The Viscount and the Witch, epic fantasy short story (The Riyria Chronicles #1)

by Michael J. Sullivan

Overview

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. Join Royce and Hadrian in this short story (5,400 words) about one of their earliest adventures.

Praise for Sullivan's Riyria Revelations
“Filled with adventure and clever dialog and featuring a pair of not-quite-heroes whose loyalties to each other provide them with their greatest strength, this epic fantasy showcases the arrival of a master storyteller.” — Library Journal Fantasy Debut for September 2011

“Hair-raising escapes, flashy sword fights, and faithful friendship complete the formula for good old-fashioned escapist fun.” — Publisher's Weekly

“This series is thrilling, laugh-out-loud-funny, heartbreaking, chilling, and whip-smart at
every turn.” — Fantasy Faction

“An exciting, out-of-nowhere swashbuckler, The Riyria Revelations by Michael J
Sullivan astounds with its masterful combination of simplicity and
depth.” — Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction @ Suite 101

“[I]t's been a while since I found a sword and sorcery story I truly delighted in reading, and Theft of Swords reminded me of everything I love about the sub-genre.” — Deluded Visions

Other works by Michael J. Sullivan
Theft of Swords (Riyria Revelations Volume #1) — Nov 2011
Rise of Empire (Riyria Revelations Volume #2) — Dec 2011
Heir of Novron (Riyria Revelations Volume #3) — Jan 2012

The Crown Conspiracy (Riyria Revelations Book #1) — Oct 2008
Avempartha (Riyria Revelations Book #2) — Apr 2009
Nyphron Rising (Riyria Revelations Book #3) — Oct 2009
The Emerald Storm (Riyria Revelations Book #4) — Apr 2010
Wintertide (Riyria Revelations Book #5) — Oct 2010
Percepliquis (Riyria Revelations Book #6) — Jan 2012

Product Details

BN ID:	2940013348295
Publisher:	Ridan Publishing
Publication date:	09/28/2011
Series:	Riyria Revelations , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	58,835
File size:	342 KB

About the Author

After finding a manual typewriter in the basement of a friend's house, Michael inserted a blank piece of paper and typed: It was a dark and stormy night and a shot rang out. Well, he was just eight years old at the time, so we'll forgive him that trespass. But the desire to fill the blank page and see what doors the typewriter keys would unlock wouldn't let him go. For ten years Michael developed his craft by studying authors such as Stephen King, Ayn Rand, and John Steinbeck...just to name a few. During that time he wrote ten novels, and after finding no traction in publishing, he gave up and vowed never to write creatively again.

Michael discovered that never is a very long time, and he ended his hiatus from writing after a decade. The itch returned when he decided to create a series of books for his then thirteen-year-old daughter, who was struggling in school due to dyslexia. Intrigued by the idea of writing a series with an overarching story line, he created the Riyria Revelations. Each of the six-books were written as individual episodes but also included intertwining elements and mysteries that develop over time. Michael describes this endeavor as something he did "just for fun with no intention of publishing." After presenting the first manuscript to his daughter, he was chagrined that she declared, "I can't read it like this, can't you get it published?"

So began his second adventure on the road to publication, which included: drafting his wife to be his business manager; signing with an independent press; and later creating a small press. After two and a half years, the first five books sold more than 60,000 copies and ranked in the top twenty of multiple Amazon fantasy lists. In November 2010, he leveraged his success and received his first commercial publishing contract for three novels from Orbit Books (the fantasy imprint of Hachette Book Group, USA). In addition, Michael reached international status with foreign right translations including: France, Spain, Russia, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

Today, Michael continues to fill blank pages and has three projects under development: A modern fantasy, a literary fiction piece, and a prequel to his bestselling Riyria Revelations.

Editorial Reviews

Filled with adventure and clever dialog and featuring a pair of not-quite-heroes whose loyalties to each other provide them with their greatest strength, this epic fantasy showcases the arrival of a master storyteller. VERDICT Fans of Fritz Leiber's classic "Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser" novels should welcome the adventures of Hadrian and Royce. A winning debut for fantasy lovers.

Jackie Cassada

With a swashbuckling tongue in cheek sense of humor starting with the thieves providing tips to their wannabe robber, the first Riyria Revelations fantasy is a terrific tale starring two close friends and partners. Their daring do escapades make for a fun tale filled with twists, sword fights and much more.

Harriet Klausner

Sullivan succeeds with simplicity in his originally self-published epic fantasy debut. Hadrian Blackwater and Royce Melborn are a pair of thieves and mercenaries. They aren't mentioned in any prophecies or the lost heirs to anything; they're just criminals who happen to have hearts of gold. Hair-raising escapes, flashy sword fights, and faithful friendship complete the formula for good old-fashioned escapist fun.

Resident Reviewer

This series is thrilling, laugh-out-loud-funny, heartbreaking, chilling, and whip-smart at every turn... In many ways I found it a welcome return to the classic fantasies I read in high school, but with very clever twists and some very adult themes.

Do yourself a favor, grab the first book (either the original Crown Conspiracy or the brand new printing titled Theft of Swords, to be released by Orbit this fall) and join Royce and Hadrian on their adventures.

Jesse Flohrs

It should be noted that some of the first fantasy stories I ever read fell quite solidly into the sword and sorcery sub-genre. I remember liking them and then starting to move towards other things. Anyway, it's been a while since I found a sword and sorcery story I truly delighted in reading and Theft of Swords reminded me of everything I love about the sub-genre... I really enjoyed Theft of Swords and will be eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Lady Fellshot