Theft of swords Volume one of the Riyria revelations

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. Going by the inexplicably pretentious shared name of "Riyria," they steal incriminating letters from a blackmailer, kidnap a young king to save his life, and protect a village menaced by a terrible monster. Along the way, they meet a clever princess, an unlucky monk, a 1,000-year-old wizard with no hands, and a naive but heroic farm girl. There's even the beginning of a series story arc as the powerful Church of Nyphron secretly schemes to control the world. Hair-raising escapes, flashy sword fights, and faithful friendship complete the formula for good old-fashioned escapist fun. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

A pair of mercenaries take pride in their uncanny ability to pull off the impossible until the theft of a sword leads to their arrest for regicide-and to more impossible tasks. First published online, this debut novel brings to mind Fritz Leiber's classic Fafhrd and Gray Mouser adventures. (LJ 9/15/11) (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.