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Book Review: Avempartha
A few weeks ago, I reviewed Michael J. Sullivan's The Crown Conspiracy, and I was less than wholly positive. Nonetheless, as I'd been given a review copy of the second book in the series, Avempartha (which is due out April 1), I resolved to give it a read as well. The good news from my perspective is that, like many authors, Sullivan has improved from his first novel to his second. Some writers, of course, have the "sophomore slump," in which the follow-up lacks the ferocious energy that drove the first novel, but in Sullivan's case I would venture to say that his first novel went a long way in teaching him his craft, which has made Avempartha a stronger novel.
Whereas I found The Crown Conspiracy's plot a little too slick in its breakneck pace, particularly given the scope of events, here Sullivan manages to write a novel that not only moves with swiftness but also with a more credible rapidity. In no small part, this is due to the limitations he puts on the action here, with fewer characters and locales now woven more artfully together. All in all, a fairly quick, fun read.
The plot revolves, once again, around the duo of Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater, rogues-for-hire who this time find themselves hired to retrieve a magical sword from an ancient elven tower by a peasant girl, apparently for a paltry 10 silver coins. In the process, they become embroiled in the mystery of a monstrous flying creature that is decimating a poor village, which also becomes center stage for the Church of Nyphron's attempts to unite the land's diverse kingdoms under a new Emperor.
This volume can stand on its own, as the relevant background from The Crown Conspiracy is skillfully shared with the reader without any "What has gone before" prologue. Given my feelings about the first book, if this volume sounds interesting to you I might even recommend starting here. Avempartha came out in paperback just last week, and is available through Amazon.com.