I'm reviewing the 2 books individualNyphron Rising:
Once again Michael Sullivan has delivered an amazing story. I love how these stories are complete in themselves yet there is the underlying thread through them all, and growing more evident. Michael gives you all the pieces from the previous books to refresh your memory or if you haven't read them so you know what is happening.
This book has our wonderful thieves; Royce and Hadrian, but also the amazing character Princess Arista. In the story Princess Arista stays true to here character, yet she seems real in that she has her moments of doubts and anxieties in herself and what she is doing - wondering if what she is doing is right for all. Arista is a strong women in these stories and is not a normal princess: in always having beautiful dresses, sitting in the castle doing needlepoint, and not thinking of politics. She is willing to do what it takes to save her country and help others, along with using the magical arts she learned from the powerful wizard Esrahaddan and her professor, in magic, Arcadius.
I have had thoughts and questions on the characters and the plots. In each book Michael has answered these questions and has added to or solved the thoughts on the plots. In doing this I have come to realize the answers are true because I can think back and remember a word here and a sentence there that were used to take me through this remarkable path to the solutions.
Emerald Storm:
Michael has outdone himself, again. With each book I am amazed at how the story has grown, and each book is better than the last - which were impressive in themselves. Michael keeps raising the bar with each book.
The Emerald Storm starts shortly after Nyphron Rising's ending. The first chapter briefly mentions previous happenings, yet blends many new happenings; an assassination plan, and a whole new set of issues now present in the change of seasons and rules.
We visit different areas of the world and learn more about the different races and creatures. We go on a sea voyage, hike through the jungle, and fight a few battles - at sea and on land. Not only does each section of the journey build for the end of the book giving more details of what is happening, but they have their own peaks and valleys to keep me turning the pages and had my heart racing at times all to find out what happens next. This was a book I found very hard to put down. There is a great combination of conspiracy, mystery of a missing person, and a little of magic mixed into this fantasy world.
New dangers are in the works for the world of Avryn. New, threatening enemies and possible destruction come to the surface in this story. But one always seems to remain and working closer to their goal...The Empire.
In the end Michael left me shocked and my jaw hanging open. I enjoy when an author can get a few twist and turns in on me I didn't foresee. This book did not let me down, and actually exceeded my expectations on all levels. I am left wanting to run out and buy the next book!
In both books: Many old characters return, along with new characters who help grow the world. These characters have come to life for me through these books. There is humor in the characters. There is a respect between characters and caring which is all earned. We also start to get more details on some of the ccharacters to help place more pieces of the puzzle together. We come across new creatures, like the Ghazel - goblins in the land of Calis.