3.5 - I've heard so much about this series from those who love The Name of the Wind and other well known adult fantasy series. I haven't read many epic fantasies or high fantasies before, so this type of writing and the world building definitely took me awhile to get used to. What I loved about this book was following one character through their epic journey and exploring the many ups and downs of their life to get to the point of becoming a hero.

I really loved the different themes in this book, especially the exploration of love, friendships, magic, and how unique the characters were. I loved the way that Virdi wrote in almost a poetic way, with such detailed descriptions, helping me to feel like I was a part of the magical world with Ari. I do think the length of this book scared me going on and definitely made me feel like the reading experience dragged on, it took me awhile to get through. But overall, this was a good first step into the world of epic fantasy for me and I loved going on the journey with Ari!

Thank you to Tor Books and Netgalley for this earc in exchange for my honest review.

I did ultimately like The First Binding and am definitely going to pick up the sequel.

But it’s slow. Like really slow. And long. And it doesn’t seem to have a clear story arc or end goal for a lot of it which makes it FEEL long. (The audiobook really came in clutch.)

That being said, it’s well-written. I’m liking the characters. The magic system is interesting. Things seem like they’re about to ramp up.

There’s a cat.

I have no regrets.

Thanks to Tor for providing a digital copy for me to review ahead of the sequel’s release!

Important note upfront: R.R. Verdi is my nemesis and I vow to spend my entire life shaking my fist in the sky at him. My children will be taught to be his children’s nemeses and down the line forever more. This is because he had signed up to be at GenCon 2023 and I carried the First Binding around for three days hoping to have it signed only for him to cancel at the last minute. I also was carrying Ed’s copy around which I promised Ed that I would get signed for him. Did Mr. Verdi have a good reason for canceling? Probably but nonetheless it’s a very heavy book and we now have a one-sided feud that I plan to perpetuate into the distant future. Unfortunately, for me, Mr. Verdi writes some darn good books and so I will write rave reviews of them despite the intensity of my spite for him making me carry two copies of this tome around for seventy-two hours last August.

I’ve read The First Binding three times now. The first time, I was utterly captivated by it in a way that most books don’t captivate me. The second time was after listening to R.R. Verdi’s interview on Brian McClellan’s Page Break podcast and wanting to see if I could pick up on Verdi’s Burn Notice inspiration. This was the third time and was due to me getting an advance review copy of the follow-up, The Doors of Midnight. Each time I’ve read it, I’ve been utterly entranced by Verdi’s world and his main character, Ari.

The First Binding might feel familiar at first glance. It begins with a mysterious storyteller (Ari) in a tavern telling his story to an audience of one. He’s vowed to that audience (in this book, the mysterious songstress Eloine) that this will be his true story, a tragedy and an epic.

“This is the story of many things. A story spanning thousands of miles and different skies. Some truths. Good deeds. Legends. And lies…A story of how I came to be known as the Dragon of Rokash, the fire among the frozen steppes and its people. Of how I became the Sword of the Jade Halls in Laxina, far in the east where the earth begins to kiss the lowest of the heavens. I am the Eagle of Edderith, the lion who kindled everlasting flame…”

And the story will have familiar beats. We have an orphan who meets a mysterious teacher who will teach him magic. We have a dark order of villains, hard to find and harder to discern the truth of. We have a storied academy where our young hero has been promised he can learn ancient magics. And there’s a dragon.

While familiar, Verdi’s ultimate talent is his way to weave them into something utterly different than what we’ve experienced before. Ari’s ability to tell a story is the highlight of this book. Especially, his initial story to a tavern full of people yearning for a story to relieve them of the woes of their day-to-day life. Not only does Verdi give us a remarkable story but he takes it a step further, having us inside Ari’s head as he does his magic to add a lot of extra oomph to his story. There’s also the storyline taking place when Ari isn’t waxing poetic about his past. We learn that Ari is seeking something, a hidden nugget of truth that he’s been searching for far too long, and that quest will bring him into halls of power and into a new kind of danger.

Verdi takes this a step further and gives us a mysterious foil to Ari’s storytelling, Eloine. At first glance, she could be mistaken for a standard love interest yet we are warned early on that such a notion would be a mistake. She is Ari’s equal in storytelling and in mystery and while Ari has his mysterious pursuits so does Eloine. At the heart of the First Binding is their cat-and-mouse game of hidden pursuits and it elevates the First Binding to being one of my favorite books in a long time.

I could go on for hours about why The First Binding should be on the top of your TBR. Ari’s story is full of magic and mysterious lore. The supporting cast is one of the best and despite being able to fill a cruise ship so many of them are memorable and I’ve remembered their names during the long gaps between readings. Dannil might be the best tavern owner this side of Durnan and the Yawning Portal. And the cliffhanger ending definitely had me eagerly anticipating the follow up. I highly recommend the First Binding and recommend it to anyone looking for an epic adventure of storytelling and lost magics.

The First Binding Review

Thank you so much to RR Virdi and Tor books for the opportunity to read and review this book!

The First Binding is a high fantasy novel and book one in the Tales of Tremaine series. In a land of magic inspired by the historical Silk Road, Ari is a legend in his world and now it’s time for him to tell his story.

This was an interesting read for me. I enjoyed the world building and magic system overall. However I felt like this book was really long at over 800 pages and I struggled at times with superfluous fluff and lulls in the story. Ari was an intriguing character but I don’t feel like I grew super attached to him in this story and would have liked more character development for him

Overall this was a three star read. I enjoyed the general world and story but struggled with the length of the book and lack of connection with the characters. This book did have some darker elements, so please check triggers if you’re sensitive.

If you’re a fan of high fantasy with complex world building, intricate magic systems and interesting storytelling, then absolutely check this one out.

The First Binding may seem at first glance to be a pale imitation of The Name of the Wind, but that does both works a grave disservice. The First Binding has an incredibly deep and well-conceived magic system, as well as impeccable world-building and characters that you come to know and love. A treasured addition to the fantasy genre!

DNF @15%
I have no doubt that this book could be the next big thing. I’m sure it could be. The writing was very nice, the world had potential to be interesting. For me personally, I didn’t like how the plot was going. The main character is a storyteller.and throughout the first 15%, we went through many stories and very little plot movement. I prefer to have more of a moving plot than to dwell in many stories that I feel don’t progress it. If they do, it missed the mark for me. I may come back to this at some point but for now it’s staying on my DNF list. I hope whoever picks up this book will like it more than I. Also, I don’t like rating books I DNF and since I barely read this book, I will be putting it three stars here.

Ive picked this up a couple times since receiving the arc and unfortunately just can't get into it! I may try again and will update my review if I do.

Thank you for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

DAMN this book was fun!! I am so happy that there are people in the world making fantasy stories this rich. It's so rare that I feel so excited about a fantasy story that's not written by one of my favorites (Sanderson, Rothfuss, etc), but Virdi absolutely stands on their own. Fantastic!

If you're picking up The First Binding as an eBook - be warned, it's over 800 pages. I didn't dislike this book, but I do wish it had been significantly shorter. There is so much going on in this book, including a really vast world, complicated characters, and jump in time periods. While the prose, storytelling and characters were beautifully written, there was just so much to navigate that I felt like I had to really work to keep up.

Thank you to NetGalley and TorBooks for an ARC Copy!

I have had this book sitting on my bookshelf for so long. This is such a chunky book that it’s intimidating! I had an opportunity to read the second book as an ARC, and decided it was time to jump in! I buddy-read this with Dini, but it took us much longer than anticipated. We did it!

While the story is interesting, there are a lot of info dumps. It took us so long to get into this book. Just know that it is a slow read. It was confused throughout most of the first half. I’m so glad I buddy-read this with Dini so we could bounce thoughts off each other. I think there could have been better execution with the world-building. This world is extremely descriptive, and it suffers from it. The details are where most of the pacing gets bogged down, and it’s a snail’s pace. It takes a while to understand the bindings too. While it’s a cool world, and there are a lot of interesting aspects, there’s too much detail. With that being said, there are many parts that Virdi was able to captivate me with his writing. Most of this happens in the second half of the book. He’s juggling two timelines with Ari’s past and present. I think he did a great job weaving both stories and keeping me interested.

The characters are the best thing about this book! Ari is a character that drives me nuts most of the time, but I am desperately rooting for him. He’s so hot-headed, but it’s for the right reasons. He’s had a tough life, but he can be too rash. It’s a common theme throughout this book, and I’m curious to see if that changes in book two. Eloine is so elusive, but I’m so fascinated by her. I have a feeling she’s going to crush Ari, and I will not be ready for that. There are so many supporting characters throughout this book that I love so much.

Overall, I thought this was a decent read. Even if it suffered a lot of pacing issues, once I got into the story (about halfway), it was harder to put down! The dual timelines were also well done. I can’t wait to jump into book two and see what happens next. There’s a lot that has been left open that I need answers to!!

I own the hardcover, but thank you to Tor Books for sending a Netgalley widget. It was much easier to read with my little one! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this epic fantasy novel. I felt like it was an excellent way to start. What is hopefully going to be a wonderful epic series.

I was definitely enthralled by the characters and felt emotionally attached to the storyline. I exceptionally loved the storytelling into the main character past explained how he became who he currently was. I am still very much wanting to know who our female main character is overall I can tell that she is hiding something and it made me super excited for the second book.

This was a fun, mystical read for me! I think my favorite thing about it was the world building but I also enjoyed the rivalries and the magical elements about the story as well.

Wow, what a world to immerse yourself in!!!! Thank you to R.R Virdi, Macmillan Publishing, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC to review! This is a landmark book for the genre. It is a project considering its length, but every second was worth it. The poetic nature and descriptions were made of pure beauty that didn’t feel out of place at all. I will definitely be returning to this series and looking for other RR Vindi books.

The First Binding by R.R. Virdi

Ari is a storyteller. The book is his story. It is well-written and captivating and frustrating. Virdi jumps all over the place in his tale-telling. Back story is good, side stories and future stories and what the heck is that in here for stories aren’t as good to me. I really enjoyed the book but admittedly I’m fond of a more linear approach.
The book is set in a feudalistic world with some Fagan components. Implacable supernatural enemies and powerful political forces are abundant in the book. Ari is a complex child and an adult with a self-created complex identity.
Despite my frustrations, I will be reading the next volume. I enjoyed it but am just not fond of the story structure.

The First Binding is giving The Name of The Wind.. except maybe this series will be completed 😉

• high fantasy
• South Asian inspired
• story within a story
• beautiful prose

At 800 pages of magic, this is a good one if you like your books thicc and juicy.

The cover and the idea of a fantasy built on lies sounded super intriguing, but woof this is not the flavor of fantasy I enjoy.

"The First Binding" by R.R. Virdi is a sprawling fantasy novel that promises adventure and intrigue on every page. Set in a richly imagined world filled with magic and mystery, this book invites readers on a journey of discovery and danger.

At its heart, "The First Binding" is a tale of epic proportions, weaving together intricate plotlines and complex characters to create a narrative that is both captivating and ambitious. From the very first chapter, Virdi immerses readers in a world teeming with magic and mythology, where nothing is quite as it seems.

However, it's important to note that "The First Binding" is not a book for the impatient. Clocking in at a substantial length, this epic saga requires readers to invest time and attention in order to fully appreciate its nuances. The pacing can be slow at times, with lengthy passages devoted to world-building and character development. For those seeking non-stop action, this may prove to be a challenge.

That being said, the book is not without its merits. Virdi's prose is often lyrical and evocative, painting vivid portraits of landscapes and cultures that feel both familiar and fantastical. The magic system is particularly noteworthy, offering a fresh take on traditional fantasy tropes and adding depth to the story's mystical elements.

Additionally, "The First Binding" features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique strengths and vulnerabilities. From the cunning trickster to the noble warrior, the ensemble cast adds depth and complexity to the narrative, ensuring that readers will find someone to root for.

However, the book is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the pacing sluggish, particularly in the early chapters. Additionally, the narrative occasionally meanders, with lengthy digressions that detract from the overall momentum of the story.

In conclusion, "The First Binding" is a sweeping epic that offers both moments of brilliance and challenges for its readers. While the slow pacing and length may deter some, those who persevere will find a richly imagined world filled with adventure and intrigue. For fans of epic fantasy, "The First Binding" is a journey worth undertaking.

"The First Binding" by R.R. Virdi is an epic fantasy tale that spans over 800 pages, weaving together multiple narratives and layers of lore. Virdi's inventive storytelling, including the integration of rhyming couplets, adds depth and mystique to the narrative, drawing readers into a world filled with memorable characters and complex magic systems.

At its core, the novel follows the journey of Ari, or "The Storyteller," as he recounts his life story to a mysterious stranger. Through Ari's tale, themes of power, destiny, and redemption unfold, creating a captivating narrative that keeps readers eagerly turning pages.

Despite inevitable comparisons to "Name of the Wind," "The First Binding" stands out as a masterful work of fantasy fiction. With meticulous world-building and compelling storytelling, Virdi delivers a mesmerizing tale that is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers. I will definitely be looking forward to "The Doors of Midnight"!

Thank you to R.R. Virdi, Tor, and NetGalley for sending me a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an interesting take on the storytelling fantasy subgenre. R.R. Virdi writes vivid scenes and compelling characters, but for some reason, I couldn't seem to get invested. I am giving this story four stars because it is well written and maybe at another time I might find it very compelling, that time just isn't right now.

I hope you still try this book because it might be your new favorite.

LOVED this! Took me a bit to get into but was such an interesting read. It was such a good read for those who love high fantasy. Great world building and amazing characters. I will be picking up my ARC of the second book ASAP.