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The Bound and the Broken #2
Of Darkness and Light
The hotly anticipated second book in Ryan Cahill's break out debut series The Bound and The Broken.
Heroes will rise. Nations will fall.
Behind the towering walls of Belduar, Calen Bryer and his companions stand in defense of the city and its new king. In over a thousand years, Belduar has never fallen. It has stood as a bastion of hope. But the Lorian empire are at its walls once more, and the Dragonguard are coming.
In the North, with Faenir by her side, Calen’s sister Ella arrives at the port of Antiquar. She holds no fear of the unknown. She will see this through, no matter what – or who – gets in her way.
Meanwhile, at the embassy of the Circle of Magii in Al’Nasla, Rist Havel hones his newfound powers in preparation for the trials. Unbeknownst to Rist, he is being watched, measured, and judged. He was not taken into the Circle by chance. There is greatness in him. But great men can do terrible things.
As Lorian forces land on southern shores and Aeson Virandr’s letters of rebellion find their way to the right hands, only the Knights of Achyron see the true danger. The danger that stirs in the darkness. The coming shadow will not stop. It will consume all in its path. It wants for nothing but blood and fire.
Heroes will rise. Nations will fall.
Behind the towering walls of Belduar, Calen Bryer and his companions stand in defense of the city and its new king. In over a thousand years, Belduar has never fallen. It has stood as a bastion of hope. But the Lorian empire are at its walls once more, and the Dragonguard are coming.
In the North, with Faenir by her side, Calen’s sister Ella arrives at the port of Antiquar. She holds no fear of the unknown. She will see this through, no matter what – or who – gets in her way.
Meanwhile, at the embassy of the Circle of Magii in Al’Nasla, Rist Havel hones his newfound powers in preparation for the trials. Unbeknownst to Rist, he is being watched, measured, and judged. He was not taken into the Circle by chance. There is greatness in him. But great men can do terrible things.
As Lorian forces land on southern shores and Aeson Virandr’s letters of rebellion find their way to the right hands, only the Knights of Achyron see the true danger. The danger that stirs in the darkness. The coming shadow will not stop. It will consume all in its path. It wants for nothing but blood and fire.
828 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2021
2139 people are currently reading
11678 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Cahill
10 books3,140 followersGet your FREE copy of The Fall – a prequel novella from Ryan Cahill's new epic fantasy series, The Bound and The Broken – when you sign up for his mailing list:
www.ryancahillauthor.com
Ryan Cahill is the award-winning author of the bestselling epic fantasy series, The Bound and The Broken.
Born and raised in Ireland, Ryan now resides amongst the rolling hills and hobbit holes of Middle-Earth, New Zealand. He does not own enough swords, would sell his left kidney for a dragon egg, and despises mushrooms in all their eldritch forms.
There are three things Ryan has always told himself about writing. Write the books you want to read. Write the books that your younger self would be proud of you for reading. Make sure they have dragons.
www.ryancahillauthor.com
Ryan Cahill is the award-winning author of the bestselling epic fantasy series, The Bound and The Broken.
Born and raised in Ireland, Ryan now resides amongst the rolling hills and hobbit holes of Middle-Earth, New Zealand. He does not own enough swords, would sell his left kidney for a dragon egg, and despises mushrooms in all their eldritch forms.
There are three things Ryan has always told himself about writing. Write the books you want to read. Write the books that your younger self would be proud of you for reading. Make sure they have dragons.
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May 4, 2023
ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars
Of Darkness and Light is a vastly superior sequel to Of Blood and Fire
The jump in quality felt almost unbelievable, especially considering that Of Darkness and Light is released only nine months after Of Blood and Fire. What happened within these nine months? Did Ryan Cahill go to planet Namek to level himself up to becoming a Super Saiyan? Actually... Cahill is in New Zealand, so he probably had a first-hand experience becoming a ranger in Hobbiton instead. But hey, whatever magical thing you accessed, keep your secrets. I’m just happy to be immersed in a new fantasy book, and immersed I did. Joking aside, though, if you’ve been active in the self-published fantasy community, there’s probably Of Zero and Nihil chance that you haven’t heard about this series. I enjoyed the first book and the first novella in The Bound and the Broken series, but this second main novel is a huge step up in every possible way. It is always a great feeling to encounter an author that improved with each book. Also, just a reminder, Cahill included a detailed summary of the series so far at the beginning section of the novel. And as I always say, that should be a norm in a fantasy series. So thank you so much for that. May your ink never be dried and your pen never dull.
The story in Of Darkness and Light continues immediately from where Of Blood and Fire ended. And let me tell you this. The first 10% of the novel has already engaged me more than the entire Of Blood and Fire. You can tell instantly within the first chapter how much the author has grown in his craft as a storyteller. Of Darkness and Light begins with a non-stop battle in the first 10%, and it felt vivid and addictive. And that quality is left intact throughout the entire book. One of the things that made Of Darkness and Light so superior compared to its predecessor is how the series has started to feel like its own. Similar to how The Eye of the World felt so similar to The Lord of the Rings, Of Blood and Fire to me felt like a mix of several popular classic fantasy series blended into one. That is a good thing (or not) based on each reader's taste. Personally, it is a good thing as I always crave classic fantasy series told with a modern narrative. But what could make this kind of series more awesome is when the author could transform their series into something that felt distinct and their own while still borrowing all tropes and elements from these popular classic fantasy series. And that's what happened with Of Darkness and Light.
Not only Of Darkness and Light feature an expansive world-building that heightened the scope of the series to a more epic scale, but also a larger cast of characters now. If you ever feel confused about who's who, maybe because some of the characters' names can get too similar, I think the glossary and character list at the end of the book will be helpful. I think Cahill did a wonderful job in differentiating the characters. Light versus darkness and having hope against all odds are still the core themes of the series. However, one element in this novel that made the characters develop incredibly was how much of their past, present, and accumulated pain continuously shaped their characterizations. Each character deal with pain differently. Some became stronger from it, some became better people, some turned malicious, and many other outcomes. And this is emphasized throughout the entire narrative.
Calen Bryer was undoubtedly the main character that developed the most here. It is sad to not see him interact with Dann in this book, but his interactions and deep relationship with Valerys superbly make up for it. It reminded me of the time I read Dragon Mage by M.L. Spencer. The relationship that a Draleid has with their dragons exceed any other form of relationship. They are bounded through their soul, after all. It is also rewarding to see the result of Calen's struggle in trying to be what everyone hoped him to be.
Honestly, the same thing also applied to other POV characters in the book. Other than Calen and Valerys, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up enjoying Ella and Farda's story. Ella was a character that I didn't care about in the first book, but her storyline here was one of the most unputdownable ones. Aside from Calen, Ella, Farda, Dahn, Rist, Dahlen (admittedly, I didn't care much about him), and Aeson, we also have Kallinvar from The Fall plus Arden's POV chapters. I could spend more words describing the narrative that Cahill did right with these characters, but that would make this review even longer than it already is. Instead, I want to gush a bit about one of the new POV characters introduced in Of Darkness and Light: Dayne Ateres.
Dayne Ateres has 7 chapters in Of Darkness and Light, but he's definitely my favorite character of the series; the efficiency and effectiveness of the narrative in Dayne's chapters were insanely good. I felt thoroughly invested in his character right from the first chapter, and every POV chapter of his made up some of my favorite sections of the entire novel. Dayne returned to his home of Valtara after twelve years (his exploits during these twelve years might be told in The Exile novella) to find things in the Ateres family have deteriorated. Feeling regretful over his absence, Dayne's determination to redeem himself was so well-written that it tugged at my heartstrings. And these praises aren't exclusive to Dayne. The entire Ateres family and their conflict plus Mera were immediately compelling right from their first appearance.
It was never explained in detail what occurred in Dayne's past, but the characterizations implemented here were enough to make me think of him as my favorite character of the series so far. Have I mentioned that his POV chapters have a lot of wyverns? Now you know. Dayne's story hasn't converged with Calen's yet, but it's only a matter of time until it happens. I predict that will be in the third novel, Of War and Ruin, but before that's released, I still have The Exile, a novella about Dayne before his appearance in Of Darkness and Light to read. I am, without a doubt, happy about this. By blade and by blood, I am yours, children of House Ateres.
Whether it’s plot, pacing, characterizations, actions, writing, or scope, Of Darkness and Light is simply better than Of Blood and Fire and The Fall in every aspect. I highly recommend this series to readers who love classic fantasy told with a modern voice. Especially even more if you are someone who loves the Ta’veren in The Wheel of Time, crave an adult fantasy version of Eragon, or the riveting pace and actions in The Faithful and the Fallen. Dive into The Bound and the Broken as soon as possible. The author is hard at work right now to complete the series by the end of 2023. And do remember, if you have not started this series yet, you can read The Fall, the prequel novella to the entire series, by subscribing to the author’s newsletter.
You can order this book from: Amazon UK | Amazon US
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Andrew, Andrew W, Amanda, Annabeth, Ben, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Ellis, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Mike, Miracle, Nanette, Neeraja, Nicholas, Reno, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawna, Xero, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
4.5/5 stars
Of Darkness and Light is a vastly superior sequel to Of Blood and Fire
“There is nothing more important in the darkness than a ray of light.”
The jump in quality felt almost unbelievable, especially considering that Of Darkness and Light is released only nine months after Of Blood and Fire. What happened within these nine months? Did Ryan Cahill go to planet Namek to level himself up to becoming a Super Saiyan? Actually... Cahill is in New Zealand, so he probably had a first-hand experience becoming a ranger in Hobbiton instead. But hey, whatever magical thing you accessed, keep your secrets. I’m just happy to be immersed in a new fantasy book, and immersed I did. Joking aside, though, if you’ve been active in the self-published fantasy community, there’s probably Of Zero and Nihil chance that you haven’t heard about this series. I enjoyed the first book and the first novella in The Bound and the Broken series, but this second main novel is a huge step up in every possible way. It is always a great feeling to encounter an author that improved with each book. Also, just a reminder, Cahill included a detailed summary of the series so far at the beginning section of the novel. And as I always say, that should be a norm in a fantasy series. So thank you so much for that. May your ink never be dried and your pen never dull.
“There will never be a point where you stop learning, young apprentice. That is a simple truth of life.”
The story in Of Darkness and Light continues immediately from where Of Blood and Fire ended. And let me tell you this. The first 10% of the novel has already engaged me more than the entire Of Blood and Fire. You can tell instantly within the first chapter how much the author has grown in his craft as a storyteller. Of Darkness and Light begins with a non-stop battle in the first 10%, and it felt vivid and addictive. And that quality is left intact throughout the entire book. One of the things that made Of Darkness and Light so superior compared to its predecessor is how the series has started to feel like its own. Similar to how The Eye of the World felt so similar to The Lord of the Rings, Of Blood and Fire to me felt like a mix of several popular classic fantasy series blended into one. That is a good thing (or not) based on each reader's taste. Personally, it is a good thing as I always crave classic fantasy series told with a modern narrative. But what could make this kind of series more awesome is when the author could transform their series into something that felt distinct and their own while still borrowing all tropes and elements from these popular classic fantasy series. And that's what happened with Of Darkness and Light.
“Fate is fluid. It changes with every decision that is made. It is utterly out of our hands, and completely within our control at the same time.”
Not only Of Darkness and Light feature an expansive world-building that heightened the scope of the series to a more epic scale, but also a larger cast of characters now. If you ever feel confused about who's who, maybe because some of the characters' names can get too similar, I think the glossary and character list at the end of the book will be helpful. I think Cahill did a wonderful job in differentiating the characters. Light versus darkness and having hope against all odds are still the core themes of the series. However, one element in this novel that made the characters develop incredibly was how much of their past, present, and accumulated pain continuously shaped their characterizations. Each character deal with pain differently. Some became stronger from it, some became better people, some turned malicious, and many other outcomes. And this is emphasized throughout the entire narrative.
“Because the scars built me. Each one is a reminder of the pain I endured and the pain I overcame. That is what yours are, as well. Cherish the pain. Let it bind to who you are. You will be the better for it.”
Calen Bryer was undoubtedly the main character that developed the most here. It is sad to not see him interact with Dann in this book, but his interactions and deep relationship with Valerys superbly make up for it. It reminded me of the time I read Dragon Mage by M.L. Spencer. The relationship that a Draleid has with their dragons exceed any other form of relationship. They are bounded through their soul, after all. It is also rewarding to see the result of Calen's struggle in trying to be what everyone hoped him to be.
“Growing up, he had always adored the stories of noble heroes going off to war and hearing of the incredible feats of heroism achieved by one man against all odds. Every time the bards told those stories, Calen hung on every word they said. But now he knew there was a difference between hearing the stories and living them.”
Honestly, the same thing also applied to other POV characters in the book. Other than Calen and Valerys, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up enjoying Ella and Farda's story. Ella was a character that I didn't care about in the first book, but her storyline here was one of the most unputdownable ones. Aside from Calen, Ella, Farda, Dahn, Rist, Dahlen (admittedly, I didn't care much about him), and Aeson, we also have Kallinvar from The Fall plus Arden's POV chapters. I could spend more words describing the narrative that Cahill did right with these characters, but that would make this review even longer than it already is. Instead, I want to gush a bit about one of the new POV characters introduced in Of Darkness and Light: Dayne Ateres.
“We honour the dead not by how we mourn their death, but by how we live on despite it.”
Dayne Ateres has 7 chapters in Of Darkness and Light, but he's definitely my favorite character of the series; the efficiency and effectiveness of the narrative in Dayne's chapters were insanely good. I felt thoroughly invested in his character right from the first chapter, and every POV chapter of his made up some of my favorite sections of the entire novel. Dayne returned to his home of Valtara after twelve years (his exploits during these twelve years might be told in The Exile novella) to find things in the Ateres family have deteriorated. Feeling regretful over his absence, Dayne's determination to redeem himself was so well-written that it tugged at my heartstrings. And these praises aren't exclusive to Dayne. The entire Ateres family and their conflict plus Mera were immediately compelling right from their first appearance.
“Mera always had the biggest heart Dayne had ever known. It was a large part of why he had loved her. She had been beautiful—still was—but it was not her beauty that drew him in. Beauty faded with age, yielding to the incessant abrasion of time. It was fleeting. The heart’s capacity for love was the true gauge of one’s soul.”
It was never explained in detail what occurred in Dayne's past, but the characterizations implemented here were enough to make me think of him as my favorite character of the series so far. Have I mentioned that his POV chapters have a lot of wyverns? Now you know. Dayne's story hasn't converged with Calen's yet, but it's only a matter of time until it happens. I predict that will be in the third novel, Of War and Ruin, but before that's released, I still have The Exile, a novella about Dayne before his appearance in Of Darkness and Light to read. I am, without a doubt, happy about this. By blade and by blood, I am yours, children of House Ateres.
“You both hide what you should not. You need not smile, nor frown. Those are the whims of emotions, usually born to satisfy the expectations of others. But wear your markings with pride. You have earned them.”
Whether it’s plot, pacing, characterizations, actions, writing, or scope, Of Darkness and Light is simply better than Of Blood and Fire and The Fall in every aspect. I highly recommend this series to readers who love classic fantasy told with a modern voice. Especially even more if you are someone who loves the Ta’veren in The Wheel of Time, crave an adult fantasy version of Eragon, or the riveting pace and actions in The Faithful and the Fallen. Dive into The Bound and the Broken as soon as possible. The author is hard at work right now to complete the series by the end of 2023. And do remember, if you have not started this series yet, you can read The Fall, the prequel novella to the entire series, by subscribing to the author’s newsletter.
“There are demons within us that we must face. They only ever surface when we are at our lowest because they are not strong enough to challenge us at our highest.”
You can order this book from: Amazon UK | Amazon US
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Andrew, Andrew W, Amanda, Annabeth, Ben, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Elias, Ellen, Ellis, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Mike, Miracle, Nanette, Neeraja, Nicholas, Reno, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawna, Xero, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
August 28, 2023
An epic fantasy that makes Wheel of Time look weak in comparison. And I love Wheel of Time!
Watch my video review by clicking here.
Watch my video review by clicking here.
Read
December 2, 2022My 100th read of 2022! First time I have ever read 100 books in a year :). A great book to hit that milestone with.
It has been a few months since I last picked up a work by Ryan Cahill. I'm very glad to be back into The Bound and the Broken with Of Darkness and Light. A chunky epic book that acts as an ambassador for self-published fantasy. A great sequel that escalates on what has already been built, with solid, smooth prose and a mix of traditional fantasy elements with modern twists.
Full Review to Come
It has been a few months since I last picked up a work by Ryan Cahill. I'm very glad to be back into The Bound and the Broken with Of Darkness and Light. A chunky epic book that acts as an ambassador for self-published fantasy. A great sequel that escalates on what has already been built, with solid, smooth prose and a mix of traditional fantasy elements with modern twists.
Full Review to Come
January 28, 2025
Blog | Instagram
Rating: 4 stars
'Of Darkness and Light' launched the solid foundation laid in the previous book to epic heights and offered a compelling read with a fantastic cast of well-developed characters.
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Picking up right where Of Blood and Fire ended, this sequel plunges readers into a whirlwind of action that paves the way for the action-packed storyline. Vivid descriptions not only bring the story to life but also smoothly expand the lore and complexity of the world, delivering a rich tapestry of various creatures, climates, cultures, and a progressive magic system. Equally impressive are the intricate political tensions and forces at play across the Lorian Empire, which are explored through multiple points of view and give the story a massive scope. That said, I initially struggled with the numerous perspectives and plot threads as it was a bit overwhelming. However, about halfway through the book, the pieces began to click into place, allowing me to fully appreciate and become invested in the elaborate dynamics set in motion.
"Stories were beautiful. They were words that painted a canvas in your mind."
Calen's journey is nothing short of captivating as he grapples with heavy responsibilities while navigating brutal challenges and losses that fuel his character growth. His genuine kindness and resilience shine through it all, making his character easy to root for. Besides Calen, a strong cast of familiar and new secondary characters helps showcase the vicious political landscape across the empire. In particular, characters like Ella, Farda, Rist, Valerys, Kallinvar, and Dayne stood out due to their distinct personalities, backstories, motives, and personal struggles. There is also a touch of romance that adds some cute moments and avoids clichéd tropes. Unlike the fleeting romance in the previous book, these connections seem like they will continue in the next book, so I'm excited to see how they develop and impact future events.
"there is nothing more important in the darkness than a ray of light."
Regarding the audio, Derek Perkins again did not disappoint with a natural, emotive delivery and slight character voices that enhanced the listening experience.
See my other reviews for Ryan Cahill:
The Bound and The Broken series:
1. Of Blood and Fire
You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on my blog!
Rating: 4 stars
'Of Darkness and Light' launched the solid foundation laid in the previous book to epic heights and offered a compelling read with a fantastic cast of well-developed characters.
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Picking up right where Of Blood and Fire ended, this sequel plunges readers into a whirlwind of action that paves the way for the action-packed storyline. Vivid descriptions not only bring the story to life but also smoothly expand the lore and complexity of the world, delivering a rich tapestry of various creatures, climates, cultures, and a progressive magic system. Equally impressive are the intricate political tensions and forces at play across the Lorian Empire, which are explored through multiple points of view and give the story a massive scope. That said, I initially struggled with the numerous perspectives and plot threads as it was a bit overwhelming. However, about halfway through the book, the pieces began to click into place, allowing me to fully appreciate and become invested in the elaborate dynamics set in motion.
"Stories were beautiful. They were words that painted a canvas in your mind."
Calen's journey is nothing short of captivating as he grapples with heavy responsibilities while navigating brutal challenges and losses that fuel his character growth. His genuine kindness and resilience shine through it all, making his character easy to root for. Besides Calen, a strong cast of familiar and new secondary characters helps showcase the vicious political landscape across the empire. In particular, characters like Ella, Farda, Rist, Valerys, Kallinvar, and Dayne stood out due to their distinct personalities, backstories, motives, and personal struggles. There is also a touch of romance that adds some cute moments and avoids clichéd tropes. Unlike the fleeting romance in the previous book, these connections seem like they will continue in the next book, so I'm excited to see how they develop and impact future events.
"there is nothing more important in the darkness than a ray of light."
Regarding the audio, Derek Perkins again did not disappoint with a natural, emotive delivery and slight character voices that enhanced the listening experience.
See my other reviews for Ryan Cahill:
The Bound and The Broken series:
1. Of Blood and Fire
You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on my blog!
June 7, 2023
Well, I think you can throw out any concerns of a sophomore slump. In fact, I think you could declare Of Darkness and Light Cahill’s breakout. While I thoroughly enjoyed Of Blood and Fire, this book tops it in every single way.
I think what I liked best this trip to Epheria was just how massive the world feels by comparison. Seeing things mostly through Calen’s eyes in book 1 helps here, as small-town kid hits the world’s stage and is blown away by what he never could have imagined was out there. You’re taken all over the continent, meet new characters, visit new lands and kingdoms, and are thrust into a world rich with lore and history that feels very lived in.
Speaking of new characters, I found myself saying out loud more than once “another new POV?” While that may be concerning to some, I think it’s a great thing because it helps the world feel bigger. Getting a POV from each of these new territories is an excellent decision and Dayne has quickly become a character/plotline that I’m most intrigued by moving forward.
Also, much grander this time is the number of traveling parties. Instead of 2 or 3 like in Of Blood and Fire, you’ll easily shift back and forth between 7 to 9 of them this go around. However, Cahill masterfully balances between the groups and paces it well so you’re rarely wondering where a character disappeared to (though I do wish this book had more Dann and Rist…where my boys at, Ryan?!) nor are you disgruntled at a return to a character.
The villains take on a whole new spin this go around as we see there is much more to Farda that maybe we originally thought, and we see that even he takes orders. You get many peaks behind the curtain of what makes the Empire and the Dragonguard tick and its fascinating to experience. And the Circle of the Magi stuff is top notch and I need more of it.
So many characters get great development here, such as Ella, Farda, Vaeril, Kallinvar, Arden, Aeson, Ihvon, and even Faenir (the bestest boy)! And holy shit, that ending. My jaw was literally on the floor. Incredible set up.
In short, within the span of one book this series has went from I really liked it to I can’t wait to return to this next month. I’m planning to read The Exile in June and Of War & Ruin in July/August. Very much looking forward to it!
I think what I liked best this trip to Epheria was just how massive the world feels by comparison. Seeing things mostly through Calen’s eyes in book 1 helps here, as small-town kid hits the world’s stage and is blown away by what he never could have imagined was out there. You’re taken all over the continent, meet new characters, visit new lands and kingdoms, and are thrust into a world rich with lore and history that feels very lived in.
Speaking of new characters, I found myself saying out loud more than once “another new POV?” While that may be concerning to some, I think it’s a great thing because it helps the world feel bigger. Getting a POV from each of these new territories is an excellent decision and Dayne has quickly become a character/plotline that I’m most intrigued by moving forward.
Also, much grander this time is the number of traveling parties. Instead of 2 or 3 like in Of Blood and Fire, you’ll easily shift back and forth between 7 to 9 of them this go around. However, Cahill masterfully balances between the groups and paces it well so you’re rarely wondering where a character disappeared to (though I do wish this book had more Dann and Rist…where my boys at, Ryan?!) nor are you disgruntled at a return to a character.
The villains take on a whole new spin this go around as we see there is much more to Farda that maybe we originally thought, and we see that even he takes orders. You get many peaks behind the curtain of what makes the Empire and the Dragonguard tick and its fascinating to experience. And the Circle of the Magi stuff is top notch and I need more of it.
So many characters get great development here, such as Ella, Farda, Vaeril, Kallinvar, Arden, Aeson, Ihvon, and even Faenir (the bestest boy)! And holy shit, that ending. My jaw was literally on the floor. Incredible set up.
In short, within the span of one book this series has went from I really liked it to I can’t wait to return to this next month. I’m planning to read The Exile in June and Of War & Ruin in July/August. Very much looking forward to it!
December 13, 2021
Indie book of the year?
If you’ve kept an eye on recent fantasy indie releases, then you will have seen the name ‘Ryan Cahill’. To say that Cahill is making a name for himself might be an understatement. Cahill has published two full-length fantasy novels and one novel in 2021. Yes, you read that right – three books in one year. Moreover, Cahill is doing physical arcs for Of Darkness and Light, something I’ve never seen done before in the indie community (and yes, I received one).
Before starting the review, I should clarify that I am friends with Ryan Cahill, and I’ve been on the book blurb for The Fall. I read Of Blood and Fire earlier this year and gave it four stars. My main criticism was the reliance on fantasy tropes. Therefore, I was hoping that Cahill would make an effort to make this world feel unique! Although I consider Ryan Cahill a friend, I will try my best to be objective. So what did I think?
Of Darkness and Light (ODAL) is definitely a step-up from Of Blood and Fire (OBAF). ODAL is fast-paced, intense, epic and has DRAGONS! While OBAF was a more focused story, ODAL truly gets epic. Cahill introduces several new POVs, plotlines and locations, making the scale feel incredibly epic. Epheria is vast and filled with rich history, different races, magic and gods. Consequently, Cahill successfully adds complexity and raises the stakes, which will have the reader second-guessing how the story will pan out. Epheria is fully thrust into chaos and warfare, with multiple kingdoms and groups fighting for power.
Moreover, the character work is a step up from OBAF. The characters act in realistic ways and feel complex. Cahill isn’t scared of acknowledging that these characters have doubts and struggle with trauma and fear. Although ODAL has a big cast of side characters, Cahill primarily focuses on the main characters, making the story easier to follow. However, some readers might get overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the story. Cahill has added a ‘The Story so Far’ and a Glossary to help readers keep track of the essential plotlines and characters.
My only minor criticism is that the book is almost too fast-paced at times. The action and plot twists are unabated, which leaves little room for quiet character moments. Two of my favourite characters are Ella and Rist, for the sole reason that their stories are not as intense. The reader is given much needed time to breathe during their POVs. Otherwise, most of the story is told in a reasonably high octane.
What makes this book stand out is its epic world-building and riveting pace. If you are a fan of epic worlds, such as The Wheel of Time, and stories with relentless pace, such as The Faithful and the Fallen, then ODAL is a must-read. Cahill has written a well-paced, vivid and action-packed story that will keep readers at the edge of their seats. Of Darkness and Light is a triumph of a book with cinematic action scenes and compelling characters that will stick with you. The Bound and the Broken series reminds me of why I fell in love with fantasy. I would highly recommend this book to fans of Robert Jordan, John Gwynne or Georg R. R. Martin.
4.5 / 5 stars
If you’ve kept an eye on recent fantasy indie releases, then you will have seen the name ‘Ryan Cahill’. To say that Cahill is making a name for himself might be an understatement. Cahill has published two full-length fantasy novels and one novel in 2021. Yes, you read that right – three books in one year. Moreover, Cahill is doing physical arcs for Of Darkness and Light, something I’ve never seen done before in the indie community (and yes, I received one).
Before starting the review, I should clarify that I am friends with Ryan Cahill, and I’ve been on the book blurb for The Fall. I read Of Blood and Fire earlier this year and gave it four stars. My main criticism was the reliance on fantasy tropes. Therefore, I was hoping that Cahill would make an effort to make this world feel unique! Although I consider Ryan Cahill a friend, I will try my best to be objective. So what did I think?
Of Darkness and Light (ODAL) is definitely a step-up from Of Blood and Fire (OBAF). ODAL is fast-paced, intense, epic and has DRAGONS! While OBAF was a more focused story, ODAL truly gets epic. Cahill introduces several new POVs, plotlines and locations, making the scale feel incredibly epic. Epheria is vast and filled with rich history, different races, magic and gods. Consequently, Cahill successfully adds complexity and raises the stakes, which will have the reader second-guessing how the story will pan out. Epheria is fully thrust into chaos and warfare, with multiple kingdoms and groups fighting for power.
Moreover, the character work is a step up from OBAF. The characters act in realistic ways and feel complex. Cahill isn’t scared of acknowledging that these characters have doubts and struggle with trauma and fear. Although ODAL has a big cast of side characters, Cahill primarily focuses on the main characters, making the story easier to follow. However, some readers might get overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the story. Cahill has added a ‘The Story so Far’ and a Glossary to help readers keep track of the essential plotlines and characters.
My only minor criticism is that the book is almost too fast-paced at times. The action and plot twists are unabated, which leaves little room for quiet character moments. Two of my favourite characters are Ella and Rist, for the sole reason that their stories are not as intense. The reader is given much needed time to breathe during their POVs. Otherwise, most of the story is told in a reasonably high octane.
What makes this book stand out is its epic world-building and riveting pace. If you are a fan of epic worlds, such as The Wheel of Time, and stories with relentless pace, such as The Faithful and the Fallen, then ODAL is a must-read. Cahill has written a well-paced, vivid and action-packed story that will keep readers at the edge of their seats. Of Darkness and Light is a triumph of a book with cinematic action scenes and compelling characters that will stick with you. The Bound and the Broken series reminds me of why I fell in love with fantasy. I would highly recommend this book to fans of Robert Jordan, John Gwynne or Georg R. R. Martin.
4.5 / 5 stars
January 5, 2023
“Myia nithír til diar, Valerys. I denír viël at altinua.” My soul to yours, Valerys. In this life and always.
The Bound and The Broken series is without a doubt THE best example of dragon lore I’ve ever read. How Cahill describes their appearance, intelligence, ability to telepathically communicate to their rider, fire breathing development, first flight, emotional depth & understanding, and the incredible bond between dragon and Draleid, is one of the most intricate fantasy depictions of dragons I’ve encountered. I could go on forever about my love of Cahill’s dragons, especially Valerys.
But I realized somehow in my previous reviews of this series I managed to exclude any mention of this amazing magic system?!?! Of Darkness and Light builds upon the already incredible foundation of characters, and magic system Cahill created in the prequel and first book. From the Knights of Achyron, bestowed powers by The Warrior god and their epic Soul blades, the Magi & Battlemages, Elves, Dwarves, Jotnar (Giants), Angan or shapeshifters, and even the dark magic entities that serve Efialtir (the Traitor God), Uraks, Fades, Bloodspawn and their shaman. This is a complex magical world full of light and dark, that I can’t fully capture in any review, but it is astonishingly well done!
“We honour the dead not by how we mourn their death, but by how we live on despite it.”
After all the loss and everything these characters have gone through, it is gut wrenching to see the bravery and emotion that binds them together. Normally I instantly have a favorite character, sometimes a couple if the story is well done. But there are just too many excellent characters to choose favorites in this series!
Honestly I could try to portray my love for this series for days! But I’m going to try to wrap this up… A few more of my notable highlights of this series would have to be how strong & powerful he writes all of his female characters. It’s very refreshing to not have a single fainting “damsel in distress”, which is rare in a male dominated genre like Fantasy. I also appreciate how outspoken and connected most of the male characters are about their emotions, again something you don’t see often. Cahill’s use of animal companions is so heartwarming (especially for animal lovers!) And lastly the sense of humor to lighten some of the heavier, darker moments.
It’s not often I am instantly connected to fictional characters but I know these ones will stick with me for years to come. Well done Cahill, I look forward to the final installment of my new favorite fantasy series.
(Edited 1/4/2023 Thankfully there will be 5 books with a few novellas peppered in!)
After listening to the audiobooks, a year later… I can’t even express in words, how much I still adore this series. I’ve recommended it to everyone I know, given it away as gifts, and it just gets better EVERY. Single. Time. These remarkable characters, tough life lessons, and wonderful world, have captured a piece of my heart. Perfectly timed with The Exile’s audiobook release, so I can complete my series reread before, Of War and Ruin releases. I can’t recommend this series enough, so just read it. 🤍
“Du haryn myia vrai” -You have my thanks.
The Bound and The Broken series is without a doubt THE best example of dragon lore I’ve ever read. How Cahill describes their appearance, intelligence, ability to telepathically communicate to their rider, fire breathing development, first flight, emotional depth & understanding, and the incredible bond between dragon and Draleid, is one of the most intricate fantasy depictions of dragons I’ve encountered. I could go on forever about my love of Cahill’s dragons, especially Valerys.
But I realized somehow in my previous reviews of this series I managed to exclude any mention of this amazing magic system?!?! Of Darkness and Light builds upon the already incredible foundation of characters, and magic system Cahill created in the prequel and first book. From the Knights of Achyron, bestowed powers by The Warrior god and their epic Soul blades, the Magi & Battlemages, Elves, Dwarves, Jotnar (Giants), Angan or shapeshifters, and even the dark magic entities that serve Efialtir (the Traitor God), Uraks, Fades, Bloodspawn and their shaman. This is a complex magical world full of light and dark, that I can’t fully capture in any review, but it is astonishingly well done!
“We honour the dead not by how we mourn their death, but by how we live on despite it.”
After all the loss and everything these characters have gone through, it is gut wrenching to see the bravery and emotion that binds them together. Normally I instantly have a favorite character, sometimes a couple if the story is well done. But there are just too many excellent characters to choose favorites in this series!
Honestly I could try to portray my love for this series for days! But I’m going to try to wrap this up… A few more of my notable highlights of this series would have to be how strong & powerful he writes all of his female characters. It’s very refreshing to not have a single fainting “damsel in distress”, which is rare in a male dominated genre like Fantasy. I also appreciate how outspoken and connected most of the male characters are about their emotions, again something you don’t see often. Cahill’s use of animal companions is so heartwarming (especially for animal lovers!) And lastly the sense of humor to lighten some of the heavier, darker moments.
It’s not often I am instantly connected to fictional characters but I know these ones will stick with me for years to come. Well done Cahill, I look forward to the final installment of my new favorite fantasy series.
(Edited 1/4/2023 Thankfully there will be 5 books with a few novellas peppered in!)
After listening to the audiobooks, a year later… I can’t even express in words, how much I still adore this series. I’ve recommended it to everyone I know, given it away as gifts, and it just gets better EVERY. Single. Time. These remarkable characters, tough life lessons, and wonderful world, have captured a piece of my heart. Perfectly timed with The Exile’s audiobook release, so I can complete my series reread before, Of War and Ruin releases. I can’t recommend this series enough, so just read it. 🤍
“Du haryn myia vrai” -You have my thanks.
December 23, 2024
RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 4⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 45⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4.5⭐️
The sequel to Of Blood and Fire is a massive uptake in stakes and cast of characters! Following an unexpected conflict, the characters are thwarted and separated. Thus begins one quest to get back, and another to find the Draleid. Meanwhile, Ella is in unlikely and dangerous company as she tries to make it to Berona. Within the dwarfen freehold, assassins are on the lose, and no one feels safe. Rist begins his training with the order, and forms connections. In another part of the world, a prince comes home, and his country prepares for rebellion.
The characters in this series are becoming some of my favorites. I wish we spent less time on inner monologue as it can get repetitive and doesn't feel necessary, but it does show how each character is developing as their world changes very rapidly. And ultimately the bonds of friendship, political maneuvering, maturation, and slow reveals of motives and backstories just drive this thing so beautifully! It compensates for the monologues. I care. I'm stressed. I can't turn pages fast enough, and I'm truly terrified I'm going to lose someone I love. All of this earns 5 stars because it's such a peak reading experience to feel this invested.
On top of that, we get to really explore the map, history, and magic system in this installment, and this world feels so lush. It's reminiscent of so many classics in the genre, and I can tell Cahill spends all his time in this world thinking about its history. I love how the dragon bond and the spark work in this world.
The plot here works even better than in Of Blood and Fire, and it all feels like it's building towards something epic. I love that through Rist, I can see how the Order thinks, operates, and justifies its actions. I find myself fascinated by the shades of grey. I also see the imperfections in the heroes and appreciate the nuance and complexity Cahill is building into everything.
This one ends on an epic reveal, with stakes higher than ever. I immediately have to read Of War and Ruin!
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 4⭐️
Themes: 4⭐️
Emotional Impact: 4⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 45⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 4.5⭐️
The sequel to Of Blood and Fire is a massive uptake in stakes and cast of characters! Following an unexpected conflict, the characters are thwarted and separated. Thus begins one quest to get back, and another to find the Draleid. Meanwhile, Ella is in unlikely and dangerous company as she tries to make it to Berona. Within the dwarfen freehold, assassins are on the lose, and no one feels safe. Rist begins his training with the order, and forms connections. In another part of the world, a prince comes home, and his country prepares for rebellion.
The characters in this series are becoming some of my favorites. I wish we spent less time on inner monologue as it can get repetitive and doesn't feel necessary, but it does show how each character is developing as their world changes very rapidly. And ultimately the bonds of friendship, political maneuvering, maturation, and slow reveals of motives and backstories just drive this thing so beautifully! It compensates for the monologues. I care. I'm stressed. I can't turn pages fast enough, and I'm truly terrified I'm going to lose someone I love. All of this earns 5 stars because it's such a peak reading experience to feel this invested.
On top of that, we get to really explore the map, history, and magic system in this installment, and this world feels so lush. It's reminiscent of so many classics in the genre, and I can tell Cahill spends all his time in this world thinking about its history. I love how the dragon bond and the spark work in this world.
The plot here works even better than in Of Blood and Fire, and it all feels like it's building towards something epic. I love that through Rist, I can see how the Order thinks, operates, and justifies its actions. I find myself fascinated by the shades of grey. I also see the imperfections in the heroes and appreciate the nuance and complexity Cahill is building into everything.
This one ends on an epic reveal, with stakes higher than ever. I immediately have to read Of War and Ruin!
October 30, 2022
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The Fall ★★★★
Of Blood and Fire ★★★★
Of Darkness and Light ★★★★ 1/2
Ryan Cahill understood the assignment! Second books are a really scary experience for authors specially those who have a successful first book in the series because the second book may make or break the whole series and Cahill outdid himself with the entry.
Let me start by the outside which is neat, the production quality is very high and I love the simplistic and matching designs of the covers. Then we go into the story itself and there is a map and there is a summary for the first novel and novella (Authors who do this are simply the best) and not only that but there is a glossary too at the end and a few illustrations by Ryan’s brother inside just like in book one.
Risks were indeed taken with this book and the bar raised a lot for me now. The story continues after the events of the first book so if you read that book you know we were left with a bit of a cliffhanger and this starts with an epic war that sucks the reader right into the story. The book is a big one coming around 900 pages so that war is only a small part because there are many threads and it was just amusing to follow them all.
I highlighted a ton of quotes and if you know me then you know I am not easy to please but Cahill just knows the way to my heart (It may have to do with white chocolate) and the prose was just so darn beautiful and felt natural. I had an unlucky streak lately with a few novels were the dialogue was very weird but this was not the case here at all.
The book follows many characters and I loved the icons at the beginning of each chapter because each thread have its own icon which made it easier knowing which story line we are continuing without even starting it. We have Calen, his sister Ella, Farda, Rist, Aeson and Dayne. I can’t say I had a favorite POV because Cahill made it so easy to care about them all and it was balanced in a way that the transitions between them was so smooth and effortless.
The world-building gets better too which is no surprise at this point. I love the Dragons and all of the different creatures in the story. I love the magic and the battles and I had tons of fun just continuously checking the map to see where every character was and where they are in comparison to each other. I have to admit that the map sometimes feels a bit too detailed so finding a certain place is hard even if I know where I should be looking. This level of immersion in the story reminds me of Gwynne’s writing style which I really love too.
Summary: This was close to perfection and a sure step up from book one. The prose is immaculate, the characters are very well written and the plot and magic system are also very good. I already bought The Exile which I am super excited about and it goes without saying that I will be looking forward for the rest of the series.
“Besides, there is nothing more important in the darkness than a ray of light.”
The Fall ★★★★
Of Blood and Fire ★★★★
Of Darkness and Light ★★★★ 1/2
Ryan Cahill understood the assignment! Second books are a really scary experience for authors specially those who have a successful first book in the series because the second book may make or break the whole series and Cahill outdid himself with the entry.
Let me start by the outside which is neat, the production quality is very high and I love the simplistic and matching designs of the covers. Then we go into the story itself and there is a map and there is a summary for the first novel and novella (Authors who do this are simply the best) and not only that but there is a glossary too at the end and a few illustrations by Ryan’s brother inside just like in book one.
“Risks should always be taken, for nothing is gained when nothing is risked, and preparedness was the key to a successfully taken risk.”
Risks were indeed taken with this book and the bar raised a lot for me now. The story continues after the events of the first book so if you read that book you know we were left with a bit of a cliffhanger and this starts with an epic war that sucks the reader right into the story. The book is a big one coming around 900 pages so that war is only a small part because there are many threads and it was just amusing to follow them all.
I highlighted a ton of quotes and if you know me then you know I am not easy to please but Cahill just knows the way to my heart (It may have to do with white chocolate) and the prose was just so darn beautiful and felt natural. I had an unlucky streak lately with a few novels were the dialogue was very weird but this was not the case here at all.
“Your power is raw, but your potential is vast. I would not have sponsored you if that were not the case. All swords were once scraps of metal buried in the earth, waiting to be forged.”
The book follows many characters and I loved the icons at the beginning of each chapter because each thread have its own icon which made it easier knowing which story line we are continuing without even starting it. We have Calen, his sister Ella, Farda, Rist, Aeson and Dayne. I can’t say I had a favorite POV because Cahill made it so easy to care about them all and it was balanced in a way that the transitions between them was so smooth and effortless.
The world-building gets better too which is no surprise at this point. I love the Dragons and all of the different creatures in the story. I love the magic and the battles and I had tons of fun just continuously checking the map to see where every character was and where they are in comparison to each other. I have to admit that the map sometimes feels a bit too detailed so finding a certain place is hard even if I know where I should be looking. This level of immersion in the story reminds me of Gwynne’s writing style which I really love too.
“It is true, brother. Books are not a complete history. They are only the history people chose to record.”
Summary: This was close to perfection and a sure step up from book one. The prose is immaculate, the characters are very well written and the plot and magic system are also very good. I already bought The Exile which I am super excited about and it goes without saying that I will be looking forward for the rest of the series.
November 22, 2021
5/5
Of Darkness and Light is a Truly Epic sequel to Of Blood and Fire
First of all thanks to the author for providing me an E-Arc and it goes without saying that this review is my personal unbiased opinion.
Of Darkness and Light is the second entry in The Bound and The Broken series which follows Calen and company as they stand against the Lorian Empire in Belduar, the city which has never fallen.
WHAT WORKED FOR ME IN THIS BOOK
Pacing: Pacing and writing of this book was so smooth that I just flew through the entire book (a thicc one at that) in just 2 days. There was never a dull moment in this book for me.
World building: I would just say WOW. From dwarven cities to Valtara to The North so many cities and cultures were introduced in this book. Each unique and compelling. Honestly, I was blown away by the vast and rich detailed world the author has built.
Characters: Not just one or two but handful of new characters were introduced in this book but it never felt like not a single character had too little page time. Every characters, new and existing were fully fleshed and the author made you root for them and care for their safety.
Action/Battle sequences: ODAL begins with the battle of Belduar, which itself was a bloody one and has so many fight or battle scenes sprinkled throughout the book. This book is definitely a lot darker than Of Blood and Fire. Some of the characters go through psychological and physical pain which was written beautifully.
Also, the reveal at the last chapter was like outta nowhere. I DID NOT see that coming at all.
WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME IN THIS BOOK
To be honest, there wasn't any major complains I have on this book. Ella's chapters were not as engaging as the other's for me. But the setup for her character arc in the next book was intriguing and I'm hooked.
FINAL WORLD: The author has achieved what he set out to do in this book. Of Darkness and Light is just Truly Epic. The Bound and The Broken is now on the list of my favourite on going series. Very much looking forward to the sequel 👍
Of Darkness and Light is a Truly Epic sequel to Of Blood and Fire
First of all thanks to the author for providing me an E-Arc and it goes without saying that this review is my personal unbiased opinion.
Of Darkness and Light is the second entry in The Bound and The Broken series which follows Calen and company as they stand against the Lorian Empire in Belduar, the city which has never fallen.
WHAT WORKED FOR ME IN THIS BOOK
Pacing: Pacing and writing of this book was so smooth that I just flew through the entire book (a thicc one at that) in just 2 days. There was never a dull moment in this book for me.
World building: I would just say WOW. From dwarven cities to Valtara to The North so many cities and cultures were introduced in this book. Each unique and compelling. Honestly, I was blown away by the vast and rich detailed world the author has built.
Characters: Not just one or two but handful of new characters were introduced in this book but it never felt like not a single character had too little page time. Every characters, new and existing were fully fleshed and the author made you root for them and care for their safety.
Action/Battle sequences: ODAL begins with the battle of Belduar, which itself was a bloody one and has so many fight or battle scenes sprinkled throughout the book. This book is definitely a lot darker than Of Blood and Fire. Some of the characters go through psychological and physical pain which was written beautifully.
Also, the reveal at the last chapter was like outta nowhere. I DID NOT see that coming at all.
WHAT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME IN THIS BOOK
To be honest, there wasn't any major complains I have on this book. Ella's chapters were not as engaging as the other's for me. But the setup for her character arc in the next book was intriguing and I'm hooked.
FINAL WORLD: The author has achieved what he set out to do in this book. Of Darkness and Light is just Truly Epic. The Bound and The Broken is now on the list of my favourite on going series. Very much looking forward to the sequel 👍
May 11, 2022
Good story line
I'll be patiently waiting for the next in the series. I enjoyed it very much especially the world building. The magic system was quite interesting and different.
I'll be patiently waiting for the next in the series. I enjoyed it very much especially the world building. The magic system was quite interesting and different.
June 7, 2023
So incredible
December 24, 2024
Wow what an epic world and story!
I cant believe we are still meeting new main characters and storylines in the second book, the scope of this world just keeps growing, its giving me game of thrones vibes with all the different characters going through their own storylines and journeys.
No POV is boring, I am invested in them all.
The only downside to that is because there are so many POVs I found myself wondering how is Aeson getting on, how is Dahlen getting on, how is Kallinvar & Arden getting on, how is Rist getting on, how is Dayne getting on?
Because there are long breaks before coming back to those characters
Basically I wanted more from each POV which is not only a good thing but also crazy considering this is basically a 900 page book and I wanted MORE!
Bring on book 3 because that ending!!
I cant believe we are still meeting new main characters and storylines in the second book, the scope of this world just keeps growing, its giving me game of thrones vibes with all the different characters going through their own storylines and journeys.
No POV is boring, I am invested in them all.
The only downside to that is because there are so many POVs I found myself wondering how is Aeson getting on, how is Dahlen getting on, how is Kallinvar & Arden getting on, how is Rist getting on, how is Dayne getting on?
Because there are long breaks before coming back to those characters
Basically I wanted more from each POV which is not only a good thing but also crazy considering this is basically a 900 page book and I wanted MORE!
Bring on book 3 because that ending!!
October 3, 2023
I LOVED this book!
I was a bit lukewarm on Of Blood and Fire because it felt too similar to books I've already read, but Of Darkness and Light is absolutely fantastic! This book puts The Bound and the Broken into the same conversation as series like The Stormlight Archive for possibly being my all time favorite series... and we're only at book 2! There's obviously still more books that need to be written to solidify its place in that conversation, but this one entry into the series is nothing short of phenomenal!
Even with being somewhat critical towards Of Blood and Fire, I said in my review that I could see him planting the seeds and laying the foundation in order to make the story uniquely his own. And that he did. Every seed he planted really takes off in Of Darkness and Light and they all look well on their way to reaching their full potential.
If you liked Of Blood and Fire, then buckle up...you're in for a hell of a ride! If you were a bit lukewarm on Of Blood and Fire, like I was, give it a chance, it might just blow your mind.
You can hear more of my thoughts on this series, here: https://youtu.be/KwbfdQjwLcU
If you want to hear Ryan Cahill talk about this series, you can see that here: https://youtube.com/live/08GiyUgzwB4?...
I was a bit lukewarm on Of Blood and Fire because it felt too similar to books I've already read, but Of Darkness and Light is absolutely fantastic! This book puts The Bound and the Broken into the same conversation as series like The Stormlight Archive for possibly being my all time favorite series... and we're only at book 2! There's obviously still more books that need to be written to solidify its place in that conversation, but this one entry into the series is nothing short of phenomenal!
Even with being somewhat critical towards Of Blood and Fire, I said in my review that I could see him planting the seeds and laying the foundation in order to make the story uniquely his own. And that he did. Every seed he planted really takes off in Of Darkness and Light and they all look well on their way to reaching their full potential.
If you liked Of Blood and Fire, then buckle up...you're in for a hell of a ride! If you were a bit lukewarm on Of Blood and Fire, like I was, give it a chance, it might just blow your mind.
You can hear more of my thoughts on this series, here: https://youtu.be/KwbfdQjwLcU
If you want to hear Ryan Cahill talk about this series, you can see that here: https://youtube.com/live/08GiyUgzwB4?...
June 15, 2024
4/5 stars🌟🌟🌟🌟! Cahill has woven a fascinating world, where magic, intrigue, and ancient secrets converge. In the heart of Belduar, a city that has stood unwavering for over a thousand years, heroes rise to defend against the encroaching Lorian empire and the relentless Dragonguard. Calen Bryer and his companions stand as bastions of hope, their loyalty is tested against the coming “shadow”. The towering walls of Belduar and the port of Antiquar felt alive, imbued with history. That said, certain aspects of the world—such as cultural nuances and historical context -could have been further enriched. Although I did not get a sense of groundbreaking originality or slice of life writing, I enjoyed the world building, the characters, and the story which kept me reading on without slacking into boredom.
Characters of Ella, Calen’s sister, who embarks on a journey fueled by love and determination, and Rist Havel, who finds himself grappling with newfound powers and hidden purpose within the Circle of Magii, resonate, their struggles echoing across the pages.
Themes of darkness and light intertwine—a dance of sacrifice, betrayal, and destiny. Cahill explores the consequences of greatness and the thin line between heroism and darkness. The darkness is a bit in your face, especially with fade, dark creatures, and their dark god. I felt that the story does occasionally veer into predictability. Subverting expectations or introducing fresh angles would have added depth.
The stakes do escalate, nations teeter, and some alliances seemed to shift. Cahill tries to balance tension, propelling readers toward an inevitable clash. While I appreciated the ambiguity of the end, the climax did leave room for interpretation.
Writing style was very approachable and evocative. Cahill also attempted poems, songs, and an ancient language, to try to use his prose to paint vivid scenes and set up a detailed world and enrich the narrative. Overall a fun read. Recommend if you love classic fantasy, dragons, modern approachable prose.
Characters of Ella, Calen’s sister, who embarks on a journey fueled by love and determination, and Rist Havel, who finds himself grappling with newfound powers and hidden purpose within the Circle of Magii, resonate, their struggles echoing across the pages.
Themes of darkness and light intertwine—a dance of sacrifice, betrayal, and destiny. Cahill explores the consequences of greatness and the thin line between heroism and darkness. The darkness is a bit in your face, especially with fade, dark creatures, and their dark god. I felt that the story does occasionally veer into predictability. Subverting expectations or introducing fresh angles would have added depth.
The stakes do escalate, nations teeter, and some alliances seemed to shift. Cahill tries to balance tension, propelling readers toward an inevitable clash. While I appreciated the ambiguity of the end, the climax did leave room for interpretation.
Writing style was very approachable and evocative. Cahill also attempted poems, songs, and an ancient language, to try to use his prose to paint vivid scenes and set up a detailed world and enrich the narrative. Overall a fun read. Recommend if you love classic fantasy, dragons, modern approachable prose.
October 27, 2021
Holy mother of god, this book was FANTASTIC.
Review to come.
Review to come.
March 25, 2023
This was a very disappointing sequel. It left all the best parts of book 1 on the table.
November 25, 2021
I was one of the lucky ones to receive an electronic Advanced readers copy from Ryan Cahill, which I am entirely grateful for as this series has rocketed to one of my favourites of all times.
Simply put this book is/was/will forever remain stunning. This series is/was/will forever remain phenomenal. Ryan Cahill writing is/was/will forever remain Exquisite.
The book is thick and could be off putting to some readers. However, and you need to hear me loud and clear… “THIS BOOK IS FULL OF WONDEROUS PAGES. DO NOT BE SCARED!!! Feel the spark (see what I did there) of every word, feel the tale being interwoven with your very soul”
Of Darkness and Light starts a few weeks after the end in Of Fire and Blood (do not read this book before you have read Of Blood and Fire – to do so would be sacrilege) It starts off with a bang, full of violence and high energy as Calen is in the heat of battle. The pacing was intense as ever, the pages just turn and turn.
There are multiple points of view, as the characters are scattered form the previous book Of Blood and Fire, and each play a key role so this is needed and warranted. However, this is done remarkably well and does not get confusing in the slightest, the stories intertwine beautifully.
Knights of Achyron are in my top 3 favourite characters of a fantasy novel. The way they can summon their soulblade (which is a bad ass sword) and the way they summon their Helm from their armour, it’s like a fantasy version Ironman but better and so freaking cool. Kallinvar reminds me of Marcus Fenix from Gears of war, battle-hardened. Been there, done that, bought the Tshirt, burnt the t-shirt and now uses the ashes as facial war paint. The knights remind of the 9 mortal men doomed to die in the Lord of The Rings, but they are the good guys instead. Bound by oath and loyalty, just as the 9 were bound by the ring. It is the duty of the strong to protect the weak. Words in which society as a whole should remember.
Falmin is a star, nothing more to be said on him. When you read this book, you will understand why. I will not spoil anything.
Calen and Valerys relationship bond growing, is something of a magical relationship. I in particular like it when Valerys loses control and the rage ensues, a bit like the rage Bruce Banner feels as the Hulk takes over. Their relationship/bond grows at a rapid pace, especially in Chapter 10 “The Shadow of what was lost” the shared grief that is described in this chapter between the two, touches even the most emotionally stunted of persons like myself. Also, Ella’s relationship with the wolfpine Faenir is clever and intriguing, is Ella a wolfpine Draeleid? no she is something more. Brother and sister and their respective badass companions. All the creatures are a particular favourite of mine.
The world building that Ryan creates in his pages is beyond competition, you are there in Epheria or in Belduar. The pictures that are created in your mind through his words are pure imagination. I imagine Ryan Cahill standing there like Gene Wilder in Charlie and the Chocolate factory singing “Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination”. Ryan Cahill, I would follow you my brother… my (fantasy) king. Yes, I know I stole Boromir’s line but like Aragon becomes king of Gondor… Ryan Cahill has become King of Fantasy.
One bone is do have to pick with Ryan, Kerathlin, awful creatures, why did you have to include spiders, it always must be spiders (they remind me of the Dwarven Spiders that are found in the Dwemer ruins, for all those who do not know what this is, go play SKYRIM, you uncultured fools, ha ha. But let’s say no more on this.
Just like he did in “Blood and Fire”, Ryan Cahill takes everything you could ever wish for in a fantasy novel, places them in his massive wizarding cauldron, mixes it altogether into a spell bounding tale of pure epic-ness. Chapter 38 and 39 spring to mind, I had goosebumps reading these chapters. Something which rarely happens.
The story builds and flow effortlessly towards the ending, which you never want to arrive, but it arrives at such a pace because the pages are turning without you even thinking. You feel like you hit a brick wall once the last page has turned.
I can honestly proclaim with every fibre of my being that this is one of the best books I have ever read across all genre’s!
I can already feel that I am going to be walking the endless plains of the void now after reading this. Wondering, loss of all and any hope of enjoying another book like I did this one. It happened of “Empire of a Vampire” by Jay Kristoff and “the Demon cycle” series by Peter V Brett and now this series.
Think I may have to restart playing Skyrim all over to get me through it.
READ THIS BOOK!
Simply put this book is/was/will forever remain stunning. This series is/was/will forever remain phenomenal. Ryan Cahill writing is/was/will forever remain Exquisite.
The book is thick and could be off putting to some readers. However, and you need to hear me loud and clear… “THIS BOOK IS FULL OF WONDEROUS PAGES. DO NOT BE SCARED!!! Feel the spark (see what I did there) of every word, feel the tale being interwoven with your very soul”
Of Darkness and Light starts a few weeks after the end in Of Fire and Blood (do not read this book before you have read Of Blood and Fire – to do so would be sacrilege) It starts off with a bang, full of violence and high energy as Calen is in the heat of battle. The pacing was intense as ever, the pages just turn and turn.
There are multiple points of view, as the characters are scattered form the previous book Of Blood and Fire, and each play a key role so this is needed and warranted. However, this is done remarkably well and does not get confusing in the slightest, the stories intertwine beautifully.
Knights of Achyron are in my top 3 favourite characters of a fantasy novel. The way they can summon their soulblade (which is a bad ass sword) and the way they summon their Helm from their armour, it’s like a fantasy version Ironman but better and so freaking cool. Kallinvar reminds me of Marcus Fenix from Gears of war, battle-hardened. Been there, done that, bought the Tshirt, burnt the t-shirt and now uses the ashes as facial war paint. The knights remind of the 9 mortal men doomed to die in the Lord of The Rings, but they are the good guys instead. Bound by oath and loyalty, just as the 9 were bound by the ring. It is the duty of the strong to protect the weak. Words in which society as a whole should remember.
Falmin is a star, nothing more to be said on him. When you read this book, you will understand why. I will not spoil anything.
Calen and Valerys relationship bond growing, is something of a magical relationship. I in particular like it when Valerys loses control and the rage ensues, a bit like the rage Bruce Banner feels as the Hulk takes over. Their relationship/bond grows at a rapid pace, especially in Chapter 10 “The Shadow of what was lost” the shared grief that is described in this chapter between the two, touches even the most emotionally stunted of persons like myself. Also, Ella’s relationship with the wolfpine Faenir is clever and intriguing, is Ella a wolfpine Draeleid? no she is something more. Brother and sister and their respective badass companions. All the creatures are a particular favourite of mine.
The world building that Ryan creates in his pages is beyond competition, you are there in Epheria or in Belduar. The pictures that are created in your mind through his words are pure imagination. I imagine Ryan Cahill standing there like Gene Wilder in Charlie and the Chocolate factory singing “Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination”. Ryan Cahill, I would follow you my brother… my (fantasy) king. Yes, I know I stole Boromir’s line but like Aragon becomes king of Gondor… Ryan Cahill has become King of Fantasy.
One bone is do have to pick with Ryan, Kerathlin, awful creatures, why did you have to include spiders, it always must be spiders (they remind me of the Dwarven Spiders that are found in the Dwemer ruins, for all those who do not know what this is, go play SKYRIM, you uncultured fools, ha ha. But let’s say no more on this.
Just like he did in “Blood and Fire”, Ryan Cahill takes everything you could ever wish for in a fantasy novel, places them in his massive wizarding cauldron, mixes it altogether into a spell bounding tale of pure epic-ness. Chapter 38 and 39 spring to mind, I had goosebumps reading these chapters. Something which rarely happens.
The story builds and flow effortlessly towards the ending, which you never want to arrive, but it arrives at such a pace because the pages are turning without you even thinking. You feel like you hit a brick wall once the last page has turned.
I can honestly proclaim with every fibre of my being that this is one of the best books I have ever read across all genre’s!
I can already feel that I am going to be walking the endless plains of the void now after reading this. Wondering, loss of all and any hope of enjoying another book like I did this one. It happened of “Empire of a Vampire” by Jay Kristoff and “the Demon cycle” series by Peter V Brett and now this series.
Think I may have to restart playing Skyrim all over to get me through it.
READ THIS BOOK!
February 3, 2024
Alright. 'The Bound and the Broken'. One of BookTubes favourite childs when it comes to SelfPub.
"The first book is a hat-tip to all the greats in classic fantasy."
"It's like Wheel of Time, where it becomes it's own thing with book 2."
Well... I can confirm the first statement, but the second one... I don't know about that. This book feels as if the SFF-genre was a big toolbox full with different elements and that rearranging them is everything needed to tell a good story in the genre. Which it just is not for me.
First off, I still gave the book a 3* rating - which is good, average. And I feel like 'average' is the perfect way to describe the position, 'The Bound and the Broken' sits for me amongst the rest of the genre.
It's an enjoayble read, if you like to revisit the same things again and again since 40 years and if it's enough for you, that the appear in a different configuration this time.
But being enjoyable isn't everything for me, as the medium book can provide more to a story than just "I don't mind reading a series of words printed on paper."
Alright, so all of this might seem harsh, but I'm trying to be honest and get my point across. Maybe I'm also not the core-audience for a story like this, as I've never read too much Classic Fantasy. And as I progressed through my reading-journey, I became more and more drawn to books and stories, that don't aim at being nothing more than easy entertainment.
When I read the first book in the series, as well as the Prequel-novella, I was pretty fond of the obvious homage Mr. Cahill pays to the genre.
The coming-of-age in the village and all this good stuff was like a warm blanket and I was excited to continue on, when aspects started to get to the forefront, that sounded interesting and kind of new - or at least "rule-of-cool"-awesome with potential to epic scenes.
I was pretty excited, as I thought this might be able to be, what John Gwynne's 'The Faithful and the Fallen' is for so many people (and I only now notice how similar these titles are lol)
So when I started this one, I became pretty disappointed in the beginning. The beginning is tied directly to the main event of the first book, that happened in the last chapter, and gets us into a big siege battle.
But I started to notice my problems with the book and the writing/narration. Problems, that I couldn't see in the first book due to how limited it is to smaller-scale scenes and events.
Because almost never during the book - never in the big-scale events nor in the small-scale/interpersonal points - I got the feeling, that Ryan Cahill was trying to truly tell anything. He has characters that behave like they should according to the big SFF-toolbox; he let's them loose into a world that feels like it is supposed to feel and to be built according to the big SFF-toolbox and he narrates it like... I don't know what he is trying to do there... It feels like there would not be any intention to how he narrates it.
All of that is of course a choice that is totally valid, but not what I search for in the genre.
But I understood that in the first third of the book and adjusted my expectations properly.
What happened was, that I flew through it and finished it in a couple of days. Because you know what: It is enjoyable. Goal achieved, right?
Now with all of that said, there is one sall exception to my critizisms, and that is the character/POV, that you might all have already heard of.
He seems to be the ultimate Fan-Favourite and I can see why, or at least start to see why.
Dayne's POVs are awesome and a lot of fun. Not because they are anything special, but because they actually manage to pull off what "reinterpreting the old tropes" should be for me.
It plays with the wonder of discovering a new (/old) world, creates an engaging narrative in itself and provides an interesting voice for its "protagonist".
His chapters where what I was most looking forward to with this. They felt exciting and I am eager to find out what happens with that character.
Also, unexpectedly, Rist became fun to read. I just seem to have a thing for these kinds of plots and was a sucker for the romantic relationship that it brought to the table. Again: Nothing special by any means, but it just worked, what can I say.
And regarding the other plotlines... Well, honestly, I don't really remember too much of it. The book was a bit like a fun action-flick, that doesn't hurt and is fun to watch in the moment, but that pretty quickly leaves you.
But I know now, that that is probably exactly what the series is supposed to be, or at least what I should treat it like.
So closing off, I will say that that I prefer this entry to book 1, but not by a lot. And I will also say that I will continue the series, but take my time. I don't feel the need to rush anything and nothing really draws me back too soon or leaves me wanting to binge this.
I am looking forward to book 3 and especially the novella 'The Exile'. Judging by the debate surrounding them, book 3 seems to be where the series fully clicks into gears, and the novella to be a piece of Cahills capability as a character-writer.
And who knows, maybe he is actually able to make me wanting to read some more classic-high fantasy; to check out some more classics in the genre that I have missed so far.
Or maybe it can even make me give John Gwynne a second chance... Eventually... I have a lot of other stuff to read haha but who knows.
"The first book is a hat-tip to all the greats in classic fantasy."
"It's like Wheel of Time, where it becomes it's own thing with book 2."
Well... I can confirm the first statement, but the second one... I don't know about that. This book feels as if the SFF-genre was a big toolbox full with different elements and that rearranging them is everything needed to tell a good story in the genre. Which it just is not for me.
First off, I still gave the book a 3* rating - which is good, average. And I feel like 'average' is the perfect way to describe the position, 'The Bound and the Broken' sits for me amongst the rest of the genre.
It's an enjoayble read, if you like to revisit the same things again and again since 40 years and if it's enough for you, that the appear in a different configuration this time.
But being enjoyable isn't everything for me, as the medium book can provide more to a story than just "I don't mind reading a series of words printed on paper."
Alright, so all of this might seem harsh, but I'm trying to be honest and get my point across. Maybe I'm also not the core-audience for a story like this, as I've never read too much Classic Fantasy. And as I progressed through my reading-journey, I became more and more drawn to books and stories, that don't aim at being nothing more than easy entertainment.
When I read the first book in the series, as well as the Prequel-novella, I was pretty fond of the obvious homage Mr. Cahill pays to the genre.
The coming-of-age in the village and all this good stuff was like a warm blanket and I was excited to continue on, when aspects started to get to the forefront, that sounded interesting and kind of new - or at least "rule-of-cool"-awesome with potential to epic scenes.
I was pretty excited, as I thought this might be able to be, what John Gwynne's 'The Faithful and the Fallen' is for so many people (and I only now notice how similar these titles are lol)
So when I started this one, I became pretty disappointed in the beginning. The beginning is tied directly to the main event of the first book, that happened in the last chapter, and gets us into a big siege battle.
But I started to notice my problems with the book and the writing/narration. Problems, that I couldn't see in the first book due to how limited it is to smaller-scale scenes and events.
Because almost never during the book - never in the big-scale events nor in the small-scale/interpersonal points - I got the feeling, that Ryan Cahill was trying to truly tell anything. He has characters that behave like they should according to the big SFF-toolbox; he let's them loose into a world that feels like it is supposed to feel and to be built according to the big SFF-toolbox and he narrates it like... I don't know what he is trying to do there... It feels like there would not be any intention to how he narrates it.
All of that is of course a choice that is totally valid, but not what I search for in the genre.
But I understood that in the first third of the book and adjusted my expectations properly.
What happened was, that I flew through it and finished it in a couple of days. Because you know what: It is enjoyable. Goal achieved, right?
Now with all of that said, there is one sall exception to my critizisms, and that is the character/POV, that you might all have already heard of.
He seems to be the ultimate Fan-Favourite and I can see why, or at least start to see why.
Dayne's POVs are awesome and a lot of fun. Not because they are anything special, but because they actually manage to pull off what "reinterpreting the old tropes" should be for me.
It plays with the wonder of discovering a new (/old) world, creates an engaging narrative in itself and provides an interesting voice for its "protagonist".
His chapters where what I was most looking forward to with this. They felt exciting and I am eager to find out what happens with that character.
Also, unexpectedly, Rist became fun to read. I just seem to have a thing for these kinds of plots and was a sucker for the romantic relationship that it brought to the table. Again: Nothing special by any means, but it just worked, what can I say.
And regarding the other plotlines... Well, honestly, I don't really remember too much of it. The book was a bit like a fun action-flick, that doesn't hurt and is fun to watch in the moment, but that pretty quickly leaves you.
But I know now, that that is probably exactly what the series is supposed to be, or at least what I should treat it like.
So closing off, I will say that that I prefer this entry to book 1, but not by a lot. And I will also say that I will continue the series, but take my time. I don't feel the need to rush anything and nothing really draws me back too soon or leaves me wanting to binge this.
I am looking forward to book 3 and especially the novella 'The Exile'. Judging by the debate surrounding them, book 3 seems to be where the series fully clicks into gears, and the novella to be a piece of Cahills capability as a character-writer.
And who knows, maybe he is actually able to make me wanting to read some more classic-high fantasy; to check out some more classics in the genre that I have missed so far.
Or maybe it can even make me give John Gwynne a second chance... Eventually... I have a lot of other stuff to read haha but who knows.
January 18, 2023
Second read 2023: 5 fucking glowing stars
How in the hell did this only get better on a re-read? I stand by everything I said in my original review, this is one of the strongest sequels I have personally read. Give me book 3 NOW!!!
********************************
First read 2022: 5 stars
Talk about starting the new year off with a bang!! This book was dangling between a 4.5 and 5 star read the entire way through, but in the end I just can't deny that this was really a step up from the previous instalment, PLUS I had so much fun reading it, so here we are: my first physical read of the year is officially a 5 star read!!
The book starts at break-neck speed and drops you in the middle of the action, which really sets the tone for the rest of the book. This story is filled with pulse-pounding action scenes and the stakes are high. That said, these action sequences are broken up with slower chapters in which Cahill's character work shines. I liked every character in the first book, but I got fully invested in them while reading this second book. Despite the fact that the cast is expanded (which I really loved), we still have enough time to get a deeper look into these characters' minds and their inner conflicts. This entire cast is really put through the wringer and I absolutely loved seeing how each character dealt with their struggles in their own unique way.
The worldbuilding was already cool and intriguing in the first book, but the new POVs in this second book just broadened the world even more and allowed us to explore different cultures and worldviews. Also, the animal companions in this series are just the best *chef's kiss*
I just had so much fun with this book. The plot was full of twists and turns that had me hooked the entire way through. And after that ending, I absolutely can't wait for book 3.
Easily one of the best self-pub fantasy series that I have read so far!! Highly recommend for fans of Wheel of Time, The Faithful and the Fallen and Riyria Revelations. Epic fantasy at its best right here ;)
How in the hell did this only get better on a re-read? I stand by everything I said in my original review, this is one of the strongest sequels I have personally read. Give me book 3 NOW!!!
********************************
First read 2022: 5 stars
Talk about starting the new year off with a bang!! This book was dangling between a 4.5 and 5 star read the entire way through, but in the end I just can't deny that this was really a step up from the previous instalment, PLUS I had so much fun reading it, so here we are: my first physical read of the year is officially a 5 star read!!
The book starts at break-neck speed and drops you in the middle of the action, which really sets the tone for the rest of the book. This story is filled with pulse-pounding action scenes and the stakes are high. That said, these action sequences are broken up with slower chapters in which Cahill's character work shines. I liked every character in the first book, but I got fully invested in them while reading this second book. Despite the fact that the cast is expanded (which I really loved), we still have enough time to get a deeper look into these characters' minds and their inner conflicts. This entire cast is really put through the wringer and I absolutely loved seeing how each character dealt with their struggles in their own unique way.
The worldbuilding was already cool and intriguing in the first book, but the new POVs in this second book just broadened the world even more and allowed us to explore different cultures and worldviews. Also, the animal companions in this series are just the best *chef's kiss*
I just had so much fun with this book. The plot was full of twists and turns that had me hooked the entire way through. And after that ending, I absolutely can't wait for book 3.
Easily one of the best self-pub fantasy series that I have read so far!! Highly recommend for fans of Wheel of Time, The Faithful and the Fallen and Riyria Revelations. Epic fantasy at its best right here ;)
March 25, 2023
Incredible. Expands and improves upon the first book in every possible way. In this sequel we get more points of view and characters across the continent in different countries weaving into and expanding the main plot. All of the characters are interesting and the book never really slows down for too long at a time. For an 800 page book it didn't FEEL like it was dragging or too slow in any part which is impressive!
The author went to the school of Gwynne and was a straight A student because it feels a lot like reading the faithful and the fallen. Amazing, visceral combat, great characters, cool fantasy world everything you could want. Mix in a bit of Stormlight Archives homage, a bit of Eragon love it's a strange blend but he nails it.
Is it entirely original or fresh? No. That is probably the only complaint I could say about this book and the series as a whole, but everything is executed at the highest level and I'm still impressed that an 800 page book had no real boring spots. Always forward moving, always interesting. Loved it.
The author went to the school of Gwynne and was a straight A student because it feels a lot like reading the faithful and the fallen. Amazing, visceral combat, great characters, cool fantasy world everything you could want. Mix in a bit of Stormlight Archives homage, a bit of Eragon love it's a strange blend but he nails it.
Is it entirely original or fresh? No. That is probably the only complaint I could say about this book and the series as a whole, but everything is executed at the highest level and I'm still impressed that an 800 page book had no real boring spots. Always forward moving, always interesting. Loved it.
November 22, 2021
For more reviews go to www.Wolfmantula.com
I received an Advanced Reader copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own.
I ate up every word like it was a delicious medium rare steak dinner from a Michelin star restaurant.
A “story so far” is one of the smartest things an author can do to help their readers, Ryan Cahill does this for us, as all authors should! I just finished a re-read/listen of Of Blood and Fire and The Fall, so it wasn’t really necessary for me since it was already fresh in my mind… but I still read it anyways.
“Fate is fluid, it changes with every decision that is made. It is utterly out of our hands, and completely within our control at the same time.”
This thicc baby is JUICY and starts off full throttle putting you right into the thick of it! It’s action packed, intense, full of fury and rage, with perfectly timed humor. It has a gritty darkness to it, but above all else it has a message of hope, a perfect marriage of both dark and light fantasy that can only be described as GrimHeart. The world building is so intricate that you can picture everything you are reading in fine detail in your mind, and Ryan’s prose flows as smooth as Tennessee Whiskey.
“Stories were beautiful. They were words that painted a canvas in your mind. But death could not be beautiful.”
Multiple POV’s! Yes, that’s right! With everyone so spread out throughout the kingdom of Epheria it is very necessary and it is done very well! Calen and his friends battling the empire, Knights of Achyron facing bloodspawn and bloodmarked, Ella traveling with a deadly enemy right beside her, Rist in Al’Nasla training with the mages, plus more old and new characters. The care and detail that was put into developing each characters stories, including “side characters” was truly wonderful. We really get to know each one of them on a deeper level to understand what truly drives each and every one of them.
Not only do we see the Uraks even more, but if you read The Fall, we get to see more Bloodspawn and Bloodmarked as well… we also get some more truly disturbing creatures like Wyrms and Kerathlin. WARNING: If you have arachnophobia, there are a couple chapters that may bother you!
“We honour the dead, not by how we mourn their death, but how we live on despite it.”
As a Greek history and mythology lover, I noticed something that felt real familiar which was confirmed by the author. In Of Blood and Fire, The Proving was influenced by the Spartans Agöge, in Of Darkness and Light there is another Greek history inspired scene that is reminiscent of the battle of Thermopylae (for those unfamiliar with this, the movie 300 is based on that battle.) I appreciate those things because of my love for that history.
There are also several pop culture references throughout the book. Some will be a lot easier to spot than others, and some may seem like they are references but aren’t (I guessed wrong on a few that were not references at all) 😂. SO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THESE!
“It is considered 7 years bad sex to close your eyes while drinking whiskey. 10 years if you choke on it.”
This was an incredible sequel that that blew me away from the day I started reading this, to the day I finished. And my God, this finishes on such a high note that will punch you in the soul! What comes next is truly going to be mind blowing and I cannot wait to see what Ryan Cahill has in store!
Myia nithír til diar
I received an Advanced Reader copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own.
I ate up every word like it was a delicious medium rare steak dinner from a Michelin star restaurant.
A “story so far” is one of the smartest things an author can do to help their readers, Ryan Cahill does this for us, as all authors should! I just finished a re-read/listen of Of Blood and Fire and The Fall, so it wasn’t really necessary for me since it was already fresh in my mind… but I still read it anyways.
“Fate is fluid, it changes with every decision that is made. It is utterly out of our hands, and completely within our control at the same time.”
This thicc baby is JUICY and starts off full throttle putting you right into the thick of it! It’s action packed, intense, full of fury and rage, with perfectly timed humor. It has a gritty darkness to it, but above all else it has a message of hope, a perfect marriage of both dark and light fantasy that can only be described as GrimHeart. The world building is so intricate that you can picture everything you are reading in fine detail in your mind, and Ryan’s prose flows as smooth as Tennessee Whiskey.
“Stories were beautiful. They were words that painted a canvas in your mind. But death could not be beautiful.”
Multiple POV’s! Yes, that’s right! With everyone so spread out throughout the kingdom of Epheria it is very necessary and it is done very well! Calen and his friends battling the empire, Knights of Achyron facing bloodspawn and bloodmarked, Ella traveling with a deadly enemy right beside her, Rist in Al’Nasla training with the mages, plus more old and new characters. The care and detail that was put into developing each characters stories, including “side characters” was truly wonderful. We really get to know each one of them on a deeper level to understand what truly drives each and every one of them.
Not only do we see the Uraks even more, but if you read The Fall, we get to see more Bloodspawn and Bloodmarked as well… we also get some more truly disturbing creatures like Wyrms and Kerathlin. WARNING: If you have arachnophobia, there are a couple chapters that may bother you!
“We honour the dead, not by how we mourn their death, but how we live on despite it.”
As a Greek history and mythology lover, I noticed something that felt real familiar which was confirmed by the author. In Of Blood and Fire, The Proving was influenced by the Spartans Agöge, in Of Darkness and Light there is another Greek history inspired scene that is reminiscent of the battle of Thermopylae (for those unfamiliar with this, the movie 300 is based on that battle.) I appreciate those things because of my love for that history.
There are also several pop culture references throughout the book. Some will be a lot easier to spot than others, and some may seem like they are references but aren’t (I guessed wrong on a few that were not references at all) 😂. SO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THESE!
“It is considered 7 years bad sex to close your eyes while drinking whiskey. 10 years if you choke on it.”
This was an incredible sequel that that blew me away from the day I started reading this, to the day I finished. And my God, this finishes on such a high note that will punch you in the soul! What comes next is truly going to be mind blowing and I cannot wait to see what Ryan Cahill has in store!
Myia nithír til diar
December 16, 2023
The city of Belduar, impenetrable for 1,000 years and home to the rebellion and King, has fallen to the Lorian Empire and the Dragonguard.
Draleid Calen Bryer, bonded to the first dragon to hatch since the Fall, and his companions are separated and forced to the underground Dwarven tunnels to try and prepare for the rising rebellion.
Calen’s sister, Ella, journeys with her wolfpine Faenir where a rugged stranger seems intent on accompanying her.
Newfound mage, Rist, learns how to unlock the magic of the Spark at the Circle of Magi college.
This is extremely reminiscent of many classical coming-of-age fantasies that readers will be familiar with. Another positive of reading this is seeing how Cahill grows and improves as a writer. At first, there were certain gimmicky moments, or overused sentences and plot devices, but even reading through the latter part of the second instalment, I can tell his writing quality and storytelling has ramped up!
Every time the bards told those stories, Calen had hung on every word they said. But now he knew there was a difference between hearing the stories and living them. When you heard the stories of war and heroes, you couldn't smell the death, the scent of crackling flesh, the stench of voided bowels. You couldn't see the utter devastation, taste the blood on your tongue, feel the fear and horror in your bones. Stories were beautiful.
They were words that painted a canvas in your mind. But death could not be beautiful.
This book takes on a much larger scope than we first saw in book 1 with an expansive cast of characters spanning over lots of territories. I think this is where my enjoyment faltered.
I love books with multi-POVs, however swapping perspectives so often to even minor secondary characters feels needless to me and doesn’t let us really latch on to our narrators.
I like seeing fantasy worlds through different eyes, but I also like it when this is accomplished with finesse to make more impact. Not to mention, it gets hard to get invested as well as keep track of the plethora of characters.
However, I love Cahill’s humour, especially through certain chatty characters who can never keep their mouths shut and seem to annoy, yet endear themselves to everyone. I’m always a sucker for these side characters.
I would recommend this series if you enjoyed Eragon by Christopher Paolini, The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne, Ascendant by Michael R Miller.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5-75
Updated December 2023.
Bookstagram
Draleid Calen Bryer, bonded to the first dragon to hatch since the Fall, and his companions are separated and forced to the underground Dwarven tunnels to try and prepare for the rising rebellion.
Calen’s sister, Ella, journeys with her wolfpine Faenir where a rugged stranger seems intent on accompanying her.
Newfound mage, Rist, learns how to unlock the magic of the Spark at the Circle of Magi college.
This is extremely reminiscent of many classical coming-of-age fantasies that readers will be familiar with. Another positive of reading this is seeing how Cahill grows and improves as a writer. At first, there were certain gimmicky moments, or overused sentences and plot devices, but even reading through the latter part of the second instalment, I can tell his writing quality and storytelling has ramped up!
Every time the bards told those stories, Calen had hung on every word they said. But now he knew there was a difference between hearing the stories and living them. When you heard the stories of war and heroes, you couldn't smell the death, the scent of crackling flesh, the stench of voided bowels. You couldn't see the utter devastation, taste the blood on your tongue, feel the fear and horror in your bones. Stories were beautiful.
They were words that painted a canvas in your mind. But death could not be beautiful.
This book takes on a much larger scope than we first saw in book 1 with an expansive cast of characters spanning over lots of territories. I think this is where my enjoyment faltered.
I love books with multi-POVs, however swapping perspectives so often to even minor secondary characters feels needless to me and doesn’t let us really latch on to our narrators.
I like seeing fantasy worlds through different eyes, but I also like it when this is accomplished with finesse to make more impact. Not to mention, it gets hard to get invested as well as keep track of the plethora of characters.
However, I love Cahill’s humour, especially through certain chatty characters who can never keep their mouths shut and seem to annoy, yet endear themselves to everyone. I’m always a sucker for these side characters.
I would recommend this series if you enjoyed Eragon by Christopher Paolini, The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne, Ascendant by Michael R Miller.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5-75
Updated December 2023.
Bookstagram
December 5, 2022
Everything you loved about book 1, ramped to 1000!
By this point, Ryan Cahill needs no introduction, and there is good reason. This series is epic in every sense of the word. Of Blood and Fire set the stage for this classic fantasy masterpiece, but Of Darkness and Light torched the stage and watched the world burn. Every piece of the story, from characters to setting to plot, all weave together in a wild story that had me feeling like Pepe Silvia, standing at a blackboard with strings pinned across dozens of pages, questioning my sanity. In the end, it all came together in wonderful glory.
The characters continue to shine above all else, with realistic growth, painful set backs, tight POVs that explore the consequences of their involvement in dark events. What I loved the most is the set up for the future showdown between old friends that promises to be heart-wrenching for all. Stoked to see that come to fruition.
Lastly, I have to say, that there is a VERY similar reveal in book two of my own series, and it made me wonderfully happy. If you love classic fantasy, dragons and heroes with a modern twist, go read this series!
By this point, Ryan Cahill needs no introduction, and there is good reason. This series is epic in every sense of the word. Of Blood and Fire set the stage for this classic fantasy masterpiece, but Of Darkness and Light torched the stage and watched the world burn. Every piece of the story, from characters to setting to plot, all weave together in a wild story that had me feeling like Pepe Silvia, standing at a blackboard with strings pinned across dozens of pages, questioning my sanity. In the end, it all came together in wonderful glory.
The characters continue to shine above all else, with realistic growth, painful set backs, tight POVs that explore the consequences of their involvement in dark events. What I loved the most is the set up for the future showdown between old friends that promises to be heart-wrenching for all. Stoked to see that come to fruition.
Lastly, I have to say, that there is a VERY similar reveal in book two of my own series, and it made me wonderfully happy. If you love classic fantasy, dragons and heroes with a modern twist, go read this series!
July 24, 2023
4.5/5!
gosh i am LOVING this series! i am so mad at myself i look a two month break between reading the first and second half of this book.
gosh i am LOVING this series! i am so mad at myself i look a two month break between reading the first and second half of this book.
February 10, 2025
The last 70 pages were incredible. Just WOW! Amazing read! Ryan has taken this series to a whole new level with this book. I was engaged with every story line. I mean I was hooked with The Fall, but we are really getting into the heart of the story now. Any story with dragons usually has me hooked, but this is how you do it. Easily a 5 star read!
"There is a darkness in this world, my brothers and sisters. A darkness that does not stop, does not sleep, does not tire or wane. It is relentless in it's pursuit of all things. It is to stand in the path of this darkness that we were chosen."
"It is better to die with a sword in your hand than to kneel with a chain around your neck.
"There is not a soul in this world who does not feel the push and pull of pride. Damage it, and you can make an enemy for life. Keep it intact, and you may find allies in the strangest of places.
Actual Rating: 5 stars *****
"There is a darkness in this world, my brothers and sisters. A darkness that does not stop, does not sleep, does not tire or wane. It is relentless in it's pursuit of all things. It is to stand in the path of this darkness that we were chosen."
"It is better to die with a sword in your hand than to kneel with a chain around your neck.
"There is not a soul in this world who does not feel the push and pull of pride. Damage it, and you can make an enemy for life. Keep it intact, and you may find allies in the strangest of places.
Actual Rating: 5 stars *****
February 2, 2022
https://undertheradarsffbooks.com/202...
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. If you are looking to start the New Year off with a bang (and I do mean that literally) Of Darkness and Light is the book for you. Right out of the gate you will be thrown into a siege and Ryan will not take his foot off the gas for one moment. Epic doesn’t begin to describe the emotions you will feel in the story, especially the ending. This will be a spoiler free review but I will be touching upon events from book 1.
Calen was discovered to be a legendary Draleid and one that is not bounded to the services to the empire. Instead, a dragon egg has hatched and Calen has bonded to the dragon Valerys and is in the service of King Daymon as they are under attack on the very first page. Along with his dedicated followers, Calen will have to come to understand his powers fast as the empire will stop at nothing to capture him and leave the resistance without hope. Meanwhile Ella, Calen’s sister whom he presumes dead, is on the run with her wolfpine from the empire. Ella’s lover Rhett was killed in the previous novel and she makes her way across the empire by boat. However, Ella will come into contact with the same person, Farsa, who is responsible for the death of her family and he has different plans for Ella. Rist has unleased his potential as a mage but was captured by the fade and taken to the Circle of Magi. Here Rist will learn the skills necessary to become a battle mage but everything he has learned will change how he will view the world and the people he holds dear.
Obviously there are many more characters in this series but I couldn’t possible talk about them all. Instead, let me discuss the differences I see from the authors writing from books 1 to 2. Book 1 had a somewhat slow start and took time to be invested in the world and characters. That is not the case in Of Darkness and Light as the action jumps off the page. You will need to strap in tight otherwise this story will smack you to the curb. The pacing has also improved for me not because the writing changed but because the ground work has already been set and Ryan Cahill can hit the ground running. With all this being said, the characters are where Ryan Cahill shines as an author and some of the emotional moments this book contains will wreck you to the core.
If I need to nitpick something, I think the story was a bit too long and could have been trimmed a tad especially with some of the middle chapters. However, the ending will more than make up for any shortcomings you have have. Don’t let this series pass you by and join the resistance. This is a planned 5 book series and the best is yet to come.
Cheers!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. If you are looking to start the New Year off with a bang (and I do mean that literally) Of Darkness and Light is the book for you. Right out of the gate you will be thrown into a siege and Ryan will not take his foot off the gas for one moment. Epic doesn’t begin to describe the emotions you will feel in the story, especially the ending. This will be a spoiler free review but I will be touching upon events from book 1.
Calen was discovered to be a legendary Draleid and one that is not bounded to the services to the empire. Instead, a dragon egg has hatched and Calen has bonded to the dragon Valerys and is in the service of King Daymon as they are under attack on the very first page. Along with his dedicated followers, Calen will have to come to understand his powers fast as the empire will stop at nothing to capture him and leave the resistance without hope. Meanwhile Ella, Calen’s sister whom he presumes dead, is on the run with her wolfpine from the empire. Ella’s lover Rhett was killed in the previous novel and she makes her way across the empire by boat. However, Ella will come into contact with the same person, Farsa, who is responsible for the death of her family and he has different plans for Ella. Rist has unleased his potential as a mage but was captured by the fade and taken to the Circle of Magi. Here Rist will learn the skills necessary to become a battle mage but everything he has learned will change how he will view the world and the people he holds dear.
Obviously there are many more characters in this series but I couldn’t possible talk about them all. Instead, let me discuss the differences I see from the authors writing from books 1 to 2. Book 1 had a somewhat slow start and took time to be invested in the world and characters. That is not the case in Of Darkness and Light as the action jumps off the page. You will need to strap in tight otherwise this story will smack you to the curb. The pacing has also improved for me not because the writing changed but because the ground work has already been set and Ryan Cahill can hit the ground running. With all this being said, the characters are where Ryan Cahill shines as an author and some of the emotional moments this book contains will wreck you to the core.
If I need to nitpick something, I think the story was a bit too long and could have been trimmed a tad especially with some of the middle chapters. However, the ending will more than make up for any shortcomings you have have. Don’t let this series pass you by and join the resistance. This is a planned 5 book series and the best is yet to come.
Cheers!
May 7, 2024
"Myia elwyn er unira diar. My heart is always yours."
WOW! My jaw is still on the floor. This has quickly become one of my absolutely favorite series! The magic, dragons, lore, world-building, & everything is so well done. (Also a male author that can write badass women?! 1,000,000,000x YES!)
What to Expect
🗡️ Epic fantasy full of high stakes
🗡️ Epic action scenes
🗡️ Incredible world building
🗡️ Great character development
🗡️ Twists around every corner
🗡️ Valerys (iykyk and I need not say more)
(I'm still holding on a sliver of hope for a long drawn out enemies-to-lovers moment for a certain duo 🤭 I loooathe him so much but I think she could soften his black heart.)
"People tended to fear what they didn’t understand, and fear was a good friend of hate"
WOW! My jaw is still on the floor. This has quickly become one of my absolutely favorite series! The magic, dragons, lore, world-building, & everything is so well done. (Also a male author that can write badass women?! 1,000,000,000x YES!)
What to Expect
🗡️ Epic fantasy full of high stakes
🗡️ Epic action scenes
🗡️ Incredible world building
🗡️ Great character development
🗡️ Twists around every corner
🗡️ Valerys (iykyk and I need not say more)
(I'm still holding on a sliver of hope for a long drawn out enemies-to-lovers moment for a certain duo 🤭 I loooathe him so much but I think she could soften his black heart.)
"People tended to fear what they didn’t understand, and fear was a good friend of hate"
February 3, 2024
4.5 stars.
This was really good!!
This was really good!!
December 31, 2022
Wow, that was an explosive read to end my 2022 with!
I really love “classic” style epic fantasy, with a rag-tag group of characters, adventures, quests, and dragons. It’s what I love to write. It’s what I love to read.
ODAL really did deliver this in spades.
It starts everything off right in the middle of the action - with a fantastic battle sequence that really set the bar for the rest of the book. It is immediately noticeable that everything has stepped up a gear from the first book to this one.
The writing is a level above book one, and this levelling up goes beyond basic prose. The story, world building, characters, action sequences, even the side characters have all been massively expanded upon, and this made ODAL much more enjoyable for me as a result.
We jump into a properly multi-POV story, which only strengthens the book’s appeal. This structural choice by definition gives us more time inside the heads of characters other than Calen, which was a great way to really build them up and flesh them out.
Farda is a great example of a character having far more layers and depth to him than we saw in the first book, and Dann as well. Even Rist, who was my favourite of the original trio, had plenty of potential with his arc and I was so glad we were able to spend plenty of time with him.
We were also treated to more time with the Knights of the Order, various rulers and lords, and plenty of politicking which really helped flesh out the world and story. In the first book, things sometimes seemed to happen just because. ODAL took the time to explain why things were happening, and though it wasn’t always clear whose side everyone was on (don’t you just love the opportunity for betrayals in the dark?) it felt much more complete.
I also really liked one of the new characters, Dane, and where he comes from. It’s quite rare to have both dragons and wyverns (and each distinct from one another) in the same book, and we were treated to this here.
Of course, the biggest highlight for me was Valerys. I love dragons and seeing this one grow and develop was wonderful! I do love this dragon and I cannot wait to see to what heights he reaches in the next book.
Once again, Derek Perkins did an amazing job narrating the audiobook. Honestly, the only downside to the audio is not being able to flick to the map every time we enter a new location (and we get to see plenty of new places in this book!) but it feels like such a well developed world with existing trading routes both on land and sea, as well as reasons for those.
I really find so many facets of this world fascinating: Sentinels and their armour in particular were amazing. We also were able to learn more about the dragon bond, battle mages, gods, and ascension, and it still feels like we have only just scratched the surface at what this world has to offer.
I also loved the wolf-like shapeshifters, the Angan, who feel ancient, mysterious, and very much on their own side. We didn’t get to see much of them, but when certain characters are able to stay alive for centuries, and others clearly have interesting pasts we haven’t experienced yet, there is plenty more to come.
Oh, and that was quite the epilogue!!
One minor gripe: “The Story So Far” was not included in the audiobook, so about 1/3 of the way through I went hunting for a recap and discovered it in the eBook (look inside on Amazon) which was very useful, as I did spent a little bit of time confusing certain characters with one another.
Highly recommend if you love your fantasy epic!
I really love “classic” style epic fantasy, with a rag-tag group of characters, adventures, quests, and dragons. It’s what I love to write. It’s what I love to read.
ODAL really did deliver this in spades.
It starts everything off right in the middle of the action - with a fantastic battle sequence that really set the bar for the rest of the book. It is immediately noticeable that everything has stepped up a gear from the first book to this one.
The writing is a level above book one, and this levelling up goes beyond basic prose. The story, world building, characters, action sequences, even the side characters have all been massively expanded upon, and this made ODAL much more enjoyable for me as a result.
We jump into a properly multi-POV story, which only strengthens the book’s appeal. This structural choice by definition gives us more time inside the heads of characters other than Calen, which was a great way to really build them up and flesh them out.
Farda is a great example of a character having far more layers and depth to him than we saw in the first book, and Dann as well. Even Rist, who was my favourite of the original trio, had plenty of potential with his arc and I was so glad we were able to spend plenty of time with him.
We were also treated to more time with the Knights of the Order, various rulers and lords, and plenty of politicking which really helped flesh out the world and story. In the first book, things sometimes seemed to happen just because. ODAL took the time to explain why things were happening, and though it wasn’t always clear whose side everyone was on (don’t you just love the opportunity for betrayals in the dark?) it felt much more complete.
I also really liked one of the new characters, Dane, and where he comes from. It’s quite rare to have both dragons and wyverns (and each distinct from one another) in the same book, and we were treated to this here.
Of course, the biggest highlight for me was Valerys. I love dragons and seeing this one grow and develop was wonderful! I do love this dragon and I cannot wait to see to what heights he reaches in the next book.
Once again, Derek Perkins did an amazing job narrating the audiobook. Honestly, the only downside to the audio is not being able to flick to the map every time we enter a new location (and we get to see plenty of new places in this book!) but it feels like such a well developed world with existing trading routes both on land and sea, as well as reasons for those.
I really find so many facets of this world fascinating: Sentinels and their armour in particular were amazing. We also were able to learn more about the dragon bond, battle mages, gods, and ascension, and it still feels like we have only just scratched the surface at what this world has to offer.
I also loved the wolf-like shapeshifters, the Angan, who feel ancient, mysterious, and very much on their own side. We didn’t get to see much of them, but when certain characters are able to stay alive for centuries, and others clearly have interesting pasts we haven’t experienced yet, there is plenty more to come.
Oh, and that was quite the epilogue!!
One minor gripe: “The Story So Far” was not included in the audiobook, so about 1/3 of the way through I went hunting for a recap and discovered it in the eBook (look inside on Amazon) which was very useful, as I did spent a little bit of time confusing certain characters with one another.
Highly recommend if you love your fantasy epic!
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