At the decimated outpost of Nevergrace, Cyran Orendain and his companions stand watch. They await the full onslaught of Murgare’s retaliation. But one has turned against them and another village has been ravaged by whatever lurks in the woods.
With lady of the Never by her side, Cyran’s sister Jaslin arrives at the king’s city of Galvenstone to answer a summons. She will find the answers to the queen’s murder and the darkness lurking beneath the streets, no matter what—or who—stands in her way.
Meanwhile, Pravon the dragon thief follows the dragon assassin across the lands of Cimeren, hunting for emissaries who seek to bring peace between the kingdoms. For only one path can stop the coming war, and they will ensure this path is never found.
As the Dragon Queen returns from the Evenmeres, only those at Nevergrace sense the coming danger. The danger that stalks the far side of the Lake on Fire. Another prowls within the forest.
The growing shadows will consume all of the kingdoms and cover the lands in blood and dragon fire.
R.M. Schultz is a #1 best-selling author of fantasy and science fiction.
After reading Tolkien, Ryan wrote his first 100,000-word fantasy novel as a freshman in high school. When he’s not saving animals, he continues reading and writing fantasy and science fiction, and has done so for over two decades. Ryan founded and heads the North Seattle Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Group and has published over a dozen novels.
And more than anything, he wants to be knighted by George R.R. Martin.
Through Fire and Shadow by R.M. Schultz was an incredible epic fantasy adventure. This book has dragons, battles, and surprises at every turn, what more could we ask for? The characters were all compelling, likable, and well-developed. The world-building was great, painting a vivid picture, making it easy to keep me fully immersed throughout the whole book.
I didn’t read the first book, but I still found it easy to jump into book 2 and follow along with the story. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
If you're a fan of epic fantasy then this book is a must-read!
Thank you Love Book Tours and RM Schultz for providing me with a copy. My opinions are my own and unbiased. 🖤
Several "gripes" with book 1 were put to rest here. The story/world opened up immensely and we got to see life breathed into the map. So much cool lore, culture, kin here. Same 4 POVs, and while the same one of them did have more chapters than the others, the balance was a lot more favorable. Every POV character grew here by leaps and blunds. Their "what's up with..." aspect from book 1 was answered by this book's end. And, boy, that ending. So many twists!
Book 3 is supposedly coming soon...and I wonder if that will be it for this series. This book seemed to be leaning that way. Selfishly I am hoping the plot opens more and we get a few more books.
I want to formulate better ways to sing it's praises. I want to inspire people to grab this series....but I also just want to sit here and dwell on my happiness over how much I loved it
I have come to the conclusion that anyone who calls themselves a true classic epic fantasy fan MUST read this series. It has all the classic fantasy tropes and yet has its own unique world building and surprises you won't expect. The main characters, particularly Cyran, Jaslin, and Sirra, are well fleshed out, and all have their continued character arcs that give them more dimension.
In this tale, we continue to follow the brewing war between Belvenguard and Murgare, as well as Jaslin's mission to understand more about the recent assassination(s). They lead us into a most epic escapade across the continent of Cimeren, where we get to explore new locations and characters. Some scenes are utterly gut wrenching, and one of my favorite aspects was Cyran's growing relationship with Edelmere. A strong dragon-rider bond was something that the first book lacked, and that I had hoped to see more of in this book - and it delivered.
The mysteries that went unsolved in Book 1 were revealed in Book 2, and they were shocking in the best way. I listened to this book on Audible, but it's the kind of book, like the first, that you'll want to buy the Kindle or physical copy as well to be able to slow down and digest the intricacies of political intrigue. I'll be doing the same myself.
This series is reminiscent of Ursula K Le Guin's Earthsea, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, and Game of Thrones, all traditional classic fantasy that is personally beloved to my heart. I'm looking forward to the next installment - it's been a whirlwind so far, and absolutely therapeutic to the epic fantasy nerd deep within me that longs for the best kind of escape.
RM Schultz is a brand new author for me this year, and has without question risen to one of my favorite newly discovered authors of 2024.
I was gifted a paperback copy of this book through Love Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 in this series, Through Blood and Dragons, which was one of my top reads of last year.
This second instalment did not disappoint. The richness and detail in the world shows a real commitment from the author who is clearly truly invested in creating an immersive setting. A lot of thought and consideration shines through the worldbuilding. I especially loved all the different kinds of dragons and how each was represented in a unique way.
Of the shifting POVs, I enjoyed Cyran's and Jaslin's the most. I'm intrigued to learn more about the ancestry of the siblings and what makes them unique compared to other characters 👀 I also liked getting Sirra's POV as it gave us more insight and empathy towards the "villain".
The crime-investigating side from Jaslin's POV added a nice subplot to the main story arc, serving a well-executed whodunnit style arc.
Easily 5* read that I'd recommend, and eagerly look forward to book 3!
I want to start with how gorgeous the covers are for this series, they drew me in right away. This is an action packed epic fantasy adventure, with great characters, vivid worldbuilding and an immersive plot that keeps you hooked. This picks right up after book 1 and dives into an intriguing plot of battles, political schemes, finding a killer, and overcoming betrayals. I love the range of dragons, the fierce bond between Cyran and Jaslin, and getting insights and empathy for Sirra. This has everything I love about fantasy: dragons, magic, mystery, action, drama, quests and worldbuilding. It was so easy to get lost in these characters and ride along for the journey. Excited for book 3!
As a Calec fan, I was eager to get started on this one, and with its beautiful cover artwork and gripping Blurb, boy, was I not disappointed.
At over 500 pages, this is a chunky monkey, but it is jam-packed full of action, drama, dragons, magic, and world building.
The world building is incredible, and as a gamer, this book has heavy gaming vibes! This would definitely be a game I'd immerse myself in and lose hours!
There are so many incredible characters in this book, but I think my favourites are the brother and sister duo - brave and honourable Cyran and fierce Jaslin.
This pair were a fantastic duo, both together and apart when on different 'missions'.
With all the different characters, you were sweeping in and out the action... it was brilliant as you got to see everything that was going on!
I really, really enjoyed this book a great deal, and it was a brilliant read! I can't wait for Book 3 to arrive!!
And it's a wrap! The love books tours readalong is over and I'm excited to share my my thoughts on this epic fantasy read with you today. All thoughts are my own.
Through Fire and Shadow is book two in the the forged and the fallen fantasy series and picks up after through blood and dragons
This easily earned its 5 star read rating from me. The series just keeps getting better and better.
Brilliant world building, fantastic settings, epic battles and kingdom clashes alongside perfectly created dragon varieties make this an utterly AMAZING read.
I loved the way the author has managed to create such a beautifully rich and immersive world AND characters that really sweep you into the story.
Loved the way this story is told through dual POV chapters from Cyran and Jaslin (our heroes of the story) and Sirra, the 'villain' ( though is she really 🤔) giving such brilliant insights into each character.
The dragon and magickal system in this is,quite simply brilliantly created. I love how each type of dragon is so diverse and has very 'human personalities' and how our heroes we learn have very unique gifts.
This is a must read series for any fantasy fan, whether you are into dragons or not.
Not a thing I can fault in this one. Masterfully created fantasy brilliance!
Through Fire and Shadow is the second installment in R M Schultz's The Forged and the Fallen series an epic fantasy series full of action, adventure and dragons. Following on from the events of book one, we follow Cyran, Sirra, Jaslin and Pravon as the kingdoms are gearing up for war. Will Belvenguard or Murgare be victorious and at what cost to the people who live there?
I picked up Through Fire and Shadow immediately after finishing book one, Through Blood and Dragons. This series is fast paced, addictive and full to the brim with magic and mystery. Over the course of the two books (and a prequel novella) I've grown so attached to these characters. Sirra is definitely my favourite, The Dragon Queen is such a great character with a fascinating background and I love that we get to learn more and more about her. I also feel like Jaslin really comes into her own in this installment as she attempts to uncover the secrets behind the assassination attempts on the Queen. Cyran and Pravon also have really interesting story arcs in this installment and I can't wait to see where the story goes in future books.
I love all the different dragons in this story, there's so many different kinds from forest and ice to shadow and blood. It's something I've never seen in a fantasy series before and I'm always intrigued to see what new kind of dragon we're going to meet next. The world building is excellent and Schultz does a terrific job of bringing the history of the world to life.
Through Fire and Shadow is a compelling and entertaining read. If you're somebody who loves epic battle scenes with dragons, characters you really root for and plenty of courtly mystery and intrigue, this is a series you absolutely do not want to miss! I am already dying to get my hands on book three!
I read Through Blood And Dragons last year and was totally blown away by the epic fantasy scale it was on, so I knew I was in for the same treatment with book 2 Through Fire and Shadow. Saying I really enjoyed this epic fantasy would be an understatement. This book carries on from book 1 with Cyran and adds in more dragons and not only that but the description of these are phenomenal, if dragons were real then RM Schultz would probably have them done to a tee or at least that's how I imagine. Everything in this book is so descriptive, from the writing being so in-depth to the world building and the character developments. I loved the direction this novel went and it flowed on from book 1 perfectly. The ending though, I have so many questions. I am highly anticipating book 3, I can't wait!
Received as an ARC, I am leaving my honest review. The journey of Cyran continues as he becomes a dragon knight and must prepare for the ultimate battle. His sister will be a key to uncover treacherous plans, with only herself to trust, she must find her brother in time. Truths are uncovered that will keep you guessing as to their authenticity, or are they just deceitful lies? Prepare for an emotionally charged adventure of suspense, a storyline full of twists and turns and a gripping battle plot. As the prophecy unravels toward a certain end, prepare for the unexpected, sometimes surprising scenarios that will have your heart pounding and your eyes glued to the pages! The ending will just have you wanting more!
This is Book Two in 'The Forged and The Fallen' series. This book can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed the first book in the series 'Through Blood and Dragons' and was looking forward to this one to see what Cyran's has insulted for us. The story is told by different POV, which gives the book more depth and a great picture building for the story. The characters are well developed, some you will like more than others, such as Cyran and Jaslin, unlike Sirra. The story is full of everything you want from a book, battles, magic. action, drama and best of all a variety of dragons. This is a must for anyone that loves fantasy, magic and dragons. The artwork on the cover is fabulous. I can't wait to see what R.M. Schultz has instore for us next
Review ↝ While I’m physically done reading this book, emotionally I’m not. Schultz seamlessly integrated Book 1 into Book 2 and then leveled up the action and emotion with this installment. I’d recommend reading Book 1 to enrich the experience, but feel that new comers wouldn’t have any issues jumping into the adventure at Book 2.
In hindsight, for me to be as invested as I am in this story is a true testament to the beautiful writing and epicness of this series! Cyran, Jaslin, Eildemere and Sirra, never cease to amaze me with their boldness and bravery. The action and battle sequences paired with the mystery, magic, and political intrigue that arose left me awestruck. With every emotion touched, I remained hopeful in the fact that the story and its characters were always growing and evolving. I’m so eager for Book 3 to be released, I know it’s going to be a fulfilling ride. I’d honestly recommend reading any of R.M. Schultz work to anyone who enjoys fantasy and adventure stories that are character and plot driven!
Thank you @lovebookstours and @RmSchultzauthor for sending me your beautiful book and amazing dragon tote bag, this read along has been a blast.
‘Through Fire and Shadow’ is the second book in The Forged and the Fallen series and it’s just as epic as the first book! The world building in this series is sublime and I love all the main characters - Cyran, Jaslin, Sirra to name just a few. I actually think Sirra, the Dragon Queen was my favourite character in this second book.
The suspense builds over the course of this huge nearly 600 page book and it’s full of dragons, battles, betrayal. I actually wish this book were longer and I can’t wait to see what happens to these characters next!
I received a gifted copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and written voluntarily.
Having previously read and fallen in love with, the first book in this series, I was very excited for Book Two. I was far from disappointed! Once again, the authors flair for writing stunning description made the story fly from the pages as you read. No detail, however small, is left out creating a surreal, immersive reading experience. The characters are fabulous and so well developed that I felt I knew them intimately; their inner thoughts, feelings and motivations. This also helped bring the story from page to reality. I could easily see action of the book played out on the big screen. I’m heavily invested in these characters so I can’t wait for the next instalment.
Having read the first book in the series, Through Blood and Dragons, I knew what to expect from this author, and once again, this book certainly does not disappoint.
What we have here is another absolutely epic fantasy. It's quite a hefty tome at nearly 600 pages, but it does seem that long at all. As with the first novel, the word building on display here is immense. It really is a vast world Cyran and the other Dragons inhabit.
The characters feel real, are incredibly believable and have great, full depth.
It's a read jam packed with Dragons, battles, action and betrayal with a storyline that flows effortlessly.
An epic fantasy adventure. With a wide world in conflict, what seems an epic fail in Cyran quest, becomes important information for the kingdom. Too stubborn to give up, he'll fight till the end. The war is nigh and the only winner could be those who don't fight in it.
War, treason, deception, murder. There's no time to rest. Four points of view unfold the complex story. Great characters, who also develop themshelves, fulfill their objectives with different goals in mind. And it's only the beginning, part of a greater plot yet to be shown. An important twist at the end. Page-turner. Thrilling. Original. Don't miss it!
Last summer, I read book 1 in this series, and despite it not being my usual kind of read and being a BIG book, I got really into it. The characters really grabbed me, and the storyline kept me hooked. Fast forward to book 2, and I'm pleased to report, I'm still absolutely gripped by what's going on! There are a couple of new characters, but not many, which is good because this is a huge world of people to remember already. There were so many new dragons, though, and I was mesmerised by their descriptions. It's always so vivid, I feel like I'm watching it play out on screen, not on lage. The author writes beautifully descriptive prose and absolutely captures the small details in everything. Towards the end of this book, I found myself questioning what I've believed for the last 900 pages (book 1 and to that point in this) and its got me eagerly awaiting the next instalment.
Well, how am I supposed to wait for the next book? 😂 I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 (Through Blood and Dragons), but Through Fire and Shadow, I took it to a new level. There is so much worldbuilding and lore. Which just makes the storytelling in this series so rich. Many of the questions I had at the end of book 1 have been answered, but now I'm left with a whole new set of questions 😂 Hoping I won't have too long to wait until the next book 🤞
What a magical and complex world with so many dragons!
I love the many types of dragons and their characters that come to life. The shocks in this one will hit even the most stoic reader. All things come to light at the end but there is so much more I need to see now! Write on please.
We continue the story with Cyran, now a dragon knight, bravely fighting on and willing to do almost anything for his kingdom, volunteering for dangerous jobs which leads him further into enemy lands. His sister, Jaslin is fighting her battles more logically, searching for answers and learning of the magic inside herself. The dragon queen reveals lots of background details about the enemy lands and herself which throws the perspective of the upcoming war into question while she battles on for her people. Nothing is as simple as it seems, truths will be uncovered and loyalties will be tested, the forest will make a stand and the dragons will be lead into chaos.
Ryan really is incredibly skilled at building a fantasy world that you can lose yourself in. This is book 2 in The Forged and The Fallen series, I have read book one which contained a lot of world building so I would definitely advise reading that first.
First up, what a stunning cover! The art work is beautiful! And there are more stunning pictures throughout the book.
I think Jaslin was my favourite character in this book. I love a strong female, and she certainly fits the bill. She's smart and strong and knows what she wants.
I loved all the dragons in this series. There are so many different types who all have their own skill set. And they're not just your standard fire breathing dragons either. They can have weapons and turrets and all sorts of thing attached.
This series has everything you'd expect from a fantasy series. Epic battles, secrets, treachery and a load of words you're just not sure how to pronounce. Lucky there's a handy glossary at the end to help with that!
I am absolutely zooming through this series! These books have had me hooked and they are impossible to put down.
I really like how this sequel just picks up right where we left off, there's no dramatic time skip or magical fixes, everything is still a bit of a mess but the show must go on.
I got my wish of a bit more Sirra backstory! She is honestly such a tough badass lady. And I know she is the antihero but still, she's so cool and strong and an independent lady if there ever was one.
There was so many twists in this one over who was actually the bad guy and I truly think it was so well executed. I thought the use of the Dragon Assassins really added a whole other depth to the story instead of just being Cyran and Sirra fighting for their kingdoms.
Once again I loved all the different types of dragons that were in this book. Truly a great fantasy series!
Just like the first this book is very well written and a highly entertaining read. The author does a great job of further developing the unique characters and the world around them leading to a climatic high tension ending. I would recommend this series to any fantasy reader, but if you’re a fan of dragons in general this book is an absolute must read! Looking forward to book #3.
Where do I start on my review for this book? Well at first I can say is that it was definitly a 5 star read. And I am so glad that I could continue this series with reading this especially after the events of the first book in the series. I was excited to be with these characters again. With the fact that it was multiple pov. I loved seeing the story from the different perspectives you ended up with new information which helped develop the sotry. Cyran had already been through alot during the events of this book one, however that didn't stop him from going through more challenges throughout this book. He became even more one of my favourite characters esepcially with his morals regarding the idea of using the dragons. To be honest I loved all the POV characters Jaslin, Pravon and the Dragon Queen also along side Cyran. They all become very intriguing as they went through a lot during this book. There was so many twists and turns which occured throughout this book. I loved the writing style of this book as it allowed the story to develop with his story; to keep a nice pacing. And with how the story ended I was shocked as I didn't expect it and I already want there to be a next book in the series. To be able to find out what would happen next.
If you love an epic quest, dragons, brave knights (male and female) and battles then this is the fantasy book rec for you!
I missed book 1 in this series but it is on the TBR and I intend to go back and fill in the gaps in my knowledge but I managed to follow along with the story without being stumped too often.
Cyran is from Belvenguard and a neighbouring kingdom is on the move to avenge the death of their king. Now Cyran's sister, Jaslin, is involved in the fight for freedom and Cyran would much rather she stay home and be safe! But Jaslin is a very forward thinking woman for her time and she'd rather be in the thick of fighting than weeping and wailing at home.
There are dangers lurking in the woods and Cyran makes promises to his dragon that he hopes he'll live to make good on. I really got lost in this world and just sucked into the story - I felt I was flying along went they went into battle.
I felt their were enough twists to make things interesting with making me reach for a pad of paper to write things down to keep the plot straight. You don't need to learn a whole new language to follow along but there are a few words you'll need to get your brain around. (Helpfully there is a glossary at the end of the book).
I will happily volunteer to battle along with these knights in book 3!
Wow!! This was such an epic fantasy adventure!! After reading and loving the prequel and book 1 in The Forged and the Fallen series I knew this was going to be an awesome read. Through Fire and Shadow absolutely blew me away, the author giving us epic dragon battles, amazing character stories and the biggest twists I certainly didn’t see coming. I was glued to every single page and I’m in awe of the authors incredible imagination and creativity!! I loved that we got to know more of the characters and that Cyran’s sister Jaslin had a more important role in this story, along with Sirra’s chapters these were some of my favourite to read in the book! I can’t recommend this book enough!!
Through Fire and Shadow: Epic Fantasy by R.M. Schultz is book two in The Forged and The Fallen series. If you like fantasy, epic battles, mysteries, secrets, action, dragons, with amazing world building then you will love this book!! I WISH I would’ve read book 1 first because this was amazing.
I enjoyed this fantasy book so much!! Schulz’s world building was so detailed that he brought the city to life before my eyes. Not only was the world building amazing but the details that he brought to the characters was fantastic. The story is told through multiple POV Cyran and Jaslin, Sirra, and Pravon. There are many different dragons with different powers, and from different areas. I just cannot rave about this book enough. I was gifted a copy of this book by LBT and the details of the covers are just as stunning. Thank you to Love Book Tours and R.M. Schulz for letting me reading this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. READ THIS SERIES!! 
Well, this book was a beast in its own right...but in a good way. It took me a while to warm up to fantasy, if I am being honest. But this book is one of the ones that made me glad I gave the genre a second chance. Even though it is book 2 in a series, and I haven't read book 1 yet first, I was still captivated by the story and all of the POVs throughout the book (Sirra being one of my nb 1!), and lore importantly I was able to keep up with everything. I was also very interested by the (abundance of) dragons and their bonds with humans - and tge notion of another realm to communicate with them. I was rooting for multiple characters (and, dare I say, "ships"), and I am very much looking forward to read more about them. But first, I must make sure to read book 1, I need a "prequel".