November 4, 2024sarahylockwood

Through Blood and Dragons by R.M. Schultz

Rate: 8.25/10

Medium: Audiobook

Overview (No Spoilers): 

Through Blood and Dragons follows young dragon squire Cyran on an unexpected adventure where legends and mysteries abound. Cyran seems to be unusually lucky as he finds himself in situation after situation where, against all odds, he continuously finds a way out of the danger, usually having grown in some measurable way, either through knowledge or skill. 

Schultz weaves a fascinating and detailed literary world where humans live alongside dragons that they control and wield for war. In addition to the typical political scheming, there are also off-scene characters pulling strings with cryptic warnings and clandestine operations that leave an air of mystery hanging over all of the relatively routine military maneuvers. Interwoven between two opposing sides is the mystery of the forest that holds the potential to outweigh all of the immediate-looking threats. There’s just so much potential with where Schultz could take Cyran, and I look forward to finding out what happens next. 

While Cyran is the main focus, Schultz also includes perspectives from the Dragon Queen, Sirra and Cyran’s persistent sister, Jaslin. And less than a handful of times, we follow arguably the most intriguing character, the Dragon Thief, Pravin. Overall, Cyran’s story of growth and maturity fits the traditional mold for a protagonist. Everything seems to fall his way and he goes against the grain so often that it starts to become expected. While there are many characters to keep track of throughout Through Blood and Dragons, aside from a few key characters, few of the supporting cast are well-developed. Even Jaslin’s motivations are murky at best. That said, Schultz has established a foundation with so much potential for future directions, due to the effort expended to set the political atmosphere and the worldbuilding as a whole. 

Similarly, insight into the dragons and the magical system in Through Blood and Dragons are both aspects of this novel that only scratch the surface. There is so much mystery still surrounding the dragons and especially the magic that is left to flesh out.

Overall, Through Blood and Dragons draws you effortlessly into the fold with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing right up until the culmination of the final, desperate battle. 

Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):

  • I would love to know the backstory of the event that Cyran won that first drew the attention of the king. 
  • Does the forest still call to Cyran’s sister, Jaslin?
  • Jaslin was by far my favorite character. I couldn’t tell if her drive to escape was driven by the forest or her own initiative. 
  • What happened to the glass shard that Cyran’s sister had?
  • What is the entity taking over the forest? 
  • Who is leaving the notes for the squires and knights of Nevergrace?
  • What happened to the egg that Cyran buried? 
  • What is the next mission that the dragon thief, Pravin, and the dragon assassin will be sent on? Who pulls their strings? What is being held over them? It was quite the reveal that the dragon assassin was a part of the King being assassinated in the opening scenes. 
  • It feels like the Dragon Guard might not be all that Cyran thinks it will be.
  • Who is telling the truth between what Cyran grew up being told and what Sirra was saying?
  • Did Sirra Brackenglave survive?
  • When will elves be more involved in the story? Also, what is the real story behind the mysterious people that the king was visiting when he was ambushed?
  • What about the people who are disappearing by the forest?

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