Ascendant by Michael R. Miller is the first book in the series 'Songs of Chaos' and follows the journey of Holt, a pot cleaner who aspires to be a dragon rider. When Holt discovers a faulty dragon egg that hatches into a blind dragon named Ash, he forms an unlikely friendship and embarks on a daring adventure. The book explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the growth of both characters as they navigate a world filled with magic, dragons, and challenges. The plot unfolds with twists and turns, keeping readers engaged with its intricate world-building and character development.
The writing style in 'Ascendant' is described as emotional, engaging, and immersive. Readers praise the multi-faceted storytelling that delves into character growth and the unique magic system showcased in the book. The bond between Holt and Ash, reminiscent of classic dragon rider tales, is highlighted as a strong point, along with the rich world-building that expands beyond the initial portrayal. Overall, 'Ascendant' is recommended for fantasy lovers looking for a gripping story with elements of magic, dragons, and intricate plot development.
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From The Publisher:
Holt Cook was never meant to be a dragon rider. He has always served the Order Hall of the Crag dutifully, keeping their kitchen pots clean.
But then he discovers a dark secret: dragons do not tolerate weakness among their kin, killing the young they deem flawed. Moved by pity, Holt defies the Order, rescues a doomed egg and vows to protect the blind dragon within.
But the Scourge is rising. Undead hordes roam the land, spreading the blight and leaving destruction in their wake. The dragon riders are being slaughtered and betrayal lurks in the shadows.
Holt has one chance to survive. He must cultivate the mysterious power of his dragon's magical core. A unique energy which may tip the balance in the battles to come, and prove to the world that a servant is worthy after all.
The start to a new dragon rider epic fantasy, combining the best of Eragon with the magic system of Will Wight's Cradle series.
Ratings (20)
Incredible (5) | |
Loved It (6) | |
Liked It (4) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (41):
Read It (19) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (17) | |
Not Interested (3) |
1 comment(s)
This is a story that hits the classic beats of a Dragon Rider fantasy. Holt Cook is an everyman, until he steals a dragon egg and joins the war against the zombie army.
Here is my video review: https://youtu.be/bqJ33eMl384?t=464
When I started the book, I was intrigued by the premise of a blind dragon. I was expecting this to play an important and interesting role in the story, and in some way change the way that the story played out.
However, I was disappointed. If what makes a story interesting is emotional conflict, this story was boring. Oftentimes, giving a character a handicap can create more interesting conflict, but you could take the dragon’s blindness out of the story and it would remain relatively unchanged.
The more I read this book, the more I felt like I was starving for emotional moments. This book again and again prioritized explaining the lore of the world. Instead of getting to grieve for losses, we move on quickly to defining a new magical ability or a political flashback. If you love worldbuilding, you might love this book. But if you love a character arc more, you may be very disappointed.
AUDIOBOOK: This was a very well narrated audiobook. Every character was voiced differently. When there was the occasional song, the narrator actually sung it (something I’ve never heard in an audiobook before)! I have no complaints about the performance of this audiobook, it was fantastic.
Thanks to Books Fluent and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
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Ascendant?
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