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A review by book_scent
The Ice by Ryan Cahill
5.0
3rd read: All the stars for this series!!
2nd read: 5 stars!
Hits just as hard the second time around!!
1st read: 5 stars!
Ever since finishing Of War and Ruin earlier this year I’ve been waiting with bated breath for the next release in this series. This may not be the next (hiiighly anticipated) main book but it is a story I’ve been dying to learn more about since book 1. And boy … did Ryan Cahill deliver!
Aeson has been there from the very beginning and while he’s not exactly a favorite character of mine I always understood him to be a crucial & necessary piece of the puzzle. I’m so glad that we finally got to experience the gruelling & perilous task that Aeson felt compelled to take upon himself and which set the events in Of Blood and Fire in motion. This has certainly given me new appreciation for his character and a deeper understanding for his sometimes harsh & single-minded behavior.
You might think that because we know how this journey has to end - given how the first book in this series starts - this story wouldn’t feel as captivating, the stakes not as high … Well, not with this author. Ryan knows how to draw you in and keep your attention, and how to make you feel all the emotions. I had to keep reminding myself that everything was gonna turn out (somewhat) okay - yet certain scenes still kept me at the edge of my seat, and actually managed to make me doubt the outcome.
I knew going in that The Ice would focus primarily on Aeson and his sons, Erik and Dahlen, but Ryan knows how to deliver that little bit of extra to his readers, so it was delightful to see some other characters from the main series make an appearance, including a little cameo at the very end that made my heart flutter.
I am once again astounded how much Ryan was able to pack into this novella. Not only do we finally learn about a critical moment in The Bound and The Broken history, but we also get a glimpse of things to come: intriguing new characters and races that have my imagination running wild, thinking about how they could (and probably will) come into play later in the series.
I never thought I’d be jumping at the chance to read a novella, yet here I am. Ryan has shown multiple times now that it is possible to tell a full & meaningful story in a smaller format - so I’m devouring everything he puts out. Also, I love how Ryan uses these novellas not only to expand upon the main story but also to explore new ways of storytelling, which makes all of the novellas so far very unique in their own way. And while they may not be mandatory to read to enjoy the main series, I couldn’t imagine not doing so, since they provide a deeper look into some characters and the world overall, enhancing my enjoyment of this series even more.
At this point, I’m not even surprised anymore that every new release in this series becomes a new favorite of mine. Every installment just makes me fall in love with this world more and more. There’s definitely no way back for me out of this rabbit hole. And I’m happy to keep falling in deeper and deeper …
The Ice is another fantastic entry in The Bound and The Broken series. This story is fast-paced, filled with gripping action scenes, impactful character moments, and heart-wrenching acts of bravery & sacrifice. And above all, it is about hope, about not giving up and keeping that little spark of hope alive - hope for a chance at a better future and a new beginning.
All I can say is: Just read this series already!!
Thank you so much to Ryan Cahill for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
2nd read: 5 stars!
Hits just as hard the second time around!!
1st read: 5 stars!
Ever since finishing Of War and Ruin earlier this year I’ve been waiting with bated breath for the next release in this series. This may not be the next (hiiighly anticipated) main book but it is a story I’ve been dying to learn more about since book 1. And boy … did Ryan Cahill deliver!
Aeson has been there from the very beginning and while he’s not exactly a favorite character of mine I always understood him to be a crucial & necessary piece of the puzzle. I’m so glad that we finally got to experience the gruelling & perilous task that Aeson felt compelled to take upon himself and which set the events in Of Blood and Fire in motion. This has certainly given me new appreciation for his character and a deeper understanding for his sometimes harsh & single-minded behavior.
You might think that because we know how this journey has to end - given how the first book in this series starts - this story wouldn’t feel as captivating, the stakes not as high … Well, not with this author. Ryan knows how to draw you in and keep your attention, and how to make you feel all the emotions. I had to keep reminding myself that everything was gonna turn out (somewhat) okay - yet certain scenes still kept me at the edge of my seat, and actually managed to make me doubt the outcome.
I knew going in that The Ice would focus primarily on Aeson and his sons, Erik and Dahlen, but Ryan knows how to deliver that little bit of extra to his readers, so it was delightful to see some other characters from the main series make an appearance, including a little cameo at the very end that made my heart flutter.
I am once again astounded how much Ryan was able to pack into this novella. Not only do we finally learn about a critical moment in The Bound and The Broken history, but we also get a glimpse of things to come: intriguing new characters and races that have my imagination running wild, thinking about how they could (and probably will) come into play later in the series.
I never thought I’d be jumping at the chance to read a novella, yet here I am. Ryan has shown multiple times now that it is possible to tell a full & meaningful story in a smaller format - so I’m devouring everything he puts out. Also, I love how Ryan uses these novellas not only to expand upon the main story but also to explore new ways of storytelling, which makes all of the novellas so far very unique in their own way. And while they may not be mandatory to read to enjoy the main series, I couldn’t imagine not doing so, since they provide a deeper look into some characters and the world overall, enhancing my enjoyment of this series even more.
At this point, I’m not even surprised anymore that every new release in this series becomes a new favorite of mine. Every installment just makes me fall in love with this world more and more. There’s definitely no way back for me out of this rabbit hole. And I’m happy to keep falling in deeper and deeper …
The Ice is another fantastic entry in The Bound and The Broken series. This story is fast-paced, filled with gripping action scenes, impactful character moments, and heart-wrenching acts of bravery & sacrifice. And above all, it is about hope, about not giving up and keeping that little spark of hope alive - hope for a chance at a better future and a new beginning.
All I can say is: Just read this series already!!
Thank you so much to Ryan Cahill for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!