Review: Drumindor by Michael J. Sullivan

Title: Drumindor
Author: Michael J. Sullivan 
Series: The Riyria Chronicles #5
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Riyria Enterprises LLC
Publication Date: August 5, 2025
Edition: eBook
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop | Kobo | Powell's | 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

HE PLANNED TO OBLITERATE AN ENTIRE CITY. HE THOUGHT NO ONE COULD STAND IN HIS WAY. BUT HE HADN'T HEARD OF RIYRIA.
   When a master-craftsmen dwarf is fired, he threatens retaliation. The rogues-for-hire known as Riyria are commissioned to find and stop him. Traveling to the paradise resort of Tur Del Fur, the two are granted a lavish allowance that, along with the easy job, promises to turn the trip into a vacation. Everything would have been perfect except that the disgruntled employee’s last name is Berling and the target of his wrath is the legendary towers of Drumindor. 

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 I initially started this book a year ago, but I put it down because I wasn't ready for the final book (as far as I know) in the world of Elan. There are still some loose ends that I wish were tied together. There's just a few character's whose story I don't feel like got a good ending (yet) and I really want to know what happened to them and if things are ever resolved. 

 

The stakes for this book weren't as high as they have been in past books. Every character in this book is one who is alive at the start of The Theft of Swords, which made me not worry about them. Most of the book was me just wondering how they got out of the mess, more than a "will they survive". I also wasn't as invested in the city of Tur Del Fur, since if memory serves (it's been several years since I read Revelations) they never go back to Tur Del Fur. I suppose it only mattered as far as tying together some characters from Legends with this series, since there's so few options to do that.

 

I gotta say though, that Royce was so funny in this book being so completely socially inept when it came to Gwen. The man is so adorably clueless. He can talk anyone's ear off when it comes to trying to get information out of them but telling Gwen how he feels about her, he turns into a silent mess. Since this is a prequel to Revelations, I knew he did tell her eventually, but getting there was going to be a trial all on it's own. 

 

Hadrian, he was kind of pathetic in this book when it came to women. Sure he is able to talk to them, but he's far too idealistic for his own good with a savior complex. That singer he was smitten with, I don't know what made him think that she'd want to run away with him. That plotline felt a little out of place. Though I suppose he was trying to force himself to find someone else, since he is also smitten with Gwen, but she only has eyes for Royce. And, I gotta say, I didn't really care for her being 17 and him 24... I don't know why she couldn't have been 20. 

 

 

I really loved getting more of Gwen again. She's such an under rated character, and I love her. She is the embodiment of kindness. She's the kind of woman Royce needed, someone who accepts him exactly how he is and loves him in spite of it all. Because this is a prequel series to Revelations, there's so little I can say that won't be spoilers. All the more reason I hope there's more to come in some fashion for the World of Elan.