Book Review: Of Blood and Fire – Eragon’s Older Brother?

Of Blood and Fire is the first book in Ryan Cahill’s self-published series, The Bound and the Broken. The story follows Calen, a blacksmith’s son living in a small town ruled by the Empire and their feared Dragonguard. While the novel features many familiar fantasy tropes, it also offers plenty of potential and is an exciting read for fans of the genre. This is my spoiler-free review of Of Blood and Fire.

Best Dragon Rider Book Since Eragon?

In recent years, there’s been a resurgence of dragon rider fantasy, influenced by series like George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing. Still, many readers see Christopher Paolini’s Eragon as the ultimate dragon rider story. For lots of people, it was their introduction to fantasy.

Ryan Cahill taps into that legacy, using some of the same themes and ideas found in Paolini’s work. However, Of Blood and Fire sets itself apart by being darker and more mature. In Calen’s world, battles are brutal, and the language can be harsh. This grittier take on dragon rider fantasy adds a fresh twist, and it’s something I didn’t realize I was missing.

That said, Of Blood and Fire does rely heavily on classic fantasy tropes, making parts of the story predictable. Sometimes, it’s easy to spot influences from The Wheel of Time or the Inheritance Cycle, and I found myself wishing Cahill had taken more risks. Still, there’s enough here to keep readers hooked, and the familiar elements might be exactly what fans of traditional fantasy are looking for.

The Appeal of Self-Published Fantasy

The Bound and the Broken is an indie series, meaning Cahill isn’t working with a big publisher like TOR or Penguin Random House. This comes with its pros and cons.

On the plus side, Cahill has complete creative freedom. In Of Blood and Fire, you can tell he’s deeply passionate about Calen’s world and its characters. There’s a personal touch in the writing that sometimes gets lost in traditionally published books, where multiple editors and teams have a hand in shaping the story.

However, going the self-published route does come with some rough edges. There are a few plot holes and conveniences that might have been smoothed out with more editorial input. One plot point, involving Calen’s family, feels especially out of character and seems designed to create drama rather than naturally progressing from the story.

But despite these minor flaws, Of Blood and Fire stands strong among its traditionally published peers. Don’t let the self-published label put you off—this book can compete with the best of them.

Pacing Done Right

Even though my review is mixed, I have to say that Of Blood and Fire shines when it comes to pacing. This book is over 600 pages long, but it never feels slow. Cahill keeps the reader engaged from start to finish by gradually revealing more about the world and its lore. Each new detail—whether it’s a character’s backstory or the history of a particular race—adds depth and keeps the reader invested.

The only issue I had was with the ending. After the steady, well-paced storytelling throughout the book, the conclusion felt rushed, as if Cahill was eager to wrap up and move on to the second installment. That said, the ending does set the stage for the next book and promises more action to come.

Conclusion

After finishing Of Blood and Fire, it’s easy to see why this book has gained attention. While the novel has its flaws, especially in terms of refinement and the slightly disappointing ending, it’s clear that Ryan Cahill has created something special with The Bound and the Broken. If Cahill can build on the foundation he’s set, I could see this becoming one of the best modern dragon rider series.

For now, I’d rate Of Blood and Fire a 6/10. But with more development and polish, the series has the potential to be a true standout in the genre.