Sword of the Fallen by G.J. Ogden is the first novel in the Hearts of Dragons series. This epic fantasy follows the story of Sir Torin Cadwell. A confident and conflicted Knight-Captain, he is the illegitimate son of a mad king. It is believed that his bloodline has been cursed by a long-standing feud with the vengeful dragon Kyhrax. The city of Dun Morlaig is protected by the Breath, a magical barrier powered by the crystallized heart of the slain Great Mother dragon, Astreya. The great dragon was killed with the sword Astreya’s Lament and its heart was placed in it. However, things get complicated when the sword is stolen. The city is thrown into chaos, with monstrous Koblyns and dragon-worshiping cultists creating havoc everywhere. As Kyhrax prepares to unleash his fury, Torin defies his father’s orders. He joins forces with the skilled ranger Ruxandra Elyr in a desperate attempt to recover the sword before the entire realm is consumed by dragon fire. But can he do it? Or is this a lost cause?

Sword of the Fallen is an incredible novel. Author G. J. Ogden's immersive narrative blends classic fantasy with fast-paced action. Each character has a story to tell, each turn in the plot is more exciting than the last, and every chapter reveals something new. The intensity is incredible and the characters make sure it is increased with each of their actions or decisions. Torin’s internal struggle between duty and destiny adds depth to his character, making him a compelling protagonist. The world-building is fantastic, the narrative is rich and detailed, and the morally complex characters make the story multi-dimensional. The introduction of Kyhrax, the vengeful dragon, and the threat of his wrath create a sense of urgency and danger that drives the narrative forward. The story reminds me of Game of Thrones. What an incredible start to the series! I cannot wait to see what happens next.

When King Cormac the First slew Astreya, the Great Mother Dragon and benevolent guardian, he hoped her heart would bring protection and prosperity to Dun Morlaig, the royal city of Morayth. However, it only brought a curse to the kingdom and his bloodline. Kyhrax, the Flame of Zarag-Gul, the most feared dragon in Westskyr, was Astreya’s lover. Kyhrax wanted to avenge his lover’s death, but he could not attack the city because it was protected by Astreya’s heart. Hundreds of years later, Selene Morgrave, a member of the Order of Kyhrax, worshippers of the dragon, predicts the coming of the rule of dragons over the seven realms, Westskyr being one of them. To achieve this, members of the Order of Kyhrax must steal Astreya’s heart from Dun Morlaig. As Selene’s plan is set in motion, Sir Torin Cadwell, the bastard son of King Cormac the Eighth, might be the only one who can save the city and perhaps the seven realms from their doom. Find out how it all goes down in G J Ogden’s Sword of the Fallen: Heart of Dragons, Book One.

G J Ogden’s Sword of the Fallen is a must-read for lovers of medieval fantasy novels blended with adventure, thrills, drama, humor, action, and a gripping backstory of secrets, betrayal, power, kings, knights, and more. Running the intriguing plot on a multi-perspective storyline, Ogden pays attention to detail, but just enough not to bog down the plot’s pace. The edge-of-the-seat suspense, spell-binding cliffhangers, and jaw-dropping plot twists had me hooked. The evocative depictions uniquely captured the mood and setting of the scenes. Fans of The Witcher will love this read. Ogden enabled me to experience the well-crafted cast’s intricate emotions. Juxtaposing their complex traits made it easy to connect with them. It is an incredible debut for the Heart of Dragons series. I can’t wait to read the following installments.

Sword of the Fallen by G.J. Ogden is a thrilling epic fantasy that follows Torin Cadwell, the son of King Cormac, a descendant of The Dragon Slayer, and a Knight-Captain of the Watch. Torin struggles for respect and recognition in the city of Dun Morlaig due to being illegitimate. The city is protected by the Breath, a magical barrier created from the heart of the Great Mother Dragon, Astreya. However, her beloved Kyhrax, the Flame Dragon, seeks vengeance against the people of Dun Morlaig for killing Astreya and using her heart to safeguard themselves. Kyhrax's followers are fed up with the reign of greedy men and long for the return of dragons. They have spies, skilled warriors, and ruthless men like Leoric, who will stop at nothing to ensure Kyhrax returns to power. After a well-coordinated attack on Dun Morlaig by Kyhrax’s followers, the city’s barrier falls, leading to widespread destruction. Torin learns of the theft of Astreya’s Lament, the sword that holds the Great Mother’s heart, and realizes it is up to him to retrieve it and restore balance to the city.

Sword of the Fallen is an entertaining and thought-provoking story that explores themes of greed, neglect, passion, and vengeance. It is action-packed and includes elements of romance and moral lessons about standing up for one’s beliefs. The characters are intriguing, each with a detailed and compelling backstory. Torin is a complex character who initially feels he has nothing to live for. However, he becomes an unexpected hero to those who once disregarded his importance to the kingdom, and fights for a family that does not recognize him. In contrast, Leoric’s obsession with vengeance consumes him, turning him into a ruthless individual with no regard for life. The book also illustrates the devastating effects of vengeance, along with the cycle of feuds and grudges, emphasizing the need for reconciliation. The ending powerfully conveys the importance of peace over violence. From start to finish, the story is engaging and will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. It includes suspenseful moments and presents the narrative in a conversational style that is easy to follow. I particularly enjoyed the dragon art at the beginning of each chapter, which adds a visually appealing element. Fortunately, this is not the conclusion of the story as several characters have unresolved arcs. I look forward to the next installment to discover what happens next.

Sword of the Fallen by G J Ogden is the first book in the Hearts of Dragons fantasy series. Torin Cadwell, Knight-Captain of the Watch, has lived with the conflict of his dual loyalties to his ruthless father and his own sense of fate. His lineage has been marked by a long-standing enmity with Kyhrax, a dragon of immense power. Dun Morlaig’s survival is ensured by the Breath, a mystical force stemming from the heart of Astreya, a once-protective dragon. But after Astreya’s death at the hands of Torin’s ancestor, Kyhrax has sought vengeance for centuries. When Astreya’s heart is stolen, the Breath falters, leaving the city vulnerable to attack. Torin must defy his father’s orders and join forces with a skilled ranger to retrieve the heart and prevent Kyhrax from bringing destruction to all realms. “The Crystallium Tower is already besieged. The Breath may soon fail entirely.”

G. J. Ogden delivers an epic fantasy in Sword of the Fallen that ticks all the boxes: thoughtful social commentary with high-octane action and in-depth world-building. We see these through multiple point-of-view characters. Ogden doesn’t just tell a story, he critiques corruption and moral decay, the best of which are via Torin’s observations in a world where neglect and fear override compassion. The fight sequences are great and Ogden subverts the usual gender stereotypes. My favorite out of all the characters is Sister Ranger Ruxandra Elyr who Torin himself regards as strong and fearless, and we see it with battles like the one against the unrelenting Gwrach and the sacrifice she is willing to make for the greater good. Of course, none of this matters without the once-mighty Order of Kyhrax and its dragon-worshipping to reinforce the sense of lost glory and dangerous ambition. Overall, this is a sharply written novel and a fabulous entry into a new series. Very highly recommended.