Of War and Ruin

The Bound and the Broken #3

by Ryan Cahill

Solian ata'yar. Dauv ata'yar. Nur temen vie'ryn valana.

Live as one. Die as one. For those we've lost.

The city of Kingspass burns, and Calen Bryer's world has been shaken to its core. With Valerys at his side, Calen must battle his demons and push forward. There are people who need him, people who need what he must become, and he will not let them stand alone.

In Loria, Ella struggles to understand the ancient power that flows through her veins. The world is changing around her and she is changing with it. Her journey has only just begun.

Thousands of miles away, beneath the mountains of Lodhar, assassins move in the dark as the kingdoms of the Dwarven Freehold ready themselves for war. Not everything is as it seems. Dahlen Virandr and Belina Louna have no choice but to unravel the mysteries of the mountain before everything crumbles around them.
Meanwhile, in Al'Nasla, Rist Havel learns the true cost of becoming an Imperial Battlemage. He will question every truth he has ever been told. He has never been a fighter, never been the one people look to, but he will fight for those he loves no matter what it takes.

With the Uraks ravaging the towns and villages of the North, Alina and Dayne Ateres prepare their people for war. They have been beneath a Lorian boot for too long. Valtara will be free. The wyvern of House Ateres will fly again, by blade and by blood.
As the continent of Epheria descends into war and chaos, Kallinvar struggles to come to terms with an immense loss. Despite the hole in his heart, he has no choice but to stand and fight. The Shadow is coming, and the Knights of Achyron are the only ones powerful enough to hold back the tide.

Unbeknownst to all, another force is rising - a force long thought tamed.

The balance of power is about to shift, and Epheria will never be the same.

​​​​​​​The Blood Moon is rising.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Fiction, Audiobook, Adult

1483 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2023

About the author

Get 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.

Reviews

[Petrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Of War and Ruin is Cahill's golden ticket to the pantheon of the fantasy greats. This mid-season finale to The Bound and the Broken is 430,000 words of glorious epic fantasy.

“Where I come from, there is nothing more important than your honour. But honour is not determined by the perception of others. It is in how you see your own deeds. Treat him the way you believe he should be treated.”

Yes, at 1481 pages (Kindle page count) and 430,000 words, Ryan Cahill has created one of the biggest fantasy novels I've read. For perspective, this is slightly bigger than A Storm of Swords or A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin, and it is also larger than The Way of Kings or Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson. And does the book earn its page count? Yes, it does. Sure, there were a few sections that, in my opinion, could be trimmed down to tighten the pacing further. But on the grander scheme of things, this is not a big deal at all. I mentioned the same thing with Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson, and I still consider that book a masterpiece despite it. And Of War and Ruin is a phenomenal epic fantasy. No doubt about it. It gets crazier and more awesome when you consider Cahill wrote, edited, and published this massive novel in one year. Of Darkness and Light was published in 31st of December 2021, and then the novella The Exile was published in 21st of May 2022. This book, Of War and Ruin, was recently published on the 19th of January this year. That's two big novels and one novella published in one year. It's an insanely fast output that somehow resulted in a truly amazing novel. This review will be my spoiler-free thoughts on Of War and Ruin and the series so far.

“This world chews us up and spits us out. It doesn’t care if we live or die. It doesn’t care who we love or who we hate. It is filled with misery, death, and loss. It cares little for us. But that is precisely why we must care with all our hearts, fight for the ones we love, and stand for what we believe in. Because in a world where nothing matters, what matters to us means everything. If we forget about the ones we love, everything loses meaning.”

Of War and Ruin is the third out of five books in The Bound and the Broken series by Ryan Cahill. Similar to how Of Darkness and Light seamlessly continue from where Of Blood and Fire ended, the story in Of War and Ruin continue after what happened at the end of the previous book. There are not enough words in a single review to fully explain how much Cahill has improved again in his writing craft since his previous book. Of Darkness and Light was already a huge improvement over Of Blood and Fire. But it is still tame compared to how much Of War and Ruin improved the series. As the title says, war and destruction are ravaging the entire Epheria. And in terms of scope, world-building, writing, and characterizations, Of War and Ruin is undoubtedly Cahill’s best storytelling in the series to date. You know that feeling when you read an epic fantasy series, and you’re amazed at how the author tracked every piece of his series while providing momentous revelations to the hints planted since the beginning of the series? That, exactly, is what happened in Of War and Ruin. Main POV characters were spread out to different locations in Epheria, progressing each respective story, conflict, and development tied to one another. Expect satisfying convergences with this book, and you will get what you want.

“The only thing within our control is what we choose to do with the short time we have– the things we fight for, the people we love, the things we hold dear.”

I never expected The Bound and the Broken series would reach this grand proportion, not this soon. Of Blood and Fire started simple, tame, and comfortably. It was a smorgasbord of classic fantasy series mashed into one. In this book, for comparison, Cahill has blown the entirety of The Echoes Saga by Philip C. Quaintrell, another dragon rider epic fantasy series I recently enjoyed and finished, out of the water. Whether we're talking about quality or scope. We have reached a state in the series where none of the novellas are skippable. For example, the prequel novella of the series: The Fall. A novella like The Fall, in many other series, would exist to serve only as a comprehensive account of what happened in the lore of the main books. And for a while, it was truly the case in The Bound and the Broken. Until Of War and Ruin entered the equation where the notion is no longer applicable. The event in The Fall played a major part in the world-building and history of the series, and in Of War and Ruin, it is even more evident just how integral it is to the narrative. The shadow of the past is the echo of things to come.

‘The past is the tapestry from which we learn the steps we should not take,’ Verathin had said. ‘Study it, learn from it, know it. Then and only then can we hope to avoid repeating the mistakes of those who came before us. Ignore it and doom yourself to being the story the next generation learns from.’

Then there is also the second novella, The Exile, where we learn more about the House Ateres, Dayne, Belina, and several other things I cannot mention here due to spoilers. Belina did not even become a memorable character, to me anyway, until I read The Exile. No kidding. My brain could not register her permanently back then. Things changed after reading The Exile. I mentioned how much I loved Dayne as a character plenty of times. He appeared for the first time in Of Darkness and Light, and since then, he instantly became my favorite character in the series, even more so after I finished reading The Exile. And now extensively more after reading Of War and Ruin. This is impressive because Dayne, comparatively, does not have as many POV chapters as Calen and a few other main characters. But bloody damn... what an empathizing and badass character he is. I cannot get enough of reading badass and virtuous reluctant heroes. Dayne's actions and attitudes were inspiring to me. The iconic leadership and actions he unleashed in this book were utterly outstanding. There was one scene in Of War and Ruin where Dayne made me raise my fist to the air. It was too good, legendary, and rewarding. Those who've read Of War and Ruin will know which scene I'm talking about.

“Have you seen the way he looks at his hands when he thinks nobody is watching? Like they’re covered in blood. Dying for someone is easy. Killing for someone is far harder. And Dayne would do both for you without a thought.”

Picture: The Wyvern Riders of Valtara by Joel Chaim Holtzman



But I am getting ahead of myself here. I will share my thoughts about the characters soon. My point is this, offering additional depths to many other characters aside, these novellas helped flesh out the web of intrigues and complexities Cahill has planned for the series. And, of course, it goes without saying you HAVE TO READ the previous two main novels in the series first before this novel. Some of you might think this is obvious, but... people. Cahill is an author that keeps getting better with each book, and Of War and Ruin is a novel delivering emotional pay-offs. Without reading the previous books first, you won’t reap that reward. The novel starts slowly. The first quarter of the novel exists for readers to reacquaint back with the story and emotions of the main characters firmly first. And I appreciate this. After that, everything gradually rises and reaches a devastating crimson and fiery crescendo. As stated, Of War and Ruin is the mid-season finale of The Bound and the Broken series. It offers many explosive pay-offs for all the seeds, whether you spotted them or not, planted since Of Blood and Fire. ALL the previous novels and novellas are crucial foundations for Of War and Ruin. At the same time, the revelations revealed in this novel closed and provided fascinating questions to be answered in the remaining two books. Cahill demonstrates his continuously increasing skill as a storyteller and world-builder in Of War and Ruin, and the intricacies and interconnected factions, plotlines, and character relationships I read here are often emulated only by the finest epic fantasy authors.

“...mastering a craft does not require a series of steps that must be completed in a particular order. It requires perseverance and determination in the face of failure. The fear of failure is a concept that you humans have adopted more than any species on the mortal plane. I have seen it through generations. Often, with humankind, it is the fear of failure that prevents advancement, more so than failure itself. You spent hours carving your thoughts.

For the first time in the series, I feel like Of War and Ruin is THE book where I finally felt engrossed in every POV character. This wasn’t the case in Of Blood and Fire and Of Darkness and Light. Not on my first read. Don't get me wrong here. I loved Of Darkness and Light, but it was crystal clear I loved reading Calen and Dayne’s POV the most in that book. Well, I guess I can still say the same for Dayne here. But I equally enjoy reading ALL the other POV characters now. I wish I could get into the details of why each POV character was so superbly written. But hey, this review is long enough already. I do not think it is a good idea for me to dive into ALL the well-developed characters in the series here. There are just so many important characters in the series now. Calen, Dann, Rist, Ella, Dayne, Alina, Eltoar, Farda, Kallinvar, Dahlen, Aeson, Therin, and more, just to mention a few. And they all captured my attention and immersion in Of War and Ruin. Reading these flawed characters trying to survive and fight for their loved ones was compelling. Honestly, I cannot think of an epic fantasy book where the characters cried or shed a tear as much as the characters here. Loyalty, betrayal, friendship, vengeance, responsibilities, family, love, faith, and devotion are some of the main themes of the book and series.

“Kallinvar had always believed you could learn the most important things about a person’s character by studying those around them. And in those short moments, Kallinvar had learned several things, but chief among them being the Draleid inspired fierce loyalty. The kind of loyalty that could never be bought or earned through fear.”

Picture: The Path to Strength by Randy Vargas.



One of my favorite things about Cahill's multiple POV chapters is the way he handled perspectives from both protagonists and supposed antagonists. I don't know why this (comparatively) hasn't been done as frequently as I hoped. It should almost be a staple in epic fantasy with multiple POV characters to write the POV of the villain, too. Some of the best fantasy authors like Brandon Sanderson, George R. R. Martin, Joe Abercrombie, John Gwynne, Michael J. Sullivan, Fonda Lee, Ken Liu, Steven Erikson, and more have done this with their series resulting in incredible, tension-packed, and heart-wrenching character dynamics. Cahill showcased how great he was at this with Farda in Of Darkness and Light. And he elevated it to a greater extent in Of War and Ruin with Eltoar and other characters from opposing sides. This is not a grimdark fantasy series, but I loved feeling conflicted about the antagonists in this book and series. At times, it almost felt like these were just characters standing on opposite groups manipulated and forced by dire circumstances instead of them firmly branded as enemies. Sure, there was unforgivable evil like Rendall, but the rest? There were layers to their actions and motivations. However, knowing about this doesn't mean I agree with the villains and what they did. This is to emphasize how intertwined the complexities of the relationships are now. Protagonists like Aeson can be hateable, god I hate Aeson, he is one of the most selfish and manipulative "protagonists" I’ve read. And antagonists like Farda can be likable. Even if you want to forgive each other, how do you even contemplate mercy when vile actions have been accomplished in the past, no matter the reasons. How do you break the chains of hatred? This is virtually asked throughout the series.

“When armies go to war. Hundreds die. Thousands. Tens of thousands. Blood spilled only to feed the soil–bodies returned to earth. Those who are victorious return home, hailed as heroes, champions of their people. But to those whose loved ones were slaughtered, they are murderers–despicable people who should be cast into the void. It’s not so black and white, is it, this world we live in?”

Before I end this review, it is safe to say that Of War and Ruin is the darkest, most violent, and most heart-pounding installment of the series so far. There were some heartbreaking and bloody scenes in the novel. Civilians and innocents were tortured mercilessly, and atrocious deeds were selfishly executed in the name of honor, religion, love, and justice. The all-consuming madness of The Burnt Lands was terrifying, and the inevitable confrontations of elemental and draconic disasters were magnificently implemented. Dragonbound by fire, broken by death. The stakes of The Bound and the Broken series increased vastly in Of War and Ruin. It is hard for me to imagine epic fantasy readers not liking The Bound and the Broken, especially if they reached Of War and Ruin. On top of empathizing characters plus immersive and intricate world-building, there was a myriad of elements that would click with many readers. If you want the feeling of being inside a shield wall (introduced in Of War and Ruin), you will get it here. If you love dragon riders, animal companions, and the heartfelt relationship between humans and them, you will also get it here. How about honorable immortal magical knights with soul blades that could cleave their victim's soul? Or powerful portrayals of elemental magic and druid? If you want to read an epic classic fantasy series written in a modern voice with vivid battle scenes and all of these elements attached, The Bound and the Broken is for you.

"In Aeson’s experience, there were two things that caused people to follow: fear or devotion. Fealty could be won through fear in a heartbeat. Fear was powerful, and it led people towards truly atrocious acts in the name of self-preservation. But it was fleeting– as soon as something came along that inspired greater fear, everything changed. Devotion, on the other hand, was hard earned, through actions and deeds. Whereas adversity often eroded fear, it only strengthened devotion. Fear could win battles and wars, it could sweep armies aside. But devotion was what held nations together."

Classic epic fantasy helped shape The Bound and the Broken, and in return, Of War and Ruin has established Cahill into becoming one of the fantasy authors responsible for fanning the embers of classic epic fantasy in the future. More than 2,000 words have been spoken on this review, and I feel like I have only scratched the surface of this tome. This is the first 5 out of 5 stars rating I gave to a main novel in the series. The Bound and the Broken is a fantasy series imbued with classic fantasy elements, heart and intensity, laugh-out-loud (thanks, Dann) moments, well-written characters, engaging battle scenes, and meticulous world-building. I cheered, I laughed, and I gritted my teeth. I was thoroughly hooked by the narrative Cahill crafted in Of War and Ruin. We are halfway through the series now, and I am genuinely excited to read the remaining books. Definitely more than before. If you haven't read this series yet, and you are a reader who loved the things I mentioned, do not hesitate. Do not contemplate. Knowing Cahill's admirable dedication to constantly improving his writing craft, I am confident the rest of the series will fulfill our expectations and epic fantasy craving. I absolutely loved this book on my first read, and my instinct says I will love it even more on my reread. Read The Bound and the Broken. In the meantime, I will wait with bated breath for the release of the penultimate volume of the series: Of Empires and Dust.

“Rist always found there was something bittersweet about finishing a book. The sense of achievement and joy was often tarnished by the realisation that he could never read it the same way again. He could, of course, start from page one and read through to the end, but it wouldn’t be the same. His preconceptions and notions were irrevocably altered by the first read. It was simply the way of things.”

You can order this book from: Amazon UK | Amazon US

The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC. Subject to change

You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel

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[Arundeepak J · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

Of War and Ruin by Ryan Cahill is an amalgamation of everything I LOVE about Epic Fantasy

First of all, a huge thanks to the author for the e-Arc and it goes without saying that this review is my unbiased opinion.

PLOT

After the events of ODAL, Calen and his friends are on their way to rescue Rist, Dayne and Alina start their war against Empire for free Valtara, Ella comes to terms about herself and what her next step is, Dahlen finds himself in the midst of a war in Durakdur, Rist starts training in earnest to become a Battlemage and as the Blood Moon rises, Calen and his friends and allies ready themselves to face the biggest threat of Epheria.

WHAT WORKED FOR ME IN THIS BOOK

Prose/Pacing: First of all, this book is a thicccc boy. I mean its 1300+ pages but not once I felt this book is dragging or it has unnecessary chapters. Prose are refined and Pacing is excellent, never a dull moment. Even after 1300+ pages, I was left wanting more (So Ryan, Book 4 ASAP).
Also, the author’s quality in writing has rose tremendously high in such a short span of time. Conversation between characters, their inner conflicts, Humor, Confrontation and intertwining of different storylines… It was just PERFECT.

Battle/Action Sequences: Of War and Ruin shines like a blinding star in War/Battle sequences. There are MANY battle sequences in this book but it never felt repetitive or unnecessary. The stakes just kept getting higher and higher. Battles scenes in OWAR are visceral, bloody, chaotic, and emotional and gut wrenching. It had my unwavering attention; I couldn’t take a break till the end of the battle scenes.

Characters: Another advantage of this book’s size is pages to flesh out the characters. From Calen to Alina everyone had pages to shine. Every decision a character makes is true to their nature. I mean Calen still make stupid decision now and then but that’s who he is. Heart before rational decision. That’s why people follow him. Even Fane, who is not just the evil villain he truly believe in his cause and willing to go any length to achieve it.

Another thing I absolutely adore in this book is that little moments that happens in between the war. Every time Calen and his friends reminisce about The Glade or reunion of friends, I was smiling like an idiot. It was heartwarming and provided a breather before plunging into another pulsing action.

WHAT DIDN’T WORK FOR ME IN THIS BOOK

Of War and Ruin is one of those books where I couldn’t find anything to complain about.
Some people might feel the beginning of the book is bit slow but I’m pretty sure it was intentional and it didn’t bother me that much.

FINAL WORD

Of War and Ruin actually did feel like the Mid-season finale of The Bound and the Broken series. It Provided answers for questions raised in the previous books, gave a satisfying conclusion to some storylines and more importantly sets up for the next explosive entries. Simply put, Of War and Ruin is a Triumph.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We must care with all our hearts, fight for the ones we love, and stand for what we believe in. Because in a world where nothing matters, what matters to us means everything. If we forget about the ones we love, everything loses meaning."

This has been my most anticipated read for about a year now, since I finished ODAL, and The Exile. I knew it was going be amazing… but it delivered everything, and SO much more. Of War and Ruin pours honor, hope, and courage, from every page.

“Show them who you are.” “Actions, not words.”

Cahill expands the world of Epheria, with even more dragons, battles, new characters, and some of my favorite new places. I adored the focus on the Elven customs and society. This is a rich and stunning example of Elven lore, that I’d enjoy a book or novella dedicated to just the Elven history, or even Therin’s story.

“It is a word of the Old Tongue. It means to be bound not by words but by honour and a singular purpose. An understanding of what is right. Vandasera. Oathsworn.”

These characters have come such a long way, throughout The Bound and the Broken series. Even though it’s been heartbreaking at times, experiencing the bonds, discoveries, and loss, has honed each character into what they are still becoming. A few characters completely blew my mind, and actually changed my opinions of them… most for the better. Ryan Cahill’s talent as a writer, even made my heart ache for the dark or “evil” characters. You can’t help but feel connected to them all, and recognize that “black and white do not exist. We live in a world of ever-shifting grey.” The contrast of morality, religion, reason, and doing what you know is right, is so powerful in this book. And I’m excited to see how these choices pan out.

“Take away their choice and you take away who they are.”

Honestly my favorite parts were the reunions (*tears up just thinking about them*), the incredible battle scenes (more tears), the ridiculous humor, chapter 72, and all of the plot twists! I can’t think of another author that triggers such a visceral reaction from me. While reading this soul shattering book, I cried more times than I could possibly count. We’re talking happy tears, devastatingly sad tears, laughing too hard tears, and every emotion in between. (Side note: If you don’t tear up during at least chapters 39 and 60, we probably can’t be friends.)

“The path you are on will bring death beyond your wildest dreams. I say this not to steer you from it, but to steel you for it.”

Emotions aside… this was the largest, thickest, chunkiest book (nearly 1,500 pages), I’ve ever read. With that being said, I wasn’t ready for it to end. It could’ve been 2,000 pages and I still would’ve wanted more. So it should go without saying, I am a fan for life. This is more than likely the best book I’ll read in 2023, and I couldn’t be happier about that.

Thank you Ryan Cahill, I am so grateful to be honored with an ARC copy of this incredible book! Well done, I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.

"The only thing within our control is what we choose to do with the short time we have - the things we fight for, the people we love, the things we hold dear."

[Library of a Viking · Rating 4 out of 5]

I FINALLY FINISHED THIS MASSIVE BOOK AND IT WAS WORTH IT

It took me around a month to finish this tome, but the time and effort was worth it. The fact that this book was written in the span of 9 months is mind-blowing.

This will not be a long review, but I will state this. If you’ve enjoyed Cahill’s previous books, you will enjoy this one. This book has arguably Cahill’s strongest writing to date. Of War and Ruin has everything a fan of classic fantasy will want in a single book. This book has everything: riveting character moments, huge battles, high stakes, dragons, magic, intricate world-building, and fast pacing!

However, I will have to mention that I had to take a small break from this book around the 60% mark due to the length of this novel. That was a great decision because when I returned to this book ten days later, I felt excited to return to this world and the characters I have come to love. However, I do feel that this book was a bit too long for its own good. I appreciate Cahill wanting to give readers a satisfying conclusion to the third book in this series (and yes, the ending is brilliant). Still, at times it just felt like this book would never end, which did affect my overall enjoyment.

That being said, this book has cemented Ryan Cahill as one of my all-time favourite authors. If you enjoy classical fantasy with a modern voice, then The Bound and the Broken is a must-read. I absolutely can’t wait to read the next instalment!

4 / 5 stars

Thank you to Ryan Cahill for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Maddie Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 5⭐️
Plot: 5⭐️
Themes: 5⭐️
Emotional Impact: 5⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 5⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 5⭐️

This is peak reading for me! The characters in this series are each on an arc I truly care about, so I love jumping around to different POVS. Cahill gets better and better at pacing and tension. In this 1400 page book, I constantly felt hooked and then hooked again. I know he won't pull a punch when it comes to killing off characters or dropping a surprise battle in the middle of a chill sequence. Yet again, I couldn't turn pages fast enough. I'm desperate for the characters to find one another, and so eager to see the meta-plot unfold. This is a story I could see going so many different ways which is exciting!

Technically, the characters, setting, and plot, are all satisfying and rich. There's enough here to really sink my teeth into. It's not complex for complexity's sake, but there's enough going on to show off Cahill's improvement in the craft. Thematically, Cahill is flexing here, and it's going well. He's showing range in moral ambiguity, diverse and intimate motivations, personality strife, and internal complexes that impact the action in ways that feel real but also unpredictable. Not all action feels contrived to move the plot. There's character work woven throughout. There are times when the internal monologues still get a little repetitive and self-loathe-y, but overall I really dig it.

Ultimately, I need the characters to find synthesis of purpose that aligns with their personal values and beliefs. We are getting there, and the ride is just so fantastic. They can't only fight to survive. They can't fight for revenge or retribution. They can't even fight for their god. All the characters are discovering a shared purpose of guarding and protecting what is sacred—family, by blood and by choice. And it's that kind of a simple but potent theme, when it sticks the landing, that's so damn good. It cuts through all the philosophical noise and packs that emotional punch I look for in an epic.

I cannot wait for book 4!

[Zoranne · Rating 5 out of 5]

hands down, my favorite book i’ve read this year!! i’d rate jt six stars if i could!!!

[Gyan K · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars🌟🌟🌟💫!
Ryan Cahill’s “Of War and Ruin,” Book 3 in The Bound and the Broken series, is an ambitious epic fantasy that both dazzles and frustrates. While the book offers a sprawling narrative and intricate world-building, it is not without its flaws.

Confusion from Multiple Characters and Places:
One of the most challenging aspects of “Of War and Ruin” and the series in general is the sheer number of characters and locations, many of which have similar-sounding names. It took me a while to get Aeson and Asius straight especially when their storylines intersect and diverge frequently. But keeping track of Ilnaen, ilynir,Illyanara, Alina, Elenya, Lyina, Ilvohn, Iloen, Ilkya, Elyara, Alea, Aela, Ella, Elia, and Ildris! And Lyrei, Lirithain, Lyrin, Larion, Loria, Lynalion! This was not only a daunting task but it also detracted from story immersion, made it difficult to remember who is where and why, repeatedly requiring that I look at the glossary, spoiling the enjoyment of the story.

Predictability and Lack of Plot Twists:
While Cahill’s world is rich and detailed, the plot of “Of War and Ruin” often feels predictable. The narrative follows familiar fantasy tropes, such as the “chosen one” and the “ancient evil,” without offering many surprises. Key plot points can be seen coming from a mile away, and the lack of unexpected twists makes the story feel somewhat formulaic. By the third book I was expecting and indeed craving the thrill of the unexpected and found myself disappointed.

Repetition Fatigue and extreme length:
Another issue with “Of War and Ruin” is the repetition of certain themes and events. Battles and conflicts are frequent, and while they are well-written, they can become monotonous over the course of the book’s extensive length. The characters’ internal struggles and motivations are revisited multiple times, which can lead to a sense of fatigue. This repetition can make the book feel longer than it is and did test my patience by the end.

Conclusion:
Despite these criticisms, “Of War and Ruin” is a testament to Ryan Cahill’s dedication to his craft. The book’s strengths lie in its detailed world-building and the depth of its characters. However, the confusion from similar names, predictability, and repetition fatigue are significant drawbacks. Epic fantasy enthusiasts who enjoy immersive worlds and classic tropes may find much to appreciate, but those looking for a fresh and unpredictable narrative might want to temper their expectations.

[Esmay Rosalyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the way back in January 2022, Of Darkness and Light became my first 5-star read of the year and I had been (im)patiently awaiting the release of book 3 ever since. And now, an entire year of anticipation and excitement later, I am happy to share that another The Bound and the Broken instalment has taken the title of being my first 5-star read of the year, because Of War and Ruin was straight-up fire from beginning to end!! Cahill didn’t just meet my (extremely high) expectations, but blew them completely out of the water. This is how you write a banger of a sequel, what a masterpiece!

Now, I can hear you thinking: “Did this book really need to be THAT chunky?”
Well yes, in my humble opinion, it absolutely does. The fact that I read this 1450+ page tome in 5 days should tell you enough about how incredibly engaging this book was to me. There is not a single dull moment here and every single scene, character and interaction ends up having a larger purpose, often in ways you could never have seen coming. The scope of this story and world has expanded to truly epic proportions, so it’s only natural that the word/page count of these books is progressing along with it. This book more than earned its length and I am just in awe of the way Cahill is weaving all these threads together. The pacing is simply top-notch, which is really damn impressive with a book of this size. Pulse-pounding action scenes and tense, cut-throat political machinations are balanced with heartfelt moments of introspection or hysterical moments of snarky banter. Cahill is just becoming better and better with each new release and I am so grateful to be along on this epic journey.

The characters in this series have just absolutely captured my heart and can live in my mind rent-free from now until the day I die. I honestly feel like I am spending time with life-long friends when I read these books, because I have come to know these characters so intimately and they feel so real to me by now. There was never a single moment I wanted to get back to another POV, because all of these characters’ individual journeys are so compelling and the development of the relationships in this story is just on another level. Friendship, (found) family and loyalty are a big focus in this series, but I loved seeing those strong bonds be tested beyond belief while our crew goes through some of the most trying times of their lives.
And that is probably why these books are so engaging to me; Cahill has managed to make me care more than I ever thought I would or could. I almost feel stupid for having become so emotionally invested in these characters’ lives, because we all know that that is a very risky thing to do when reading a series with such high stakes. Actions have serious consequences here and I loved seeing our characters having to deal with the repercussions of their choices, because that just raised the stakes to unbelievable heights. Also, the traumatic events that they have experienced since the start of this series are really starting to leave their scars, which allowed for some really authentic and deep exploration of mental health here. Get ready for emotional turmoil!!

And talking about emotional turmoil, I really appreciated the wide range of perspectives we get in this book. Cahill really plays with our emotions in this book by letting us read from the perspective of ‘the bad guys’... though are they really? This truly isn’t a story of good versus evil, because the story and the characters are so much more complex than that. Sometimes the most lovable characters give into their darker tendencies, while some of the most hateable characters turn out to have true redeeming qualities. And while some characters go down paths you would never have expected, it always feels believable and earned, because they are SO well-developed and simply just flawed and messy human beings.

The progression of the plot and the expansion of the world building are also incredibly enthralling and exciting. I honestly feel so sorry for those readers who gave up on this series after book 1, saying that it was too similar to Eragon or something… your loss my friends, you are missing out on something truly epic here.
I loved exploring all the exciting new places, cultures and races that our characters encounter and I just gobbled up all the new bits of history and lore that we learn about in this instalment. This book is full of jaw-dropping revelations and thrilling twists and turns, which makes for such an engaging and compelling reading experience.

So, safe to say that I absolutely adored this book, because I honestly don’t have a single critique. Of War and Ruinwas everything I was hoping it would be, and then so much more.
Now, while I go cry in a corner trying to deal with my major book hangover, you can jump on the hype train for this series and start reading asap!! This series is perfect if you like epic fantasy with complex and endearing characters, rich world building and lore, epic action/battle scenes, high stakes, heartwarming found family vibes, loveable animal companions, shocking revelations, lots of emotional turmoil, and, of course, DRAGONS. Can I get book 4 already?!

[Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantasy epic so immersive and entertaining that it transcends the few flaws that it has. The story here has great character moments both funny and emotional, huge sweeping battles, dangerous questing, incredible animal companions, amazing Sanderson-esque magic being flung around, and a large and detailed world.

Is this book too long? Yes. Reader fatigue is a thing. I think some of this should have been folded into the next and the previous book to cut down a few hundred pages. There are also several grammar and spelling errors, but that is more forgivable given the size of this massive tome. I don't like to be nitpicky with that kind of thing but it can take you out of the story. Luckily there are not many of them though.

Even with those nitpicks this is easily one of the best fantasy books I have ever read. I was so surprised that a book this size had no slow parts and was always moving and fun to read. This thing is almost all killer no filler which is incredible.

I would love to talk about plot points but this is book three of a planned five in the series. There are also two companion novellas available but they aren't required reading. Let's just say the title is aptly named and this series is worth your time. If you love classic epic fantasy told with a modern lens then this is for you. That goes double if you love dragons!

[Andrei(Drusca) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. I think the series will go down as a classic series of fantasy genius

[Dom · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot to like here (I mean, there's a lot of book, so you would hope so!) For me though, it was just too long, and probably would have better suited me if it were split into two volumes. There were a number of things that irked me a bit, and with a book so long, that really started to add up a bit, which is a shame.

Characters were a bit weird for me, as I had characters that I liked previously who started to annoy me here (like Belina), and characters I didn't like so much previously who improved and became highlights for me (like Rist).

All told, it's a good book, and still a great series, but the length of it started to work against it. I like big books, but in this one, I just found a bit too much repetition, a bit too much reflecting on the past, and a few too many scenes that didn't really move things forward for me.

On the plus side (of which there were still plenty), there were some really great scenes which gave some jaw-dropping moments that are worth the entry fee on their own. I mentioned it already, but I really liked the development of Rist's story, after feeling it was a bit basic in previous books, and Ella's story also had some great moments for me here.

This book is being treated as a bit of a mid-season finale, and I'm really looking forward to picking up the second half of the adventure.

[Terry Rudge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Officially my favourite book of 2023. Update as of 31/12/2023

Wow wow wow wow
Incredible. Just incredible

This book is colossus in every way

The sheer size of the book and the pages is perhaps daunting but not a moment is wasted. Every chapter, every page and every word carries a story of legacy, destiny and the most beautifully crafted story.

I cant really articulate a review that does this book justice. Ryan is the wordsmith, I am just a simple minded reader. What I can say is this book made me smile, angry, punch the air and in parts made me ugly cry a little.

The character work is just outstanding. Every characters arc moved forward. Everyone became a bit more complicated, a little more conflicted but most importantly real. I believed in what everyone was fighting for. No matter what side they fought for.

I thought Ryan excelled in ensuring all the parts connected and the threads found their way. That's writing of the highest ability.

This book never took its foot of the gas. Imagine driving a 24hr race and never touching the breaks.

This was such an experience and its a book, I will never forget

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it weird that I wish this was longer even though it's already 1400 pages?..

I must say I'm happy to agree that this series really does improve by leaps and bounds with this book. The first two sets up the pieces, places and characters exactly where they need to be in order for it to start coming together in such a good way.

Book two already began moving away from the good vs bad and now there is almost no such thing. Everyone has good and bad qualities, everyone is conflicted and on every side you find characters to like and root for.

Bring on book 4!

[Hamad · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fall ★★★★
Of Blood and Fire ★★★★
Of Darkness and Light ★★★★ 1/2
The Exile ★★★★
Of War and Ruin ★★★★★



First five stars of the year
And book #1100!!

[Craig Bookwyrm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of War and Ruin is a book of epic proportions – larger in scale and complexity than the previous books in this prodigious fantasy series.

Ryan Cahill’s writing just gets better and better with each book. His plotting, pacing, worldbuilding, and character development is taken to yet another level in this instalment. Filled with action, suspense, emotion, and humour, it's a wonderfully crafted saga, with one of the largest casts of characters I think I’ve experienced.

Did I mention, it's huge! Everything about this book is epic. I’m not exaggerating. I’m in awe of the scope and the way Ryan masterfully keeps everything relevant - there’s absolutely no filler or unnecessary digression. The way the author threads everything back to the previous books in the series is superb. Events and lore are expanded upon and developed, woven into the narrative through dialogue and other clever means, so you never feel overwhelmed with info dumps.
We see parts of Epheria we haven't been exposed to before. The author uses place, time and distance perfectly, giving a true sense of the size of this world as we see it from the many POVs in this book.

The best thing about this series and Ryan’s writing, for me, is the characters. The way they are all developing - even the lesser ones - their relationships are complex and beautiful. Everyone has a part to play, they all add something to the whole. These disparate groups of characters are the crowning glory of this book and series. There is no clear good and bad either – ok, maybe one or two who are definitely evil. Nearly all characters have a dark side and redeeming qualities. I found myself liking and having fun with some of ‘bad guys’ on this journey. This is a big reason why Ryan is one of the best around – he writes believable characters.
What I appreciated from this book is the development of the strong male relationships that have already been established in this series. It’s so great to see strong, healthy male friendships and relationships – and of course, the banter and fun is so brilliant.

In this book, I also noticed that mental health is touched upon on a number of occasions, particularly through its male characters. Written with great empathy, the author is able to convey the struggle of the individual and the importance of talking and being listened to – grief, trauma, depression, suicidal thoughts, all touched upon – I really appreciated this aspect of the writing, which added more depth and sincerity to the characters.

Inclusivity, I feel, is an important aspect of this book/series, and how people live through loss, including physical injuries and disabilities. Characters are introduced who are living with disabilities and overcoming them. This is so wonderfully refreshing to see.

This is not a book you just sit down and read. It's a book you experience with your heart, body and soul. I cried, I laughed, I had goosebumps – I held my breath for longer than is advisable at times.
Of War and Ruin has confirmed this series as a new modern fantasy classic for me. Ryan Cahill has mastered the ability to draw you in and keep you within his world long after you’ve finished reading. Like Rist when he'd reached that point in his book, where he spent every moment he wasn’t reading thinking about reading, that was me reading this brilliant book.

If you haven't picked this series up yet, now is the time. With three books and two novellas, and more to come, this is one of my all-time favourites. I can't recommend it enough.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. I was provided with an ARC for an honest and voluntary review.

[Graham | The Wulvers Library]

I received a free ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Myia nithir til diar. My soul to yours.

Of War and Ruin by Ryan Cahill is the third instalment of The Bound and the Broken series and there are no words that I can say that will even begin to understand how excited I was to return to the world of Epheria.

Book 1 - Of Blood and Fire is a book I recommend to new and veteran fantasy readers alike and book 3 - Of War and Ruin is the perfect middle entry that continues my everlasting faith in this series to be tremendous. Ryan is no stranger to writing conflict and battle in an immersive and animate way. He’s written friendships that are loveable and decisive whilst being brutally honest. His plots are page-turners and masterful that expand on world-building. Of War and Ruin dials this up above the limit and soars in expectations and hitting the right mark.

I’ve described this series previously as a fresh take on nostalgic fantasy but Ryan has become his own name in this genre and it’s unfair to compare his work to others when Ryan now sits on the pedestal for modern classics. The resonation with these characters, even those we are supposed to hate, is profound and Ryan exhumes the work of a true author - having you care for every last letter on the page by transporting you into a world that made me feel like I was a part of it. This is one of the largest books I’ve read but I could have devoured more and more with each turn of the page. Always wanting to read, never wanting to finish.

Of War and Ruin lives up to its name, and not only in plot. The amount of work that Ryan has sweated into this book and the proudness of each chapter is evident. Everything is larger than before and we really feel for every branch that is hit and every cloud that is passed. Ryan has a distinct way of making you feel and that is something that can never be ignored. The ever-evolving masterclass of characters that Ryan is writing is expanding upon divinely. The conveyance of each emotion is exerted beautifully and you’re really drawn into a sense of belonging in this world. We see more battles, more agony and more story and this is an amazing example of expanding upon the world you have created and elevating the series to its highest point whilst also leaving your readers yearning for more.

How can I really describe something that I found to be epic? I cannot but I can tell you that if you’re not reading The Bound and The Broken then you are losing out on a journey that transcends ages, both within the pages and our imagination, and will never be forgotten. Thank you to Ryan for always being the conversationalist, and for creating a series that continues to feel like the start of a journey for himself, the readers, and everything in between. The future is yours.

This world chews us up and spits us out. It doesn’t care if we live or die. It doesn’t care who we love or who we hate. It is filled with misery, death, and loss. It cares little for us. But that is precisely why we must care with all our hearts, fight for the ones we love, and stand for what we believe in. Because in a world where nothing matters, what matters to us means everything. If we forget about the ones we love, everything loses meaning.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I’m re reading while listening to 🎧
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ yet again





Of War and Ruin
I’ve seen the future of Epic Fantasy and his name is Ryan Cahill!

Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We already know the World of Epheria is awesome but after 2 novels and 2 novellas RYAN CAHILL finds away to give the reader an adventure of a lifetime!

With that said , I took my time with this CHUNK of a book .. it’s like a great wine sometimes you just got to let it breath🍷.

Life is full of Blood and Death in this book. So if you want Blood you got it…
But this is heart felt blood , the bond of these characters and even there animal companions. Tug at you at any given moment!

Action, this is EPIC ACTION and in droves !!!
All the POVs have gone through some type of conflict, emotional consequence!

Dragons , you say? There will always be Dragons in a RYAN CAHILL books.

The great thing about this book is that it’s not the last.. there going to be more.. the journey continues…

I did receive an arc from the author himself for an honest review.

[Arlena · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I think we need to address that proverbial elephant in the room: yes, this book is a chonker. A masterfully crafted chonker. Nothing in this book is solely there just to add to the word count. Nothing is by accident. Everything has a purpose. If Ryan mentions that the curtain is blue you can be damn sure that the curtain is blue for a reason and you will eventually find out that reason. Well...maybe I'm exaggerating a tad, but you get the idea. I think the size of the book is a natural progression for the series since this book is much bigger in scope than any of the previous books. More action, more PoVs more world building. Oh and MORE DRAGONS!

I felt like each previous book expanded on the world and the lore but they did it slowly, gradually. Like letting us peak through a door that is slowly opening. Well Of War and Ruin just kicks the door in an completely opens up the world. The amount of information packed into this book is astonishing. I will definitely need to reread it over and over again to catch everything. But what is even more spectacular is how all this information is presented. There is no info-dumping in this book. Everything is presented in a way that just fits. The information just flows naturally and I haven't felt overwhelmed at all.

The characters were always a highlight of these books. This has not changed in OWAR either. Each and every character has a masterfully crafted arc in this book with strong character development. A favourite thing of mine was the evolution of the relationships between these characters. There was plenty of conflict, emotions, characters struggling with their feelings. Throughout the whole book I felt like the characters are really feeling those emotions because their behaviour was driven by them. Even when I felt like a character was making a wrong decision I could understand why they were making it because their inner thoughts were so masterfully conveyed through the text.

Since there are more PoVs in the book, we have the opportunity to see events from the point of view of the "bad guys" too. This was so incredibly well done that at some points I found myself questioning the "good guys". I don't know how Ryan does it, but he manages to show that even the worst people have feelings and can make me feel for them (however little, but still).

Besides all the emotions and wonderful character work we still have plenty of fast paced action that just gave me goosebumps while reading. The action itself is on a bigger scale too and we see more battles, that have high stakes. Ryan doesn't shy away from showing the ugly side of war and I absolutely loved that.

Of War and Ruin answered a lot of questions but left me with many...many new ones. This book is a thrilling mid season finale that has quickly became my favourite entry of the series.

*I was so fortunate to be a beta reader for this book and receive an ARC too and this is my honest opinion of the book.*

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got an eARC from the author for an honest review - thank you Ryan!!
********************************************************
This took me a hot minute and more to read.
4.5*/5*stars
We are following so many different character arcs from book 2 plus many more and they all experience different parts of the overall story, politics, emotions, battles and goals. I cannot seem to form the right words to describe the scale on which this is taking the reader. This allows for expanding the world in a fantastic way. All the different sides of the conflict arrising and major characters growing and becoming what they are destined to be.
I immediately was drawn to the "villains" since they are becoming more three-dimensional and you are not sure if they are really that evil as we were let to believe in the second book. They are still evil in parts but become more likeable so to speak. Also not all in the Empire are evil bastards but there are many more that are good at their core but led by evil superiors or beliefs.
Layers upon layers of character and conflict are written and each time more is revealed, there is always something more you want to know. With such a huge cast of characters its only natural I did not get on with everyone. Some characters I desperately wanted to get killed off and others I wanted to read more about.

So many emotions are swirling around, it is a rollercoaster at times. No place for peace in sight.
Fantastic mid-season final! ;)

"Death is the only thing we are assured of in life. It's not how we die that matters, it's how we live."

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit this book was incredible. 1400 pages of non stop action!

There wasn’t a single point in this book that I got bored or found myself wishing for a different POV to pop up. Usually there’s always some POV’s that are boring or less interesting than other perspectives in books like this. However every single character’s storyline had me HOOKED.

The writing difference from book 1 to this is truly incredible. The first book in this series started very simplistic… the second book kicked it up a notch and then BOOM… this one has just blown the other two out of the water.

Dahn is my favourite character. His one liners and sarcastic comments at the most inappropriate times really cracked me up! I love the amount of deadpan humour in this book and the way the characters bounced off each other with their cute little verbal sparring matches. Belina - her character is also incredibly funny, she’s just completely unhinged and I love it.

Can’t wait for the next book to be released!

Fave Quote:

“A friend once told me that the only thing within our control is what we choose to do with the short time we have. He told me that in a world where nothing matters, what matters to us means everything. That if we forget about the ones we love, everything loses meaning.”

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

”But the Draleid no longer fill the sky, The Order no longer keeps the darkness at bay, and the world of men is led by those who call him The Saviour. The Blood Moon will rise as winter falls upon us once more. And this time, I fear we may not be able to hold the darkness back."

The Blood Moon approaches as the Uriah and Bloodmarked grow in strength and their numbers threaten the lands, the Empire stretched thin fighting them. This allows the rebellion to grow.

Cahill does a phenomenal job at recapping the events of everything (including the novella) at the start of book 3.
Please can such detailed recaps be made the norm for all fantasy books. I beg of you. Especially when there are such long gaps between releases and I have the memory of a goldfish.

Even though Rist is going through one heck of a character arc where we fear the Empire poisoning him against the rebellion and Calen, his parts are some of the most interesting. He has always felt out of place, the weakest, the least charismatic, unsure. Yet, he shines through his commitment and refusal to give up. Whilst he may have to work harder and push himself more, that is something he is in complete control of.

In his mind, stories and tales battled. Legends of good versus evil. Black versus white. That was how stories were told. But what was white in Illyanara was black in Loria, and so the other way around. It all meshed into grey. The truth was grey - an amalgamation of both sides. All truths are nothing more than the amalgamation of lies.

Two characters who always bring a smile to my face: Belinda and Dahn. I really, really need them to meet. They are definitely a light in the darkness and even though they seem to be out of place in such a vicious world, they are used spectacularly as comedic relief characters, especially amongst their other stoic and serious counterparts.

”It was a bit much."
“I'm working on it."
“No, you're not."
“No, I'm not."

Also, complete sidebar, but Dahlen, Dayne and Dahn? Why is giving characters similar names such a thing in epic fantasy? It’s hard enough keeping track of such vast casts as it is and my brain doesn’t always compute the differences, so the characters get confused.

I love the way Cahill writes group dynamics and how he balances characters perfectly to create such an interesting and diverse set for interactions!

”That's who you are, Calen. You're the guy who gives back the mantle. I'm the guy who's drunk, wondering where you've gone. And Rist is the guy who's so busy reading his books he never realised there was a mantle in the first place.”

I would recommend this series if you enjoyed Eragon by Christopher Paolini, The Faithful and the Fallen by John Gwynne, Ascendant by Michael R Miller.

Bookstagram

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over a month with this puppy, eh? Solid entertainment throughout. Dozens upon dozens of characters, bloody battles, rousing dialogue, majestic dragons, and everything else that makes epic fantasy fun. Though it could have been trimmed down in some areas, at no point was I restless. The conclusion left an incredible amount of hanging plot threads that has me eagerly awaiting the next entry.

Cahill’s series feels like a combination of 1980s sword and sorcery with a modern, dark edge. It’s nostalgic while also offering something fresh. The deeper you get into the series, the more grey our characters become. This was missing from the earlier novels, where good and evil were very clearly defined. I’m glad that things are becoming not-so-cut-and-dry as we expand perspectives and justify actions on both sides of the war.

Two more novels and at least two more novellas to go! By blade and by blood, I will be ready.

[Brian Heckman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan nails it with his 3rd and largest book yet. Intense and grand scale battle sequences. Written with deep amounts of emotion and humor. This book continues to open up and expand the world of Epheria making it richer and richer. Can’t wait for the last two books of the series and this is definitely my favorite dragon rider series of all time!

[BookishByTammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get back into this story, it felt like there was a lot of pointless battle scenes at the beginning that didn’t move the plot forward.
However after page 300 I found myself invested again and enjoyed being back with these characters.

The ending was also quite anticlimactic for me, this one somewhat felt like it suffered from middle book syndrome.
I still appreciate the mastery of plotting and character work Ryan Cahill has done which is why it’s still rated highly but I’m really hoping for a better pace in the next book

[Choko · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** 3.25 ***

I want to love this series so badly, since in theory it checks all the boxes of what I love in Fantasy! I was even excited that the book is long and I can really get lost in it... Unfortunately, it didn't work the way I imagined it. It is not bad by any means, it just didn't wow me and it was about to become a 2* read, but the final battle definitely bumped it up a ⭐. I think the book could really benefit from a tighter editing and it could have conveyed everything and even better, with more concise writing. Still, I am glad that we have a new promising author in the genre 😊.

[TonyAntSonWil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to start this review by expressing my apologies to the author Mr Ryan Cahill. I was kindly offered the eArc in exchange for an honest review and wanted to get this review out before the release date but Alas, it wasn't to be. Life got in the way! Therefore I apologise that this review is late.

Now onto the good stuff.

And just like that Ryan Cahill has cemented his place in joint first place for my all time favourite Fantasy authors, equalling that of the grandmaster Mr Tolkien (All Hail). Ryan rocketed to my top three with Of Blood and Fire and Of Darkness and Light however, with Of War and Ruin he has blown these out of the god damn stratosphere. What Ryan has accomplished here is nothing short of genius.

Now let's get this out of the way straight away so you can all stop sweating over the sheer size of this book, yes it is 1300 plus pages, yes its 450,000 plus in words but I can hand on heart tell you it certainly shouldn’t scare or put you off. Every page is needed and every word is warranted.

Have you ever read a book that is so unbelievably intense and exquisitely written that you are simply drained of all essence upon completion? No!, well read this book! This book is so epic in its splendour that you laugh, you cry, you scream and you gasp at pretty much every single chapter. It's ridiculous how one author can interweave together these intricate characters and story lines to produce a book that will go down in history as one of simply the best and Mr Cahill being labelled as a living legend in the fantasy world.

This book grips you from the start and doesn’t let go EVER! I’ve finished this book and I still feel caught in its meaty bear hug. I do not think I will ever recover from this novel ( in the best way possible). Ryan’s writing has gone from strength to strength in each book he has written and now with Of War and Ruin he is competing in the worlds strongest writer competition ( and between us, he is definitely going to win ). The world building in this novel is amazing and the expansion on Epheria lore and lands is probably my second favourite part of this book. I'm a sucker for epic world building and epic is a word that feels unjust for this novel. My most favourite part of the book I hear you ask, well it has to be the dragons. Ryan has such a way of writing and introducing his dragons that I find awe inspiring and they blow me away every single time, simply stunning. Myia nithir til diar.

This book is called Of War and Ruin and I believe Ryan has channelled his inner Oprah in this novel… he points at character “you’re getting a battle” points at another “you’re getting a battle” waves his hands around “you’re all getting battles” and let me tell you these battles are amazing and so vividly written that you feel like you are living through it. There are many characters and many POV’s in this book and neither one feels like a filler or a waste of time, every character has a purpose ( even the bad ones ) and every POV provides a different perspective on the events of the story. What I find a pleasant surprise in Ryan’s writing is his ability to make you understand the characters decisions, even if you do not entirely agree with how the character arc is going, you appreciate and understand the choices they are making. Ryan even can make you feel for the bad guys as well as the good guys and this is not easily accomplished.

Of War of Ruin is an amazing mid season finale of an epic fantasy series that based on the previous trajectory of the books will have us suiting up in our astronaut attire because we are going out of this world.

Please if you have not started the Bound and Broken series then go ahead and get yourself a copy of “Of Blood and Fire” and don’t look back. Don’t be swayed by reading the Fall first but let's not debate that here ha ha. If you have started this series in whichever choosing then please continue and read this book.

Ryan I am forever grateful for allowing us even just a glimpse into your world and I denir viel ar altinua, Du haryn myia for writing this stunning novel.


August 2023 - listened to this audiobook version. My statement above stands.

[C Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggle with this book, and series. On one hand it totally absorbs me and I read them super quick. On the other there are writing and pacing problems that really annoy me.

For instance, the whole first third of the book was essentially about getting the main characters to where they needed to be for the rest of the book after they all went on utterly pointless plot tangents that yielded literally no plot progression of note.

The ending was also annoyingly abrupt, revealing some of the aftermath but not all for inexplicable reasons.

I have a personal dislike of the main character and firmly believe he needs a good slap. He complains that he's kept in the dark and treated like a child yet behaves like one. I have not hated a POV this much since Malta Vestrit in Liveship Traders.

Lastly I firmly believe the author needs to either listen to his Editor, or find a better one.

All this said.... I kinda loved it still. It's the lovechild of Eragon and Dragonlance and how can that be bad?

[Ashley Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit. This series just keeps getting better and better. I was worried this 1400 page book would drag and be hard to get through, but I couldn’t turn pages fast enough! This is the chunkiest book I’ve ever read and I still didn’t want it to end. I was hooked the whole way through. The emotions I felt throughout this…the reunions, the battles, the banter, had me teary eyed and giggling at times! While there were some flaws that started to bother me (grammar issues and words missing), I love this story and these characters! I can’t wait for book 4 to come out this month!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5! What an adventure this book was, all 1400 pages. I’m glad I read this on my Kindle so that way I didn’t have any bog book fears in reading this. But it does feel like I have been reading this forever. And now that its over I am in a huge book-hangover especially now that I have to agonizingly wait for the next installments (I believe there are to be 5 books total). If the books continue as they are, this is going to be a top fantasy series for me. So if you have not picked these books up yet, stop right now and purchase book one immediately!

Feel free to watch my youtube video here! https://youtu.be/tMzdAVWLZdw

You may be thinking how can the author sustain an engaging third book with 1400 pages and this is only the third book. All I can say is I have no idea but the author managed it flawlessly. While there were not as many battles throughout this book, the story continued to move, the characters continued to develop and there are so many characters across the board, I feel like the book could have been even longer.

My favorite part about this series is the relationships between the characters. There is such a strong theme of relationships (not romantic—there is little to no romantic relationships in this series) but brotherhood, friendship and family type relationships. I love it. The bonds are strong between all the characters and I love how the bonds continue to grow, especially as they fight and defend each other. Calen, Erik, Tarmon and Vaeril have such an amazing bond together I enjoy it so much. They would do anything for each other. Dann is also thrown in there too. But I honestly love all the characters and how they all support Calen. His support system continues to grow throughout the story. Calen and Valerys bond continues to grow as well, I am loving the whole purple eyes moments.
I also like how this story tends to blur the good/bad sides. While Calen is fighting the Empire, you are getting point of views from Empire characters and the Dragonguard which make you question whether the characters are really as bad as they are made out to be. This adds so much to the overall narrative because there is no clear black and white and it is something each character has to wrestle with when deciding the side they are supporting. Its not just Empire v. Rebels; you also have rebels who have their own goals, the Uraks, the politics of the Elves, Fane Mortem’s goals and the Dragonguard questioning their choices.

There are so many storylines and point of views in this book, there is never a dull moment. The pacing is perfect. I am so invested in every character I love reading about what each one is going through. You have Ella learning about her Druid abilities, Rist being influenced by the Empire, Dayne working to free Valtara, Dahlen and Belina surviving the dwarven politics, Calen growing stronger and forming more bonds, and many more storylines besides (but I do not want to get into spoilers)

I cant fully describe why I love this series so much other than it captures the fantasy story that I am always looking for. You have all the fantasy elements, along with amazing characters/relationships and this series pulls no punches. There is a lot of death involved in this series, but this world is in a state of war for freedom; its going to be ugly. And I love that the author pulls no punches, he gives you the ugliness while also keeping the characters as hopeful and resilient. There are no depressive moments in this series of all doom and gloom, rather these characters all have a fight in them that never backs down.

If you haven’t read this series yet, I hope I have convinced you to give it a try! I love this series so far and I highly recommend it. I just wish all the books were out, the wait is probably going to kill me!

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one will be short and sweet…it is brilliant and one of my favorite reads all time. Not sure I can rank it perfectly only moments after finishing, but it is easily top 10 ten and could push top 5 possibly. I know one thing and that is I am going to have to stay glued to Ryan’s newsletters and hope that new puppy doesn’t slow down writing too much so I can get back into this world ASAP