Name: The Rose and the Thorn
ISBN: 9780356502281

Michael J. Sullivan

Two thieves want answers. Riyria is born. For more than a year, Royce Melborn has tried to forget Gwen DeLancy, the woman who saved him and his partner Hadrian Blackwater when all other doors were closed against them. Unable to stay away any longer, they return to Medford to a very different reception - she refuses to see them. Once more she is shielding them, this time from the powerful noble who abused her. She was right to suspect Royce wouldn't care about rank and privilege or fear any repercussions from reprisal. What she didn't realise is what he was capable of - until now.

Book Two of the Riyria Chronicles

The Rose and the Thorn

Honestly I am mainly there for the bromance between Royce and Hadrian. One of the best duo to follow in fantasy. Although I liked this book way less than book 1 probably because these two had less « pages time », it was fun to go back to this world after 2 years. I won’t wait this long for the following book.

Female characters are still as dull as the previous book lmao should we be surprised ? No, it’s written by a man 🙃 

The interesting part is that you get a lot of background stories of what you get in the main series with Hadrian and Royce. I am not mad that I had decided to go for the chronological order. I feel like you can start there and each book can be read as standalones if you don’t care for the relationships between regular characters.

Overall, it’s just your regular medieval fantasy easy and fun to read (be prepared for a very misogynistic society)

Amira BEN

Honestly I am mainly there for the bromance between Royce and Hadrian. One of the best duo to follow in fantasy. Although I liked this book way less than book 1 probably because these two had less « pages time », it was fun to go back to this world after 2 years. I won’t wait this long for the following book.

Female characters are still as dull as the previous book lmao should we be surprised ? No, it’s written by a man 🙃 

The interesting part is that you get a lot of background stories of what you get in the main series with Hadrian and Royce. I am not mad that I had decided to go for the chronological order. I feel like you can start there and each book can be read as standalones if you don’t care for the relationships between regular characters.

Overall, it’s just your regular medieval fantasy easy and fun to read (be prepared for a very misogynistic society)

Anyaconda

Again, very entertaining! I read through this in 1 1/2 days whenever I had a free minute. That alone tells me how invested I am. Reuben is ma boy! Thanks for not killing him off lol

Celeste Richardson

Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up.

I love a good origin story. While The Crown Tower shared the story of how Hadrian and Royce were first thrown together, we see their relationship cemented in this installment. And while the previous book gave us a lot of Gwen’s background, it is in this book that her relationship with Royce truly begins. We also get to meet quite a few of the royal and noble characters who will have page time in the original Riyria series. I adore both Hadrian and Royce, and seeing them grow and their relationships evolve is incredibly gratifying. All in all, this book was a lot of fun, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Jenna Kathleen

It's been far too long since I've been in Elan. Lately, I haven't had much time for reading, but Riyria is one of those series that you unconsciously make time for. I read on the subway, as usual; I read when I arrived anywhere a few minutes early. I read when I was cooking (not the best idea) and I lost a bit of sleep because I was just so immersed in The Rose and the Thorn.

This book seemed to be focused a bit less on the actual events, but more on character development. Of course, Hadrian and Royce steal the show, as always, but seeing the background of Hilfred was definitely a highlight of this book. He's not a main character in Revelations, but his story in this book plays a major role and gives a lot of background to favourite characters such as Arista and Alric. Meeting Albert for the first time was also amusing and seeing how much he has changed since encountering Riyria gives him more depth as a character.

I read The Crown Tower and then the main series and now I can see when reading Revelations first is much better. There are so many little Easter eggs that make the book that much more enjoyable. I would definitely recommend starting with Revelations before reading Chronicles. I was too excited about starting The Death of Dulgath so I started the book before reviewing this one - it takes a special book to do that.

The Rose and the Thorn Book Two of the Riyria Chronicles