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A review by book_scent
Of Empires and Dust by Ryan Cahill
5.0
I don't even know where to start. It's been a few day since I finished Of Empires and Dust and I'm still reeling. I feel like it's gonna take me a while to truly process everything.
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of what has been my most anticipated release of the year and I couldn't be more grateful!! From the minute I got my hands on it, all I wanted to do was devour this book as fast as possible - yet, at the same time, savor every word, linger with every moment, just to stay in this world and with these characters for as long as possible.
My expectations going in were so insanely high and I am happy to say that they have all been met and then some. It is hard to talk about a book this deep into a series without spoilers, but I will say: Ryan has, again, done the impossible and stepped everything up a notch!!
Of Empires and Dust continues right where Of War and Ruin left off. We see characters trying to navigate situations they never asked for but were thrust into, trying to do the best with what they've been given, being confronted with impossible decisions and having to choose, knowing full well that there is always a price to pay. Sacrifices have to be made, but there is always a sense of hope that permeates through it all: hope to persevere, hope to make a difference, hope it will all have been worth it in the end.
There are some fantastic revelations and jaw-dropping twists that I did not see coming at all, and quite a few flashbacks and callbacks that I appreciated all the more having just reread the previous books. A lot of the threads, that have been there from the very beginning, are starting to come together, and intriguing new POVs and elements are being introduced that deepen the world & characters even further.
This book also continues to build up some incredible redemption arcs. The different POVs from varying sides, once again, add so much nuance & depth to the characters & dynamics at play here. There are 2 characters I was determined to hate, but Ryan, of course, made it impossible, and instead managed to make me feel sorry for them. One has now officially joined my list of favorite characters! And other new favorites have emerged as well, like Tivar and Kira. And Dann - who is a top-tier character for me now!!
I've always liked Dann, but his journey & impact in this book have made me appreciate him in a whole new way. He is such a precious character with his heart in the right place. I love how his scenes can lighten the mood and how he delivers the perfect bit of humor in between some of the heavier scenes. Which is not to say that he can’t be serious as well - there were some very touching moments that made my eyes sting (and more), some of my favorite and most memorable parts.
Experiencing this book was like going through a whirlwind of emotions. Some of the most gut-wrenching moments were sometimes intertwined with moments of overwhelming joy. And while I loved it, when a character got their big & satisfying moment, it was often the small & quieter ones that truly got to me. No author has ever made me shed these many tears - and I’m not usually one to cry while reading. But there were so many emotional moments in this book specifically that it was hard to hold back, and while I managed to somewhat recover myself most of the times, there was a chapter towards the end that finally broke me - and made me full on sob.
There’s something about Ryan’s writing that goes straight to my heart…and my tear ducts apparently. It evokes so much emotion, no matter how big or small the scene. The way he writes just works so well for me, I can see everything happening before my eyes, the action sequences in particular are so vivid and play like movie scenes in my mind. Ryan is a fantastic storyteller and the way he weaves plot and character moments together is masterful.
Of Empires and Dust exceeds even Of War and Ruin in its chonkyness, but I was so engrossed in everything the pages just flew by, and I can honestly say that there is not one chapter, not one scene I would wanna miss. It's the sum of all the big & little pieces in this book that make it such an impactful & gripping experience. All the epic, outstanding sequences, and the devastating ones, the little breather chapters, and the ones adding depth to characters. With every read and reread, I always want more, never less, from these books.
This series just speaks to my soul and has brought my love for books to another level!!
And I can't wait for everyone to experience this beautiful, touching, thrilling, and heart-wrenching continuation of a story that feels like a classic already.
Thank you so much to Ryan Cahill for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of what has been my most anticipated release of the year and I couldn't be more grateful!! From the minute I got my hands on it, all I wanted to do was devour this book as fast as possible - yet, at the same time, savor every word, linger with every moment, just to stay in this world and with these characters for as long as possible.
My expectations going in were so insanely high and I am happy to say that they have all been met and then some. It is hard to talk about a book this deep into a series without spoilers, but I will say: Ryan has, again, done the impossible and stepped everything up a notch!!
Of Empires and Dust continues right where Of War and Ruin left off. We see characters trying to navigate situations they never asked for but were thrust into, trying to do the best with what they've been given, being confronted with impossible decisions and having to choose, knowing full well that there is always a price to pay. Sacrifices have to be made, but there is always a sense of hope that permeates through it all: hope to persevere, hope to make a difference, hope it will all have been worth it in the end.
There are some fantastic revelations and jaw-dropping twists that I did not see coming at all, and quite a few flashbacks and callbacks that I appreciated all the more having just reread the previous books. A lot of the threads, that have been there from the very beginning, are starting to come together, and intriguing new POVs and elements are being introduced that deepen the world & characters even further.
This book also continues to build up some incredible redemption arcs. The different POVs from varying sides, once again, add so much nuance & depth to the characters & dynamics at play here. There are 2 characters I was determined to hate, but Ryan, of course, made it impossible, and instead managed to make me feel sorry for them. One has now officially joined my list of favorite characters! And other new favorites have emerged as well, like Tivar and Kira. And Dann - who is a top-tier character for me now!!
I've always liked Dann, but his journey & impact in this book have made me appreciate him in a whole new way. He is such a precious character with his heart in the right place. I love how his scenes can lighten the mood and how he delivers the perfect bit of humor in between some of the heavier scenes. Which is not to say that he can’t be serious as well - there were some very touching moments that made my eyes sting (and more), some of my favorite and most memorable parts.
Experiencing this book was like going through a whirlwind of emotions. Some of the most gut-wrenching moments were sometimes intertwined with moments of overwhelming joy. And while I loved it, when a character got their big & satisfying moment, it was often the small & quieter ones that truly got to me. No author has ever made me shed these many tears - and I’m not usually one to cry while reading. But there were so many emotional moments in this book specifically that it was hard to hold back, and while I managed to somewhat recover myself most of the times, there was a chapter towards the end that finally broke me - and made me full on sob.
There’s something about Ryan’s writing that goes straight to my heart…and my tear ducts apparently. It evokes so much emotion, no matter how big or small the scene. The way he writes just works so well for me, I can see everything happening before my eyes, the action sequences in particular are so vivid and play like movie scenes in my mind. Ryan is a fantastic storyteller and the way he weaves plot and character moments together is masterful.
Of Empires and Dust exceeds even Of War and Ruin in its chonkyness, but I was so engrossed in everything the pages just flew by, and I can honestly say that there is not one chapter, not one scene I would wanna miss. It's the sum of all the big & little pieces in this book that make it such an impactful & gripping experience. All the epic, outstanding sequences, and the devastating ones, the little breather chapters, and the ones adding depth to characters. With every read and reread, I always want more, never less, from these books.
This series just speaks to my soul and has brought my love for books to another level!!
And I can't wait for everyone to experience this beautiful, touching, thrilling, and heart-wrenching continuation of a story that feels like a classic already.
Thank you so much to Ryan Cahill for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!