Ascension

Dragon Rider Academy #1

by Michael James Ploof

An orphaned teen, a secret power, and a dragon sentenced to death.

Sixteen year old Min Varresh wants nothing more than to join the Dragon Rider Academy.
But there’s one problem: Only those with the legendary power of the Unbound may join, and only men are born with the power.
Until now.
When a wyvern attacks her village and destroys her home, Min is forced to reveal her secret. Now she’s on the run from those who wish to silence her.
But Min will not be silenced.
She will not cower from the religious zealots who believe the power of the Unbound is a gift from god given only to men.
She will prove her worth.
She will prove them wrong.
She will become a dragon rider.
No matter the cost.

Dragon Rider Academy is a new coming of age fantasy adventure from the author of Whill of Agora and USA Today Bestseller Michael James Ploof.

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 22, 2019

About the author

I spent my youth in the land of make believe. School was a bore, and growing up in the "Boonies" without cable television forced me to use my imagination. If I wasn't holed up in my bedroom playing with my vast collection of action figures, I could be found in the forest with a wooden sword or staff in hand, battling the forces of evil. As an 80's kid, I was raised on a healthy diet of movies like Star Wars, The Neverending Story, Labyrinth, Goonies, and endless other classic (but strange) movies.

As a reader, I enjoy books that take off right out of the gate, sweep me off my feet, and whisk me away on an epic adventure. As an author, I try to create books that do the same for my readers. I write fantasy, and I suppose that I still live in a land of make believe, except now I get to share the adventure with others.

I hope that you will join me on my next adventure, and together we can escape reality, if only for a time.

Yours in Magic,

Michael James Ploof

Join the mailing list at www.whillofagor(dot)com.

Books by Michael James Ploof

Epic Fallacy

Book #1: Champions of the Dragon

Book #2: Beyond the Wide Wall

Book #3: The Legend of Drak' Noir

Book #4: The Mother of Zuul

LEGENDS OF AGORA

Book #1: Whill of Agora

Book #2: A Quest of Kings

Book #3: A Song of Swords

Book #4: A Crown of war

Book #5: Kingdoms in Chaos

Book #6: Champions of the Gods

Book #7: The Mantle of Darkness

Book #8: Dark Echoes of Light

Book #9: The Warcrown Legacy

THE WINDWALKER ARCHIVE

Book #1: Talon

Book #2: Sea Queen

Book #3: Exodus

BLACKTHORN

Book #1: Blackthorn Rising

THE ORION REZNER CHRONICLES

Book #1: Afterworld

The Dragon Throne War

Book #1: A Dream of Fire

Doomsday Sheriff

Book #1

Book #2

Book #3

Dragon Rider Academy

Episode #1: Ascension

Episode #2: Transcendence

Episode #3: Initiate

Episode #4: Dragon Heart

Episode #5: Accursed

THE SOCK GNOME CHRONICLES

Book #1: Billy Coatbutton and the Wheel of Destiny

Book #2: Billy Coatbutton and the ring of Sockchild

Harem books written as Mike Ploof

Rebirth online

Rebirth Online #1

Rebirth Online #2

Rebirth Online #3

Rebirth Online #4

Rebirth Online #5

Rebirth Online #6

Monster World

Monster World #1

Monster World #2

Warwick

Episode #1: Galactic Arena

Episode #2: Galactic Fugitives

Episode #3: Galactic Vengeance

litRPG Published By Aethon Books

Arcane Veterinarian Book 1 - August 6, 2024

Arcane Veterinarian Book 2 - Fall 2024

The Family Jewels Book 1 - Coming Soon

Reviews

[Chris B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished all the 5 books in the series. I couldn’t stop reading them! They are fairly quick reads This first book in the series was the only one I rated a 4*. All the others were 5*. I waited until I read them all before writing a review so I could give potential readers an idea of whether it was worth starting with this first in the series. If you like strong female heroines who grow and develop through the series, and of course there are dragons... what’s not to love?!

I totally got into their world and wanted to know what happens next. I think there should be another after the last one but at this point there is not. Sigh.

These are a clean read. Yes they are YA but the whole story is well written, flows well, and only in the last book did I notice editing errors.

[Tala Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!!!

Book 2 hurry! I read this whole book in 2 sittings because I couldn't put it down. Min is one of the best characters I've seen in a book in a long time and I'm looking forward to seeing where she and her golden dragon will go. Thank you, Michael, for a new fresh story that is going to give me great pleasure to read! Looking forward to book 2.

[Gayreth Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is "Terrific" !

Boy , did this book hook me in right from the beginning! The storyline and characters propels everything forward at a good pace and it's daring and exciting. The story is well crafted and I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Following Min Varresh, a blacksmiths daughter with forbidden power makes for a grand adventure. I'm looking forward to reading episode 2.

[Alex MECA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different

Not gamelit or litrpg at all but still very good. I don't know how I feel about the whole small short book every three weeks but the story is definitely entertaining and captivating. I can't wait to read more.

[Mike Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start

Part one of this series reads quite well but if you dislike waiting for a Clift hanger to be resolved this may not suite as it it will be appearing in many parts each seperated by weeks

[Stephen Levesque · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't like stories that only take a couple of hours to read. I made the exception for this. It was delightful, engaging and very well written! Story flows and the author does an outstanding job of telling it! Great Reading Everyone!

[Cyberbiker Deitrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, or at least a good start to a story. Ended too soon, anxious for the next installment.

[Brian Houx · Rating 4 out of 5]

UNBOUND TO THE RESCUE

The episode fast paced but way to short. I would recommend it to teens. The storyline was new and refreshing. Good luck on the next episode.

[Clinton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short to be considered its own book

The author seems to be trying to release these books in short frequent sections. The story moves quickly and there is very little care taken to show why things are happening. The MC needs to get revenge, and that's all she seems to want to do. I would have liked more details about pretty much everything that happens in the book, things just happen with not much detail or explanation. If you care about depth in the books you read, go look somewhere else.

[Jerry Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent start

Great start to a new series. I look forward to seeing what adventures like ahead. Min to the timely rescue.

[Annezo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong female heroine who grows throughout the series, paired with a beautiful golden dragon, is going to overturn her world.

Although "everyone knows" that only men can ride dragons, Min doesn't intend to be stopped by the past. She has a power that the world seems to need, and she intends to use it. No matter who tries to stop her.

(On the negative side, I really dislike this trend of publishing a few pages, 104 in this case, and calling it a novel. However, with five "novels" available in the series, I was, at least, able to finish the story easily.)

Well-written and interesting, I recommend this one for those of us who love dragon stories.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story by Michael James Ploof

To be a girl and not be allowed to be what you know deep in your heart you are supposed to be is cruel as well as dangerous. To finally get to use the powers that you have is amazing.

[JoJo Gozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

I really enjoyed this book. Almost as much as Whill of Agora.
I really don't like short stories but I love his books so I thought what the heck. Glad I did. Awesome action and adventure. And DRAGONS!