Of Empires and Dust

The Bound and the Broken, Book 4

By: Ryan Cahill

Narrated by: Derek Perkins

I'ldryr viel asatar. I sanvîr viel baralun.

In fire, we are forged. In blood, we are tempered.

In the Aravell woodland, Calen Bryer grapples with the fallout from the Battle of Aravell. The path forward is littered with choices that will bleed him dry. But he is a Draleid, he is a guardian, and he will always stand when others call. He will be the light they look to.

His sister, Ella, lies fragmented, her mind split between worlds, her fate unknown. But the blood of the wolf is strong.

Hundreds of miles away, in the western villages of Illyanara, Dahlen Virandr leads the defense of Salme and all its inhabitants gathered from across the region. The Uraks are unrelenting, and they know only blood and death. If this is to be his end, he will enter Achyron's Halls as a warrior who would not yield.

Below the mountains of Lodhar, Queen Kira waits in the dark while Hoffnar attempts to seize control of the Freehold and lead the dwarves towards a new dawn of war.

In Valtara, Dayne Ateres hunts those who betrayed his family, while Alina prepares her army to besiege the legendary Achyron's Keep.

At the edges of the Burnt Lands, Rist Havel is offered a new path forward, one that few have ever trodden, one that could forge him into a mage of no equal.

With the news that Ilkya and Jormun have fallen, along with their soulkin, Eltoar finds himself face-to-face with Salara Ithan—a remnant of his past life that he had long thought dead.

As the Blood Moon taints the sky, Kallinvar and the Knights of Achyron battle tirelessly against the Shadow, doing everything within their power to hold back the darkness.

Gods are waking.

The world is burning.

Ashes and dust are all that will remain.

©2025 Ryan Cahill (P)2025 Podium Audio

I'm bound to this series, and broken to have to wait for the next book.

This book adds to a gratifying build-up to a collision between mortals and gods. Its been so fun following the successes and heartbreak of the characters. Each one so rich of character and important to the world they live in the books bb

outstanding writing

I almost decided to stop listening to the series because of the emotional turmoil but the author has his claws, fangs, talons, daggers and every other sharp thing he can think of latched into me!

Questions answered and the Paths are revealed

Empires of Dust is a vast and long epic fantasy adventure while there are some slow points in a book this gigantic the action was always visceral the small moments shine through and the look we get at Emperor fiegn and his resolve and eltoire and his shattered sense of self are bright spots questions are answered relevations are made the board is set for the epic conclusion of this fantasy series bravo Mr. Cahill 4.2⭐️

Riveting and enthralling.

All I can say is. This has been the best book I’ve read and listened to in quite a while. Fantastic. Can’t wait for the next one.

Everything

The writing and narration were second to none. This is by far my favorite book series!!! Made me want to call my friends and family and tell them I love them

Character development

All the different Point of views are germane to the story . Can’t wait for the next book

True Epic Fantasy

Loved every minute of this book. Had me tearing up at the end!! It starts a little slower but then picks up steam and never lets go of the pedal.

Awesome

The series just keeps getting better, damn it’s good, need more books and to see how this ends!

The fighting is great!

I love/hate this book. The author writes great combat sequences, then slows everything down with almost child like goo goo eyes sentiment about everything else. I pledge my love to you forever, blah! I’m not n too deep to not finish the series. It’s a romantasy between dragons and humans at its worst, the elvish language is a waste of time, but the combat is sooo good.

Well done.

An absolutely wonderfully written book and a real thrill to lesson too. The detail is spot on and so many twist and turns it’ll keep your heart racing and your mind spinning with possibilities. Loved it!