Review: The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter by Michael J. Sullivan

Title: The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter
Author: Michael J. Sullivan
Series: The Riyria Chronicles #4
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Riyria Enterprises, LLC
Publication Date: October 2, 2018
Edition: 480 pages, Kindle Edition
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | BAM | Bookshop | Powell's | 

Synopsis:

A daughter vanishes. Two rogues are paid a fortune to find her. It isn't enough.
   When Gabriel Winter's daughter mysteriously disappears and is presumed dead, the wealthy whiskey baron seeks revenge. Having lived in Colnora during the infamous Year of Fear, he hires the one man he knows can deliver a bloody retribution - the notorious Duster.
   Ride with Royce and Hadrian as the cynical ex-assassin and idealistic ex-mercenary travel to a mysterious old-world city filled with nobles claiming descent from imperial aristocracy. Riyria's job appears easy: discover what happened to the missing duchess and, if she lives, bring her home . . . if not, punish those responsible. But nothing is simple in the crowded, narrow, mist-filled streets of Rochelle, where more than one ancient legend lurks.

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This series is so fun, while not required reading for the rest of the world, they offer some great insight to how Royce and Hadrian became the close friends they are at the start of Theft of Swords.Their dynamic is so funny and heartwarming. Royce and Hadrian are each other's Unicorn, it's great seeing how close they've gotten in such a short time. This book is full of Easter-Eggs and hints for the main Ryria series, and a little bit for the Rise and Fall series, but it's subtle.  

This book also forced Royce to confront his own heritage more than he's had to before, making him question the prejudices  he's held most of his life. While I think it wouldn't been comforting in a way to Mercator had Royce mentioned something about his heritage, I understand why he hadn't. At this point Royce is still coming to terms with it.

The overall plot of this book doesn't seem to have any effect on what happens in the main series. This is the most side-quest of Ryria Chronicles and it focuses more on Royce and Hadrian than other characters, which I like. I didn't feel any weight of importance with the other characters in this book. Perhaps this book is all about Royce learning to trust Hadrian more, and learning about who he was before they met. 

I do wish Gwen had been in this book more. We get so little of her in the main series, and I know The Crown Tower and The Rose and Throne feature her quite a bit, but she's a favorite character and I want to read more of her.