Synopsis
Pain is the path to strength.
The Order have watched over Epheria for thousands of years … until a traitor in their midst has decided their rule must come to an end. Their home city of Ilnaen is now in flames, dragons and death filling the skies.
The remnants of the Order, the dragon-bound Draleids and the Knights of Achyron battle the forces of Efialtír, the traitor god.
Review
If the synopsis sounds like there’s a huge amount crammed into this novella by Ryan Cahill, it’s because there’s a huge amount crammed into this novella by Ryan Cahill.
From the first line the action explodes from the page. Cahill doesn’t hold back in depicting every exploding wall, dragon roar, and arterial spray of blood. It’s the sacking of a city with blood magic, dragons and ogre-like Uraks; it’s not going to be pretty.
The first chapter tells of the treacherous toppling of the Order, through dragon combat and a simple yet satisfying magic system known as the Spark. We are then introduced to the Knights of Achyron, who are summoned to the scene in their sentinel armour. The book ends with the perspective of the antagonist, giving us three separate narratives – and a handy index at the back to keep track of everything.
The Knights of Achyron chapter was my firm favourite. I loved the way Cahill had fun with the knights – they march through a rift into battle, clad in fantasy’s equivalent of what I can only describe as a combination of Earthworm Jim’s suit and Iron Man power armour. It’s just completely epic and awesome.
While I don’t believe it is strictly necessary to read this before Of Blood and Fire (that’s a review for another day), The Fall provides a great insight into Cahill’s world and really delivers. The illustrations within were a welcome edition and display the author’s passion for this indie series. The Fall was a tremendous hour of fun you can find through The Broken Binding. Remember to enter FANFI for 5% off!
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