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The Fireborne Blade #1
The Fireborne Blade
Kill the dragon. Find the blade. Reclaim her honor.
It’s that, or end up like countless knights before her, as a puddle of gore and molten armor.
Maddileh is a knight. There aren’t many women in her line of work, and it often feels like the sneering and contempt from her peers is harder to stomach than the actual dragon slaying. But she’s a knight, and made of sterner stuff.
A minor infraction forces her to redeem her honor in the most dramatic way possible, she must retrieve the fabled Fireborne Blade from its keeper, legendary dragon the White Lady, or die trying. If history tells us anything, it's that “die trying” is where to wager your coin.
Maddileh’s tale contains a rich history of dragons, ill-fated knights, scheming squires, and sapphic love, with deceptions and double-crosses that will keep you guessing right up to its dramatic conclusion. Ultimately, The Fireborne Blade is about the roles we refuse to accept, and of the place we make for ourselves in the world.
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor.com.
It’s that, or end up like countless knights before her, as a puddle of gore and molten armor.
Maddileh is a knight. There aren’t many women in her line of work, and it often feels like the sneering and contempt from her peers is harder to stomach than the actual dragon slaying. But she’s a knight, and made of sterner stuff.
A minor infraction forces her to redeem her honor in the most dramatic way possible, she must retrieve the fabled Fireborne Blade from its keeper, legendary dragon the White Lady, or die trying. If history tells us anything, it's that “die trying” is where to wager your coin.
Maddileh’s tale contains a rich history of dragons, ill-fated knights, scheming squires, and sapphic love, with deceptions and double-crosses that will keep you guessing right up to its dramatic conclusion. Ultimately, The Fireborne Blade is about the roles we refuse to accept, and of the place we make for ourselves in the world.
A Macmillan Audio production from Tor.com.
Audible Audio
First published May 28, 2024
117 people are currently reading
16331 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Bond
34 books127 followersCharlotte is an author, freelance editor, and podcaster. Under her own name she has written within the genres of horror and dark fantasy, but she’s also worked as a ghostwriter. She edits books for individuals and publishers, and has also contributed numerous non-fiction articles to various websites. She is a co-host of the award-winning podcast, “Breaking the Glass Slipper”. Her micro collection The Watcher in the Woods won the British Fantasy Award for Best Collection in 2021. She is represented by Alex Cochran.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,060 reviews
December 22, 2023
If you enjoy Six Deaths of the Saint, Brienne of Tarth, or Elden Ring, then I have the story for you.
The Fireborne Blade is one of the best things I’ve read this year. It’s a relatively simple story: a knight goes to kill a dragon and retrieve a sword, interspersed with records of other dragon encounters. But it feels so specifically tailored to my interests that I know I won’t be able to get it out of my head for a long time.
I’m fascinated by how much this story does in such little time. The world feels gritty and lived-in, with a sense of classic high fantasy underscored with grimdark themes. It’s gross and gory and the stakes are real. The prose is straightforward but manages to give the characters dimension. And while this isn’t a book that leans hard into its themes, it plays around with discussions of hierarchies and power dynamics - and how they can be exploited.
Ugh there’s a turn of phrase in this that’s already burned its way behind my eyelids. Just such a good use of horror and pacing. A less talented author would have overwritten this book, but here, every sentence has a purpose.
I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to spoil anything. But THIS is the kind of story I have been looking for. I hope it’s a sign of more to come.
Please note that I work for Macmillan but was not involved in the production process for this book. Opinions are my own.
The Fireborne Blade is one of the best things I’ve read this year. It’s a relatively simple story: a knight goes to kill a dragon and retrieve a sword, interspersed with records of other dragon encounters. But it feels so specifically tailored to my interests that I know I won’t be able to get it out of my head for a long time.
I’m fascinated by how much this story does in such little time. The world feels gritty and lived-in, with a sense of classic high fantasy underscored with grimdark themes. It’s gross and gory and the stakes are real. The prose is straightforward but manages to give the characters dimension. And while this isn’t a book that leans hard into its themes, it plays around with discussions of hierarchies and power dynamics - and how they can be exploited.
Ugh there’s a turn of phrase in this that’s already burned its way behind my eyelids. Just such a good use of horror and pacing. A less talented author would have overwritten this book, but here, every sentence has a purpose.
I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to spoil anything. But THIS is the kind of story I have been looking for. I hope it’s a sign of more to come.
Please note that I work for Macmillan but was not involved in the production process for this book. Opinions are my own.
May 16, 2024
I finished this audiobook yesterday and I'm not sure what to make of it.
This is the classic fantasy tale of a knight's quest but with a strong woman leading and some unusual twists.
The story was good and very well told, surprisingly packed for a novella. I liked how the narrator was able to give very distinct vibes to each characters.
Not a lot of time is dedicated to world building but the world still feels fleshed out.
I have only compliments about this book but still I wasn't very engaged and it somehow felt bland. I can't single out something that left a strong impression.
So 3.5 rounded up to 4 because I might be the problem here.
This is the classic fantasy tale of a knight's quest but with a strong woman leading and some unusual twists.
The story was good and very well told, surprisingly packed for a novella. I liked how the narrator was able to give very distinct vibes to each characters.
Not a lot of time is dedicated to world building but the world still feels fleshed out.
I have only compliments about this book but still I wasn't very engaged and it somehow felt bland. I can't single out something that left a strong impression.
So 3.5 rounded up to 4 because I might be the problem here.
January 18, 2024
This is like “Dragon Fantasy for Dummies” and I don’t mean that in a rude negative way AT ALL. Merely saying this is a simple, straight forward dragon fantasy with no world building. Not a whole lot of detail. 200 pages of pure dragon fan service (the classic kind that like to hoard treasure!) with Knights and Mages that was comfy to read. Will work for many, won’t work for some.
Full review to come on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hollyheartsbooks
Full review to come on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hollyheartsbooks
February 7, 2024
3.5 stars
The Fireborne Blade has so many elements that I love, but it needed more time to build up to the reveal. This story mimics the weird, mind-bending fantasy stories that I love. It is particularly reminiscent of The Six Deaths of the Saint. However, this novella doesn't quite pull off the big ending it is going for due to rushed pacing in the second half, a lack of build-up to the reveal, and shallow character work.
I really enjoyed the first half of this novella. I love how the story switches between the quest for the fireborne blade, moments in Maddileh’s past, and testimonies of encounters with other dragons. The story very much dumps you in the middle of the quest which is a disorienting, but intriguing, choice.
Unfortunately, The Fireborne Blade really fell apart in the second half. I like the idea of the plot twist a lot, but it isn't executed well in this case. I personally think the story would have worked better as a full-length novel. That way we could have spent more time getting to know the characters and building suspense. To work as a novella the story needed to have more really weird and disorienting moments to make the reader question what is happening.
The conclusion of the book is rushed and, honestly, absurd. Once again if I had known the characters more or if there had been better lead-up to the event I would have liked it more.
There are some incredible ideas in The Fireborne Blade, but they were not given the room or detail to shine.
Thank you TorDotCom for the eARC
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
The Fireborne Blade has so many elements that I love, but it needed more time to build up to the reveal. This story mimics the weird, mind-bending fantasy stories that I love. It is particularly reminiscent of The Six Deaths of the Saint. However, this novella doesn't quite pull off the big ending it is going for due to rushed pacing in the second half, a lack of build-up to the reveal, and shallow character work.
I really enjoyed the first half of this novella. I love how the story switches between the quest for the fireborne blade, moments in Maddileh’s past, and testimonies of encounters with other dragons. The story very much dumps you in the middle of the quest which is a disorienting, but intriguing, choice.
Unfortunately, The Fireborne Blade really fell apart in the second half. I like the idea of the plot twist a lot, but it isn't executed well in this case. I personally think the story would have worked better as a full-length novel. That way we could have spent more time getting to know the characters and building suspense. To work as a novella the story needed to have more really weird and disorienting moments to make the reader question what is happening.
The conclusion of the book is rushed and, honestly, absurd. Once again if I had known the characters more or if there had been better lead-up to the event I would have liked it more.
There are some incredible ideas in The Fireborne Blade, but they were not given the room or detail to shine.
Thank you TorDotCom for the eARC
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
Read
September 29, 2023Really enjoyable dragon slayer fantasy, a quick bite with a twist that will stick you in the throat if you’re not careful
May 3, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
This was great! I love a fantasy novella and The Fireborne Blade effectively encapsulates a complete story with interesting characters, while introducing us to a new world. I also didn't see the twist at the end coming. It follows a queer woman who is a knight, on a quest to get a blade back from a dragon and reclaim her honor. It's told in a split timeline, and in the past we also meet a woman who is secretly being trained by a mage, even though women aren't really supposed to be. It's an adventure story about ambitious, talented women trying to make space for themselves in a man's world. Definitely worth a read! It's fast paced and fun, and the audio narration is good too. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
This was great! I love a fantasy novella and The Fireborne Blade effectively encapsulates a complete story with interesting characters, while introducing us to a new world. I also didn't see the twist at the end coming. It follows a queer woman who is a knight, on a quest to get a blade back from a dragon and reclaim her honor. It's told in a split timeline, and in the past we also meet a woman who is secretly being trained by a mage, even though women aren't really supposed to be. It's an adventure story about ambitious, talented women trying to make space for themselves in a man's world. Definitely worth a read! It's fast paced and fun, and the audio narration is good too. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
June 7, 2024
3.0 Stars
Video Review https://youtu.be/csQk2BcJee4
I can appreciate a good female driven narrative, especially in a piece of traditional fantasy. In 2024, I can't say that's its very revolutionary to place a female in a traditional male role, in a knight. Still, I suppose I have a soft spot for a strong female driven narrative.
I found this one fine but not exceptionally memorable or unique. I like a strong woman, but that alone does not make a story feel special anymore.
I would recommend this one to readers who enjoy traditional fantasy narratives and aren't necessarily looking for anything out of the box.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Video Review https://youtu.be/csQk2BcJee4
I can appreciate a good female driven narrative, especially in a piece of traditional fantasy. In 2024, I can't say that's its very revolutionary to place a female in a traditional male role, in a knight. Still, I suppose I have a soft spot for a strong female driven narrative.
I found this one fine but not exceptionally memorable or unique. I like a strong woman, but that alone does not make a story feel special anymore.
I would recommend this one to readers who enjoy traditional fantasy narratives and aren't necessarily looking for anything out of the box.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
October 14, 2025
LOVED IT. ❤️🔥 A tale of perseverance, ambition, and honor, this story follows a disgraced knight on a daring quest to claim a legendary blade guarded by a deadly dragon. Blending action, rich lore, and hints of horror, it breathes new life into classic sword-and-sorcery traditions.
I picked up this novella after a disappointing read and hesitated at first because of its modest rating of 3.77 at the time. I was unsure if it could pull me out of my reading slump, but I’m so glad I gave it a chance.
The novella is engaging and fast-paced, free of unnecessary filler, and structured in a way that kept me engaged. The story alternates between the present day, flashbacks leading up to the present, and excerpts from a book of dragon-slaying tales (perhaps better described as an archive or anthology). This archival element was a highlight for me, and as a dragon enthusiast, I could easily devour an entire book of these fascinating and imaginative accounts. They added a richness to the story that made the world feel alive and steeped in history.
One of the novella’s central themes—persevering in male-dominated fields—was familiar but resonated with me. The narrative examines what it takes to carve a path in a career dominated by others, and while the thematic exploration isn’t groundbreaking, it’s relatable and relevant. The protagonist, Maddileh, is honorable, funny, and stubborn in ways that made her easy to root for. While her journey mirrors those of many other fantasy heroes, I didn’t mind its familiarity. Maddileh’s steadfast determination reminded me of Brienne of Tarth, a comparison that only deepened my appreciation for her character.
That said, the setting itself doesn’t receive much attention. The world outside the mountain, where much of the story takes place, is painted in broad strokes. For seasoned fantasy readers, the sparse details might not be an issue—it leans on a classic epic fantasy tone. But I can understand why some reviewers felt underwhelmed by the lack of immersive world-building. However, what the novella lacks in environmental depth, it makes up for in dragon-related world-building. The portrayal of dragons, their magical influence, and their lore is fresh, exciting, and incredibly well-conceived. As a dragon lover, this element alone made the novella worth reading.
Admittedly, some tropes felt predictable. The story doesn’t completely subvert traditional fantasy conventions, and much of Maddileh’s arc follows a familiar trajectory. But as the story progresses, Bond introduces unexpected twists and moments of genuine tension. The flashbacks and shifts in time, while initially disorienting, ultimately come together to create a well-crafted and impactful narrative. The ending is unexpectedly sharp and impactful, bringing the story’s threads together in a way that feels both surprising and inevitable. It left me with a sense of closure while still sparking excitement for what could come next.
I disagree with reviews suggesting that this novella doesn’t bring anything new to the genre. The dragon lore is imaginative and unique, and the infusion of horror elements gives the story a compelling edge that sets it apart. These aspects added layers to the narrative that I found refreshing and deeply enjoyable. Sure, it’s a classic sword-and-sorcery tale, but I still love those—and I want to see more of them, especially when told from fresh perspectives and crafted by women writers.
For a novella, I was impressed by how attached I became to the characters and the small yet rich world Bond created. Part of me wishes this had been a longer work, as I know I would have enjoyed an expanded version even more (especially more of that dragonlore!) But novellas have their place, and it’s unfair to expect something as expansive as epic fantasy to fully unfold within such a limited format. Given the challenge, Bond has done a phenomenal job delivering a tight, engaging, and resonant story.
I look forward to reading the next installment and seeing where this world, and these characters, go next.🐉
4.5 stars from me. ✨️
I picked up this novella after a disappointing read and hesitated at first because of its modest rating of 3.77 at the time. I was unsure if it could pull me out of my reading slump, but I’m so glad I gave it a chance.
The novella is engaging and fast-paced, free of unnecessary filler, and structured in a way that kept me engaged. The story alternates between the present day, flashbacks leading up to the present, and excerpts from a book of dragon-slaying tales (perhaps better described as an archive or anthology). This archival element was a highlight for me, and as a dragon enthusiast, I could easily devour an entire book of these fascinating and imaginative accounts. They added a richness to the story that made the world feel alive and steeped in history.
One of the novella’s central themes—persevering in male-dominated fields—was familiar but resonated with me. The narrative examines what it takes to carve a path in a career dominated by others, and while the thematic exploration isn’t groundbreaking, it’s relatable and relevant. The protagonist, Maddileh, is honorable, funny, and stubborn in ways that made her easy to root for. While her journey mirrors those of many other fantasy heroes, I didn’t mind its familiarity. Maddileh’s steadfast determination reminded me of Brienne of Tarth, a comparison that only deepened my appreciation for her character.
That said, the setting itself doesn’t receive much attention. The world outside the mountain, where much of the story takes place, is painted in broad strokes. For seasoned fantasy readers, the sparse details might not be an issue—it leans on a classic epic fantasy tone. But I can understand why some reviewers felt underwhelmed by the lack of immersive world-building. However, what the novella lacks in environmental depth, it makes up for in dragon-related world-building. The portrayal of dragons, their magical influence, and their lore is fresh, exciting, and incredibly well-conceived. As a dragon lover, this element alone made the novella worth reading.
Admittedly, some tropes felt predictable. The story doesn’t completely subvert traditional fantasy conventions, and much of Maddileh’s arc follows a familiar trajectory. But as the story progresses, Bond introduces unexpected twists and moments of genuine tension. The flashbacks and shifts in time, while initially disorienting, ultimately come together to create a well-crafted and impactful narrative. The ending is unexpectedly sharp and impactful, bringing the story’s threads together in a way that feels both surprising and inevitable. It left me with a sense of closure while still sparking excitement for what could come next.
I disagree with reviews suggesting that this novella doesn’t bring anything new to the genre. The dragon lore is imaginative and unique, and the infusion of horror elements gives the story a compelling edge that sets it apart. These aspects added layers to the narrative that I found refreshing and deeply enjoyable. Sure, it’s a classic sword-and-sorcery tale, but I still love those—and I want to see more of them, especially when told from fresh perspectives and crafted by women writers.
For a novella, I was impressed by how attached I became to the characters and the small yet rich world Bond created. Part of me wishes this had been a longer work, as I know I would have enjoyed an expanded version even more (especially more of that dragonlore!) But novellas have their place, and it’s unfair to expect something as expansive as epic fantasy to fully unfold within such a limited format. Given the challenge, Bond has done a phenomenal job delivering a tight, engaging, and resonant story.
I look forward to reading the next installment and seeing where this world, and these characters, go next.🐉
4.5 stars from me. ✨️
September 6, 2025
I decided to read the Fireborne Blade on a whim and it was such a pleasant surprise. At first glance, it may seem like a typical classic fantasy story about a knight on a quest to face a dragon, but it's so much better than that. The story was told in a unique way that brought the worldbuilding to another level. Especially for a novella.
I was not expecting it to have elements of psychological horror sprinkled in. I really appreciated this aspect of the story. I also loved the ending. It was fantastic. If you are a fantasy reader, this novella is 100% worth picking up. Highly recommend.
I was not expecting it to have elements of psychological horror sprinkled in. I really appreciated this aspect of the story. I also loved the ending. It was fantastic. If you are a fantasy reader, this novella is 100% worth picking up. Highly recommend.
June 18, 2025
⚔️ Bookish Thoughts
When I first started this book, I was a little worried about how much was going on!
For a novella, it really packed in a lot! But once I hit the 20% mark, everything clicked and it was nonstop from there. I absolutely loved how unhinged it got in the best way. And both FMCs? Obsessed.
The ending was not at all what I was expecting, and I loved it even more because of that.
Also, the audiobook was truly fantastic! The narrator’s voice was perfect and made it super easy to tell who was speaking. Definitely one of the best short listens I’ve picked up this year.
💛 Read if you love:
• Dragon-slaying quest
• Lady knight energy 🔥
• Sapphic romance
• Betrayal
• Second chances
• Quick reads (under 160 pages!)
When I first started this book, I was a little worried about how much was going on!
For a novella, it really packed in a lot! But once I hit the 20% mark, everything clicked and it was nonstop from there. I absolutely loved how unhinged it got in the best way. And both FMCs? Obsessed.
The ending was not at all what I was expecting, and I loved it even more because of that.
Also, the audiobook was truly fantastic! The narrator’s voice was perfect and made it super easy to tell who was speaking. Definitely one of the best short listens I’ve picked up this year.
💛 Read if you love:
• Dragon-slaying quest
• Lady knight energy 🔥
• Sapphic romance
• Betrayal
• Second chances
• Quick reads (under 160 pages!)
August 21, 2024
The Fireborne Blade is both a fantasy story featuring two strong willed women, and a feminist manifesto. Blatantly calling out the ridiculousness of the hurdles often put in the way of women achieving the same as men the reader can’t help but agree that it’s extremely illogical. As seen in this standout quote:
”Its illegal to train girls in magic without a dispensation, yet to get that dispensation, a girl has to show an aptitude first—which means someone has to train her up at least a bit, which means that someone is already breaking the rules in order to follow the rules. That seems ridiculous to me.”
Welcome to the classic fantasy world Charlotte Bond has created. Arguably a mirror in some ways to our own. Even as I say this is a statement on society, it’s also an action packed, mildly gory (at times), fantasy story. At only 168 pages it’s very short and yet still manages to set-up a ton of dragon lore (via mini stories or journal entries by other knights), send our leading lady on a dragon quest, bring forth the hypocritical magic user rules, and shun women from being knights. In all a perfectly balanced story, and one that feels like a mini introduction to (what I hope is) a huge fantasy series to come!
This is perhaps not like the fantasy many of us ‘older folks’ (lol) are used to. It is entirely based on women fighting back; without reliance on any men. In some ways The Fireborne Blade could be a story about Eowyn trying to prove herself in Mjddle Earth to everyone around her. It’s a simple concept; yet complex in its question: how does society get to accepting female knights and mages? I really hope Bond is continuing this forward to show us how it might work (and some gory details along the way).
The lovely British narrator for the audiobook has the perfect sort of ‘medieval’ accent one might attribute to fantasy. Her voice sets a mood right away; yet her accent is mild enough to not pose any concerns about understanding her. I will definitely look for her as a narrator in the future.
I cannot wait for more stories from this fantasy world! Hopefully they feature our two ladies, and more intriguing dragons (who all have slightly different powers or magic) to be slayed (or not).
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
”Its illegal to train girls in magic without a dispensation, yet to get that dispensation, a girl has to show an aptitude first—which means someone has to train her up at least a bit, which means that someone is already breaking the rules in order to follow the rules. That seems ridiculous to me.”
Welcome to the classic fantasy world Charlotte Bond has created. Arguably a mirror in some ways to our own. Even as I say this is a statement on society, it’s also an action packed, mildly gory (at times), fantasy story. At only 168 pages it’s very short and yet still manages to set-up a ton of dragon lore (via mini stories or journal entries by other knights), send our leading lady on a dragon quest, bring forth the hypocritical magic user rules, and shun women from being knights. In all a perfectly balanced story, and one that feels like a mini introduction to (what I hope is) a huge fantasy series to come!
This is perhaps not like the fantasy many of us ‘older folks’ (lol) are used to. It is entirely based on women fighting back; without reliance on any men. In some ways The Fireborne Blade could be a story about Eowyn trying to prove herself in Mjddle Earth to everyone around her. It’s a simple concept; yet complex in its question: how does society get to accepting female knights and mages? I really hope Bond is continuing this forward to show us how it might work (and some gory details along the way).
The lovely British narrator for the audiobook has the perfect sort of ‘medieval’ accent one might attribute to fantasy. Her voice sets a mood right away; yet her accent is mild enough to not pose any concerns about understanding her. I will definitely look for her as a narrator in the future.
I cannot wait for more stories from this fantasy world! Hopefully they feature our two ladies, and more intriguing dragons (who all have slightly different powers or magic) to be slayed (or not).
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
December 2, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up.
Unpredictable and rewarding, this novella begins as a straightforward story of a knight and her squire hunting an ancient dragon to recover a legendary blade. But what seems like a classic epic fantasy mission becomes so, so much more.
Alternating chapters color the world with tales of past dragon encounters, and these stories do an excellent job of showing how dangerous a dragon and its magical effects can be.
The story also jumps around in time, showing how the knight Maddileh has prepared for her raid, and how the world’s power hierarchy is structured. By the time the encounter occurs, the story diverges into uncharted areas and it becomes quite an exciting tale with a fantastic payoff.
One of my favorite novellas of the year. Hope to see more of this author, and a continuation of her story. The characters made a strong impression on me and I’d love to spend more time with them.
Unpredictable and rewarding, this novella begins as a straightforward story of a knight and her squire hunting an ancient dragon to recover a legendary blade. But what seems like a classic epic fantasy mission becomes so, so much more.
Alternating chapters color the world with tales of past dragon encounters, and these stories do an excellent job of showing how dangerous a dragon and its magical effects can be.
The story also jumps around in time, showing how the knight Maddileh has prepared for her raid, and how the world’s power hierarchy is structured. By the time the encounter occurs, the story diverges into uncharted areas and it becomes quite an exciting tale with a fantastic payoff.
One of my favorite novellas of the year. Hope to see more of this author, and a continuation of her story. The characters made a strong impression on me and I’d love to spend more time with them.
March 26, 2024
On my blog.
Galley provided by publisher
Rep: bi mc
I could not explain to you just why The Fireborne Blade irritated me to the extent it did. It was, unfortunately, just one of those books where, within a page or two, I’d set my mind against it. I say this like I can’t articulate reasons for it, but I can! I have reasons, although, as I said, why they irritated me so particularly here is harder to unravel.
The plot is a simple one: our main character, Maddileh, butthurt after a rejection from the man she loves, decides the solution to the fantasy misogyny she keeps facing as a female knight is to kill a dragon and steal the eponymous Fireborne Blade. She finds herself lumped with a squire she doesn’t really like and can’t remember hiring besides. And also there’s some brief flashbacks to what she’s been doing in the past six months since said rejection — which become important later.
Firstly, let’s take the fantasy misogyny. Oh, woop de doo!, you say, another fantasy book which can’t seem to envisage a made up world without this real world bigotry. And I do understand the desire to write books that tackle such issues but this one just didn’t do it well. It being a longer novella, there could have been time to develop something a bit more, but, with absolutely as much respect as it sounds, this author didn’t have the range. (And, honestly, the main character simply decided that she could solve fantasy misogyny by defeating a dragon (difficult task) and suddenly all the fantasy misogynists would respect her. Sorry, I must have missed the part where it’s that easy to erase misogyny (or any other bigotry in fact).)
Second point: the writing felt entirely stilted. It was clearly trying to sound fairytale-esque but it didn’t do it in a natural way. A lot of it, as a result, had me rolling my eyes and skimming just a bit quicker so I could finally be done. The plot is also interspersed with made up sources from this in-world book about hunting dragons which felt unnecessary (to the extent they were in it).
The reveal, when it comes, feels rushed and unearned, like the book was trying to cram too much plot into too short a space. I hadn’t come to care about any of the characters I was supposed to, so why would any of it matter to me? Further, the magic system seemed more like a bunch of hand waving, so they can do this now, magic rather than something bound with checks and balances. Again, a lot of this is a product of the book being a novella and lacking the time to flesh out much. That being said, I would hardly want to read a full-length version of this, as mind-numbingly dull as I found it. I wasn’t even inclined to read the sequel before the ending, which once again had me rolling my eyes. Deus ex machina much?
So, yeah. It turns out I am able to explain why this book irritated me. The perfect confluence of more minor things, compounding themselves until this: a one-star read.
Galley provided by publisher
Rep: bi mc
I could not explain to you just why The Fireborne Blade irritated me to the extent it did. It was, unfortunately, just one of those books where, within a page or two, I’d set my mind against it. I say this like I can’t articulate reasons for it, but I can! I have reasons, although, as I said, why they irritated me so particularly here is harder to unravel.
The plot is a simple one: our main character, Maddileh, butthurt after a rejection from the man she loves, decides the solution to the fantasy misogyny she keeps facing as a female knight is to kill a dragon and steal the eponymous Fireborne Blade. She finds herself lumped with a squire she doesn’t really like and can’t remember hiring besides. And also there’s some brief flashbacks to what she’s been doing in the past six months since said rejection — which become important later.
Firstly, let’s take the fantasy misogyny. Oh, woop de doo!, you say, another fantasy book which can’t seem to envisage a made up world without this real world bigotry. And I do understand the desire to write books that tackle such issues but this one just didn’t do it well. It being a longer novella, there could have been time to develop something a bit more, but, with absolutely as much respect as it sounds, this author didn’t have the range. (And, honestly, the main character simply decided that she could solve fantasy misogyny by defeating a dragon (difficult task) and suddenly all the fantasy misogynists would respect her. Sorry, I must have missed the part where it’s that easy to erase misogyny (or any other bigotry in fact).)
Second point: the writing felt entirely stilted. It was clearly trying to sound fairytale-esque but it didn’t do it in a natural way. A lot of it, as a result, had me rolling my eyes and skimming just a bit quicker so I could finally be done. The plot is also interspersed with made up sources from this in-world book about hunting dragons which felt unnecessary (to the extent they were in it).
The reveal, when it comes, feels rushed and unearned, like the book was trying to cram too much plot into too short a space. I hadn’t come to care about any of the characters I was supposed to, so why would any of it matter to me? Further, the magic system seemed more like a bunch of hand waving, so they can do this now, magic rather than something bound with checks and balances. Again, a lot of this is a product of the book being a novella and lacking the time to flesh out much. That being said, I would hardly want to read a full-length version of this, as mind-numbingly dull as I found it. I wasn’t even inclined to read the sequel before the ending, which once again had me rolling my eyes. Deus ex machina much?
So, yeah. It turns out I am able to explain why this book irritated me. The perfect confluence of more minor things, compounding themselves until this: a one-star read.
Read
June 13, 2024I have a lot of friends who recommended this to me as a book they would compare to THE SIX DEATHS OF THE SAINT, and sadly, I think this comp really ruined the book for me, because I have to disagree.
Though this is a twisty knight tale, the thing that works so well about THE SIX DEATHS OF THE SAINT is that it stretches the capacity of its format with brilliant tact. It's the triumph of telling an epic tale in a couple dozen pages. And I think this story is far from a mastery of format. In fact, it feels confined by its length.
I understand why my friends made this comp, and I think it'll help bring some of the right people to this story but it didn't work for me. But comp aside, let's talk about this book.
I hate when I have this opinion because it's such an annoying opinion to have, but I do really think this would work better as a long epic novel that combines this plot and whatever happens in the sequel. It was obvious from the get go that there would be some big twist about the narrator being unreliable, and so these 170 pages are really just spent in wait for that reveal. I would've been far more interested in a story that takes its time to set up this world and this character and her backstory beyond the here and now. As it stands, the payoff of the twist is weak, because the author gave me like 100+ pages to come up with theories of my own and nothing else to occupy my attention.
The world-building, the politics, and other goings-on are SO interesting but because of the urgency of the task at hand, feel irrelevant and tangental, so that the shifts beyond the task (especially towards the end) are disorienting and lack impact. There is so much to praise about this world. It does feel really lived in, and I have so many curiosities I'd love to dig into: the naming system of the knights, the history of hunting dragons, the viewpoints of magic, etc. And I think it's fine and good when worlds have details that go unexplored to focus on the direct plot, but I think time spent in this world-building would've actually much better aided the end of the narrative.
I think my favorite element is the epistolary entries about dragon hunting, and honestly I could have done with even more of them, especially if they aided the story more than they do (which isn't much at all, Bond could've really made use of these and hidden some lore elements and foreshadowing into those instead of just using them as ambiance).
I did overall enjoy my reading experience of this, and I think many people will too, but my expectations were just placed wayyyyy too high.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
CW: animal death, death, dead body, emesis, violence, alcohol, amputation, fire, hallucinations, body horror, blood & gore, self harm (for magic), child death (past)
Though this is a twisty knight tale, the thing that works so well about THE SIX DEATHS OF THE SAINT is that it stretches the capacity of its format with brilliant tact. It's the triumph of telling an epic tale in a couple dozen pages. And I think this story is far from a mastery of format. In fact, it feels confined by its length.
I understand why my friends made this comp, and I think it'll help bring some of the right people to this story but it didn't work for me. But comp aside, let's talk about this book.
I hate when I have this opinion because it's such an annoying opinion to have, but I do really think this would work better as a long epic novel that combines this plot and whatever happens in the sequel. It was obvious from the get go that there would be some big twist about the narrator being unreliable, and so these 170 pages are really just spent in wait for that reveal. I would've been far more interested in a story that takes its time to set up this world and this character and her backstory beyond the here and now. As it stands, the payoff of the twist is weak, because the author gave me like 100+ pages to come up with theories of my own and nothing else to occupy my attention.
The world-building, the politics, and other goings-on are SO interesting but because of the urgency of the task at hand, feel irrelevant and tangental, so that the shifts beyond the task (especially towards the end) are disorienting and lack impact. There is so much to praise about this world. It does feel really lived in, and I have so many curiosities I'd love to dig into: the naming system of the knights, the history of hunting dragons, the viewpoints of magic, etc. And I think it's fine and good when worlds have details that go unexplored to focus on the direct plot, but I think time spent in this world-building would've actually much better aided the end of the narrative.
I think my favorite element is the epistolary entries about dragon hunting, and honestly I could have done with even more of them, especially if they aided the story more than they do (which isn't much at all, Bond could've really made use of these and hidden some lore elements and foreshadowing into those instead of just using them as ambiance).
I did overall enjoy my reading experience of this, and I think many people will too, but my expectations were just placed wayyyyy too high.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
CW: animal death, death, dead body, emesis, violence, alcohol, amputation, fire, hallucinations, body horror, blood & gore, self harm (for magic), child death (past)
September 27, 2024
A strong feminist story (with dragons) about forging ahead with your ambitions despite if being dominated by men.
Maddileh is a knight disgraced, searching for an opportunity to repair her tattered reputation. With her new squire, Petros, she is searching for the legendary dragon, the White Lady, the keeper of the Fireborne Blade, a mythological sword tempered in dragon fire.
The story is told through three formats: Maddileh’s past, her present, and excerpts from a magician’s scientific studies on dragons. This back and forth sometimes made it confusing to follow and took you out of the story, throwing the pacing off. However, this choice of narrative is cleverly revealed to have a purpose at the end (with a big twist).
There are moments of horror and tension which really made me excited to see what Bond may write in the future. I would guess that she would write incredible fantasy or Sci-fi horror!
I don’t think this is anything extremely unique and new which seemed to be the marketing grab.
Also, the queer relationship was definitely not at the forefront which, again, was one of the only things I knew about this novella before picking it up.
The conclusion felt slightly too easy, but seeing as this is a novella, I think it was succinct and satisfying.
Bookstagram
Maddileh is a knight disgraced, searching for an opportunity to repair her tattered reputation. With her new squire, Petros, she is searching for the legendary dragon, the White Lady, the keeper of the Fireborne Blade, a mythological sword tempered in dragon fire.
The story is told through three formats: Maddileh’s past, her present, and excerpts from a magician’s scientific studies on dragons. This back and forth sometimes made it confusing to follow and took you out of the story, throwing the pacing off. However, this choice of narrative is cleverly revealed to have a purpose at the end (with a big twist).
There are moments of horror and tension which really made me excited to see what Bond may write in the future. I would guess that she would write incredible fantasy or Sci-fi horror!
I don’t think this is anything extremely unique and new which seemed to be the marketing grab.
Also, the queer relationship was definitely not at the forefront which, again, was one of the only things I knew about this novella before picking it up.
The conclusion felt slightly too easy, but seeing as this is a novella, I think it was succinct and satisfying.
Bookstagram
July 16, 2024
Not what I was expecting and a bit unconventional, this was an interesting novella. I wish it had been a little more engaging.
What it had going for it was a plethora of original dragonlore ideas – stuff I’ve never seen done quite like this. So while it was an absolute standout in concept, it fell short for me in execution and pacing.
The story bounced back and forth between past events and the current happenings with the MC. The bounce happened so often that it effectively stole all momentum from the tale, and as a result I found myself struggling to pay attention. Some of the flashback scenes ultimately ended up enhancing the overall arc of the story, but not all. From a creative standpoint, I like the woven storyline and thought it was a great way to integrate all of the components, but overall, as I said, I wish it had been a little more engaging.
The MC was a bit stereotypical and I feel like I’ve read her profile countless times before. She seemed more like a vessel of perpetuating the plot rather than a character with a lot of depth and dynamics. However my biggest issue was her behavior. This novella read like a literary fiction (starring dragons) and was seemingly trying to present a few themes throughout. The MC said and did things that harmed the message plumping the narrative and also appeared inconsistent with character. It felt like she was trying to be too many things in conflict with each other. And not in an interesting, oh, this character has a lot of duality way, but more in an I’m not sure she’s fully developed kind of way.
For such a short story, I was hoping it would have more of a momentum, better character connection, and a more consistent message. In lieu of all that, I’m at least grateful for an interesting style and plot structure and liked the fresh, gritty take on dragons -> a subject in which I am obsessed, so the uniqueness was appreciated.
I experienced this story on audio and the narrator, Helen McAlpine, was adept and pleasant to listen to. I’m not sure if it was just the arc version of the audio I received or just something about the way it was recorded, but it felt about .25 slower than average, so you’ll fly through it!
Recommendations: this is a creative novella that I found entertaining in concept and technique even though it failed to draw me in. Still worth a look if you’d like a fresh take on dragonlore.
I’d like to thank Macmillan Audio, Charlotte Bond, and NetGalley for the chance to listen to and review an early copy of this novella.
Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, Elizabeth, and Bee! <3
Find me on Booktube at: The Obsessive Bookseller
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
What it had going for it was a plethora of original dragonlore ideas – stuff I’ve never seen done quite like this. So while it was an absolute standout in concept, it fell short for me in execution and pacing.
The story bounced back and forth between past events and the current happenings with the MC. The bounce happened so often that it effectively stole all momentum from the tale, and as a result I found myself struggling to pay attention. Some of the flashback scenes ultimately ended up enhancing the overall arc of the story, but not all. From a creative standpoint, I like the woven storyline and thought it was a great way to integrate all of the components, but overall, as I said, I wish it had been a little more engaging.
The MC was a bit stereotypical and I feel like I’ve read her profile countless times before. She seemed more like a vessel of perpetuating the plot rather than a character with a lot of depth and dynamics. However my biggest issue was her behavior. This novella read like a literary fiction (starring dragons) and was seemingly trying to present a few themes throughout. The MC said and did things that harmed the message plumping the narrative and also appeared inconsistent with character. It felt like she was trying to be too many things in conflict with each other. And not in an interesting, oh, this character has a lot of duality way, but more in an I’m not sure she’s fully developed kind of way.
For such a short story, I was hoping it would have more of a momentum, better character connection, and a more consistent message. In lieu of all that, I’m at least grateful for an interesting style and plot structure and liked the fresh, gritty take on dragons -> a subject in which I am obsessed, so the uniqueness was appreciated.
I experienced this story on audio and the narrator, Helen McAlpine, was adept and pleasant to listen to. I’m not sure if it was just the arc version of the audio I received or just something about the way it was recorded, but it felt about .25 slower than average, so you’ll fly through it!
Recommendations: this is a creative novella that I found entertaining in concept and technique even though it failed to draw me in. Still worth a look if you’d like a fresh take on dragonlore.
I’d like to thank Macmillan Audio, Charlotte Bond, and NetGalley for the chance to listen to and review an early copy of this novella.
Thank you to my Patrons: Dave, Katrin, Frank, Sonja, Staci, Kat, Betsy, Eliss, Mike, Elizabeth, and Bee! <3
Find me on Booktube at: The Obsessive Bookseller
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
May 6, 2024
A fun, fast-paced firecracker of a story. I tore through this in one day because I genuinely couldn't put it down.
Maddileh is a knight in disgrace. The reason she's in disgrace isn't really important - she's a female knight in a deeply misogynistic fantasy world that would have seen her torn down no matter what. In an effort to restore her reputation and position, Maddileh embarks on a desperate quest to slay a dragon that cannot be killed "by any living man" and claim the legendary, cursed blade the beast is guarding.
This book rotates between three distinct parts: Maddileh's perspective as she descends into the lair of the dragon she intends to slay, flashbacks to her preparations for this journey months before, and excerpts from in-world texts that chronicle the (mis)adventures of other knights who successfully slayed dragons past. The bones of the story and its darkly magical world are very familiar, making it an easy book to pick up. But if the overall composition is a familiar canvas, then painting in twisted little details is where Charlotte Bond shines. There's a lightly comedic edge to the horrifying elements slipped into the worldbuilding: magic orbs working as timekeepers that chime at inopportune times, soot-eating lizards that are no big deal at all except that if they bite you it'll rot the flesh from your bones. I love when I can tell an author had fun with their world, and the experimental creativity on display in the Fireborne Blade really delighted me.
One thing that this book does exceptionally well, particularly for a novella, is laying the groundwork for its climax. From the very first scene, the puzzle pieces are being dropped into place. However. If the climax was a meticulously crafted and thoroughly foreshadowed work of excellence, the fallout and resolution are... a bit slapdash, to put it mildly. The pacing of the book breaks into a frantic sprint to wrap everything up around the 90% mark of the story, and here it would have immensely benefited from more page space. There are elements of the magic system that sorely needed introduction earlier in the book in order to avoid feeling overpowered and overly convenient. The focus on time spent setting up the conflict vs complete lack of time spent setting up the final resolution leads to an ending that feels random and stretches suspension of disbelief.
I truly hate to say it, but I'm going to echo what a lot of other reviewers are saying - this would have been OUTSTANDING as a full length novel. It is a very good novella. But its potential if it had more time to dig into the characters, their backstories, and the developing interpersonal relationship(s) between them? Plus more time to explore the worldbuilding and pace that climax and resolution a bit more evenly? I almost feel robbed in spite of how much I still genuinely loved this.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Maddileh is a knight in disgrace. The reason she's in disgrace isn't really important - she's a female knight in a deeply misogynistic fantasy world that would have seen her torn down no matter what. In an effort to restore her reputation and position, Maddileh embarks on a desperate quest to slay a dragon that cannot be killed "by any living man" and claim the legendary, cursed blade the beast is guarding.
This book rotates between three distinct parts: Maddileh's perspective as she descends into the lair of the dragon she intends to slay, flashbacks to her preparations for this journey months before, and excerpts from in-world texts that chronicle the (mis)adventures of other knights who successfully slayed dragons past. The bones of the story and its darkly magical world are very familiar, making it an easy book to pick up. But if the overall composition is a familiar canvas, then painting in twisted little details is where Charlotte Bond shines. There's a lightly comedic edge to the horrifying elements slipped into the worldbuilding: magic orbs working as timekeepers that chime at inopportune times, soot-eating lizards that are no big deal at all except that if they bite you it'll rot the flesh from your bones. I love when I can tell an author had fun with their world, and the experimental creativity on display in the Fireborne Blade really delighted me.
One thing that this book does exceptionally well, particularly for a novella, is laying the groundwork for its climax. From the very first scene, the puzzle pieces are being dropped into place. However. If the climax was a meticulously crafted and thoroughly foreshadowed work of excellence, the fallout and resolution are... a bit slapdash, to put it mildly. The pacing of the book breaks into a frantic sprint to wrap everything up around the 90% mark of the story, and here it would have immensely benefited from more page space. There are elements of the magic system that sorely needed introduction earlier in the book in order to avoid feeling overpowered and overly convenient. The focus on time spent setting up the conflict vs complete lack of time spent setting up the final resolution leads to an ending that feels random and stretches suspension of disbelief.
I truly hate to say it, but I'm going to echo what a lot of other reviewers are saying - this would have been OUTSTANDING as a full length novel. It is a very good novella. But its potential if it had more time to dig into the characters, their backstories, and the developing interpersonal relationship(s) between them? Plus more time to explore the worldbuilding and pace that climax and resolution a bit more evenly? I almost feel robbed in spite of how much I still genuinely loved this.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 10, 2024
4.5 stars
Yes, I agree with other reviewers who complain about the brevity of this work, because I would have been happy to read more, more, and more. Luckily the sequel will be released this fall: The Bloodless Princes.
Bond is a fine writer and this story and its characters were absolutely cracking. Everything was so interesting I’m left with so many questions I would love to see pursued further. Best to go into this knowing as little as possible because it does a fine job of building up to a fantastic ending.
And honestly, that cover!
“Ah, we are all puppets of history. What people remember about us is what is written down, and who has the power to influence writers after their own deaths? Doesn’t it make you wonder what will be written about us by those who come after?”
Yes, I agree with other reviewers who complain about the brevity of this work, because I would have been happy to read more, more, and more. Luckily the sequel will be released this fall: The Bloodless Princes.
Bond is a fine writer and this story and its characters were absolutely cracking. Everything was so interesting I’m left with so many questions I would love to see pursued further. Best to go into this knowing as little as possible because it does a fine job of building up to a fantastic ending.
And honestly, that cover!
“Ah, we are all puppets of history. What people remember about us is what is written down, and who has the power to influence writers after their own deaths? Doesn’t it make you wonder what will be written about us by those who come after?”
May 9, 2024
this was everything !!!!
it’s high fantasy, mystery, and honestly HORROR this had me absolutely gagged and the twists and turns and the absolute dread that follows you throughout the entire book? sensational honestly, I’m shocked at the lukewarm reviews!! i think novellas, when well done, are a truly impressive feat - and fantasy might be the toughest genre to accomplish this in. and yet, AND YET! charlotte bond gave us an entire, immersive experience in a short and sparkling burst. loved every second of this, cannot wait for book two which is out this year thank you charlotte i love you charlotte!!
also for a coherent and genuinely wonderful review see attached i’m too stunned to formulate anything readable:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
it’s high fantasy, mystery, and honestly HORROR this had me absolutely gagged and the twists and turns and the absolute dread that follows you throughout the entire book? sensational honestly, I’m shocked at the lukewarm reviews!! i think novellas, when well done, are a truly impressive feat - and fantasy might be the toughest genre to accomplish this in. and yet, AND YET! charlotte bond gave us an entire, immersive experience in a short and sparkling burst. loved every second of this, cannot wait for book two which is out this year thank you charlotte i love you charlotte!!
also for a coherent and genuinely wonderful review see attached i’m too stunned to formulate anything readable:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 23, 2024
I fell in love with this grimdark high fantasy with a sapphic lead. This novella accomplished so much in so few pages.
I often feel like dragon fiction misses the mark because it presents dragons as accessories to humans. In many novels, these creatures are subservient and domesticated, not sublime. By contrast, Charlotte Bond's dragons are shrouded in myth. They have beautiful, glittering names, and their corpses are lethal to the knights that hunt them.
In a world where women are seen as unworthy of practicing magic or knighthood, dragons represent a similar concept of 'Otherness' that terrifies the dominant patriarchal, imperialist culture. Like women, they are something to be conquered by men. I think Bond does an excellent job at managing these parallels, and I love the lore/history of the world that is slowly revealed throughout the story. I think Bailey (@greekchoirreads) said that the world feels 'lived-in', and I could not agree more.
I often feel like dragon fiction misses the mark because it presents dragons as accessories to humans. In many novels, these creatures are subservient and domesticated, not sublime. By contrast, Charlotte Bond's dragons are shrouded in myth. They have beautiful, glittering names, and their corpses are lethal to the knights that hunt them.
In a world where women are seen as unworthy of practicing magic or knighthood, dragons represent a similar concept of 'Otherness' that terrifies the dominant patriarchal, imperialist culture. Like women, they are something to be conquered by men. I think Bond does an excellent job at managing these parallels, and I love the lore/history of the world that is slowly revealed throughout the story. I think Bailey (@greekchoirreads) said that the world feels 'lived-in', and I could not agree more.
June 4, 2024
The good news is this is a short book
The bad news is this is a nonsense book
The bad news is this is a nonsense book
April 15, 2024
4.8-5/5 (Still thinking about it)
Oh snap! I did NOT see that coming.
This is a full on dragon quest. Grab your armour and your sword, WE GOING HUNTING!
We follow our queer FMC on different timelines throughout the book while she hunts one of the oldest dragons which is supposed to be in possession of a valued object that will get her back in the grace of the king after she punched the shit out of a lying wizard. She's in company of a hateful squire that thinks himself too good to follow a woman.
I ate this is one go. Yeah, it's less than 200 pages, but still.
There's only one question unanswered but the more I think of it, the more I believe you can just roll with it.
While reading it I thought the chapter half PHD research belonged better in a longer book, but those are there for a reason.
This could be a standalone and be good as it is, but the fact that there's a sequel makes me happy.
This comes out on May 28th so everyone be on the lookout!
Thanks Tordotcom and Netgalley for the ARC.
Oh snap! I did NOT see that coming.
This is a full on dragon quest. Grab your armour and your sword, WE GOING HUNTING!
We follow our queer FMC on different timelines throughout the book while she hunts one of the oldest dragons which is supposed to be in possession of a valued object that will get her back in the grace of the king after she punched the shit out of a lying wizard. She's in company of a hateful squire that thinks himself too good to follow a woman.
I ate this is one go. Yeah, it's less than 200 pages, but still.
There's only one question unanswered but the more I think of it, the more I believe you can just roll with it.
While reading it I thought the chapter half PHD research belonged better in a longer book, but those are there for a reason.
This could be a standalone and be good as it is, but the fact that there's a sequel makes me happy.
This comes out on May 28th so everyone be on the lookout!
Thanks Tordotcom and Netgalley for the ARC.
June 3, 2024
A slighted knight's quest to slay a dragon reveals more beneath the surface as fate, magic, and deception intertwine to create a truly one-of-a-kind knight's tale. Blending first-hand accounts of previous dragon quests and Knight Maddileh's way forward to claim the fabled Fireborne Blade, Charlotte Bond drives a propulsive and twisty fable as one woman journeys to secure her honor and her place in the kingdom among fellow knights. The Fireborne Blade feels equally classic while breaking forth into something entirely new with its explorations into gender and sexuality within the knight's quest. With some strands left unresolved, there is undoubtedly more to uncover in the next installment. Five fiery stars!
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February 20, 2025
Read the first 57 pages and the last 50-ish, when I didn’t want to continue but did want to see the twist. And yes, this is a novella, so that totals about 2/3. Problem is that while at first glance the writing seemed fine, upon settling down with it, it revealed itself to be plain, obvious, and clumsy, in such a way that the characters and themes are too. There is something to the twist, though.
April 4, 2024
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
HIGHLIGHTS
~dragon history > human present
~beware mixing magical items
~absolutely zero questions are answered
~someone please kick this squire in the nuts already
~don’t judge this one by its cover
No, no, no, ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Hard fail. The only reason I actually pushed through and finished this was that it was so short I figured I might as well. But maybe I shouldn’t have, because the twist-reveal-and-ending was actually a really cool idea…executed so poorly. And I find that more annoying than a book that is just bad and boring with no interesting ideas in it.
THIS COULD HAVE BEEN SO GREAT.
BUT IT ISN’T.
It starts well, with a transcript of an interview between a knight and the mage council; the knight is giving an accounting of how he slayed his most recent dragon. It quickly becomes clear that dragons in this world emanate strange and dangerous magic that makes traversing their lairs very dangerous – those a dragon kills become ‘dragon ghosts’ who unintentionally guard their killer, and if you get past them and succeed at killing the dragoon, well…dragon corpses are even more terribly dangerous, and there’s no way to predict what kind of dangerous before the dragon is dead.
This is all reasonably interesting. What’s more interesting is that the mages reveal that this particular knight is a lying scumbag, and it did not go down the way he said it did.
But forget all that, because that has no bearing at all on the actual story, which is very, very TiredTM.
Nothing about Maddileh distinguishes her from The Woman Who Wants To Be A Knight template. We have seen this exact same character THOUSANDS of times before, facing exactly the same challenges in exactly the same setting; a quasi-Medieval patriarchy where women can’t be knights or mages. We do not know how Maddileh managed to become a knight despite that, especially since her mother doesn’t approve; it may have something to do with the king liking her a lot, but we have no idea why he does and we don’t see their relationship at all. We do not know how Maddileh earned her epithet, the Knight of the Stairs – there’s one blink-and-you’ll-miss-it reference to her possibly defending her younger brothers from monsters by guarding a staircase, but we don’t get the story behind or around that. We do not see what Maddileh’s life as a knight is actually like: where does she live, who pays for her horses and tourney fees and (presumably expensive if they must reflect her rank) clothes, does she have the respect or friendship of any knights or do they all hate her, does she spend her time riding around the kingdom helping the needy or is she strictly a ‘dancing attendance upon the king’ type of knight?
We don’t get any of that, because she’s just a cardboard cut-out, a prop – and not a good one. For crying out loud, she has exactly one personality trait – she doesn’t like or trust magic.
THAT IS LITERALLY IT.
We get two timelines, more or less; the present, where Maddileh and her deeply suspicious squire are in the dragon’s lair, hunting the Blade; and another starting six months before, showing us – kinda – how Maddileh got the knowledge and tools she needed to potentially survive taking on this particular dragon. In between, we also get excerpts from an in-universe book on dragons and their history. That was fairly interesting – although maddeningly, there isn’t even any speculation on how dragons went from being sentient sapient beings to mindless animals – but neither timeline of the actual story was.
The squire has his own agenda, and frankly, it is a garbage agenda. Besides the reveal being info-dumped on us (like very nearly EVERYTHING ELSE IN THIS STUPID BOOK) it made very little sense, and almost all of it hinged on information the reader had no way of knowing beforehand – the worst kind of reveal. (Do not get me started on the fucking BOWL.)
And then – the twist. No spoilers, but it was legitimately a really cool reveal, albeit again, pure info-dump. But then came the second twist, the bigger, much more important one, and –
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
HIGHLIGHTS
~dragon history > human present
~beware mixing magical items
~absolutely zero questions are answered
~someone please kick this squire in the nuts already
~don’t judge this one by its cover
No, no, no, ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Hard fail. The only reason I actually pushed through and finished this was that it was so short I figured I might as well. But maybe I shouldn’t have, because the twist-reveal-and-ending was actually a really cool idea…executed so poorly. And I find that more annoying than a book that is just bad and boring with no interesting ideas in it.
THIS COULD HAVE BEEN SO GREAT.
BUT IT ISN’T.
It starts well, with a transcript of an interview between a knight and the mage council; the knight is giving an accounting of how he slayed his most recent dragon. It quickly becomes clear that dragons in this world emanate strange and dangerous magic that makes traversing their lairs very dangerous – those a dragon kills become ‘dragon ghosts’ who unintentionally guard their killer, and if you get past them and succeed at killing the dragoon, well…dragon corpses are even more terribly dangerous, and there’s no way to predict what kind of dangerous before the dragon is dead.
This is all reasonably interesting. What’s more interesting is that the mages reveal that this particular knight is a lying scumbag, and it did not go down the way he said it did.
But forget all that, because that has no bearing at all on the actual story, which is very, very TiredTM.
Nothing about Maddileh distinguishes her from The Woman Who Wants To Be A Knight template. We have seen this exact same character THOUSANDS of times before, facing exactly the same challenges in exactly the same setting; a quasi-Medieval patriarchy where women can’t be knights or mages. We do not know how Maddileh managed to become a knight despite that, especially since her mother doesn’t approve; it may have something to do with the king liking her a lot, but we have no idea why he does and we don’t see their relationship at all. We do not know how Maddileh earned her epithet, the Knight of the Stairs – there’s one blink-and-you’ll-miss-it reference to her possibly defending her younger brothers from monsters by guarding a staircase, but we don’t get the story behind or around that. We do not see what Maddileh’s life as a knight is actually like: where does she live, who pays for her horses and tourney fees and (presumably expensive if they must reflect her rank) clothes, does she have the respect or friendship of any knights or do they all hate her, does she spend her time riding around the kingdom helping the needy or is she strictly a ‘dancing attendance upon the king’ type of knight?
We don’t get any of that, because she’s just a cardboard cut-out, a prop – and not a good one. For crying out loud, she has exactly one personality trait – she doesn’t like or trust magic.
THAT IS LITERALLY IT.
We get two timelines, more or less; the present, where Maddileh and her deeply suspicious squire are in the dragon’s lair, hunting the Blade; and another starting six months before, showing us – kinda – how Maddileh got the knowledge and tools she needed to potentially survive taking on this particular dragon. In between, we also get excerpts from an in-universe book on dragons and their history. That was fairly interesting – although maddeningly, there isn’t even any speculation on how dragons went from being sentient sapient beings to mindless animals – but neither timeline of the actual story was.
The squire has his own agenda, and frankly, it is a garbage agenda. Besides the reveal being info-dumped on us (like very nearly EVERYTHING ELSE IN THIS STUPID BOOK) it made very little sense, and almost all of it hinged on information the reader had no way of knowing beforehand – the worst kind of reveal. (Do not get me started on the fucking BOWL.)
And then – the twist. No spoilers, but it was legitimately a really cool reveal, albeit again, pure info-dump. But then came the second twist, the bigger, much more important one, and –
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
February 18, 2025
Saralene’s smile was infuriating in its smugness. “Is that anger I sense? Feeling more like your old self, are you?”
Bond brings something unique to the table, but I can’t help but have wished for a bit more dialogue between our fmcs.
It’s impressive the amount of coherent world building she is able to achieve in a novella. It’s partly due to the encyclopedic extracts. I can see how they were necessary, but they were frankly a BORE and would have preferred a different way of reiterating the lore. Maybe characters talking to each other 👁️? It was a lot of emotionless words that could have instead been used for character interaction, especially considering the restriction of the novella form. Still, I admit it did work with the story.
Maddileh’s character was so interesting, Saralene too. They both seemed to cheekily understand each other. Maddileh is notably stubborn, angry and driven, yet Saralene is unaffected by her attitude and pokes right at it. They’re such a fun duo, I thought it a shame that sure, there’s romance/lesbianism implied but it would have been SO good for the author to actually explore and indulge in. It’s definitely a personal preference of mine. Maybe because it’s so hard to find fantasy that is THIS GOOD with romance that is just as good also. Duality, anyone? 💔
I will be having a look at that sequel 👁️
Bond brings something unique to the table, but I can’t help but have wished for a bit more dialogue between our fmcs.
It’s impressive the amount of coherent world building she is able to achieve in a novella. It’s partly due to the encyclopedic extracts. I can see how they were necessary, but they were frankly a BORE and would have preferred a different way of reiterating the lore. Maybe characters talking to each other 👁️? It was a lot of emotionless words that could have instead been used for character interaction, especially considering the restriction of the novella form. Still, I admit it did work with the story.
Maddileh’s character was so interesting, Saralene too. They both seemed to cheekily understand each other. Maddileh is notably stubborn, angry and driven, yet Saralene is unaffected by her attitude and pokes right at it. They’re such a fun duo, I thought it a shame that sure, there’s romance/lesbianism implied but it would have been SO good for the author to actually explore and indulge in. It’s definitely a personal preference of mine. Maybe because it’s so hard to find fantasy that is THIS GOOD with romance that is just as good also. Duality, anyone? 💔
I will be having a look at that sequel 👁️
July 8, 2024
Now this is a fun dragon story that I can get behind.
This story follows Maddileh, a disgraced knight who decides that the only way to rehabilitate her name and her image is to go into a dragon's lair to get a mythical sword called the Fireborne Blade. There's also a lot of magic here, as Maddie has a squire to assist her on the quest, and we also have a few flashbacks where she befriends a female mage.
The world building here is very solid. Interspersed throughout the novella are brief chapters that are essentially historical accounts of previous dragon slayings, showing how dangerous it is to do so, and discussing the myriad ways knights have died horribly. It builds up some great tension as we follow Maddie into the dragon's lair.
I won't say much else because there is a LOT more to the story beyond the synopsis that I found was a delight to discover as it unfolded. This was just FUN, and I'm so glad a sequel is already planned.
This story follows Maddileh, a disgraced knight who decides that the only way to rehabilitate her name and her image is to go into a dragon's lair to get a mythical sword called the Fireborne Blade. There's also a lot of magic here, as Maddie has a squire to assist her on the quest, and we also have a few flashbacks where she befriends a female mage.
The world building here is very solid. Interspersed throughout the novella are brief chapters that are essentially historical accounts of previous dragon slayings, showing how dangerous it is to do so, and discussing the myriad ways knights have died horribly. It builds up some great tension as we follow Maddie into the dragon's lair.
I won't say much else because there is a LOT more to the story beyond the synopsis that I found was a delight to discover as it unfolded. This was just FUN, and I'm so glad a sequel is already planned.
January 31, 2024
3.5 rounded up.
I hate to be this guy, because I love novellas, but I think this would have worked better for me as a novel. Lots of elements to love (big ladies with swords! rad dragon lore! dragon-dead! every single entry in the in-world dragon records! twists! turns!) but the balance of the story felt a little uneven, and the character work didn't quite hit for me. So while I did enjoy my time with this book, the emotional moments didn't quite land. I would have loved more space to breathe (and build the intrigue Bond is going for), and a bit more depth. I will, however, happily read more from Charlotte Bond.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Dot Com for this digital copy. This has been an honest review.
I hate to be this guy, because I love novellas, but I think this would have worked better for me as a novel. Lots of elements to love (big ladies with swords! rad dragon lore! dragon-dead! every single entry in the in-world dragon records! twists! turns!) but the balance of the story felt a little uneven, and the character work didn't quite hit for me. So while I did enjoy my time with this book, the emotional moments didn't quite land. I would have loved more space to breathe (and build the intrigue Bond is going for), and a bit more depth. I will, however, happily read more from Charlotte Bond.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Dot Com for this digital copy. This has been an honest review.
March 25, 2025
Why can’t they just leave the dragons alone :(
August 24, 2025
I absolutely loved this novella! It was a perfect fantasy quest story. It had great feminine power and a great FMC. The pacing was fast moving and the plot moved swiftly. I loved that the author was able to fit a complete story in under 200pgs. It did not feel rushed or that it was lacking any elements of a great story. It has a sequel that I am dying to read.
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