The Rose and the Thorn

The Riyria Chronicles, Book 2

By: Michael J. Sullivan

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 11 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Two thieves want answers. Riyria is born.

For more than a year, Royce Melborn has tried to forget Gwen DeLancy, the woman who saved him and his partner, Hadrian Blackwater, from certain death. Unable to get her out of his mind, the two thieves return to Medford but receive a very different reception - Gwen refuses to see them. The victim of abuse by a powerful noble, she suspects that Royce will ignore any danger in his desire for revenge. By turning the thieves away, Gwen hopes to once more protect them. What she doesn't realize is what the two are capable of - but she's about to find out.

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

On par with the best Riyria Revelations books.

My experience with the Riyria books started with Theft of Swords and proceeded forward in publishing order, which means I finished the Riyria Revelations series before starting on the prequel stories of the Riyria Chronicles. I believe such a path increased my enjoyment of The Rose and the Thorn simply because of the knowledge I have regarding a lot of the main characters. Arista, Gwen, Reuben Hilfred, and even Percy Braga are fleshed out in this book and I really enjoyed learning more about them. This is a prequel story done right.

Unlike the Crown Tower, the time Royce and Hadrian have a more established relationship which allows Michael J Sullivan to really bring to life the world around them. This approach combined with a compelling story line makes this book as good as the latter works of The Riyria Revelation series. It also reveals the root causes for certain events that will happen much later in the series so MJS is working his magic in both directions making both Chronological and Publishing viable listening orders.

Either way you can't go wrong with this book. Tim Gerard Reynolds is well established as the voice of the Riyria characters and he does not disappoint. Note that if you pick this one up then there is no need for you to also grab The Viscount and the Witch as that is fully contained as a chapter within this book.

How To Succeed in the Middle Ages

If you read the first three books you know the outcome but WOW the details leading up to those three books make this & the first prequel hard books to stop listening to (aka put down). Just when you think all is lost (though you know it is not because you read the first three books) something truly inspired (with a dab of insanity) happens.

Michael J. Sullivan's books with awesome narration by Tim Gerard Reynolds are brilliant, unforgettable, action packed, a discovery of love and self, showing the struggles of the low & mighty and are definitely riveting.

I would start with the original books and then go onto the prequels as they will have more meaning that way; otherwise you will find yourself re-reading the prequels after you finish the original 3 anyway..... oh wait... you will want re-read all of them again & again.

This series goes way beyond 5 stars on all counts.

ACCUSATIONS ARE EASY TO THROW ABOUT

THE WORDS THAT CAME OUT OF HIS FACE MADE SENTENCES, BUT THEY DID NOT MAKE SENSE.
This Sullivan guy can write. He tells an interesting story, he always entertains and he is full of wisdom, but he does not preach at you or hit you over the head with it. This was just a great pleasure to listen to and Reynolds was an excellent narrator. I liked this book better then the first book in the series and I liked it a lot. You want to start with THE CROWN TOWER, as that will help you to enjoy this book even more. I love the new character, Reuben.

When I am old and buried and the academics look back at this time period, Michael J. Sullivan will be consider a Classic Writer. Even if you take away the character development, the funny stuff or the story, you have a great use of the English language. This has probably been looked over by many others since he does so well at the rest. He draws a picture in your mind so well that you don't even think about the manipulation of the words. He also knows how to make you think. This is one of the highest ranked books at audible and for good reason.

HE LIKED TO THINK OF A LOT OF THINGS, JUST NOTHING USEFUL

Great Series but don't start here

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I definitely would, and have. The story is fast paced and hard to stop reading. Perhaps the worst thing about this book is how tired I am at work since I can't find a good place to stop for the night. The characters are extremely funny but deep in a very real sense. Unlike in some Fantasy stories where the main characters are some sort of untouchable demi-gods Royce and Hadrian just seem like average Joes that aren't so average, in fact nothing like average....wait what is average anyway? The point is I like the characters, and I feel like I could sit down and have a beer, or two, with Hadrian, or be adequately unnerved by Royces presence, They feel real, and while the story may at times seem implausible the restraint shown on the use of magic by the author to connect plot dots and a world populated with similarly fully developed characters makes everything work beautifully.

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

The narrator does a great job of putting you in the time period, I'm not sure exactly what that means but his voice just makes me feel like I'm in the medieval ages. A certain drawback however is he does not have a good variety of male voices, but I never had any trouble figuring out who was talking.

Any additional comments?

Don't start with this book or you may find the beginning boring, as you have not yet been introduced to the characters and will likely completely miss certain jokes that were intended to make a scene. Also the whole barge trip would probably seem slightly interminable if you don't know Royce and Hadrian yet. As that whole adventure is comprised mainly of trying to figure out who's who based on given clues and character traits you've learned in previously (or post-viously I suppose is more accurate) situations, Kind of like murder mysteries aren't any fun if there's no character depth.Anyway for Maximum enjoyment start with Theft of Swords, it's the best way I promise.And now off to read The Rose and The Thorn. can't wait any longer.

So sad this is the last one for now!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Rose and the Thorn to be better than the print version?

The story is great on its own, but I could never conjure up the personalities the way Tim Reynolds does. His tone of voice for Royce and Hadrian is always perfect.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Fans sometimes call themselves Team Hadrian and Team Royce, I'm torn as I adore them both. I especially liked seeing Royce fall in love in spite of himself and have no idea how to cope with that.

Which character – as performed by Tim Gerard Reynolds – was your favorite?

I think his performance of Hadrian, with his genial attitude, is most distinctive.

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

Yes, if I could have, although I also wanted it to last.

Any additional comments?

Thank you, Audible, I doubt I would have discovered this author in print or appreciated him half so much. The whole works of Sullivan are probably my favorite listens of the year!

Royce being Royce!!! Read this 5th

Another great adventure with Riyria. I love seeing the things happen that we only heard about in Revelations. This installment was a look back at how it all started and a look into Royce's extremely violent past. It was great! I highly recommend this book to all Riyria fans. On a side note, if you are going to read this don't bother with The Viscount and the Witch as it is one of the sections of this book.

What??? No more??

This whole series is great. These are some of the best this genre has to offer. You will not be disappointed. I would recommend reading them in the order of publishing starting with the Ryria Revelations Trilogy. I hope Michael Sullivan keeps writing these because I love his characters, world, and stories. If you haven't read any of this series yet you are in for a treat.

Enjoy.

Sullivan Shines Again!!

If you have not read or listened to this one yet, I am incredibly jealous, as I will never get to experience this as a first timer ever again. There is something to be said for going through a book for the first time, you might get to see the layers of the book exposed, but you always know whether they go left or right at the fork of the road.

The Rose and Thorn is the next installment in the Royce and Hadrian experience and Sullivan does not disappoint. The story continues where it left off and takes you in directions that you never expected. Familiar faces from the Riyria Revelations pop up and garner extra enjoyment for those who have previously met some of them. By the conclusion of this book, you'll once again be chomping at the bit for the next installment.

And a point also worth noting is the stellar job that Tim Gerard Reynolds has done narrating this book. He really brings alive Royce and Hadrian - giving them distinctive personalities and memorable scenes.

Purchase with confidence.

disappointing

I just finished listening to the Crown Tower and couldn't say enough good things about it.
The Rose and the Thorn however is a different beast. I felt like Sulivan was too hemmed into the timeline he created earlier and characters that come into play in future stories.

The Rose and the Thorn does occasionally hit the sweet spot. Royce and Hadrian, whenever they are the focus here, the story just sings.

But Royce and Hadrian really only take up 30-40% of the story here. The rest is plotting we already know the outcome of from stories that have already been written but have not yet taken place on this timeline.

I really couldn't find myself interested in the stories of the King, the bishop, the plotting of the court, the dude with the fire mangled face...

Outstanding, again....

If you've read the Riyira Chronicles, this is another back story involving the two Muskateers, Royce and Hadrian. The author suggests you read the trilogy first, and I heartily agree.

I love this entire series because I love the two main characters. In fact, the author's wife fell so hard for Hadrian she inspired her husband to write this prequel. Their banter and swashbuckling are fun, funny and exciting.

And this is exactly why it's important to listen to the Chronicles first. This story confines explains the history of the partners as well as that of their lovers.

While this story has little in the way of elves, trolls, magic, warlocks and witches, it is a terrific adventure that captured my imagination.

this is actually book 1 not book 2

this book is actually the 1st book I went with their book order and ended up confused listening to this book as a prequel...it spoiled the whole series for me

Reading the books in chronological order

Having read 9 books before even meeting Hadrian and Royce just made the introduction of these characters in the previous book such an event. Seeing them develop in this book is so enjoyable, I can't wait to see what they get up to next!

Great characters

I’m really enjoying these books. I read the ‘Ages’ series first and decided to stick with story chronology rather than published order. I especially like the main characters and can’t wait to find out what happens to them in the next book.

Loved it.

Damn, I just can't get enough of Riyria, I absolutely love these characters so much. The Rose And The Thorn is second book in the Riyria Chronicles and the eight book in the Riyria series. You can't help but get so lost in these books, always in the thick of it, Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater take you on amazing adventures of thievery, murder and mayhem. You can tell that something has changed in Royce and Hadrian's partnership. Although their bond is not as strong as the one they will have much later on in the Revelations, you can see how things have improved and it's pleasantly surprisingly to see the amazing camaraderie and fun building between them. Michael J. Sullivan's writing is excellent and the world of Elan is truly epic. We get to see lots of the Characters at younger stages of their lives in this series. In The Rose And Thorn, Hadrian and Royce return to Medford, where a year ago they were saved from the brink of death by brothel owner Gwen, whom Royce has since fallen for. There is a Conspiracy to kill the royal family of Medford. With the Church back to there old tricks, Novron only knows who must suffer to get their way. Can't highly recommend this series enough, check it out you won't regret it....😁💙🗡⚔️💥

Quite interesting.

Somewhat unrealistic at times, but overall an entertaining listen. The narrator was fine and read well.

Great prequel to the Ryria series

I am a fan so this may be a biased review. However this is great prequel to followers of the Ryria series. These are great characters with well etched details. story has plots and twists as usual. wonderful narration

a mix of emotions

I really enjoyed this audiobook, it made me feel a mixture of different emotions

Luvvit

A well written fantasy adventure that further endears the listener to the protagonist duo. Shame the thumbnail indicates Revelations when it is, in fact, Chronicles. Ah well. A fabulous story with loveable, detestable and "meh" characters.
I must admit, I do find myself grinding my teeth at the patriarchal manipulation after all the hard work put in by the heroes in the Legends series.
I'm on my 3rd listen.
1st time I started with revelations (as recommended), then listened to Chronicles, then Legends.
2nd time, I started with Chronicles, then Revelations, then Legends.
This time, I started with Legends, and now Chronicles, and will go to Revelations next.
And I think, yes, read them in the order they were written. Revelations... Chronicles... Legends

brilliant

Have really fallen in love with the whole series. Great for passing the time whilst at work gardening.

Loved it!!

Looking forward to listening to the next book. I feel the scene really is set fully now. What twists will there be?!