The Riyria Revelations

The Riyria Revelations follows two thieves-for-hire: the pragmatic Royce Melborn and the warrior Hadrian Blackwater. Their partnership, known as Riyria, leads them to accept a seemingly straightforward commission that draws them into a complex web of political intrigue and ancient mysteries. The story takes place in the world of Elan, where tensions simmer between the noble houses, religious factions, and common folk. Magic exists but remains rare, while ancient elven ruins and forgotten lore hint at a deeper history that ties into present-day events. The series spans six books, originally self-published as separate novels and later combined into three omnibus volumes by Orbit Books. Each installment builds upon the previous ones while maintaining its own complete story arc. At its core, The Riyria Revelations explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the ways that seemingly small choices can reshape the fate of nations. The series challenges assumptions about power, faith, and the true meaning of heroism.

Readers highlight the friendship between main characters Royce and Hadrian as the series' strongest element. Many reviews note the humor and banter between the duo keeps the story engaging. Fantasy fans appreciate that it avoids common tropes and remains accessible to new readers. Likes: - Character development across the series - Fast-paced plotting with satisfying reveals - Clean writing style without graphic content - Complete story arc with no cliffhangers Dislikes: - First book starts slowly - Some find the early writing rough - Romance subplots feel predictable - Medieval fantasy setting seen as generic by some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (82,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (7,000+ ratings) Notable review quotes: "Like comfort food in book form" - Goodreads reviewer "Characters feel like old friends by the end" - Amazon reviewer "Takes common fantasy elements but makes them fresh" - Fantasy Faction review

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch Two thieves navigate political intrigue and dangerous heists in a complex fantasy world filled with brotherhood and betrayal.

Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames A retired group of mercenaries reunites for one final mission, combining classic fantasy elements with strong bonds between comrades.

The Crown Tower by Michael J. Sullivan A master thief and an ex-mercenary form an unlikely partnership in this origin story set in the same world as Riyria.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo A crew of criminals undertakes an impossible heist while dealing with their personal demons and complex relationships.

The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman A guild-trained thief joins a quest with knights and witches while navigating a treacherous world of magic and political schemes.

🗸 The series was originally self-published as six individual books before being acquired by Orbit Books, who reorganized it into three omnibus volumes. 🗸 Author Michael J. Sullivan wrote all six books before publishing the first one to ensure perfect continuity and plant proper foreshadowing throughout the series. 🗸 The name "Riyria" comes from the Elvish word for "two" and translates to "The Two" - referring to the partnership between main characters Royce and Hadrian. 🗸 Sullivan created the series after his daughter struggled with dyslexia, wanting to write something accessible that would encourage her love of reading. 🗸 The author took a 10-year break from writing before creating The Riyria Revelations, having previously burned all his manuscripts after receiving over 100 rejections from publishers.