Fantasy, United States, Literary, Epic, Historical, Action & Adventure 

A dear friend is brutally beaten. Two thieves want answers. Riyria is born.For more than a year Royce Melborn has tried to forget Gwen DeLancy, the woman who saved him and his partner Hadrian Blackwater from certain death. Unable to get her out of his mind, the two thieves return to Medford but receive a very different reception -- Gwen refuses to see them. The victim of abuse by a powerful noble, she suspects Royce will ignore any danger and seek revenge. By turning the thieves away, Gwen hopes to protect them once more. What she doesn't realize is what the two are capable of, but she's about to find out. The Rose and the Thorn is the second book in The Riyria Chronicles, a prequel series featuring the early adventures of Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater. Taking place twelve years before the events in Michael J. Sullivan's bestselling The Riyria Revelations, the books can be enjoyed either in order of publication or chronological order.Publication OrderTheft of Swords (Riyria Revelations #1 & #2): contains The Crown Conspiracy & AvemparthaRise of Empire   (Riyria Revelations #3 & #4): contains Nyphron Rising & The Emerald StormHeir of Novron  (Riyria Revelations #5 & #6): contains Wintertide & PercepliquisThe Crown Tower (Riyria Chronicles #1)The Rose and the Thorn (Riyria Chronicles #2)The Death of Dulgath (Riyria Chronicles #3)Chronological OrderThe Crown Tower (Riyria Chronicles #1)The Rose and the Thorn (Riyria Chronicles #2)The Death of Dulgath (Riyria Chronicles #3)Theft of Swords (Riyria Revelations #1 & #2): contains The Crown Conspiracy & AvemparthaRise of Empire   (Riyria Revelations #3 & #4): contains Nyphron Rising & The Emerald StormHeir of Novron  (Riyria Revelations #5 & #6): contains Wintertide & PercepliquisOther Books by Michael J. SullivanHollow World (2014 - stand alone science fiction)Age of Myth (2016 - Legends of the First Empire #1)Lists and Nominations2013 Audie Award Finalist2012 Shadowhawk's Shade Best of the Best2012 Audible's 5-star The Best of Everything2012 MathiasCavanaugh Top 10 Books2012 AudioBookaneers Favorite Listens, Runner up 2012 Audible's Best of 2012 Editor's Picks 2011 Library Journal's Best Books for Fantasy/Sci-Fi2011 Only the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy's Top 102011 Best Fantasy Releases by Barnes and Noble BlogContact InformationTwitter: @author_sullivanWebsite: michaelsullivan-author.comFacebook (author): facebook.com/michael.james.sullivanFacebook (series): facebook.com/riyriaemail: michael.sullivan.dc@gmail.com - from Amzon