Royce and Hadrian continue to aid the kingdom of Melingar as war looms in Nyphron Rising, the third book in Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Revelations series. An Empress has been crowned and the Imperialists are out for conquest.

It's clear at this point that what might have started off as a buddy adventure series is expanding to be epic in scope. This is not in itself a bad thing though it does lead to slower plot movement and less time with Royce and Hadrian while more space is given to bigger world events. The change in narrative splits the story into three main threads.

The Empire thread follows the freshly crowned Empress Modina and her newly appointed secretary Amilia. While the Church's schemes are still well underway, and Saldur is still the evil mastermind, this new focus has greatly reduced the villains tendency to monologue. I found Amilia and Modina's situation enthralling. Amilia's determination to not just survive but help her and her mistress thrive was easily my favorite part of the book. I kept looking forward to their chapters. I think Amilia may be my new favorite character.

The time spent with our favorite thieves is enjoyable if a tad melancholy. Royce digs into Hadrian's past as he tries to solve the mystery of the heir while Hadrian suffers from a midlife crisis. This in turn leads to revealing more about Royce's childhood, which was not the happiest. It lends a more serious tone to their story thread and I found myself missing the easy banter from the first book.

Most problematic is Arista's story thread, who we spend the most time with. After realizing she's an utter failure as an ambassador, Arista is determined to help her kingdom even if it means doing something foolhardy and deliberately undermining her brother's authority though she doesn't give that any thought. I both love and am irritated by her progress as an Artist. She's ok with using her powers to save herself but balks at using them in battle to save a whole city? Also highly problematic is when she gets drunk while undercover and immediately blabs to all and sundry who she is and what their mission is. Don't get me started about the bad case of insta-love Arista suffers. She's lucky this is a Michael J Sullivan novel!

While technically the main plot is resolved, the story ends abruptly on a bombshell that left this reader with many questions. ( )

This is my least favourite so far of the series. Most of the characters were frustrated, and I found it frustrating. Not that much happened (compared to the earlier books), either, and one of the points-of-view seemed almost entirely set-up, no real conclusion/catharsis. Probably a 2 1/2 for me, with rounding up out of good will to the characters and the pleasant glow of the earlier books.

Here's hoping I like the fourth better! ( )

Finally I finished and what a tale that was. I am still impressed, not losing interest and very much want to read Emerald Storm. This installment of the Riyria Revelations answered many questions I had from the first two in the series, but damn it raised still more, as I expected it would.

Arista's character is developing into a strong, and perfectly flawed heroine. The first two books I thought she'd be typical in that she played the spoiled rich girl with a quirk, but in Nyprhon Rising, another side of her is revealed and it is one I didn't expect. Hadrian as well is becoming larger than life, as if he wasn't already.

I just want to say shame on Michael for fooling me near the end. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I won't say specifically what he did, but I will say I had an 'Aha!' moment that was quickly stomped all over in the end. So I wasn't as smart as I thought I was. In fact the ending of this book is compelling me to read the first two once more to see if I missed something that would tell me the answer to the big question.

So, after my typical rambling nonsense, I'll summarize by saying that if you haven't read this series, especially if you enjoy fantasy, go out and get it. I love it, I'm hooked and so is my daughter who is (I think) one of Michael's biggest fans. She'd like you to hurry with the next please. ( )

I love this series!! These books pull you right in and don't let go. The characters are people you really care about. This series is quickly becoming my favorite. ( )

Apr 2012: Reading the actual book this time, in order. Liked it again, maybe a bit more.

Sep 2009: I read the ARC & was not disappointed, except that book 4 isn't available yet (darn it!). It was an excellent continuation of the series. Plenty of action & twists as we learn more about the conspiracy. I really can't say more without spoilers, so I'll just say if you've read the first two, this one won't disappoint!

Today I got my signed copy of the finished work. Yahoo! Nice note in it from Michael. ( )