4 stars for a book that demonstrates “pain is the path to strength.”. A dark fairy tale set in Epheria, where the city of Ilnaen is on fire, dragons fill the skies and traitors fill the streets and the reader can be assured of an action packed novella that will keep you absorbed.
“It is done, The Council are dead” Eltoar said. “As is the Archon”, and with pain and vengeance at the core, Eltoar forgot that honour was the only currency, and that night where many fell, he would look back on the terrible things he did that night “…things that would seep into his heart”. But what set him out on this course was vengeance.
“Vengeance. It was as good a reason as any. Vengeance could stir a rebellion, push people to do things beyond what they ever thought they could. But could it support an empire?”
As the battle raged Eltoar knew that their actions would have far reaching consequences because of the people he betrayed and the pact and vows that once protected all were left shattered and all sense of harmony was replaced with loss, pride, and sadness. The order had fallen but what they felt most that night was fear!!! Fear “that they had made the greatest mistakes of their lives”.
Action packed and set 400 years before the events of the first book in the series ‘Blood and Fire, ‘The Fall’, is a great teaser, gap filler and provides the followers of this series with a rare opportunity to get more insight into how the world looked and the order of power before the series began.
The world building is excellent, the writing style perfect for fantasy and with an array of characters and beasts that is certain to thrill in the full series. I loved the way the author themed the chapters around: The Archon, The Knights, Dragonbound, and finally The Traitor, the last two being my favourites. However, overall, I was missing the context of this story and in hindsight, I should have read the first book in the series and then 0.5.
Nevertheless a great little book that is action packed from the first page. 3.5 rounded up.