⭐️4/5 stars
📖 Length: 412 pages
📱 Format: Hardback, signed edition
⏳ Read Time: 6 days
Synopsis
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.
What I thought
This was our February Paper + Word book club pick, and I finished it in 6 days, which is always a good sign for me.
I was lucky enough that my edition was a signed hardback early re-release, so it already felt a bit special going in. But the highlight was getting to join a live Q&A with the author, Ryan Cahill. Hearing that he basically just writes straight from his head with no real plan was both impressive and slightly stressful to listen to. I need a plan followed by a list for doing the food shop, so I can’t relate. Bravo though!
The story itself is very much classic epic fantasy. You can definitely feel the The Lord of the Rings influence, by swapping the ring for a dragon; big world, familiar tropes, and that comforting, immersive feel. At times it did play things a little safe, and I found myself predicting parts of the plot, but it didn’t take away from how enjoyable it was.
The illustrations in my hardback edition are genuinely gorgeous and some of those pages made me stop just to take them in properly. I won’t spoil them for anyone, but a quick Google and you’ll see for yourself. And the glossary at the back deserves a little round of applause too—because nothing humbles you faster than fantasy names you cannot pronounce.
My only real downside was the lack of main female characters. It was noticeable, but I’ve heard this improves in the later books, so I’m interested to see how the series develops.
Overall
Overall, such a strong start to The Bound and The Broken series. It might not be reinventing the fantasy wheel, but it’s immersive, enjoyable, and has fully convinced me to add the rest of the books to my already chaotic, borderline concerning TBR pile.
Bonus tip: If you subscribe to Ryan Cahill’s mailing list, you can get a free copy of The Fall, a prequel novella set 400 years before the events of this book. Free book? Winner!
Interested in picking this up?
On Amazon – here
Bookshop.org – here
Until next time… 🖤
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