I loved Age of Myth, so it’s no surprise that Michael J. Sullivan’s Age of Swords was another delight. It continues shortly after Age of Myth with folks settling back into their existence at Dahl Rhen. They know reprisals are coming, but are still taken completely by surprise when the attack comes in the form of storms and giants. When it’s over, the village is laid waste, centuries of improvements erased in a few hours.

Persephone recognizes that only uniting the clans could create an army strong enough to challenge the Fhrey. Raithe argues that it is impossible without weapons so a small expedition goes to the land of the Dherg (They really dislike that term.) to bargain for swords. They must do battle with a beast who is keeping them from their ancestral home of Neith. While the beast had been trapped for millennia, he was recently released from the traps by Frost, Flood, and Rain, three Dherg who had been sheltering with them in a cave during the attack on Dahl Rhen. It’s clear that the Dherg have many technological advances that the Rhule lack, so Roan goes along to absorb as much as she can.

There are three main threads to this story, the quest to Neith to kill the giant (not really a giant) in exchange for swords, the Rhule clans gathering to choose their leader, and the manipulations and plots among the Fhrey. The young Mawyndulë is as easily manipulated as ever, though perhaps not as weak and worthless as he appeared in the first book.



This book advances the story quite a bit as some people’s skills and leadership came to the fore. Subtle plots also reveal themselves including the bit of a cliffhanger at the end that brings one of my favorite character’s integrity into question. Damn. What I enjoyed most is Sullivan recognizing that he does not have to spend a quarter of the book explaining the first book and filling in back story. One of my pet peeves with fiction series is the frequent meetings with folks from the book before and having them sit down with a beer and chew over their mutual history just in case someone is reading the book out of order.

Each chapter begins with a quote from The Book of Brin. I love that even though it suggests Brin will make it through the entire series, reducing the jeopardy she may be in at any particular moment. I don’t mind. I would trade that bit of suspense for her highly opinionated introductions ten times over. But this is not the kind of series where everyone always makes it to the end and if you read to the end of Age of Swords without crying, well, there is just something wrong with you.

Age of Swords will be released on July 25th. I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley.

Age of Swords is the second book in Legends of the First Empire: Age of Myth | Age of Swords | Age of War | Age of Legends | Age of Wonder | Age of Empire

After the destruction of Dahl Rhen by the Fhrey, Persephone sets out to call a council of all Rhune Chieftains in order to appoint a keenig to lead them in the inevitable war with the Fhrey. When the council attempts to make Raithe the keenig he refuses. He believes the fight is unwinnable because of the Rhunes pitiful weapons. Persephone makes a pact with three Dwarves that's she's met to help them rid their home of a giant in exchange for Dherg swords and shields. Persephone and her party of women don't know the danger they've volunteered to defeat until they have no choice but to fight.

Age of Swords is the second book in The Legends of the First Empire series. If any fans of Riyria were worried they wouldn't like it, I'd have to say there is no reason for concern. Michael J. Sullivan tells a fresh tale about the heroes of that age while having many subtle tie-ins to the original series. The strength of storytelling along with the excellent characters make this story quite strong. Age of Swords is also much more of an ensemble cast lead by Persephone and Raithe while the original series revolved around Royce, Hadrian, and Arista. The book also utilizes a number of point of views characters.

The story is massive with multiple storylines going on with an overarching goal of trying to defeat the Fhrey in war. The task seems immense, but Persephone would die before she gives up. Persephone really takes charge and felt like the central character in Age of Swords. Her determination is truly remarkable.

There is so much I'd like to say about Age of Swords, but unfortunately there isn't much I can reveal with spoiling the story for others. Suffice to say Age of Swords is a strong sequel to Age of Myth.

4 out of 5 stars

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to Michael J. Sullivan, Del Rey Publishing, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Sullivan continues the saga, opening Swords with a BANG. The Rhunes, as always, are survivors, but this time, with the help of the Dherges (or dwarves), their society develops in leaps and bounds. On the other side of things the Fhreye continue to look down their noses at the Rhune civilization and plan to snuff them out. It's all-out war, but not before they have to forstall a bit of an insurgence of their own. Speaking of which, the Grey Cloaks were a great political distraction that I could easily guess at their motives. But I was so let down when it didn't come to fruition and was subverted to feed the Rhunic hatred. I greatly desired to see some internal Frheye unrest.

But all of this drama in Tirre doesn't stop our fearless troop from escaping the settlement for some heavy diversions, while back at base camp Raithe continues to be the most petulant, stubborn man ever. Sullivan does an excellent job of aggravating me with this character. I just want to smack him upside his head.

I happen to be reading some Tolkien at the same time as Swords, and I don't think it's a big stretch to say Sullivan was inspired by the icon of fantasy: dwarves, elves, and humans; treasure and evil deep in the mountain. But it's what he does with these seminal characters that make them his own.

What's most impressive is his coterie of brave, take-charge women.

Never have I read this genre with such forceful female characters who are so greatly esteemed by the males of their tribes. It just doesn't seem to occur to most authors that this can be believable.

And THEN the book ends! And I'm not at all ready. And I'm physically sad. And now I have to wait......so here I am...waiting...please Mr. Sullivan approve me for book three or i don't think I will live much longer.

As always it's the characters who shine for Sullivan. He has the most delightful way of creating characters that you love and feel concern for. Unlike most authors, Sullivan doesn't put all his focus on a main character but creates a whole cast who are as detailed as the star of the book. And with Age of Swords there is really not one hero but a group who all have something to contribute to solve the conflict.

I enjoy how Sullivan gives modern slang and modern touches to all the dialogue and the thinking of the characters so the story doesn't feel like it's taking place in the Bronze age.

A great series that made me sad when the book ended.

Age of swords is a good second book by Michael Sullivan though it seems to travel little distance from beginning to end. While we are engaged throughout the battle in the dwarven Homeland the entire story is scant more than a vehicle for the choosing of a human woman to lead the clans in the war.

As in each other book by Michael Sullivan the characters are well written. The internal battles they each wage are compelling and deep. We get to see the truth of each characters convictions as they do and this being the middle book of the series it leaves us with a solid understanding of those who will be at the forefront of what is coming next.

I will definitely continue to follow this series.

This is the second book in the Legends of the First Empire series and it didn't disappoint. I thought this was a great continuation of this series. The character development is really well done, although I was pretty heartbroken about what happens to a certain character. I liked that the tone of these books are quite light - it's not all sunshine and rainbows but the overall tone of these books aren't dark. The amusing interactions with some characters really lend itself to this lighter tone. The plot moves pretty quickly and the action is done pretty well. Basically I really enjoyed this book. I will definitely be continuing with this series and I would highly recommend checking it out, especially if you enjoy fantasy.

5+stars. LOVED it! I thought this was even better than Age of Myth, but as I've already given that 5 stars, there's nowhere higher to go with the rating.. Michael J Sullivan is the man with a Plan- each book has its own arc within the series arc and it shows. MIchael has said that he writes a whole series before he publishes the first one so that the whole story works well and has no inconsistencies- and it works!
This story is rousing and will make you feel good.

'At least they were just an insignificant band of misfits: an inexperienced chieftain, a teenage Keeper, an insecure ex-slave, a troublesome beauty, a crazy mystic, and an outcast Fhrey'

It is about the underdog, about not giving up even when there seems to be no chance of success, of love, loyalty, courage, coming of age, on the one hand and betrayal and deception on the other. Dragons, demons, elves and dwarves.
There are funny touches ( many inventions and discoveries) and sad moments; this book is written by someone who understands both the human heart and psyche.
Fans of Michael J Sullivan could not and will not be disappointed. Recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Michael J. Sullivan proves again that he is one of my favorite authors.

I loved the Age of Myth, book one of the Legends of the First Empire, but Age of Swords, completely blew my mind. I would compare this book to The Fellowship of the Ring but with an almost all female cast.

The book picks up where Age of Myth left off. Persephone is faced with uphill battle, trying to protect her tribe from the treat of war with the Frey. In order to do so, Persephone must travel to the land of the Dwarves to kill a legendary demon in exchange for weapons for the human army. Meanwhile, Suri must learn how to control her abilities with the Art and overcome her fear of hurting the ones whom she loves. Sullivan once again demonstrates that he can create incredible female characters, who are brave, complex and yet, still feminine. Sullivan even creates an extremely believable, self assured, annoying and full of himself prince, who I really wanted to slap about 10 times on every page. However, my strong feelings only go to demonstrate that these characters feel real and Sullivan is master at creating them.

The whole book was extremely well thought out, very fast paced, funny and shocking all at the same time. The twists at the end, and a demise of one of my favorite characters, really tugged at my heartstrings. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy adventure and strong female characters.

Now excuse me - I need to pre-order a hardcover copy.

Age Of Swords is a fitting sequel to Age of Myth. It picks up right where the last one left off and doesn't take it's time introducing more characters and action to keep you on your toes at all times. I can't wait for the next four books!

Another great ride by now my favorite storyteller. :)

This second part, like the first one in the series, is a coming of age story and consists mostly of world building. Rhunes, now facing the war with the Fhrey, start to evolve from being primitive to a somewhat more developed race. We get to know more of how the world is constructed and more of Elan’s inhabitants are being introduced to the story – Dhergs, Grenmorians and Raow. We also learn a lot of things which in Riyria were taking for granted but nobody knew their exact history - bits and pieces from Riyria Revelations ancient times here come to life – where does Teshlor name came from, Gilarabrywn, Tek’chin and few others.

The story picks up exactly from where Age of Myth left us and it also ends abruptly, having no closure of its own. But the journey is great as MJS provides great entertainment through his tale. Also, it opens up a lot of paths in the future and now begins the waiting for the third part; not much, just almost a year…

I still have a problem with characters behavior and their rudimentary ways which does not suit the almost modern language and knowledge in other areas, but that did not prevent me to enjoy it immensely. Somehow, reinventing the wheel and others like that provided some of the funniest moments in the book.

And as a change from others in its genre, the real heroes so far are women. We do not have great warriors and alpha males, instead we have a bunch of smart and bold women. Also, I can’t say there is a main character; there are many of them and each brings its contribution to further development of the world and action.

So, if you’re familiar with MJS style and writing, you’ll love this series too. But unlike Riyria, the volumes in this series do not stand on their own. Each one is a direct sequel to the previous one, therefore they must be read in order.

And even if Riyria Revelations remains my favorite, Heir of Novron in particular - it blows my mind even now when I think about it -, this one comes very close. I had a wonderful time reading it.

(Many thanks for accepting my request for this ARC)

This was a fantastic follow-up to Age of Myth. I love the characters, who continue to get better and better. I can't even begin to tell you how great Persephone, Suri, Roan, Brin, Gifford, Arion, and even Moya are!

This book is about Persephone trying to unite the clans of Rhunes (humans) so the Fhrey (elves) won't wipe them out. This book also introduces massive technological advancement for the Rhunes, largely through Roan's efforts, although Brin is also working on what will be another massive advancement down the line (written language). Basically, the women in this book are incredible and I love all of them. They're the ones getting things done while the men are stuck in their old patterns of behavior.

On the Fhrey side in their capital city, it's interesting to see Mawyndule wrestle with his emotions after the battle at Dahl Rhen. He is very much an angsty teenager with a bit of a superiority complex, but this book throws him into some interestingly terrible situations and I think it will be fun to see how his character develops in later books.

This series is turning into a new favorite of mine.

Michael J. Sullivan is an amazing author. I love his books and I still have some of his books to finish. I'm really loving this series, but I did cry because I didn't like one thing that happened. =( Although, who knows what might happen next that will make me happy =)

:

I love pretty much every one in this book. The gang. There are so many of them. And this book starts out with a bang. It wastes no time in getting right down to business, which is an attack. I will keep said attack to myself but it's really sad and bad.

I mentioned how much I love these characters and there is a new little boy named Tesh that I love so much. He's going to be trained by Raithe and I can't wait to read more about him.

We were the same age, but I do not recall seeing him in Tirre. I have been told that he was little more than an animal then, an abandoned boy surviving the aftermath in the shadows and tall grass. No one could have guessed what he would become. I know I did not.

--THE BOOK OF BRIN



Yes, Brin still has writings at the beginning of the chapters.

The group is on the move to stay somewhere else and try and get some things resolved.

The women and a couple of the boys have a big quest on their own. Those women and girls are so strong and I don't mean they are bad to the bone. I mean they can fight as much as they can, they take care of one another, they figure things out. They are just amazing. I love that there are so many in the book.

Anyway, I'm very happy with this second book in the series. It's pretty much amazeballs!

I have always worshipped heroes in stories. I had no idea I was surrounded by them.

--THE BOOK OF BRIN



*Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a digital copy of this book.*

This was amazing! I love everything about this series. The characters get you hooked and the story keeps you reading well past lunch break.
Highly recommend

Age of Swords: Book Two of The Legends of the First Empire follows The Age of Myth, which I really liked. And I loved all of the Riyria Chronicles. So why did The Age of Swords fall short for me?

I enjoyed catching up with some of the characters, and yet I wasn't as engaged with any of them in the way I was with Sullivan's previous books. The Age of Myth was the introduction to this new series, but for some reason, Age of Swords felt more like an introduction and less like an advancement. The pacing felt uneven and perhaps too much time was given to the discoveries of things like the wheel. The book seemed more like a history of inventions than a genuine story. Everything was either about the advancement of a primitive tribe or preparation for war.

It isn't that I didn't enjoy it, but neither did it command my interest and enthusiasm in the way that Age of Myth and all of the Riyria adventures did. I truly loved the main characters in the Riyria Chronicles and the adventure and humor in those books. Humor is largely missing in Swords and so was my engagement with the characters.

Read in May; blog review scheduled for July

NetGalley/Random House/Ballentine

Fantasy. July 25, 2017. Print version: 512 pages.

I'm a little biased because I adore Sullivan's Riyria series, but I love the work he's put into his new books. Age of Swords is a wonderful follow-up to Age of Myth. It's an adult book, but I would still recommend it for older teens who are interested in the high fantasy scene.

Clash of cultures and clash of technologies in Michael J. Sullivan's latest installment of his Legends series. All the usual fantasy tropes are here - elves, dwarfs, giants etc. - but set in a time when humanity is making an accelerated exit from a wheel-less Bronze Age. The process of their doing so gives the story the originality required to lift it above the norm. Pleasant reading - I enjoyed the characters of Moya, Roan, and Raithe especially - if not very demanding. I liked it but marginally prefer his Ryrie books.

“Age of Swords” is the second book in “The Legends of the First Empire” series. It is written by Michael Lawrence, author of the fantastic “Riyria Revelations” and “The Riyria Chronicles” series. The first book in this series was "Age of Myth".

“Age of Swords” continues the story of our favourite characters – Persephone, Suri, Roan, Brin etc. The preparation for the war continues. Our heroes try put together a coalition. There is a quest to a new land.

Let’s start with the character development. Suri’s and Mawyndule are the two characters who evolve the most in this book. Other characters like Roan and Brin continue on the same path as before. They have a lot of things to do but they don’t necessarily grow as much. But, all the characters are still fresh and interesting. Next, we come to the world building. We get to see new lands – specifically, the land of the Dherg. New beasts are introduced which adds to the richness of this world.

This book is quite fast. The pacing is not break neck like in some other books but it is still fast enough to keep me engrossed. I was constantly turning the pages to find out what happened next. There were a few dead spots in the book where my eyes glazed over.

Finally, we come to the plot. There were a couple of twists that I did not expect. But for the most part, the plot while reasonably predictable, was interesting. Michael Sullivan’s writing is excellent and kept me engrossed even when I knew what would happen.

There were two things that I didn’t like. The first was the ease by which the protagonists were discovering/inventing stuff. I am prepared to live with this under the assumption that we will get to know why this was so easy for them, later on in the series. The second issue was the use of “cute” words like “ryte” and “scrybe” to denote a devolution in language. I felt this was unnecessary and didn’t really add to the authenticity of the story.

There is a lot of potential in this series. I look at this book as a set up for the genre bending that we have promised. This is a fantastic read - I recommend it to all readers of fantasy.

Age of Swords is the second in Michael J. Sullivan’s “The Legends of the First Empire” series. It has a historical connection to his popular Riyria series, taking place in the same world, but seemingly several thousand years before. Here are the women and men who shaped the world that the other series is embedded in – and they’re up to their own adventures.

The world of Age of Swords is one of conflict, and also one of hope. The conflict – well, that exists between the species of men, and the Fhrey. The latter are long lived, and relatively technologically advanced. They see humanity as somewhere between pets and vermin. At the centre of Fhrey society are the Mirialith, sorcerers beyond compare. They can shatter bones with a thought, rip the earth asunder, or, less often, produce a rather nice bouquet of flowers. The other Fhrey respect the Miriliath, even as they fear them. It’s great to see some intra-cultural tension, as the Mirilaith begin thinking of themselves as the natural leaders of the Fhrey, or even as gods – as far above their brethren as above the rising tide of humanity. It’s interesting to explore how this long-lived people have set out to govern themselves, to prevent violence amongst each other. Their institutions are sometimes familiar – a council hall of governing consensus, overseen by an absolute ruler whose final word is law evokes the Roman senate, for example. At other times, they’re distinct and plausible – the border posts that some of the Fhrey guard prevent humanity from entering their lands; but those manning the walls are not allowed to return to the centre of their civilisation. Predictably, this breeds mistrust and resentment.

The Fhrey now contemplate a march to war, humans having done the unthinkable and actually killed several Fhrey. Theirs is a society in turmoil, social assumptions upended. That said, they’re dealing with a human society which is less than prepared for them.
In the society of humanity, there are echoes of our own bronze age. Groupings are familial, tribal, organised by clan. Bronze weapons are rare, the height of the science of war is the warrior charge. The gods are numerous, tied to places and clans. Though humanity thrives and outnumbers the Fhrey, they know better than to act against a people who are effectively immortal, well fed, and tactically trained. Still, like the Fhrey, this is a society on the cusp of something else. There’s a potential for consolidation, for groups coming together as part of a greater whole, under pressure from externalities.

In both cases, the societies constructed are clearly constructed on a sound footing. They’re plausible, carefully constructed, and presents a rich background for the characters to act within.
The first book was something of an ensemble piece, and that hasn’t changed here. There’s some standouts though. Suri, the young seeress, whose view of reality seems to be about forty-five degrees from everyone else, is one example. She begins with a certain naivety, but it’s tied to the ability to look outside or around limitations – and occasionally to set things on fire with her mind. As the text progresses though, she grows into something more, tying into her friends, being moulded externally as the plot rumbles on, but drawing her own personality together as she reacts to the trials and tribulations she endures.

Persephone is similar in this way – beginning as a part-time leader of one clan, already preparing to face the wrath of the Fhrey, Persephone is stubborn, loyal, clever, and reluctantly willing to make hard choices. It’s the latter which change her here, or at the least help to accentuate her dominant characteristics.

Raife, the God Killer is always an interesting read. He’s often angry, with an upbringing in hardship which his copmapnions may not quite understand. This predicates him away from people – so his gradual integration into the group is fascinating to watch. He remains as prickly as ever, but seems willing, perhaps, to accept others into his life.

There’s a swathe more here, from the occasionally malevolent adolescent Fhrey prince, to the mysterious dwarf-ish types, through the collective leaders of the different human clans. Sometimes they felt like they had a basket of traits to hand to drive the plot, but typically this wasn’t the case; watching the conflicted Fhrey work through the implications of his actions, or the clan heads bicker over which of them should be in charge, the sense is of complex, flawed people in a demanding world. This is certainly true of the major actors, whose lives carry a convincing depth and a true complexity of sorrows and joys. Feeling their trials and tribulations as reality, no matter which ‘side’ of the narrative they were on, is indicative of the skilful characterisation and emotional weight that has been used here.

The plot – well, I won’t spoil it. I will say that there are several wonderful kinetic duels, the narrative evoking heart-in-mouth tension. There’s a swathe of epic magic as well, lightning from the sky being the very least of it. Politics is at play, if you like that sort of thin g- both humanity and the Fhrey attempting to organise themselves in a tumultuous time. There’s betrayal and love, and some electric dialogue which alternately tore a hole of sorrows into my gut, and left me shaking with laughter. There’s battles, and costs, triumphs and consequences. In summary, it’s a fast-paced, compelling read. So pick it up, if you enjoyed Age of Myth, and give it a try – you won’t regret it.