4.35 AVERAGE

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

"It is the way of things. We are born, we live, and we die. Those three things cannot be changed. The only thing within our control is what we choose to do with the short time we have - the things we hold dear. Good men stand even when it is against all odds."

Finally finished the sequel and I have things I'd like to discuss. 

What I loved: 
1. Valerys - DUH 🐲
2. We get to see more of the world and how each city or village differs in their customs and ways. 
3. We got to read about the other forces that are willing to help the rebellion and they were quite interesting - from the Knights of Achyron to the Wyvern riders of Valtara. 
4. It's a lot more fast-paced 
5. More explanation to how the spark works, connections with the creatures and I really liked how the knights used soulblades and their armour. Kind of reminded me of shardplates and blades from the Stormlight Archives. 

Some things I didn't quite like:
1. I just felt like there were too many things happening and there were POVs from minor characters that were somehow unnecessary. This was quite a chunky book but somehow there weren't enough revelations and connections that will tie them up nicely in the narrative. 
2. Kinda predictable. Ella and Faenir? Yep. Arden as someone who the characters thought was long dead? Yep. 
3. The POVs weren't that balanced out. While I know that the focus is on Calen but the others going on about their own journeys and not meeting him or going through development made them seem like they were just one or two dimensional characters in the background instead of actually developing them. 
4. We had 800+ pages and no one really thought to just spill why Vars was considered the chainbreaker? Seriously? 

Will continue with the last book for sure but not immediately. I do hope all those pages will be worth it.
adventurous dark hopeful tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous dark tense fast-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
adventurous dark mysterious 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: No
adventurous dark tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes

This is turning into a nice fantasy read. Ryan Cahill got me with a twist at the end that I knew was coming but I was still shocked

 “There is nothing more important in the darkness than a ray of light.”

"Of Darkness and Light" by Ryan Cahill is a remarkable second installment in the series, seamlessly continuing the epic fantasy journey. The story delves deeper into the lives of the characters we've grown to love while introducing new perspectives that add layers to the narrative. Cahill's storytelling prowess shines as the plot unfolds with precision and excitement, keeping readers enthralled.

(Before you read the next part of the review know that I’m obsessed with dragons)
The standout character is Valerys, the dragon, whose presence in the story is nothing short of captivating. Valerys adds a unique and compelling dimension to the narrative, offering a mesmerizing blend of power and vulnerability. The bond between Calen and Valerys is beautifully explored, showcasing the emotional depth in their relationship.

As the characters navigate through epic battles, political intrigue, and personal struggles, readers are treated to an array of emotions and experiences that make them feel a genuine connection to the story's heroes and heroines. The world-building continues to be a highlight, offering a vivid and immersive backdrop that enhances the overall experience.

In "Of Darkness and Light," Ryan Cahill masterfully combines all these elements, creating a narrative that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this enthralling series. This book is a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts, and Valerys the dragon is sure to remain a beloved character in the hearts of readers. 

This book meandered a lot….and I mean ALOT I’m not a fan of lengthy travel sequences or just wandering around and this book has quite a bit of that, which really diminished my enjoyment of the series. Nothing against Ryan or the world he created, I throughly enjoyed his world and characters, just a personal preference that interfered with my enjoyment. I’ll give it another shot in the future maybe some distance will do me good.
adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense fast-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
adventurous medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes