Read History
2026 | Score: 7.5
I read this as a part of the Theft of Swords, but due to series numbering broke it up into the two smaller books. Slower and much less light-hearted than the first book, but instead focused a lot more on expanding the world and setting up larger scale conflicts to come. The Crown Conspiracy was a great one-off story that I think anyone could enjoy, but Avempartha shifted us into the usual epic fantasy, world-spanning conflict. The expansion of the church and the roles of the different races was great and by the end I was excited to continue in the series, I may have to bump the rest up. Still has the same problems as the first one, so if you didn’t enjoy that I would not continue with the series, but I am still more compelled by Royce and Hadrian and the fun characters and world than the flaws in dialog and writing.
Format: Audible
Days: 5
Date: 4/23/2026 -> 4/28/2026
Summary
Avempartha
Michael J. Sullivan
The Riyria Revelations #2
Avempartha Summary
The gods:
Erebus - Father of the gods
Ferrol - Eldest, Father of Elves
Drome - Seconds, Father of Dwarves
Maribor - Third son, Father of Men
Muriel - Only daughter, goddess of nature
Uberlin - Son of Muriel and Erebus, god of darkness
It has been a year or two since the first book, and Royce and Hadrian have tracked down the man who gave them the set up job of stealing a sword at the start of the last book. He turns out to be a destitute sailor named Wyatt who needed the money. They let him go once they learn he is taking care of a half-elven adopted daughter named Allie, as well as a massive young man. While in the city of Colnora, they are stopped by some of Royce’s old crime group, the Black Diamonds. They tell them a girl named Thrace is asking for them by name but after they see her they should leave the city.
They save Thrace from a man, and take her to get cleaned up. She came to ask them to help her father, Theron, and her village, Dhalgren. They are being attacked by a beast of some kind. They are going to refuse when she reveals that Esrahaddon told her about them, and he wants them to break into the elven tower of Avempartha and steal a sword. Royce agrees because he is curious about the wizard, and they set off.
Meanwhile, Arista is saddled with a new maid Beatrice, who acts as an overwhelming mother figure, not letting Arista do much. Alric assigns her as ambassador and she sets out to the outlying kingdoms. She is accompanied by Bishop Saldur, who before the events of the last book she always thought of as a family member, but now she is suspicious. The Pickering boys, Mauvin and Fanen, also accompany them since “The Contest” will be held where they are going. Saldur tries to convince Arista that Esrahaddon orchestrated the death of her father. The church has a meeting, and the sentinel Luis Guy, one of the few people allowed to speak to the Patriarch (Leader of church), says he will be leading the group at the contest. Sentinel’s only job is to hunt for the Heir of Novron, who we know the church actually wants to kill.
Royce, Hadrian, and Thrace reach Dhalgren, but Theron seems dismissive of his daughter and her guests. He is full of hatred since everyone but Thrace in his family has been killed by the beast. They stay with other members of the small village, and Royce sees the beast that night with his superior night vision. It takes one member of the village, and the following day Hadrian convinces everyone that they need to move into the manor house for safety (Commoners are not supposed to be there). Deacon Thomas, the clergyman technically in charge of the town right now, complains but Hadrian convinces him. Royce and Esrahaddon go and investigate the tower. Avempartha is in the middle of a river that separates elven lands from human lands, according to an ancient treaty. Esrahaddon explains how back in the days of Novron the human empire was much more advanced than they are now, and fears that when the elves have regained strength (slow birth rates), they will attack again. Royce can not figure out how to get into the tower but assumes Esrahaddon has his own motives besides slaying this beast.
Back at the village, Royce tells the villagers what he saw last night and Esrahaddon informs them it is a Gilarabrywn, a magic elvish summoned monster used in the old wars. It can only be killed with a sword with it’s name inscribed upon the blade, which is what they need to steal from the tower. Esrahaddon tells Royce later how 900 years ago he, accompanied by the emperor, his young heir, a bodyguard and others went to Avempartha to meet with the elves. While their the Gilarabrywn attacked, although the elves were also confused as to why. It seemed to only want the emperor. He and the knight bodyguard helped the heir escape, but the church killed the emperor. Esrahaddon used a sealing spell on the tower to trap the beast inside, and then told the knight to go into hiding with the heir. He gave them a necklace to wear so he could always find them, but needs something from in the tower to be able to find the heir, assuming the necklace has been passed down.
They realize that Theron is not at the manor, Hadrian believes he wants to die in his grief. Him and Royce ride to save him, and Thrace follows them. They convince him and rush back to the manor, but Thrace hits her head and falls off the horse. They are only saved by Esrahaddon summoning a wall of fire and scaring off the beast. Thrace is in a bad condition and Theron realizes the mistake he has made, he still has hope and family with her. Hadrian gives Theron some sword lessons, and Thrace eventually wakes up.
Arista learns the contest will be held in Dhalgren. We learn the church releases the Gilarabrywn and have a plan to name a puppet, Lord Rufus, as emperor after he uses a copy sword to slay it. The point of the contest is to show the beast is invincible by letting it kill a number of people, then having Rufus go in. The church arrives at Dhalgren and kicks all of the villagers out of the manor. Hadrian meets with the Pickerings and begs them not to compete, since the beast can not be killed. Luis Guy comes over and questions Hadrian, seeming very suspicious.
Royce and Esrahaddon find Magnus, the dwarf that killed King Amrath, eavesdropping on them. They learn he is the one who was asked by the church to make the copy of the Gilarabrywn killing sword. He agrees to tell them how to enter the tunnel if Royce does not kill him. They sneak in, and it is confirmed that Royce is at least part elf (We have been suspicious), when he can open a door in the wall. He steals half of the blade (and recovers Hadrian's swords he lost with his old horse). Magnus looks at it and sees there is an inscription on both sides of the blade, meaning his copy will never work. Back at the manor the beast is angered part of it’s murder weapon has been stolen and kills Lord Rufus, as well as razing most of the village and manor. Almost everyone dies and Hilfred (Arista’s bodyguard) is badly burned. Hadrian saves the villagers by hiding them in the well. Many members of the church (Including Saldur and Luis Guy) saved themselves by leaving with all the horses and wagons. The beast captures Arista and Thrace and tells Deacon Thomas it will trade them for the sword half tomorrow night.
Magnus and Hadrian are trying to forge a copy of the half of the sword they have to trick the beast, and Theron and the Pickerings stay to help. Luis Guy shows up with Seret Knights (warriors of the church), and after saying he would let them go attacks Theron. Theron manages to stab him in the shoulder, so Luis Guy runs away and his 8 knights attacks. Fanen is killed and Mauvin badly injured, but they kill all the knights.
At the tower, Royce and Esrahaddon sneak in and use fire to make the beast flee, but it grabs Thrace on the way out. Arista tells them Thrace has the other half of the sword. Esrahaddon needs both their help to work the magic to figure out where the heir and bodyguard (Or their descendants with the necklaces) are. Esrahaddon warns them that war with the elves will come, and he wants to help the human side. Royce hurries back to check on Hadrian, and Arista interrogates Esrahaddon about her fathers death, which he admits he partly caused. She is angry and leaves.
The Gilarabrywn shows up and Theron offers it the fake half of the sword. It accepts it and gives them Thrace, but then says anyone who has seen part of its name must die. Hadrian is hurt and Theron killed in the battle. Thrace is so upset she uses the two parts of the blade and kills it. Deacon Thomas sees this, and believing what the church was saying, proclaims her the Heir of Novron and the Empress. Then the rest of the church (Luis Guy and Saldur) return. They capture Mauvin and Hadrian, and keep them in a tent with Arista (who walked back) and Hilfred. Royce meets with Magnus, who agrees to help if he gets to touch Royce’s dagger Alvenstone, which he believes was made by a god. They steal horses and Royce, Hadrian, and Mauvin flee. Arista stays to care for Hilfred and Thrace.
We listen to Saldur come up with a plan to make Thrace empress, then marry her off to someone they choose and hide her away. Royce asks Hadrian about a necklace he always wears and Hadrian says he got it from his father. That combined with his fighting ability make it seem like Hadrian is either the heir or the bodyguard of the heir. THE END.