It's my birthday...and release day...all rolled into one.

Today is my birthday, and when Orbit decided the date for the release of The Rose and the Thorn they probably didn't know about that.  I've received a ton of congratulatory tweets about both and since the release of The Crown Tower a lot of people have been saying how much they are looking forward to The Rose and the Thorn.

Many people are already asking me when the third book in Chronicles will be out.  Well there is no easy answer to that one. For those who haven't read the Author's Note in The Crown Tower, I'm playing the chronicles series very much by ear. If people want more Royce and Hadrian, well then I certainly have some great stories waiting to be told. But if they decide that eight is enough. I've got many non-Riyria tales as well.  If you want to weigh in there is a survey you can answer here.

As for The Rose and the Thorn, the early reviews are positive:

"An excellent second act in the Riyria Chronicles. Michael J. Sullivan's The Rose and the Thorn manages to be even better than The Crown Tower, making this book, and the duology – one of my favourite reads of 2013." ~ Bane of Kings, The Founding Fields

"So far, all of Sullivan's Riyria books have been very well paced, sword and sorcery style action with strong characters, making them fun and easy to read.  I would recommend them to any fan of fantasy, new or veteran, young or old." ~ Reading Realms

"I have to say, that The Rose and the Thorn was an excellent end to the Riyria Chronicles and is every bit as strong as any one of Sullivan’s other books." ~ Fantasy Faction

"I’d say Sullivan has discovered a gold mine of potential stories that will continue to prove popular for as long as he can keep to this winning mix of the familiar formulas, new perspectives, and untold adventures." ~ 52 Book Reviews

"In sum, this book basically gave me more than I bargained for, and in a
good way." ~ The Bibliosanctum

"I highly recommend this book for fans of light fantasy and caper-type stories.  Sullivan has shown how a prequel should be done" ~ Being a Big Sandwhich

"The Rose and the Thorn is another great story from an author that deserves to be read by every fan of fantasy and adventure." ~ Owlcat Mountain

"There is a timelessness about these novels that really makes you yearn for that era." ~ Koeur's Book Reviews