Age of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Really Michael? You have to make a grown man cry like that?

What a tale. What a wonderful, beautiful, awe inspiring tale.

Its 3:25 AM. Im going to sleep and then write my review of this beautiful work tomorrow.

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

Alright! Now that I have slept and rested on what was one of the hardest to put down books I've ever read, I will try and do it justice, try and paint some sort of picture that will get you to start reading this fantastic series.
I will probably fail. But I will try.

SPOILER WARNING - While I will try not to spoil important areas of the plot, there may be character development spoilers.

The Age of Swords is book two in the Legends of the First Empire, a tale that takes place along time before the Riyria books. Michael J. Sullivan makes each readable without reading the other series, but I HIGHLY recommend reading the Riyria books before this series. There are some moments in The Age of Swords that had my jaw dropping and the wheels in my mind spinning. The connections have little to no impact on the overarching story of the Legends of the First Empire, but for someone who has read the Riyria Revelations several times, they were incredible!
Seeing the world take shape as the Legends had told about in the Riyria books was a treat in and of itself.

This book had a LOT of character growth. Mainly for the women, at least. Seeing a cast of such powerful women, all of whom aren't afraid to be... well... women, was incredible. I fell in love with each and every one and care deeply about their stories and what will happen to them.

Persephone, Suri, Moya, Arion, Roan, Brin.

Normally in a book, there is a small group of people I feel this connection towards but Michael J. Sullivan writes in a way that makes his characters feel as real as the people I interact with on a daily basis. They are so deep, so multi-dimensional, and just flat out enjoyable to read about.

No character is a Mary Sue. Everyone has their flaws, weaknesses, and shortcomings. Michael writes about these character and their "disabilities" in a way that is hard to believe he doesn't experience them all himself. As someone with similar Cleithrophobia, I couldn't believe how accurately Suri's thoughts were when feeling trapped.

Closed was okay. Closed could be dealt with. If the door behind her now was only closed, she could open it whenever she wanted.

And not only that, but Gifford's shortcomings. How does a cripple become such a powerful character in a dark and bloody world? It's honestly incredible that Michael was able to write these characters and make them feel so real and not silly.

Although Gifford’s roads appeared narrower, rockier, and strewn with more thorns, he always found a way to cope.

Roan and her past history of abuse, overcoming the odds and creating freaking earth shattering inventions.

Moya and defeating her stereotype of being beautiful and weak.
Moya turned the handle of her sword in a remarkably sophisticated spin. She held the pommel to Brin. “Put it on my blade. I’ll do it.”

Brin overcoming the death of her family, and creating/reading language.

Although men were strong like rocks, any stone could crack. Women were more like water. They nurtured life and could shape the hardest granite through unrelenting determination.

I'm sure you've noticed by now, how incredibly quotable this book was. I found goosebump inducing quotes on every other page. This book was powerful. This is why I read fantasy.

Raithe was the only weakpoint in the book for me, and it wasn't a bad thing, but simply a chance for him to grow. He felt selfish, obtuse, and just flat out hard to like. Especially, when surrounded by the incredible cast. I imagine this had to do something with his premise as a character. He's the first character we learn about in the Legends of the First Empire series. So while, I don't believe he is the main character at all, I do have an attachment towards him. I want him to overcome his Dureyan roughness. I want him to see the world through more optimistic eyes. But depression is real. Pessimism is harder to overcome then simply deciding it so. I look forward to seeing where the God-Killer goes.

Okay now that I've babbled and quoted on randomly, Let me talk about it.
Yes it.
Be warned before continuing.

It was 2:30 AM. I was laying in bed devouring page by page, wondering how in the hell they were going to kill Balgagarath(or however you spell it).

The second Minna sat in Suri's lap while Arion was telling her what needed to be done... I knew I was going to cry.
WHY MICHAEL!? WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME!?
“I love you, Minna. I always will.”

What a powerful, horrible, emotional moment for a grown man who may or may not have cried.

Suri has become my absolute, bar-none, favorite character in this story and is up there as one of my favorite characters of all time. Shes young, but brave. Scared, but willing. Suri is incredible.
Persephone is an amazing woman, don't get me wrong. She comes in a close second, but Suri and what she had to do to save her comrades and the world was just... Unprecedented for me as a reader.

Overall, this book receives a complete 5/5. If possible, It would gain higher points. This is why I read books. This is why I read fantasy. There are few books that have made me feel this way throughout my life.
The Harry Potter series which taught me to love reading as a kid.
The Lightbringer series which scratches every fantasy itch for me.
The Riyria Revelations which introduced me to the wonderful, poetic words of Michael J. Sullivan.
And now the Legends of the First Empire, for showing me the strength and power of individuals, especially women, when all odds are against them.

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