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
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
Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI've almost finished The Crown Tower. I like it. :) I can really feel the tension between Royce and Hadrian. The scene where Gwen gets the vision actually got my heart pounding. I really felt as if I was there!
Looking forward to reading The Rose and the Thorn! =D
Congratulations and many happy returns! I'm requesting that Shreve Memorial Library stock your books and if Barksdale AFB library remains open into the new fiscal year I'll get them copies too.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday and happy release day. I am holding the Rose and Thorn in my hands as I write. Oh, nervously excited, I open the front cover....
ReplyDelete@Jasmine - thanks! Glad you are enjoying the Crown Tower Read.
ReplyDelete@MLE - great! I need all the help I can find in getting libraries to carry the books. It sometimes help to let those doing the acquistitions that Theft of Swords was one of Library Journal's best fantasy of 2011. This usually helps to get that book in and then the rest follow. I know budgets are stretched tight but really grateful for the libraries that carry them.
@Laurnarose - thanks to both. So glad you got the book. I do hope you enjoy it.
Happy Birthday and YAY! For you and me since I get to read the new book! Blasted through the Crown Tower and then had withdrawal since I wanted to keep reading. Very excited.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and Congrats! I can't wait to start the prequels, both are sitting on my desk just waiting. I'm rereading the Chronicles series again (my all-time favorite series ) to fully appreciate the prequels. Thank you for crafting an amazing world for us readers!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, and thanks for all the fantastic books! I'm reading the Riyria Revelations for the first time, and just started Percepliquis today. I love the characters and am very excited/nervous about what's going to happen.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday! Thank you so very much for giving us the gift of another Royce and Hadrian adventure. Please, please, please keep them coming. I am going to be very sad when I finish The Rose and the Thorn. Words cannot express how much I love these characters.
ReplyDelete@Linda - that's great...always glad to see people consuming my books so quickly and wanting more.
ReplyDelete@Marc - thank you...I'm honored to have writtn your all-time favorite series. I really never thought I would hear such a thing.
@Brentus - Percepliquis is my favorite of the series - I do hope you enjoy!
@Crystal - Thanks so much for the well wishes. It's good to know that for you eight is not enough...we'll see what others have to say. I'd love to write more.
Happy belated Birthday, Michael!
ReplyDeleteWith "The Riyria Revelations" you have become one of my favorite authors of all time and now I'm waiting with bated breath for "The Riyria Chronicles" to be released here in Bulgaria.
And this is funny - I only now noticed that your birthday was on September 17 and it turns out one of my favorite authors (you) has exactly the same birthday as one of my favorite singer-songwriters - Juliana Richer Daily ( https://www.facebook.com/juliana.richer.daily ). She turned 25 on the same day you turned 52 (right?) and now she has started to record her first full album, which she will release independently... just like you self-published your books, when the big publishing companies rejected them at first :) That's quite a coincidence actually. I can only hope Juliana will have the same success with here music as you had with your books...
A very happy belated birthday!
ReplyDeleteI've read The Crown Tower and The Rose and the Thorn, and let me tell you, they both far exceeded my expectations. Two of my favorite fantasy reads this year, and I do not say that lightly. As long as you enjoy putting out the Chronicles series, I'll enjoy devouring them!