REVIEW: Percepliquis By Michael J Sullivan

Percepliquis By Michael J Sullivan
Publishing information: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Ridan Publishing; 16 January 2012
ISBN 10: 1937475018
ISBN 13: 978-1937475017
ASIN: B005IGVSIO
Series: Book 6 of the Riyria Revelations
Copy: Provided by publisher
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS...THE ELVES HAVE CROSSED THE NIDWALDEN. TWO THIEVES WILL DECIDE THE FUTURE.

"I saw a great journey. Ten upon the road, she who wears the light will lead the way. The road goes deep into the earth, and into despair. The voices of the dead guide your steps. You walk back in time. The three-thousand-year battle begins again. Cold grips the world, death comes to all, and a choice is before you." -- Fan Irlanu, Tenkin Seerer of Oudorro Village

Percepliquis is the final installment of the epic fantasy, The Riyria Revelations. In this saga that began with The Crown Conspiracy, two thieves caught in the wrong place at the right time were launched on a series of ever escalating adventures that have all lead to this moment. Three thousand years have passed and the time for Novron's heir to act has arrived."

The adventure was bound to end at some time and I am a little sad that it has. The Riyria Revelations has to be one of my favorite series in all of fantasy. I was a little late to the show when The Crown Conspiracy was released, but once I read it, I was hooked. I was then lucky enough to be on good terms with his publishing company and the author himself, and received advanced copies of nearly every one of the books from that point on. I am also fortunate to have received the final installment of the series in advance as well.

The beginning Percepliquis moves at a much slower pace than the past installments. It does turn up the heat towards the end of the book. But before you get there the pace seemed a bit off, as there was a lot of questing and not much action. There are a lot of loose ends tied up in this novel that will have people wondering how they could have missed all of the clues. I like how the novel does its best to answer all of the questions fans and readers have had over the course of the series. The big questions that everyone had on their mind was answered for me before the big reveal which lessened its impact when it finally came to light.

The problem that I had with the novel is the ending. The ending was a little too over the top for me. The reason I have enjoyed the previous installments of The Riyria Revelations is that it is a gritty story that can be told to anyone. At the end of Percepliquis, that does not occur. The grittiness that readers have come to expect is missing.

Now that the series is complete, I still recommend the series whole-heartedly, but this is the weakest novel in the series by far. The pacing is slow and the ending is way too happy for my taste. It was a bit of a let down. Sullivan is still of on my favorite authors and may actually be my favorite author in all of fantasy, but I was expecting something much darker or at the very least grey and the ending that I received was a rainbow at full blast.

Plot 7/10

Characters 9/10

Style 6/10

Overall 7/10

If you want to read the series now I recommend that you check out the trilogy versions instead:

Book 1 - Rise of Empire (contains The Crown Conspiracy & Avempartha)
Book 2 - Theft of Swords (contains Nyphron Rising & The Emerald Storm)
Book 3 - Heir of Novron (to be released 31 January 2012) (Wintertide & Percepliquis)

Sullivan's Covers

Do not know how I did not see these when they first came out, but the covers to the new editions of the Orbit editions of the Riyria Revelations. While I am eagerly awaiting the last book in the series (it may be published individually in order to complete collections), the new books will combine two books into one making it a trilogy. If you have not had a chance to read the series, now is a great time to check them out. They will be released in November, December, and January. Not all that excited about the new covers but the books are a lot of fun to read.

Book 1

Book 2

Book 3

REVIEW: Wintertide by Michael J Sullivan (Kindle Edition)

Wintertide by Michael J Sullivan
Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: Ridan Publishing; 1 October 2010
ISBN 10: 0982514581
ISBN 13: 978-0982514580
ASIN: B00452VB5W
Series: The Riyria Revelations Book 5
Copy: Provided by Publisher
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "A FORCED WEDDING. A DOUBLE EXECUTION. TWO THIEVES HAVE OTHER PLANS.


The New Empire intends to celebrate its victory over the Nationalists with a day that will never be forgotten. On the high holiday of Wintertide the empress will be married. Degan Gaunt and the Witch of Melengar will be publically executed. Then the empress will suffer a fatal accident leaving the empire in the hands of the new emperor. It will be a perfect day. There is only one problem-Royce and Hadrian have finally found the lost heir."

A year ago today we started Speculative Book Review with the first review of Michael Sullivan's The Emerald Storm, book four in the Riyria Revelations series. It seems only fitting that we review the fifth book in the series, Wintertide, on our anniversary.

With each new installment in the Riyria Revelations the characters just get better. Wintertide is no exception. This addition focuses is on a much smaller scale than the previous novels as it all takes place in one location, for the most part. As things took a turn for the worst at the end of The Emerald Storm. Royce and Hadrian go their separate ways for the majority of the novel in order to take on their personal quests.

In Wintertide, we head to the Empire's capital, Aquesta, for the celebration known as Wintertide. As Royce and Hadrian enter the city there is a lot of great characters introduced. We meet a few street smart kids that take on a more important role and and also provide some levity to the story. With their introduction we also catch a glimpse about what life is like for the underprivileged and just how important the world's rulers are to the down trodden. The conversations the kids have when plotting their crimes and how to handle the city's newcomers was a lot of fun.

We also have a few recurring characters take on a larger role in Wintertide, they tend to help out our main characters in one shape or another. The story of Hadrian's taking on the role of a recently dubbed knight is interesting as he must learn the ways of a noble and the warfare that takes place during the gatherings and royal occasions are a lot of fun to read as the snubbing that takes place is highly amusing and intelligent. Royce's story is very minor and he really only shows up at the end; however, we he does his actions speak louder than words and the ending sets the stage for the final book. His story has him confronting a friend from the past and while I could see it coming from the previous books, I was not prepared for what happens in Wintertide. His role while minor, has a dramatic impact on how this story comes to a conclusion.

As with all of Sullivan's books in the Riyria Revelations series, Wintertide can be read as an individual book, but not recommend it as you miss out on a lot of the little stuff and many of the holes are plugged as we venture forth in this book. For those waiting for the last book in the series you will have a somewhat longer wait than expected as Orbit has recently purchased the series and will be releasing it as a trilogy. Percepliquis, will be contained in the third book in the trilogy. While I have spoken to Mrs. Sullivan she has stated that they may be able to do a limited run on the final book in the series and if you go to Michael Sullivan's website you may be able to complete your collection with all of Sullivan's amazing covers. Wintertide is highly recommended and should be congratulated on his recent success with Orbit purchasing his series.

Plot 8
Characters 7.5
Style 8

Overall 9/10