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Title:
Drumindor
Series: Riyria Chronicles
#5
Author: Michael Sullivan
Rating: 4
of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages:
482
Words: 178K
Publish: 2024
(The
synopsis below is over 3500 words long so open it at your own peril.
You have been warned)
This review might get a bit “wander’y” as I’ve been reading Michael Sullivan’s stories since 2010 and the last book of his that I read was in 2017 and hence I’m jogging down memory lane to bring me up to speed on how I even got to this book.
Back in ‘09 or ‘10, I ran across Sullivan promoting his series, the Riyria Revelations. I read the first book, The Crown Conspiracy, in 2010 and immediately emailed him to buy the rest. He was an indie and doing it very well. I was impressed and enjoyed the books immensely. He then wrote a prequel series, the Riyria Chronicles, and I read those as they came out. I backed the kickstarter for a couple and actually got my “name” in the previous book (The Disappearance of Winter’s Daughter) as one of the kickstarter contributors. Then he went WAY back in time and started writing prequels about the start of the history that the main characters Royce and Hadrian knew. Sullivan lost me during the first book and I was only ever interested in Royce and Hadrian anyway, not a bunch of stories about people and places I didn’t care about. Sullivan went Big Publisher, had issues, had rights issues, couldn’t write what he wanted, went indie again and then 2 years ago we got another Riyria Chronicles novel. It has just taken me this long to get around to it.
As planned, each novel in the Riyria Chronicles is a standalone story. It can be read by itself but it really helps to have read the Riyria Revelations (by that time Royce and Hadrian are buddies) and to have read the previous Riyria Chronicles books. But strictly speaking, it isn’t absolutely necessary. I like that, a lot.
The story is much like the previous stories and we find out some of the how’s and why’s about Royce and Hadrian that are taken for granted in the Revelations series. There is a lot of relationship building going on. Not just between the two friends, but between them and their acquaintances too. When I read Winter’s Daughter back in ‘17, I was considering re-reading the Revelations series again. That obviously didn’t happen. But this time, since Sullivan states (in his introduction) that there won’t be more Royce and Hadrian for quite a while now (he’s off writing more in-universe stories that he wants to complete before releasing (and good on him for doing that!)), I still want to re-read Revelations and his statement gives that idea a lot more impetus. In fact, just after I wrote that sentence, I went into my Calibre library and added the “TBR” tag to the six Revelations books. Mission Accomplished!
I realize I haven’t actually talked about this particular story very much. I enjoyed it, I thought it was well done and it fit with everything Sullivan has written about Royce and Hadrian in the past/their future. I like an author who takes enough care to do that. I also like Royce and Hadrian as characters. Deadly, ruthless, guilt ridden, growing and maturing. The more I write in this review, the more I want to go re-read Revelations, which is a pretty good indicator to me about how much I enjoyed this book.
★★★★☆
From Fandom.com
Gravis, a dwarf who works in Drumindor, is being fired by Lord Byron, who is the president of the Port Authority Association. Gravis begs for his job, but Lord Byron states that due to city safety, it is a security threat to allow dwarves to operate Drumindor. Gravis finally accepts his fate, but threatens that if he does ever return to Drumindor, the city will be destroyed.
At the Traval Estate, Lady Lillian Traval awakens to find the assassin, Royce, at the foot of her bed. She is having an affair with Baron Edmund and Royce has been hired to kill them. Lady Traval tells Royce she can pay more, and Royce agrees to take her money and report back to her husband that she was alone in bed. As Royce is leaving the estate an old man with red hair surprises him, asking for a book. Royce believes him to be a shadow sent by Lord Traval and cuts his throat, though he is bothered by the lack of blood. Royce goes back to the nearby village of Roe where his partner, Hadrian, has been drinking. Royce collects a drunk Hadrian, and they start on their way back to Medford. The next morning they arrive and go to Medford house, where they notice a coach parked out front. They enter and find Albert Winslow, Gwen DeLancy, and Arcadius. Albert explains that he has lined up a new job for Royce and Hadrian. They have been hired by Lord Byron to travel to Tur Del Fur and prevent Gravis from tampering with Drumindor. It is decided that all five will make the trip south for the job and Albert explains that the coach out front is there to take them.
The five ride in the coach, which is driven by Shelby Hanson and Heath Hanson. Hadrian sits up-top with the drivers, while the other four converse in the coach. Once they are almost to Colnora, they are stopped by guards demanding a fee to pass. Hadrian humilaties the guards and they are able pass.
In Tur Del Fur, Gravis is drowning his sorrows in the Scram Scallie, a secret dwarven bar. Baric offers his condolences to Gravis on the death of his wife, Ena. Gravis is still upset over his firing from Drumindor and starts an argument. He speaks of how the dwarves should rise up against the humans. Sloan, the bartender, attempts to cool things down, but other dwarves speak up about how they are treated poorly. Sloans brings up the possibility of resisting the humans by staging strikes to make them realize that Tur Del Fur can't run without dwarves. Gravis goes back to his shack where he used to live, and recalls how he had lived there for hundreds of years, and how Ena had died there only days before. He is no longer allowed to stay there though, and thinks about how he can get back into Drumindor.
The coach stops at a stage house in Kruger and the five passengers enjoy a meal while the drivers restock and switch horses. Royce confides in Hadrian that he doesn't know what to do with Gwen, even though it is clear to Hadrian that the two are in love. Royce notices movement from outside the house and goes to investigate. He find the same red-haired man he thought he had killed only days earlier. The man calls himself Falkirk de Roche and says he wants his diary back. Royce attacks and beheads the man. The coach then resumes its journey south, Royce taking the spot up top and Hadrian riding inside and immediately falling asleep. When he awakes they have almost arrived in Tur Del Fur, starting the descent into the cliffside city. As they arrive, the passengers gawk at the city, including the scantily clad people, the giant towers of drumindor, and the presence of Ghazel. They depart from the carriage and Albert goes to meet with Lord Byron to find out where they are staying, Royce disappears, and Hadrian, Arcadius, and Gwen wait. Albert returns and he and hadrian make their way to their temporary home, the Turquoise Turtle. Along the the way they meet the dwarf, Auberon, who owns many of the Rolkins, including the Turquoise Turtle. Royce finishes scouting for Falkirk and returns to where Arcadius and Gwen are still waiting, and finds two men he believes are harassing them. He almost starts a fight with the men, but Gwen stops him and explains they were only offering to help with the bags. Hadrian returns and the all go to the rolkin.
At the Turquoise Turtle, they take in their new dwellings with glee. Royce confides with Hadrian that he isn't good enough for Gwen, and Gwen is still nervous around Royce. That night they go out to the Blue Parrot for dinner. After ordering wine and toasting Gwen, she and Hadrian leave the table and she confides in him that she shouldn't have come, as she is ruining the trip for Royce. Hadrian, and a very friendly cloackroom clerk, console her. They all return to the table for the meal and eat. Arcadius gets Hadrian to leave with him so that Royce and Gwen can be alone, though Hadrian soon returns and finds Albert with Countess Estelle Ridell at the bar. As the three drink, Millificent LeDeye comes to the stage and starts singing. Hadrian is enthralled by her. Royce and Gwen take the opportunity to dance. and finally kiss. Once the the song is done, Hadrian goes backstage to find Millificent. He finds her but is quickly kicked out by two men, Alessandro and Andre. Albert tells the other to not wait for him as he will be spending the night with Estelle. After a brief conversation at the table, Hadrian, Royce, and Gwen leave to return to the Turtle. When they arrive, they find the home torn apart and Arcadius gone. After searching around and not finding anyone, Arcadius finally returns and they all retire for the night.
The next morning Gwen and Hadrian clean up the Turtle. Albert returns and he and Gwen go out shopping. Once Royce awakes, he and Hadrian go out to start their job by searching for Gravis. They stop at a food vendor, Angelius, for lunch, and discuss Royce's bad mood. They learn from Angelius that Gravis has been threatening the city in every alehouse, and that less dwarves have been seen in the city as of late. The pair return to the Turtle where Gwen has returned with food and Auberon is inspecting the damage. They ask Auberon about Gravis, and he gives background information on Gravis, his firing, and the death of Ena. Gwen and Auberon then prepare a meal for dinner and they all sit down to eat.
That night, Royce keeps watch over the city from a high vantage point. He spots someone watching the turtle and ambushes them, putting a alverstone to their throat. A second man, Vigus, pulls a crossbow on Royce, but Auberon appears and shoots Vigus with a crossbow. Auberon wants to kill the first man, Ellis Pratt, but Royce convinces him to let the Ellis live in exchange for information. Ellis tells them that they were sent by Cornelius DeLur to look for the missing book that everyone seems to be looking for. They let Ellis go, and Royce interrogates Auberon about who he really is. Auberon vaguely states that he wasted 400 years of his live doing something very bloody.
In the Scram Scallie, several dwarves are gathering for a meeting. They discuss how the public utilities are starting to degrade without the dwarves fixing them, but that their strike is not having enough of an impact. Auberon appears and states that they need to make their presence known in Tur, then he leaves.
Royce and Hadrian go out to inspect the towers of Drumindor. Royce states that he believes Gravis is probably hiding in Drumindor and that they will tell Lord Byron to search the towers to find him. That night, Royce, Hadrian, Arcadius, and Gwen to to the Blue Parrot. Albert arrives with Baroness Constance Constatine. They discuss the dwindling capabilities of the city's utilities given the recent absence of the dwarves. Conversation turns to the murdered courier and what he was carrying. Lady constance said there are rumors it was a treasure map to King Mideon's treasure. Another patron, Tim Blue, recognizes Gwen while passing by and praises her and her accomplishments as a businesswoman. Just then, Hadrian believes he sees Pickles in the crowd, who then exits the Parrot. Hadrian rushes outside, but runs into Millificent, and they decide to walk together to the Cave. Pratt then enters the Parrot, along with several associates, and tells Royce that Cornelius DeLur would like to speak with him at his estate. Royce leaves with him. Once Tim and Gwen are alone, he reveals that he is in dire straits, as he borrowed 100 gold tenants from the bank of DeLur and cannot repay it. His wife has been taken and will be sold into slavery unless he can pay. Gwen decides to try and help him by going into the casin with the four gold coins she has.
Hadrian and Millificent walk toward the Cave and she tells hadrian about how she was born in Melengar, and after hearing about Tur Del Fur, had stown away on a ship to get there. She worked in a Danthum for a time before getting a chance to sing on stage, and transform from Mullie Mulch to Millificent LeDeye.
Royce arrives at the DeLur estate and Cornelius tells him that he wants the courier's stolen book. He explains that the courier was bringing him the book from his son, Cosmos DeLur, when the courier was killed and the book stolen. Royce says he does not have the book, but does tell Cornelius about his run-ins with Falkirk de Roche.
Back at the Parrot, Tim and Gwen enter the casino. The guards attempt to stop Gwen, but she uses her power for foresight to tell the guards information about themselves and they allow her to enter.
As Hadrian and Millificent walk, it starts to rain and they take cover in a doorway. She states that she needs money to make her dreams come true, and that Cornelius DeLur is offering a handsome reward for the return of the stolen book. She reveals that she was sent by Andre to get the book from Hadrian, but says that they can instead escape together to use the book, which she believes is a treasure map.
After assisting Tim win the 100 gold coins he needed in the casino, Gwen sits at the bar and Duke Ibsen immediately tries to seduce her, but Lady Constance appears and saves her. The two women sit and talk about themselves. Royce then returns to the Parrot and is followed by his shadow, a man that Cornelius assigned to chaperone Royce while he is in Tur Del Fur. Just then, a group of dwarves enter the Parrot, sing the Belgric Royal Anthem, and then leave.
Hadrian has dropped Millificent off at the Cave and is heading back to the Parrot. He hears a commotion and finds pickles hanging from a roof with a man, dog, and some rats trying to attack him. Hadrian saves him from the attacking beasts. Pickles says he has been cursed. Falkirk then enters the lumberyard and demands his book back from Pickles.
Gravis is on the beach, north of the towers and city. He thinks about the terrible dreams he has had since Ena's death, where something is calling to him from beneath Drumindor. He finds the broken hull of a fishing boat he has been sleeping under. He hears footsteps and Falkirk arrives and states that he can give Drumindor to Gravis.
Hadrian and Pickles return to the the Turtle where everyone has stayed up waiting for Hadrian, along with Royce's "ghost" who has been assigned to watch Royce. Since Hadrian and Royce believed Pickles to be dead years ago, they wait for Arcadius's explanation. Arcadius tells the story of why he had to frame Pickles's, whose real name is Rehn Purim, death. Hadrian and Royce are both upset, and Hadrian walks outside. Rehn comes and apologizes and then goes back inside. Royce appears and Hadrian tells him about what happened with Falkirk.
The next morning, Albert is in a terrible mood as he states that Drumindor is locked and they have been fired by Lord Byron. Royce, Hadrian, and their ghost, go down to the towers to inspect them. Once they reach the south tower they meet Oscar Tiliner and Ernesta Bray, who know Royce's ghost, whose name is Baxter. They also see a flag with symbols hanging from Drumindor. Royce cannot find an entrance to get into the tower. They decide their only option will be to climb the towers to get the the bridge that connects them. They go back to the Turtle where Auberon has arrived. They describe the symbols to Auberon and he states it is a message to dwarves telling them to leave Tur Del Fur before the the next full moon. Royce, Hadrian, and Baxter go to Cornelius DeLur and Royce tells him how Drumindor was built on top of the volcano, Mt. Druma, and because of the pressure of the volcano, once a month Drumindor must vent the pressure. He believes Gravis is planning on stopping the next venting and blowing up the city. Cornelius agrees to extend their job in order for them to help find a way into Drumindor. The trio return to the Turtle, and notify them that their job has been extended. Royce reveals that Gravis entered Drumindor with Falkirk, and asks Rehn and Arcadius about the book, AKA Falkirk's diary. They explain how it was stolen 2 years ago, and how Rehn stole it from the courier a couple days ago. Rehn explains what he read in the book, which was about Falkirk's travels with Dibben and Bran.
Over the next 2 weeks, the people of Drumindor attempt to gain access to Drumindor, but all the attempts fail, leaving only 4 days before the full moon. Royce, Hadrian and Baxter are at the south tower after another failed attempt, when a large group of dwarves appear to plead with Gravis not to destroy the city. That night, the group all return to the Blue Parrot for one final evening. Mr. Parrot gives a speech about this being the last night for the danthum. Tim arrives with his wife who he has now freed. Hadrian speaks with Millificent and warns her to leave the city while there is still time. They both head to the Cave to get her gold she has stored there. Back in the Parrot, Gwen is thinking about how she changed the future by saving Tim and Meredith. She is worried this could have changed the future she saw for Royce. Hadrian and Millificent reach the Cave and Hadrian is ambushed. Rhen, who has followed Hadrian, warns Hadrian of a crossbowman and saves his life, but is shot by another crossbow. Hadrian manages to fight off and kill most of his attackers. Millificent, Andre, and Alessandro all escape though. Hadrian brings Rhen back to the Turtle and a dwarven doctor, Koll Rudd, is able to save him. Gwen and Auberon convince the doctor to pretend the Rhen has died so that Hadrian won't have any reservations about climbing Drumindor with Royce.
Hadrian takes Rhen's death badly and the next day they take his coffin to the Ellis Far, the ship they will be taking to escape Tur Del Fur. Gwen talks to Royce and talks him into climbing Drumindor in order to save the city. Royce and Hadrian stay in the city while the rest of their group leave on the ship. The pair, along with Auberon and Baxter, go to the north tower to scout. They find that the north tower has been partially eroded away by the constant battering from the sea, making it easier to climb than the south tower. Royce realizes he doesn't have any climbing equipment which he will need, and Auberon states that the dwarves could make what he needs. Auberon take them to the Scram Scallie. When they arrive, Sloan is outraged that Auberon has invited humans to the bar. Auberon explains how Royce and Hadrian are going to climb to north tower and the dwarves agree to help them. Royce accompanies several dwarves to Bristol's foundry where Royce sketches the equipment he will need and the dwarves get to work creating it. Back at the Scram Scallie, Hadrian is discussing the nightmares everyone has been having recently and dwarven history.
The next day, Royce and Hadrian go to meet with Cornelius DeLur who is on his ship, the Crown Jewel, which will soon depart from Tur Del Fur. While on their way they run into lady Constance and Estelle, who inform them that Millificent died the night before, along with Andre. The pair continue on to Cornelius, where they make a bargain that if Royce returns Falkirk's diary to Cornelius, they will receive a permanent Key to the City. The Crown Jewel sets sail and Royce and Hadrian go back to the Turtle. Auberon arrives with several dwarves and the new climbing equipment. Auberon takes the chance to talk to Hadrian about Hadrian's self-reproach for Rhen's death. That night, Royce and Hadrian head to the north tower.
Gravis is on the bridge of Dumindor watching the sunset. He thinks about how Falkirk had killed all the guards when they entered Drumindor, about the evil that is below Drumindor trying to escape, and about his last moments with Ena. From below he can hear dwarves singing the funeral song Hagen Ere Brock, begging him to stop.
Royce and Hadrian reach the base of the tower and are in awe of the quality and ingenuity of the climbing equipment the dwarves have created for them. They begin their climb. After some time, the come to a gap they cannot climb across in order to reach the bridge. Royce believes can jump the gap. Hadrian goads Royce a bit and Royce attempts, and succeeds in his jump. Hadrian attempts to swing across with the help of the rope that Royce has secured, but the anchor breaks and Hadrian falls. He is saved by the rope, but hits the tower and is knocked unconscious. Royce bandages him up and, using the dwarven pulley system, pulls Hadrian up the rest of the tower. Hadrian regains consciousness just as they reach the bridge. The stone door on the bridge that leads into the north tower is closed and over the next eleven hours they cannot figure out how to open it. Royce figures out that the runes around the door can be pressed in a certain order corresponding to a date in order to open the door. After a long time, and thanks to what Hadrian had learned about dwarven dates, they manage to correctly open the door by entering the date Ena had died.
They wander around the inner of Drumindor, choosing turns by instinct. They finally enter a large room with six walls, all covered in paintings. Gravis appears and locks them in the room. Royce and Hadrian study the walls and realize the paintings are the prophesies of Beatrice and one wall includes the pair climbing up the north tower. The rest of the panels include the world being formed, the first war, Drumindor being built, a dwarf becoming king and the end of the world. Gravis decides to speak with the pair and they point out that all three of them are on the paintings. Gravis enters the room and realizes that he needs to help them. They head down towards the Master Gear which they need to unlock and towards where Falkirk is waiting. Once they reach the master gear, Falkirk speaks about Chaos and the destruction of the world. Gravis tries to get around Falkirk to unlock the Master Gear, but Falkirk attacks and mortally wounds him. Hadrian attacks Falkirk, but quickly realizes he is outmatched. Royce attacks and managed to knock Falkirk's diary free, which Hadrian grabs. Hadrian throws it to Royce who sprints to the exit. Royce runs down the stairs towards the Haldor Gigin, the massive forge beneath Drumindor. Falkirk continues to attack Hadrian who cannot reach the Master Gear. Hadrian notices that Gravis is still alive and is attempting to unlock the gear. The ghost of Ena pushes Gravis as he attempts to save Drumindor. Royce finally reaches the Haldor Gigin and throws the diary into the lava. Falkirk is killed and Gravis succeeds in unlocking the Master Gear, allowing Drumindor to vent the volcano. Down in Tur Del Fur, Rhen and Gwen, who did not leave, watch as the moon rises and the city is saved. Hadrian and Royce emerge from the south tower to the celebrating citizens of Tur Del Fur.
Seven days later, the Hanson stagecoach arrives back in Tur Del Fur. Rhen turns down offer to return with them as he has taken a job working for Auberon. Royce returns from a meeting with the Triumvirate, where it was decided that dwarves will be granted full citizenship in Delgos. Royce, Hadrian, and Gwen begin their trip back to Melengar.
