Our intrepid duo return in the second installment of The Riyria Revelations to solve another mystery and fight another day. Before Royce and Hadrian barely have time to settle after the fun had in The Crown Conspiracy, they find themselves pulled into a new problem: a young woman needs their help as her village is being attacked by an unknown nocturnal creature.
The town of Dahlgren is an idyllic place, except now it is visited each night by an ancient monster looking to terrorize and kill everyone. Royce and Hadrian know they can’t take on this beast by themselves, at least not without some impressive magic, and call on the help of their old friend and brilliant wizard, Esrahaddon. Hadrian does his best to protect the town and its people, fortifying it, and having everyone hide out in the fortress each night. Meanwhile Royce and Esrahaddon journey to the ancient elven tower known as Avempartha. There they hope to confront the beast and kill it. But everything doesn’t go according to plan, as it never does, and Hadrian learns some very important things about himself.
Like The Crown Conspiracy, Avempartha is a perfect stand alone book, as well as being a sequel; it can be read either way. Sullivan ramps up the action and story, as we learn more about the characters we’ve come to like, as well about the incredible world he has created. At the same time more details are revealed about the growing overall story, leaving readers waiting in earnest for the next installment.
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Originally written on June 10th, 2009 ©Alex C. Telander.
For an interview with Michael J. Sullivan check out BookBanter Episode 10.
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