The Defenders' Apprentice

Dragonsfall #1

by Amelia Smith

The Defenders' order is dying, but that's no surprise. They've been in hiding for over a hundred years, and apprentices are getting harder to find – hardly anyone can see the dragons anymore.

Eppie is a successful pickpocket. She keeps her cache – and her ability to see the dragons – well hidden. One day she picks the wrong pocket, and the next thing she knows she’s been brought in to a mysterious secret order of swordsmen and swordswomen. She’s their last apprentice, their last hope. With far too little training, she sets out to help save the dragon Tiada, but if her mentor and the others fall in the battle, who will defend the dragons next time?

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons

ebook

About the author

Thanks to my grandmother, Nancy Woollcott Smith, I started out in life with the delusion that writing was a thing grown-ups did. Becoming a writer seemed almost as realistic an ambition as becoming an accountant, though less lucrative. That delusion led me to a couple of decades of irregular and mostly profitless work, but it's also kept me going.

In high school I wrote two novels with a friend. We passed chapters back and forth in between classes. They were written on paper, the first book long-hand, the second on computer. That was before the internet. During the fall and winter after I graduated from college, I wrote a novella/poetry collection, still unpublishable or at least unmarketable. I sent it to about a half dozen agents and collected their more-or-less gentle rejections.

At age 31, I launched into my current project, a multi-volume epic fantasy about the last generation of a land animated by dragon-gods. I set it aside when I had my first baby, and I'm not 31 any more. I've also written a stand-alone Regency romance, a historical fantasy novella, and a screenplay.

Reviews

[Amelia]

I used to find it kind of tacky when I saw authors reviewing their own books, but then I noticed a couple of friends using the review section to post updates, so that's what I'm doing here.

Today's big news is that The Defenders' Apprentice is live and on the ebook shelves today (except Nook, where it should be coming along shortly), with a special launch price of 99 cents.

This book has been a long time coming. I know that I started it in 2002, because I workshopped the opening chapters at Viable Paradise in 2003. At the time, I'd just gotten my sho dan in aikido, and was taking some time to do other things that I hadn't been able to make time for during my years of obsessive martial arts practice.

I did another draft or two of the book in the mid-2000s, then set it aside (and basically stopped practicing aikido) when I had children. Now, with both kids in school, I've gotten back enough mental space to work on this series again.

As for the book itself, it took on a life of its own quite independent of my original vision for it, which was that it would be a sort of kohai-sempai relationship story, modeled on romance but not a romance. That thread remains, but you'll have to read it to decide whether or not that's still the main story.

I hope you'll check it out.

Thanks!
--Amelia

[Shrilaxmi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although the concept behind this story is fascinating-who doesn't love a good dragon tale?-I found the book itself to be sorely lacking. Firstly, the world-building could have been better. What is a fantasy story when you do not understand the world it is set in? The book goes on and on talking about things when I did not know what was being referred to. It was quite confusing and chaotic. Secondly, the story progresses at a glacial pace. The book could have been better had it been shorter. Due to mainly these two reasons, my initial enthusiasm ran out and I could not finish the book.

I received a free copy of this book from the author.

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m in the hospital right now, which overall sucks, but one great thing about it is that I’ve the freedom to binge read when I want to. Usually I don’t, as “variety is the spice of life” even in reading, but there have been times when a particular series is just so addictively good that the need-to-binge is just triggered. Amelia Smith’s Anamat series is an example of this. I downloaded its first book Scrapplings, Children of the Dragons, almost as much for its beautiful cover as for the appeal of the book description in its publisher’s blurb. As I noted in my separate review of that book, I love fantasy “when it’s done in a way that’s both innovative and enjoyable.” That was totally the case with book 1, and I fell in love with Darna (an absolutely superb leading character) and with Myril, Iola, Thorat and the rest of the supporting cast. In fact, the book was sooo very good that I just had to (really had to) get into book 2, Priestess of the Dragons Temple. That story (about Iola’s battle to become the next ambassadress to the dragons' realm - and to turn the temple back to being a true sanctuary of the dragons) of course totally drew me in, so no surprise then that I simply had to (HAD to) turn right to book 3. Of course that book, The Defender’s Apprentice (which is the first of what had originally been the Dragonsfall Trilogy, the prior novels technically being prequels), did nothing to slow down my addiction. I mean c’mon, a story about a pickpocket (Eppie) turned into the last apprentice of the dying Defenders Order and then taking her new swordsman skills and setting out to save a dragon (Tiada)? How could I possibly resist? No way on this Earth. I. She’d into totally addiction and turned to book 4. That book, The Turncoat Prince (technically book 2 of the Dragonsfall Trilogy) was delicious, with Darna in the forefront of a story with twists and turns, romance and betrayals, thrills and action and of course, a dragon. It brought my addiction to a whole new level which could only be appeased by, you guessed it, turning right to the next book, Chronicles of the Last Days (Anamat, Book 5, though it’s book 3 in the Dragonsfall trilogy). Totally complex and convoluted yet somehow easy to follow (a masterful trick in itself) this book managed to tie up all the lose ends in a very satisfying conclusion. My addiction is now mostly satisfied, many many (many) hours into the biggest of binge reads, though for the record I’d be totally up for a sequel series. As for a bottom line review, that is very easy: each of these ebooks (and the entire collection) is easily rated 5 stars. They are all superbly written and loads of fun (though be warned as they’re also clearly highly addictive). Can’t to much better than that in my opinion. Great overall overarching story arc and superb individual book plots, great cast of characters and great writing. I’m glad I downloaded these books. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the series definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the Anamat series (including the Dragonsfall Trilogy) is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

Well I seem to be on a bit of a fantasy roll at the moment. I have also had this on my TBR pile for six months, although since this is an ARC it is also a bit embarrassing.

Eppie is a scrappling, a child of Andra living rough and scrapping a living by picking pockets along with her friend Squid. When she is caught trying to pick the pocket of a guardsman at a Temple ceremony she discovers that Thorat is not a simple guardsman, he is actually a Defender, one of a secret society whose role is to protect Dragons from harm. The trouble is that for the past decade or more the. dragons have been sighted less often, half the priestesses have never even seen one - or are Dragon-blInd and cannot see them or the dragonlets that fly around the city. When Thorat realises that Eppie can see the dragonlets he makes her an apprentice as the number of defenders has also fallen.

This felt like the start of a great epic about those who can see Dragons and the encroaching foreigners who worship other gods and steal dragon stones from the ground. the trouble was that there was so much going on I had real trouble understanding who was who and what they were doing. There was also a sad relationship between Thorat and the Ambassadoress which I'd didn't fully understand.

By the time I got to the end I enjoyed the novel, but I felt that there wa s maybe too much laying of foundations for future novels which detracted from the plot and/or confused me.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Mihir · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Defender’s Apprentice is a classic fantasy story that will certainly have its fans. Amelia Smith does a good job of introducing her world and the relatable POV characters however its scope is limited because of the very predictable storyline. This is not a dig against the book and it certainly is for younger readers of fantasy. However for most genre readers (like myself) it doesn’t offer anything startling or original to mark itself out. A decent story that I liked but couldn’t really say that it would make me pick up the next book.

[Lauren (Shakespeare & Whisky) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

What a pleasant surprise. Very enjoyable read. I will do a more detailed review once I have had a chance to think about it.

For now I will say this was a surprisingly well developed world with interesting characters.

Very steep learning curve in adjusting to the fantasy world. Lot of typos which was frustrating. Too many changes in POV early on.

But overall excellent.

[Gabrielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF due to inappropriate content.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iola is now the Ambassadress and Thorat is a defender of the dragons. Darna & Myrel have both left the temple.
Throat has been given the task of finding the next Ambassadress or at least an apprentice to the Defenders. And he finds Eppie (she's picking his pocket) who could qualify for both. She sees the dragon.
Throat is sent to protect the dragon gate. Eppie is sent to deliver a sword and sticks around to help with the fight. They are kidnapped by bandits who fight like the Defenders of the Dragons. But will they join the defenders to protect their dragon.
What will happen and how many roads will they have to go down before they get to where they need to be.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really think Amelia Smith always hit it out of the park with her books. Minus a couple continuity issues (names mixed up in certain places), this book is not an exception to that.

This book follows the characters we have previously met in the Scrapplings series. It could stand alone, but I highly recommend reading those first.

This series follows the fall of the dragons and the Defenders that do everything within their power to prevent this from happening. The problem is their dwindling numbers. So many of the people are dragon-blind that finding those that can protect the dragons is no easy task. After all, you can't protect what you can't see. Eppie has the dragon sight and is the Defenders newest apprentice. This follows her first adventure to defend the dragon, Tiada.

* I have received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Books In Brogan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the back cover blurb of the story, however I couldn't even get past the first few chapter it seemed like it started in the middle of a story I never read so I was lost from the first page and after the first 3 chapters I gave up on it.  So maybe someone would enjoy this but I just couldn't really like the book there wasn't anything offensive just boring which for a fantasy novel is never good.This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters felt believable and developed enough that I cared about what happened to them. The book kept me interested and wanting to read more to find out what would happen. I would have liked more interaction with the dragons or at least see them more in the book, but that might just be me because I like dragons.
This is the first book I've read by Amelia Smith, but it won't be the last. I enjoyed reading The Defenders' Apprentice and look forward the second book coming out in September of this year.

I received The Defenders' Apprentice book as an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received The Defender's Apprentice as a review copy. The gifting did not determine the review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion. An excellent plot and interesting protagonists drive this fantasy quest-like saga as we follow the characters as they try to discover why a dragon in another kingdom is dying (fading away). To me, this wasn't a story about the apprentice as much as it was a tale about the Defenders and why their duty was so important to the balance. I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish and will be in line to read book 2.

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received The Defender's Apprentice as a review copy. The gifting did not determine the review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion. An excellent plot and interesting protagonists drive this fantasy quest-like saga as we follow the characters as they try to discover why a dragon in another kingdom is dying (fading away). To me, this wasn't a story about the apprentice as much as it was a tale about the Defenders and why their duty was so important to the balance. I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish and will be in line to read book 2.

[Evelyn Carrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's the first time I've read anything by this author and I was pleasantly surprised by a well-developed plot, excellent characters, and an interesting fantasy and coming of age story.
Some stories start slow and then get better but this one was interesting and moving at a good pace from beginning to end.
I'm anxiously waiting for the second book in the series coming out in September.

[Kathy Brickert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

A new series, it starts out really slow and the characters are hard to keep straight, but if you can get past that it gets more interesting. I will be looking for the next book. While not a cliffhanger ending, you understand more will happen in future books. If you love fantasy, give this one a try!

[Amanda Kern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Next book please

I am glad the next book comes out next month. I can't wait for it. I want to know what is going to happen next to the warriors. I also would like to know if what I am thinking is true.

This book has dragons, magic, and sword play. It is a classic fantasy story. I would recommend it from 14 and up.

[Teresa]

*e-Arc provided by publisher via Netgalley*

[Rickus Bookshelf]

DNF at 10%

[Amelia]

Updating covers and series numbering...