The Sword and Laser discussion

Holy Crap! After four years of my whining and cajoling you guys finally caved and voted Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan the March Madness 2019 winner!

For anyone who does audio, I HIGHLY recommend that. Tim Gerard Reynolds is fantastic and has since become one of my favorite narrators.

Theft of Swords is actually an omnibus of 2 different novels The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha

The first 4 stories (2 omnibuses) can be read pretty stand alone. They kind of follow the TV syndication concept where you can drop into any book and not be too lost, but does build up a larger story over the series.

The final 2 however I found myself needing to read together, and it's that 3rd omnibus Heir of Novron that led to me nominating this book every year.

After the first 6 (3 omnibuses) he's published four more stand alone prequels, and is currently in the middle of another series set in the far past of the series.

So if like me you fall in love with Royce and Hadrian there is a lot more to consume, but if you don't you can just read 1 or 2 of the stories in this book and be done.

Thank you, and I hope enough of you enjoy it/don't hate me after!

It is a great book. I read it about 5 years ago, really enjoyed it and am looking forward to re-reading it. It is a really fun story, with memorable characters.

I have been meaning to finish the series off. I may just keep going this time :-)

You’re welcome, Rob.

Yea!

I agree with Rob's recommendations that if you are at all into or interested in audio books you should listen to Tim Gerard Reynolds narrate Theft of Swords.

Congrats, Rob!

Sheila Jean wrote: "Yea!

I agree with Rob's recommendations that if you are at all into or interested in audio books you should listen to Tim Gerard Reynolds narrate Theft of Swords."

I started listening to audiobooks this year and all of them were non-fiction. Inspired by the recommendations here, "Theft of Swords" will be my first fiction audiobook! I listened to the sample and it sounds really good!

Congrats, Rob! Both of the finalists sounded interesting, so I was good with either winning. I'm looking forward to listening to this on Audible.

Definitely looking forward to it! I have had it in my kindle for a long time, then recently found a physical copy at a used bookstore. So finally glad to jump into the series at last!

Congrats Rob! A well deserved day in the sun.

I got the Audiobook on Libby a few days ago. Woo Hoo!

I heard the vote was close and voted your way, Rob, just before the poll closed. You can PayPal me at... Ah, hell, you can have this one for free :)

lol. That's good because: no takebacks!

Waiting for the CDs to arrive at the library (should be Thursday)...

Iain wrote: "Waiting for the CDs to arrive at the library (should be Thursday)..."

Weird that that is the only format they have. Hope it plays okay.

Great pic, Rob. Very much looking forward to diving into this series!

MJS is one of my " Pre-order everything" author. For those with Audible account there are two" free" short stories that can stand alone, "Professional Integrity" and "The Jester." Both about an hour, great for those short trips in the car , a very long walk or short hike.

Handily, this was in Audible UK’s latest 2-for-1 credit offer so I picked it up on audiobook (along with Six of Crows). I enjoyed the first chapter so here’s hoping the rest of it lives up to the early promise.

I haven't been super active in a while.. but checked in to see who won... super excited to see it's finally this one! I loved these books. The characters are so fun!

Any opinions from longtime MJS readers about the comics? Death of Dulgath Graphic Novel Volume 1 and The Jester

They aren't out yet. I backed the Kickstarter and as far as I know they've been delayed.

And it’s $2.99 on Amazon US today

John (john) wrote: "And it’s $2.99 on Amazon US today"

https://smile.amazon.com/Theft-Swords...

Curses, foiled again! I bought it yesterday or the day before for 9.99. Jump on the 2.99 price everybody. By the way, I’m really enjoying it so far.

You can return ebooks up to a week after purchasing them. Return it and re-buy it today!

Cool, didn’t know that! Thanks for the tip!

Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth wrote: "Iain wrote: "Waiting for the CDs to arrive at the library (should be Thursday)..."

Weird that that is the only format they have. Hope it plays okay."

Arrived today, in the process of ripping them so I can listen to them on the go. Good so far..

Sheila Jean wrote: "Yea!

I agree with Rob's recommendations that if you are at all into or interested in audio books you should listen to Tim Gerard Reynolds narrate Theft of Swords."

I was wondering if the audiobook was recommended since I've been doing whispersync for voice more and more lately, listening in the car, and reading comics/manga/graphic novels more.

Robert wrote: "Sheila Jean wrote: "Yea!

I agree with Rob's recommendations that if you are at all into or interested in audio books you should listen to Tim Gerard Reynolds narrate [book:Theft ..."

Its fine, although I cannot get over the American pronunciation of buoys (boy)... And why would anyone attach Lake to Windermere
(Lake Winder Lake)... sigh..

Iain wrote: "why would anyone attach Lake to Windermere
(Lake Winder Lake)... sigh."

Not sure what that is in reference to, but it made me think of hill hill hill, or Pendle Hill. And I think there is somewhere that is four hills, but I'm less familiar with that one. Words!

Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth wrote: "Iain wrote: "why would anyone attach Lake to Windermere [...] I think there is somewhere that is four hills"
I am sure there are at least two places that are three rivers - just can't think of them at the moment.

Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth wrote: "Iain wrote: "why would anyone attach Lake to Windermere
(Lake Winder Lake)... sigh."

Not sure what that is in reference to, but it made me think of hill hill hill, or Pendle Hill. And I think the..."

They have a Lake Windermere in Theft of Swords. Makes me want to scream every time I hear it in the narration.

I live in SoCal where "The La Brea Tar Pits" is an attraction. That actually comes out to "The the tar pits tar pits."

Iain wrote: "They have a Lake Windermere in Theft of Swords. Makes me want to scream every time I hear it in the narration. "

Now I wish I was someone with influence on the internet who could convince people that Winder means Lakey. Lake Lakey Lake is pleasing to me.

BTW I've called it Lake Windermere my whole life and never knew that it was wrong.

John (Taloni) wrote: "I live in SoCal where "The La Brea Tar Pits" is an attraction. That actually comes out to "The the tar pits tar pits.""

I'm a local boy & I had no idea. Google says, brea means pitch. Close enough.

How about the Angels baseball team, not that they're the Los Angeles Angels? Ha ha ha!

Ian wrote: "the Los Angeles Angels"

Don’t leave off “of Anaheim” because they really are an Orange County team... so it really should be “the the angels angels of Anaheim!

Dave wrote: "Ian wrote: "the Los Angeles Angels"

Don’t leave off “of Anaheim” because they really are an Orange County team... so it really should be “the the angels angels of Anaheim!"

You're right, Dave. I was born in Anaheim. I know. I just left it off for the redundancy example.

I think it's stupid that the name was changed, but what are you gonna do?

Ahhmmm, (clears throat) I have only one thing to say. "Boaty McBoatface". That is all.

Hey all,
I'm thrilled that Theft of Swords was picked. I don't want to "hang out" in your discussion area because I want people to feel comfortable talking about the book without the author nosing around. But if you wanted to start an Ask the Author thread, I'd be glad to stop by and we can talk about this, or any of my other books, or writing, or publishing, or, well, just about whatever you want. Let me know.

Michael wrote: "Hey all,
I'm thrilled that Theft of Swords was picked. I don't want to "hang out" in your discussion area because I want people to feel comfortable talking about the book without the author nosing ..."

Thanks for offering. I created a thread for that here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Rob I’m SO glad you fought for this book so much throughout the years because HOLY CRAP I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! I’m not even halfway there and it’s already becoming one of my favorite books.

Priscilla wrote: "Rob I’m SO glad you fought for this book so much throughout the years because HOLY CRAP I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! I’m not even halfway there and it’s already becoming one of my favorite books."

I love this because I voted for this pick and am not enjoying it as much as I wanted to, but it is super good to know that others are having a blast with it. :D

Priscilla wrote: "Rob I’m SO glad you fought for this book so much throughout the years because HOLY CRAP I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! I’m not even halfway there and it’s already becoming one of my favorite books."

Well I'm glad someone has been enjoying it! I'm almost done with my reread and it seems to be holding up pretty well to my memory. I may have to do the next 2 (4) books in the series again at some point this year.

Rob wrote: "Priscilla wrote: "Rob I’m SO glad you fought for this book so much throughout the years because HOLY CRAP I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! I’m not even halfway there and it’s already becoming one of my favorite..."

I just may have to pick up the rest of the Revelations at least. It's been a fun read. I just finished The Crown Conspiracy portion of the book.

Really enjoying the writing and dialogue so far, like when royce informs eshraddon that no one says "thy" or "thou" anymore.

Matthew wrote: "Really enjoying the writing and dialogue so far, like when royce informs eshraddon that no one says "thy" or "thou" anymore."

Yeah, I forgot about that part. I was like..ugh..this dialogue is awful and..

minor spoiler for Avempartha
(view spoiler)[I was glad he'd learn to speak like everyone else by the time we see him in this book (hide spoiler)]

The one part that I think was brilliant was the (view spoiler)[cutting off the hands of Eshraddon (hide spoiler)] Has any writer done that before? It seems like a simple plot device but can not think of any writers that have done that.

Stephen wrote: "The one part that I think was brilliant was the [spoilers removed] Has any writer done that before? It seems like a simple plot device but can not think of any writers that have done that."

In The Lies of Locke Lamora something similar happens. Specifically (view spoiler)[ the main characters remove a mage’s tongue and fingers to stop him casting spells (hide spoiler)]
The Crown Conspiracy reminded me quite strongly of The Lies of Locke Lamora in several ways.

This book and series were so good. Glad the group is digging them.

I really liked this a lot. Read the Audible version and went on to listen to the next two in the series. A great pick!

Stephen wrote: "The one part that I think was brilliant was the [spoilers removed] Has any writer done that before? It seems like a simple plot device but can not think of any writers that have done that."

It’s a good thing they weren’t in the MCU. As Dr. Strange found out, doing magic is not about your hands there. To wit: https://youtu.be/DbPXDpNXlXM