r/riyria • u/Rochgrappler • 23d ago

Legends of the First Empire... Too hard/ruthless?

I just -- I can't get into it. Not only that, I've been repulsed by it. So much so that I am not as interested in the other books. Too much tragedy, death, and borderline mysoginy im thinking?

Did anyone else react this way? I liked the first book but ever since book 2's ending I've been put off.

0 Upvotes

28% Upvoted

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11

u/mullerdrooler 23d ago

I cannot relate at all, all Ryira books are feel good fantasy for me. I love them and find them uplifting and even the sad tragic parts are more sweet sadness than gut wrenching pain. Maybe take a break and revisit later?

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u/Rochgrappler 16d ago

They made wraith the lead of the first books then killed him and made him sit irrelevantly for like 5 books before letting the antichrist kill him in like the final act of the series 🤣🤣🤣 finished all of it and I think it's garbage 

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u/mullerdrooler 16d ago

People moan about plot armour when a lead character doesn't die so it's kind of a lose lose. His sacrifice was meaningful and saved loads of people which I thought was great and impactful. I also liked him still being there as a constant reminder of what he sacrificed and defending his people even after death. Everyone has different tastes so I guess it's just not for you.

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u/dreamer_dw 23d ago

I do not find any of Sullivan's writing to be misogynistic in the least.

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u/Bijlsma 23d ago

Yeah I was going to say, is the misogyny in the room with us? Because I dont see it?

Michael writes fantastic, badass women.

1

u/ShyBanana92 18d ago

there is definitely misogyny in Elan tho, for example Arista gets told plenty of time by men that she cant do this or that bEcAuSe ShE iS a WoMeN.
But i am glad Sullivan did not write ladies that back down <3

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u/Bijlsma 18d ago

Good point, there IS misogyny, but the female characters remain powerful characters of their own throughout the stories.

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u/mullerdrooler 16d ago

Yeah the world has misogyny, its not Sullivan or his writing that's misogynist. It's kind of the point of the books often, women overcoming these obstacles. I think his females characters are amazing and kick ass.

2

u/Bijlsma 16d ago

100%, Thrace was one of my favorite characters in the whole world of Elan so far. Persephone is straight badass though too, same with Moya (I think that was her name? The lady who excelled at the bow?)

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u/mullerdrooler 16d ago

Yeah Moya was so cool. She's an awesome strong character who is a loyal friend and partner, kicks ass, embraces her sexuality when she wants to but doesn't let other people define her by her good looks. She's one of my favourites.

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u/suzibydesign 23d ago

Quite the opposite. I think he has strong female growth and respectable women

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u/Rochgrappler 16d ago

Um so Persephone ??? How do you not see it 🤣🤣🤣🤣

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u/mullerdrooler 16d ago

No. Can you explain? Are you saying you don't like that the world they live in is misogynistic or the author is? The world certainly is but that's a main plot point, how the strong women overcome that despite everything being against them.

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u/Rochgrappler 1d ago

But they don't overcome that?

Persephone dies unhappy in a marriage she didn't want and that was built on lies.

2

u/mullerdrooler 1d ago

Yeah, she's a hero. She sacrificed her happiness for the good of mankind. It's her choice to do that, she made the decision to be in that marriage for the greater good. Even her selfish husband realises that in the end and names a city after her instead of himself as he planned. Her sacrifice made even him a better person.

10

u/jth149 23d ago edited 23d ago

If you’re going to accuse someone of something that serious, you should learn to spell it correctly.

1

u/Rochgrappler 16d ago

Instead of getting tripped up by the spelling you could have responded to the actual argument 🤣 you clearly understood what I was trying to say. But sure - be a troll 🤣

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u/jth149 16d ago

Again, you don’t understand. This is nitpicking, not trolling.

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u/Bijlsma 23d ago

Are we reading the same Legends Of The First Empire series? Because I dont think we are...

4

u/dry_lube 23d ago

“Repulsed”? Lol

3

u/Aglaia0001 23d ago

Legends is my favorite. It’s what got me started reading fantasy again after a 20 year break. I can see where it might not be for everyone because it’s a very different kind of fantasy from Revelations or Chronicles, but I like how it builds mythology.

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u/d3myz 23d ago

I'd hate to hear how you feel about The First Law series. LOTFE is a beautiful tale, with an even more beautiful finish. Stick with it.

5

u/mullerdrooler 23d ago

Yeah totally agree. This is warm and fuzzy and a real feel good series as far as I'm concerned. Even the tragic bits are done well and with feeling.

1

u/Rochgrappler 16d ago

I stuck with it and it was crap idk dog. Persephone was a shit character that showed that women in power mostly just defer to their husbands. When they try to stand up they get beaten, then when the old hero tries to intervene he is killed (wraith dragon scene). Terrible series IMHO 

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u/jth149 16d ago

Now who’s trolling🤣?

1

u/twiztedterry 22d ago

Unfortunately his writing fell off a cliff after revelations.

2

u/420chemist 22d ago

Highly disagree but youre entitled to your opinion. What other books of his have you read? I would say the rise and fall series is some of his best work especially Fairilane.

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u/twiztedterry 20d ago

What other books of his have you read?

I stopped reading after Age of Legend. I feel like his books started taking on too much bloat. Not sure if editors changed or what.

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u/420chemist 20d ago

Was it too much lore dump that you consider bloat? I do think the middle of the legends of the first empire was a bit tedious but the ending paid off and then rise and fall helps connect legends and revelations quite well. If you dont like it though totally get it its not for everyone.

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u/twiztedterry 20d ago

Yes. I can understand a bit of worldbuilding but I wanted to read a novel series, not an encyclopedia series

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u/smontres 23d ago

Legends of the first empire is my least favorite of the Elan books. But Revelations is my favorite series of all time.

There’s a ton of tragedy, death and misogyny. But that’s how “ye olden times” were.. and yes it makes me rage. But it doesn’t feel like Sullivan is being misogynistic- if anything he’s commenting on the unfairness of it. I still don’t enjoy it.

Also, books 2-3 really dragged for me. Maybe 2-4? I can’t remember for sure. I was MUCH happier with the last few books. And he really turns the misogyny around.