The Viscount and the Witch by Michael J. Sullivan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Michael J. Sullivan does not disappoint. That is how I want to start this review. I have read the first two books in the Riyria Revelations, both in text and audio format, and when I heard that there was a story set in this “universe” before the Riyria Revelations begins I was all about getting a copy. As I said, I was not disappoint.
Reading this short story was like slipping into a comfortable shirt. The characters were not new, but it did give us a little back story about them, which always makes me feel like maybe I know these characters just that much better, so when I go forward with the next books I can say, “Hey I knew them back when.”
The story follows our characters as they meet an old new friend and one of them learns a hard life lesson. One that I suspect he may never really learn.
The Viscount and the Witch is a great introduction to the Riyria Revelations, or as a stand alone story. It would be worth your time to read it.
The Great Hites 
I came to this story never having read Michael before, and I agree, I was far from disappointed. I laughed out loud numerous times at Royce and Hadrian’s dialogue, and instantly fell in love with these characters. I’ve read the first three books, and am very glad I came up this story because of how it turned me to this great series of books.
I wonder which character you think learned, or failed to learn the life lesson.
Royce, he was the same in the rest of the books. Never gave up that people are basically good. Now I think I have the two of them mixed up. As I said in my G+ post this is a belated review. I have been sitting on it for a couple of months now.
It’s just that different people view the pair differently. They tend to agree with one and think the other is naive or paranoid depending on which way their personality leans before reading. This story leaves which learned the lesson open to the reader.
I think there was something to be learned by both of them, I just think that the lesson that, at least in the world you have created, that the idea that most people are basically good is one that the character never really gives up on. Again at least not in the books that I have read so far. I am interested in seeing if that changes in the rest of the series. As far as character growth, I think they both could move a little more toward the center, but at least in this story, I believe their positions serve them well.
Oh my. I just noticed who had left the comment. Thank you for coming by and taking a look at the review Mr Sullivan. I really appreciate it. I really enjoyed the story and the two books in the series I have read so far. They are great stories.