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Magic has returned, and it will reshape the world, one way or another.
An epic dragon riding adventure from Jada Fisher, author of the popular Brindle Dragon series.
Blessed with a magic she doesn’t understand, Ukrah must find her way in a world that doesn’t always embrace her and her gifts. Accompanied by a talking bird and a strange young man who took her in, she must find the legendary dragon rider who saved the world from the Blight. Can Ukrah escape from those who would enslave her, or worse, and find the only person who can help her realize her destiny?
Escape is the first book in the Rise of the Black Dragon series which follows the story of a young girl blessed—and cursed—with a magic she doesn’t understand.
Download Escape and get started on your next epic adventure today!
Always FREE on Kindle Unlimited
An epic dragon riding adventure from Jada Fisher, author of the popular Brindle Dragon series.
Blessed with a magic she doesn’t understand, Ukrah must find her way in a world that doesn’t always embrace her and her gifts. Accompanied by a talking bird and a strange young man who took her in, she must find the legendary dragon rider who saved the world from the Blight. Can Ukrah escape from those who would enslave her, or worse, and find the only person who can help her realize her destiny?
Escape is the first book in the Rise of the Black Dragon series which follows the story of a young girl blessed—and cursed—with a magic she doesn’t understand.
Download Escape and get started on your next epic adventure today!
Always FREE on Kindle Unlimited
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2019
1095 people are currently reading
593 people want to read
About the author
Jada Fisher
98 books162 followersJada Fisher is the pen name used by Dave and Shannon VanBergen for co-authored fantasy projects. By working with multiple other talented authors, it allows them to share a wide variety of stories.
Dave publishes science fiction and fantasy stories under his real, full name, David J. VanBergen Jr..
Shannon is a USA Today Bestselling Author who publishes cozy mysteries under her real name, Shannon VanBergen.
From Amazon
Dave publishes science fiction and fantasy stories under his real, full name, David J. VanBergen Jr..
Shannon is a USA Today Bestselling Author who publishes cozy mysteries under her real name, Shannon VanBergen.
From Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 13, 2020
5 stars - English Ebook🍀🍀🍀
****It didn’t matter. The only thing that matterend was the feeling that bloomed in her middle as she spread her arms, the wind catching them and pulling them backward. She laughed, a sound she hadn’t made much sence her mother had.... sence her mother had gone. The young woman could almost hear her mother’s voice chiding her. **** 🌹🌹🌹
She is almost burned by her tribe for beeing different. A little bird tells her to free herself. To use the power inside her. When she wakes up their only Ashes around her. She leaves to find the God-woman. Maybe she can help her. But Just a few days out she mingles with slave traders and takes a place of someone else. She knows she has to go to Rothaiche M’or. This book is the first in the of the Black dragon series. It reads easy. The pages are going and going. I wanted to know more about the main characters and the strange world were they live. Ukrah has to control her magic. And the magic is going wild and their are new villains every were you look I am sure I would enjoy book to of this series: New beginnings. 🦋🦋🦋
****It didn’t matter. The only thing that matterend was the feeling that bloomed in her middle as she spread her arms, the wind catching them and pulling them backward. She laughed, a sound she hadn’t made much sence her mother had.... sence her mother had gone. The young woman could almost hear her mother’s voice chiding her. **** 🌹🌹🌹
She is almost burned by her tribe for beeing different. A little bird tells her to free herself. To use the power inside her. When she wakes up their only Ashes around her. She leaves to find the God-woman. Maybe she can help her. But Just a few days out she mingles with slave traders and takes a place of someone else. She knows she has to go to Rothaiche M’or. This book is the first in the of the Black dragon series. It reads easy. The pages are going and going. I wanted to know more about the main characters and the strange world were they live. Ukrah has to control her magic. And the magic is going wild and their are new villains every were you look I am sure I would enjoy book to of this series: New beginnings. 🦋🦋🦋
June 2, 2022
5 stars - English ebook
Quote: It didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was the feeling that bloomed in her middle as she spread her arms, the wind caching them and pulling them backward. She laughed, a sound she hadn't made sins... sins her mother has been gone. The young woman almost hearing her mothers voice chiding her.
She is almost burned by her tribe for beeing different. A little bird tells her to free herself. To use the power inside her. When she Wakes up their are only ashes around her. She leaves to find the God-woman. Maybe she can help her. But just a few days out she mingles with slave traders and takes the place of someone else. She knows she has to go to Rothaiche Mo'r.
This book is the first in the Black Dragon series. It is an easy read. You just keep on going. I wanted to know more about the main characters and the, to me, the strange world they life in. Ukrah has to control her magic. And this magic is going wild and their are new villains every qere you look.
Quote: It didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was the feeling that bloomed in her middle as she spread her arms, the wind caching them and pulling them backward. She laughed, a sound she hadn't made sins... sins her mother has been gone. The young woman almost hearing her mothers voice chiding her.
She is almost burned by her tribe for beeing different. A little bird tells her to free herself. To use the power inside her. When she Wakes up their are only ashes around her. She leaves to find the God-woman. Maybe she can help her. But just a few days out she mingles with slave traders and takes the place of someone else. She knows she has to go to Rothaiche Mo'r.
This book is the first in the Black Dragon series. It is an easy read. You just keep on going. I wanted to know more about the main characters and the, to me, the strange world they life in. Ukrah has to control her magic. And this magic is going wild and their are new villains every qere you look.
January 16, 2022
I am submitting this review on the first book, but I have in mind the whole series, I've just finished today.
Overall, it is a very strong story, I would say. Two thirds of the story I would rate 4/5 and the last three books deserve nothing less than 5/5, in my opinion. The storytelling is rather fast, the plot is advancing at a decent pace with enough twists to keep it fresh and interesting. The main characters are developed quite well, though there are a ton of references to world changing events that took place before the story began. And the heroes of those events are still alive and around, which lends Rise of the Black Dragon an interesting perspective of a story taking place after the main story of this world has seemingly ended already. I assume these events are from other series related to this one, that I haven't read. But I quite enjoyed this unexpected perspective, I have to say.
There are some things I did not like about the series. First and least of all, this is a "young adult" series through and through. It has been intended and written as such and so it shouldn't really be held against the author, I just personally didn't like the whole "growing up child hero" trope with its inevitable drawn out sappy romance at the end. That said, said romance and other things are written very well and those who are enjoying these sort of things will not be disappointed, I'm sure.
Now, there are two other things that I didn't like and I see no excuse for. First of which is dragons. This is yet another book where dragons are just a plot device, nothing more. It is particularly annoying in this case, because the author is clearly very capable of solid character development, but despite of choosing to write a huge story which includes friendly dragons, all of the focus is on humans. Dragons are mentioned in passing, assuring the reader they are very important, everyone loves them, there is a very strong bond between the rider and the dragon and the dragon which eventually gets bonded to the protagonist is the most important of them all, in so many words. Unfortunately, that is about the gist of it, there's probably less than three whole paragraphs across nine books that relate to dragons directly. They are less than horses - just some beasts that ferry the heroes every so often, appear briefly to bite an enemy or be interacted with otherwise for a few seconds. For a series literally named Rise of the Black Dragon, it is very disappointing. Guys, these books are not about dragons. At all.
The second of the two things I found lacking is the protagonist's "familiar", the little bird that follows her around. It is an important character towards the end of the story to be sure, but I found it very strange and irritating, that the protagonist (and everyone else) essentially ignores its very existence, even though it is made abundantly clear that talking birds (or familiars, for that matter) are NOT common, it's supposed to be super mysterious. And yet it is basically forgotten about for two thirds of the story. It shows up, talks for a bit, makes some comments and disappears randomly, while nobody thinks to really ask it what it is, where is it from, what does it really want, what does it know - nothing. It's like an outdoors cat that you remember that you still own from time to time, but it mostly keeps to itself, entirely out of sight. For such an interesting and unique character, it should have been developed MUCH more than it was. Frankly, the story could have done without half the main human characters, focusing more on the fantastic creatures instead and it would have been so much better for it.
Still, all that said, the writing is quite good (a few spelling mistakes notwithstanding) and the story certainly wasn't boring. It is well worth the read.
Overall, it is a very strong story, I would say. Two thirds of the story I would rate 4/5 and the last three books deserve nothing less than 5/5, in my opinion. The storytelling is rather fast, the plot is advancing at a decent pace with enough twists to keep it fresh and interesting. The main characters are developed quite well, though there are a ton of references to world changing events that took place before the story began. And the heroes of those events are still alive and around, which lends Rise of the Black Dragon an interesting perspective of a story taking place after the main story of this world has seemingly ended already. I assume these events are from other series related to this one, that I haven't read. But I quite enjoyed this unexpected perspective, I have to say.
There are some things I did not like about the series. First and least of all, this is a "young adult" series through and through. It has been intended and written as such and so it shouldn't really be held against the author, I just personally didn't like the whole "growing up child hero" trope with its inevitable drawn out sappy romance at the end. That said, said romance and other things are written very well and those who are enjoying these sort of things will not be disappointed, I'm sure.
Now, there are two other things that I didn't like and I see no excuse for. First of which is dragons. This is yet another book where dragons are just a plot device, nothing more. It is particularly annoying in this case, because the author is clearly very capable of solid character development, but despite of choosing to write a huge story which includes friendly dragons, all of the focus is on humans. Dragons are mentioned in passing, assuring the reader they are very important, everyone loves them, there is a very strong bond between the rider and the dragon and the dragon which eventually gets bonded to the protagonist is the most important of them all, in so many words. Unfortunately, that is about the gist of it, there's probably less than three whole paragraphs across nine books that relate to dragons directly. They are less than horses - just some beasts that ferry the heroes every so often, appear briefly to bite an enemy or be interacted with otherwise for a few seconds. For a series literally named Rise of the Black Dragon, it is very disappointing. Guys, these books are not about dragons. At all.
The second of the two things I found lacking is the protagonist's "familiar", the little bird that follows her around. It is an important character towards the end of the story to be sure, but I found it very strange and irritating, that the protagonist (and everyone else) essentially ignores its very existence, even though it is made abundantly clear that talking birds (or familiars, for that matter) are NOT common, it's supposed to be super mysterious. And yet it is basically forgotten about for two thirds of the story. It shows up, talks for a bit, makes some comments and disappears randomly, while nobody thinks to really ask it what it is, where is it from, what does it really want, what does it know - nothing. It's like an outdoors cat that you remember that you still own from time to time, but it mostly keeps to itself, entirely out of sight. For such an interesting and unique character, it should have been developed MUCH more than it was. Frankly, the story could have done without half the main human characters, focusing more on the fantastic creatures instead and it would have been so much better for it.
Still, all that said, the writing is quite good (a few spelling mistakes notwithstanding) and the story certainly wasn't boring. It is well worth the read.
January 23, 2026
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: -
Bloodiness/Darkness: 🖤
I got this book on a stuff your kindle day and finally it was time to read. I love fantasy stories especially with chosen one tropes, so I was excited about what I can find in the story.
A very very unexpected start set the story mood, I really enjoyed that completely morally grey start. I loved how that situation and the feelings about it kept coming up, the fmc was reflecting and trying to overcome a trauma in her own way.
Connecting to this I unfortunately didn't really like the age of the fmc, her behaviour, thinking and skills just didn't match it. I understand the explanation that the tribe has to survive in an extreme environment, but children are children. I would have enjoyed myself way more if she was a young adult or at least a much older teen.
The story building is very interesting, the little helper and guide along the way was a great approach in my opinion, and I felt that the birdie added to the story.
I think fantasy fans who want a quick read and a little excitement will enjoy the book. I will not continue the series but I am very happy I got to read book 1!
Spice: -
Bloodiness/Darkness: 🖤
I got this book on a stuff your kindle day and finally it was time to read. I love fantasy stories especially with chosen one tropes, so I was excited about what I can find in the story.
A very very unexpected start set the story mood, I really enjoyed that completely morally grey start. I loved how that situation and the feelings about it kept coming up, the fmc was reflecting and trying to overcome a trauma in her own way.
Connecting to this I unfortunately didn't really like the age of the fmc, her behaviour, thinking and skills just didn't match it. I understand the explanation that the tribe has to survive in an extreme environment, but children are children. I would have enjoyed myself way more if she was a young adult or at least a much older teen.
The story building is very interesting, the little helper and guide along the way was a great approach in my opinion, and I felt that the birdie added to the story.
I think fantasy fans who want a quick read and a little excitement will enjoy the book. I will not continue the series but I am very happy I got to read book 1!
dnf
February 28, 2025dnf at 32%
January 15, 2026
Loved it.
Although this story was more targeted for a younger readership, as I understand, I think older readers like myself who like fantasy will like this as well.
A good and interesting plot, something like a quest, likeable characters, and well told.
It could have been longer; with not even 200 pages, it's more like a short story than a "proper" book.
However, what really annoyed me were the numerous spelling, grammar, and factual errors, for example when a male person speaks to a female person, his mouth was close to HER ear, not his, as in the story. There were quite a lot of things like this, unfortunately.
Still - definitely going to buy the second in this series.
Although this story was more targeted for a younger readership, as I understand, I think older readers like myself who like fantasy will like this as well.
A good and interesting plot, something like a quest, likeable characters, and well told.
It could have been longer; with not even 200 pages, it's more like a short story than a "proper" book.
However, what really annoyed me were the numerous spelling, grammar, and factual errors, for example when a male person speaks to a female person, his mouth was close to HER ear, not his, as in the story. There were quite a lot of things like this, unfortunately.
Still - definitely going to buy the second in this series.
February 16, 2022
A very well written story with an unintentional hero. A young female protagonist really sets the stage for this book. She is powered by the need to do the right thing. As her adventures would have it, that leads her to a young man with the same motivation. It is this motivation which is the story and brings the results that she so desperately needs.
If you love the story of a woman who can overcome all odds this will fit your bookshelf. It will draw you in so that you just don't want to put it down.
If you love the story of a woman who can overcome all odds this will fit your bookshelf. It will draw you in so that you just don't want to put it down.
November 30, 2024
Oh my. This was nice. A dragon book with a whole new world that makes sense. A few notes:
- it took me a while to get passed the strange writing. I know there people talk weird when they don’t understand each other. But it took a while to figure out what was said in their heads, out aloud, or in the dreams and to whom
- I like the skepticism in the heroine. That’s how most people behave
- I’d never thought of how people react when they’ve never seen something and it was refreshing
I can’t wait to see what happens next.
- it took me a while to get passed the strange writing. I know there people talk weird when they don’t understand each other. But it took a while to figure out what was said in their heads, out aloud, or in the dreams and to whom
- I like the skepticism in the heroine. That’s how most people behave
- I’d never thought of how people react when they’ve never seen something and it was refreshing
I can’t wait to see what happens next.
March 25, 2025
4.5/5
probably the ugliest book cover I've had the displeasure of laying my eyes on.
but once you turn the page, it's brilliant; a solid start to a long (9 books?!) series. the character development is great. I really liked Tayir's (the familiar) comments on whats unfolding in front of him. sort of reminds me of another demon-thing that lives on as a tattoo on the protagonist's arm in the book of the ancestor (i think?).
solid world building, enough lore to keep it engaging, and dragons.
I really really really love the character of Crispin. I hope they do something more with him in the next books.
probably the ugliest book cover I've had the displeasure of laying my eyes on.
but once you turn the page, it's brilliant; a solid start to a long (9 books?!) series. the character development is great. I really liked Tayir's (the familiar) comments on whats unfolding in front of him. sort of reminds me of another demon-thing that lives on as a tattoo on the protagonist's arm in the book of the ancestor (i think?).
solid world building, enough lore to keep it engaging, and dragons.
I really really really love the character of Crispin. I hope they do something more with him in the next books.
July 30, 2020
Excellent beginning to a new series
This is a spin off of the Brindle Dragon series, and it was really quite good. Can't wait to get to read the next book in this series. I loved the Brindle Dragon series and I loved the first book in the series. What an adventure!!
This is a spin off of the Brindle Dragon series, and it was really quite good. Can't wait to get to read the next book in this series. I loved the Brindle Dragon series and I loved the first book in the series. What an adventure!!
August 22, 2020
An Intriguing Beginning
Such an interesting story line. And the characters are very engaging. I can't wait to get to know them better. My only complaint is that the book seemed a bit short. I was actually surprised to find I'd already reached the end.
I'd definitely recommend.
Such an interesting story line. And the characters are very engaging. I can't wait to get to know them better. My only complaint is that the book seemed a bit short. I was actually surprised to find I'd already reached the end.
I'd definitely recommend.
October 7, 2020
Smooth flow, plenty action
I wasn't sure about this at first, but I really liked it. The story flowed well. It's different enough from other stories that I couldn't predict the outcome from any point in the book. I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
I wasn't sure about this at first, but I really liked it. The story flowed well. It's different enough from other stories that I couldn't predict the outcome from any point in the book. I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
February 17, 2021
A new beginning
Another start to what seems to be another great series by this author. The only thing I would really critique is that the books are too short. Finished this one in a half hour
Another start to what seems to be another great series by this author. The only thing I would really critique is that the books are too short. Finished this one in a half hour
March 21, 2021
Awesome read hope the rest are this good
OK so the first book has gotten me totally hooked on the story can’t wait to see the directions they take hoping we get to the dragons in this book coming up
OK so the first book has gotten me totally hooked on the story can’t wait to see the directions they take hoping we get to the dragons in this book coming up
July 20, 2022
surprisingly good
I started reading this book late in the evening and couldn’t put it down till around four in the morning. It started out slow for me, but it got better as I got into the story. Looking forward to the second book.
I started reading this book late in the evening and couldn’t put it down till around four in the morning. It started out slow for me, but it got better as I got into the story. Looking forward to the second book.
June 29, 2023
first book in the series
It took me by surprise when this first book was over. I got a hurry up and get the second book started. I’ll probably finish the goofy thing tonight. Kind of a slow start but it’s getting a lot better.
It took me by surprise when this first book was over. I got a hurry up and get the second book started. I’ll probably finish the goofy thing tonight. Kind of a slow start but it’s getting a lot better.
November 14, 2024
An interesting read that carries one forward.
I like the two different protagonists in this story. A young woman who was being burnt and came alive with her witchcraft.
She is later helped in the woods she fled by a young man who is somewhat disabled but carrying and helps her.
I like the two different protagonists in this story. A young woman who was being burnt and came alive with her witchcraft.
She is later helped in the woods she fled by a young man who is somewhat disabled but carrying and helps her.
November 20, 2024
Fascinating
What a great read I am looking forward to reading the rest of her tale! Crispin seems like a friend that everyone would like to have, I hope that he is in the further adventures, well done Jada, what a really fantastic read!
What a great read I am looking forward to reading the rest of her tale! Crispin seems like a friend that everyone would like to have, I hope that he is in the further adventures, well done Jada, what a really fantastic read!
March 31, 2020
Yess
Wow great book ..story grabs you right away. Dragging you in to take you on a great journey.. where a girl dares to be more
Wow great book ..story grabs you right away. Dragging you in to take you on a great journey.. where a girl dares to be more
May 5, 2020
Wonderful another book on dragons magic etc. I am so glad that I read the brindle series before this because the friends are back! I now have all the books of the black dragon so will be transported to another world to enjoy while in lockdown
May 18, 2020
This is a good read. It will keep you reading but watch out for those slow places that may put you to sleep. Over all good story that has you reading on. Good Reading everyone!
July 22, 2020
Good characters
I like magic, so I’m enjoying it’s development in Ukrah. I think it’s going to be a great continuation of the Brindle series.
I like magic, so I’m enjoying it’s development in Ukrah. I think it’s going to be a great continuation of the Brindle series.
February 5, 2021
Okay I Really loved the last series...Brindle dragon..I'm starting this new new The Black Dragon series and it's starting off with a Bang
August 25, 2021
This series of books really needed a proofreader. It was a good book (and a pretty good series), but had MANY instances of misused words, wrong words, wrong names, etc.
January 10, 2022
new read
Ok, I know it takes a while to set the stage and I love that the references to the prior series are starting. It’s like a reunion with old friends
Ok, I know it takes a while to set the stage and I love that the references to the prior series are starting. It’s like a reunion with old friends
April 26, 2022
A short book, but a wonderful read. I had no trouble seeing the detail in my minds eye without Jada over describing everything. (I hate when authors do that.)
May 25, 2023
A good, well written Quick read!
June 25, 2023
Yay!
Suspense...suspense...suspense!!! Oh and action and some humor sprinkled in the mix as well...it makes me want to start this from the beginning...who is this God-Woman???
Suspense...suspense...suspense!!! Oh and action and some humor sprinkled in the mix as well...it makes me want to start this from the beginning...who is this God-Woman???
March 28, 2024
My only qualms is I struggled to take it seriously because their names are basically okra and crispin. Overall a good book when I get past that tho.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews