The Bound And The Broken

Quote from one of R.C.'s interviews : "I have of course been influenced by authors such as Tolkien, Naomi Novik, Anne McCaffrey, Christopher Paolini, and Brandon Sanderson. The sheer immersion of Tolkien, Jordan, and Sanderson is simply second to none. And I think it’s pretty clear where Anne McCaffrey, Paolini, and Novik come into the mix – dragons" The Inheritance Cycle influenced The Bound and the Broken through the central human dragon bond, the young rural protagonist who becomes a dragon rider and is drawn into a larger conflict, and its blend of coming of age, dragon riding and epic fantasy, which gives the series an “adult Eragon” feel.

Ryan Cahill has openly acknowledged Tolkien as one of his biggest influences.

• Epic secondary world with deep history and ancient civilizations.
• A fellowship of heroes from different backgrounds united against a common evil.
• Ancient dark power returning after centuries of dormancy.
• Ordinary individuals thrust into world-changing events.
• Distinct races (humans, elves, dwarves) with long shared histories.
• Legendary artifacts and lost kingdoms shape the present.
• Themes of friendship, sacrifice, hope, and courage against overwhelming odds.
• Expansive maps, languages, and historical lore supporting the world.

Ryan Cahill has credited Robin Hobb as one of his major influences, particularly for emotional depth and character relationships.