Rise of Empire

Michael J. Sullivan

Dec 2011 · Sold by Orbit

About this ebook

The adventure continues as Royce and Hadrian aid the struggling kingdom of Melengar as it alone stands in defiance against the newly formed empire. War approaches and a desperate gamble behind enemy lines is their only chance at forming an alliance with the Nationalists to the south.

But Royce has plans of his own as he uses this opportunity to discover if an ancient wizard is using Riyria as pawns in his own bid for power. To find the truth, Royce must unravel Hadrian's hidden past. What he discovers will lead them to the end of the known world, on a journey rife with treachery and intrigue.

When author Michael J. Sullivan self-published the first books of his Riyria Revelations, they rapidly became ebook bestsellers. Now, Orbit is pleased to present the complete series for the first time in bookstores everywhere.

Ratings and reviews

Definitely slower than the first book. A bit too much on the political side and not as much adventure and excitement. I am pleased with Arista's development and have a lot of hope for her character. Due to the necessity of closure, I must read the last in this trilogy; I simply hope it's more exciting than the second.

I absolutely loved Royce and Hadrian, they were great characters, and it was an amazing series. Could not put these books down until I was finished. Now I am upset that I am finished with them.

Theft of Swords established a strong character base and fantasy lore for Sullivan to draw from, and Rise of Empire continues to expand that world and those people into a true epic. The reader feels the focus of these books expand into a continent-wide struggle, while maintaining an eye on Royce and Hadrian. Sometimes the second book in a trilogy is reduced to a bridge. This, however, is a book which holds its own merit.

About the author

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Michael J. Sullivan has lived in Vermont, North Carolina, and Virginia. He worked as a commercial artist and illustrator, founding his own advertising agency in 1996, which he closed in 2005 to pursue writing full-time. The Crown Conspiracy is his first published work. He currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia with his wife and three children. The author's website can be found at www.riyria.com and on twitter @author_sullivan.