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Age of Empyre
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 16 hrs and 42 mins
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Pile of Bones
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 1 hr and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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When a storm reveals a mysterious cave behind a waterfall, the young mystic’s apprentice and her wolf investigate. Inside, she discovers a secret place containing a pile of human bones and the young girl makes what could be a fatal mistake. In this Legends of the First Empire prequel, we witness the events that helped shape the woman who would one day become Suri the Mystic, the first Rhune Artist, and a hero to a generation
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Over too quick
- By Lise on 17-09-2022
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Nolyn
- The Rise and Fall, Book 1
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds, Michael J. Sullivan, Robin Sullivan
- Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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After more than 500 years of exile, the heir to the empyre is wary about his sudden reassignment to active duty on the Goblin War’s front lines. His mission to rescue an outpost leads to a dead-end canyon deep inside enemy territory, and his suspicion turns to dread when he discovers the stronghold doesn't exist.
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Terrific as always
- By Alison on 27-09-2023
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The Crown Tower
- Riyria Chronicles, Volume 1
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 12 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Hadrian, a warrior with nothing to fight for, is paired with Royce, a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Together they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm's most prized possessions. But it isn't gold or jewels that their employer is after; if he can keep them from killing each other, they might just get him his prize.
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Great new series for me.
- By Tam on 16-03-2016
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Theft of Swords [Dramatized Adaptation]
- Riyria Revelations, Book 1
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Amanda Forstrom, Andrew Quilpa, Andy Brownstein, and others
- Length: 16 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
There is no ancient evil to defeat, no orphan destined for greatness, just two guys in the wrong place at the wrong time. Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles until they become the unwitting scapegoats in a plot to murder the king. Sentenced to death, they have only one way out...and so begins this tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend. Avempartha is the second of a six book series entitled the Riyria Revelations.
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Excellent
- By Anonymous User on 04-05-2023
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Black Talon
- Dragonblood Assassin, Book 1
- By: Jaime Castle, Andy Peloquin
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
- Length: 18 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Kullen is the emperor’s assassin. The sharp hand of justice. The Black Talon. Gifted a soul-forged bond with his dragon, Umbris, Kullen is tasked with hunting any and all who oppose the empire. But when the secretive Crimson Fang murders two noblemen before his very eyes, Kullen must discover the truth of who they are and what they want. What he uncovers is a web of lies and deceit spiraling into the depths of Dimvein.
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Exciting Action Packed Read
- By RomanceBooktalk on 29-08-2023
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Echoes of a Fallen Kingdom
- Stalwart Link, Book 1
- By: B. T. Narro
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Strong-willed and full of hope, Leo strives to learn more of the magic he has read so much about. He's heard of invisible links in his world, and hidden rifts to other realms filled with creatures and stones of power. But Leo's family is stuck in an impoverished city. He performs backbreaking farm work beside his older brother, a rebellious and cunning thief, but nonetheless a brother whom Leo would trust with his life. Leo believes everything will change for the better when he begins work as a bookbinder and finally leaves the dreadful farm.
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I have never wished for an abridged before this.
- By Matt Shepherd on 31-07-2023
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Pile of Bones
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 1 hr and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
When a storm reveals a mysterious cave behind a waterfall, the young mystic’s apprentice and her wolf investigate. Inside, she discovers a secret place containing a pile of human bones and the young girl makes what could be a fatal mistake. In this Legends of the First Empire prequel, we witness the events that helped shape the woman who would one day become Suri the Mystic, the first Rhune Artist, and a hero to a generation
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Over too quick
- By Lise on 17-09-2022
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Nolyn
- The Rise and Fall, Book 1
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds, Michael J. Sullivan, Robin Sullivan
- Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After more than 500 years of exile, the heir to the empyre is wary about his sudden reassignment to active duty on the Goblin War’s front lines. His mission to rescue an outpost leads to a dead-end canyon deep inside enemy territory, and his suspicion turns to dread when he discovers the stronghold doesn't exist.
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Terrific as always
- By Alison on 27-09-2023
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The Crown Tower
- Riyria Chronicles, Volume 1
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 12 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hadrian, a warrior with nothing to fight for, is paired with Royce, a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Together they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm's most prized possessions. But it isn't gold or jewels that their employer is after; if he can keep them from killing each other, they might just get him his prize.
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Great new series for me.
- By Tam on 16-03-2016
-
Theft of Swords [Dramatized Adaptation]
- Riyria Revelations, Book 1
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Amanda Forstrom, Andrew Quilpa, Andy Brownstein, and others
- Length: 16 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There is no ancient evil to defeat, no orphan destined for greatness, just two guys in the wrong place at the wrong time. Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles until they become the unwitting scapegoats in a plot to murder the king. Sentenced to death, they have only one way out...and so begins this tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend. Avempartha is the second of a six book series entitled the Riyria Revelations.
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Excellent
- By Anonymous User on 04-05-2023
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Black Talon
- Dragonblood Assassin, Book 1
- By: Jaime Castle, Andy Peloquin
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
- Length: 18 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kullen is the emperor’s assassin. The sharp hand of justice. The Black Talon. Gifted a soul-forged bond with his dragon, Umbris, Kullen is tasked with hunting any and all who oppose the empire. But when the secretive Crimson Fang murders two noblemen before his very eyes, Kullen must discover the truth of who they are and what they want. What he uncovers is a web of lies and deceit spiraling into the depths of Dimvein.
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Exciting Action Packed Read
- By RomanceBooktalk on 29-08-2023
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Echoes of a Fallen Kingdom
- Stalwart Link, Book 1
- By: B. T. Narro
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Strong-willed and full of hope, Leo strives to learn more of the magic he has read so much about. He's heard of invisible links in his world, and hidden rifts to other realms filled with creatures and stones of power. But Leo's family is stuck in an impoverished city. He performs backbreaking farm work beside his older brother, a rebellious and cunning thief, but nonetheless a brother whom Leo would trust with his life. Leo believes everything will change for the better when he begins work as a bookbinder and finally leaves the dreadful farm.
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I have never wished for an abridged before this.
- By Matt Shepherd on 31-07-2023
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The Viscount and the Witch
- By: Michael J. Sullivan
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Eleven years before they were framed for the murder of a king, before even assuming the title of Riyria, Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater were practically strangers. Unlikely associates, this cynical thief and idealist swordsman, were just learning how to work together as a team. In this standalone first installment of The Riyria Chronicles, Royce is determined to teach his naive partner a lesson about good deeds.
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Red Rising
- By: Pierce Brown
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 16 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children. But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet.
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Pure Perfection
- By Michael Flanagan on 17-05-2015
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The Riven Wyrde Saga (Omnibus Edition)
- The Complete Epic Fantasy Trilogy
- By: Graham Austin-King
- Narrated by: Mr J A O Mcpherson
- Length: 46 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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As the son of a mere merchant, Klöss wants nothing more than to pass his trials and join the ranks of the Bjornmen raiders, breaking free of his father’s ambitions and following in the footsteps of his forebears. Times are changing in the Barren Isles. The centuries-old traditions of coastal plunder are making way for outright conquest, and the threat of war is looming.
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May we have some more please?
- By Amber-Claire on 08-03-2023
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Mark of the Fool
- A Progression Fantasy Epic
- By: J.M. Clarke
- Narrated by: Travis Baldree
- Length: 19 hrs
- Unabridged
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After his parents died, Alex Roth had one desire: become a wizard. Through hard work, he was accepted into the University of Generasi, the world’s greatest academy of wizardry.... Fate, however, had another plan. On his 18th birthday, he is Marked by prophecy as one of his kingdom’s five Heroes, chosen to fight the Ravener, his land’s great enemy. But his brand is "The Fool". Worst of the marks.
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Top notch
- By Suzy Turquoise Blue on 28-10-2023
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The Cycle of Arawn
- The Complete Trilogy
- By: Edward W. Robertson
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 65 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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The White Tree (book one): In Mallon the dark magic of the nether has been banned for centuries. Its users have been driven out or killed. Its secrets lost. But the holy book of the nethermancers has just been found by a boy named Dante. As he works to unlock the book's power, he's attacked in the street. The nethermancers aren't gone—and they want their book back. Caught between death cultists and the law, Dante fights for his life, aided by his growing skills and a brash bodyguard named Blays.
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Dissapointed
- By Simon on 15-11-2016
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The Wolf of the North Trilogy
- Wolf of the North, Books 1-3
- By: Duncan M. Hamilton
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 32 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Wolf of the North: It has been generations since the Northlands have seen a hero worthy of the title. Many have made the claim, but few have lived to defend it. Timid, weak, and bullied, Wulfric is as unlikely a candidate as there could be. Jorundyr's Path: Jorundyr's Path is walked only by the brave. As Wulfric pursues Adalhaid's Blood Debt, he soon learns that the path to revenge is never easy. The Blood Debt: A blade fit for a hero. An army for a tyrant. A reckoning long awaited, and a tale reaching its end.
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Couldn’t put it down
- By Anonymous User on 07-07-2023
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Shackled
- An Aldoran Chronicles Prequel
- By: Michael Wisehart
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 2 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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Ferrin is no ordinary blacksmith. He is born with magic in a world where it’s not only feared, but outlawed. Struggling to keep food on the table, Ferrin decides to use his gift to aid in his work. That decision brings the Black Watch to his doorstep. Caged alongside a helpless band of half-starved wielders, Ferrin formulates a strategy to escape. Armed with nothing more than his sarcastic wit and a determination to never give in, he attempts the impossible.
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Path of a Novice
- Silvan Series, Book 1
- By: R.K. Lander
- Narrated by: Daniel Thomas May
- Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Fel'annár is a gifted immortal warrior embarking on his first patrol into the Deep Forest. Half-Silvan, half-Alpine, he battles the enemy from without, and the prejudice from within. But he learns more than just warfare when an arcane power begins to emerge, one he cannot control. While friendships are forged, a destiny unfolds, one that is tied to a past he knows nothing about. For others, though, it is only a matter of time before the truth is revealed, and the danger becomes real.
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Great Story
- By Anonymous User on 30-05-2023
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The Frozen Flame: Publisher's Pack
- The Frozen Flame, Books 1-2
- By: Paul J. Bennett
- Narrated by: Tim Bruce
- Length: 24 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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Magic is the key...but will it save them, or consume them? For Natalia, there is no choice. Trained as a battle mage, she has the potential to be the most powerful spellcaster the family has ever produced. Yet their price is too high. Meanwhile, Athgar's life is about to change forever. On the day his village is burned to the ground, his magical potential is released by the very fire that nearly consumed him. He is driven by revenge until he learns he may not be the only survivor.
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Grey eyes and an axe beauty,water, and ice
- By Anonymous User on 02-06-2023
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The Pariah
- The Covenant of Steel, Book 1
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 19 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Born into the troubled kingdom of Albermaine, Alwyn Scribe is raised as an outlaw. Quick of wit and deft with a blade, Alwyn is content with the freedom of the woods and the comradeship of his fellow thieves. But an act of betrayal sets him on a new path - one of blood and vengeance, which eventually leads him to a soldier's life in the king's army. Fighting under the command of Lady Evadine Courlain, a noblewoman beset by visions of a demonic apocalypse, Alwyn must survive war and the deadly intrigues of the nobility if he hopes to claim his vengeance.
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simply amazing
- By Boris on 31-08-2021
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Legend of Tal
- Volume I: Books 1-2 (Legend of Tal)
- By: J.D.L. Rosell
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 24 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Contains books one and two of Legend of Tal, a sword-and-sorcery, coming-of-age adventure.
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Really enjoyed it!
- By Cassie Bofinger on 01-04-2023
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The Will of the Many
- Hierarchy, Book 1
- By: James Islington
- Narrated by: Euan Morton
- Length: 28 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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The Catenan Republic—the Hierarchy—may rule the world now, but they do not know everything. I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilized society in allowing my strength, my drive, and my focus—what they call Will—to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do.
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Very impressive
- By Matthew on 29-05-2023
Publisher's Summary
A door opens. An army of dragons advance. And the fate of the living rests with the dead.
After obtaining the secret to creating dragons, the leader of the Fhrey has turned the tide of war once more - but gaining the advantage has come at a terrible price. While Imaly plots to overthrow the fane for transgressions against his people, a mystic and a keeper are the only hope for the Rhunes. Time is short, and the future of both races hangs in the balance. In this exciting conclusion to the Legends of the First Empire series, the Great War finally comes to a climactic end, and with it dawns a new era in the Age of Empyre.
From the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Michael J. Sullivan comes the concluding installment of his six-book epic fantasy. This series chronicles a pivotal point in Elan's history when humans and those they once saw as gods warred until a new world order was born. Set 3,000 years before the Riyria tales, Legends is a stand-alone fantasy series that is independent of the Riyria novels. But for those who do listen to both series, Legends will unmask lies and reveal the truth about Elan's history and the men and women who shaped what the world became.
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What listeners say about Age of Empyre
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Derek Delaney
- 11-10-2023
Lame, unsatisfactory ending
Feels like I should be downloading the next volume, The 6 book series feels like a huge waste of time. Seems like he ran out of steam. The cop out afterwords by the author & his Mrs just rub salt in the wound I’m afraid.
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- Dave Purse
- 23-02-2023
Loved it
Sorry to those who didn’t take to books 4-6 of this series but I loved them. I found the characters believable and for a few I was very much invested in their lives and deaths. I so wanted some characters to live and was sad they got killed off but i can understand why. D finitely going to try the ryria books now. As usual the narrator was brilliant. I think this was a well thought out, character and plot driven series and I couldn’t stop listening, so thank you for the sheer wonderful escapism that I enjoy so much.
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- Lise
- 17-09-2022
Nope
See my review of Age of Death. This was just more of the same. I read this after being upset by Book 5 because I love the author and narrator, wanted to finish the series, and I thought (hoped) the story would get back to what it had been in books 1-3 (and 4 kinda) but I'm so unimpressed. Sorry but I think the series/ original story was ruined by this and the last book.
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- Tim S.
- 20-05-2022
Loved the series
Michael’s story had me always wanting to keep following the adventure with high interest, whilst Tim wove lift into the characters. Loved it. 😁
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- Kindle Customer
- 15-03-2022
Narration is great but the story is unenjoyable.
As usual Tim is a brilliant narrator and does a stellar job.
As a fan of the Ryira books I was excited to explore a new era in the same world but I could not enjoy the characters. the characters manage to go from the stone age to renaissance level technology in a matter of months and are so contrived its painful to listen to. it also appears to be a male-guilt driven cast where the characters are either weak and wishy-washy, narcasistic unlikables or women.
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- Rishi
- 08-10-2020
Another great book
Loved every bit of the whole series, Amazing twists and great cliffhangers would make you keel reading.
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- Being Living Now
- 13-09-2020
Captivated!
I say Captivated, as, i was, from book one to now has been the most rewarding fantasy binge audiobook session in ages.
I am a new recruit to the Michael J Sullivan fan club, so i am thrilled to learn that i have more characters to meet, and that, in the timeline, im in a good spot as far as realms and places go.
The story pulls on feelings, and i believe pays due notice, in more than one instance, to the recurring and ongoing truth of loss, regret, and decisions made that still we question.
Sincere thanks for the story, and the intro outro chats, lending insight to who and how your process, team, and family support and enable such full tellings.
im impressed with the Narrator's narration. being so good as to allow each character unique speech patterns, inflections and favoured expressions.
If any wonder if this series can deliver escapism and reflection, Yes. and, tbh. i, like, the Authors wife, have made friends of fictional characters and will carry parts of who they are, with me.
it was my pleasure to meet you all .
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- Tahn
- 09-07-2020
fantastic! micheal j. sullivan just brilliant
Tim Gerard Reynolds
has outdone himself again
Tim i hope this isn't the last we hear
of these characters
thankyou was well worth the wait!
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- Blain
- 30-05-2020
enjoyable, new ideas on death
didn't thinknI would like touring death... but enjoyed the matrix like change of perspective.
cheers
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- Alnaps
- 26-05-2020
I am so sad....
...that the story is at an end. I held off buying it for fear I would say goodbye to all my favourite characters too soon but I’m glad I ripped the Band-Aid off. Michael J Sullivan is my favourite author for many reasons but the most is because of his strong female characters. I have been listening to fantasy audiobooks for years and there are not many authors who can write stories that make the most of what women have to offer . There is no exaggeration to his characters capabilities , they stay true to who they are then Michael goes one step further to transform them into epic characters.
This series is definitely going to be one I will revisit over and over again. I never get tired going back to the beginning and watching the characters grow. I cannot wait to listen to the Ryria books for the gazillionth time and make all the connections. It is going to be frustrating now that I know what actually happened and hear the distorted version of Mawyndule's hate. And of course I CANNOT wait to listen to The Death of Dulgath...thank you Michael for that eye opener ;)
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- Aaron
- 08-05-2020
This entire series is a failure
Simply awful series. I was so excited after the first book too. Book 2 was tedious with characters discovering something basic like how to make shoes. Then someone says, what are those? I call them shh
ooos.. Shooos. Shoes! The author did that over and over. The third book was ok but book 4 & 5 were simply awful. The story progresses at a snail's pace and both books end on a cliff hanger. Michael makes the reader slog through 2 entire books and offers no reward. Atrocious story telling.
But I am invested and now here is the final book. It's terrible. I haven't finished it and I'm going to expand this review when I do (I finally finished it and amended my review at the end). Right now I'm listening to it at a sped up pace just to get it over with.
The writing is so simplistic. There is one part where it's basically: I love you person, other person: I love you too. How can you love me? I just do love you. I'm glad you love me, love is great. And everyone has a love interest. There's like 5 or 6 different pairs of people falling in love. It's half the dang book. Just shoot me instead!
I am a huge fan of the Riyria series but this one sucks. The entire series could be condensed into 2 books, maybe three. It's not a complicated story when you take out the nonsensical, needless.. I don't know what to call it. Just wasted words that make listening to this a chore.
Terrible. I'll have more when I finally finish this thing but I'm not that excited about the prospect.
Such a shame.
Some spoilers below
Well, I finally finished it. What an awful book. It was like an "After School Special" movie where everything had a moral at the end. "The secret is you have to believe in yourself" type of nonsense. I can't properly explain how terrible this book is.
There's a saying in writing "show, don't tell". This book does the opposite; it doesn't show anything, it just tells you. Like Brin is so pure all the sudden. Over and over they say how important she is, she's the only thing that matters. Ok, why? And the Book of Brin which was mentioned probably 200 times in the series doesn't matter at all? And Minna coming back from the dead just to have a feel good moment? Awful! The wolf dying was the defining characteristic of a main character and the author just reverses it for the feels? Garbage.
I could go on and on, there's so many things I dislike about this book. I won't though because it was exhausting enough just listening to it. There's no energy left for me to complain, only to walk away saddened and disappointed.
Michael J. Sullivan has lost credibility as an author to me. This surface deep drivel he has produced has left me with zero interest in discovering what else he has in store for his readers. What an absolute mess.
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139 people found this helpful
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- Christopher
- 13-05-2020
Disappointing conclusion
This is the most disappointed I have been finishing a series since I read Stephen King's The Dark Tower.
the first three books of this series are fantastic, but book 4 details and goes into a deep and long stretch of absolute stupidity that ruins the entire series. The events of Age of Legends plague all the books moving forward. The ending is full of loose ends and pointless actions.
*****SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON****
Age of Legends is the begining of the end for this series, and Persephone is the downfall. At this point, the runes are safe. They have beaten the fhrey out of their lands, and have an invincible dragon safeguarding them. the have been in camp for years now,in a stalemate. The elves have no hope of defeating the dragon that Suri has created. They could build a civilization on that hill and be safeguarded forever. There is no reason to seek peace with the fhrey. they could have stayed there, separate from the fhrey and lived in peace. But....
All of a sudden, Persephone gets the bright idea to send their MOST VALUABLE ASSET FOR THEIR DEFENSE, ALONE, TO THE FHREY. THIS IS INCOMPREHENSIBLY, IRREDEEMABLY, ATROCIOUSLY STUPID. There is absolutely no need whatsoever to do this. The one person that can create dragons, the WMD of their age, should be guarded ferociously, as it is the key to winning and keeping peace. Nope, sent her alone, to the people waging a war of genocide against their entire race. This comparable to sending the only person with full knowledge of atomic secrets to the Germans in the early forties, alone, to negotiate a cease fire. It is such a ridiculously pointless, stupid, thoughtless act that I couldn't believe that Sullivan, or his editors, or anyone else that read the drafts didn't make him rewrite this. Then the stupidity continues.
Suri, having gone on this fools errand for some unbelievable reason, lets the people waging genocidal war on her people put a collar on her that negates her powers. Willingly. This is also COMPLETELY INCOMPREHENSIBLY STUPID. She knows she can't trust them, that they want what she knows, that they will kill her entire race. You may think 'well, Suri has always been a bit naive' and you would be correct in the first novels, but this 8 or so years that have passed between the first novel and this one. Suri is in her twenties at this point, speaks two languages, mastered the art, and lived in society for a decade now. She has spent the entirety of that period struggling and learning exactly how horrible people can act. She's not naive, this is just uncharacteristically stupid for her character.
Of course the fhrey spend the next year or so torturing her to learn how to make dragons. I kept thinking, "well Suri knows that giving them the secret to making dragons would be absolute horrific to her people. It would be better for her to die than to betray her entire race like that. I'm sure she'll keep it under wraps." NOPE. She gives the secrets up after, having been tortured for years, they change tactics and try to minipulate her into being sympathetic to their cause. It doesn't work until one of the fhrey is nice to her and has the faces of mice on her shoes. That's right. Suri decides to spill the beans, betray her entire race, because her new fhrey friend has hello kitty shoes. Again, this is so stupid I can't get over it.
Suri and Persephone are the biggest traitors in the history of their world. Not only does Suri realize how powerful and dangerous this is, she actually coaches them on how to make them until they get it right. I just..... can't. It's soooooooooooooo STUPID.
These acts just plague the series from then on. the last two books should have been one book, but I guess Sullivan decided to do a cash grab by splitting them up into two books figuring the readers are invested now so they may complain but they'll still buy it.
The ending is so disappointing. The two civilizations end up being split and separated anyways. the events of the last two books have no dicernable effect on either of their civilizations that wasn't accomplished in Age of War. The last book is slow and boring and filled with people sitting in a pit complaining for the first half. Two main characters remain in the pit to wallow in self pity, and that's how their story ends. I'm serious. That's their end.
The actions of the other characters are made pointless at the end, especially Brin's ending. Spend so long making that book important just to have it taken away at the end. And then there's Nefron...
I don't understand why all of these people are working so hard to put a crown on Nefron. Why? He's a murderous, genocidal, treacherous, conniving, immoral, petty man using the runes as a means to an end. They for some reason still line up to lick his boots. But why? At first it was because they needed his advice and protection from the rest of the fhrey. After Age of War though, this is no longer an issue. At all. They have a DRAGON now. They could have told Nefron to take himself and his murderous little band to get to the other side of the midwalden river, and stay there. What need did they have of him after that? Runes are figuring out how to use the art, they reproduce far quicker than the elves, are winning the war absolutely at this point, they have a WMD, they have a whole continent to themselves. Why are they still pursuing anything at all with the fhrey? Yes the dragon has a range, but the fhrey don't know that. They are all working so incredibly hard to put themselves into shackles.
I'm not sure if I will read another book in this series. After reading every single novel and short story of the Rhyiria Revelations &Chronicles, I don't think I can handle more insanely stupid plot devices that plague both series. It's a real shame, because the world building, characters, mythology are really good. I wouldn't be this upset about the ending if I didn't like the first three books so much. Once the banter between Wraith and Malcomb is gone, Persephone becomes subservient, Suri's horrible life of misery and horrible treatment continues, Tesch's story just flat out ends (seriously, nothing happens with him that is at all relevant to the plot after Age of Legends), the really dumb plot devices being used, there just wasn't anything to look forward to. This book was 20hrs of Timothy Gerard Reynolds (as wonderful and talented of a narrator as always) letting you down by telling you a disappointing story.
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- Soggy Waffles
- 07-05-2020
Terrible ending...
Sooo many loose ends with this ending.
Robin said a certain someone didn’t come back because it would have caused issues for Nefron. That just tells me they couldn’t come up with a good way to fix the mess Michael creates by writing that character as he did.
So many other terrible loose ends. Both of the deaths at the end were to.... casual. Awful. I will be returning this book and sadly, I will not complete my hardcover collection.
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- miro val
- 11-05-2020
Total let down
Tim is always the Best. I found the story to be just a total let down.
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- My name here
- 15-05-2020
What happened?
A struggle to finish. It is essentially an insult to the original Ryira series.
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- Navneet Sidhu
- 26-05-2020
Very disappointing
I am compelled to write my first review here because of what a let down the last two books were. After the previous book where the characters meandered around in the underworld, I was excited for great deeds from the characters I loved. Instead, one by one, all of them faded off the pages. Suri had far more potential, hadn’t she? Mondulay ( probably incorrect spelling) who was showing some character growth before this, devolved very quickly. Nefron deserved to be held accountable for his cruelty and deviousness, and Persephone deserved some happiness. The ending was too little, too late for me. So many loose ends. This book underscores how even good authors lose sight of their storylines.
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- Alex solis
- 10-05-2020
Sigh..
I was so invested with the characters in book 1,2 and 3! Then all of of sudden the story takes a sudden sharp turn into despair!
Don’t get me wrong the narration is amazing like always! There are cool scenes here and there but by the time everything gets wrapped up your just shocked by the loss of the potential in the characters!!
Books 1 through 3 your like .. yes! I know these characters are going to do great things! But when it’s all said and done they only end up playing a small part and then that’s it... sad.
So unfortunately I was disappointed with the the last three books in the series, left a empty hole in me.
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- Michael
- 07-05-2020
Deep thought
Michael did a great job with some of the lessons he shared through his stories. That being said measured against his original work this was far below expectations as a series. I just started reading the originals again and this book sounds nothing like Michael. Bring back the old Michael for the next series! This story was just all over the place. I really wanted to like it, and in part I did but overall I realized I really don't.
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- Molly Greene
- 11-05-2020
Nearly ruined the series, last minute redemption
Minor spoilers, no exact details below
I have one star for the story for me liking most of the beginning. Another star for it not entirely demolishing the story and characters I’ve loved.
I’m pretty upset with how the series ended, he could have done better, but there were no major loose ends.
I. Have. Loved. This. Series. One of my favorites. This book came *this close* to ruining it, though.
My favorite character was Mawyndulë—I’m a sucker for the “misguided character is villain” type. But the author didn’t do enough with him! After the death of some people close to him, I was really looking forward to Insane Mawyndulë... ( does that make me insane?) I’m pretty sure he snapped some, but nothing interesting! The thing I hate most about this book is he kinda just.. was left there. Not hanging, but not done either.
Also, a Frey (probably spelling it wrong sorry) who had murdered died, and you see them in the entrance to Pyre, unable to head in. But it mentions that there were wars—why were they alone? Shouldn’t there be thousands? I think maybe that rule was made after the war, but NOT ONE FREY MURDERED? What??
I feel like Neffron did not get the punishment me deserved. I know it doesn’t fit with the plot, but I’m still upset. He was a cruel, manipulative, DISGUSTING character, and in my opinion the true villain—way too much was his fault because of his want for power.
My second favorite character (1st after Mawyndulë was dumped in the gutter) also seemed... incomplete. I feel like they had a good reason to go back to Elan but never did. (Talking about the grumpy character, not giving names because no spoilers)
Ugh, I hated Tesh. No reason, just boring.
I love Malcolm! He was wonderful, I also love “Villain tries really hard to be good” types. In my opinion, seems a tad more realistic. I like the way he tied in to rieria a lot, and how the in world story got mangled over 2000 years!
Persephone was... anticlimactic. Favorite character in the first book, then slow decline until I didn’t even care. Her ending was boring.
BRIN. Oh, how annoying she is. Seemed like a bit of a Mary Sue. Never liked her and strongly dislike how she was the “secret main character.” I feel like the books (besides this one) wouldn’t be too much different if it was Roan who made reading.
Suri’s chapters were mildly uninteresting in this book, I liked them, but not the best. I liked her.
Michael is TERRIBLE at writing deaths. One of my least favorite parts. A character I like dies— I want to be sad! Not bored! He does a good job with gore, though. Descriptive enough to give a good mental image but not making it too violent. I, being a very picky book reader, appreciate the gore aspect.
This book made me angry on numerous occasions, but I liked it. A lot, actually! At 3/4 done I wanted to give it one star but it got better. I will be reading other books by him. This isn’t one of my favorite series anymore, but I can greatly appreciate it. Thanks for reading my ramble, and despite how much “bored bored bored” I wrote about, the action scenes were good.
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- Curly
- 09-05-2020
Awesome Conclusion to a great series
I loved every minute. Defiantly would recommend this story and all of Michaels other books.
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- dan
- 09-10-2020
Different, interesting and great fun
Really enjoyed the series, lots of twists and turns and plenty of humour. I warmed to most of the characters and enjoyed their roles and development. Heartily recommended
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- Anonymous User
- 28-08-2020
Excellent
Excellent series of books and the narrator is Amazing. These are worthy of being made into films!
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- LittleMissBookAddict
- 02-05-2021
So long friends
Superb...I have loved this series and so enjoyed the company of the wealth of characters within it. I feel sad right now but happy that I got to travel along with them all. Now to look forward to the next book from the master!
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- Katja Öztürk
- 20-02-2021
Loved it
One of the best series I have ever read maybe even the best so exciting and good
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- Mrs Blue.
- 09-06-2020
it was perfect...
the only fault I had with is book was it had to come to an end... absolutely loved the whole trilogy...
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- P Hollands
- 01-06-2021
Just Masterful!
There are no words. Even Bryn would probably struggle to describe how good this is!
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- Anonymous User
- 30-05-2021
poor ending.
I found this a bit boring. Really struggled to finish it, which is a shame as I loved the start of the series/riyria chronicles.
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- David Jones
- 05-07-2020
stonkingly good
the way the author has Weved this book together is a masterpiece. it has many entertaining theams as well the main plot that keeps you guessing all through the book series
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- surreywench
- 09-06-2021
Great end to a great series!
Really enjoyed the conclusion to legends of the first empire! So many moments where I had to pause it just because I couldn't take the tension. I am left with some questions but I think they'll be answered in other inter connected series. Enjoyed the narrator too so would definitely recommend
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- Will B.
- 23-07-2020
fantastic
a fantastic end to this series can't wait till the next series to start on
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