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Rise of Empire
- Riyria Revelations, Volume 2
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Series: Riyria Revelations, Book 2
- Length: 26 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
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On the holiday of Wintertide, the New Empire plans to burn the Witch of Melengar and force the Empress into a marriage of their own design. But they didn’t account for Royce and Hadrian finally locating the Heir of Novron—or the pair’s desire to wreak havoc on the New Empire’s carefully crafted scheme.
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Beyond words
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Debut book issues but fun listen
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Great story, narration and banter.
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amazing
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Since time immemorial, humans have worshipped the gods they call Fhrey, truly a race apart: invincible in battle, masters of magic, and seemingly immortal. But when a god falls to a human blade, the balance of power between humans and those they thought were gods changes forever. Now only a few stand between humankind and annihilation: Raithe, reluctant to embrace his destiny as the God Killer. Suri, a young seer burdened by signs of impending doom. And Persephone, who must overcome personal tragedy to lead her people.
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Sullivan nails it!
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On the holiday of Wintertide, the New Empire plans to burn the Witch of Melengar and force the Empress into a marriage of their own design. But they didn’t account for Royce and Hadrian finally locating the Heir of Novron—or the pair’s desire to wreak havoc on the New Empire’s carefully crafted scheme.
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Great story, narration and banter.
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Three times they tried to kill her. Then they hired a professional. She hired Riyria. When the last member of the oldest noble family in Avryn is targeted for assassination, Riyria is hired to foil the plot. Three years have passed since the war-weary mercenary Hadrian and the cynical ex-assassin Royce joined forces to start life as thieves for hire. Things have gone well enough until they receive the odd assignment to prevent a murder.
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Completely falls apart in second book
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Can’t stop. Sequel to read!
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#Audible1
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this is chapter 2 of the Rose and thorn.
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Some say that to change the world you must first burn it down. Now that belief will be tested in the crucible of revolution: The Breakers and Burners have seized the levers of power, the smoke of riots has replaced the smog of industry, and all must submit to the wisdom of crowds. With nothing left to lose, Citizen Brock is determined to become a new hero for the new age, while Citizeness Savine must turn her talents from profit to survival before she can claw her way to redemption.
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Excellent Short Story!
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Publisher's Summary
Best-selling author Michael J. Sullivan’s mesmerizing Riyria Revelations series has found a welcome home with fans of magic, clashing swords, and daring heroes. This second volume finds Royce and Hadrian on a quest to enlist the southern Nationalists to aid the ever-weakening kingdom of Melengar. Royce suspects an ancient wizard is manipulating them all, but to find the truth he’ll have to decipher Hadrian’s past—a past Hadrian wants to keep secret.
Rise of Empire contains Nyphron Rising and The Emerald Storm, books 3 and 4 of Riyria Revelations.
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What listeners say about Rise of Empire
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kevin Bérard
- 2019-07-07
last one was better
overall is good, the performance is top notch, but the story is boring arourd the 3rd quarter.
2 people found this helpful
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- Matthew
- 2021-03-04
Absolutely Wonderful
This series brings me nothing but joy to listen to. This is the only book series I have repeated
1 person found this helpful
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- Kwan
- 2020-11-28
one of my favorites
fantastic story writing and excellent narration. I'm on my second listen of the whole series
1 person found this helpful
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- Joe
- 2019-10-18
Not terrible.
The book doesn't stray from the standard fantasy path. No surprises or twists you can't see coming. I will get the final book in this trilogy just to complete the story.
1 person found this helpful
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- Mariette
- 2019-07-15
Excellent story!
I have enjoyed all of Mr Sullivans' books and can recommend it to all 'old' and 'new' audible members. Thank you - I have contemplated to quit traveling/work due to what the traffic is doing to my health. After I discovered audible and your books, I am breathing normally again as you keep me sane in the sometimes extremely challenging South African traffic every morning and afternoon (to and from work!) Thank you! Mr Reynolds has the best voice and brings life to all of the characters throughout all the books - time and time again! Almost hypnotising!
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 2018-09-14
Nothing short of perfection
I’ve been hooked to both Sullivan’s epic tale and superb performances of Mr. Reynolds for many books now and the Riyria series (both chronicles and revelations) are what fantasy fans need. Rise of Empire hooks dives right in and allows you to evolve with the characters and the world of Elan making this a great achievement. Well worth a listen. #Audible1
1 person found this helpful
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- PRG
- 2018-09-13
Excellent Read
An easy listen, following the storyline and enough action to keep you interested. In other words, I brought the next book in rhe series.
#Audible1
1 person found this helpful
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- A Net In Time
- 2020-08-16
well told
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story. I thought that Reynolds did a good job. And Sullivan tells a good story
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- Dave Brouwer
- 2018-09-19
great book, has me hooked on a new series
loved it, another series for me to enjoy #audible1. can't wait to follow up on the next books
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- Eileen Morris
- 2018-04-19
Rise of Empire
This story is so captivating. Loved every minute of it. Can not wait to complete the series
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- Scott S.
- 2013-09-24
The story expands.
After reading the second Riyria book, I am starting to understand some of the good reviews for the series. While the first two books were more single stories within the same setting, with Rise Of Empire, author Sullivan begins to expand the story beyond the exploits of Royce and Hadrian, and with this, the series begins to become a new and much more enjoyable experience. Characters from the first two books take on expanded roles, and new characters form to provide the listener with a larger epic fantasy type world.
I really enjoyed the larger roles for the women, Arista, Thrice/Modena, and new character Amelia. Their additions opened up what was an average story to something much more grand.
The narrator Tim Gerard Reynolds continues to be solid, and I think his voices are growing on me despite some of characters sounding the same.
Overall, I am enjoying this series very much, and have already moved on to the next book in the series.
10 people found this helpful
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- barefoot rabbit
- 2015-02-22
Disappointing
I really enjoyed the first Riyria book, as simple as it was, particularly for a few of its interesting characters, promising set-up, and what felt like competent writing. This sequel promised more of this--but suffered from a complete lack of focus (or editing). The first part's plot dragged (prepare for discussion after discussion) so that very little occurs until nearly midway, but I was willing to just listen (on 1.5x) and wait, believing that the pace would pick up and everything would come together more elegantly in the second.
Instead, the second part of the book sounded as if it had been cut and pasted out of some ridiculous 50's maritime jungle island adventure book. A it was just that--ridiculous. As soon as they got of the ship, I don't know how many times I rolled my eyes or wondered when something was actually going to happen. Predictable and/or flat plot 'twists' galore are dragged out for no reason other than to take up another full book so that three can be sold instead of one or two. It seems like Sullivan wasn't sure where he was going with the story and just wrote in a lot of filler for fun. (Hmm...I've gotten my fun with the dragon-fighting adventure, ticked off the generic sea adventure gun battle part...now let's put Royce and Hadrian on a jungle trek with typical challenges and lots of shifty 'savages'! Wouldn't that be fun?) No.
The characters are really the only compelling aspect of this rather flat book. If not for my affection for a few of them (namely Hadrian and Arista), I would have zero motivation to find out what happens in the third installment. I'm still not sure I care enough to find out after this disappointingly typical middle book.
29 people found this helpful
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- soxfreak
- 2017-04-21
Weak Characters, Slow Story, No Action
I am amazed by all of the positive reviews here. The main characters are boring, weak and did not grow throughout the entire book. The one cool character was killed off in the most mundane way. There were very minimal action or fight scenes. 3/4th's of the book could have been cut as most of the book was boring details not relating to the main quest and adding no value to the story line or characters. I didn't like the first book but gave the second a chance and it's was even WORSE. The one redeeming quality here was the few comedic dialogues here and there between Royce and Hadrian. That, and the narrator did a good job. Couldn't wait for it to end!
7 people found this helpful
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- Adnan
- 2012-05-30
Great continuation of the first book. Tons of fun!
This book picks up after a year or so after the end of first book where Church has found a lost leader and started to form an Empire.
Our combo of elvish assassin and burly fighter find themselves working for the king of Melengar as spies that book start to focus a lot more on the politics and intrigue. I enjoyed this portion of the book that author does not let the narrative get dull with endless chatter. Some of the characters are cunning yet funny.
Scope of the story is larger, and yet book almost manage to move as fast as the previous book (though there were few moments which I thought were kind of a drag).
Author provides a lot more depth to the characters of Royce and Hadrian. Back stories of Royce and Hadrian is been flushed out which is masterfully integral to the over all story.
There are twists in this book which caught me by surprised. Arista's development as person and as an practitioner of the 'art' continues, and it is a fun ride.
Sense of humor between two thieves is still fresh and fun.
Narrator did a great job, and book is really a fun listen. This audio series is turning into one of my favorite. This book has setup nicely for the last in series for which I cant wait!
I highly recommend this book and series.
50 people found this helpful
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- Chantal Noordeloos
- 2020-07-10
It’s all about the details
Still impressed by this series (and trust me, I am a total Grinch when it comes to being a reader) The characters are so rich and interesting, the story is entertaining, but the most amazing part is the little details that bring the world to life. This is seriously turning into one of my favorite writers. I haven’t been this impressed since Gaiman and Pratchett.
5 people found this helpful
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- Yoshi Ex
- 2013-10-23
Getting better
If you could sum up Rise of Empire in three words, what would they be?
This series does get better as you develop more of a connection to the main characters. This series is definitely a worthy listen / read and most definitely should be experienced by fantasy fans.
5 people found this helpful
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- Lore
- 2014-07-29
Solid Middle Books of the Series
Although Volume 2 of the Ryria Revelations contains two books, Nyphron Rising and The Emerald Storm, I still felt how I usually feel after reading the middle book of a good trilogy - unsatisfied with how things are left off and ready for more.
Royce and Hadrian continue their adventures and do some digging into their pasts, while Arista sets off on her own and faces some serious challenges. Each of the characters is flushed out some and the bigger picture continues to come into focus. For me, The Emerald Storm was a bit of a tangent and did not advance the main storyline as much as I would have hoped, but any story involving Royce and Hadrian is entertaining so I'm not complaining.
Tim Gerard Reynolds does his normal excellent job bringing the characters to life and at this point I could not imagine anyone else voicing them. So if you enjoyed Volume 1 there is no reason to hesitate on picking this one up, just keep in mind that the story doesn't end here and you will have to pick up Volume 3 as well.
26 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 2018-11-08
I just can't handle the stupid
Three books is as much as I can handle. All of the characters have rocks for brains and couldn't think their way out of a wet paper bag. Enemies are often incompetent idiots, which doesn't help the heroes as much as you'd think because they're only a fraction better. The book has some good moments, but they're way too overshadowed by poor writing and stupidity. The whole "thief" premise of Hadrian and Royce that started the series on an interesting note has been abandoned in favor of stock fantasy characters who are as three dimensional as a piece of paper.
9 people found this helpful
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- Julieann
- 2012-05-24
Super!!
What did you love best about Rise of Empire?
This is my favorite new series. It has great characters the story is fast moving and has the depth that I look for. Truly a great read. I have recommended it to all my family and friends.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Royce was my favorite character because his dry humor reminded me of my father.
Which character – as performed by Tim Gerard Reynolds – was your favorite?
He is a great performer. I think he really gets a great feel for the characters before he even starts his work. I don't believe that I could honestly choose.
23 people found this helpful
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- Christa
- 2012-05-21
Would make a great tv show!
If anyone could transition this to tv without mucking around with it to make everybody in love with everybody else, or whatever idiot changes they always seem to make when adapting somebody else's work, this series would make for fabulous television.
Royce and Hadrian, the main characters, have that 'odd couple' relationship that makes for fun banter and frequent bickering. There is plenty of straight-forward action with sword fights, battles, daring escapes, rescues, robberies, etc. There are also lots of secrets and lies, betrayals and conspiracies. I hate it whenever I have to stop listening, because I'm wondering what's going to happen next.
22 people found this helpful