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Elmerïan Chronicles #1
Whispers of a World Breaker
Aric’s job is simple; assist the elves as they moved dragon eggs across the kingdom.
When an orc raid leaves a dragon in peril and her egg vulnerable, the responsibility falls into Aric’s hands to complete the mission. But when the dragon hatches, Aric’s life is thrown into disarray.
Accused of being the world breaker of an old prophecy by the elves, sought after by the ever-growing orc clans as vengeance against the elves, and desired by the human kings and queens for power, Aric will stop at nothing to protect his new dragon. It may be the only thing that can turn the tides of the war.
Can Aric fight fate and save the world, or is he destined by the whispers of a world breaker?
When an orc raid leaves a dragon in peril and her egg vulnerable, the responsibility falls into Aric’s hands to complete the mission. But when the dragon hatches, Aric’s life is thrown into disarray.
Accused of being the world breaker of an old prophecy by the elves, sought after by the ever-growing orc clans as vengeance against the elves, and desired by the human kings and queens for power, Aric will stop at nothing to protect his new dragon. It may be the only thing that can turn the tides of the war.
Can Aric fight fate and save the world, or is he destined by the whispers of a world breaker?
581 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2023
131 people are currently reading
1075 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
March 11, 2024
If you want to be punched REPEATEDLY in the feels, this is the book for you. I knew I'd be hurt based on the prequel novella, and I know there's more yet to come, but friends I am just a shell of a person right now, someone hold me.
I just adore this world and its characters to bits and pieces, I don't know how I'm supposed to survive until book two because of that ending. YES, IT WAS A CLIFFHANGER!!! What a cruel place to leave us on. And just so you know, the likelihood of one of your fav characters meeting an untimely end is high. Now we may proceed.
Okay so, we follow two friends/brothers who find themselves on opposite sides of a war that isn't all it seems. One of them, Aric, is hunted by everyone and everything because a dragon hatched for him, and the other, Moro, gets captured by orcs who appear to be the villains...but are they really?
Aric is the main character, and gets the most PoVs, but I enjoyed reading Moro's perspective too. It took me a few chapters to get used to him, because Aric's PoVs were more interesting at the start (cute baby dragon!), but then I found myself looking forward to seeing more of Moro, especially when he evolved from captive to something else entirely.
I ended the book wanting more of him (and how he's dealing with everything he found out), so hopefully in the sequel his and Aric's PoVs will be evened out.
Eldras is the cutest and funniest little ball (maybe not so little by the end), I just want to give him a biiiig hug. HE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS!!! If anything happens to him I will never recover (keep that in mind Mr Ratliff, ahem ahem). His bond with Aric, their banter, it gave me life. They really are a perfect match.
Sage is so cute too, baby Sage's bond with Moro made me cry (are you sensing a pattern with this series? Because I sure am), it was so precious. Moro cares about Sage the same way Aric cares about Eldras. We love to see it.
I also loved Francil & Trenara, though really I loved all the characters. The author gave them all a unique voice, so how could I not fall in love with them?
The worldbuilding is well-crafted, the lore interesting. You can tell a lot of thought was put into developing everything, because there don't seem to be any holes. It was amazing exploring the world through the characters' eyes.
Oh and the twists! LET ME TELL YOU, you will think you know something, and then you will be proven wrong time and time again. The twists don't stop until the very end.
We even got a cameo from a very special character, I'm dying to tell you who, but I can't because it's a spoiler. I'm a very happy camper, knowing they'll have a bigger role in the sequel.
Reading Whispers of a World Breaker was such a joy, I'm so glad I joined the buddy read over on Discord.
P. S. I accidentally deleted my review just as I was wrapping it up and had to go by memory, so hopefully nothing looks too disjointed!
I just adore this world and its characters to bits and pieces, I don't know how I'm supposed to survive until book two because of that ending. YES, IT WAS A CLIFFHANGER!!! What a cruel place to leave us on. And just so you know, the likelihood of one of your fav characters meeting an untimely end is high. Now we may proceed.
Okay so, we follow two friends/brothers who find themselves on opposite sides of a war that isn't all it seems. One of them, Aric, is hunted by everyone and everything because a dragon hatched for him, and the other, Moro, gets captured by orcs who appear to be the villains...but are they really?
Aric is the main character, and gets the most PoVs, but I enjoyed reading Moro's perspective too. It took me a few chapters to get used to him, because Aric's PoVs were more interesting at the start (cute baby dragon!), but then I found myself looking forward to seeing more of Moro, especially when he evolved from captive to something else entirely.
I ended the book wanting more of him (and how he's dealing with everything he found out), so hopefully in the sequel his and Aric's PoVs will be evened out.
Eldras is the cutest and funniest little ball (maybe not so little by the end), I just want to give him a biiiig hug. HE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS!!! If anything happens to him I will never recover (keep that in mind Mr Ratliff, ahem ahem). His bond with Aric, their banter, it gave me life. They really are a perfect match.
Sage is so cute too, baby Sage's bond with Moro made me cry (are you sensing a pattern with this series? Because I sure am), it was so precious. Moro cares about Sage the same way Aric cares about Eldras. We love to see it.
I also loved Francil & Trenara, though really I loved all the characters. The author gave them all a unique voice, so how could I not fall in love with them?
The worldbuilding is well-crafted, the lore interesting. You can tell a lot of thought was put into developing everything, because there don't seem to be any holes. It was amazing exploring the world through the characters' eyes.
Oh and the twists! LET ME TELL YOU, you will think you know something, and then you will be proven wrong time and time again. The twists don't stop until the very end.
We even got a cameo from a very special character, I'm dying to tell you who, but I can't because it's a spoiler. I'm a very happy camper, knowing they'll have a bigger role in the sequel.
Reading Whispers of a World Breaker was such a joy, I'm so glad I joined the buddy read over on Discord.
P. S. I accidentally deleted my review just as I was wrapping it up and had to go by memory, so hopefully nothing looks too disjointed!
January 24, 2024
Rather than my typical review, this is an endorsement of WHISPERS OF A WORLD BREAKER, by
Corey Ratliff.
**I was extremely honoured to be provided with an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review, which has in no way affected that review, and my rating of the book.**
I am also humbled to have my quote appear on the book's cover.
Corey Ratliff, with WHISPERS OF A WORLD BREAKER, delivers a fast-paces ride with gripping battles, interesting characters, marvellous fantastical elements, like elves, and dragon-riders!
Corey Ratliff.
**I was extremely honoured to be provided with an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review, which has in no way affected that review, and my rating of the book.**
I am also humbled to have my quote appear on the book's cover.
Corey Ratliff, with WHISPERS OF A WORLD BREAKER, delivers a fast-paces ride with gripping battles, interesting characters, marvellous fantastical elements, like elves, and dragon-riders!
February 10, 2024
Is there anything better than a dragon rider novel?
I absolutely binged Corey Ratliff's Whispers of a World Breaker and was impressed at the ease of the writing and the level of detail included. I can honestly say I'm buzzing for book two.
Aric’s job is simple; assist the elves as they moved dragon eggs across the kingdom.
When an orc raid leaves a dragon in peril and her egg vulnerable, the responsibility falls into Aric’s hands to complete the mission. But when the dragon hatches, Aric’s life is thrown into disarray.
Accused of being the world breaker of an old prophecy by the elves, sought after by the ever-growing orc clans as vengeance against the elves, and desired by the human kings and queens for power, Aric will stop at nothing to protect his new dragon. It may be the only thing that can turn the tides of the war.
Can Aric fight fate and save the world, or is he destined by the whispers of a world breaker?
Firstly, the world-building is impressive and thought out. I enjoyed the tiny parts of lore that were scattered throughout and how each piece was connected to a much larger puzzle. The twists and turns were handled well and there were some truly heartbreaking moments that I’ll never forgive Ratliff for.
I enjoyed the character work here. We have a veteran struggling to adjust to their newfound surroundings and bond with a dragon. The dynamic between them can be hilarious but touching and that can be a hard thing to convey. Having more than one POV helped with expanding the world and its inhabitants and that's something that I'm glad for because seeing how each faction interacted and thought helped visualise a lot.
The plot itself kept unravelling and I had no clue where it was going but now that the endgame is being realised, it's a greatly described premise that has so much potential.
This was an intriguing start to the series and I'm eager to see where Ratliff takes this.
I absolutely binged Corey Ratliff's Whispers of a World Breaker and was impressed at the ease of the writing and the level of detail included. I can honestly say I'm buzzing for book two.
Aric’s job is simple; assist the elves as they moved dragon eggs across the kingdom.
When an orc raid leaves a dragon in peril and her egg vulnerable, the responsibility falls into Aric’s hands to complete the mission. But when the dragon hatches, Aric’s life is thrown into disarray.
Accused of being the world breaker of an old prophecy by the elves, sought after by the ever-growing orc clans as vengeance against the elves, and desired by the human kings and queens for power, Aric will stop at nothing to protect his new dragon. It may be the only thing that can turn the tides of the war.
Can Aric fight fate and save the world, or is he destined by the whispers of a world breaker?
Firstly, the world-building is impressive and thought out. I enjoyed the tiny parts of lore that were scattered throughout and how each piece was connected to a much larger puzzle. The twists and turns were handled well and there were some truly heartbreaking moments that I’ll never forgive Ratliff for.
I enjoyed the character work here. We have a veteran struggling to adjust to their newfound surroundings and bond with a dragon. The dynamic between them can be hilarious but touching and that can be a hard thing to convey. Having more than one POV helped with expanding the world and its inhabitants and that's something that I'm glad for because seeing how each faction interacted and thought helped visualise a lot.
The plot itself kept unravelling and I had no clue where it was going but now that the endgame is being realised, it's a greatly described premise that has so much potential.
This was an intriguing start to the series and I'm eager to see where Ratliff takes this.
February 7, 2025
This was a fun dragon rider fantasy. I found the idea of an older protagonist to be refreshing and interesting while dealing with some new ideas in the idea of dragon riders. This book had been recommended to me multiple times and it definitely deserves all of the recommendations. Blood, battles, and conflict abound in this novel, all of which are excellently depicted. Once again, the author takes some well known fantasy constants and turns them all up on their heads.
The strength of the novel is most definitely the dragons. They are powerful, mighty, and mysterious. Pretty much everything that you would want or expect in a fantasy book that involves dragons. From the get go, it is easy to see that the author definitely has a plan that is going to be epic in scope while changing the way that a reader may see fantasy worlds. It reads in a much more modern way than has previously been done, while still keeping a sense of an older world. The magic is interesting and fascinating when it is showcased. It definitely keeps a reader anxious for the next installment, wanting to know more and more about what is to come in the future.
This one was a great novel, with several twists and turns that definitely keeps a reader on their toes. I look forward to where the series is going to go and what the author has in store for us. I recommend this one if you like dragons, elves or orcs. Plenty to go around with even more left over.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
The strength of the novel is most definitely the dragons. They are powerful, mighty, and mysterious. Pretty much everything that you would want or expect in a fantasy book that involves dragons. From the get go, it is easy to see that the author definitely has a plan that is going to be epic in scope while changing the way that a reader may see fantasy worlds. It reads in a much more modern way than has previously been done, while still keeping a sense of an older world. The magic is interesting and fascinating when it is showcased. It definitely keeps a reader anxious for the next installment, wanting to know more and more about what is to come in the future.
This one was a great novel, with several twists and turns that definitely keeps a reader on their toes. I look forward to where the series is going to go and what the author has in store for us. I recommend this one if you like dragons, elves or orcs. Plenty to go around with even more left over.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
November 23, 2023
Great epic fantasy novel. World building was excellent. I’m a big Eragon fan and this book does not disappoint! Great adventure that keeps your interest. If you’re ready to leave dragons written for the YA and go more adult fantasy, you should get this book when it comes out. Can’t wait for the next book in the series. Great job, Corey Ratliff!
dnf
November 25, 2023I'm going to save my future self some trouble and nix this now. The MC is supposed to be a veteran of war and in his mid-thirties, but he seems pretty clueless when fighting starts and gives off teenager vibes. I won't be rating because I didn't get all that deeply in to the book.
September 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this, and that’s surprising for me: I don’t really care about dragons, I usually don’t like classic fantasy tropes and, hard magic annoys me.
Whispers manages to avoid these pitfalls. From the jump, I was impressed with how Ratliff delivers his battle description. There is a beautiful horror to the visceral carnage and the writing for this book is one of the strong points. The description is lush and smooth, and the environments are very well realized.
I also particularly liked the relationship between the dragon mage and his dragon. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but that bond was a high point of the story, which for me, a professed dragon agnostic was kind of amazing.
The ending twist was also something special. Ratliff does a great job poking holes in his own story that you forget aren’t resolved until he fills them with an explanation that is once intriguing, satisfying, and terrifying.
Even the world-building involving orcs and elves was an interesting spin on the well-loved fantasy races we know. I love when an author gives us a sense of wonder from being at the tip of an iceberg of the world and wanting so badly to see more. Ratliff’s origin stories of the races leaves me with a lot of interesting questions I really want the answers to.
As far as what I didn’t like? Honestly, I expect these are things that epic/dragon fantasy folk love, so I will touch on them briefly other than to say they weren’t for me.
I felt like particularly at the beginning the characters (main point of view) could have used more to distinguish them from each other. Eventually they grow to be a bit different, but I mainly remembered who they were by what they fought with (I was also listening to the audiobook). Now that’s not to say they are not good characters, it’s just that the focus was first the current conflict and then the world itself. It took a bit for the characters to breathe. Some of the character interactions felt like they could have used a little more time to develop, but nothing was jarring. This isn’t unusual for epic fantasy, and I don’t see it as being too much of a knock.
For me, the pacing in the middle could have been a bit tighter, but I feel this with almost every epic fantasy I read. I know many readers love details of lore and magic systems, and this book has them aplenty. If that’s your jam, this is it, my friends. For context, I DNFed The Black Prism early on for doing too much lore and magic explanation and I never considered DNFing this.
On paper, this is a book that I shouldn’t have liked so much, but I did really enjoy it. For me, this is a solid 4 star and I would be interested in seeing the sequel. Corey Ratliff has started popping off recently and it’s easy to see why.
Whispers manages to avoid these pitfalls. From the jump, I was impressed with how Ratliff delivers his battle description. There is a beautiful horror to the visceral carnage and the writing for this book is one of the strong points. The description is lush and smooth, and the environments are very well realized.
I also particularly liked the relationship between the dragon mage and his dragon. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but that bond was a high point of the story, which for me, a professed dragon agnostic was kind of amazing.
The ending twist was also something special. Ratliff does a great job poking holes in his own story that you forget aren’t resolved until he fills them with an explanation that is once intriguing, satisfying, and terrifying.
Even the world-building involving orcs and elves was an interesting spin on the well-loved fantasy races we know. I love when an author gives us a sense of wonder from being at the tip of an iceberg of the world and wanting so badly to see more. Ratliff’s origin stories of the races leaves me with a lot of interesting questions I really want the answers to.
As far as what I didn’t like? Honestly, I expect these are things that epic/dragon fantasy folk love, so I will touch on them briefly other than to say they weren’t for me.
I felt like particularly at the beginning the characters (main point of view) could have used more to distinguish them from each other. Eventually they grow to be a bit different, but I mainly remembered who they were by what they fought with (I was also listening to the audiobook). Now that’s not to say they are not good characters, it’s just that the focus was first the current conflict and then the world itself. It took a bit for the characters to breathe. Some of the character interactions felt like they could have used a little more time to develop, but nothing was jarring. This isn’t unusual for epic fantasy, and I don’t see it as being too much of a knock.
For me, the pacing in the middle could have been a bit tighter, but I feel this with almost every epic fantasy I read. I know many readers love details of lore and magic systems, and this book has them aplenty. If that’s your jam, this is it, my friends. For context, I DNFed The Black Prism early on for doing too much lore and magic explanation and I never considered DNFing this.
On paper, this is a book that I shouldn’t have liked so much, but I did really enjoy it. For me, this is a solid 4 star and I would be interested in seeing the sequel. Corey Ratliff has started popping off recently and it’s easy to see why.
November 26, 2023
The land of Verilia is on the brink of war between the ancient races of Humans, Elves, Orcs, and of course Dragons. The Misty Scar is about to become the battle field which will turn the tides of fate in ways no one will ever expect. A long foretold prophecy regarding the one who will break the world is about to be told but we all know that nothing about this will be as it seems. Brace yourself for a no stop action adventure with more twists that shook me to my core than I could count. Oh, and this book has Dragon Mages as an extra cherry on top!
Aric is a sentinel tasked with defending the Dragon being transported through the Misty Scar by the Elves before she lays her egg. Accompanying the sentinels and Elves is the mighty Dragon Mage bonded to another Dragon ready to repel the invading Orcs looking to take the Dragon egg for themselves. Only Elves in this world are permitted to touch the Dragon eggs before they are born and are bestowed the bond which will grow in time to exude great magic. As the battle turns to a bloodbath, The Dragon egg falls Aric’s hands and this is the last thing the Elves want. The prophecy of the Elmerian will come to pass as Aric will become the first human Dragon Mage seen in hundreds of years and this is what will break the world. Or so we are led to believe. Meanwhile, Aric’s best friend and fellow sentinel Moro is kidnapped by the Orcs and being trained to kill other humans. Moro has no other choice but to obey if he wishes to live but the Orcs have something else in store for Moro and it will be the last thing you will expect to see.
Right off the bat I would just like to say that all books and stories involving Dragon Mages, I will stop at nothing to devore every last page. It may be an old school troupe but I just can’t get enough of it. Aric is not a child when we first meet him as he is in his thirties and has seen his fair share of hardships in life. When the Dragon Egg hatches and he is forced to sink or swim learning his new powers with essentially no one around to show him the way will be the ultimate test of strength and mental fortitude. The magic used in this world is explained in fine detail but from the human perspective only and how it is essential opposite of what the Elves have experienced.
A few things I loved about this novel is that Aric’s Dragon can harness the memories of Dragons that have longer since passed. We get to learn little bits and pieces about what has come before and one scene in particular destroyed me so brace yourself. It was also great to see the Orc’s perspective of the conflict and how they see the evils which have taken place. The writing is very straight forward and easy to digest but at over 600 pages in length, the time will seem to fly by like it was nothing. This book ends of a semi-cliff hanger with many shocking revelations and more to come I am sure.
I loved being invested in this world. We have seen Dragons bonded with humans before and this difference here is the approach and the prophecies surrounding the whole thing. I was never in a pace where I felt I have read this type of story before because the pacing was so intense. I can’t wait for the sequel to be released.
Cheers!
https://undertheradarsffbooks.com/202...
Aric is a sentinel tasked with defending the Dragon being transported through the Misty Scar by the Elves before she lays her egg. Accompanying the sentinels and Elves is the mighty Dragon Mage bonded to another Dragon ready to repel the invading Orcs looking to take the Dragon egg for themselves. Only Elves in this world are permitted to touch the Dragon eggs before they are born and are bestowed the bond which will grow in time to exude great magic. As the battle turns to a bloodbath, The Dragon egg falls Aric’s hands and this is the last thing the Elves want. The prophecy of the Elmerian will come to pass as Aric will become the first human Dragon Mage seen in hundreds of years and this is what will break the world. Or so we are led to believe. Meanwhile, Aric’s best friend and fellow sentinel Moro is kidnapped by the Orcs and being trained to kill other humans. Moro has no other choice but to obey if he wishes to live but the Orcs have something else in store for Moro and it will be the last thing you will expect to see.
Right off the bat I would just like to say that all books and stories involving Dragon Mages, I will stop at nothing to devore every last page. It may be an old school troupe but I just can’t get enough of it. Aric is not a child when we first meet him as he is in his thirties and has seen his fair share of hardships in life. When the Dragon Egg hatches and he is forced to sink or swim learning his new powers with essentially no one around to show him the way will be the ultimate test of strength and mental fortitude. The magic used in this world is explained in fine detail but from the human perspective only and how it is essential opposite of what the Elves have experienced.
A few things I loved about this novel is that Aric’s Dragon can harness the memories of Dragons that have longer since passed. We get to learn little bits and pieces about what has come before and one scene in particular destroyed me so brace yourself. It was also great to see the Orc’s perspective of the conflict and how they see the evils which have taken place. The writing is very straight forward and easy to digest but at over 600 pages in length, the time will seem to fly by like it was nothing. This book ends of a semi-cliff hanger with many shocking revelations and more to come I am sure.
I loved being invested in this world. We have seen Dragons bonded with humans before and this difference here is the approach and the prophecies surrounding the whole thing. I was never in a pace where I felt I have read this type of story before because the pacing was so intense. I can’t wait for the sequel to be released.
Cheers!
https://undertheradarsffbooks.com/202...
December 20, 2023
Whispers of a World Breaker by Corey Ratliff
Adventurous, challenging, dark, emotional,
funny, hopeful, informative, inspiring,
mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5 ⭐
Even though I read the prequel, first...it took a bit to get into this story. That is NOT meant as a deterrent in any way...of reading it first. It allowed me to "dip my feet" into this new world. It gave me a comfort...that there's a BIGGER story being told, which in THIS book...was revealed expertly.
I'd like to say...I am frustrated at this moment. I loved the book, but I do NOT know my feelings...or who I want to win (in the current war). I have two groups/individuals that can be right or wrong, it all depends on how things shake out.
Our first love (the bond between the reader and the main character) is with Aric (or at least it was...with me). No shad on the Moro front (my heart has been cleaved in two).
The bonding and growth of Aric as a Sentinel and then the journey he goes on...is magnificently revealed.
In some way...I see gaslighting and Stockholm Syndrome within this story, so I am saddened that the fate of this current world...is on the shoulders of two "men" that have questionable ties to groups that do NOT have their best interests in mind.
The lies that have been told...could quench the lifeblood of the entire world.
The divide, is between the Elves and the Orcs (or so we have been told). Unreliable narrators are fun, but they prop the reader and the main characters on a foundation of sand...which when weight is placed upon it...shifts. This is the current predicament...that I find myself in.
I want TWO things at the same time, which with how this book ends...I'm not sure it will happen MY way.
This book is told, basically in two storylines...through Aric and Eldras' POV and the other through Moro's perspective.
I want PEACE in this relationship...they are brothers...and that means something to BOTH of them.
As I closed this book (figuratively...since I read 100% in the digital realm), I now want the sequel sooner than May. Ugh. That is an eternity.
I want to ask...and be given my desire. Oh, Tirian...could you please give me a an eArc of The Bloods of a Withering Kingdom.
I just pre-ordered it. BUT, if by some possibility I could ALSO get to read it earlier...I'm game. More than game...I just need to know how this progresses.
Adventurous, challenging, dark, emotional,
funny, hopeful, informative, inspiring,
mysterious, reflective, sad, and tense.
Medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5 ⭐
Even though I read the prequel, first...it took a bit to get into this story. That is NOT meant as a deterrent in any way...of reading it first. It allowed me to "dip my feet" into this new world. It gave me a comfort...that there's a BIGGER story being told, which in THIS book...was revealed expertly.
I'd like to say...I am frustrated at this moment. I loved the book, but I do NOT know my feelings...or who I want to win (in the current war). I have two groups/individuals that can be right or wrong, it all depends on how things shake out.
Our first love (the bond between the reader and the main character) is with Aric (or at least it was...with me). No shad on the Moro front (my heart has been cleaved in two).
The bonding and growth of Aric as a Sentinel and then the journey he goes on...is magnificently revealed.
In some way...I see gaslighting and Stockholm Syndrome within this story, so I am saddened that the fate of this current world...is on the shoulders of two "men" that have questionable ties to groups that do NOT have their best interests in mind.
The lies that have been told...could quench the lifeblood of the entire world.
The divide, is between the Elves and the Orcs (or so we have been told). Unreliable narrators are fun, but they prop the reader and the main characters on a foundation of sand...which when weight is placed upon it...shifts. This is the current predicament...that I find myself in.
I want TWO things at the same time, which with how this book ends...I'm not sure it will happen MY way.
This book is told, basically in two storylines...through Aric and Eldras' POV and the other through Moro's perspective.
I want PEACE in this relationship...they are brothers...and that means something to BOTH of them.
As I closed this book (figuratively...since I read 100% in the digital realm), I now want the sequel sooner than May. Ugh. That is an eternity.
I want to ask...and be given my desire. Oh, Tirian...could you please give me a an eArc of The Bloods of a Withering Kingdom.
I just pre-ordered it. BUT, if by some possibility I could ALSO get to read it earlier...I'm game. More than game...I just need to know how this progresses.
February 9, 2024
This was a solid read with multiple pov’s, each with an interesting and unique adventure. It was nice to experience the development of the bond between a newborn dragon and it’s chosen dragonmage. Then another pov to change how the reader and the characters view the world around them. One thing weighing down this book, is it felt like a few unnecessary lines of swearing just to make the characters swear for the sake of this book not being YA. Also, you could tell at some points near the beginning that this book was originally intended to be YA through the character of Aric, with some of his reactions and thinking being more akin to young adult rather than a seasoned veteran. Another fun aspect of this book is the idea of a fantasy world set after the age of men. This concept is seen in the memories Eldras shows Aric of man creating the elves, looking for a solution to prolong life and evade death from natural causes. A slight deterrent of only this first book being complete is seeing how a certain pov character relates to the plot. The ending left off an a major cliffhanger revealing who is truly in control in Verilia. I am eagerly waiting the release of book 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2023
Absolutely fantastic start to the series it just kept getting better with surprises around every corner with great character development every time I picked it up I couldn’t put it down
April 2, 2025
Where to start…this book is a challenge. It’s a challenge to get into, it’s a challenge to understand, it’s a challenge to keep all the places and characters straight. HOWEVER, after finishing the book, I truly believe it’s a challenge worth conquering.
The author purposely throws you into the plot at the beginning of the book, leaving you lost with questions piling up and no answers in sight. Not even the ability to determine which characters you should love and trust and which you should not. But as the book moves on, the slow release of information makes each time you fit a puzzle piece together, such a sweet reward.
There are lies, deceptions, yet truths from unlikely sources. There are multiple plot lines across humans and elves and orcs and druids and the far reaches of history that are yet to be fully explained. All interwoven into a surprising and unforeseen conclusion to this first novel in the series. There are gruesome battle scenes not for the faint of heart that speak to the author’s personal experience as a veteran.
The fact that this is now the longest review I’ve ever written for a book is a testament to how complex the story is but how worth it, it is in the end.
If you love high fantasy, world-building, DRAGONS, and an Eragon-like story, I highly recommend this book! I’m hoping the next book in the series is just as rewarding as this one was!
The author purposely throws you into the plot at the beginning of the book, leaving you lost with questions piling up and no answers in sight. Not even the ability to determine which characters you should love and trust and which you should not. But as the book moves on, the slow release of information makes each time you fit a puzzle piece together, such a sweet reward.
There are lies, deceptions, yet truths from unlikely sources. There are multiple plot lines across humans and elves and orcs and druids and the far reaches of history that are yet to be fully explained. All interwoven into a surprising and unforeseen conclusion to this first novel in the series. There are gruesome battle scenes not for the faint of heart that speak to the author’s personal experience as a veteran.
The fact that this is now the longest review I’ve ever written for a book is a testament to how complex the story is but how worth it, it is in the end.
If you love high fantasy, world-building, DRAGONS, and an Eragon-like story, I highly recommend this book! I’m hoping the next book in the series is just as rewarding as this one was!
May 15, 2023
The world Corey has created is unlike any others I’ve found. The stereotypes of fantasy worlds and heroes do not apply to this well detailed and thrilling story. I’m very much looking forward to the release of this book and the upcoming sequels as well!!
May 18, 2023
I'm hooked. Love the book, can't wait for the next installment. If you love Anne McCaffrey or Christopher Paolini you're gonna love this series by Corey Ratliff!
May 7, 2024
I gave it until about 55% before DNFing. I am a huge fan of dragonrider fantasy, but this one didn't work for me. Maybe I've just read too many greats that this felt very lackluster in comparison. I was over halfway through and didn't really know or particularly like either of the main characters, and the dragon relationship wasn't believable to me. To each their own but just couldn't get through this one.
September 5, 2024
I’ll be honest, I went into this book tired of Dragon Focused epic fantasy fully expecting not to like it. I was wrong. The book isn’t without its flaws but Corey’s talents shine through in book one of The Elmerian Chronicles.
The first thing to note with this book is that Ratliff has an incredibly fluent writing style. His story is presented in a way that’s incredibly easy to digest and it really helped me to enjoy the tale he was telling without being bogged down in overly descriptive writing and world building. That isn’t to say that he hasn’t successfully built a world that feels vibrant and alive though, Ratliff has really gone all out with some unique fauna like his Valravn and some wonderful settings such as Az’ Grim and Bor Mesari. The character work was okay without being brilliant, especially on the side of Aric and Moro who I felt had a very similar voice throughout the book, I do think some of that burden has to fall with the narrator of the audiobook and not the book itself however. The Orcs however were very impressively done, getting such depth out of what are traditionally big green idiots was no mean feat.
Some of the dialogue I found a bit cheesy and unnatural, mainly when characters are talking about being powerful or potential power and I found the use of the word Badasses a bit disengaging as it felt a bit out of place in a fantasy novel but overall the dialogue was done well.
One major talent Ratliff has is his ability to make you empathise with both sides, I still don’t know who I’m rooting for in this book which is a testament to Corey’s ability to paint a picture of this quality with only the greys of morality.
Overall I liked this book. It isn’t perfect but is the first book of a self published epic fantasy series and context is important. It’s thoughtfully written in a well conceived and well crafted world, with an engaging story that is paced extremely well for a book of this size. I’m really excited to see where Corey takes this world and beyond, especially given some not so subtle hints that the Elmerian Chronicles could venture to other worlds and Genres. I would recommend reading a physical copy over the Audiobook unless these are re-recorded with another narrator as the current narrator just doesn’t do it for me and I think the characters suffer for it.
My parting comment is to say nothing more than the murmurs that Epic Fantasy is dead are nothing but a myth and Authors like Corey Ratliff are proving that time and time again. Give this book a chance, I don’t think you’ll regret it.
The first thing to note with this book is that Ratliff has an incredibly fluent writing style. His story is presented in a way that’s incredibly easy to digest and it really helped me to enjoy the tale he was telling without being bogged down in overly descriptive writing and world building. That isn’t to say that he hasn’t successfully built a world that feels vibrant and alive though, Ratliff has really gone all out with some unique fauna like his Valravn and some wonderful settings such as Az’ Grim and Bor Mesari. The character work was okay without being brilliant, especially on the side of Aric and Moro who I felt had a very similar voice throughout the book, I do think some of that burden has to fall with the narrator of the audiobook and not the book itself however. The Orcs however were very impressively done, getting such depth out of what are traditionally big green idiots was no mean feat.
Some of the dialogue I found a bit cheesy and unnatural, mainly when characters are talking about being powerful or potential power and I found the use of the word Badasses a bit disengaging as it felt a bit out of place in a fantasy novel but overall the dialogue was done well.
One major talent Ratliff has is his ability to make you empathise with both sides, I still don’t know who I’m rooting for in this book which is a testament to Corey’s ability to paint a picture of this quality with only the greys of morality.
Overall I liked this book. It isn’t perfect but is the first book of a self published epic fantasy series and context is important. It’s thoughtfully written in a well conceived and well crafted world, with an engaging story that is paced extremely well for a book of this size. I’m really excited to see where Corey takes this world and beyond, especially given some not so subtle hints that the Elmerian Chronicles could venture to other worlds and Genres. I would recommend reading a physical copy over the Audiobook unless these are re-recorded with another narrator as the current narrator just doesn’t do it for me and I think the characters suffer for it.
My parting comment is to say nothing more than the murmurs that Epic Fantasy is dead are nothing but a myth and Authors like Corey Ratliff are proving that time and time again. Give this book a chance, I don’t think you’ll regret it.
November 8, 2023
Found this book on Indie Story Geek, and oh my! Really enjoyed this immersive world, the battle scenes at the beginning are a bit grisly, but once you’re past those we get into the Wheel of Timeesque world and find out that none of the warring nations are telling the truth, and maybe a World breaker is what’s needed!
Aric and Moro are brothers, signed up to the sentinels (more lovely sentinels!!) and have been fighting against the orcs on behalf of the elves for years. A battle goes awry, Moro and Aric are separated, believing each other dead, and the brothers are set on very different paths. We the reader get to see two sides of the story which has been mired in lies and untruths from the beginning of time.
Aric bonds with a dragon, even though humans are not supposed to be able to. Moro is captured by the Orcs and subjected to barbaric tests which confuse him further.
Eldras is wonderful, though he’s the only dragon we see the thoughts of, so we have no idea what the other dragons think or know.
Well written, lots of action and battles, and I’m just as confused as to who is trying to do what as I was in the beginning! All I know is that every race is lying to their own people and each other, killing dragons, even though they are supposed to revere them. I have no idea how Aric or Moro is supposed to figure out the right path. Guess we’ll have to read book 2 to find out!
Aric and Moro are brothers, signed up to the sentinels (more lovely sentinels!!) and have been fighting against the orcs on behalf of the elves for years. A battle goes awry, Moro and Aric are separated, believing each other dead, and the brothers are set on very different paths. We the reader get to see two sides of the story which has been mired in lies and untruths from the beginning of time.
Aric bonds with a dragon, even though humans are not supposed to be able to. Moro is captured by the Orcs and subjected to barbaric tests which confuse him further.
Eldras is wonderful, though he’s the only dragon we see the thoughts of, so we have no idea what the other dragons think or know.
Well written, lots of action and battles, and I’m just as confused as to who is trying to do what as I was in the beginning! All I know is that every race is lying to their own people and each other, killing dragons, even though they are supposed to revere them. I have no idea how Aric or Moro is supposed to figure out the right path. Guess we’ll have to read book 2 to find out!
October 2, 2023
Wow, what a ride. This is not your typical dragon story, there are many twists in here.
You start off with two brothers in arms, sworn to protect the dragons and their elven riders from the evil Orcs. When an escort of dragon eggs goes wrong, Aric is thrust into a world unfamiliar to him. When the elf company he was protecting are killed, the egg they were transporting is now his responsibility. Aric must learn quickly how to become a dragon mage.
Moro, his brother in arms is captured by the orcs. Enslaved, he awaits his death but will fight to the end. But the orcs have another plan for him.
Both have to fight for their lives from all sides and learn the truth of what and who they are. There is no hero versus villan story here. Everyone wants to use them or kill them, both out to end the other.
Seriously, read this book. You won't regret it.
You start off with two brothers in arms, sworn to protect the dragons and their elven riders from the evil Orcs. When an escort of dragon eggs goes wrong, Aric is thrust into a world unfamiliar to him. When the elf company he was protecting are killed, the egg they were transporting is now his responsibility. Aric must learn quickly how to become a dragon mage.
Moro, his brother in arms is captured by the orcs. Enslaved, he awaits his death but will fight to the end. But the orcs have another plan for him.
Both have to fight for their lives from all sides and learn the truth of what and who they are. There is no hero versus villan story here. Everyone wants to use them or kill them, both out to end the other.
Seriously, read this book. You won't regret it.
December 8, 2023
Whispers of a Word Breaker is an excellent first entry in a self-pub Dragon Riding Fantasy series. The worldbuilding and plot are top notch and kept me engaged in the book. It feels like the world history has been well thought out and developed way beyond what is discovered and talked about in Book 1. The lore behind the factions is fascinating and not typical for the races. They may be Elves, Orcs, and Dragons but they aren't the typical Tolkien Elves, Orcs, and Dragons.
Whispers of a World Breaker is nonstop action yet it still manages to build fantastic POV characters that have you rooting for them as they are thrown into different sides in a brewing war. Seeing the building conflict from different sides will lead you on a wild ride of moral discovery as you learn the truth behind the fight. Or, do you?
Starting off, I felt the book employed a pretty obvious plot convenient mentor trope which felt off-putting. However, I quickly changed my mind regarding this as it becomes apparent that all is not what it appears and events are being manipulated. The twists kept coming and I can't wait to see where they lead next.
I recommend this book for anyone who loves dragons, magic, and deep world building involving warring morally conflicted factions.
Whispers of a World Breaker is nonstop action yet it still manages to build fantastic POV characters that have you rooting for them as they are thrown into different sides in a brewing war. Seeing the building conflict from different sides will lead you on a wild ride of moral discovery as you learn the truth behind the fight. Or, do you?
Starting off, I felt the book employed a pretty obvious plot convenient mentor trope which felt off-putting. However, I quickly changed my mind regarding this as it becomes apparent that all is not what it appears and events are being manipulated. The twists kept coming and I can't wait to see where they lead next.
I recommend this book for anyone who loves dragons, magic, and deep world building involving warring morally conflicted factions.
January 9, 2024
Lots of good in this one, some minor spelling or wrong word every now & again but on the whole a decent read. I had a problem with the time lines of the 2 MC's, although you are never really told how long things are taking I did feel like things in the Aric story arc were happening faster than in Moro's, it isn't really until one of the final scenes that Aric mentions 6 months but really that's the first real indication of how long things have taken.
Not sure about the hints at the past, not sure if it's going to mean anything later on but to be honest it doesn't make a lot of sense anyway.
Mistakenly, as the 2nd one is "available" I thought that I could move on to Book 2 but it's not out yet & I probably wouldn't have read this as I've more than enough "stories" waiting on the next instalment.
You can see where Paolini's influence is but unlike a couple of the others that I'm reading, the similarities end quite quickly & as a reader you are not left thinking that it's all been done before.
Not sure about the hints at the past, not sure if it's going to mean anything later on but to be honest it doesn't make a lot of sense anyway.
Mistakenly, as the 2nd one is "available" I thought that I could move on to Book 2 but it's not out yet & I probably wouldn't have read this as I've more than enough "stories" waiting on the next instalment.
You can see where Paolini's influence is but unlike a couple of the others that I'm reading, the similarities end quite quickly & as a reader you are not left thinking that it's all been done before.
May 30, 2023
I would rate this like a 3.5 to 3.75 out of 5 but I’m going up ahead and round up. I enjoyed the story and will definitely read the next installment. I enjoyed the magic system and thought it was an interesting take on magic systems. I felt like the story surrounding aric and eldras was very cool, however, I felt like them traveling the entirety of map seemed to get a bit redundant. I enjoyed the Moro side of the story but I felt not enough time was spent on him and his struggle with accepting that his whole history of orcs and dragons was a lie. It just felt rushed that he would accept what they had to say so quickly. I also am not wanting to write this discourage the author. I really enjoyed the book and think it is a fantastic book that has a lot of potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 17, 2024My weakness is recommendations! I see a good one and dive right in, only to hit a wall later. Take "Whispers of a World Breaker" for example. I'm 41% through, but...ugh. The characters are flat, their relationships feel forced, the plot isn't grabbing me, and the writing is uninspired (though the cover art is great!).
It's killing me to give up, but forcing myself through two unenjoyable books at once is a recipe for disaster. Maybe I've just overdosed on dragon stories lately? Perhaps I'll revisit "Whispers" someday, but for now, it's a DNF. Who knows, maybe the problem is me!
It's killing me to give up, but forcing myself through two unenjoyable books at once is a recipe for disaster. Maybe I've just overdosed on dragon stories lately? Perhaps I'll revisit "Whispers" someday, but for now, it's a DNF. Who knows, maybe the problem is me!
July 1, 2023
I loved the world, the magic system, the characters, and the very real world take on the fantasy genre.
I felt however that the writing and story telling was very rushed. Things happened seemingly without precursor or explanation. While this did not detract from the story overall, it made it feel like I had missed parts as I read through.
Otherwise I like it. I especially look forward to a sequel and see how the author improves his writing style.
I felt however that the writing and story telling was very rushed. Things happened seemingly without precursor or explanation. While this did not detract from the story overall, it made it feel like I had missed parts as I read through.
Otherwise I like it. I especially look forward to a sequel and see how the author improves his writing style.
November 11, 2024
Really good and intriguing story!
I for the most part thought it was great. I liked the characters and I really enjoyed seeing both sides of the conflict with a bunch of little bits of drama sprinkled in.
The only two gripes I have are grammatical errors and not understanding some things with how they were described. It felt at times it jumped from one moment to another.
Still, overall it was really good and hope it gets better from here!
I for the most part thought it was great. I liked the characters and I really enjoyed seeing both sides of the conflict with a bunch of little bits of drama sprinkled in.
The only two gripes I have are grammatical errors and not understanding some things with how they were described. It felt at times it jumped from one moment to another.
Still, overall it was really good and hope it gets better from here!
May 18, 2023
Aric is the epitome of a complex protagonist. Watching him and his bond with Eldras grow over the course of the book was absolutely fantastic. The complexity of the characters and the depth of world building kept me reading late into the night and wishing for more. If you're considering this book, I highly recommend it to any fans of the fantasy genre
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
I enjoyed this book with its own unique take on dragon bonds and elves and orcs. I especially enjoyed all the chapters featuring Aric and Eldras as I loved their bond and their story.
It was interesting to see the story unfold and learn more about each race and the secrets they’ve been keeping, the book left me interested to find out what happens next and who will end up on top.
It was interesting to see the story unfold and learn more about each race and the secrets they’ve been keeping, the book left me interested to find out what happens next and who will end up on top.
January 1, 2024
fantasy for adults
It’s rare to find a fantasy novel that’s very well written with adult themes that don’t slip into tmi. Or very much aimed at young adults. Not knocking either but I appreciate this author as this novel is a needle in a haystack.
It’s rare to find a fantasy novel that’s very well written with adult themes that don’t slip into tmi. Or very much aimed at young adults. Not knocking either but I appreciate this author as this novel is a needle in a haystack.
January 18, 2024
This should b good
Didn't expect much from this when I picked up, from kindle unlimited. So I was totally surprised to b hurled into this great take on a darker more adult oriented book. I'm all ready looking forward to the next book in the series.
Didn't expect much from this when I picked up, from kindle unlimited. So I was totally surprised to b hurled into this great take on a darker more adult oriented book. I'm all ready looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 6, 2024
WoaWB
I’m ready for this book to be a movie trilogy!
Corey has already developed an entire world that has me captivated!
I’m ready for this book to be a movie trilogy!
Corey has already developed an entire world that has me captivated!
May 26, 2024
I found Whispers of a World Breaker to be really interesting. I was pleased to find the story was well written and was aimed at a more adult audience. Cussing was included BUT was only used in context - not just for the sake of it.
I’m invested and desperately want to find out what happens next as although the book ends it can’t be ‘the end’ of the tale.
I’m invested and desperately want to find out what happens next as although the book ends it can’t be ‘the end’ of the tale.
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