Series: The Forged and the Fallen #2
Release date: May 30th 2023
Publisher: Independently Published
Pages: 588
Find it: Goodreads Amazon
Source: I received a copy of this book through LoveBooksTours
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

Kingdoms will burn. Heroes will rise.

At the decimated outpost of Nevergrace, Cyran Orendain and his companions stand watch. They await the full onslaught of Murgare’s retaliation. But one has turned against them and another village has been ravaged by whatever lurks in the woods.

With lady of the Never by her side, Cyran’s sister Jaslin arrives at the king’s city of Galvenstone to answer a summons. She will find the answers to the queen’s murder and the darkness lurking beneath the streets, no matter what—or who—stands in her way.

Meanwhile, Pravon the dragon thief follows the dragon assassin across the lands of Cimeren, hunting for emissaries who seek to bring peace between the kingdoms. For only one path can stop the coming war, and they will ensure this path is never found.

As the Dragon Queen returns from the Evenmeres, only those at Nevergrace sense the coming danger. The danger that stalks the far side of the Lake on Fire. Another prowls within the forest.

The growing shadows will consume all of the kingdoms and cover the lands in blood and dragon fire.

Review

Through Fire and Shadow is the second installment in R M Schultz’s The Forged and the Fallen series an epic fantasy series full of action, adventure and dragons. Following on from the events of book one, we follow Cyran, Sirra, Jaslin and Pravon as the kingdoms are gearing up for war. Will Belvenguard or Murgare be victorious and at what cost to the people who live there?

I picked up Through Fire and Shadow immediately after finishing book one, Through Blood and Dragons. This series is fast paced, addictive and full to the brim with magic and mystery. Over the course of the two books (and a prequel novella) I’ve grown so attached to these characters. Sirra is definitely my favourite, The Dragon Queen is such a great character with a fascinating background and I love that we get to learn more and more about her. I also feel like Jaslin really comes into her own in this installment as she attempts to uncover the secrets behind the assassination attempts on the Queen. Cyran and Pravon also have really interesting story arcs in this installment and I can’t wait to see where the story goes in future books.

I love all the different dragons in this story, there’s so many different kinds from forest and ice to shadow and blood. It’s something I’ve never seen in a fantasy series before and I’m always intrigued to see what new kind of dragon we’re going to meet next. The world building is excellent and Schultz does a terrific job of bringing the history of the world to life.

Through Fire and Shadow is a compelling and entertaining read. If you’re somebody who loves epic battle scenes with dragons, characters you really root for and plenty of courtly mystery and intrigue, this is a series you absolutely do not want to miss! I am already dying to get my hands on book three!