Intriguing Characters

What made the experience of listening to The Crown Tower the most enjoyable?

The development of characters in this book is truly wonderful and you want to learn more about them, this keeps you on your toes and gasping with anticipation as events and mysteries unfold. Definitely a book to pay close attention to and place the puzzle pieces together.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Crown Tower?

The tower events leading up to being at the doorstep of a certain brothel.... on a stormy and rainy night.

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

Wonderful tones

How they met

To clarify for those new to the series, this book shows how Riyria came to be but it is not the first book in the series.

Revelations is the first series written and the last book in that series apparently contains the ending of Riyrias story (Ive not gotten there yet).

Chronicals series is a prequel series that gives history on the characters and then the legends books go even further back in the history of the world.

I listened to Riyria Revelations volume 1 first then saw these chronical books and was confused and got this book. This book contains a nice forward that explains why things were done the way they were and shows how the heros met. it is cool but I am a little more interested in what is going on in Revelations. Still, had I not started the other books I may have preferred this as the initial starting point.

I like the characters in these books and like learning how they met and am satisfied with the full credit purchase.

So good!

So, it's official: Riyria is addictive! I'm enjoying it so much. When I finished reading "revelations" I just wanted more of these stories, but was a bit hesitant about reading prequels... Guess what! It works! So much fun to read the beginning of the bromance (lets face it, that's what it is) between Royce and Hadrian. I absolutely love these characters (especially Royce), and the book doesn't disappoint in terms of flowing storyline, humor, escapades and overall fun. Even though you know they'll survive it all (they live to appear in "revelations", don't they?), you're still totally immersed in finding out HOW they survive it. Honestly, I couldn't put it down.
And - as always - Tim Gerard Reynolds the audiobook narrator is outstanding in this. I can't imagine it any other way.

Great Listen

Would you listen to The Crown Tower again? Why?

Yes, it has a great story, depth, great characters and smoth narration, a really first class book.

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

Yes!

Finished Series - Day after Xmas Feeling

What did you love best about The Crown Tower?

Do you remember that"day after Xmas feeling" you got as a kid? That's the feeling I can't seem to shake since I finished this book series last week. I found myself charging through this wonderful series always anxious to get to the next line, next paragraph, next chapter, next book and the moment the last word on the last page of the last book left the narrators mouth I felt that "day after Xmas feeling" flowing in. All the build up, the excitement, the momentous conclusion and then... it was done.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's hard to choose a favorite character. They were all so well developed. By the end of the series they all felt like family.

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

Tim Gerard Reynolds brings such depth and texture to this series. I honestly don't know how he created such different voices for so many characters. When he began to speak I could tell which character was talking. I can't imagine these books being narrated by anyone else.

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

I found myself sitting in the car when I'd get to work or when I'd get home wanting to finish a scene or chapter. This book was very difficult to put away.

Any additional comments?

Would love to see another series with these characters!

Thoroughly enjoyable!

The story is very good but the narrator is GREAT! If you like fantasy you will love the Riyria stories, especially the two main characters.

fell in love.

I stumbled upon Royce and Hadrian one day. looking for a Free book to listen to on my way to work, as I have a long commute. I came across the jester. an thought why the heck not. I instantly fell in love with the pair of thieves and had to have more... so for my birthday my wife asked me what I wanted? I said how about some audio books. so picked up the revelation series. and when I meet Gwen and arista alric and by far my favorite Myron " is that a women?" " oh my! thier even more beautiful than horse's!" "um i wouldn't tell them that." Hadrian replied. I was laughing so hard I had . to pull the car over. I suggest the whole series and in my opinion start with chronicles. and work your way through. the crown tower is where it all began.

Pick this up!

Michael J. Sullivan is a superb writer and coupled with the amazing Tim Gerard Reynolds as a narrator, this series couldn't get any better.

Absolutely great prequel.

Sometimes an author can go to the well to many times and come up dry with a storyline or characters. But in this case the author brought a great perspective to characters we already love to read about.

Awesome

This is a great book that starts another wonderful series. Can't wait to start the next book