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The Bound and the Broken #4.5
The Truth
The Truth will set you free.
The final The Bound and The Broken novella coming 2026!
The final The Bound and The Broken novella coming 2026!
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2026
About the author
Ryan Cahill
12 books4,359 followersGet your FREE copy of The Fall – a prequel novella from Ryan Cahill's new epic fantasy series, The Bound and The Broken – when you sign up for his mailing list:
www.ryancahillauthor.com
Ryan Cahill is the Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series, The Bound and The Broken.
Born and raised in Ireland, Ryan now resides amongst the rolling hills and hobbit holes of Middle-Earth, New Zealand. He does not own enough swords, would sell his left kidney for a dragon egg, and despises mushrooms in all their eldritch forms.
There are three things Ryan has always told himself about writing. Write the books you want to read. Write the books that your younger self would be proud of you for reading. Make sure they have dragons.
www.ryancahillauthor.com
Ryan Cahill is the Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of the epic fantasy series, The Bound and The Broken.
Born and raised in Ireland, Ryan now resides amongst the rolling hills and hobbit holes of Middle-Earth, New Zealand. He does not own enough swords, would sell his left kidney for a dragon egg, and despises mushrooms in all their eldritch forms.
There are three things Ryan has always told himself about writing. Write the books you want to read. Write the books that your younger self would be proud of you for reading. Make sure they have dragons.
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September 21, 2026
“[W]hen they finally emerged on the other side all they could see was devastation.” That’s me at the end of this novella, utterly torn apart. It is especially heartbreaking since you know where these events lead if you’ve read The Fall, the first novella of The Bound and The Broken series.
The Truth is a wonderfully apt title since there are several views on what exactly that truth is. Whose truth is the right one? Is there even one? I was tossed around a lot, looking through different characters’ eyes and not knowing which way was up. Seeing Eltoar, Alvira, Aeson, Farda, and even Fane follow their tragic paths was tearing me apart. I especially felt with Farda, so much so that I spilled a few tears. But it was also a great joy getting to see the familiar characters and their backstories, as contradictory as that might sound. Yes, it was awfully painful but it was also exceptionally rewarding.
It was also immensely satisfying after finding out “what” happened in The Fall, to now find out “why” it happened. The Truth is also episodic, covering a span of 92 years that explains how people who once trusted and loved one another eventually become responsible for that catastrophe.
All in all, The Truth is another fantastic addition to one of my favorite fantasy series. I think a reread of the entire series is on the agenda until the final book will be released.
The Truth is a wonderfully apt title since there are several views on what exactly that truth is. Whose truth is the right one? Is there even one? I was tossed around a lot, looking through different characters’ eyes and not knowing which way was up. Seeing Eltoar, Alvira, Aeson, Farda, and even Fane follow their tragic paths was tearing me apart. I especially felt with Farda, so much so that I spilled a few tears. But it was also a great joy getting to see the familiar characters and their backstories, as contradictory as that might sound. Yes, it was awfully painful but it was also exceptionally rewarding.
It was also immensely satisfying after finding out “what” happened in The Fall, to now find out “why” it happened. The Truth is also episodic, covering a span of 92 years that explains how people who once trusted and loved one another eventually become responsible for that catastrophe.
All in all, The Truth is another fantastic addition to one of my favorite fantasy series. I think a reread of the entire series is on the agenda until the final book will be released.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another 5 star banger from the master of dragon rider fantasy, Ryan Cahill!
Going into this, I just knew it was going to be special. Having read everything in this series you come to expect greatness. Even with all these unrealistic expectations, I was still blown away.
This is probably his most emotional book yet as it will make you FEEL for these characters. I like how he shows both sides of this conflict, never making it easy to tell who is good and who are the bad guys.
Some of the best battles and action scenes are scattered throughout the book. Perfect pacing from page one, I read this in two sittings. If I didn't have a TBR pile as tall as a building, I'd be more than happy to pick this up and do a re read.
I never thought I would find a novella that could top The Exile, but The Truth may very well be just too damn good. I've always said The Bound and the Broken is THE BEST fantasy series being written right now and I stand by that one thousand percent. While the novellas may not be required reading to understand the main story, you will miss so much greatness by not picking them up. They just add so much to every facet of the narrative that I think they elevate the story to a whole other level.
Short answer, read this and the main series. NOW.
Going into this, I just knew it was going to be special. Having read everything in this series you come to expect greatness. Even with all these unrealistic expectations, I was still blown away.
This is probably his most emotional book yet as it will make you FEEL for these characters. I like how he shows both sides of this conflict, never making it easy to tell who is good and who are the bad guys.
Some of the best battles and action scenes are scattered throughout the book. Perfect pacing from page one, I read this in two sittings. If I didn't have a TBR pile as tall as a building, I'd be more than happy to pick this up and do a re read.
I never thought I would find a novella that could top The Exile, but The Truth may very well be just too damn good. I've always said The Bound and the Broken is THE BEST fantasy series being written right now and I stand by that one thousand percent. While the novellas may not be required reading to understand the main story, you will miss so much greatness by not picking them up. They just add so much to every facet of the narrative that I think they elevate the story to a whole other level.
Short answer, read this and the main series. NOW.
June 18, 2026
1st & 2nd read: 5 stars!
Revealing, heartbreaking, devastating! RTC
Revealing, heartbreaking, devastating! RTC
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Truth hurts.
I don't know how Ryan Cahill is able to take already incredible characters and give them yet more depth and emotional force. But he does. In spades.
This novella packs in more action, emotion and tension than most full-blown novels achieve. It gives us more context as to why The Fall came about and in doing so makes the series all the more impactful. There are so many moving moments and they explain so much of what is to come and how we got where we are in the series.
The fantasy elements are, of course, incredible, but what sets this series and this novella apart is the vulnerability of the characters on both sides. The battle between right and wrong, good and evil, is handled at an individual level and it is seeing the inner turmoil experienced by pretty much everyone that really packs the punch and sells the story.
This series continues to be one of my all time favourites and I implore to start it now, if you haven't already!
I don't know how Ryan Cahill is able to take already incredible characters and give them yet more depth and emotional force. But he does. In spades.
This novella packs in more action, emotion and tension than most full-blown novels achieve. It gives us more context as to why The Fall came about and in doing so makes the series all the more impactful. There are so many moving moments and they explain so much of what is to come and how we got where we are in the series.
The fantasy elements are, of course, incredible, but what sets this series and this novella apart is the vulnerability of the characters on both sides. The battle between right and wrong, good and evil, is handled at an individual level and it is seeing the inner turmoil experienced by pretty much everyone that really packs the punch and sells the story.
This series continues to be one of my all time favourites and I implore to start it now, if you haven't already!
June 17, 2026
“fly, alvira. in this life and always.”
•••
well this novella vindicates me for my eltoar love. it’s never going away. (pls don’t crucify me eltoar haters). and i didn’t expect to be crying over farda of all characters but somehow it happened twice.
this was a perfect novella for me, and a big part of that was definitely the scope. there are five povs on either side, and i empathised with and understood each one. seeing the same characters interact from each of their perspectives was also fascinating. eltoar and fane’s dynamic was probably my favorite. seeing eltoar get sucked into fane’s view of the world and how fane handled him was incredible.
the entire book had this impeding sense of doom as it came closer and closer to full circle, ending up right where the fall started. i just reread the fall and it hits so much harder now, having seen how long these fractures were forming for. hearing eltoar and alvira’s thoughts about each over absolutely killed me. those books really are two sides of the same coin; the fall was so action packed and immediate, focused in on the battle. the truth shows that it goes far beyond that. 92 years before the fall. 20 years. 7. 2. 1. 4 months. it’s very clear that there was never one breaking point for the order, and there were so, so many moments where things could’ve gone differently.
i’m so excited (scared) for of gods and ashes. i know it’s going to be absolutely insane.
•••
well this novella vindicates me for my eltoar love. it’s never going away. (pls don’t crucify me eltoar haters). and i didn’t expect to be crying over farda of all characters but somehow it happened twice.
this was a perfect novella for me, and a big part of that was definitely the scope. there are five povs on either side, and i empathised with and understood each one. seeing the same characters interact from each of their perspectives was also fascinating. eltoar and fane’s dynamic was probably my favorite. seeing eltoar get sucked into fane’s view of the world and how fane handled him was incredible.
the entire book had this impeding sense of doom as it came closer and closer to full circle, ending up right where the fall started. i just reread the fall and it hits so much harder now, having seen how long these fractures were forming for. hearing eltoar and alvira’s thoughts about each over absolutely killed me. those books really are two sides of the same coin; the fall was so action packed and immediate, focused in on the battle. the truth shows that it goes far beyond that. 92 years before the fall. 20 years. 7. 2. 1. 4 months. it’s very clear that there was never one breaking point for the order, and there were so, so many moments where things could’ve gone differently.
i’m so excited (scared) for of gods and ashes. i know it’s going to be absolutely insane.
June 19, 2026
Speechless. RTC!
October 3, 2026
“Fly, Alvira. In this life, and always.”
“The truth will set you free. Or it will kill you. Either way, the path must be walked.”
MASTERPIECE.
Inject this series into my veins. The Bound and the Broken is officially my #1 series of all time. I cannot believe there is only one book left AND WE DON’T EVEN HAVE IT YET. But it’s fine. Ryan Cahill, you fucking mastermind, take your time. Please. Because this series has absolutely consumed me.
The Truth is exactly that: the truth about everything that led to the Fall of the Order. And it turns out, it was never as simple as it seemed. This isn’t a black-and-white story, and the Fall wasn’t caused by one massive event. This story begins YEARS beforehand, and Cahill shows how both the big and small moments slowly pushed these characters toward what we know is coming. Battles. Deaths. Political decisions. Arguments. Disagreements. Misunderstandings. And so, so much grief.
Which brings me to Farda.
That fucking man. One of my favorite characters of all time, officially on the list with Darrow, Sevro, Aelin, Dorian, Kaladin, etc. I have been a Farda stan from the beginning, but this novella completely solidified it. He carries SO much pain and grief, and probably 90% of my crying during this book was because of him. There were scenes with Farda that genuinely devastated me. Get behind me, Farda. I gotchu.
Eltoar and Alvira also broke my fucking heart. They loved each other so much, but they couldn’t see eye to eye, and everything happening around them slowly pushed them onto opposite sides. Watching their relationship unravel while knowing where it ultimately leads was excruciating.
And Eltoar and Saltara!! The master-and-apprentice-on-opposite-sides trope will get me every single time, and Cahill absolutely nailed it with these two. Devastating.
That’s really the best word for this entire novella: devastating. Heartbreaking. Dark. Complicated. And somehow one of the best things I’ve read.
I finished The Truth wanting to immediately go back to Of Blood and Fire and start this entire series over again. I haven’t felt this consumed by a series in so fucking long. I cannot stop thinking about these characters or this world. I just need more, more, MORE.
Of Gods and Ashes is going to destroy me.
I cannot fucking wait.
“The truth will set you free. Or it will kill you. Either way, the path must be walked.”
MASTERPIECE.
Inject this series into my veins. The Bound and the Broken is officially my #1 series of all time. I cannot believe there is only one book left AND WE DON’T EVEN HAVE IT YET. But it’s fine. Ryan Cahill, you fucking mastermind, take your time. Please. Because this series has absolutely consumed me.
The Truth is exactly that: the truth about everything that led to the Fall of the Order. And it turns out, it was never as simple as it seemed. This isn’t a black-and-white story, and the Fall wasn’t caused by one massive event. This story begins YEARS beforehand, and Cahill shows how both the big and small moments slowly pushed these characters toward what we know is coming. Battles. Deaths. Political decisions. Arguments. Disagreements. Misunderstandings. And so, so much grief.
Which brings me to Farda.
That fucking man. One of my favorite characters of all time, officially on the list with Darrow, Sevro, Aelin, Dorian, Kaladin, etc. I have been a Farda stan from the beginning, but this novella completely solidified it. He carries SO much pain and grief, and probably 90% of my crying during this book was because of him. There were scenes with Farda that genuinely devastated me. Get behind me, Farda. I gotchu.
Eltoar and Alvira also broke my fucking heart. They loved each other so much, but they couldn’t see eye to eye, and everything happening around them slowly pushed them onto opposite sides. Watching their relationship unravel while knowing where it ultimately leads was excruciating.
And Eltoar and Saltara!! The master-and-apprentice-on-opposite-sides trope will get me every single time, and Cahill absolutely nailed it with these two. Devastating.
That’s really the best word for this entire novella: devastating. Heartbreaking. Dark. Complicated. And somehow one of the best things I’ve read.
I finished The Truth wanting to immediately go back to Of Blood and Fire and start this entire series over again. I haven’t felt this consumed by a series in so fucking long. I cannot stop thinking about these characters or this world. I just need more, more, MORE.
Of Gods and Ashes is going to destroy me.
I cannot fucking wait.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Check out the FULL, spoiler-filled review at SFF Insiders
Ryan Cahill is a bloody genius. Plain and simple.
It is a near impossible task to put into words the level of anticipation and expectation I had before starting The Truth. I have loved The Bound and the Broken with a passion that deserves its own dragon bond. And this is potentially my favorite entry Ryan has given us in this epic narrative.
The Truth is a raw, bloody peek behind the curtain of betrayal and devastation that sets the emotional stage for what I would argue is THE new standard for epic, dragonrider fantasy series. I don’t make that claim lightly. There is just nothing that matches The Bound and the Broken for powerful, epic moments, inspirational speeches, bloody dragon battles, and nuanced characters with so much motivation that you find yourself rooting for every single character at different stages of the books. Of all the fantasy worlds that I love to frequent, Epheria is the one I consistently most long to return to so I can join the draleid on dragon wing. The Truth was a blast of dragonfire into my imagination as I was reminded how deeply I love The Bound and the Broken.
In my opinion, The Bound and the Broken is the greatest dragonrider series currently being written and is a strong contender for the best ever written. This is a series that transcends the epicness of bloody battles and inspiring speeches and has taken on a true life of its own. I’ve been saying it for years, but The Bound and the Broken is special. It just is.
If you haven’t started The Bound and the Broken, The Truth is not where you should start. But you NEED to read this book, because it is so, so good. So do yourself a favor, pick up a copy of Of Blood and Fire and start your journey.
“Draleid N’aldryr.”
Ryan Cahill is a bloody genius. Plain and simple.
It is a near impossible task to put into words the level of anticipation and expectation I had before starting The Truth. I have loved The Bound and the Broken with a passion that deserves its own dragon bond. And this is potentially my favorite entry Ryan has given us in this epic narrative.
The Truth is a raw, bloody peek behind the curtain of betrayal and devastation that sets the emotional stage for what I would argue is THE new standard for epic, dragonrider fantasy series. I don’t make that claim lightly. There is just nothing that matches The Bound and the Broken for powerful, epic moments, inspirational speeches, bloody dragon battles, and nuanced characters with so much motivation that you find yourself rooting for every single character at different stages of the books. Of all the fantasy worlds that I love to frequent, Epheria is the one I consistently most long to return to so I can join the draleid on dragon wing. The Truth was a blast of dragonfire into my imagination as I was reminded how deeply I love The Bound and the Broken.
In my opinion, The Bound and the Broken is the greatest dragonrider series currently being written and is a strong contender for the best ever written. This is a series that transcends the epicness of bloody battles and inspiring speeches and has taken on a true life of its own. I’ve been saying it for years, but The Bound and the Broken is special. It just is.
If you haven’t started The Bound and the Broken, The Truth is not where you should start. But you NEED to read this book, because it is so, so good. So do yourself a favor, pick up a copy of Of Blood and Fire and start your journey.
“Draleid N’aldryr.”
September 30, 2026
Another amazing novella in The Bound and the Broken series. I'm sad this is the last one because these novellas have been some of my absolute favorites not just for the series, but as far as a novella goes in general. Ryan knows how to pack a punch with this and hit you where it hurts. And this one, is no different. In all honesty, it makes me want to reread the whole series.
Absolute banger. Read The Bound and the Broken if you haven't ASAP!!
Absolute banger. Read The Bound and the Broken if you haven't ASAP!!
October 2, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ GOD. DAMN. RYAN.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"And believe me when I tell you, the truth will set you free. Or it will kill you.”
We have the final not-a-novella from Ryan Cahill in the behemoth that is The Bound and the Broken, and as a fan, I'd have it no other way. Sitting around 80k words, The Truth is less of a linear story and more like bullet points throughout the time leading up to The Fall. These bullet points highlight important battles, decisions, conversations and revelations. Don't get me wrong, the story flows well and the pacing is fantastic, but we have some big time jumps.
The questions that are answered left me with more…but it does answer some of the lingering questions of the fandom about the build up to that night of betrayal.
Like in everything Cahill writes, he is able to carry on important parts of the plot while deep diving into the thoughts and emotions of his characters. I think this is his finest skill as an author. The ability to take knowledge and events the reader is already aware of and still make them care as they read the moments unfold is a special talent. But there are many new revelations dealing with character relationships and motivations. There were parts that gave me actual chills. Two moments that are still stuck in my mind.
We go through points in time with beloved and disdained characters alike, reliving so many of their darkest moments, while also covering new ground with Alivra, the Archon of the Draleid and the absolute Legend that she has become in the series lore.
Some of the best parts of The Truth are about the characters most of us would consider villains. Fane Mortem is my favorite PoV, followed by Farda Kyrana. There is something sickening to me about finding good qualities and heroic deeds from two characters I've actually hated throughout this series…But that's the point. Nothing is black and white and everything is grey. Fane and Farda are shown in a new light that really starts to make the reader question some of their feelings about them.
Cahill has delivered a tense, emotional, political, thought-provoking installment into his series. The book has the probability to leave readers even more at odds when it comes to how they view the night of The Fall and which side was more right…because you can actually make arguments for both.
"All swords seem a valiant thing until they cut you, and you learn to fear their edge."
The Truth has set the final stage. Of God's and Ashes is the most anticipated book of my life and I look forward to the day I hold it in my hands.
We have the final not-a-novella from Ryan Cahill in the behemoth that is The Bound and the Broken, and as a fan, I'd have it no other way. Sitting around 80k words, The Truth is less of a linear story and more like bullet points throughout the time leading up to The Fall. These bullet points highlight important battles, decisions, conversations and revelations. Don't get me wrong, the story flows well and the pacing is fantastic, but we have some big time jumps.
The questions that are answered left me with more…but it does answer some of the lingering questions of the fandom about the build up to that night of betrayal.
Like in everything Cahill writes, he is able to carry on important parts of the plot while deep diving into the thoughts and emotions of his characters. I think this is his finest skill as an author. The ability to take knowledge and events the reader is already aware of and still make them care as they read the moments unfold is a special talent. But there are many new revelations dealing with character relationships and motivations. There were parts that gave me actual chills. Two moments that are still stuck in my mind.
We go through points in time with beloved and disdained characters alike, reliving so many of their darkest moments, while also covering new ground with Alivra, the Archon of the Draleid and the absolute Legend that she has become in the series lore.
Some of the best parts of The Truth are about the characters most of us would consider villains. Fane Mortem is my favorite PoV, followed by Farda Kyrana. There is something sickening to me about finding good qualities and heroic deeds from two characters I've actually hated throughout this series…But that's the point. Nothing is black and white and everything is grey. Fane and Farda are shown in a new light that really starts to make the reader question some of their feelings about them.
Cahill has delivered a tense, emotional, political, thought-provoking installment into his series. The book has the probability to leave readers even more at odds when it comes to how they view the night of The Fall and which side was more right…because you can actually make arguments for both.
"All swords seem a valiant thing until they cut you, and you learn to fear their edge."
The Truth has set the final stage. Of God's and Ashes is the most anticipated book of my life and I look forward to the day I hold it in my hands.
July 12, 2026
So I received an early advanced copy of this and immediately dropped what I was reading…
In a series known for having really good and crucial to read novellas, I am happy to say that the final novella in The Bound and the Broken hits the mark and is in my opinion the strongest of the novellas.
Absolutely heartbreaking and as the title suggests, we learn the The Truth of why The Fall occurred. Cahill has come such a long way in such a short period of time and it really shows with this.
This one hurts but is oh so good.
5/5
In a series known for having really good and crucial to read novellas, I am happy to say that the final novella in The Bound and the Broken hits the mark and is in my opinion the strongest of the novellas.
Absolutely heartbreaking and as the title suggests, we learn the The Truth of why The Fall occurred. Cahill has come such a long way in such a short period of time and it really shows with this.
This one hurts but is oh so good.
5/5
October 6, 2026
Absolutely amazing!
July 15, 2026
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For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
————————————————————————————————
MY ⭐️ RATING: 5/5
FORMAT: Advanced Reader Copy
The Truth is a powerful yet intoxicating story that captures a raw and visceral account of how the entire order of Draleid and their ideals slowly unraveled from within over nearly a century. Cahill uses time jumps to perfection, keeping the pacing tight and the tension at its peak throughout. Spanning from 92 years before the events of The Fall, it shows the growing fractures all the way to the very day of when the order ceased to exist. It is a story of corruption, betrayal and tragedy, and while it always feels like Cahill has reached his peak, he proves to be a true student of the craft by finding new ways to work in something he’s never done before and nails it flawlessly.
The story is told through many point of views, but is mainly about Alvira, Eltoar, Farda and Fane while giving glimpses of other characters that we’ve all grown to love like Aeson, Chora and Salara. It’s something special to see who all these characters were before the world changed because The Truth is a perfectly crafted work of art that humanizes every single character. Each of these characters deliver an incredible dynamic that not only sets the entire world of Epheria ablaze, but lit a fire in my own heart.
I’m no stranger to Cahill mollywhopping me in the emotional feels, but The Truth was a knockout punch to the very core of my soul. There’s certain things you can write about or put in film that would break me. I’m not a father, but I am an uncle to two wonderful kiddos that I adore to the end of time, and there’s a part of this story that honestly completely wrecked me. It made me understand the ache, the pain and the absolute torment that destroyed a man’s heart and made me like a certain character more than I ever had, because I would be him… and he’s actually now my favorite character because of this. Cahill said this was not a happy story and he didn’t lie.
“The why of things always matters… If we do not understand why something has happened then we are doomed to watch it happen again. The cause of something is rarely what we see on the surface.”
The Truth is one of those stories that needed to be told more than any other story, because this is, in fact, the truth. Seeing the city of Ilnaen at its height rather than just the glimpses we’ve gotten throughout the series adds an even deeper layer to the tragedy of this story. It makes you realize just how controlled everything is and how long the manipulation has been going on. How deeply rooted it is and how far one is willing to go to see his plans develop. It shows that the “bad guys” all along were just being puppeteered by someone else, the mastermind behind it all.
One of my biggest issues as a reviewer is how much Star Wars I see in things and I wish I didn’t see it everywhere. I can’t help but see the Star Wars parallels within the story even more than what I’ve already seen throughout the series. I may be grasping at straws here but these feel correct to me: Amatkai feels like Sidious, Fane as Count Dooku, Eltoar as Anakin, Farda as Maul, Alvira as Qui-Gon, Aeson as Obi-Wan, Salara as Ahsoka and even Chora has a Yoda-like feeling about her. The Truth feels like a mix of the prequels. The corruption happens differently and at a later time in life, but we now know how it all started. This reminds me of one of the most famous quotes in all of Star Wars: “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
By weaving this intricate web of manipulation, Cahill has crafted a tragedy that strikes with absolute precision. The Truth isn’t just a prequel, it is a vital expansion of The Bound and the Broken lore that proves the most terrifying monsters may not be the ones we suspected all along. It is a stunning, heartbreaking, and completely unmissable achievement that will linger in your thoughts and discussions long after the final page is turned.
Follow me on X: Twitter.com/wolfmantula
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
————————————————————————————————
MY ⭐️ RATING: 5/5
FORMAT: Advanced Reader Copy
The Truth is a powerful yet intoxicating story that captures a raw and visceral account of how the entire order of Draleid and their ideals slowly unraveled from within over nearly a century. Cahill uses time jumps to perfection, keeping the pacing tight and the tension at its peak throughout. Spanning from 92 years before the events of The Fall, it shows the growing fractures all the way to the very day of when the order ceased to exist. It is a story of corruption, betrayal and tragedy, and while it always feels like Cahill has reached his peak, he proves to be a true student of the craft by finding new ways to work in something he’s never done before and nails it flawlessly.
The story is told through many point of views, but is mainly about Alvira, Eltoar, Farda and Fane while giving glimpses of other characters that we’ve all grown to love like Aeson, Chora and Salara. It’s something special to see who all these characters were before the world changed because The Truth is a perfectly crafted work of art that humanizes every single character. Each of these characters deliver an incredible dynamic that not only sets the entire world of Epheria ablaze, but lit a fire in my own heart.
I’m no stranger to Cahill mollywhopping me in the emotional feels, but The Truth was a knockout punch to the very core of my soul. There’s certain things you can write about or put in film that would break me. I’m not a father, but I am an uncle to two wonderful kiddos that I adore to the end of time, and there’s a part of this story that honestly completely wrecked me. It made me understand the ache, the pain and the absolute torment that destroyed a man’s heart and made me like a certain character more than I ever had, because I would be him… and he’s actually now my favorite character because of this. Cahill said this was not a happy story and he didn’t lie.
“The why of things always matters… If we do not understand why something has happened then we are doomed to watch it happen again. The cause of something is rarely what we see on the surface.”
The Truth is one of those stories that needed to be told more than any other story, because this is, in fact, the truth. Seeing the city of Ilnaen at its height rather than just the glimpses we’ve gotten throughout the series adds an even deeper layer to the tragedy of this story. It makes you realize just how controlled everything is and how long the manipulation has been going on. How deeply rooted it is and how far one is willing to go to see his plans develop. It shows that the “bad guys” all along were just being puppeteered by someone else, the mastermind behind it all.
One of my biggest issues as a reviewer is how much Star Wars I see in things and I wish I didn’t see it everywhere. I can’t help but see the Star Wars parallels within the story even more than what I’ve already seen throughout the series. I may be grasping at straws here but these feel correct to me: Amatkai feels like Sidious, Fane as Count Dooku, Eltoar as Anakin, Farda as Maul, Alvira as Qui-Gon, Aeson as Obi-Wan, Salara as Ahsoka and even Chora has a Yoda-like feeling about her. The Truth feels like a mix of the prequels. The corruption happens differently and at a later time in life, but we now know how it all started. This reminds me of one of the most famous quotes in all of Star Wars: “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
By weaving this intricate web of manipulation, Cahill has crafted a tragedy that strikes with absolute precision. The Truth isn’t just a prequel, it is a vital expansion of The Bound and the Broken lore that proves the most terrifying monsters may not be the ones we suspected all along. It is a stunning, heartbreaking, and completely unmissable achievement that will linger in your thoughts and discussions long after the final page is turned.
August 7, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Ryan Cahill ist ein Mastermind!
The Truth ist der Countdown zu „The Fall“. Mit der Novelle „The Fall“ hat die ganze Reise angefangen. Und jetzt, 4 Novellen und 4 Hauptbände später, bekommen wir von Ryan Cahill die Vorgeschichte präsentiert; und diese lässt ALLES und JEDEN in einem anderen bzw. neuen Licht erscheinen!!! Ich kann garnicht in Worte fassen, wie unfassbar genial Cahill ist und wie er die ganze Story und jeden einzelnen Charakter durch diese Informationen durchrüttelt! Man möchte am liebsten sofort nochmal die ganze Buchreihe von vorne lesen, mit dem Wissen im Hinterkopf, was man jetzt nach der Lektüre von „The Truth“ hat.
Cahills Bücher haben von Anfang an vor grauen Charakteren nur so gestrotzt, aber was man hier erfährt, lässt einen die vermeintlichen „Bösewichte“ nochmal ganz anders und auf einem tieferen Level verstehen. Eine spezielle Hintergrundgeschichte hat mich dermaßen gebrochen, dass ich aus dem Weinen kaum mehr herausgekommen bin. Ich gebe zu, dass ich für diesen Charakter (obwohl Antagonist) schon immer einen Softspot hatte - zu erfahren, was die Hintergründe waren, warum er die Entscheidungen die er getroffen hat, gefällt hat, war unglaublich schmerzhaft mitzuerleben. Ebenso schmerzhaft war mit anzusehen, wie wahre und respektvolle Freundschaften zerbrechen konnten und wie durch gezielte Manipulation Dinge erreicht werden können - absolut erschreckend!
Mein Herz ist bei dieser Reihe und den Charakteren - die Reihe ist mein Platz 1 und hat mein Leben beeinflusst und verändert - Ryan Cahill ist für mich ein absolutes Mastermind und das, was er hier geschaffen hat und vor allem auch, WIE er uns das näherbringt, ist der absolute Wahnsinn! Wie alles zusammenhängt und wie die Charaktere aufgebaut sind, ist ein einziges Kunstwerk und Meisterwerk! Ich kann hier nur super persönliche Worte schreiben, weil die Reihe so viel mit mir macht und ich einfach nichts anderes tun kann als zu schwärmen und mein Herz sprudeln zu lassen!!
Mit tiefer Demut und Dankbarkeit, dass ich diese Geschichte lesen darf und dass sie Teil meiner DNA werden konnte 🙏🙏🙏
Lest bitte alle diese Reihe - sie wird nächstes Jahr auch auf Deutsch kommen 🙏🥳
Ryan Cahill ist ein Mastermind!
The Truth ist der Countdown zu „The Fall“. Mit der Novelle „The Fall“ hat die ganze Reise angefangen. Und jetzt, 4 Novellen und 4 Hauptbände später, bekommen wir von Ryan Cahill die Vorgeschichte präsentiert; und diese lässt ALLES und JEDEN in einem anderen bzw. neuen Licht erscheinen!!! Ich kann garnicht in Worte fassen, wie unfassbar genial Cahill ist und wie er die ganze Story und jeden einzelnen Charakter durch diese Informationen durchrüttelt! Man möchte am liebsten sofort nochmal die ganze Buchreihe von vorne lesen, mit dem Wissen im Hinterkopf, was man jetzt nach der Lektüre von „The Truth“ hat.
Cahills Bücher haben von Anfang an vor grauen Charakteren nur so gestrotzt, aber was man hier erfährt, lässt einen die vermeintlichen „Bösewichte“ nochmal ganz anders und auf einem tieferen Level verstehen. Eine spezielle Hintergrundgeschichte hat mich dermaßen gebrochen, dass ich aus dem Weinen kaum mehr herausgekommen bin. Ich gebe zu, dass ich für diesen Charakter (obwohl Antagonist) schon immer einen Softspot hatte - zu erfahren, was die Hintergründe waren, warum er die Entscheidungen die er getroffen hat, gefällt hat, war unglaublich schmerzhaft mitzuerleben. Ebenso schmerzhaft war mit anzusehen, wie wahre und respektvolle Freundschaften zerbrechen konnten und wie durch gezielte Manipulation Dinge erreicht werden können - absolut erschreckend!
Mein Herz ist bei dieser Reihe und den Charakteren - die Reihe ist mein Platz 1 und hat mein Leben beeinflusst und verändert - Ryan Cahill ist für mich ein absolutes Mastermind und das, was er hier geschaffen hat und vor allem auch, WIE er uns das näherbringt, ist der absolute Wahnsinn! Wie alles zusammenhängt und wie die Charaktere aufgebaut sind, ist ein einziges Kunstwerk und Meisterwerk! Ich kann hier nur super persönliche Worte schreiben, weil die Reihe so viel mit mir macht und ich einfach nichts anderes tun kann als zu schwärmen und mein Herz sprudeln zu lassen!!
Mit tiefer Demut und Dankbarkeit, dass ich diese Geschichte lesen darf und dass sie Teil meiner DNA werden konnte 🙏🙏🙏
Lest bitte alle diese Reihe - sie wird nächstes Jahr auch auf Deutsch kommen 🙏🥳
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC provided by Ryan Cahill.
Every time Ryan, EVERY FREAKING TIME!!! 😯😭
This man just knows how to tear at your emotions and make you feel things for characters that make you stare into space and say "WHAT IS HAPPENING??!!!??
"A hero stands for those who cannot. They stand no matter the cost, no matter the enemy. Their blade is the blade of the voiceless, of those who have already given everything."
The Truth is the final novella in the series, and it takes us back to the beginning, to see the events that led up to The Fall, the first novella in the series. One of the things I have been most impressed about with this entire series is Ryan's ability to make you see all sides of a character, whether you think that character is the hero or the villain. They all have such wonderful shades of gray, and I have always found myself drawn to darker characters and finding out what their experiences have been and what it is that drives them to do what they do. I love how as the series has progressed, I have continually been forced to question "just who is the bad guy here??"
"Tell me, what is the difference when you ask us to stand on this hill and watch tens of thousands burn, watch dragons be eaten alive. Tell me where I am to draw the fucking line because I cannot see it."
I absolutely loved spending this time with Eltoar, Farda and Fane. The battles, the political conflicts and the intense personal losses that are so devastating and it all makes you rethink and reconsider so much of what has happened in the series. I immediately reread The Fall and need to read all the rest again......DAMN YOU RYAN!!! 😂
But seriously, Ryan continues to deliver outstanding writing and character development, and I cannot wait to see how everything plays out in the finale, Of Gods and Ashes. WE ARE NOT PREPARED. The Truth delivers gut punch after gut punch and is a phenomenal addition to the series!!!
Every time Ryan, EVERY FREAKING TIME!!! 😯😭
This man just knows how to tear at your emotions and make you feel things for characters that make you stare into space and say "WHAT IS HAPPENING??!!!??
"A hero stands for those who cannot. They stand no matter the cost, no matter the enemy. Their blade is the blade of the voiceless, of those who have already given everything."
The Truth is the final novella in the series, and it takes us back to the beginning, to see the events that led up to The Fall, the first novella in the series. One of the things I have been most impressed about with this entire series is Ryan's ability to make you see all sides of a character, whether you think that character is the hero or the villain. They all have such wonderful shades of gray, and I have always found myself drawn to darker characters and finding out what their experiences have been and what it is that drives them to do what they do. I love how as the series has progressed, I have continually been forced to question "just who is the bad guy here??"
"Tell me, what is the difference when you ask us to stand on this hill and watch tens of thousands burn, watch dragons be eaten alive. Tell me where I am to draw the fucking line because I cannot see it."
I absolutely loved spending this time with Eltoar, Farda and Fane. The battles, the political conflicts and the intense personal losses that are so devastating and it all makes you rethink and reconsider so much of what has happened in the series. I immediately reread The Fall and need to read all the rest again......DAMN YOU RYAN!!! 😂
But seriously, Ryan continues to deliver outstanding writing and character development, and I cannot wait to see how everything plays out in the finale, Of Gods and Ashes. WE ARE NOT PREPARED. The Truth delivers gut punch after gut punch and is a phenomenal addition to the series!!!
October 2, 2026
Cahill’s novellas are truly the best.
We all know how this story ends, but the depth this just added absolutely ruined me 💔
“You are the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I have loved you from the moment you opened your eyes, and I will love you long after they are closed. Should we fall, I will find you again. They will not sing stories of us. There will be none left to sing. But let it be that we nonetheless will make a story that deserves telling. Dragonbound by fire, (redacted). Broken by death.”
There are so few men able to make me cry, and Ryan is one of them 😭🤍
Pre-Truth, I was gagged.
Post-Truth? TRUE DEVASTATION.
The way Cahill masterfully weaves epic battles, profound storylines, and heartfelt yet complex characters IN A F*CKIN’ NOVELLA—
I absolutely cannot wait for OGAA 🔥
One of my favorite series of all time!!
I mean, come on…
“At that moment, they were nothing but death. Nothing existed but talon, and fang, and fire. Shoulder to shoulder they stood with their kin, and they brought the flames of the void to the mortal world.”
“We get back up.” Aeson shifted on to one knee, looking to both (redacted) and (redacted). “This has been the darkest night. But after every night comes a dawn. And we must be the ones to rise to it. We are the Draleid. If we do not stand, what hope have others?”
Chilllllllllllllllllllssssssss.
We all know how this story ends, but the depth this just added absolutely ruined me 💔
“You are the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I have loved you from the moment you opened your eyes, and I will love you long after they are closed. Should we fall, I will find you again. They will not sing stories of us. There will be none left to sing. But let it be that we nonetheless will make a story that deserves telling. Dragonbound by fire, (redacted). Broken by death.”
There are so few men able to make me cry, and Ryan is one of them 😭🤍
Pre-Truth, I was gagged.
Post-Truth? TRUE DEVASTATION.
The way Cahill masterfully weaves epic battles, profound storylines, and heartfelt yet complex characters IN A F*CKIN’ NOVELLA—
I absolutely cannot wait for OGAA 🔥
One of my favorite series of all time!!
I mean, come on…
“At that moment, they were nothing but death. Nothing existed but talon, and fang, and fire. Shoulder to shoulder they stood with their kin, and they brought the flames of the void to the mortal world.”
“We get back up.” Aeson shifted on to one knee, looking to both (redacted) and (redacted). “This has been the darkest night. But after every night comes a dawn. And we must be the ones to rise to it. We are the Draleid. If we do not stand, what hope have others?”
Chilllllllllllllllllllssssssss.
October 2, 2026
entertaining but unnecessary
This whole story just reconfirms what was already told in the main novels (SPOILERS)… The Order is corrupt (already knew that), people find out and take sides and The Fall happens (already knew that), a Druid knows everything that is going to happen and reveals it to important people (if you read book 4 you could figure this out with this novella).
However, this story still provides entertainment and the fantastic portrayals of dragons in battle. I enjoy this world and the way it is built so this book provided more of that. Eltoar and Fane are two of the best characters in the series and getting more personal with them was great even if we already knew what the outcome of this story would be.
Did we NEED this story? No. But it still kept me engaged because of the things stated above.
This whole story just reconfirms what was already told in the main novels (SPOILERS)… The Order is corrupt (already knew that), people find out and take sides and The Fall happens (already knew that), a Druid knows everything that is going to happen and reveals it to important people (if you read book 4 you could figure this out with this novella).
However, this story still provides entertainment and the fantastic portrayals of dragons in battle. I enjoy this world and the way it is built so this book provided more of that. Eltoar and Fane are two of the best characters in the series and getting more personal with them was great even if we already knew what the outcome of this story would be.
Did we NEED this story? No. But it still kept me engaged because of the things stated above.
July 4, 2026
The last novella of The Bound and the Broken series doesn’t hold back on the emotional gut punches!
As always with Cahill’s work this is fantastically well paced. Full of action, politics and some jaw dropping revelations, The Truth adds a new perspective into the lore of this series and has me even more amped for Of Gods and Ashes.
The depth and development that Novellas have provided to this series is incredible and I think this may be my favourite of them.
(I received my eARC from the author as a member of his Patreon)
As always with Cahill’s work this is fantastically well paced. Full of action, politics and some jaw dropping revelations, The Truth adds a new perspective into the lore of this series and has me even more amped for Of Gods and Ashes.
The depth and development that Novellas have provided to this series is incredible and I think this may be my favourite of them.
(I received my eARC from the author as a member of his Patreon)
Review of advance copy
Got this as an e-Arc through Ryan Cahill's Patreon.
This was yet another good novella filling in some of the blanks. Amazing lore and awesome perspectives blurring the lines on who to root for even more. I can't go into more details, because to do so would ruin it for people that haven't read it yet.
And now I have to wait for the last book 😫
This was yet another good novella filling in some of the blanks. Amazing lore and awesome perspectives blurring the lines on who to root for even more. I can't go into more details, because to do so would ruin it for people that haven't read it yet.
And now I have to wait for the last book 😫
September 30, 2026
Absolutely loved this book. This is the final novella in the Bound and the Broken series which tells the point of view of the antagonists and their decisions and actions that led up to The Fall of The Order.
This book, like the others, is very well written, fast paced and full of action. Great story and clarifies and brings more detail to a lot of things that are established in Of Empires and Dust.
Excellent book. I highly recommend this series and each of the novellas in between.
This book, like the others, is very well written, fast paced and full of action. Great story and clarifies and brings more detail to a lot of things that are established in Of Empires and Dust.
Excellent book. I highly recommend this series and each of the novellas in between.
October 5, 2026
Another "novella" from cahill (302 pages!) and another banger. Sometimes I think these are more effective in storytelling then his massive one thousand page tomes, and this was especially impressive in giving more backstory to the events and characters that set off the main story. Also, lots of dragon on dragon fights. Need more book five cant come soon enough.
June 23, 2026
Blessed to have been able to read an ARC of this one!
An incredible addition to the world of The Bound and the Broken and one that provides an immense amount of new perspective to the series.
I’m primed for the final installment and will be counting down the days until its arrival!
An incredible addition to the world of The Bound and the Broken and one that provides an immense amount of new perspective to the series.
I’m primed for the final installment and will be counting down the days until its arrival!
October 3, 2026
I need to sit in silence with my thoughts for a bit.
October 6, 2026
This man cannot write a bad book, it's absolutely one of my all time favourites for a reason.
If you read this series, do not skip the novellas!
If you read this series, do not skip the novellas!
July 30, 2026
This book was awesome and it really has me excited for the last book in the series. It’s these novellas which add so much to the overall story and make you want to reread all the previous books in the series. I am grateful to Ryan for giving me this Arc to read and really can’t wait for the final novel in the series because this book was fantastic!
September 10, 2026
Officially my favorite novella in the series. I couldn’t put it down from the very start. It was everything and more I could have hoped for. I love this it fills in the history and lore that led to the fall. So much action, emotion, and depth. I cannot wait for the final book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The prolific Ryan Cahill has done it again. He’s produced another banger of a story in seemingly less time than it takes a hatched dragon to grow.
Flippancy aside, I’m sure Cahill spent many hours at all times of day and night pouring figurative blood, sweat and tears - and bucket-loads of talent - into crafting this whopper of a novella.
Coming in at just under 300 pages, this baby is as big as some fully-grown novels and packs an emotional punch as weighty as the mighty Helios.
I continue to be in awe at not only how prodigious Cahill is but also the consistently fantastic quality of his work.
The Truth is no exception. It’s a gripping insight into what caused The Fall (the subject of the first novella in The Bound and The Broken series) and the motivations of the major players in that tumultuous event.
It’s fascinating to experience the causes and build-up to this epic history from various viewpoints and it adds so much depth to the Epheria world lore and the overall series’ story.
It challenges readers’ understanding and previous perceptions about what happened to The Order and left my appetite whetted even more for the finale to what is proving an incredible journey.
There are so many aspects of Cahill’s writing which deserve praise. From exhilarating action and characters who wring every emotion from you, to hugely imaginative worldbuilding and dialogue which lingers long in the memory.
Ultimately, the simple truth is: he’s a superb storyteller and every aspect of his craft contributes to him being absolutely on top of his game when it comes to epic fantasy.
I mentioned his dialogue. Cahill doesn't just write great dialogue, he writes superbly quotable dialogue. Speeches which inspire, chill and awe. Lines which deserve to be savoured and pored over time and time again.
I’m truly so impressed by the words he weaves, the emotions he sparks and the wisdom he imparts through his characters.
The dialogue is philosophical at times. At others, it’s pure and raw emotion. And, in some instances, we get irritable profanity, courtesy of the wonderfully cynical and blunt Castor - a very welcome newcomer to the series.
Many of The Truth’s cast, however, are already well known to us but this prequel novella peels back and reveals so much more about them.
Avoiding spoilers, I loved the contrasting character arcs of Alvira Serris and Eltoar Daethana, discovering what shaped Farda Kyrana into the man we first meet in Of Blood and Fire, and likewise getting inside the head of Fane Mortem. It’s wonderful stuff.
Like every Cahill book, The Truth is full to the brim with emotion and powerful themes. Characters deal with the burdens and challenges of duty and honour. They are haunted by the deaths of comrades and loved ones. They are torn between loyalty and revolution, and they pay the price of doing what they think is right when faced with the corruptive influences of power.
We are treated to scintillating action from the outset and it rarely lets up. We experience the brutality and sheer power of dragon combat and the devastating mental and physical trauma when the bonds between dragons and their riders are broken by death.
The pages are packed with love, loss, grief, betrayal, sacrifice and vengeance. They are full of portentous and momentous events - thunderous battles, verbal confrontations and tough decisions - which have huge consequences down the line, leading to the tragedy of The Fall and everything which followed in a broken world.
In fact, this story is all about tragedy. Not just the terrible slaughter of The Fall itself but the transformation of the leading characters and their relationships across the decades preceding that pivotal event, and the emotional weight of their crumbling fellowship.
Structured through chronological time-jumps, each focusing on a crack in The Order’s foundations, the novella is an exploration of loss and the high cost of duty as the characters navigate a world order in which grief and dutiful service collide with the balance and corruption of power.
A recurring quote - “The darkness of this world needs nothing more to triumph than good souls looking on and doing nothing” - serves as a moral compass which would resonate in any period of real world history.
And then there is the repeating debate about duty, honour and sacrifice, and whether the lives of a few are an ethical trade-off when saving the lives of many, or whether even the lives of many are sometimes worth a stable world order and a “greater good”.
We have a reference to the humble willow in a poem which is recited to signify how some roles bear the pain of the world so others don’t have to. And an argument that “all great things require sacrifice” to justify mass deaths for the sake of positive change.
Heavy stuff, delivered with poignancy, passion and a sensitivity to the joys and ills of any world, real or imaginary.
The story has a political thriller streak running through it, with secret meetings in hidden places and a cabal of underground resistance fighters plotting rebellion. I enjoyed this element, and it underpinned the fracturing and building of different relationships as the characters moved towards the inevitable and fateful, climactic showdown.
I think the essence of a great fiction writer is not just about the cleverness of the sentences they put on a page. Although Cahill is a magician with words, it’s the power of his storytelling which shines brightest for me. It captivates, it surprises, it inspires, it hurts and it delights.
Cahill binds us with characters who speak to our hearts and souls, and he breaks us with the sheer emotive power of his writing as he puts those characters through the absolute wringer.
And I’m here for every moment of it, so bring on the final chapter. I’m no Seerdruid but I'm confidently predicting that Cahill’s destiny is to forge a path to glory with the series finale.
* I received an advanced reader copy and this is a voluntary review.
Flippancy aside, I’m sure Cahill spent many hours at all times of day and night pouring figurative blood, sweat and tears - and bucket-loads of talent - into crafting this whopper of a novella.
Coming in at just under 300 pages, this baby is as big as some fully-grown novels and packs an emotional punch as weighty as the mighty Helios.
I continue to be in awe at not only how prodigious Cahill is but also the consistently fantastic quality of his work.
The Truth is no exception. It’s a gripping insight into what caused The Fall (the subject of the first novella in The Bound and The Broken series) and the motivations of the major players in that tumultuous event.
It’s fascinating to experience the causes and build-up to this epic history from various viewpoints and it adds so much depth to the Epheria world lore and the overall series’ story.
It challenges readers’ understanding and previous perceptions about what happened to The Order and left my appetite whetted even more for the finale to what is proving an incredible journey.
There are so many aspects of Cahill’s writing which deserve praise. From exhilarating action and characters who wring every emotion from you, to hugely imaginative worldbuilding and dialogue which lingers long in the memory.
Ultimately, the simple truth is: he’s a superb storyteller and every aspect of his craft contributes to him being absolutely on top of his game when it comes to epic fantasy.
I mentioned his dialogue. Cahill doesn't just write great dialogue, he writes superbly quotable dialogue. Speeches which inspire, chill and awe. Lines which deserve to be savoured and pored over time and time again.
I’m truly so impressed by the words he weaves, the emotions he sparks and the wisdom he imparts through his characters.
The dialogue is philosophical at times. At others, it’s pure and raw emotion. And, in some instances, we get irritable profanity, courtesy of the wonderfully cynical and blunt Castor - a very welcome newcomer to the series.
Many of The Truth’s cast, however, are already well known to us but this prequel novella peels back and reveals so much more about them.
Avoiding spoilers, I loved the contrasting character arcs of Alvira Serris and Eltoar Daethana, discovering what shaped Farda Kyrana into the man we first meet in Of Blood and Fire, and likewise getting inside the head of Fane Mortem. It’s wonderful stuff.
Like every Cahill book, The Truth is full to the brim with emotion and powerful themes. Characters deal with the burdens and challenges of duty and honour. They are haunted by the deaths of comrades and loved ones. They are torn between loyalty and revolution, and they pay the price of doing what they think is right when faced with the corruptive influences of power.
We are treated to scintillating action from the outset and it rarely lets up. We experience the brutality and sheer power of dragon combat and the devastating mental and physical trauma when the bonds between dragons and their riders are broken by death.
The pages are packed with love, loss, grief, betrayal, sacrifice and vengeance. They are full of portentous and momentous events - thunderous battles, verbal confrontations and tough decisions - which have huge consequences down the line, leading to the tragedy of The Fall and everything which followed in a broken world.
In fact, this story is all about tragedy. Not just the terrible slaughter of The Fall itself but the transformation of the leading characters and their relationships across the decades preceding that pivotal event, and the emotional weight of their crumbling fellowship.
Structured through chronological time-jumps, each focusing on a crack in The Order’s foundations, the novella is an exploration of loss and the high cost of duty as the characters navigate a world order in which grief and dutiful service collide with the balance and corruption of power.
A recurring quote - “The darkness of this world needs nothing more to triumph than good souls looking on and doing nothing” - serves as a moral compass which would resonate in any period of real world history.
And then there is the repeating debate about duty, honour and sacrifice, and whether the lives of a few are an ethical trade-off when saving the lives of many, or whether even the lives of many are sometimes worth a stable world order and a “greater good”.
We have a reference to the humble willow in a poem which is recited to signify how some roles bear the pain of the world so others don’t have to. And an argument that “all great things require sacrifice” to justify mass deaths for the sake of positive change.
Heavy stuff, delivered with poignancy, passion and a sensitivity to the joys and ills of any world, real or imaginary.
The story has a political thriller streak running through it, with secret meetings in hidden places and a cabal of underground resistance fighters plotting rebellion. I enjoyed this element, and it underpinned the fracturing and building of different relationships as the characters moved towards the inevitable and fateful, climactic showdown.
I think the essence of a great fiction writer is not just about the cleverness of the sentences they put on a page. Although Cahill is a magician with words, it’s the power of his storytelling which shines brightest for me. It captivates, it surprises, it inspires, it hurts and it delights.
Cahill binds us with characters who speak to our hearts and souls, and he breaks us with the sheer emotive power of his writing as he puts those characters through the absolute wringer.
And I’m here for every moment of it, so bring on the final chapter. I’m no Seerdruid but I'm confidently predicting that Cahill’s destiny is to forge a path to glory with the series finale.
* I received an advanced reader copy and this is a voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
”What you see as black and white is in fact fifty shades of grey.”
This has been a common theme throughout The Bound and the Broken, but it truly reaches a new level of resonance in the last novella of this series.
Ryan hurls us right back into Epheria—starting 92 years before The Fall—to give us some insight into how it came about. It is devastating, relentless, and addictive. Prepare yourself for crucial POVs that will blur any line you have drawn and challenge what you thought you felt.
Although this is an important layer to the story on its own, I would be lying if I said that it didn’t hype me all the way up for Of Gods and Ashes!
Thank you, Ryan, for this early opportunity to return to one of my favorite worlds.
This has been a common theme throughout The Bound and the Broken, but it truly reaches a new level of resonance in the last novella of this series.
Ryan hurls us right back into Epheria—starting 92 years before The Fall—to give us some insight into how it came about. It is devastating, relentless, and addictive. Prepare yourself for crucial POVs that will blur any line you have drawn and challenge what you thought you felt.
Although this is an important layer to the story on its own, I would be lying if I said that it didn’t hype me all the way up for Of Gods and Ashes!
Thank you, Ryan, for this early opportunity to return to one of my favorite worlds.
Review of advance copy received from Autorin bzw. Autor
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫
THE TRUTH is the fourth novella in THE BOUND AND THE BROKEN. I can't even say this is my favorite novella, because each one has been exceptional in its own way. They all tell a different story and have a distinct voice. This time, we finally get the long-awaited backstory to The Fall.
Like a countdown, this novella—one that could almost be considered a short novel—relentlessly builds toward the night the Order falls.
The story begins ninety-two years earlier, tracing the events that ultimately lead to the great betrayel among the Draleid.
What unfolds is a story of pain, broken ideals, disappointment, and a growing sense of estrangement.
At its heart are Alvira Serris, Eltoar Daethana, and Farda Kyrana. As Draleid, they share an extraordinary bond—perhaps something even deeper than friendship. More like family. They are Bound, connected to one another on a level that reaches far beyond words, strengthened by the Soulkin bond they share with their dragons.
The Draleid serve the Order, defending it with unwavering honor, firm principles, and an unshakable sense of duty.
As always, Ryan Cahill excels at creating conflicts that resist simple moral judgment. The Draleid are forced into impossible choices where there are no right answers—only different prices to pay.
Years later, Alvira becomes Archon and assumes leadership of the Draleid. The weight of that role changes her. She grows calmer, more responsible, and increasingly driven by reason, while her closest friends remain guided more by emotion and idealism. It is this gradual divergence that accelerates the tragic chain of events, culminating beneath a blood moon in the burning ruins of Ilnaen.
Even though I knew exactly where the story was heading, I felt a growing sense of dread with every chapter. I found myself fearing events that had already become inevitable. That is what The Bound and the Broken does to me every single time: it makes me feel.
That emotional impact comes largely from Cahill's incredible character work.
"The elf had always had an intensity about him, a way of staring at everyone and everything as though they were works of art to be studied and puzzled"
Every character feels fully realized, with clear motivations and distinct personalities. Through the shifting perspectives, we come to understand their emotions and the choices they make—even when we don't agree with them.
Ever since Of War and Ruin, one central idea has run through this series for me: there is no absolute truth. There are only perspectives. Nowhere is that message more evident than in The Truth.
A book called The Truth that spends every chapter reminding us that truth itself depends on where we stand.
The primary antagonist here is Fane, and his scenes with Eltoar were among my favorites in the entire novella. This is what true temptation looks like—not force, but doubt, understanding, and small, deliberate steps. Their conversations are a dance, beautifully written from beginning to end. And what makes it even more compelling is that Fane himself is, in many ways, someone who was once seduced as well.
Something else that stood out to me once again is the way Cahill writes relationships. His characters speak to one another as though they genuinely matter to each other. Friendship, family, and love all feel authentic.
Because of that, loss and betrayal carry real weight. The characters' lives matter—and so do their relationships. In many fantasy novels, moments like these are dealt with quickly before the story moves on. Not here. Cahill shows just how deeply our relationships shape us and how profoundly their loss continues to echo.
Toward the end, there is an abrupt cut exactly where The Fall begins. That was honestly my only real criticism. I would have loved to see that transition handled a little differently—perhaps by revisiting a few familiar scenes from The Fall, but now through this new perspective and with everything we've learned in The Truth.
I mention this partly because I don't want this review to read like nothing but praise. 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙏𝙍𝙐𝙏𝙃 is, I genuinely struggled to find much to criticize.
As with every book in this series, I couldn't start another one for several days after finishing it. I've come to expect that from Ryan Cahill's books. They stay with me. They refuse to let me go.
I'll end with a quote from a fellow reader because I honestly don't think this series has ever been described more perfectly:
"You begin the book bound. You finish it broken. That's why it's called The Bound and the Broken."
THE TRUTH is the fourth novella in THE BOUND AND THE BROKEN. I can't even say this is my favorite novella, because each one has been exceptional in its own way. They all tell a different story and have a distinct voice. This time, we finally get the long-awaited backstory to The Fall.
Like a countdown, this novella—one that could almost be considered a short novel—relentlessly builds toward the night the Order falls.
The story begins ninety-two years earlier, tracing the events that ultimately lead to the great betrayel among the Draleid.
What unfolds is a story of pain, broken ideals, disappointment, and a growing sense of estrangement.
At its heart are Alvira Serris, Eltoar Daethana, and Farda Kyrana. As Draleid, they share an extraordinary bond—perhaps something even deeper than friendship. More like family. They are Bound, connected to one another on a level that reaches far beyond words, strengthened by the Soulkin bond they share with their dragons.
The Draleid serve the Order, defending it with unwavering honor, firm principles, and an unshakable sense of duty.
As always, Ryan Cahill excels at creating conflicts that resist simple moral judgment. The Draleid are forced into impossible choices where there are no right answers—only different prices to pay.
Years later, Alvira becomes Archon and assumes leadership of the Draleid. The weight of that role changes her. She grows calmer, more responsible, and increasingly driven by reason, while her closest friends remain guided more by emotion and idealism. It is this gradual divergence that accelerates the tragic chain of events, culminating beneath a blood moon in the burning ruins of Ilnaen.
Even though I knew exactly where the story was heading, I felt a growing sense of dread with every chapter. I found myself fearing events that had already become inevitable. That is what The Bound and the Broken does to me every single time: it makes me feel.
That emotional impact comes largely from Cahill's incredible character work.
"The elf had always had an intensity about him, a way of staring at everyone and everything as though they were works of art to be studied and puzzled"
Every character feels fully realized, with clear motivations and distinct personalities. Through the shifting perspectives, we come to understand their emotions and the choices they make—even when we don't agree with them.
Ever since Of War and Ruin, one central idea has run through this series for me: there is no absolute truth. There are only perspectives. Nowhere is that message more evident than in The Truth.
A book called The Truth that spends every chapter reminding us that truth itself depends on where we stand.
The primary antagonist here is Fane, and his scenes with Eltoar were among my favorites in the entire novella. This is what true temptation looks like—not force, but doubt, understanding, and small, deliberate steps. Their conversations are a dance, beautifully written from beginning to end. And what makes it even more compelling is that Fane himself is, in many ways, someone who was once seduced as well.
Something else that stood out to me once again is the way Cahill writes relationships. His characters speak to one another as though they genuinely matter to each other. Friendship, family, and love all feel authentic.
Because of that, loss and betrayal carry real weight. The characters' lives matter—and so do their relationships. In many fantasy novels, moments like these are dealt with quickly before the story moves on. Not here. Cahill shows just how deeply our relationships shape us and how profoundly their loss continues to echo.
Toward the end, there is an abrupt cut exactly where The Fall begins. That was honestly my only real criticism. I would have loved to see that transition handled a little differently—perhaps by revisiting a few familiar scenes from The Fall, but now through this new perspective and with everything we've learned in The Truth.
I mention this partly because I don't want this review to read like nothing but praise. 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙏𝙍𝙐𝙏𝙃 is, I genuinely struggled to find much to criticize.
As with every book in this series, I couldn't start another one for several days after finishing it. I've come to expect that from Ryan Cahill's books. They stay with me. They refuse to let me go.
I'll end with a quote from a fellow reader because I honestly don't think this series has ever been described more perfectly:
"You begin the book bound. You finish it broken. That's why it's called The Bound and the Broken."
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