Heir of Novron

Oh my, that was wonderful! I spent the last hundred pages or so both wanting to get to the end, and being reluctant to finish because I didn't want it to be over.

Don't start this series without having all the books on hand, or you will kick yourself. They are simply so engaging that you will find it necessary to know what happens next. The plot is simply incredible.

Royce and Hadrian are wonderful. I couldn't stand Arista at first, but she certainly grew on me. Molina is a little two-dimensional, but that makes sense in some respects.

Now I have to go find the prequels and read them, because I don't want to leave Sullivan's world just yet.

An amazing end to the series! I feel like I should have been able to guess more of the big reveals given all the foreshadowing, but I didn't, so it was super fun at the end. I really enjoyed how this series managed to have one overarching story arc across a bunch of smaller, mostly self-contained story arcs. Such an enjoyable series! I will definitely be reading the other related series by Sullivan.

Executive Summary: I try not to give out 5 stars too often. I add books to my favorites shelf even less, but I really loved this book. I will definitely be revisiting this series again in the future. Listening to this book just made me happy. It's not going to have much appeal to the people who want gritty realism in every story. For someone like me who needs an occasional break from that and just wants a fun sword and sorcery story, this delivered.Audio book: Mr. Reynolds sold me on doing these books exclusively in audio with [b:Theft of Swords 10790290 Theft of Swords (The Riyria Revelations, #1-2) Michael J. Sullivan https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1307959785s/10790290.jpg 15702572], and hasn't left me disappointed at the choice by this third and final installment.I'm happy to see he's also reading the prequel series!Full ReviewSince this is an omnibus, I'm going to opt to review each story individually.WintertideThis was easily my favorite of the series thus far. It was really hard to stop listening. In fact I went out of my way to find reasons to keep listening. That's always the sign of a good book.In this story we have the majority of the characters that have been spread out throughout the world all in one place on the verge of Wintertide. Things are looking bleak for our heroes, yet somehow Mr. Sullivan finds a way to keep things light and fun for the reader.In many ways this felt like a pause from the continuing story, but there are many important developments in the last few chapters that look to have large implications heading into the final book. The situation Hadrian finds himself in seems a bit ridiculous, but I don't care as it made for some really great storytelling.Mr. Sullivan seems to have really come into his own both in writing and his grasp of all the details of the world and characters he created.My only small complaint is one that most authors and fantasy fans wouldn't mind. With the previous four stories, they each felt complete and come to a reasonable conclusion. You want to read what's next, but I found it easy to pause between stories to read other things. Not so with this book. If it were not for the fact that I had the final story ready to go not seconds after finishing this, I would be annoyed at having to wait. Thankfully that's not the case and I jumped immediatly into the final story.4.5 StarsPercepliquisGiven where the last story left off, the start of this book was frustrating me until all of a sudden it wasn't and I kept yelling in triumph. It was a little ridiculous. Thankfully I was alone in my car and it was dark out so no one saw/heard me. :)War is threatening and mankind of on the verge of obliteration. Royce and Hadrian set out for One last job..This is Mr. Sullivan's [b:The Fellowship of the Ring 34 The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1) J.R.R. Tolkien https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1371849682s/34.jpg 3204327]. All of the characters I've grown to love, and some I've grown to despise group up and head to the find the ancient city of Percepliquis in search of an important artifact that may be their last hope for survival.The book is maybe a bit too predictable. I was kicking myself for not guessing some of the details much sooner. Others might realize where things were going a lot sooner than I did. I might not have enjoyed it as much if I had, it's hard to say.With authors like [a:George R.R. Martin 346732 George R.R. Martin https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1351944410p2/346732.jpg] and [a:Steven Erikson 31232 Steven Erikson https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1219169436p2/31232.jpg] I've been trained to expect the worst to happen around every corner. This is a nice break from that. Don't get me wrong, bad stuff happens, but not at the same level as your grimdark fantasy that is all the rage these days.As it was, I think the ending while a bit eye-rolling in places was perfect. It made me feel really happy but also sad that it was over.I'm already jumping right into the first prequel book [b:The Crown Tower 16043804 The Crown Tower (The Riyria Chronicles #1) Michael J. Sullivan https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1375570227s/16043804.jpg 21821161], so I can put off being sad the series is over for a little while longer.5 Stars.

I picked up this book and from start to finish I couldn't stop reading it.

I think it was an amazing ending to this series and I couldn't be more satisfied.

I spotted one plot thread that kind of went nowhere, but other than that, I have nothing to complain about.

I think one of the best things about this series is that the author isn't afraid to bring secondary characters from previous books out of obscurity and give them a prominent role in the narrative. This attention to the “unimportant” people lends endearing and surprisingly realistic aspect to the story.

Another thing I need to give praise for are the well plotted and laid out twists. Some I managed to guess (including the last scene, which I loved!!!) and some surprised me nicely.

Michael J Sullivan has done a great job with these characters and this plot and I am so looking forward to reading more from him.

Highly recommend!

having read the legends of the first empire before this series I'd say this was still very satisfying. I'd love to see the stories in this universe that are set to the futures of where this story ends. Particularly Royces future, the Elves, something tied to Siri and/or the gods of Elan would be fun to read. The magic system is slightly boring where everything just convieniently tends to happen with the help of magic if there is no other way forward. There sometimes is a feel of having to fit every fantasy trope in the world in this series and the story at times has such YA feel, that is enfuriating, but the plot works, the world building works, the characters work. A classical case of “why am I reading this” turning into a page turner.

I'll be back perhaps in this year in this world with the rise and fall books

Amazing. Incredible. Perfection.

It's so weird to think about how much this series has grown over the course of three books. Characters I felt indifferent towards in the first installment are now fully fleshed out characters I grew to like. The world that was essentially just a backdrop is now a really important element of the story. The story is still hella fun and a joy to spend time in, but it also had its serious moments and it mixed those really well.

While I was reading this, I was a bit worried because at this point, there are no follow-ups to this story, only prequels (which I will get to sooner rather than later!) and I was afraid this wouldn't end so good for these great characters. But the ending was actually really great and I don't mind not checking in with these characters again after that point in time. Though I certainly wouldn't mind if it was ever planned!

I already feel like rereading the entire trilogy, which says a lot about my enjoyment of this series! :)

What an amazing end to this series. I have a lot of favorites, and my preferences change from time to time, but this is among the absolute best fantasy series that I have ever read. This goes right onto the favorites/re-read bookshelf.

Notes for the first book:

Arista and Degan are set to be executed on Wintertide, the same day that Modina, the empress, will be married to Ethelred. Saldur and Guy plan on killing Modina once Ethelred is emperor, just to remove the loose end. Hadrian makes a deal with Saldur to free Arista and Degan at the expense of Sir Breckton, but both realize that they've been setup. Everyone is imprisoned and Royce goes to break them out but fails. Alric and Mauvin end up breaking everyone out because Modina sends her guard to Drondil Fields to stop the siege against Melengar and asks them to rescue everyone who has been falsely imprisoned and accuses Saldur and Luis Guy of treason. In the end, Gwen is killed by a crossbow bolt ostensibly fired by one of Marrick's cronies, though he denies it. Royce in a complete fit of rage burns down the building that Saldur, Marrick, and Modina are in. Married manages to escape but is killed by a vengeful Royce and they both spill over into the nearby river. Meanwhile, Arista goes into the burning building using Esrahaddon's cloak and rescues Modina. Hadrian, not seeing Royce, notices hands by the bridge crossing the river and sees Royce. Hadrian implores Royce to not let go, but is only able to motivate him to reach for Hadrian's hand after saying "I need your help."

Notes for the second book:

This is the finale, when we get to see everything that we've been waiting for come to the ultimate climax. At the beginning of the sixth book, we learn that the elves are coming and they are the ultimate army, unbeatable in almost every way, the only way to beat them is by finding the horn, but what does the horn do? A party of 10 people (Royce, Hadrian, Alric, Arista, Mauvin, Myron, Degan, Wyatt, Elden, Magnus) sets out to find Percepliquis and find the horn, which is most likely buried with the last emperor. The party is carefully put together based upon the needs of the expedition: the heir (Degan), a spelunker (Magnus), someone who knows the history (Myron), and some sailors (Wyatt and Elden). We're not sure why the party needs some of these skills, but along they go.They quickly make their way to Amberton Lee, where the original city of Percipliquis is thought to be and find a way in, though there will be a lot of climbing to get there. They make their way to the bottom and among other problems encounter an underground sea with the city of Percepliquis on the other side. They find a ship and Wyatt and Elden prove themselves useful by sailing the boat across the sea. They encounter some of the Ba Ran Ghazel in one ship at first and are able to shake them, but encounter more and Arista must use the Art to destroy them, but in the process she almost destroys their own ship.Once on the other side, they explore the old city, finding indications that others have been here before them (including Bernie being on the ship they sailed), they make their way to the library (finding Antun Bulard), and then to the Teshlor Guild. There they make their stand against hundreds of Ghazel, again saved by Arista's magic destroying the guild and scattering the Ghazel. They run to the destroyed palace and find their way in, all the while being chased by the Ghazel. They eventually end up in the antechamber to the Vault of Days, where a Gilarabrywn is guarding the tomb of the emperors. We learn that this Gilarabrywn is actually the last emperor known—Nareion. Royce figures out that he can communicate with him (but why?) so the manage to get in and find the horn among an all-too-small number of sarcophagi. Gaunt blows the horn and nothing happens.Meanwhile, the elves are still marching to Aquesta and are destroying towns along the way. We're unsure of how, but the boys who are left to watch the horses at Amberton Lee eventually figure it out. They play a song along the way and it puts anyone who hears it to sleep. That allows them to go in untouched and destroy everything in their path. Knowing this, Renwick leaves the other four boys with the horses and rides for Aquesta to let them know what they're up against. Breckton makes Renwick his aide-de-camp and starts to plan out the defense of the city.When the elves arrive at Aquesta, they come out a company at a time. At first it's 100 elves on horseback, nothing too bad, then it's another 200 on foot, 100 archers, more riders, siege engines, mages, and more. The mages start to cast a spell and the foundation of the city begins to shake with walls and buildings being torn asunder. In the panic, the elves walk into the city killing all in their way with little resistance. With no hope being left to them, the Gilarabrywn are set upon the city and with little else to do, Modina goes out to defend her people and city by exclaiming:> “I am the daughter of the last emperor,” she said with a loud clear voice. “I am the daughter of Novron, the Daughter of Maribor. I am Empress Modina Novronian! This is my city, my land, and you are my people. The elves will not have you!”After that, the elves treat with her and ask where the horn is and why it hasn't been blown to reestablish the treaties, agreements, and so forth. She explains they're still finding the horn, and hearing that the elves go off to meet the party sent to find the horn.The party makes their way out of Percepliquis and finds the Patriarch of the church waiting for them. (While underground, they they determined the Patriarch is actually Venlin, the architect of the destruction of Perciplquis and the empire. He's wants to be king because it means he'll be welcome in their society again after being exiled after killing his own father.) They hand the horn to the patriarch and he sounds the horn, challenging the heir (Gaunt) for the rule of the elves.The fight begins the next day with both Mawyndulë and Gaunt naming champions in Lord Irawondona and Hadrian, respectively. Hadrian fights very well, but can't hurt Irawondano and that means that Hadrian, while being claimed as Gaunt's Champion, is not the _heir's_ champion. That's when we learn that Royce is the heir, not Gaunt. Irawondona, spurred on by Mawyndulë, goes after Royce and tries to kill him before he can name Hadrian as his champion, but is able to do it in time. At this point Irawondona and Hadrian are facing off again, but with the spadones (swords of the Teshlor knights) instead of the elven polearms. They fight for a bit, but Hadrian starts to walk away, back facing Irawondona hearing his father in his head telling him to sense his opponent and trust his instincts, and he slashes at where he knows Irawondona will be, cutting the man in two, making Royce king of the elves.The elves bow down to Royce quickly, with no hesitation. Everything now clicks neatly into place. Royce and Hardian were put together by Arcadius because he knew they were the heir and guardian even then. Royce almost dies, but Arista's healing brings him back only because they figure out that Mercy is actually Mercedes, his daughter by way of Gwen DeLancey (his love and his reason for living). We also see Hadrian and Arista admit their love for one another, we see dwarves and mir made citizens by imperial edict, Allie (Wyatt's daughter) is adopted by the empress, Mauvin becomes governor of Melengar, Degan becomes earl of Chadwick (sorry Archie), and Magnus becomes the head builder of New Percepliquis (and is possibly a/the dwarven prince).That leaves us with Arista, Hadrian, Myron, Royce, Modina, and Nimbus. Modina asks Arista to head up the Cenzaur guild, Hadrian to do the same for the Teshlor guild, and Myron to start a new university. They'll all be needed for the new empire. Royce will be leaving for the elven homeland so he can settle things there and he'll be taking Mercy (his daughter) with him. Modina will continue to rule, but without Nimbus as he's done his part and needs to be on his way. A bit before this, Royce recognizes Nimbus—having not seen him in his Chancellor role before today—as the man from Manzant who helped him escape the prison. He keeps asking Nimbus who he is, and why he helped, and tells him that he wanted to thank him. Nimbus just smiles and says "You already know that." When Royce, Mercy, and Nimbus strike off, they eventually split. Royce and Mercy hear lightning in the sky and look over to see blue skies and a white feather falling down as Nimbus reaches up, grabs it, kisses it, and stashes in his bag. (We learn that Nimbus is Kile, the human form of Erebus, the father of all gods, because we've been told about this parable many times over during the course of the book. This means that Erebus was doing this good deed, helping Modina and Royce and all of humanity and without his help, where would they be?)

I've had these books on my to read book shelf for years and finally got around to reading them. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed these books tremendously. After some of the books I've read in the past I loved the pace of the books and was delighted with the storyline. Things flowed smoothly and I liked most of the characters and found myself teary-eyed at one point of the book. So a good sign that I'm invested and I love being invested in a book and its characters. What I kept on thinking while reading this book was how easy it was to read and that there wasn't any annoying abruptness. In the past year, I've read a lot of books where I liked the storyline but the romance was just abruptly shoved down my throat, or that characters were going from place to place without any rhyme nor reason. So it was refreshing to just read these books and go along for the ride. At no point was I jarred out of the story with some weird storyline, movement of the characters or asking myself what the heck just happened. Great enjoyable read!!!

Solid 4.5! This is going to be more of a gush than a review (nothing unusual there).

Firstly, my boy Myron is back!!! He is literally my favourite character in the entire series and I was so glad to have him back! Myron, you have my heart! What a freaking darling you are! So precious! :') Okay, now that I've gotten that out of the way...

This was such an amazing conclusion to the trilogy!! The first two books were entertaining and I liked them but they come nowhere close to how much I enjoyed this last one.
The writing is significantly better, the world building was amazing and the lore was much better developed.
I was so invested in the story that I cried for characters I didn't even know I cared about!! The plot twists were so well executed! Arggg! I DID NOT see them coming!!
I feel like the pacing, the banter, the suspense, the friendships and relationships portrayed were all ON POINT!

I really liked the romance elements. One couple had me rolling my eyes and giggling and the other had me bawling! I really enjoyed myself! (Hehe)

Also, the fight sequences chef's kiss!

It was so satisfying when things came together in the end! Tssk! I loved it!!
I'm so glad I pushed through and finished this trilogy!

Oh and I listened to this on audio and Tim Gerard Reynolds is such a phenomenal narrator and adds so so much to the story.

I had a great time with this series.