Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 29/11/2024
Published by: Podium Audio
ISBN: B09FRHS39R
‘Of Blood and Fire’ lays a strong, action-packed foundation that has me excited for the rest of this series!
Similar read: Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu
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While I wasn’t immediately won over by the clean book cover or blurb, I couldn’t resist their promise of a gritty, epic fantasy tale, and that is exactly what was delivered! I was quickly drawn in by the intriguing prologue, which sets the stage for a tale that thrusts ordinary characters into the heart of a centuries-old war through unexpected encounters and devastating losses. Ryan Cahill takes his time crafting three-dimensional characters brimming with relatable traits, backstories and struggles, all while maintaining a captivating storyline. Their connections felt so genuine and realistic that I could not help being invested in every heartwarming and heartbreaking moment they experienced. As a result, I am eager to see how the series will unfold, especially what is in store for Calen, his friends Rist and Dann, and his sister Ella!
We must never dim our light so that others may shine.
The world-building was equally as impressive as the characters. The land of Epheria is rich in history, culture, politics, magic and creatures (giants, elves, dragons and much more). My only complaint is that there are information dumps and lots to take in, which impacted the story’s pacing and made it challenging to keep track of some names and places. However, the immersive writing style, intense bursts of action and fitting narration by Derek Perkins made up for this. In particular, Perkins’ natural and engaging vocal variety further enriched the characters and the listening experience.
One should not simply wish to live. They should wish to live in a way that they deemed to be right.
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