Blazing Reader,

I'm back with part two of the review I started on Wednesday of Michael Sullivan's The Crown Conspiracy — which is the first of two books in Theft of Swords, which is the first of three volumes in The Riyria Revelations. Despite such taxing titular taxonomy, the story is an easy and delightful read — even my neighbour's Jack Russell Terrier couldn't keep his nose out of it...

First off, let me say this bestselling fantasy novel is light on the fantasy. The Crown Conspiracy feels more like a medieval historical fiction, with some racial tension between dwarves, elves and menfolk mixed in. Sure, it contains a few magic spells, but the story's real magic is in the adventurous plot, likeable characters and witty dialogue.

Here's an example of that witty dialogue:

“You think he’s still alive?” Royce asked, nodding his head toward Alric.

“Sure,” Hadrian replied without bothering to look. “He’s probably sleeping. Why do you ask?”

“I was just pondering something. Do you think a person could smother in a wet potato bag?”

Hadrian lifted his head and looked over at the motionless prince. “I really hadn’t thought about it until now.”

If you're seeking a story with profound psychological depth, life-changing philosophizing and exquisite prose, this novel probably fails to deliver. But if you want some good old-fashioned escapist fun with some sword fights, mystery, good morals (for thieves, at least), ingenious escapes and unhinged heroism, I'd highly recommend picking up a copy of Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Revelations.

My only issues with the novel:

Firstly, the escape from the second prison was too dependent on magic. It felt terribly anticlimactic.

Secondly, while the two thieves have distinct personalities and backstories, their speech patterns are too similar. I had trouble separating them in my head. They come across more like twin brothers.

That said, fans of the series call The Crown Conspiracy the shallow end of a very deep lake. With each book, the plot and characters take on new depth. Many rate The Ryria Chronicles as their favourite fantasy series of all time. For people like me, who prefer stories of individuals, rather than political campaigns, I can certainly see why they rate Sullivan's work so highly.

One last excerpt from Hadrian and Royce:

“Aren’t you going to say, I told you so?” Hadrian whispered.

“What would be the point in that?”

“Oh, so you’re saying that you’re going to hang on to this and throw it at me at some future, more personally beneficial moment?”

“I don’t see the point in wasting it now, do you?”

For a hard-to-put-down novel about two thieves on the run with an arrogant prince and a naive monk, trying to save the kingdom (and, yes, a princess accused of being a witch trapped in a tower) from a devilish dwarf, a cunning bishop, and an evil uncle, I highly recommend you give The Crown Conspiracy a gander (even my neighbour's Jack Russell agrees).

John C.A. Manley

P.S. To take a deep dive into the worlds of Michael J. Sullivan check out the Riyria Blogspot.

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.