Theft of Swords hooked me pretty quickly because Royce and Hadrian are just fun to follow.
They work because they’re so different. Hadrian still wants to believe there’s a right way to handle things, while Royce is usually assuming somebody is about to screw them over and figuring out how fast he can kill the problem or get out of the room. Their back-and-forth is probably my favorite part of the book because you can tell there’s real loyalty underneath all the sarcasm and arguing.
Royce was the one that stood out most to me. He’s angry, suspicious, dangerous, and usually not interested in pretending otherwise. But he’s also dependable in his own way. If Royce says he’s going to do something, I believe him. Hadrian balances him out really well because he brings more patience, humor, and a sense of honor to everything.
I also liked that they already feel like they’ve lived a whole life together before the book even starts. They have history, routines, and their own way of reading each other. Sullivan doesn’t have to stop and explain their friendship every five minutes because you can see it in how they work together.
Arista ended up being more interesting than I expected too. She’s smart, capable, and constantly dealing with people who already think they know what she should be allowed to do. I liked that she pushes against that instead of just accepting it.
Theft of Swords collects The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha, and they do feel a little different from each other. The first part moves fast and gets Royce and Hadrian tangled up in political trouble almost immediately. The second opens the world up more and gives you a better sense that there’s something bigger going on beyond the job right in front of them.
The writing is pretty straightforward, and some of the fantasy setup is familiar. That didn’t bother me. I don’t need every book to completely reinvent the genre if the characters are good enough to make me want to keep reading.
Royce and Hadrian did that for me almost immediately.
Who I’d recommend it to: Fantasy readers who want something that moves faster, has great banter, and is built around a friendship that’s actually fun to spend time with.
Caution: If you’re looking for dense worldbuilding right away, this is lighter and more character-driven at the start.
Discussion question: Which one did you like more at first—Royce or Hadrian?
— Cory Lane