If I can read a 1400 some page book and breeze through it, that says a lot. Of War and Ruin takes everything amazing about the Bound and the Broken series and then amplifies it. The battle scenes go so hard and are vivid. The pacing of this book is impeccable. Ryan Cahill balances moments of tension with slices of heartfelt friendship and connection. The scope of this book just widens the gates for more worldbuilding and deeply layered plot. It transcends beyond just Calen and his pov. I’ve come to love so many other characters too and the way Ryan makes you invested in each and every character (even the “bad guys”) is phenomenal. The development alone for some is just chefs kiss.

This gets 5 stars from me first because the writing alone is so much more elevated and well-crafted. There are so many lines that are gonna stick with me. This book really ironed out the kinks I found in the earlier installments. The level of epicness is giving GOT at its peak. The character moments were amazing (the reunions 🥹) especially the ones between characters I didn’t expect. I loved how different POVs give you different vibes (the politics in Dahlen’s eat! Plus BELINA <3) The way the storylines intersected was so good too. 

Overall, I cried, laughed, screamed, and so much more for emotions that I can’t even articulate.

The world of Epheria is gonna be something I miss while I await for the rest of the books.