Blazing Reader,

The Crown Conspiracy by Michael J. Sullivan could be the cure for ADHD. It's one of the most enjoyable novels I've read in a long time...

The reason the cover says Theft of Swords is because The Crown Conspiracy is book one of two in this volume. And this volume is one of three in The Riyria Revelations series. (I know it's even more confusing than the Lord/Fellowship of the Rings.)

This 1800-page epic series begins with King Amrath being stabbed in the back while kneeling in prayer, alone in his chapel. Two thieves, Royce and Hadrian, are framed for the murder. The castle guard seizes them and schedules their dismemberment for sunrise. The princess, however, helps the two thieves escape. But she has one condition: They must take her brother (against his will) with them to meet a 900-year-old wizard being held in a secret prison on the other side of the kingdom.

“So,” Royce said, “you want us to escape from this prison, kidnap the king, cross the countryside with him in tow while dodging soldiers who I assume might not accept our side of the story, and go to another secret prison so that he can visit an inmate?”

Arista did not appear amused. “Either that, or you can be tortured to death in four hours.”

“Sounds like a really good plan to me,” Hadrian declared. “Royce?”

“I like any plan where I don’t die a horrible death.”

Fun dialogue, wouldn't you agree?

After hearing about the success of indie author Michael J. Sullivan, I took a risk and purchased all six books in his debut series, The Riyria Revelations, as one box-set trilogy. Well, at least that's how the English copies are sold. Here in the Netherlands, each book is sold separately. I read the first book, The Crown Conspiracy (Het Koningscomplot) in both languages. And it was so good, I'd read it a third time.

In fact, I'm currently copying chapter one of the Spanish translation, La conspiración de Melengar, out by hand...

You may be wondering: Why is John doing this? Well, I find transcribing a successful novel to be one of the best ways to master the craft of fiction writing.

On the subject of writing fiction, I'd better get back to work...

On Friday, I'll follow up with the rest of my review of Sullivan's super successful fantasy novel (which is a bit light on the fantasy).

Until then, you can find out more about Michael J. Sullivan's worlds at riyria.blogspot.com.

John C.A. Manley

P.S. You can earn me some extra coin by purchasing a copy of The Riyria Revelations through my Blazing Bookshop.

John C. A. Manley is the author of Much Ado About Corona, All The Humans Are Sleeping and other works of philosophical fiction that are "so completely engaging that you find yourself alternately laughing, gasping, hanging on for dear life." Get free samples of his stories by becoming a Blazing Pine Cone email subscriber.