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I don't really know how to rate Of Blood and Fire.

I really enjoy watching an author grow, and pointing out all the shortcomings of a debut feels like being unnecessarily mean, but on the other hand there were things I didn't enjoy about this book...

The prose is rough around the edges, and at times it really didn't work for me.

There were a few random point of view changes that didn't add much to the story (one even felt completely out of the blue with not much set-up), and some of the characters didn't feel as fleshed out as they could have been. Most were lacking depth, something that I'm hopeful will change as Cahill grows as an author.

There was one death in particular that just didn't move me even though it probably should have.

The story is a blend of WOT, Eragon and other classic fantasy and doesn't offer anything new. (To be fair, it doesn't have to.)

This is an epic fantasy tale with all the traditional elements of (high) fantasy: dragons, elves, dwarves, kings, wolf-companions, 'surprise, you're a mage', and farm boys from a small village that end up being the heroes.

If you're a fan of traditional classic fantasy, you will love this one.

Basically, Of Blood and Fire is a promising beginning, and I reckon Cahill's career is one to watch.

Despite all its flaws I found Of Blood and Fire compelling enough to continue reading, and I will read the second book, too. In fact, I've already downloaded it onto my Kindle.

This is a series with incredible potential, and as I said at the start, I enjoy watching an author grow.

4.5 Stars.

A time loop, a student who has to improve rapidly in order to save his world, and a fascinating magic system make Mother of Learning's first book an absolute treat to read.

Yes, it started out as a web serial, but if that's the reason you haven't tried this series and you like progression fantasy and time loops, please don't let this deter you.

This book is pure fun! And so incredibly gripping. I basically devoured it, reading on my phone whenever I possibly could.

No, the prose isn't the best I've ever seen, but it's easily accessible and flows nicely. There isn't a lot of worldbuilding either, most of the plot unfolds in one place, and there is limited scope. And since this story is set in a time loop, the characters don't grow all that much either.

The pacing, however, is incredible. The plot is tight, clever, and the addiction factor high. The stakes are high, and the main character is intelligent and fairly mature.

Recommended to fans of progression fantasy.

I received a copy from the publisher. My reviews are always honest.

I've been following R.R. Virdi's inspiring journey for a while now and have been eagerly awaiting this release.

I have also been in a reading slump for months, basically for most of 2022, and I was worried that I wouldn't manage to tackle this 800 page book, but the opening drew me in right away, and I rarely looked up to check Twitter on my phone. That's a rarity nowadays.

The First Binding is the first novel in a new epic fantasy series, Tales of Tremaine, infused with South Asian world-building elements, and if you've read The Name of the Wind, you will without a doubt compare the two.

The opening and pacing in general is slow. Virdi takes great care to build the characters, world, and plot without rushing, but at no point did I feel impatient. On the contrary, I enjoyed every single tangent Ari, the Storyteller, takes the reader on.

Virdi uses, much like Rothfuss, a frame narrative. At the beginning Ari arrives in an inn, just like Kvothe, and ends up telling his story. Told in first person, The First Binding jumps back and forth between the past and the present, but there isn't just a story within a story, several narratives are woven through the main plot, and I found all of them gripping.

The world-building and magic system are rich and immersive, and Virdi's prose is beautiful, even lyrical at times. Ari is a fascinating character, flawed, troubled, impulsive and can't keep his mouth shut, but he's also caring.

There is a magic school (of course) and I'm not a huge fan of that setting or the coming-of-age theme, but this is mostly a novel about stories and storytelling, and the emphasis lies more on the importance of found family, friendship and kindness.

I highly recommend The First Binding to every epic fantasy fan and am assuming that in a decade it'll be remembered as one of the cornerstones of this genre.

Iron Widow has a fantastic premise that drew me right in. The world-building is inspired by Chinese history, set in a futuristic world where giant mecha piloted by humans fight robotic alien invaders.

This novel offers queer characters, polyamorous relationships, and a lot of (properly raging) feminism set within a patriarchal society.

The pacing is swift and the plot gripping.

Sounds great, doesn't it?

Unfortunately the world-building is inconsistent, and neither the conflict at the heart of the story nor the society Wu Zetian grew up in is explored.

The writing is...maybe appropriate for a YA book but I found it juvenile at times.

The feminism lacks depth, and consists mostly of a screeching woman who kills everyone and then cackles...now let me be clear, I'm all for unhinged female characters and I'm all for a good villain or even morally grey or ambiguous character, but this here just felt too...simple.

Why is Wu Zetian not like other women? Why is she the only one aware of the inequality?

Why were there no other important female characters in this book?

A solid popcorn read, but not one that I found memorable.