Review: Age of Myth

Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan

This is the beginning book in Michael Sullivan’s 5 books story arc about the founding of the empire that predated the events in his Riyria books.

Reading this book on the heel of Death of Dulgath is a great way to make some tantalizing connections. The characters Royce saw in the wall painting near the end of the Dulgath book give a good hint on the main characters in the Legends of the First Empire series.

This is also the first time we start to see POV characters based on contemporary Fhrey (elves). As it turns out, they behave just like humans! I would have thought a bit more difference between human and elves is warranted.

The twist at the end was surprising and explains the reason Nyphron faltered in the earlier fight with Raithe.

The characters here feel more real than the characters in Riyria stories and I credit that as an improvement to Michael Sullivan’s writing skills.

Things that annoys a bit: I still don’t under Konniger’s motivation for his action in the Bear Hunt. Is it due to jealousy? disillusionment? It doesn’t feel well explained.

Another unsatisfying aspect is the magic system (The Art). It seems arbitrary. We are just alone for the ride and not really needed to understand the magic. This is quite different when I’ve grown used to Brandon Sanderson’s brand of magic system where everything is well reason and rules are established (but not revealed all at once).

Recommended. I will certainly keep reading this series.