Cover Launch: THE RIYRIA REVELATIONS by Michael J. Sullivan
- - May 31st, 2011
Bam! Can you say “EPIC”, people? The Riyria Revelations by Michael J. Sullivan are coming this November, December, and January, with more adventure and world-building than you epic fantasy fans will be able to handle. We wanted to give this series a cover style that spoke to fans of empire-building and political intrigue and armies clashing, but I really wanted to highlight the central axis of the books — the team of Royce and Hadrian, a thief and mercenary who get pulled into the plots and machinations of the empire despite their best (or worst) intentions. I think the marriage of the type and icons with the great illustrations by Larry Rostant give you the feel that it’s these two friends back to back against the world, and that is the engine that takes you through these books and across the world of Riyria.
After the jump, a small teaser from Book One: Theft of Swords to get you all excited…..
Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles – until they are hired to steal a famed sword from the palace of the king and find themselves caught up in a conspiracy to overthrow the empire. Sentenced to death, they have only one way out, to get involved in the plots of the nobles and save the kingdom from itself.
Can one thief and his master swordsman of a friend keep their heads above water long enough to survive? Much less solve the mystery that threatens to topple the crown itself?
…and so begins this epic tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend.
Tags: Art, Art Department, Covers, epic fantasy, fantasy, Michael J. Sullivan
Aidan from A DRibble of Ink
May 31, 2011
at 2:32 pm
Good job!
You know how I feel about photo-realistic dudes in cloaks… but I love the rest of it.
Lauren Panepinto
May 31, 2011
at 2:59 pm
ah but when the photorealism is by the awesome Larry Rostant, how can you deny the coolness? besides, am I supposed to say no cloaks when they actually wear cloaks in the books? Tell the author to stop writing in cloaks then…he’s a thief after all, it’s kind of mandatory!
Gareth
May 31, 2011
at 3:32 pm
Oh. Not the best artwork. Not so much “photo-realistic” as much as “Photoshop 101″. Was the normally reliable Mr Rostant in a hurry with these? You can definitely see the joins where he’s cut and paste the various photographs together. Nice enough typography, but that artwork is very much “will this do?”.
Aidan from A DRibble of Ink
May 31, 2011
at 3:37 pm
I’ll have a talk with Michael. Maybe I can get him to write cloaks out of his next series!
But, seriously, great job, Lauren!
Lauren Panepinto
June 1, 2011
at 10:20 am
hey Gareth, Im sorry you feel that way, but do take in mind these are lo-resolution jpegs, the artwork looks fabulous in person, I assure you Larry’s reputation is very much secure. I think “photoshop 101″ is being a bit overly harsh, even if these aren’t your preferred style. But as our blog readers know, Orbit is always happy to take art submissions if you want to throw your hat into our freelancer pool…