At Windsong's End

by Evan Ramspott

Most dragons are hunted for the riches in their bones, but there is one dragon in the land sought solely for vengeance.

"Game of Thrones fans will find a lot to love here!" -- Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of Kagen the Damned and The Dragon in Winter.

A ten-year-old girl did not belong on spearwells. They were machines of war, meant for hunting dragons, their crews a grim coalition of tradesmen and soldiers. But spearwells didn’t belong in Keschea, either. The few dragons that roamed the skies and open plains of the remote country were, at best, nuisances. They didn’t rise to such levels of concern as to demand a spearwell, much less a fleet of them, but the dragon being hunted was no ordinary beast. This one had razed Nazra, and the man who plotted their reckless course sought only vengeance.

From the author of Water Darling and the entire Better Hero Army collection of books comes a new tale of the fantastic, an ancient adventure both heartfelt and compelling. At Windsong's End is a daring series opener and rare achievement in the world of fantasy epics.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Dragons

375 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

Evan Ramspott is an American author of commercial literary fiction. His book Water Darling is noted for its gritty, honest portrayal of unforgettable American dreams. His most recent novel, At Windsong's End, is a rich and compelling tale of the fantastic, an ancient adventure that brings dragons to life. He is always looking for his next inspiration and tries to find it in the pages of great books or rummaging through antique stores.

Evan also writes genre fiction under the unorthodox pen name Better Hero Army. His Plagued States of America series of zombie stories are consistently described as unique and entertaining. His other works include a series of middle-school books about ghosts and gargoyles, some hard-hitting military science-fiction adventures, and an imaginary movie universe..

Reviews

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. It all felt a bit drawn out and long winded. I wanted to love the characters and world building, but I found the 10 year old Hadia hard to relate to and felt a disconnect from her narration. There were often very detailed descriptions and lengthy/repetitive sections that I found a bit too dry to keep my attention as well. An epic fantasy, but one you have to have the time and right headspace to appreciate.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and StoryTeller Press for a copy!

[Shania Snelgar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried hard to read this to 25% but unfortunately I couldn't continue. The storyline I really like but I personally struggled with the writing style, I just found it hard to read.

[Vals · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.25

If you're into medieval-like settings, rich folklore and history, a complex protagonist that writes her story retrospectively, dense descriptions, and dragons, this is the book for you.

Ramspott's book is not an easy book, mind you, but it's definitely a great setting up for a series. In fact, most of the story is dedicated to the world-building: you learn about everything you need to know to step into this new world, from its different peoples with their diverse cultures and customs to their stories and folklore. While some descriptions are detailed, others are just enough to give you an idea of how rich this world is.

Regarding the characters, the main focus is on the protagonist, and the first person narrator gives you enoug information about the small corollary of characters to appreciate them and their characterisations. What I really appreciate is that all the characters find it difficult to believe that a 10-year-old could do most of the things our protagonist does — even she doesn't have a rational explanation to some of the things she did, and having her being a full-grown woman writing about her past and reflecting upon her life, emotions and actions as a little girl makes it more realistic (even though, let's be honest, it's weird how we read fantasy and yet we need some things to be realistic).

Overall, the story is slow and for most of the first 2/3 there's no real action, yet, being this the first book in a series, going through the (sometimes overly) detailed descriptions and the lack of fast-paced action is not too difficult — probably also thanks to Ramspott's prose, which I found at the level of great high fantasy writers.

I'll definitely continue this series, because by the end I got invested in this world, its folklore, and its people, and I really hope to read more about our Hadia/Orico.

My thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this intriguing story!

[SuzieQuzie7973 · Rating 5 out of 5]

****Please check your TRIGGER WARNINGS****

I thoroughly and whole heartedly enjoyed every part of this book. I can’t hardly wait for the next book. I’m curious to see where Evan Ramspott takes us, because I’m going to be here for all of it. The world building and character development were both totally amazing.

I highly recommend giving this book a go.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storyteller Press and Evan Ramspott, for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

[Sylthrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hadia is only ten when she ends up with her Lord Marshall, the man who made it his mission to hunt a very specific dragon for his own vengeance. The Marshall leads three war machines designed to hunt dragons through the land.. Which isn't really the place for a ten year old to be at.

The first thing you'll notice with this book is the writing style - the sentences are mostly very long, very drawn out and there's so much information thrown at you at every moment. It's just a little hard to read at times. Most of the time - for example during the world building, the descriptions of the land, the cities - it was even nice to have an almost lyrical narrator because yeah, this writing style really leans into the magic of the fantasy world. But there were times - the detailed description of the spearwells for example and the action - where just that made it very difficult to follow.

The plot was interesting though - I like how Hadia is the narrator and the things she doesn't know, we don't know. We don't know why Hadia is with the people of the spearwell, or what they're used for until she finds out later. What she doesn't want anyone to know, we don't find out either, it's her writing down her own story after all.

The ending was fitting - reading the book you knew what was coming, there was basically only one way to finish it, but the way the first part of that final action was told, was great. There's action, then there's a step out of the story, Hadia reflecting.. And that just gave the action that much more impact. But after that we repeat that step out of the story a few more times and then it just becomes tedious to read.

I was surprised how much I cared about Hadia by the end - she's a difficult character at first, she's so damn stubborn and set in her ways and that even though she's only ten years old. But then that short final chapter wrapped the whole story up so well, it was just beautiful. I feel like without that, this would've been a book you put down and that's it, but now I'm just left wondering.. That's her? I'm genuinely curious about the sequel and I'll definitively be on the lookout for it!

Overall, you need to invest a little time into it, this isn't a quick read at all, but it's so worth it - the story, the world, Hadia. I'll miss it all.

Thank you Storyteller Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[GheridenTheBookBard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished At Windsong’s End by Evan Ramspott, and I have to say this one was different, in a good way. It is an ambitious fantasy with strong ideas, and while it did not always connect for me, I really appreciated the ride and the world the author is building.

The story follows a ten-year-old girl who finds herself in a world not meant for her, aboard a machine of war designed for hunting dragons. Our story begins when she is thrown into the heart of a conflict she never asked for. Her voice is compelling, wide-eyed yet resilient, and the adults around her carry tragic pasts and powerful motivations. I was especially drawn to the man bent on vengeance, his relentless drive, and the war machine and dragon that shape his story.

The pacing feels a bit unusual. While it moves quickly through key events, the storytelling almost reads like a memory or a journal entry. We learn things only when our MC does, which keeps you guessing and adds depth. There is a lot of information and worldbuilding packed in, and even the action scenes follow this rhythm—fast and intense, followed by thoughtful reflection. It gives the whole story a layered feeling that I ended up liking.

The worldbuilding is rich and creative. Dragons, war machines, and the harsh landscapes they inhabit all feel vivid. There is real care in how the cultures are built, especially where differences and beliefs play into how characters act and clash. The lore, the spearwells, and the forgotten history of monsters and debts all stand out and make the setting feel alive.

Overall, At Windsong’s End is thoughtful, imaginative, and full of potential. It might not hit perfectly in every moment, but it delivers something unique. If you enjoy fantasy stories that blend emotion, invention, and atmosphere, this one is definitely worth your time.

[Tre' · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A heavy, haunting trundle through a world of dust, silence, and obsession.”

At Windsong’s End is not a fantasy novel you rush through. It reads like a memoir carved into wood and bone, patient, tactile, and deeply weighted by memory. While it promises dragon hunting, the real focus of the story lies in survival, cultural fracture, and the quiet endurance of those caught in someone else’s obsession.

The world itself is immediately striking. This is a planet with two suns and three moons, where oceans are made of grass and enormous land ships called spearwells crawl across plains and dunes with astonishing patience. Windsong, Asher, and Caprice are not just vehicles but living systems, pulled by massive draft horses and driven by the labor of oarsmen. The writing is intensely sensory. You can smell the vinegar and alum used to fireproof the wooden hulls and feel the oppressive heat of Fool’s Spring radiating off the grass. Ramspott treats engineering with the same reverence other authors reserve for magic, and it gives the setting a grounded, lived-in weight.

The emotional center of the novel is its narrator, a young Keschean girl traded away by her father to settle a debt. Missing two fingers, her "heart" and "sparrow", she refuses to speak to her captors and instead observes the world around her in silence. Her internal voice is fierce, judgmental, and sharply curious. Through her perspective, the book explores the profound cultural divide between her people, for whom names are a sacred part of their lineage, and the Atians, who trade names freely and carelessly. Her silence becomes a form of resistance, and watching her grow from a frightened child into someone capable of wrath and fury is quietly powerful.

Although isolated by her refusal to speak, the girl finds an unexpected found family aboard the spearwell Asher. Nirali, the cook, offers warmth and pity amid the relentless labor of ship life. Eminay, a pikewoman tasked with hunting monsters, dreams of silk ceremonial gowns and pretty things that feel wildly out of place in such a brutal profession. Over all of them looms the Atian Lord Marshal Nor Rucies, a brooding figure driven by bitterness and vengeance in his relentless pursuit of the legendary red-tail dragon Kierhahnah. His relationship with the girl is tense and complicated, shaped by resentment, reluctant mentorship, and a shared connection to ink, paper, and the written word.

Magic in this story is rare and understated. It appears in the lure of a dragon’s scales that awaken greed, in the sparking bones of a drake’s throat, and in the legends sung by minstrels. The true magic, though, lies in the atmosphere itself, in the crushing weight of memory and grief that pushes the Marshal ever closer to madness. This is a four-star read because the pacing can be slow and demanding, mirroring the laborious movement of the spearwells themselves. It asks for patience and attention from the reader.

For those willing to meet it on its own terms, At Windsong’s End offers a deeply emotional meditation on obsession, loss, and what it means to survive in a world that labels you mute, maimed, or monstrous. It is heavy, deliberate, and quietly rewarding.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from Storyteller Press via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Taryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book and despite the fact that I got everything I was intrigued by when reading the description, I finished it feeling underwhelmed. There are good ideas here but they did not come together in the way I had hoped.

The world building takes up the majority of this book and though I do appreciate complex worlds, I look for a balance of action and character development as well. There are only two action scenes in the entire book and they are maybe 50 pages total. The world building is also done in an overly lyrical way to the point that it is confusing to read. I had to read some parts a few times to understand what the author was trying to say and it was frustrating.

Haida is the main character and the most relatable despite being a 10 year old dragon hunter that does not speak the majority of the book. I did find it quite unbelievable that she was so brave and mature for her age. She often thinks things like "I always thought" which is strange coming from someone supposed to be 10. I do think she should have either been written as more naive and childlike OR she should maybe 14-16 to make it more realistic. It is just too hard to imagine a 10 year old charging a fully grown dragon and coming away perfectly fine. It was also hard to develop a personality for Haida since she only spoke in inner monologues 90% of the time. Her love-hate relationship with the Marshal was well written though and their final scene was surprisingly touching.

I love dragons and always love when they are in books. The way the dragons and action with dragons is described is very cool but I wished more time was spent developing the dragon lore and their motivations.

I think my biggest issue is that we are supposed to root for the dragon hunters but they are essentially described as Poachers. Even the dragon that attacked Marshals village did so because he (Marshal) was hunting it already. Its clear the humans are the aggressors, they are hunting dragons for their scales, meat, and fire ability (for weapons), which to me is not something to root for. Ultimately, I was more invested in the dragons that we didn't spend a lot of time with than the human characters hunting them.

Despite my complains, I would still give book #2 a chance as the world itself is interesting and the action scenes were exciting. I am also interested to see where Haida's journey goes from here.

Thank you to both Evan Ramspott and Netgalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[East of Reality · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger warnings for: animal cruelty, animal death, horses set on fire, attempted sexual assault of a child, gore,

This book is 90% world building, 10% butchery, and I’m torn. On the one hand, it’s well written, and the overwhelming reality of the world is engaging and fascinating and I can’t wait for more. On the other, the butchery of the dragons is horrific and violent. All of the elements of Moby Dick are there: a Lord Marshall driven by obsession, a crew of hunter/harvester/soldiers on their mobile fortifications that track dragons, kill them, and harvest them for wealth and food, and a narrator who tells the story.

“Hadia” as she comes to be called is a ten year old and her personality is undefined, because she isn’t important. It’s the world around her, the realities of feeding the three giant vessels and their crew, of the numerous horses who pull them, the women Hadia spends time with, and the training she undergoes to be part of this crew. The dragon hunts — two of them are in the book — are well done, effective in their violence and stakes, with thought given to how the dragons would fight, how they make fire, how they might be harvested.

Really, I enjoyed almost every part of this book until the end fight which … I felt bad for the dragon. His death was neither easy nor kind, and rather than feel triumph for the crew who killed him, I regretted his pointless death. So the book did mange to leave an impression, which is good; but the impression it left wasn’t one of catharsis or enjoyment, but regret. This is the first book in the series, and I’m very curious to see where it goes from here, now that the giant dragon has been conquered.

Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Georgia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry I could not finish this book. I was actively engaged with no side distractions or noises (which is a rare occurrence) and I couldn't comprehend what I was reading or where the story was going or what the point was.

Maybe others will have a different experience but from what I read, the writing style and word choice may be that of the 10 year old character in the book. But then again some large, complex words were used as well. Many of the sentences are extremely long and carry on unnecessarily but others aren't even sentences at all. It reads as though it is set in the 1800s.

This just wasn't for me even though I really enjoy fantasy and dragons. This one didn't hit right.

[FanciestWings · Rating 3 out of 5]

At Windsong’s End has the elements of an epic fantasy, which I love, though I feel the world building was exhaustive at times from a reader’s prospective. I did find myself speed-reading through some pages to get to the next significant event. The slow pace, I feel, was due to Ramspott wanting to put the reader into this vast world of intricate characters and their society. If this were a stand-alone novel, I probably would have rated lower, but knowing this book is setting us up for a sequel, I’m excited to see what The author has next for us. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys slow-burn epic fantasies and being immersed into a fantasy world.

[Elizabeth Bunston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled to get into this book. It is slated as an epic fantasy novel about fighting dragons, but really its one very long drawn out story about how a 10 year old girl was sold off by her family to a lord she refuses to speak to. The books is overwhelming tell, not show, which made it a slog for me to read, and it feels like it is a set up for the second book in the series making it feel more like a prequel than the first book.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read, mostly world building as other readers have said. However, the protagonist, Hadia, was an enjoyable main character to follow.
Also dragons, I love a story with a dragon. With that, I’m excited to eventually read the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Amanda Ho · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written, beautifully descriptive book, took off stars though because honestly it’s just not for me. I know a lot of people would like it, but the setting killed it for me. Loved the dragons though!