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The Bound and the Broken #1
Of Blood and Fire
Born in fire. Tempered in blood.
Epheria is a land divided by war and mistrust. The High Lords of the south squabble and fight, only kept in check by the Dragonguard, traitors of a time long past, who serve the empire of the North.
In the remote villages of southern Epheria, still reeling from the tragic loss of his brother, Calen Bryer prepares for The Proving—a test of courage and skill that not all survive.
But when three strangers arrive in the village of Milltown, with a secret they are willing to die for, Calen’s world is ripped from under him and he is thrust headfirst into a war that has been raging for centuries.
There is no prophecy. His coming was not foretold.
He bleeds like any man, and bleed he will.
Epheria is a land divided by war and mistrust. The High Lords of the south squabble and fight, only kept in check by the Dragonguard, traitors of a time long past, who serve the empire of the North.
In the remote villages of southern Epheria, still reeling from the tragic loss of his brother, Calen Bryer prepares for The Proving—a test of courage and skill that not all survive.
But when three strangers arrive in the village of Milltown, with a secret they are willing to die for, Calen’s world is ripped from under him and he is thrust headfirst into a war that has been raging for centuries.
There is no prophecy. His coming was not foretold.
He bleeds like any man, and bleed he will.
541 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2021
About the author
Ryan Cahill
9 books2,062 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,379 reviews
January 5, 2024
Watch my video review here: https://youtu.be/9JGV_KT3_NM
Why You Should Read The Bound & the Broken (with an introduction from the author: here: https://youtu.be/driZx7TUjx0
I cannot state just how many times per day I get a recommendation of "oh, Mike, you HAVE to read this series. It's exactly what you love!" Well, I can't think of another up and coming author I've gotten that verbatim response in my videos for more than Ryan Cahill.
And you know what? They were right.
While reading Of Blood and Fire something completely unexpected happened in that Mr. Cahill was able to not only transport me back to a time of everything I loved about traditional fantasy but also keep me firmly grounded in modern sensibilities. I'm one of those fantasy readers that still loves a slow burn set up for the characters and their families, relationships, small town life, etc. It seems this book has gotten tagged by many as a "slow start that gets better in the back half." As a character first guy I must adamantly disagree, just as I did with 'Malice' by John Gwynne. Speaking of John Gwynne...
My love for Mr. Gwynne is why so many brought this series to my attention. In his Faithful & the Fallen series, the same criticisms were abound of the dreaded 'slow start." Then, when I read it, I never noticed any of this. I think that is because I cut my teeth on the traditional fantasy of Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, and (much later) Robert Jordan. All those authors get you introduced to the main characters and their daily lives before the bad shit happens to them. You know...character development? Therefore, this was never going to be a criticism from me. In fact, I feel like the target demo here as someone who loves traditional fantasy but also adult fantasy with maybe some grimdark sprinkled in.
Cahill provides a perfect balance of fantasy themes that feel familiar (The Wheel of Time, The Sword of Shannara) but also modern (The Faithful & the Fallen, The Inheritance Cycle). What I mean by that is those old fantasy tropes are here. Now, I know most people think the word "trope" is a negative but I don't. Those tropes are what made me fall in love with the fantasy genre in the first place. Farm boy leaves home, stranger comes to town, a Dark Lord, dragons, chosen one(s), etc. Cahill doesn't shy away from those but he does it in a way that doesn't act as if he's reinventing the wheel. Again, they feel familiar of similar stores you've probably read but in a hat tip/complimentary approach, not in a 'oh God I've already read this story before!' way. As for the modern, he isn't afraid to show you some violence and bad language. But it never reaches a point where the less jaded are going to feel alienated. Everyone likes to say 'fuck!" now and then, right? And just like in most real-life cases, he never goes overboard with it.
Something else I loved was just how much history it feels like this world has. Even if I hadn't read The Fall novella, I think I would have had the same curiosities about what happened in the centuries before the current timeline. You get hints and pieces as well as second hand stories from characters that were there. By the way, genius approach having an elf/bard travel with the main party to serve as exposition in the storyteller format. It really filled in some blanks and backstory for other characters. Perfect touch.
A question I've gotten from many is how is Cahill's writing style. Well, I never pretend to be a prose snob but I can confirm he's really good. I never once found myself asking why he wrote it that way or how no one talks like that. Besides that one line all of us BookTubers like to dunk on (let out the breath they didn't know they were holding) I have zero complaints here. For a debut novel, this was quite impressive.
In the end, I think this book barely scratched the surface for the potential of this world. I'm all aboard for this coming of age journey for Calen, Ella, Rist, and Dann as well as getting to know more about characters like Aeson, Farda, Daymon, and Gaeleron. Also...did I mention dragons? Yes, gimme all of that!
With this one, I can confidently say if those traditional fantasy storytelling devices do not bother you, this one will be a homerun. High recommend and I can't wait to read book 2 next month.
Why You Should Read The Bound & the Broken (with an introduction from the author: here: https://youtu.be/driZx7TUjx0
I cannot state just how many times per day I get a recommendation of "oh, Mike, you HAVE to read this series. It's exactly what you love!" Well, I can't think of another up and coming author I've gotten that verbatim response in my videos for more than Ryan Cahill.
And you know what? They were right.
While reading Of Blood and Fire something completely unexpected happened in that Mr. Cahill was able to not only transport me back to a time of everything I loved about traditional fantasy but also keep me firmly grounded in modern sensibilities. I'm one of those fantasy readers that still loves a slow burn set up for the characters and their families, relationships, small town life, etc. It seems this book has gotten tagged by many as a "slow start that gets better in the back half." As a character first guy I must adamantly disagree, just as I did with 'Malice' by John Gwynne. Speaking of John Gwynne...
My love for Mr. Gwynne is why so many brought this series to my attention. In his Faithful & the Fallen series, the same criticisms were abound of the dreaded 'slow start." Then, when I read it, I never noticed any of this. I think that is because I cut my teeth on the traditional fantasy of Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, and (much later) Robert Jordan. All those authors get you introduced to the main characters and their daily lives before the bad shit happens to them. You know...character development? Therefore, this was never going to be a criticism from me. In fact, I feel like the target demo here as someone who loves traditional fantasy but also adult fantasy with maybe some grimdark sprinkled in.
Cahill provides a perfect balance of fantasy themes that feel familiar (The Wheel of Time, The Sword of Shannara) but also modern (The Faithful & the Fallen, The Inheritance Cycle). What I mean by that is those old fantasy tropes are here. Now, I know most people think the word "trope" is a negative but I don't. Those tropes are what made me fall in love with the fantasy genre in the first place. Farm boy leaves home, stranger comes to town, a Dark Lord, dragons, chosen one(s), etc. Cahill doesn't shy away from those but he does it in a way that doesn't act as if he's reinventing the wheel. Again, they feel familiar of similar stores you've probably read but in a hat tip/complimentary approach, not in a 'oh God I've already read this story before!' way. As for the modern, he isn't afraid to show you some violence and bad language. But it never reaches a point where the less jaded are going to feel alienated. Everyone likes to say 'fuck!" now and then, right? And just like in most real-life cases, he never goes overboard with it.
Something else I loved was just how much history it feels like this world has. Even if I hadn't read The Fall novella, I think I would have had the same curiosities about what happened in the centuries before the current timeline. You get hints and pieces as well as second hand stories from characters that were there. By the way, genius approach having an elf/bard travel with the main party to serve as exposition in the storyteller format. It really filled in some blanks and backstory for other characters. Perfect touch.
A question I've gotten from many is how is Cahill's writing style. Well, I never pretend to be a prose snob but I can confirm he's really good. I never once found myself asking why he wrote it that way or how no one talks like that. Besides that one line all of us BookTubers like to dunk on (let out the breath they didn't know they were holding) I have zero complaints here. For a debut novel, this was quite impressive.
In the end, I think this book barely scratched the surface for the potential of this world. I'm all aboard for this coming of age journey for Calen, Ella, Rist, and Dann as well as getting to know more about characters like Aeson, Farda, Daymon, and Gaeleron. Also...did I mention dragons? Yes, gimme all of that!
With this one, I can confidently say if those traditional fantasy storytelling devices do not bother you, this one will be a homerun. High recommend and I can't wait to read book 2 next month.
November 10, 2021
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Of Blood and Fire may not bring anything new to the genre, but it’s certainly another great modern take on classic fantasy.
Honestly, I’ve heard about Of Blood and Fire, Ryan Cahill’s debut, for more or less a year now. I remember the author messaging me about his upcoming work, and although I was already intrigued by what he pitched, I also never expected to read this book this soon. But here I am. After seeing how popular this book is on Amazon, and also after reading the prequel novella, The Fall, two months ago, I have to read this sooner.
The story in Of Blood and Fire, the first book in The Bound and the Broken series, begins in the remote villages of southern Epheria. Calen Bryer is still reeling from the tragic loss of his brother, and now he prepares for The Proving—a test of courage and skill that not all survive. But the lives of Calen and his friends are changed completely when three strangers arrive in the city of Milltown. They’re thrust into a war—read The Fall—that has been raging for centuries. There is no prophecy, and Calen’s coming was not foretold. He bleeds like any man and bleeds he will. This is the premise for Of Blood and Fire, and as you can probably predict from it, this is incredibly similar to a lot of classic fantasy premises and stories we know. And you won’t be wrong to think that way; Of Blood and Fire is filled with a lot of classic fantasy tropes, and it doesn’t add anything new to the genre, not yet anyway. However, there’s still a lot of things to appreciate and enjoy here.
Of Blood and Fire felt like a mix of all the greats combined into one. For example, the three main characters—one of them being the chosen one minus the prophecy—from the same village reminded me of The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, then the wolf animal companion, the giants, and The Proving in Olm Forest reminded me of Malice by John Gwynne. Plus, there’s also the soulblade that’s reminiscent of Shardblade—there’s even Wind Runner here—from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. The intensely deep bond between a dragon and its Draleid made me feel like I’m reading an adult fantasy version of Eragon by Paolini. And last but not least, let’s not forget about the elves, dwarves, and many more parts inspired by Tolkien. There’s still more, but you get the idea. I’m sure fantasy readers who love reading classic fantasy with a modern narrative—like I am—will enjoy this book. Of Blood and Fire never felt like plagiarism; it’s a blend of the goodness of the past and present.
The characters development was good, too. Family is one of the main themes of the novel, and Calen Bryer, Dann Pimm, and Rist Havel’s friendship felt genuine. I’ve experienced plenty of fantasy novels where they mentioned repeatedly that the main characters are friends, but they don’t act like one. There were a few repetitive statements and descriptions—the reliance on “lackadaisically” and “….is an understatement” were very noticeable, for example—but nothing major overall. Of Blood and Fire is Cahill’s debut, and a lot of it felt like it’s a groundwork for the rest of the series. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book, Of Darkness and Light, which will come out soon.
As I mentioned, I recommend Of Blood and Fire to fantasy readers who love reading a classic fantasy novel with a modern voice. This is the adult fantasy version of Eragon that readers will enjoy, and Cahill has done a wonderful job in creating the groundwork for The Bound and the Broken to shine. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that he’ll deliver on this. Also, the physical copy comes with four interior artworks illustrated by Aron Cahill. I’m closing this review with one of the illustrations inside:
Picture: Faenir by Aron Cahill
You can order the book from: Amazon
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
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, Annabeth, Ben, Blaise, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Element, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Jennifer, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Mike, Miracle, Neeraja, Nicholas, Oliver, ReignBro, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shaad, Xero, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
Of Blood and Fire may not bring anything new to the genre, but it’s certainly another great modern take on classic fantasy.
Honestly, I’ve heard about Of Blood and Fire, Ryan Cahill’s debut, for more or less a year now. I remember the author messaging me about his upcoming work, and although I was already intrigued by what he pitched, I also never expected to read this book this soon. But here I am. After seeing how popular this book is on Amazon, and also after reading the prequel novella, The Fall, two months ago, I have to read this sooner.
“I didn’t want this. I certainly didn’t ask for it, but it is what fate has given me, and I will not walk away.”
The story in Of Blood and Fire, the first book in The Bound and the Broken series, begins in the remote villages of southern Epheria. Calen Bryer is still reeling from the tragic loss of his brother, and now he prepares for The Proving—a test of courage and skill that not all survive. But the lives of Calen and his friends are changed completely when three strangers arrive in the city of Milltown. They’re thrust into a war—read The Fall—that has been raging for centuries. There is no prophecy, and Calen’s coming was not foretold. He bleeds like any man and bleeds he will. This is the premise for Of Blood and Fire, and as you can probably predict from it, this is incredibly similar to a lot of classic fantasy premises and stories we know. And you won’t be wrong to think that way; Of Blood and Fire is filled with a lot of classic fantasy tropes, and it doesn’t add anything new to the genre, not yet anyway. However, there’s still a lot of things to appreciate and enjoy here.
“We must never dim our light so that others may shine.”
Of Blood and Fire felt like a mix of all the greats combined into one. For example, the three main characters—one of them being the chosen one minus the prophecy—from the same village reminded me of The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, then the wolf animal companion, the giants, and The Proving in Olm Forest reminded me of Malice by John Gwynne. Plus, there’s also the soulblade that’s reminiscent of Shardblade—there’s even Wind Runner here—from The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson. The intensely deep bond between a dragon and its Draleid made me feel like I’m reading an adult fantasy version of Eragon by Paolini. And last but not least, let’s not forget about the elves, dwarves, and many more parts inspired by Tolkien. There’s still more, but you get the idea. I’m sure fantasy readers who love reading classic fantasy with a modern narrative—like I am—will enjoy this book. Of Blood and Fire never felt like plagiarism; it’s a blend of the goodness of the past and present.
“But when you blend something so completely, it is impossible for it to return to what it once was. Two souls blended together are not the sum of their parts, but something new entirely.”
The characters development was good, too. Family is one of the main themes of the novel, and Calen Bryer, Dann Pimm, and Rist Havel’s friendship felt genuine. I’ve experienced plenty of fantasy novels where they mentioned repeatedly that the main characters are friends, but they don’t act like one. There were a few repetitive statements and descriptions—the reliance on “lackadaisically” and “….is an understatement” were very noticeable, for example—but nothing major overall. Of Blood and Fire is Cahill’s debut, and a lot of it felt like it’s a groundwork for the rest of the series. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book, Of Darkness and Light, which will come out soon.
“As Dann so poetically explained… that is not how we do things. You are our family. Maybe not by blood, but water becomes just as thick as blood if you go through enough shit together. Simply put, we are not letting you do this alone. You go, we go.”
As I mentioned, I recommend Of Blood and Fire to fantasy readers who love reading a classic fantasy novel with a modern voice. This is the adult fantasy version of Eragon that readers will enjoy, and Cahill has done a wonderful job in creating the groundwork for The Bound and the Broken to shine. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that he’ll deliver on this. Also, the physical copy comes with four interior artworks illustrated by Aron Cahill. I’m closing this review with one of the illustrations inside:
Picture: Faenir by Aron Cahill
You can order the book from: Amazon
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
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, Annabeth, Ben, Blaise, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Element, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Jimmy Nutts, Jennifer, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Mike, Miracle, Neeraja, Nicholas, Oliver, ReignBro, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shaad, Xero, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
November 27, 2023
An excellent effort for the author's debut,
A pity it gave me so much déjà vu.
Final Rating: 3.9/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
This book is one part "fantasy's greatest hits compilation", combined with one part "overwhelming levels of déjà vu." Indeed, if this were my first foray into high fantasy, I suspect it would have astounded me, leaving me spellbound in its imaginative embrace. However, the familiarity of its elements – reminiscent of classics like 'The Wheel of Time' for its main characters, the dragon-master bond akin to 'Eragon', and the mythical races straight out of Tolkien's lore – makes me feel that there is likely a glitch in the Matrix (code for: déjà vu). Even the coming-of-age hunt at the beginning echoes 'Faithful & the Fallen', and there is a bit of weaponry that even suggests Sanderson's shard blades are present here too.
While many of these great devices are the very reasons I'm drawn to fantasy, their assembly in 'Of Blood and Fire' is akin to a well-known recipe – comforting, yet lacking the thrill of the unexpected. My affection for these tropes kept me engaged, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of treading familiar ground, which occasionally bordered on the mundane. In sum, the book is a homage to the genre's giants, a comforting journey for a fantasy aficionado but perhaps missing a spark of originality to truly set it apart.
“I told him that the sun will set, and it will rise again, and it will do so the next day and the next. The gods are in charge of such things, but it is by our own will that we pick ourselves up when we fall.”
World Building: 4/5
In Cahill's world of Epheria, a land rich with Elves, Dragons, Giants, Humans, and Dwarves, each race and city has a deep history, reminiscent of fantasy greats like 'Lord of The Rings' and 'Wheel of Time'. The magic system piques interest, although it's not revolutionary. Cahill's strength lies in his world-building - the detailed settings and cultures make Epheria feel alive and bursting with untold stories. It's this vivid and well-crafted world that truly captivates and showcases Cahill's talent. While he is a very good job of synthesizing into something fresh, the lack of originality means I really struggle to give it a 5/5.
Story Telling: 3.5/5
Set in the war-divided land of Epheria, the story unfolds in the humble village of Milltown. Here, three young boys on the cusp of manhood face The Proving, an age-old test of maturity. But their lives take an unexpected turn with the arrival of strangers, catapulting them into a centuries-old conflict.
Despite these familiar beginnings, Cahill's storytelling stands on its own. His writing weaves traditional fantasy themes with modern nuances, creating a narrative that's both nostalgic and fresh. It's this blend of old and new – the classic tale of unsuspecting heroes drawn into epic battles, now told with contemporary flair – that makes Cahill's work both comforting and surprising. While this is clearly inspired by previous fantasy greats, it doesn't ever feel like plagiarism. Indeed, it is a testament to how classic fantasy can evolve and I am thoroughly looking forward to the next installment to see if he can take it in fresher directions.
Characterisation: 4.5/5
Cahill's debut novel is at its best when it comes to character development, a hallmark of classic fantasy, in my view. He has a knack for bringing even minor characters to life, imbuing them with depth and individuality. The story's core, the coming-of-age journey of Calen, Ella, Rist, and Dann, is not just captivating but is laced with suspense, especially since Cahill doesn't hesitate to take risks with his characters' fates. This approach adds a thrilling unpredictability to the narrative. With such a diverse and well-drawn ensemble, I find myself eagerly wondering about the destinies of each character. This level of engagement and anticipation speaks volumes about Cahill's skill in crafting compelling characters and weaving their stories into the fabric of his fantasy world.
Enjoyment: 3.5/5
In reviewing 'Of Blood and Fire', I found myself in a bit of a fantasy rollercoaster. There were moments that hit all the right notes, feeling like a 'fantasy greatest hits' – those parts I absolutely loved. But then, there were sections I just skimmed through, mainly because they felt too familiar, almost like reruns of what I've already read. The comfort of familiar tropes was nice, but at times, especially in the beginning, it veered towards the mundane.
However, the story took a turn for the better as it progressed. The latter half started to carve its own identity, moving away from the well-trodden path, which I found really promising. It's this shift that has piqued my interest for the second book in the series. Having joined the bandwagon a bit late, I'm now genuinely excited and can't wait to dive into the next book – it looks downright awesome from what I've seen! This gradual evolution in the narrative gives me hope that the upcoming installment will align more closely with my taste for unique and engaging fantasy storytelling.
Final Rating: 3.9/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
My favourite books of 2023 in preferential order
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕:
1. The Shadow of the Gods - (My Review)
2. The Grace of Kings - (My Review)
3. The Lies of Locke Lamora
4. The Forgetting Moon - (My Review)
5. The Justice of Kings - (My Review)
6. Kings of the Wyld - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗:
7. Morning Star - (My Review)
8. The Blade Itself - (My Review)
9. Tress of the Emerald Sea - (My Review)
10. Red Seas Under Red Skies - (My Review)
11. The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World
12. Empire of the Vampire - (My Review)
13. Assassin's Apprentice - (My Review)
14. Malice - (My Review)
15. Golden Son
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑:
16. Leviathan Wakes - (My Review)
17. The Winter King - (My Review)
18. Of Blood and Fire - (My Review)
19. Gardens of the Moon - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑:
20. Deadhouse Gates - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑:
21. The Song of Achilles - (My Review)
22. Red Sister - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑:
23. Babel: An Arcane History - (My Review)
A pity it gave me so much déjà vu.
Final Rating: 3.9/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
This book is one part "fantasy's greatest hits compilation", combined with one part "overwhelming levels of déjà vu." Indeed, if this were my first foray into high fantasy, I suspect it would have astounded me, leaving me spellbound in its imaginative embrace. However, the familiarity of its elements – reminiscent of classics like 'The Wheel of Time' for its main characters, the dragon-master bond akin to 'Eragon', and the mythical races straight out of Tolkien's lore – makes me feel that there is likely a glitch in the Matrix (code for: déjà vu). Even the coming-of-age hunt at the beginning echoes 'Faithful & the Fallen', and there is a bit of weaponry that even suggests Sanderson's shard blades are present here too.
While many of these great devices are the very reasons I'm drawn to fantasy, their assembly in 'Of Blood and Fire' is akin to a well-known recipe – comforting, yet lacking the thrill of the unexpected. My affection for these tropes kept me engaged, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of treading familiar ground, which occasionally bordered on the mundane. In sum, the book is a homage to the genre's giants, a comforting journey for a fantasy aficionado but perhaps missing a spark of originality to truly set it apart.
“I told him that the sun will set, and it will rise again, and it will do so the next day and the next. The gods are in charge of such things, but it is by our own will that we pick ourselves up when we fall.”
World Building: 4/5
In Cahill's world of Epheria, a land rich with Elves, Dragons, Giants, Humans, and Dwarves, each race and city has a deep history, reminiscent of fantasy greats like 'Lord of The Rings' and 'Wheel of Time'. The magic system piques interest, although it's not revolutionary. Cahill's strength lies in his world-building - the detailed settings and cultures make Epheria feel alive and bursting with untold stories. It's this vivid and well-crafted world that truly captivates and showcases Cahill's talent. While he is a very good job of synthesizing into something fresh, the lack of originality means I really struggle to give it a 5/5.
Story Telling: 3.5/5
Set in the war-divided land of Epheria, the story unfolds in the humble village of Milltown. Here, three young boys on the cusp of manhood face The Proving, an age-old test of maturity. But their lives take an unexpected turn with the arrival of strangers, catapulting them into a centuries-old conflict.
Despite these familiar beginnings, Cahill's storytelling stands on its own. His writing weaves traditional fantasy themes with modern nuances, creating a narrative that's both nostalgic and fresh. It's this blend of old and new – the classic tale of unsuspecting heroes drawn into epic battles, now told with contemporary flair – that makes Cahill's work both comforting and surprising. While this is clearly inspired by previous fantasy greats, it doesn't ever feel like plagiarism. Indeed, it is a testament to how classic fantasy can evolve and I am thoroughly looking forward to the next installment to see if he can take it in fresher directions.
Characterisation: 4.5/5
Cahill's debut novel is at its best when it comes to character development, a hallmark of classic fantasy, in my view. He has a knack for bringing even minor characters to life, imbuing them with depth and individuality. The story's core, the coming-of-age journey of Calen, Ella, Rist, and Dann, is not just captivating but is laced with suspense, especially since Cahill doesn't hesitate to take risks with his characters' fates. This approach adds a thrilling unpredictability to the narrative. With such a diverse and well-drawn ensemble, I find myself eagerly wondering about the destinies of each character. This level of engagement and anticipation speaks volumes about Cahill's skill in crafting compelling characters and weaving their stories into the fabric of his fantasy world.
Enjoyment: 3.5/5
In reviewing 'Of Blood and Fire', I found myself in a bit of a fantasy rollercoaster. There were moments that hit all the right notes, feeling like a 'fantasy greatest hits' – those parts I absolutely loved. But then, there were sections I just skimmed through, mainly because they felt too familiar, almost like reruns of what I've already read. The comfort of familiar tropes was nice, but at times, especially in the beginning, it veered towards the mundane.
However, the story took a turn for the better as it progressed. The latter half started to carve its own identity, moving away from the well-trodden path, which I found really promising. It's this shift that has piqued my interest for the second book in the series. Having joined the bandwagon a bit late, I'm now genuinely excited and can't wait to dive into the next book – it looks downright awesome from what I've seen! This gradual evolution in the narrative gives me hope that the upcoming installment will align more closely with my taste for unique and engaging fantasy storytelling.
Final Rating: 3.9/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
My favourite books of 2023 in preferential order
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕:
1. The Shadow of the Gods - (My Review)
2. The Grace of Kings - (My Review)
3. The Lies of Locke Lamora
4. The Forgetting Moon - (My Review)
5. The Justice of Kings - (My Review)
6. Kings of the Wyld - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗:
7. Morning Star - (My Review)
8. The Blade Itself - (My Review)
9. Tress of the Emerald Sea - (My Review)
10. Red Seas Under Red Skies - (My Review)
11. The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World
12. Empire of the Vampire - (My Review)
13. Assassin's Apprentice - (My Review)
14. Malice - (My Review)
15. Golden Son
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑:
16. Leviathan Wakes - (My Review)
17. The Winter King - (My Review)
18. Of Blood and Fire - (My Review)
19. Gardens of the Moon - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑:
20. Deadhouse Gates - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑:
21. The Song of Achilles - (My Review)
22. Red Sister - (My Review)
🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑:
23. Babel: An Arcane History - (My Review)
April 13, 2023
BookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - The Brothers Gwynne
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
“I told him that the sun will set, and it will rise again, and it will do so the next day and the next. The gods are in charge of such things, but it is by our own will that we pick ourselves up when we fall.”
I had heard that Of Blood and Fire has resemblances both to the works of David Gemmell and John Gwynne, so of course I had to give it a go. What I heard was right. It has got plenty of traditional fantasy vibes, with village life, the farmyard boy, a new danger, dragons and more. This is an Indie Published book, otherwise known as self-published, so if you doubt the quality of indie-published works, give Of Blood and Fire and the entirety of The Bound and the Broken a shot!
Of Blood and Fire takes the tropes of traditional fantasy, as I mentioned above, but adds a refreshing twist. With all the grimdark fantasy around at the moment, and the new turn of the genre over the last decade, it was nice to harken back to these traditional fantasy roots, and it was great to be back in a story like this, with its own modern twists that still make it entertaining. This is that great mix of traditional, high fantasy with modern elements that Ryan Cahill expertly combines to provide a nostalgic tone but also subvert your expectations.
“That’s where prophecies belong, Calen. In stories and fairy tales. Prophecies and fate are words that are used by kings and queens to send young men and women to their death with smiles on their faces, dreaming of becoming heroes. Fate is fluid.”
My brother, Ed, also thought this was a great read. “Eragon for adults” was my favourite thing he said about it. So, if you love dragons, high fantasy and twists, then Of Blood and Fire is for you. It is a greta, engaging read with really interesting world building and a great cast of characters. The opening is fantastic, building the tone and atmosphere of the world as well as introducing us to the characters and life as they know it in an entertaining way, laying down some mysteries and questions along the way that just had me hooked. Ryan Cahill displayed his quality as a writer, and as such I highly recommend both Of Blood and Fire, and the series as a whole.
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
“I told him that the sun will set, and it will rise again, and it will do so the next day and the next. The gods are in charge of such things, but it is by our own will that we pick ourselves up when we fall.”
I had heard that Of Blood and Fire has resemblances both to the works of David Gemmell and John Gwynne, so of course I had to give it a go. What I heard was right. It has got plenty of traditional fantasy vibes, with village life, the farmyard boy, a new danger, dragons and more. This is an Indie Published book, otherwise known as self-published, so if you doubt the quality of indie-published works, give Of Blood and Fire and the entirety of The Bound and the Broken a shot!
Of Blood and Fire takes the tropes of traditional fantasy, as I mentioned above, but adds a refreshing twist. With all the grimdark fantasy around at the moment, and the new turn of the genre over the last decade, it was nice to harken back to these traditional fantasy roots, and it was great to be back in a story like this, with its own modern twists that still make it entertaining. This is that great mix of traditional, high fantasy with modern elements that Ryan Cahill expertly combines to provide a nostalgic tone but also subvert your expectations.
“That’s where prophecies belong, Calen. In stories and fairy tales. Prophecies and fate are words that are used by kings and queens to send young men and women to their death with smiles on their faces, dreaming of becoming heroes. Fate is fluid.”
My brother, Ed, also thought this was a great read. “Eragon for adults” was my favourite thing he said about it. So, if you love dragons, high fantasy and twists, then Of Blood and Fire is for you. It is a greta, engaging read with really interesting world building and a great cast of characters. The opening is fantastic, building the tone and atmosphere of the world as well as introducing us to the characters and life as they know it in an entertaining way, laying down some mysteries and questions along the way that just had me hooked. Ryan Cahill displayed his quality as a writer, and as such I highly recommend both Of Blood and Fire, and the series as a whole.
February 9, 2023
Check out my YouTube channel where I show my instant reactions upon finishing reading fantasy books.
Nothing new brought to the table here, but still an enjoyable journey story. Full review coming soon...
Nothing new brought to the table here, but still an enjoyable journey story. Full review coming soon...
April 17, 2021
“Death could not be beautiful, but sometimes, it was necessary.”
Of Blood and Fire is an epic fantasy and is the first book in The Bound and the Broken series. Ryan Cahill is a self-published author and Of Blood and Fire is his debut.
This story is set in the land of Epheria, which is divided by war and mistrust. This story starts in a small and remote village called Milltown, where three young boys are preparing for The Proving, a test that will prove that they are men. However, when some strangers arrive in Milltown, the lives of these three young boys dramatically change, and suddenly they find themselves thrust into a war that has been raging for centuries.
Of Blood and Fire is an impressive debut, and overall I enjoyed it. The character work is terrific, and Cahill is able to get the reader to be invested in the whole cast. Even the more minor characters, such as Ella and Rist, are well fleshed out and have depth. Furthermore, Cahill is not afraid to kill off important characters, which I appreciate.
Furthermore, the pacing is phenomenal. The reader learns something new about the world, the characters or the overall plot in each chapter, and Cahill masterfully switches between the POVs, making this a page-turner. Although there are multiple POVs and a large cast of characters, the reader is never left lost or confused due to Cahill’s accessible prose.
The world-building is excellent. Epheria is a land full of different races and cities, and a history going back centuries. This series also has a magic system, which I am looking forward to learning more about. Cahill is inspired by the greatest works of fantasy, such as Lord of The Rings and Wheel of Time, which can be observed in the world-building and the tropes used.
Some readers will not enjoy this book due to its clear inspiration from classical fantasy. The village of Milltown will remind the reader of iconic fantasy villages such as The Shire or Emond’s Field. This story has the “farmboy to hero trope”, “the chosen one trope”, “the reluctant hero trope” and “the mentor trope”. Furthermore, a group of characters are united to conquer an impending evil, which is a well-known trope in fantasy. However, Cahill uses these tropes well and puts some unique spins and twists on them in the second half of the book. As the story progresses, the plot starts to feel unique and contemporary.
If you are looking for something totally new to the fantasy genre, I can’t recommend this book. However, if you are looking for a classical fantasy done well, with a fast pace, memorable characters and an engaging plotline, I can highly recommend this book.
In conclusion, Of Blood and Fire is an impressive debut, with terrific characters, great world-building and an engaging plot. My primary “criticism” is the clear inspiration from classical fantasy, which will put some readers off. However, the second half of the book feels unique, and if you enjoy classical fantasy, you will love this book. I am already invested in this world and am anxiously waiting for the sequel.
4/5 stars
Thanks to Ryan Cahill for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Of Blood and Fire is an epic fantasy and is the first book in The Bound and the Broken series. Ryan Cahill is a self-published author and Of Blood and Fire is his debut.
This story is set in the land of Epheria, which is divided by war and mistrust. This story starts in a small and remote village called Milltown, where three young boys are preparing for The Proving, a test that will prove that they are men. However, when some strangers arrive in Milltown, the lives of these three young boys dramatically change, and suddenly they find themselves thrust into a war that has been raging for centuries.
Of Blood and Fire is an impressive debut, and overall I enjoyed it. The character work is terrific, and Cahill is able to get the reader to be invested in the whole cast. Even the more minor characters, such as Ella and Rist, are well fleshed out and have depth. Furthermore, Cahill is not afraid to kill off important characters, which I appreciate.
Furthermore, the pacing is phenomenal. The reader learns something new about the world, the characters or the overall plot in each chapter, and Cahill masterfully switches between the POVs, making this a page-turner. Although there are multiple POVs and a large cast of characters, the reader is never left lost or confused due to Cahill’s accessible prose.
The world-building is excellent. Epheria is a land full of different races and cities, and a history going back centuries. This series also has a magic system, which I am looking forward to learning more about. Cahill is inspired by the greatest works of fantasy, such as Lord of The Rings and Wheel of Time, which can be observed in the world-building and the tropes used.
Some readers will not enjoy this book due to its clear inspiration from classical fantasy. The village of Milltown will remind the reader of iconic fantasy villages such as The Shire or Emond’s Field. This story has the “farmboy to hero trope”, “the chosen one trope”, “the reluctant hero trope” and “the mentor trope”. Furthermore, a group of characters are united to conquer an impending evil, which is a well-known trope in fantasy. However, Cahill uses these tropes well and puts some unique spins and twists on them in the second half of the book. As the story progresses, the plot starts to feel unique and contemporary.
If you are looking for something totally new to the fantasy genre, I can’t recommend this book. However, if you are looking for a classical fantasy done well, with a fast pace, memorable characters and an engaging plotline, I can highly recommend this book.
In conclusion, Of Blood and Fire is an impressive debut, with terrific characters, great world-building and an engaging plot. My primary “criticism” is the clear inspiration from classical fantasy, which will put some readers off. However, the second half of the book feels unique, and if you enjoy classical fantasy, you will love this book. I am already invested in this world and am anxiously waiting for the sequel.
4/5 stars
Thanks to Ryan Cahill for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2022
As one of our loyal viewers said, 'Eragon for adults.' This great homage to classic fantasy felt like coming home.
July 27, 2022
“That’s where prophecies belong, Calen. In stories and fairy tales. Prophecies and fate are words that are used by kings and queens to send young men and women to their death with smiles on their faces, dreaming of becoming heroes. Fate is fluid. Your destiny is in your own hands – nobody else’s.”
This action packed epic high fantasy is full of things you may expect… honorable knights, fair maidens, magic, elves, dwarves, legendary quests, dragon lore, and the battle between good and evil. Besides being an incredible story, what stands out is the depth & emotional intelligence of these characters. The camaraderie, honor, and respect they show each other, and the strangers (or friends) they meet along the way are so memorable & refreshing! Reading the first page of the prequel, The Fall, I knew this series was different. Cahill’s talent for world building & writing action scenes completely transports you to the realm of Epheria. A few of my favorite elements would have to be Calen’s dynamic with his family & friends (and Faenir), the importance of honor to these characters (especially the elves), the frequent & epic battle scenes, and of course DRAGONS. If you enjoy classic or epic fantasy, I only have one question… Why haven’t you already read this book? I definitely have a new favorite and can hardly wait to start the 2nd installment of this series!
Update: Still one of my favorite books ever! The audiobook was amazing. I caught a few tiny details, I missed the first time on this reread. But mostly I enjoyed some of my favorite characters of all time and a return to Epheria. I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. Not exactly sure what this says about me, but this has to be one of my comfort series. Although constantly having my heart ripped out and holding back tears, this entire series feels like a giant Epic Fantasy hug.
This action packed epic high fantasy is full of things you may expect… honorable knights, fair maidens, magic, elves, dwarves, legendary quests, dragon lore, and the battle between good and evil. Besides being an incredible story, what stands out is the depth & emotional intelligence of these characters. The camaraderie, honor, and respect they show each other, and the strangers (or friends) they meet along the way are so memorable & refreshing! Reading the first page of the prequel, The Fall, I knew this series was different. Cahill’s talent for world building & writing action scenes completely transports you to the realm of Epheria. A few of my favorite elements would have to be Calen’s dynamic with his family & friends (and Faenir), the importance of honor to these characters (especially the elves), the frequent & epic battle scenes, and of course DRAGONS. If you enjoy classic or epic fantasy, I only have one question… Why haven’t you already read this book? I definitely have a new favorite and can hardly wait to start the 2nd installment of this series!
Update: Still one of my favorite books ever! The audiobook was amazing. I caught a few tiny details, I missed the first time on this reread. But mostly I enjoyed some of my favorite characters of all time and a return to Epheria. I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. Not exactly sure what this says about me, but this has to be one of my comfort series. Although constantly having my heart ripped out and holding back tears, this entire series feels like a giant Epic Fantasy hug.
August 24, 2022
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I was a judge of last year’s SPFBO competition and I expected this book to be one of the finalist’s from all the rave reviews I had seen back then but to my surprise (and many other reviewers) it wasn’t. It won the 2021 stabby award for best self-published book though which is awesome. Even before reading this one, Cahill was really becoming an inspiration for me because he decided to pursue writing as a full job and it paid off and I am even more impressed after finishing the book. (He’s a white chocolate fan too so that’s always a bonus)
I did not know what order to start the series with but after talking to the author I decided to go with the publishing order and I think it worked perfectly well for me. At its heart the story is classic fantasy as good as it can be. There are all the usual elements with warriors, dragons, elves, dwarves and even wolves.
The story gave me vibes of many stories that I have read/ watched before such as The wheel of time (specially the beginning) and GOT (The Dragons and eggs) and LOTR and I have seen that many readers felt the same as I did and for the most part it was not really a problem because the story stands by itself and Cahill has his own writing style so it just felt like inspiration and never like plagiarism. I have seen a few people calling it Eragon for adults but I never read/ watched that series so I don’t know.
The writing just flows perfectly well and although it’s a 541 pages book I finished it in three days and I wanted more. It is not something that I usually mention but since it is a self published book I think it is worth mentioning that it had a high quality of production. There are also a few illustrations in the book (Done by the author’s brother) that made it even better.
What’s great about the story is that it holds your attention from the start. It has been a while since a story got me so invested and following the map and I did this effortlessly thanks to the author. I really cared about the characters and I loved the pacing of the story and I wholeheartedly believe it will become better in the next books (Already confirmed by everyone who read them).
Summary: Cahill is one of the newest yet most promising authors of the genre. I loved everything about this book from the outside and the production quality to the inside including the story line, characters and prose. I will be reading the rest of the series for sure.
“We must never dim our light so that others may shine.”
I was a judge of last year’s SPFBO competition and I expected this book to be one of the finalist’s from all the rave reviews I had seen back then but to my surprise (and many other reviewers) it wasn’t. It won the 2021 stabby award for best self-published book though which is awesome. Even before reading this one, Cahill was really becoming an inspiration for me because he decided to pursue writing as a full job and it paid off and I am even more impressed after finishing the book. (He’s a white chocolate fan too so that’s always a bonus)
I did not know what order to start the series with but after talking to the author I decided to go with the publishing order and I think it worked perfectly well for me. At its heart the story is classic fantasy as good as it can be. There are all the usual elements with warriors, dragons, elves, dwarves and even wolves.
The story gave me vibes of many stories that I have read/ watched before such as The wheel of time (specially the beginning) and GOT (The Dragons and eggs) and LOTR and I have seen that many readers felt the same as I did and for the most part it was not really a problem because the story stands by itself and Cahill has his own writing style so it just felt like inspiration and never like plagiarism. I have seen a few people calling it Eragon for adults but I never read/ watched that series so I don’t know.
The writing just flows perfectly well and although it’s a 541 pages book I finished it in three days and I wanted more. It is not something that I usually mention but since it is a self published book I think it is worth mentioning that it had a high quality of production. There are also a few illustrations in the book (Done by the author’s brother) that made it even better.
What’s great about the story is that it holds your attention from the start. It has been a while since a story got me so invested and following the map and I did this effortlessly thanks to the author. I really cared about the characters and I loved the pacing of the story and I wholeheartedly believe it will become better in the next books (Already confirmed by everyone who read them).
Summary: Cahill is one of the newest yet most promising authors of the genre. I loved everything about this book from the outside and the production quality to the inside including the story line, characters and prose. I will be reading the rest of the series for sure.
August 22, 2021
Of Blood and Fire is classic fantasy to the core. Elves. Dwarves. Giants. Dragons. Backwater boys becoming part of a bigger plan. It feels both completely familiar yet wonderfully unique, with expansive world building laying the foundation of it all. It is a truly stunning debut that hits all of the right notes of nostalgia to create a beautiful melody.
Where I think this book really shines is in the representation of Calen, our young farm boy chosen one, and his growth to be what the world needs him to be. In a growing fantasy scene filled with grim dark characters and unrelatable heroes, I loved Calen from the beginning to the end. He wins, and he fails. He laughs, and he cries. He runs, and he fights. I found myself rooting for him above all else.
All in all, highly recommend if you're not tired of farm boy chosen one tropes or Tolkien-esque world building. There is so much to love in this book. And the series is set up well to be a triumph.
Where I think this book really shines is in the representation of Calen, our young farm boy chosen one, and his growth to be what the world needs him to be. In a growing fantasy scene filled with grim dark characters and unrelatable heroes, I loved Calen from the beginning to the end. He wins, and he fails. He laughs, and he cries. He runs, and he fights. I found myself rooting for him above all else.
All in all, highly recommend if you're not tired of farm boy chosen one tropes or Tolkien-esque world building. There is so much to love in this book. And the series is set up well to be a triumph.
November 14, 2023
Check out my Booktube channel at: The Obsessive Bookseller
If classic fantasy is your main jam, you’re primed to like this a little more than I did.
My experience with this was rough. I started the book with a lot of enthusiasm, finding it easy to get into the flow of the story. It was fairly typical classic fantasy with overly drawn-out beginning chapters reminiscent of WoT. I kept waiting for it to sweep me away on that rolling hype train… but it never quite got there. Add to that several blatant deus ex machinas early on (which effectively removed all the high stakes from the story), and I found my enthusiasm waning. It eventually became a struggle to finish.
Great care was taken early on to highlight people and things that had no bearing on the rest of the book. Meanwhile, the important stuff (a mf DRAGON) was often brushed over so quickly that I kept having to backtrack to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. Several scenes were vague and felt more like afterthoughts than fleshed-out scenes. I had more of a moment with the description of a townswoman early on than I did with the (mf) DRAGON. I look to the storyteller to show me what to focus on, but here it seemed as though many things were included for the sake of being there rather than because they added value.
While the pacing of the story had a nice flow, I finished the book feeling like I didn’t get enough substance out of book to justify the page count. There weren’t a lot of plot points and the ones that were there didn’t stick with me much.
Overall I wish I’d liked it more.
Recommendations: Pick this up for a classic fantasy kick and the promise that the series gets better with each book. I’m not sure I’m going to make it that far, but those who have seem to love it. Incidentally, once I finished writing my review I scanned through a handful of people I follow on GR and all the ones I saw loved the book more than me. All of them. Alrighty – take my review with a grain of salt. :)
Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Tonya, Betsy, Eliss, and Mike! <3
Other books you might like:
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
If classic fantasy is your main jam, you’re primed to like this a little more than I did.
My experience with this was rough. I started the book with a lot of enthusiasm, finding it easy to get into the flow of the story. It was fairly typical classic fantasy with overly drawn-out beginning chapters reminiscent of WoT. I kept waiting for it to sweep me away on that rolling hype train… but it never quite got there. Add to that several blatant deus ex machinas early on (which effectively removed all the high stakes from the story), and I found my enthusiasm waning. It eventually became a struggle to finish.
Great care was taken early on to highlight people and things that had no bearing on the rest of the book. Meanwhile, the important stuff (a mf DRAGON) was often brushed over so quickly that I kept having to backtrack to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. Several scenes were vague and felt more like afterthoughts than fleshed-out scenes. I had more of a moment with the description of a townswoman early on than I did with the (mf) DRAGON. I look to the storyteller to show me what to focus on, but here it seemed as though many things were included for the sake of being there rather than because they added value.
While the pacing of the story had a nice flow, I finished the book feeling like I didn’t get enough substance out of book to justify the page count. There weren’t a lot of plot points and the ones that were there didn’t stick with me much.
Overall I wish I’d liked it more.
Recommendations: Pick this up for a classic fantasy kick and the promise that the series gets better with each book. I’m not sure I’m going to make it that far, but those who have seem to love it. Incidentally, once I finished writing my review I scanned through a handful of people I follow on GR and all the ones I saw loved the book more than me. All of them. Alrighty – take my review with a grain of salt. :)
Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Tonya, Betsy, Eliss, and Mike! <3
Other books you might like:
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
June 25, 2021
Rating: 8.75/10
May The Mother embrace you, and The Father protect you.
May The Warrior guide your hand, and The Maiden guide your mind.
May The Smith keep your blade sharp, and The Sailor see you to safe shores.
Of Blood and Fire is a sheer triumph of a debut. Cahill takes the classic fantasy tropes we all grew up with and spins them with his own flare, creating a breath-taking story with memorable characters, expansive world-building, and of course, DRAGONS. His is a name to watch out for in the years to come.
We will start off with a fairly normal spiel. I had seen this title scouring its way across the interwebs for quite a while, and it had been garnering some pretty heavy praise from people I put full faith in when it comes to books. So, like any book lover/collector out there, I ordered a hardcover (GORGEOUS btw), and jumped into the story like a kid on Christmas morning.
Like I stated in my blurb, Cahill uses the tropes typical of classic fantasy: coming of age, chosen one, the powerful artifact, etc. The great news is that, if you are like me and don’t read classic fantasy like it is going out of style, tropes like these never lose their edge. To be honest, tropes can be a ton of fun if done correctly and not verbatim of past works.
Calen is an easy character to root for, especially after the trials he is put through throughout the first half of the story. He is fairly reserved, quite reluctant, but has a charm about him that makes him readily likeable and shown as a true hero. There is a smattering of secondary characters that Cahill introduces and, while some are merely window dressing, a majority that are given a larger on-screen appearance continue to crop up throughout the story and along Calen’s ever-expanding journey.
The magic system itself is interesting, though not mind-blowing, but the world-building is where Cahill really shines. You feel every hoofbeat, smell every pine needle, and taste every piece of rabbit eaten along the path which helps to fully immerse you into the story. It helps that prose is sharp and concise, which can be rare for debut authors in fantasy. The best thing about that is, even though the book is over 500 pages long, it never feels like a slog. The pages whip by as Cahill introduces suspense, emotion, surprises, etc. It is a quick-paced read that you can nail down in a smattering of days.
If you enjoy classic fantasy like Tolkien or Jordan, or maybe more recent authors like Gwynne, Of Blood and Fire is a must-have on your shelf. Highly recommended.
May The Mother embrace you, and The Father protect you.
May The Warrior guide your hand, and The Maiden guide your mind.
May The Smith keep your blade sharp, and The Sailor see you to safe shores.
Of Blood and Fire is a sheer triumph of a debut. Cahill takes the classic fantasy tropes we all grew up with and spins them with his own flare, creating a breath-taking story with memorable characters, expansive world-building, and of course, DRAGONS. His is a name to watch out for in the years to come.
We will start off with a fairly normal spiel. I had seen this title scouring its way across the interwebs for quite a while, and it had been garnering some pretty heavy praise from people I put full faith in when it comes to books. So, like any book lover/collector out there, I ordered a hardcover (GORGEOUS btw), and jumped into the story like a kid on Christmas morning.
Like I stated in my blurb, Cahill uses the tropes typical of classic fantasy: coming of age, chosen one, the powerful artifact, etc. The great news is that, if you are like me and don’t read classic fantasy like it is going out of style, tropes like these never lose their edge. To be honest, tropes can be a ton of fun if done correctly and not verbatim of past works.
Calen is an easy character to root for, especially after the trials he is put through throughout the first half of the story. He is fairly reserved, quite reluctant, but has a charm about him that makes him readily likeable and shown as a true hero. There is a smattering of secondary characters that Cahill introduces and, while some are merely window dressing, a majority that are given a larger on-screen appearance continue to crop up throughout the story and along Calen’s ever-expanding journey.
The magic system itself is interesting, though not mind-blowing, but the world-building is where Cahill really shines. You feel every hoofbeat, smell every pine needle, and taste every piece of rabbit eaten along the path which helps to fully immerse you into the story. It helps that prose is sharp and concise, which can be rare for debut authors in fantasy. The best thing about that is, even though the book is over 500 pages long, it never feels like a slog. The pages whip by as Cahill introduces suspense, emotion, surprises, etc. It is a quick-paced read that you can nail down in a smattering of days.
If you enjoy classic fantasy like Tolkien or Jordan, or maybe more recent authors like Gwynne, Of Blood and Fire is a must-have on your shelf. Highly recommended.
July 23, 2022
DNF 78%
Of Blood and Fire tells the story of a kingdom divided by an ongoing war, where magical creatures are slowly disappearing while new dangers surface. In an isolated town away from trouble, Calen and his two best friends are preparing themselves for The Proving, a test that will make them men if they manage to survive. But soon, they will discover that something more deadly than wolves and bears is waiting for them in the forest…
Ryan Cahill masterfully balances the beginning by giving the perfect amount of information, characters and action, which is something very rare to find. He manages to tell what’s going on -which is not little-, without paragraphs of info-dump, while introducing you to the characters, who are never sitting still. The writing is direct and concise, which may be a problem for someone who prefers beautiful storytelling. Even for someone like me, who prefers simple ones, it feels rather rigid sometimes and it took me a bit to get used to.
You are our family. Maybe not by blood, but water becomes just as thick as blood if you go through enough shit together.
The action didn’t take long to start. There was a scene at 18% where I was shaking with fear of what was going to happen with the characters, following scenes that started as scary and kept increasing until becoming terrifying. My heart was there with them, racing as the danger moved before my eyes, unable to stop to rest because I needed them to get away alive.
What went downhill? Two big problems around 50-60%
1) The characters. Don’t get me wrong, I liked them, but the more I read, the more I felt they didn’t have a lot of depth. Not only could you predict some of their movements/dialogues, some actions also felt a bit out of character. Until something happened, when they had to prove something you'd been told since the beginning, and they completely failed the test. It was like seeing tiny cracks on their surface that make you suspicious and, suddenly, a hole is unveiled. It was obvious they were doing exactly what the author needed to move the plot as he wanted to, instead of doing what they would have done, which it’s something I despise.
2) The dragons -yes, there are dragons!!- reminded me too much of Eragon. Although if you are someone who hasn’t read Eragon or don’t mind that the dragon part of the equation was rather similar, I don’t think you’ll have a problem with this one.
Overall, I can see why so many people loved this -damn, I loved this until 50%-, but I’m very picky when it comes to characters. Even a black hole in the plot doesn’t bother me as much as characters being puppets of the authors. I just couldn’t see anything behind the anger and frustration, couldn’t care about the characters anymore and for that, I decided I might as well say goodbye to the adventure.
Rating: 2.5/5
Of Blood and Fire tells the story of a kingdom divided by an ongoing war, where magical creatures are slowly disappearing while new dangers surface. In an isolated town away from trouble, Calen and his two best friends are preparing themselves for The Proving, a test that will make them men if they manage to survive. But soon, they will discover that something more deadly than wolves and bears is waiting for them in the forest…
Ryan Cahill masterfully balances the beginning by giving the perfect amount of information, characters and action, which is something very rare to find. He manages to tell what’s going on -which is not little-, without paragraphs of info-dump, while introducing you to the characters, who are never sitting still. The writing is direct and concise, which may be a problem for someone who prefers beautiful storytelling. Even for someone like me, who prefers simple ones, it feels rather rigid sometimes and it took me a bit to get used to.
You are our family. Maybe not by blood, but water becomes just as thick as blood if you go through enough shit together.
The action didn’t take long to start. There was a scene at 18% where I was shaking with fear of what was going to happen with the characters, following scenes that started as scary and kept increasing until becoming terrifying. My heart was there with them, racing as the danger moved before my eyes, unable to stop to rest because I needed them to get away alive.
What went downhill? Two big problems around 50-60%
1) The characters. Don’t get me wrong, I liked them, but the more I read, the more I felt they didn’t have a lot of depth. Not only could you predict some of their movements/dialogues, some actions also felt a bit out of character. Until something happened, when they had to prove something you'd been told since the beginning, and they completely failed the test. It was like seeing tiny cracks on their surface that make you suspicious and, suddenly, a hole is unveiled. It was obvious they were doing exactly what the author needed to move the plot as he wanted to, instead of doing what they would have done, which it’s something I despise.
2) The dragons -yes, there are dragons!!- reminded me too much of Eragon. Although if you are someone who hasn’t read Eragon or don’t mind that the dragon part of the equation was rather similar, I don’t think you’ll have a problem with this one.
Overall, I can see why so many people loved this -damn, I loved this until 50%-, but I’m very picky when it comes to characters. Even a black hole in the plot doesn’t bother me as much as characters being puppets of the authors. I just couldn’t see anything behind the anger and frustration, couldn’t care about the characters anymore and for that, I decided I might as well say goodbye to the adventure.
Rating: 2.5/5
November 18, 2021
Of Blood and Fire is the self-published fantasy debut from Ryan Cahill, and you can find my full video review here: https://youtu.be/1kFjCAa8r6Q
This book has a very classic fantasy feel with our unsuspecting young heroes getting swept up into a rebellion against the evil empire. There have been no new Dragonbound in the 400 years since The Fall, and indeed no new dragons born in that time either.
A new Dragonbound, outside the control of the empire would give a spark of hope and bring people out to join the rebellion, and ultimately, that’s the premise of the book although it’s buried under a couple of layers so it’s not immediately obvious.
The magic of the world is explored both in more detail and in less detail than in the prequel novella The Fall. We see less of the creatively destructive power here, but more of the little things, gaining a better idea of how it works and what the limitations are.
We see this story predominantly through the eyes of Calen Bryer and although there are occasionally other perspectives thrown in as well, these are usually only brief and often used to close out a chapter. The characters are all well done, with the early focus on Calen and his friends Dann and Rist.
Overall, Of Blood and Fire is a really enjoyable read. It’s a really good example of a modern author taking classic fantasy themes and bringing them up to date for today’s reader. Cahill does this by refreshing the ideas and bringing them to life with a more modern writing style than what you would get from those classic fantasy stories.
So here we have dragons, elves, dwarves and giants, great mages and swordsmen. None of these feel forced or out of place, everything fits into this world and there’s a really good balance of those fantasy elements combined the quality of the story and the writing.
This book has a very classic fantasy feel with our unsuspecting young heroes getting swept up into a rebellion against the evil empire. There have been no new Dragonbound in the 400 years since The Fall, and indeed no new dragons born in that time either.
A new Dragonbound, outside the control of the empire would give a spark of hope and bring people out to join the rebellion, and ultimately, that’s the premise of the book although it’s buried under a couple of layers so it’s not immediately obvious.
The magic of the world is explored both in more detail and in less detail than in the prequel novella The Fall. We see less of the creatively destructive power here, but more of the little things, gaining a better idea of how it works and what the limitations are.
We see this story predominantly through the eyes of Calen Bryer and although there are occasionally other perspectives thrown in as well, these are usually only brief and often used to close out a chapter. The characters are all well done, with the early focus on Calen and his friends Dann and Rist.
Overall, Of Blood and Fire is a really enjoyable read. It’s a really good example of a modern author taking classic fantasy themes and bringing them up to date for today’s reader. Cahill does this by refreshing the ideas and bringing them to life with a more modern writing style than what you would get from those classic fantasy stories.
So here we have dragons, elves, dwarves and giants, great mages and swordsmen. None of these feel forced or out of place, everything fits into this world and there’s a really good balance of those fantasy elements combined the quality of the story and the writing.
January 25, 2022
This was a difficult one for me to rate.
I enjoyed the beginning of this work. It was easy to read and held a lot of promise, especially with the events surrounding The Proving and some mysteries that came into play. But after the first 20% or so, the work just didn't do it for me. It was full of classic fantasy tropes with nothing new added, no fresh takes, no interesting perspectives (e.g., antagonistic and deadly Empire soldiers, because it's an Empire; or kats that are just big cats but spelled with a "k" because fantasy!). While I don't always mind this, I do mind it when the other aspects of the book can't hold it up. It also felt like many of the events just happened - there wasn't a good explanation for why, it was just one action scene after another in the last half of the book without any real connection or cause and effect between them.
The author did not do a great job at making the setting immersive. I felt that the descriptions of places were bland and didn't add to the wonder of the fantasy world. And while the friendship between the three main characters was relatable and felt real, a lot of the dialogue felt stilted and boring. I felt that there was a complete disconnect between me and the characters of the work; when something inevitably tragic happens to the protagonist's village and family, I wasn't sad about it at all.
I've read a lot of good fantasy works that I've been unable to put down. Unfortunately, this wasn't one of them.
I enjoyed the beginning of this work. It was easy to read and held a lot of promise, especially with the events surrounding The Proving and some mysteries that came into play. But after the first 20% or so, the work just didn't do it for me. It was full of classic fantasy tropes with nothing new added, no fresh takes, no interesting perspectives (e.g., antagonistic and deadly Empire soldiers, because it's an Empire; or kats that are just big cats but spelled with a "k" because fantasy!). While I don't always mind this, I do mind it when the other aspects of the book can't hold it up. It also felt like many of the events just happened - there wasn't a good explanation for why, it was just one action scene after another in the last half of the book without any real connection or cause and effect between them.
The author did not do a great job at making the setting immersive. I felt that the descriptions of places were bland and didn't add to the wonder of the fantasy world. And while the friendship between the three main characters was relatable and felt real, a lot of the dialogue felt stilted and boring. I felt that there was a complete disconnect between me and the characters of the work; when something inevitably tragic happens to the protagonist's village and family, I wasn't sad about it at all.
I've read a lot of good fantasy works that I've been unable to put down. Unfortunately, this wasn't one of them.
June 7, 2023
This book has a very classic fantasy feel, the magic is great, the wold is fantastic and the dragons.... I love it
May 11, 2024
An enjoyable traditional fantasy book for fans of John Gwynne. Good characters, interesting magic system and some cool lore and backstory for this fantasy world. Has a feel good vibe concerning bonds and friendships but there’s complications and drama between the cast too. Books with animals and/or dragon companions are normally a win for me so this ticked some of those boxes. Only 3-stars as nothing here was too original (lots of familiar tropes), and, as a debut release, there was some roughness around the edges. All in all, though, an exciting and intriguing novel which presents lots of potential for the rest of the series which I look forward to continuing. It features some good skirmishes, training montages, sad moments, action-packed segments, sections with clever and witty dialogue, and a fulfilling ending.
April 8, 2024
"To not let the fear in the hearts of others stop you from being who you were destined to be. We must never dim our light so that others may shine."
My review of Ryan Cahill's "Of Blood and Fire" has been simmering, waiting for words that haven't already been spoken. Yes, it's a classic fantasy at its heart, but Cahill breathes fresh fire into the genre, bridging the gap between the classic and the modern. Don't be intimidated by the page count – it’s pacing will have you devouring it, page after page, craving more with each turn. You'll be at the end before you know it, wondering where we go from here.
On the cusp of manhood, Calen and his two best friends, Dann and Rist, embark on a rite of passage known as The Proving. Driven by the age-old desires of male bravado and a dash of youthful flirtation, they're set to outdo each other and, perhaps, capture the hearts of the local ladies.
Fate, however, deals their confidence a harsh blow. The Proving, far from being a smooth transition, throws them into a series of events that will force them to grow up fast. The ripples of its chaos will forever alter not only their own destinies but also the lives of those they hold dear.
The narrative isn't just confined to just the boy's perspective. We get glimpses into the world through several other eyes, Calen’s sister Ella and his beloved wolfpine companion, Faenir. The usual fantasy suspects make an appearance, from mighty dwarves and towering giants to graceful elves and, yes, even fire-breathing dragons (as the cover undoubtedly hinted!). But the world holds a deeper magic, a system called the Spark. While some are blessed with the natural ability to wield it, not everyone recognizes its true potential, creating fascinating tensions and conflicts throughout the story.
While I usually gravitate towards stories driven by compelling characters, Cahill surprised me with a world as captivating as the individuals residing in it. The first half might be considered a slow burn by some, but I found it crucial in laying the groundwork for the explosive second half.
"To Calen, a sword was a sword. Even sparring with Gaeleron, he saw little difference. But watching Ellisar, he understood. There was an elegance to the way he moved. If death could be beautiful, this was as close as it could come."
Once the story reaches its tipping point, the action explodes with breathtaking momentum. Cahill crafts scenes that send your pulse racing and leave you clinging to the edge of your seat. Each page turn becomes a desperate plea for "just one more," and even as your eyes beg for rest, your mind screams to push on, driven by the insatiable need to witness the next heart-stopping twist.
The beauty and brutality of Cahill's writing lies in the precarious tightrope walk he creates. No character is guaranteed a sunrise, raising the stakes every page and fueling both my excitement and apprehension for the series' journey ahead.
Ultimately, this book is ideal for classic fantasy fans who relish stories featuring both the "chosen one" trope and thrilling dragon riders.
My review of Ryan Cahill's "Of Blood and Fire" has been simmering, waiting for words that haven't already been spoken. Yes, it's a classic fantasy at its heart, but Cahill breathes fresh fire into the genre, bridging the gap between the classic and the modern. Don't be intimidated by the page count – it’s pacing will have you devouring it, page after page, craving more with each turn. You'll be at the end before you know it, wondering where we go from here.
On the cusp of manhood, Calen and his two best friends, Dann and Rist, embark on a rite of passage known as The Proving. Driven by the age-old desires of male bravado and a dash of youthful flirtation, they're set to outdo each other and, perhaps, capture the hearts of the local ladies.
Fate, however, deals their confidence a harsh blow. The Proving, far from being a smooth transition, throws them into a series of events that will force them to grow up fast. The ripples of its chaos will forever alter not only their own destinies but also the lives of those they hold dear.
The narrative isn't just confined to just the boy's perspective. We get glimpses into the world through several other eyes, Calen’s sister Ella and his beloved wolfpine companion, Faenir. The usual fantasy suspects make an appearance, from mighty dwarves and towering giants to graceful elves and, yes, even fire-breathing dragons (as the cover undoubtedly hinted!). But the world holds a deeper magic, a system called the Spark. While some are blessed with the natural ability to wield it, not everyone recognizes its true potential, creating fascinating tensions and conflicts throughout the story.
While I usually gravitate towards stories driven by compelling characters, Cahill surprised me with a world as captivating as the individuals residing in it. The first half might be considered a slow burn by some, but I found it crucial in laying the groundwork for the explosive second half.
"To Calen, a sword was a sword. Even sparring with Gaeleron, he saw little difference. But watching Ellisar, he understood. There was an elegance to the way he moved. If death could be beautiful, this was as close as it could come."
Once the story reaches its tipping point, the action explodes with breathtaking momentum. Cahill crafts scenes that send your pulse racing and leave you clinging to the edge of your seat. Each page turn becomes a desperate plea for "just one more," and even as your eyes beg for rest, your mind screams to push on, driven by the insatiable need to witness the next heart-stopping twist.
The beauty and brutality of Cahill's writing lies in the precarious tightrope walk he creates. No character is guaranteed a sunrise, raising the stakes every page and fueling both my excitement and apprehension for the series' journey ahead.
Ultimately, this book is ideal for classic fantasy fans who relish stories featuring both the "chosen one" trope and thrilling dragon riders.
January 16, 2023
It’s been a busy year for me – and I’ve read less books this year than planned. Of Blood and Fire has been high on my TBR list, but it took until December for me to read it. It’s chunky! It’s epic!! And I felt I needed a block of time to get through it.
This, however, turned out not to be required – I literally flew through this book. At over 540 pages, it is a page turner. Not something I usually say about epic fantasy, but in the case of Of Blood and Fire, it’s true.
What makes it so readable?
I really think it’s the successful mix of likeable characters, likeable fantasy tropes, whilst also telling its own story. It’s got a nostalgic feel, yet the prose is modern and the writing pulls you along. This book will certainly appeal to fans of Wheel of Time and Tolkien – whilst also calling to fantasy readers who like dragons and dragon riders.
And so – honestly – you want something epic and fun – give this a go.
I’d also add that Ryan Cahill is carefully building his world. While the start may feel reminiscent of other famous fantasy series, it deviates and builds as the story progresses. For those who want to read more about this world, there is also a fantasy novella called The Fall that is a prequel to Of Blood and Fire – and which can be read before or after the first novel.
I’ve also read The Fall, and I can really see the world that Ryan has created and where the story might take us! An epic 5 books await, with book 3 (Of War and Ruin) being released in January 2023.
So that’s my review – this was hugely enjoyable and I will be continuing with the sequel Of Darkness and Light in the new year!
For more reviews go to my website at www.shaunalawless.com
This, however, turned out not to be required – I literally flew through this book. At over 540 pages, it is a page turner. Not something I usually say about epic fantasy, but in the case of Of Blood and Fire, it’s true.
What makes it so readable?
I really think it’s the successful mix of likeable characters, likeable fantasy tropes, whilst also telling its own story. It’s got a nostalgic feel, yet the prose is modern and the writing pulls you along. This book will certainly appeal to fans of Wheel of Time and Tolkien – whilst also calling to fantasy readers who like dragons and dragon riders.
And so – honestly – you want something epic and fun – give this a go.
I’d also add that Ryan Cahill is carefully building his world. While the start may feel reminiscent of other famous fantasy series, it deviates and builds as the story progresses. For those who want to read more about this world, there is also a fantasy novella called The Fall that is a prequel to Of Blood and Fire – and which can be read before or after the first novel.
I’ve also read The Fall, and I can really see the world that Ryan has created and where the story might take us! An epic 5 books await, with book 3 (Of War and Ruin) being released in January 2023.
So that’s my review – this was hugely enjoyable and I will be continuing with the sequel Of Darkness and Light in the new year!
For more reviews go to my website at www.shaunalawless.com
March 20, 2021
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via lovebooks tours and the author as part of the book tour. All thoughts are my own.
Of Blood and Fire is the first book in an amazing new fantasy series - The BOUND AND the Broken.
Although this book is over 500 pages long I flew through it with a racing heart and couldn't turn each page fast enough.
Ryan Cahill is definitely an author to watch out for and I am hungrily and inpatients waiting for the next installment in this breathtaking series.
If you love Sarah J Maas or Tolken you will love this series!
Magic, dragons, warriors, protectors, Kings, Queens, magical beings and friendship - what more could a fantasy fan ask for!!
I don't want to write much about the actual story as I do not want to ruin it for anyone but the journey woven for the main character Calen and his best friends Dann and Rist is full of surprises, intrigue and twists and turns from beginning to end. I feel as though this book is a taster of things to come and am expecting amazing happenings in the next book in the series. This book has paved the patch for a spectacular series everyone should read.
Of Blood and Fire is the first book in an amazing new fantasy series - The BOUND AND the Broken.
Although this book is over 500 pages long I flew through it with a racing heart and couldn't turn each page fast enough.
Ryan Cahill is definitely an author to watch out for and I am hungrily and inpatients waiting for the next installment in this breathtaking series.
If you love Sarah J Maas or Tolken you will love this series!
Magic, dragons, warriors, protectors, Kings, Queens, magical beings and friendship - what more could a fantasy fan ask for!!
I don't want to write much about the actual story as I do not want to ruin it for anyone but the journey woven for the main character Calen and his best friends Dann and Rist is full of surprises, intrigue and twists and turns from beginning to end. I feel as though this book is a taster of things to come and am expecting amazing happenings in the next book in the series. This book has paved the patch for a spectacular series everyone should read.
July 25, 2023
This is my second time reading this book and I had a much better experience the second time around.
I’m at intrigued to see how the series evolves in of darkness and light!
I’m at intrigued to see how the series evolves in of darkness and light!
January 11, 2023
3.5*
"Of Blood and Fire" is the beginning of a promising adventure.
Said adventure starts as we encounter our three main protagonists, namely Calen, Dann, and Rist. These three young men must prove themselves capable of surviving in the wilderness by passing a test called The Proving. They enter an ethereal forest as boys and come out of it as men… and also very much disturbed by what they experienced in there.
Even though the story has a slow-paced beginning, it quickens as it moves forward. First, the reader gets to know the protagonists and what their daily life looks like, only to realize later how far they have been changed by the events they went through. While reading, the sequence of epic scenes caught my attention to a point where I was urged to continue. Now that I have time to think about it more clearly, I begin to think that the second half of the book may have benefitted from a slower pace. Although I enjoyed the epic sequences, I cannot dismiss this (somehow good) feeling of frustration. I wanted to learn more about everything!
The worldbuilding is certainly compelling and adds a modern twist to tropes from classic fantasy. My curiosity however would have loved a bit more context in between action scenes. In my opinion, the events unfolded one after another without satisfying links between causes and effects. It would have been interesting to dwell a bit more on the different agendas from the various races, and on what is really at stake for them. I will shortly read the prequel The Fall, hoping that it will fulfill some of these blanks.
What stuck with me the most is the characterization and the dynamic that Ryan Cahill created, not only between the main protagonists but also between primary and secondary characters. Calen, Dann, and Rist demonstrated a strong and heartwarming friendship, which reminded me of Rand, Mat, and Perrin in the Wheel of Time. I was pleased to see the characters driving the narrative forward as they were thrown into this unexpected journey. They knew their actions would have consequences even though they sometimes experience strong emotions leading to unintended repercussions. I feel like they will each evolve significantly by the end of their journey, and I cannot wait to witness it.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this read from the beginning to the end and I will read anything by this author whose potential is undeniable. Ryan Cahill’s works provide excellent escapism and that’s everything I’m asking for. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a breathtaking adventure.
Book #2 "Of Darkness and Light" is on its way and will be read very soon.
(English is not my native language, but it was easy enough to read. I would recommend giving it a try, even if you think that your level is too low.)
"Of Blood and Fire" is the beginning of a promising adventure.
Said adventure starts as we encounter our three main protagonists, namely Calen, Dann, and Rist. These three young men must prove themselves capable of surviving in the wilderness by passing a test called The Proving. They enter an ethereal forest as boys and come out of it as men… and also very much disturbed by what they experienced in there.
Even though the story has a slow-paced beginning, it quickens as it moves forward. First, the reader gets to know the protagonists and what their daily life looks like, only to realize later how far they have been changed by the events they went through. While reading, the sequence of epic scenes caught my attention to a point where I was urged to continue. Now that I have time to think about it more clearly, I begin to think that the second half of the book may have benefitted from a slower pace. Although I enjoyed the epic sequences, I cannot dismiss this (somehow good) feeling of frustration. I wanted to learn more about everything!
The worldbuilding is certainly compelling and adds a modern twist to tropes from classic fantasy. My curiosity however would have loved a bit more context in between action scenes. In my opinion, the events unfolded one after another without satisfying links between causes and effects. It would have been interesting to dwell a bit more on the different agendas from the various races, and on what is really at stake for them. I will shortly read the prequel The Fall, hoping that it will fulfill some of these blanks.
What stuck with me the most is the characterization and the dynamic that Ryan Cahill created, not only between the main protagonists but also between primary and secondary characters. Calen, Dann, and Rist demonstrated a strong and heartwarming friendship, which reminded me of Rand, Mat, and Perrin in the Wheel of Time. I was pleased to see the characters driving the narrative forward as they were thrown into this unexpected journey. They knew their actions would have consequences even though they sometimes experience strong emotions leading to unintended repercussions. I feel like they will each evolve significantly by the end of their journey, and I cannot wait to witness it.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this read from the beginning to the end and I will read anything by this author whose potential is undeniable. Ryan Cahill’s works provide excellent escapism and that’s everything I’m asking for. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking a breathtaking adventure.
Book #2 "Of Darkness and Light" is on its way and will be read very soon.
(English is not my native language, but it was easy enough to read. I would recommend giving it a try, even if you think that your level is too low.)
July 12, 2022
4.5/5
More methodical and expansive, yet just as epic a storytelling vibe as The Fall. This first volume in the ‘proper’ series takes its time to establish its core characters and environment which is a bit of a detriment. I did wish it moved a bit faster to pick up its main story arc. But once the pieces started to move into place, the pacing sharpened and it was a brilliant thrill ride through the end.
This is a tale with classic elements of fantasy: dragons, prophecy, elves, dwarves, kings, and boys from a remote village thrust into the hero’s role. Cahill writes it well, with plenty of fresh takes and stirring dialogue that creates many memorable moments. Battle scenes, of which there are many, are another strong point of Cahill’s. Buzzing magic, frightening creatures, flying blood, and majestic scenery are generously doled throughout the story. The entertainment factor was set to high and a lever was jammed in to keep it there.
I finished the book at 1am, bought book two and read it until 2am. I can’t think of a much better way to recommend this series than that. If you like classic, action-packed epic fantasy with clean prose, stirring speeches, sweeping action and far-reaching consequences, you’ll be easily caught up in Ryan Cahill’s work.
More methodical and expansive, yet just as epic a storytelling vibe as The Fall. This first volume in the ‘proper’ series takes its time to establish its core characters and environment which is a bit of a detriment. I did wish it moved a bit faster to pick up its main story arc. But once the pieces started to move into place, the pacing sharpened and it was a brilliant thrill ride through the end.
This is a tale with classic elements of fantasy: dragons, prophecy, elves, dwarves, kings, and boys from a remote village thrust into the hero’s role. Cahill writes it well, with plenty of fresh takes and stirring dialogue that creates many memorable moments. Battle scenes, of which there are many, are another strong point of Cahill’s. Buzzing magic, frightening creatures, flying blood, and majestic scenery are generously doled throughout the story. The entertainment factor was set to high and a lever was jammed in to keep it there.
I finished the book at 1am, bought book two and read it until 2am. I can’t think of a much better way to recommend this series than that. If you like classic, action-packed epic fantasy with clean prose, stirring speeches, sweeping action and far-reaching consequences, you’ll be easily caught up in Ryan Cahill’s work.
May 17, 2023
wowowow!! 😌 i have been following ryan cahill for a long time and i am so happy i started this series after hearing nothing but amazing things about it. OF BLOOD AND FIRE is book 1 in a self-published epic fantasy series that is perfect for fans of john gwynne (YES I SAID IT)
OF BLOOD AND FIRE reminds me of why i love coming-of-age stories so much. from the worldbuilding, to the action, the found family, it has everything you could want in a fantasy series. PLUS A DRAGON 🐉 i have no doubt that each book will get better and better!! i would die for valerys 🥹 brb going to read the fall
OF BLOOD AND FIRE reminds me of why i love coming-of-age stories so much. from the worldbuilding, to the action, the found family, it has everything you could want in a fantasy series. PLUS A DRAGON 🐉 i have no doubt that each book will get better and better!! i would die for valerys 🥹 brb going to read the fall
November 15, 2023
I enjoyed this a whole lot, even though it reminded me heavily of Lord of the Rings and Eragon, I think a little more of the latter.. But the writing flows seamlessly, the story and the characters are interesting, so on to the next books in the series!
December 8, 2021
This book is just fantastic.
It was great to come back to this world and see more of it in a this full length novel. I read and absolutely loved The Fall.
In Of Blood and Fire we see more of the world and at the very beginning we follow a few characters we met in The Fall.
Then we met Dalen, who is next to past his trial, known as the Passing, to become a man. He and his best friends Dann and Rist are like brothers, their relationship is so pure and comforting, that it just makes heart melts.
After the passing the group meets new people and is thrown into a world they didn't know existed.
This book is very reminiscent of classic fantasy especially in the atmosphere. Each scene is meticulously made to make you're feel you're there. I felt that I was there with the boys when they walked around the Glade or when they were in the forest. It was amazing.
The world building is absolutely brilliant, everything was clear and so beautifully crafted. The world so big, I would love to see more of it. The attention of detail in each scene paid off, making each scene very immersive and cinematic.
The details in the animal companions, I loved them so much! They felt very much real and the descriptions were great to feel them and their bond with the human around them.
I love the fact that we see different races and in each one we glimpse of their culture, their beliefs.
The characters are fantastic each one we get introduce, we see a whole person, not a two dimentional character, no matter how brief their time on the page is. I love pretty much all the characters, even the bad ones with the exception of Fritz. Calen, Dann, Rists are the best example of a good relationship between peers. Farda, I feel, can be really funny some times, especially when a Fade is involve. Ella is one example of a good, strong but not too much, female character that decides what it's best for herself even though it hurts.
The plot is very intricate and I feel even now that it's huge implications, and that we only got a glimpse of the overarching plot,
The magic system is expanded so much from what we saw in The Fall and more details are revealed. I feel that this system is one that is going to get more complex as we go into the series.
As the series continues is going to be great to see how it all plays out. I'm pretty much looking forward to see it.
This book got me so emotional that there were more than one point that tears were shed.
I cannot believe this book is a debut I did not guess the mayor betrayed at the last chapters. Enjoy so much getting to know Calen and Ella and a little bit of the other characters throughout their POV chapters.
Can't wait to read Of Darkness and Light.
It was great to come back to this world and see more of it in a this full length novel. I read and absolutely loved The Fall.
In Of Blood and Fire we see more of the world and at the very beginning we follow a few characters we met in The Fall.
Then we met Dalen, who is next to past his trial, known as the Passing, to become a man. He and his best friends Dann and Rist are like brothers, their relationship is so pure and comforting, that it just makes heart melts.
After the passing the group meets new people and is thrown into a world they didn't know existed.
This book is very reminiscent of classic fantasy especially in the atmosphere. Each scene is meticulously made to make you're feel you're there. I felt that I was there with the boys when they walked around the Glade or when they were in the forest. It was amazing.
The world building is absolutely brilliant, everything was clear and so beautifully crafted. The world so big, I would love to see more of it. The attention of detail in each scene paid off, making each scene very immersive and cinematic.
The details in the animal companions, I loved them so much! They felt very much real and the descriptions were great to feel them and their bond with the human around them.
I love the fact that we see different races and in each one we glimpse of their culture, their beliefs.
The characters are fantastic each one we get introduce, we see a whole person, not a two dimentional character, no matter how brief their time on the page is. I love pretty much all the characters, even the bad ones with the exception of Fritz. Calen, Dann, Rists are the best example of a good relationship between peers. Farda, I feel, can be really funny some times, especially when a Fade is involve. Ella is one example of a good, strong but not too much, female character that decides what it's best for herself even though it hurts.
The plot is very intricate and I feel even now that it's huge implications, and that we only got a glimpse of the overarching plot,
The magic system is expanded so much from what we saw in The Fall and more details are revealed. I feel that this system is one that is going to get more complex as we go into the series.
As the series continues is going to be great to see how it all plays out. I'm pretty much looking forward to see it.
This book got me so emotional that there were more than one point that tears were shed.
I cannot believe this book is a debut I did not guess the mayor betrayed at the last chapters. Enjoy so much getting to know Calen and Ella and a little bit of the other characters throughout their POV chapters.
Can't wait to read Of Darkness and Light.
January 24, 2022
I really enjoyed this. It reads a bit like Fantasy's Greatest Hits as Cahill grabs all the tropes and spins them around in his blender until he's made them all fresh again. What's really impressive is how easily he does this and how much fun he makes it all. He just might be the 21st Century's own Tolkien or Robert Jordan.
November 15, 2022
That was a fun adventure! This really is classic fantasy - there are so many parallels to Wheel of Time, Eragon, and Lord of the Rings (among plenty of others), written in a very accessible way with a handful of characters driving the story. It allows the book to be familiar and comforting, if that makes sense?
The primary characters, Calen, Dan, and Rist, are typical teenage boys - looking to impress one another, and girls they like, and ultimately be a useful member of their small village. Setting Calen apart is the fact he (or his family) have a wolfpine called Faenir, who usually keeps most of the bullies and undesirables away.
Dann is the more bold/happy-go-lucky/makes silly decisions, whereas Rist is a bit more grounded and sensible. I definitely liked Rist the most, and am incredibly curious where his storyline goes because it felt very different to the others.
Of course, not everything goes well. After their coming-of-age event, called The Proving, the trio encounters an enemy not seen in these lands for quite some time. More than just seeing it, they manage to kill one, and this sets off events that will change them.
The world is home to traditional fantasy races - mages, elves, dwarves, and giants - as well as all the battles, histories, and culture clashes between them. Magic, known as the spark, features for some lucky few - though is not not always looked upon favourably.
From around the 65% mark onwards it feels like the story takes a sharp left turn and things really get interesting. Storylines open up, new places are discovered, and events occur which really ramp up the action and stakes both. There is, it’s really no spoiler to say, a dragon, which of course is something I particularly loved!
This paves the way for another aspect of the magic/worldbuilding - the Dragonbound. This is the name given the the bond between someone and their dragon, and something that has not seen "wild" in over 400 years. Of course this means there is plenty of excitement to come!
It’s clear there is a deep magic system in this world, one we have only really scratched the surface of. There’s a fair amount hinted and teased at to keep the mystery up, while not leaving everything too vague or incomprehensible.
Calen learns as he journeys, and we the reader learn along with him.
The audiobook was narrated by Derek Perkins, who I absolutely love (he was brilliant when he narrated the Yarnsworld books by Benedict Patrick), and he made listening to this an absolute breeze.
Overall a quick and fun read and looking forward to seeing how things progress in the sequel :D
The primary characters, Calen, Dan, and Rist, are typical teenage boys - looking to impress one another, and girls they like, and ultimately be a useful member of their small village. Setting Calen apart is the fact he (or his family) have a wolfpine called Faenir, who usually keeps most of the bullies and undesirables away.
Dann is the more bold/happy-go-lucky/makes silly decisions, whereas Rist is a bit more grounded and sensible. I definitely liked Rist the most, and am incredibly curious where his storyline goes because it felt very different to the others.
Of course, not everything goes well. After their coming-of-age event, called The Proving, the trio encounters an enemy not seen in these lands for quite some time. More than just seeing it, they manage to kill one, and this sets off events that will change them.
The world is home to traditional fantasy races - mages, elves, dwarves, and giants - as well as all the battles, histories, and culture clashes between them. Magic, known as the spark, features for some lucky few - though is not not always looked upon favourably.
From around the 65% mark onwards it feels like the story takes a sharp left turn and things really get interesting. Storylines open up, new places are discovered, and events occur which really ramp up the action and stakes both. There is, it’s really no spoiler to say, a dragon, which of course is something I particularly loved!
This paves the way for another aspect of the magic/worldbuilding - the Dragonbound. This is the name given the the bond between someone and their dragon, and something that has not seen "wild" in over 400 years. Of course this means there is plenty of excitement to come!
It’s clear there is a deep magic system in this world, one we have only really scratched the surface of. There’s a fair amount hinted and teased at to keep the mystery up, while not leaving everything too vague or incomprehensible.
Calen learns as he journeys, and we the reader learn along with him.
The audiobook was narrated by Derek Perkins, who I absolutely love (he was brilliant when he narrated the Yarnsworld books by Benedict Patrick), and he made listening to this an absolute breeze.
Overall a quick and fun read and looking forward to seeing how things progress in the sequel :D
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May 23, 2023I can totally see why this book is making such a storm in the market. It revels in the classic tropes. All the fantasy races you know and love, young farm boy is the chosen one and gets thrust into an adventure, dragons and dark lords. Because of the way it hits all the tropes, it immediately feels comfortable, almost like you've read it before, but also new.
March 14, 2023
This was a very good start to an epic dragon rider fantasy series I have heard many good things about for the last few years. I really liked all of the lore around the dragons and their relationship with dragon riders in this one so hopefully I can get even more of that in the next few books. I saw that the prequel novella was free on Ryan Cahills website so that's pretty nice of him, I will definitely be reading more books from this series and already have Of Darkness and Light on standby if I really enjoy the prequel.
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