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Arena Forged
Regret is a burden. I should know. And magic makes it worse…
Once, the crowd adored me. I was young and the world was small. I fought in the arena, and I was good. The best. Warriors feared me. Kings praised me. And women…
Best to say little of that. Yet one ruined me. Cast me aside. Betrayed me. Those who showered me with gold turned to hunting me with steel. Because of her.
Age hides me now. But it robs me too. Strength and skill are fading, just when I need them most. The adoring crowds of my youth would not know me, and my name is dead on their lips. Fame, you are a traitor.
Now, another woman comes into my life as the ancient evil I once fled casts its shadow over the realm. She is my daughter, and I protect her from her enemies. Yet I do not tell her the truth.
Men I can still fight. Magic I can thwart, with a touch of my own. But the leader of my daughter’s enemies is worse.
She is a god…
Once, the crowd adored me. I was young and the world was small. I fought in the arena, and I was good. The best. Warriors feared me. Kings praised me. And women…
Best to say little of that. Yet one ruined me. Cast me aside. Betrayed me. Those who showered me with gold turned to hunting me with steel. Because of her.
Age hides me now. But it robs me too. Strength and skill are fading, just when I need them most. The adoring crowds of my youth would not know me, and my name is dead on their lips. Fame, you are a traitor.
Now, another woman comes into my life as the ancient evil I once fled casts its shadow over the realm. She is my daughter, and I protect her from her enemies. Yet I do not tell her the truth.
Men I can still fight. Magic I can thwart, with a touch of my own. But the leader of my daughter’s enemies is worse.
She is a god…
- GenresFantasyEpic Fantasy
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2025
About the author
Robert Ryan
38 books133 followersI am a man born in the wrong era. My heart yearns for faraway places and even further afield times. Tolkien had me at the beginning of The Hobbit when he said, ". . . one morning long ago in the quiet of the world . . ."
I love to read high fantasy and epic fantasy novels, and I have a passion to write, to weave a story with words that draws the reader into another world.
I love to read high fantasy and epic fantasy novels, and I have a passion to write, to weave a story with words that draws the reader into another world.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Want to Read
August 7, 2025The guy on the cover looks like a cross between Conan and Kratos.
So, yeah. Insta buy.
So, yeah. Insta buy.
May 27, 2025
Epic!
This new series mixing the devious and the hopeful in a heart pounding tale of right and wrong and thin precipice the characters stand on. You never know just what the outcome will be until the scene fully unfolds across the pages!
This new series mixing the devious and the hopeful in a heart pounding tale of right and wrong and thin precipice the characters stand on. You never know just what the outcome will be until the scene fully unfolds across the pages!
June 24, 2025
Sweet!
This is an unexpected twist in the hero/heroine quest which is the basis for fantasy literature. One with an older hero with his daughter who is expected to save the world though they do not believe they are the heroes of legend.
This is an unexpected twist in the hero/heroine quest which is the basis for fantasy literature. One with an older hero with his daughter who is expected to save the world though they do not believe they are the heroes of legend.
March 26, 2026
An Exceptional and Spirited Noblebright fantasy Read
This was, in my opinion, a truly exceptional read. At both times heroic and honoring of the human spirit, while also showcasing the realities of both the paths of good and evil, Arena Forge set the stage for a grand fantasy epic filled with grit, action, and personal stakes. I felt invested in the lives of the main characters, discovered the fasination of a world, its magics, gods, heroes and nuances that I had not known before and I could not put the story down. This is the first book I have read of Robert Ryans...but I already cant wait to finish the remaining books of this series, and I have no doubt I will eventually explore his other titles. For someone who is an avid fan of fantasy, and even sword and sorcery...i often enjoy the staples of a fantasy story and yet my true tastes and desires lie more of a cinematic and heroic nature. This is my first time really encountering the noble bright genre as an response or alternative to grimdark...but i am now a deep fan and inspired. Thank you Robert for an exceptional read, an inspiring alternative to grim fantasy, and for sparking my imagination anew!
This was, in my opinion, a truly exceptional read. At both times heroic and honoring of the human spirit, while also showcasing the realities of both the paths of good and evil, Arena Forge set the stage for a grand fantasy epic filled with grit, action, and personal stakes. I felt invested in the lives of the main characters, discovered the fasination of a world, its magics, gods, heroes and nuances that I had not known before and I could not put the story down. This is the first book I have read of Robert Ryans...but I already cant wait to finish the remaining books of this series, and I have no doubt I will eventually explore his other titles. For someone who is an avid fan of fantasy, and even sword and sorcery...i often enjoy the staples of a fantasy story and yet my true tastes and desires lie more of a cinematic and heroic nature. This is my first time really encountering the noble bright genre as an response or alternative to grimdark...but i am now a deep fan and inspired. Thank you Robert for an exceptional read, an inspiring alternative to grim fantasy, and for sparking my imagination anew!
May 2, 2026
Fairly predictable. Solid main characters. Bad guys are bad guys, good guys are good guys. By the end of the first book, I think we have the good guy team set up, and the bad guy team established. The overarching 'prophecy' of bring back the dead God is all in place for the whole series.
There are some discrepancies between the characters actions/words and their descriptions. Drom is supposed to be "well-read" and more intelligent than people give him credit. But there isn't much to show that. He's pretty reactive. For all his drive to survive, he seems to have a moral compass - which puts him at odds with the 20 years in the arena. He's doesn't know about the magic in his sword, but he does know about it?
I'll read the next book, but these are skimmers at best. They could be read while watching a TV show and still get the gist of the plot, the moral of the story, and enjoy what fighting there seems to be. I'm hoping the series improves over time...
There are some discrepancies between the characters actions/words and their descriptions. Drom is supposed to be "well-read" and more intelligent than people give him credit. But there isn't much to show that. He's pretty reactive. For all his drive to survive, he seems to have a moral compass - which puts him at odds with the 20 years in the arena. He's doesn't know about the magic in his sword, but he does know about it?
I'll read the next book, but these are skimmers at best. They could be read while watching a TV show and still get the gist of the plot, the moral of the story, and enjoy what fighting there seems to be. I'm hoping the series improves over time...
November 9, 2025
12-18 years of age
Maps are easy. This series doesn't have one. A bit of a symptom showing problems down the line. It's the first thing I look at. If the map view shows some detail, then that tells me some time was spent putting it together.
The flow of the series goes well (I read 4 books so far), but character depth is lacking. Simply not enough there. There are plenty of possibilities in bringing out more background story for the characters and their origins. Seems like the publisher was too eager to allow this series out for reading. It's akin to a lost opportunity here. The author should have been pressed to dig deeper.
Maps are easy. This series doesn't have one. A bit of a symptom showing problems down the line. It's the first thing I look at. If the map view shows some detail, then that tells me some time was spent putting it together.
The flow of the series goes well (I read 4 books so far), but character depth is lacking. Simply not enough there. There are plenty of possibilities in bringing out more background story for the characters and their origins. Seems like the publisher was too eager to allow this series out for reading. It's akin to a lost opportunity here. The author should have been pressed to dig deeper.
May 28, 2026
I've just Finish reading Book 1 in Author Robert Ryan's Series The Dream of the Druid, it started a bit slow but the story quickly developed as different characters came into the story as I've read all of Robert Ryan's Books / series this series so fare is not disappointing & I expect Books 2/3/& 4 will be really great reading if not for requiring sleep I would just keep reading, so I can highly recommend other readers of Fantasy Books have a look at Robert's list of Book's Laurie Stuart Blacktown
October 2, 2025
A warrior and a Princess combine to fulfill a prophesy.
Running for her life and rescued by a farmer, the Princess of an outlawed religion meets a legend from the arena to be her new protector. With the evil king and wizard using dark magic to control him hunting them down, they must reach the Druids for protection. The fight begins.
Running for her life and rescued by a farmer, the Princess of an outlawed religion meets a legend from the arena to be her new protector. With the evil king and wizard using dark magic to control him hunting them down, they must reach the Druids for protection. The fight begins.
November 29, 2025
Arena Forged, book one of the Dream of the Druid series, is an ebook I purchased. I really enjoyed this world and the fact these characters didn't fill the trope slots of a young hero (this one has a few miles on him and an infamous backstory). I managed to read books 1-4 in two days. Well-paced action with flawed but likeable characters
December 22, 2025
Good book! Good start for the series. While a short book, the author develops the characters quickly. I like Drom - he's older just wants to live. Events in the world do not allow this. He meets Ariane. Is she his daughter? Still need to find out. There are prophecies and the world is at a tipping point. Battle and magic sequences are well written.
January 8, 2026
the story feels fast paced and action based . however there is this feeling of "not enough" as looking back there are basically 2.5 fights in the whole book, and the lore is not really developed besides the king and his first druide, we don't know anything of this supposed bad country... overall I think it's because it's a pretty short book, that narrate only few days in story time.
March 22, 2026
a solid fantasy
For kindle unlimited this is a gem. Over half of the kindle unlimited books I start I do not finish so the fact I finished means something. Compared to a regular novel it’s a little bit short and direct. It’s not a bad thing it (so far) just isn’t some grand sweeping epic. Will continue to read it and I would recommend it.
For kindle unlimited this is a gem. Over half of the kindle unlimited books I start I do not finish so the fact I finished means something. Compared to a regular novel it’s a little bit short and direct. It’s not a bad thing it (so far) just isn’t some grand sweeping epic. Will continue to read it and I would recommend it.
August 19, 2025
Great start
This book was a great start,, in what I think will be an even greater series, the world is detained and the characters keep you rooting for them. I cant wait to see what happens next.
This book was a great start,, in what I think will be an even greater series, the world is detained and the characters keep you rooting for them. I cant wait to see what happens next.
February 1, 2026
Forged Quickly
Very fast paced. A lot of information is given in concise ways to help the reader complete a fantasy immersion while illuminating the relevant and known information. Enjoyed!
Very fast paced. A lot of information is given in concise ways to help the reader complete a fantasy immersion while illuminating the relevant and known information. Enjoyed!
May 29, 2026
It has potential but still not quite there yet. There are a few plot holes. A prime example is that for someone who was on the run for half their life they sure are trusting of the first person they run into. But aside from that it was too short to truly introduce and build up the characters
July 1, 2025
Great book and great author
October 7, 2025
hmmm... Drom, Ariane and characters.
easy reading yet eloquent.
a different kind of fable, yet plausibly believable.
and short.
good stuff
easy reading yet eloquent.
a different kind of fable, yet plausibly believable.
and short.
good stuff
November 24, 2025
Basically same plot Eye of the World/Wheel of Time but doesn’t take 10,000 pages to get to the point.
December 3, 2025
A Great Read, But
A well written and exciting story. My only criticism is its brevity. George R.R. Would consider this a short story. It is a great read, though.
A well written and exciting story. My only criticism is its brevity. George R.R. Would consider this a short story. It is a great read, though.
December 3, 2025
Entertaining!
This book is very well written, entertaining and the characters are believable. I will definitely be reading the next book in line.
This book is very well written, entertaining and the characters are believable. I will definitely be reading the next book in line.
January 1, 2026
Good read
I enjoy reading about the druids this however is beyond anything I have ever come across before. That has made it a very interesting experience
I enjoy reading about the druids this however is beyond anything I have ever come across before. That has made it a very interesting experience
April 22, 2026
Delightfully short and concise. The prose was very stylized while remaining excellent. I enjoyed it.
May 18, 2026
Good Book
Good story I’m looking forward to reading the series.
Tells me I need 11 more words for the review. So looks like this is enough.
Good story I’m looking forward to reading the series.
Tells me I need 11 more words for the review. So looks like this is enough.
May 25, 2026
It's an epic fantasy about an old warrior/gladiator dragged into a war of gods and prophecies. Nothing too complicated but there's beauty in simplicity.
July 18, 2025
4* but I'll probably not continue in the series, for me there was just no hook & I don't really care one way or the other what happens to anyone. The possessed sword that does what it pleases makes no sense, then the MC retrieves a talisman that basically stops damage but that the sword will destroy when used in anger....so won't he get angry when someone or thing tries to damage him ?
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews