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The Dragon's Blade #0.5
The Huntress
Seven hundred years before Darnuir was King, dragons and humans were at war. Explore the Second War through the eyes of Elsie, a lowly huntress from the Cairlav Marshes.
Unprepared. Heartbroken. And mother to a newborn son. Elsie the huntress is forced to leave her child behind to lead a desperate defense of her homeland. A run-in with the Dragon Prince Dronithir changes everything, setting a new direction for the war and forcing Elsie to make the ultimate choice: her duty or her family.
This 2023 edition is a full, ground-up rework and expansion of the old story into an over 30,000 novella.
Authors Note: I would recommend readers enjoy this novella AFTER reading the main series, however, you may read it at any stage, including before starting book 1 if you wish.
Unprepared. Heartbroken. And mother to a newborn son. Elsie the huntress is forced to leave her child behind to lead a desperate defense of her homeland. A run-in with the Dragon Prince Dronithir changes everything, setting a new direction for the war and forcing Elsie to make the ultimate choice: her duty or her family.
This 2023 edition is a full, ground-up rework and expansion of the old story into an over 30,000 novella.
Authors Note: I would recommend readers enjoy this novella AFTER reading the main series, however, you may read it at any stage, including before starting book 1 if you wish.
120 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2018
7 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Michael R. Miller
14 books1,237 followersTwo free novellas in ebook AND audiobook for all who sign up to my mailing list. https://www.michaelrmiller.co.uk/signup
Those who use Discord can also join my server by following this link https://discord.gg/C7zEJXgFSc
Redditors can join the community here - https://www.reddit.com/r/MichaelRMiller/
Michael is ‘that guy’ who enjoys - well, enjoyed... - discussing the mad fan theories of Game of Thrones even more than the books or show, and knows more about World of Warcraft than is probably healthy.
You can contact him at michael@michaelrmiller.co.uk
www.michaelrmiller.co.uk
Those who use Discord can also join my server by following this link https://discord.gg/C7zEJXgFSc
Redditors can join the community here - https://www.reddit.com/r/MichaelRMiller/
Michael is ‘that guy’ who enjoys - well, enjoyed... - discussing the mad fan theories of Game of Thrones even more than the books or show, and knows more about World of Warcraft than is probably healthy.
You can contact him at michael@michaelrmiller.co.uk
www.michaelrmiller.co.uk
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 31, 2024
A quick bite with quite an emotional punch.
You can read this before and after the main series, so it makes for a good teaser for Miller's writing!
I'm happy for each female lead who isn't bogged down in romance, and I clicked really early on with her in this story. There is some romance at the start, but it's not at all the central part of thr story which is about war, family, duty, prejudice, growth and going on even when everything looks bad.
Having hunters as the main characters is decidedly a plus for me, who loves the woods and my bow and arrow!
If you're looking for a quick but not shallow bite of fantasy, this is a good choice!
You can read this before and after the main series, so it makes for a good teaser for Miller's writing!
I'm happy for each female lead who isn't bogged down in romance, and I clicked really early on with her in this story. There is some romance at the start, but it's not at all the central part of thr story which is about war, family, duty, prejudice, growth and going on even when everything looks bad.
Having hunters as the main characters is decidedly a plus for me, who loves the woods and my bow and arrow!
If you're looking for a quick but not shallow bite of fantasy, this is a good choice!
July 5, 2025
A moving story about life and loss.
Elsie is a huntress whose job is to keep her people safe from deadly creatures in the marshes near her home. She has just had a baby and is planning to wed Lord Heath's son Rob when word comes that the dragons have landed and the king has commanded one legion to come and defend the land. Word comes that they have been defeated and Rob is dead. . The hunters from all the areas are the only defense. The Hunters know about the land better than anyone and they prepare for the arrival of the dragons. The dragon Prince Dronithir now has free run to take over the country.
Elsie is a huntress whose job is to keep her people safe from deadly creatures in the marshes near her home. She has just had a baby and is planning to wed Lord Heath's son Rob when word comes that the dragons have landed and the king has commanded one legion to come and defend the land. Word comes that they have been defeated and Rob is dead. . The hunters from all the areas are the only defense. The Hunters know about the land better than anyone and they prepare for the arrival of the dragons. The dragon Prince Dronithir now has free run to take over the country.
December 3, 2023
Say what you will, the Cairlav Marshes proved to be an excellent hunting ground for Elsie. Elsie the Green.
Set in a world where dragons exist as humanlike beings and humanity and dragons sworn enemies of each other, this novella telling the story of a war of attrition and the role a simple female huntress played in it, is one that will tug at one's heartstrings. It will capture your imagination in wonder and pity at the same time.
And it will make you forlornly wish for so much more to read of this plucky young woman.
Well done.
Enjoy.
Set in a world where dragons exist as humanlike beings and humanity and dragons sworn enemies of each other, this novella telling the story of a war of attrition and the role a simple female huntress played in it, is one that will tug at one's heartstrings. It will capture your imagination in wonder and pity at the same time.
And it will make you forlornly wish for so much more to read of this plucky young woman.
Well done.
Enjoy.
February 6, 2024
Wow, what a great novella! This definitely tugged on my heartstrings multiple times. As a dad of two little ones, the emotions were definitely high! Elsie’s story was full of ups and downs through the whole book which is crazy at only 120 pages. I have absolutely loved everything I’ve read by Mr. Miller so far and this does not stray from that. I can tell you right now, the next series I pick up WILL be the Dragonsblade Trilogy!
February 28, 2025
6/10
An engaging novella that doesn’t add much to the backstory of The Dragon’s Blade trilogy (of which this is a prequel). Elsie’s story is both courageous and sad; we only get glimpses of the other characters and only from her perspective. I listened to this & was a little surprised that the narrator chose to use Scottish accents for the human characters.
An engaging novella that doesn’t add much to the backstory of The Dragon’s Blade trilogy (of which this is a prequel). Elsie’s story is both courageous and sad; we only get glimpses of the other characters and only from her perspective. I listened to this & was a little surprised that the narrator chose to use Scottish accents for the human characters.
September 13, 2025
Enjoyable enough. Adds a bit of detail to the history of the world. Novellas just rarely work for me. They don't have the room for character growth and that's generally my favorite part.
I read this between book two and three of the series. So I'll need to come back and read the afterword when I don't have to worry about spoilers.
I read this between book two and three of the series. So I'll need to come back and read the afterword when I don't have to worry about spoilers.
February 22, 2025
A great story, very well thought and developed. I liked it better than the author’s other free novella, Last Stand of the Stone Fist. I liked the plot, and the ending left me heartbroken. It really makes you want to read the main trilogy!
March 9, 2025
Have got onto this book for the second story following the Last Stand of The Stonefist and while I have never read any of the Dragon Blade trilogy, this might inspire me too as it was a good read. Gripping and unexpecting with the ending it was a good read throughout.
August 8, 2024
Having not read the Dragon's Blade series, I still very much like this story. Makes me want to read the series
February 3, 2025
Short and very sad.
Cool little prequel, wish there was more
Cool little prequel, wish there was more
March 4, 2025
⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️ This was a brilliant novella. A fantastic story that packs a punch in just 120 pages. The ending was heartbreaking, and got me teary. 🥺
I loved the main character Elsie - she was strong, skilled, duty-driven, thoughtful, and kind. It was refreshing to read a book with an older character who has experience in her skillset, is grounded, and had something to sacrifice and fight for. Her personal journey through this war/mission was compelling, and I enjoyed the pacing of the story. The key battle scene was great.
The humans' knowledge of the dragon race was limited, so we only get to know more through Elsie's later interactions with the dragons. There are things that were just alluded to or referenced, but remained in the background of the story, as per the extent of Elsie's interest and involvement.
On the whole, it made me curious about the world. This is the first work I have read of Michael Miller's, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the Ascendant series soon 😍
I loved the main character Elsie - she was strong, skilled, duty-driven, thoughtful, and kind. It was refreshing to read a book with an older character who has experience in her skillset, is grounded, and had something to sacrifice and fight for. Her personal journey through this war/mission was compelling, and I enjoyed the pacing of the story. The key battle scene was great.
The humans' knowledge of the dragon race was limited, so we only get to know more through Elsie's later interactions with the dragons. There are things that were just alluded to or referenced, but remained in the background of the story, as per the extent of Elsie's interest and involvement.
On the whole, it made me curious about the world. This is the first work I have read of Michael Miller's, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the Ascendant series soon 😍
August 31, 2021
"The Champion's Blade grants me great power, yes"
This story starts off with Elsie who is hunting a Cu-sih, a beast with emerald eye dark ears, thick green mane, white muzzle, white webbed paws, and a white tail that shows it's an alpha male. She killed the beast for Lord Heath, getting paid for it, of course. She makes her way through town and meets Roy, her beloved, the son of Lord Heath. Roy is off to war and plans on marrying Elsie once the war is over. The war is against the legion of Dragons. Roy does not return and the child they have together Aleck still needs her, so she forces herself to continue on. Lord heath asks for help against the dragons and is in charge. She has no choice, and Aleck is taken to the Manor while she goes to war. She has a deep hate for the dragons.
This story is exciting from the start and keeps on going till the end. Elsie deals with some hard truths in this story. She will fight to get back to her son.
December 16, 2020
This is a very short novel about a huntress called Elsie who lived in the Cairlav Marshes, good at what she did but totally heartbroken, unprepared and the mother to a newborn son whose father Lord Roy had not returned from the battles he had been fighting against the dragons attacking their lands. Now she was called to also defend their lands and she had to leave her young son behind her in order to battle the dragon horde. She came across and almost killed the dragon prince Dronathir, and her actions changed the way the war was fought, as Dronathir changed his idea of humans, and ended up fighting together against a common foe, the shadow dragons led by General Norbanus. This was a first, but readers can follow the story seen through the point of view of the dragons in the trilogy to which this is just a short prequel, The Dragon’s Blade.
April 22, 2025
The Huntress
Michael R. Miller
The gal at the centre of this short novella loses the father of her child and is valued more for her prowess at a bow than as the parent of the child who is grandchild to her beloved’s parents.
The story is filled with mythical creatures and in the end is a fragment left hanging.
Michael R. Miller
The gal at the centre of this short novella loses the father of her child and is valued more for her prowess at a bow than as the parent of the child who is grandchild to her beloved’s parents.
The story is filled with mythical creatures and in the end is a fragment left hanging.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews