Bronze Dragon

Riders of Fire #0.5

by Eileen Mueller

A prequel novelette in the Rider of Fire Series

A life-changing hunting trip. Strange beasts in the forest. A dangerous hunt for a missing sister and mother. And a mysterious bronze dragon.

A routine hunting trip turns into a nightmare when Hans discovers a dead dragon rider, and strange beasts in the forest.

Then his family goes missing. He must track the dangerous beasts to find his mother and sister, but everything goes go wrong.

There’s only one hope left. A hope that could save his family and give him a new destiny. Dare Hans dream of the impossible?

And what must he sacrifice to save his kin?

Fans of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragon Riders of Pern and Christopher Paolini’s The Inheritance Cycle enjoy Riders of Fire.

If you love epic coming-of-age fantasy, heart-pounding adventure and dragons, Bronze Dragon and the Riders of Fire series are for you.

Start your adventure now! Scroll up and click to read today!
Riders of Fire Series:
Book 1: Ezaara Book 2: Dragon Hero
Book 3: Dragon Rift Book 4: Dragon Strike Book 5: Dragon War Book 6: Dragon Healer Book 7: Dragon Mage Book 8: Dragon Calls Silver Dragon, a Riders of Fire story is available only at EileenMuellerAuthor.com

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Young Adult, Ebooks, Novella

85 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2019

About the author

Eileen Mueller is a USA Today multi-award-winning author of heart-pounding fantasy novels that will keep you turning the page.

Dive into her worlds, full of magic, love, adventure and dragons! Eileen lives in New Zealand, in a cave, with four dragonets and a shape shifter, writing for young adults, children and everyone who loves adventure.

Visit her website at www.EileenMuellerAuthor.com for FREE books, new releases or to become a Rider of Fire!

Awards:
2019 Two Storylines NZ Notable Book Awards - Ezaara & Dragon Hero
2017 Sir Julius Vogel Award, Best New Talent
2016 Sir Julius Vogel Award, Best Youth Novel
2017 finalist, Romance Writers New Zealand Chapter Short Story contest.
2013 winner, SpecFicNZ Going Global
2013 co-winner, New Zealand Society of Authors’ NorthWrite Collaboration
New Zealander of the Year Local Hero medalist.

Reviews

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 stars - English Ebook - prequel to the series🍀🍀🍀
Flashes of color Spread over the forest and fields as dragons and ridders havested crops. Handel zipped along the ridge of Drako’s Teeth, the high peaks that formed a Natural defense around Dragon’s Hold. 🦋🦋🦋
Short story about the dragon world of Handel the dragon, the lost of his dragonrider and a attack on the village they protect. In the village lives Hans. This story tells how Hans becomes Handels new dragon rider. 🍀🍀🍀

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 dragon stars!

I came across this series during the IFA Summer Reading Competition over at the IFA Facebook Group and I simply had to add it to my TBR! Because... DRAGONS!!! And I love Dragons!

After Pern, Temeraire and Eragon, I found it a little difficult to lay my hands on another great series that features awesome dragons bonded with riders. And this little prequel to Eileen Mueller's Riders of Fire Series, makes me think I might have just hit the jackpot! Because I really really loved it!!

It managed to grab me from the very first page, with a fabulous bronze dragon and his rider: Handel and Idelian. Their bond was so touching from the very beginning and just what I was looking for in a dragon tale!

But then disaster strikes and we get to meet Hans. Him I also liked from the very beginning! Can't tell you exactly why. Could be because of his playfulness with his little siblings, or the innate kindheartedness that seemed to characterise him. Or perhaps because of the way he has been written. For a character featuring such a short story, he has quite a good depth.

A routine hunting trip turns into a nightmare when Hans discovers a dead dragon rider, and strange beasts in the forest. Then his family goes missing.

Hans and his elder brother must track the dangerous beasts to find the lost mother and sister, but everything goes wrong and Hans ends up clinging to one single hope that is more like an impossible dream than reality.

Despite this being a very short novelette, it managed to somehow pull on all the right strings for me! It made me laugh and smile at sibling's play, it made me yearn for more because of that touching dragon-rider exchange and it also made me tear up at the way a boy of four summers ended up being more responsible than the two oldest men in the home.

Yes! It was way too short! But I believe I may have stumbled upon another favourite series here so I'm eagerly waiting to dive into the next adventure of the Riders of Fire!

Aren't these covers gorgeous!!!

If you love Pern and Eragon,this would be a perfect fit for you!
So go ahead and give it a try! It's free on Kindle and short enough to fit between a busy day's chores. Who knows, you might just love it quite as much as I did!
Happy reading! :)

Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog, The Magic Book Corner

[KMart Vet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eileen Mueller's "Bronze Dragon" is a gripping prequel novella that sets the stage for the Rider of Fire series. The story follows Hans on a life-changing hunting trip that takes a dark turn when he discovers a dead dragon rider ( :( ) and encounters strange beasts in the forest. When his family goes missing, Hans embarks on a perilous journey to save them, uncovering a mysterious bronze dragon and facing unexpected challenges along the way. The narrative showcases intriguing world-building and a darker tone than anticipated, leaving readers eager to explore the series further.

[Georgiana-Laura Gheorghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for “Bronze Dragon” by Eileen Mueller:

It’s a prequel novelette of the “Riders of Fire” series written by Eileen Mueller. It focuses on Hans whose life changes after discovering a dead dragon rider and strange beasts in the forest during a routine hunting trip. Things worsen when his family goes missing. Will he be able to save his family and dream of the impossible?
The author attracts the readers with her writing style that can be easily understood. Her world is similar to the ones created by J. R. R. Tolkien, Emily Martha Sorensen, Richard H. Stephens and Katie Jenkins.
Like Hans, the readers will learn that some events either good or bad can change their lives forever and help them find their destiny. They will feel a flood of emotions, from joy and fear to grief and determination.
There are many things with a symbolic meaning namely, the forest – mystery, nature’s temple and sometimes an omen; the mountains – obstacles, nature’s way to protect human settlements, majestic creatures’ home; the plum tree – perseverance, hope, protective charm against evil, transition; the peach tree – happiness, satisfaction, a reminder to stay grounded during this time in order to not get carried away in our fantasies; the wild boar – facing our fears, personal growth, self-confidence, meeting uncomfortable situations head-on; the lamb – suffering, triumphant and a ray of hope since he was one of the survivors that the main character found after the battle with the dark beasts; bronze – strength, loyalty, support, stability, comforting, truthful and reliable.
Family, friendship, magic, danger, monsters, adventure, excitement and dragons await us through every page of the book.
Along with C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, Katie Jenkins, Emily Martha Sorensen, Mrs. Mueller revolutionized literature through the world that she created.
I recommend this book to readers 16+ because there are some scenes which are too scary for younger readers.


Recenzie – “Dragonul de Bronz” de Eileen Mueller:

Este o nuvelă anterioară din seria “Călăreții Focului” scriă de Eileen Mueller. Se axează pe Hans a cărui viață se schimbă după ce descoperă un călăreț al dragonilor mort și animale ciudate în pădure în timpul unei expediții de vânătoare de rutină. Lucrurile se înrăutățesc când familia lui dispare. Va fi el capabil să își salveze familia și să viseze la imposibil?
Autoarea îi atrage pe cititori prin stilul propriu care poate fi ușor de înțeles. Lumea ei este similar cu cele create de J. R. R. Tolkien, Emily Martha Sorensen, Richard H. Stephens și Katie Jenkins.
Asemeni lui Hans, cititorii vor învăța că unele evenimente bune sau rele le pot schimba viața pentru totdeauna ajutându-i să își găsească destinul. Vor simți un val de emoții, de la bucurie și frică la mâhnire și hotărâre.
Există multe lucruri cu o semnificație aparte și anume: pădurea – mister, templul naturii și uneori un semn prevestitor de rău; munții – obstacole, felul naturii de a proteja așezările umane, casa animalelor maiestuoase; prunul – perseverență, speranță, talisman protector împotriva răului, tranziție; piersicul – fericire, satisfacție, ne amintește să fim ancorați în realitate și să nu ne lăsăm în voia propriilor fantezii; porcul mistreț - să ne învingem frica, dezvoltare personală, încredere în sine (adesea exagerată), întâmpinarea directă a unor situații neplăcute; mielul – suferință, triumfător și o rază de speranță având în vedere că a fost unul dintre supraviețuitorii pe care personajul principal i-a găsit în urma luptei cu bestiile întunecate; bronzul – forță, loialitate, sprijin, stabilitate, reconfortant, onest și de încredere.
Familia, prietenia, magia, pericolul, monștrii, aventura, entuziasmul și dragonii ne așteaptă în fiecare pagină a acestei cărți.
Alături de C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, Tony DiTerlizzi și Holly Black, Katie Jenkins, Emily Martha Sorensen, doamna Mueller a revoluționat literatura prin lumea pe care a creat-o.
Recomand această carte cititorilor 16+ pentru că există scene care sunt prea înfricoșătoare pentru cititorii mai mici.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this free book randomly and as you probably know if see a dragon, I read!
Bronze Dragon is a prequel to a book I have not actually read followed by teasers for others of Mueller's works though title is a bit misleading as I presumed the whole 80 pages would be the prequel but it ends about 60% of the way in. As it stands I'm not disappointed by any means as I enjoyed everything I read but it does leave me itching to continue the story.

The first section of the prequel we're introduced to Handel and his rider. Mueller does a fantastic job at making you care for characters in so few pages as I often found myself tearing up at events taking place. We then flash to Hans where we spend the remainder of the novella following his adventure after his home is attacked and family are taken.
I was able to connect and care for every character Mueller introduced and loved the vivid world she was able to create in such few pages. The ending felt a little rushed and would have benefited from a page or 2 more but as it stands 4.5 stars for the prequel itself!

I've rated the book overall 3 stars as the later sections I didn't find myself connecting with as much, though it's probably a symptom of the other stories having less pages to develop.

I can't wait to read more of her works, though currently I'm not sure how as it seems she only sells on Amazon, a site I don't buy from.

[Therese Caruana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a strong start to this series. This prequel excited me from the start and it was a real page turner. Many times it felt like someone grabbed onto my heart and shook it about. Destruction, grief and drama countered by heroism were all perfectly presented in a short amount of time. I loved the fact that I never felt sure of what would happen next. I thought the way the author had given the Dragon the POV made it extra exciting. My favourite part was the emotions created around Hans and his younger siblings. The world building and character building were very well done. It gave me the sense that there was going to be much…much more epic-ness coming!

[Paige · Rating 1 out of 5]

This read like Dragonriders of Pern fan fic, and not in a good way. And, as someone who writes and reads their fair share of fic, that’s saying something.

It was good at the start, then really seemed to devolve once we got into the main characters. Some of the dialogue and reactions were really weird, and the writing was clunky. I’m sorry, but this just wasn’t for me.

Also, ETA that almost everything was named Dragon something. Dragon Hold, Dragon Realm, Dragon Council, Dragon Mage… Very repetitive.

[MGB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice intro to the author's world of dragons! The reader starts with a map to know where the action will be. Then come the introductions of dragons and humans. The reader is immediately injected into the action. We learn of the evil which has come to this land. We see some brief action from the humans side.

Take this read and enjoy.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novelete. Yeah it was short but it gave useful background information about Ezaara’s father. I love this world so much.

[Mettesknit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Short and nothing new.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Eileen Mueller and I loved it. Can't wait to read the next.

[Julian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world not altogether unlike Pern... bronze and blue and gold dragons and their riders. A brief introductory story and a lot of excerpts from other books in the range(s). Fun.

[Robin Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eileen is getting to be a favorite author

Eileen is getting to be a favorite author! Action is paved just right. There’s a good mix of tension and victory for the good cause.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish stories were longer.

This book is too short. The story and Characters are interesting and full of action. They are more a short story than a book. I cannot afford the series but would really enjoy them all.

[Patricia A Spring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dragons

Every one of the stories have been amazing, the characters interesting, the dragon's unique, the story line engaging. Looking forward to the next book

[J.L. Lamastus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun free preview. I'll be checking out the series here soon. I look forward to reading more.

[Angie Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic start to a series!! I can't wait to read more!!

[Ann Smith]

I love Bronze Draging and Silver Dragon and the other books that are released to the public in this series. Can’t wait for others to arrive. Thank you so much

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I read the first book in the series before the prequel, but I made an exception this time. What a great read!! Eileen definitely knows how to share her passion for dragons.

[jess (bibliophilicjester) · Rating 3 out of 5]

my first by this author, though i def have at least two or three more novellas (novelettes? short stories?) on my kindle. the world set up here is definitely intriguing, and i'm always interested in dragons, let's be honest lol this ended up being darker than i expected which, for me, is GREAT. it actually reminded me a bit of the last sacrifice by james a. moore, but way less bleak and grimdark. there's a bit of hope here and that one, not so much. (ps i loved that series, so if you like brutal stuff, check it out. but if bronze dragon was too dark for you though, please don't look that one up lol)

i can't remember if it was the first chapter or the prologue, but we start out with a dragon pov. which was awesome, but made me care less about the other pov bc i wanted more dragons. which happened! but still. nothing like being in a dragon's head = ) the pacing was a little wacky sometimes where we spent a lot of time doing mundane things when i wanted to explore the world more, but i get it. it's designed to make you WANT to read more in the series. which i now do! i think it was a bit of an abrupt ending too, but i'm going to assume it was purposeful to make the reader think "wtf that's it?! i need more asap!!" benefit of the doubt and all.

the main person we're following (whose name i forget because i always forget names) was really compelling to follow, which is the most important bit; he didn't leave a lasting impression on me at all and the details are getting fuzzy by now, i enjoyed following him through all these crazy events. and there were crazy things!! i def lean more toward plot-driven if forced to pick, but really i just want everything. i want an interesting plot, engaging action that isn't too short or too drawn out, characters i feel like i know/understand, worldbuilding that draws me in... and it's hard to do all that, especially in not that many pages. but this felt like a really good start, and i'm interested in continuing with this world!! i also really liked how we got into why some of the younger characters were forced to take on more adult roles. a lot of times it just seems like the adults are incompetent for no reason, but this made sense to me. sometimes the more fantasy you read, the more pet peeves you develop lol

i think i've just talked myself into 3.5 stars! and now i want to look into what exactly is on my kindle from this series....

side note, can i just say how brilliant it is how many indie/self pub authors do prequels or things set in the world of their larger series and offer them for free?? i always end up reading them when i'm in a doctor's waiting room or need something quick for a readathon, aaaaand idk if i've read a single one that didn't make me more intrigued to continue. and usually all you have to do is sign up for the authors' newsletters?! so so smart. i think i got a thing by this author first through the action fantasy book club thing, which is how i've discovered a ton of new authors. i love that this is a thing. it turns books from "things i'm slightly interested in previewing to decide if i want to buy" into books that i've happily purchased after reading a free prequel.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this book is just a prequel to the series Riders of Fire and not even a very long book the bronze dragon in this book made me fall in love with it. It is a dragon which is full of wisdom, caring and loyal and deserved much better than he got. Handel had been getting visions of ugly creatures who radiated malice which filled him with a sense of doom. So he and his rider Idelian went on a journey to check what these visions were and disaster struck. In the meantime Guin and Hans were out hunting with their father when they came upon one of the creatures, known as Tharuks, they travelled back to Monte Vista, their home where their family resided fearful for what they might find and true enough Monte Vista had been ravaged and stood empty of people. The beasts had taken the humans as their slaves and were on their way to the Terramites and Commander Zens but Hans and Guin were all out to bring back their mother and young sister who they loved tremendously. So much happens in this book, it is a heart stopper and a sad book in so many ways but a book of hope in another. I love the way the story is unfolding and would love to go on reading this amazing series with such beautiful dragons in it!

[Alyssia Cooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief story which serves as an interesting introduction, if a little limited by the short scope. The length is slightly misleading as the actual story ends 60% into the kindle version, with the remainder being a teaser for another book. As a freebie I can't really complain, but I was left disappointed at the sudden ending when I had been expecting at least another chapter. Either way, the setting is interesting, although looks to be drawn from Anne McCaffrey - without more background behind the colour schemes for the dragons it is difficult to say and the short length precludes this.

I enjoyed the perspective changes, particularly to the perspective of the giant dragons and found the gift of prophecy used well. There is also an impressive amount of emotion packed into very few words here and I couldn't help but truly feel for our lead characters. I would have loved to see more depth and background in the world building and hope this will be a higher priority in the full length novels. So yes, I'm certainly interested in continuing in this world that Mueller has created.

[Noor Al-Shanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've picked up/started and then immediately put down quite a few books over the past couple of weeks and this book came at just the right time to cure my slump. It's a short little story involving dragonriders that can communicate telepathically with dragons.

The two main characters, Handel the Dragon, and Hans the human, both face some tough times before they meet. I enjoyed the first parts with Handel and his rider much more than the parts that came later on with the monsters and the danger. And I don't think this was necessarily by design, but the bits with the monsters came at just the right time for me and had me thinking a lot about the way evil is portrayed, and how war is handled in fantasy books, etc. I guess I was just in the right headspace for this book.

It's a quick, fast paced story that kind of reminds me of the encounters with dragons in Pern so if you like dragons and you're looking for something short and fast-paced this is probably the book for you. Check it out!

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars- English Ebook

I wasn't more than 2 pages into this novella before it was as if my brain stopped registering the individual words and started playing like a movie in my mind. Eileen Mueller is the kind of writer that engages all 5 senses and puts you into the story like an unseen observer.

The only bad thing about this book is it's a prequel novella, so it ended way too soon. The characters felt very real, the story was highly engaging, and the protagonists were an unknown type of monster that made you intensely curious to know more.

I received this novella as an ARC , but my review is honest and freely given. I rather resented having to stop and write it, as I wanted to jump right into the next part of the story!

If you enjoy fantasy novels with dragons, mages, and monsters, you should dive into this series without delay!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bronze Dragon is Book 0.5 (Prequel) in the Riders of Fire series. This amazing little story held me in its thrall till the last page and left me wanting more. Eileen Mueller has created a fantastic world that is so well done with such interesting and wonderful characters and creatures that you feel as though you are part of it. Hans and Handel (our dragon, just love dragons) are great together. We have other wonderful characters too, Alfie and Guin (Hans' brothers) and must not forget Giddi (a wizard) to name a few. This is a short story that lays a solid foundation for the series to come. I highly recommend it.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Eileen mueller and I enjoy it as I love dragons. I loved the characters especially Hans and Guin and how they tried to get there family back. But they get caught by the Tharucks who have taken the hole village as well as there ma and little sister. They are recused by Handel the bronze dragon along with the blue dragons and there riders. I did cry at the end when Handel returns there ma and sister back to them it was sad. But Hans is life is about to change and he is off the train and become a rider and I can wait to read the rest of this series to find out what happens next.

[Vicki DeVico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I probably should have read this one first (before Silver Dragon)...because it gives the back story about tharuks and what they want with humans. While Hans, his brother and father are hunting, things are going sideways in their community--tharuks have invaded and taken most of the villagers (at least, those they didn't kill outright!). This is basically the story of Hans and how he realizes his fate. It's not necessary to read before the main series, but it DOES answer some questions that present in the first book, which, incidentally, answers some questions brought up in this one...so I highly recommend it AND the Riders of Fire series!

[Paul Mouchet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was shorter than I expected, with the story ending about 65% of it’s total length, with the remainder being ads for the author’s other books.
However, that bit aside, the story was awesome. It touched the expected tropes, launching a stay-at-home character into a world he would not otherwise have ever been exposed to. Many of the scenes were really well written and kept me turning the pages. The scenes in particular with Hans and his younger siblings were masterful. A few scenes were good, but I wanted more. But, it’s hard to get really solid character development in such a short story.
Will I be reading more of the Riders of Fire? Absolutely!

[Mutated Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you looking for a third person fantasy novella full of dragons, magic and fighting? Do you like when one of the points of view is from the dragon itself? Then this might be something you’ll want to look into. Following a dragon named Handel and his handler Idelian, it shows their lives as they quickly change course entirely and end up somewhere they never thought they’d be.

Check out my full review here!

https://radioactivebookreviews.wordpr...

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Handel,the bronze dragon, looses his rider to the arrow of a Tharuck. Tharucks attack and take the people in Monte Vista as slaves to the Terramites.
Hans, Guin, his brother, follow the trail left by the thuracks hoping to save their family.
They are ambushed.
Guin is hurt and they are rescued by Dragons and the Dragon Mage. With their horses dead they will be taken home by the dragons. The dragons and mage go rescue Ma and the townspeople who are still alive. After this
Hans imprints with Handel.
An interesting lead in to a series.