Today’s review is about EAGLES FALL by L.R. Schulz. It’s a standalone, prequel novella in the Bonds of Kin series. Here, dragonrider Ward finds himself on the wrong side of the battle. All hell breaks loose when hate and prejudice against the Mystics boil over.

This review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.). I am part of Team Behind the Musings. You can find out more about us here.

Author: L.R. Schulz
Series: Bonds of Kin, #0.5
Age Category: Young Adult
Publisher: Self-Published
Publish Date: July 31, 2024
Print Length: 109
Purchase: Amazon

Eagles Fall Synopsis

Light has triumphed, the great war is won.

Yet shadows linger in the darkness, and in the hidden corners of men’s hearts.

Granted the ability to wield Zur’s Light, Gallion’s Eagles are a symbol of justice. People can look to the skies and know they are protected. But without a common enemy, resentment has begun to fester.

With civil war looming, Ward finds himself caught between warring factions. Unwilling to choose between love and duty, will Ward be able to stop things before they go too far? Or will his world come crashing down in a clash of tooth and talon?

Serving as a prequel to L. R. Schulz’s Bonds of Kin series, Eagles Fall serves as an introduction to Zapour. This standalone story portrays the events that lead to the structure of the world in A King’s Radiance, and can be read either before or after the main series, with some nice little easter eggs for returning readers.

Eagles Fall Review

EAGLES FALL by L.R. Schulz is a prequel novella to the Bonds of Kin series. It follows Ward, who is a member of the Eagles, also known as dragonriders. Eagles wield sunlight and each of them has a Mystic partner. Mystics, however, can influence emotions and actions and have a giant flying eagle companion. Although Ward and Breonne, his Mystic partner, have a good working relationship, there is broad discontentment between the Eagles and Mystics. This pervasive distrust of the Mystics proves to be a source of kindling ripe for exploitation.

EAGLES FALL is a standalone story. However, certain scenes in the first half of the novella contain a lot of background information pertaining to who is who and from where. I found it a little confusing and distracting since most of those visiting rulers don’t have much weight on the actual storyline. The writing is technically fine, but errs more toward telling versus showing. Many may not mind that writing style, but I find it makes the storytelling feel drier.

However, the action certainly picks up in the second half of the novella, which I found quite exciting. After a series of unfortunate events, Ward finds himself stuck between his loyalty to the Eagles and Breonne, his partner in every sense of the word. Ward has a strong sense of right versus wrong and thus cannot fathom the Eagles’ distrust and hate of the Mystics. But it is difficult to reason with hate and prejudice and Ward must choose a side.

There is clearly a lot of backstory behind why the Eagles now dislike the Mystics. I’m not sure I fully grasped the Eagles’ reasoning. I understood the Eagles’ fear that the Mystics have the power to control minds, but not why they think the Mystics would turn on them. So I think this is where reading the rest of the series might fill in some gaps.

The ending of EAGLES FALL is excellent and made me sad. It leads one to realize that the title of this novella is a poignant figurative and literal nod to the events that occur within the story.

Rating: 3.75
Content warnings: death, violence
Reading format: Kindle e-book