Review: The Crown Tower by Michael J. Sullivan

Title: The Crown Tower
Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Series: The Riyria Chronicles #1
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit
Publication Date: August 06, 2013
Edition: Kindle
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon US | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | BAM | Bookshop | Powell's | 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

A warrior with nothing to fight for is paired with a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Together they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the impregnable remains of the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm’s most valuable possessions. But it isn’t gold or jewels the old wizard is after, and this prize can only be obtained by the combined talents of two remarkable men. Now if Arcadius can just keep Hadrian and Royce from killing each other, they just might succeed.

Two men who hate each other. One impossible mission. A legend in the making. 

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I love this world. Sullivan writes some of my favorite characters in all fantasy. Seeing where Royce and Hadrian started, and how much they hated each other compared to what close brother-like friends they were at the start of Theft of Swords is almost endearing. It makes sense they'd feel the way did before they got to know each other. Even in Revelations they had different views on things, Royce is far more cynical than Hadrian is. But it gives them a good balance of character. Even knowing they made it out of their dire situation, I was excited to read how they got  there.

I was also ecstatic that Gwen was a main POV in this book. She was always a character I wanted to know more about in Revelations. I knew based on how Sullivan writes other female characters that there had to be more to her than was initially revealed. I just love her character, and hope she's in more books in this series. 

 

I do also hope to learn more about Arcadius. I know he's not Turin, but I've heard whispers that there are context clues that he's Trilos. But I'm not certain about that based on what happens to Arcadius in Revelations. This does add to the loose ends that have yet to be fully tied up from the other books in this world.

The mission itself, of stealing the book is pretty cut and dry. The subtle humor in this series is what I feel like a lot of authors try to do but aren't good at. The humor is my kind of humor though, a little dry and sarcastic.

This book (the series too) really should be read after reading Revelations, even though these events take place before. I'm glad that I had changed my plan to read things in chronological order. I don't think things would've had the same impact had I read them that way. Maybe on a re-read I'll read them in that order. 

I already have the sequel to this book from the library so I'm going to start that one right away. I hope/want to buy all the books in this world.