The Fireborn Blade by Charlotte Bond is a captivating novella that breathes fresh life into classic dragon-slaying fantasy. Maddileh, a disgraced knight, is given one last chance to redeem herself: retrieve the legendary Fireborn Blade from the lair of the White Lady dragon.
Bond's writing is sharp and engaging. With a unique twist, she immerses the reader in a world of mages, knights, and dragons. This clever narrative structure adds depth and intrigue to the world-building. Maddileh is a compelling protagonist, and her journey is filled with unexpected twists and turns.
The Fireborn Blade is a must-read for fans of fantasy, especially those who enjoy dragon-themed stories with a fresh perspective.

What an interesting read. This reminded me of Lady Tremaine's Guide to Dragon hunting mixed with Talon. I think the back and forth between dragon history and the past built the world but didn't always connect with the current plot.

This is, in fact, wild. This is one of those books where the main plot concludes much earlier than you think it does, and then you're like, "Oh, wait, there's still 50 pages left, and I guess this book is not going to end where I thought it was going to end."

I do like where it was able to go by the end. It kept me on my toes, it kept me in suspense. And there were so many different elements for me to sink my teeth into. There were horror elements but there's also suspense, there's mystery, there's magic, there's classic fantasy action from this dragon slaying plot. And then there's also some political machinations going on underneath the surface as well.

In the sense of the bigger picture, I feel like the story is really exploring what happens when we reject the roles that are given to us and dare to create new spaces for ourselves. More importantly, I feel like something this first book is on the very surface of is just barely reaching towards, is this idea that when you live in an unjust world, people are very cognizant of the fact that things should change, that change should happen, but we are not always in agreement on how that change should come about.

It's not a perfect story by any means. But this was still really fun and exciting to read oerall. I had a great time with it and I can't wait to see where the sequel goes.

Maddileh is a female knight who has been publicly disgraced. In order to "redeem" herself, she sets out on a quest to retrieve the "Fireborne Blade," a magic and powerful sword. It is said to be held by a deadly dragon called "The White Lady." She acquires a squire named Petros and meets a woman named Saralene on her journey. Not only does Saralene possess magic forbidden to females, sparks fly between Maddileh and Saralene. It's entertaining, and has a message of girl power. Fans of Mercedes Lackey and Tamora Pierce would enjoy this story.

Book Review: The Fireborne Blade

In The Fireborne Blade, readers are thrust into a world where valor and survival often clash, and where Maddileh, a resilient yet flawed knight, is determined to defy the odds stacked against her. Maddileh’s journey is not just one of physical peril but a deep exploration of identity, belonging, and defiance in a society that’s quick to dismiss her.

From the outset, Maddileh’s struggles resonate on multiple levels. Her battle isn’t just with the White Lady, a legendary dragon whose fiery lair is the stuff of nightmares, but also with the prejudice and sneers of her fellow knights. As one of the few women in her profession, she stands as a symbol of perseverance, though the road she treads is far from easy. When a minor mistake threatens her honor, Maddileh is thrust into an impossible mission: retrieve the fabled Fireborne Blade or share the fate of countless knights before her—reduced to ash and molten steel.

The story is as much about the world as it is about Maddileh. The history of dragons and knights is intricately woven into the narrative, painting a vivid backdrop of ancient legends, doomed quests, and simmering betrayals. The supporting cast—scheming squires, deceptive allies, and a sapphic love interest who adds depth and vulnerability to Maddileh’s hardened exterior—further enriches the tale. Every interaction feels layered, with alliances constantly shifting, leaving the reader questioning who to trust.

What sets The Fireborne Blade apart is its themes of self-determination and breaking free from societal expectations. Maddileh’s story is not about conforming to the roles handed to her but carving out her own place in a world eager to see her fail. The tension between honor and survival, tradition and rebellion, pulses through the story, keeping readers enthralled as Maddileh navigates each twist and turn.

The novel’s pacing is impeccable, building steadily toward a dramatic, nail-biting conclusion that will leave readers breathless. With its mix of heart-pounding action, intricate character dynamics, and a deeply human story at its core, The Fireborne Blade is an unforgettable journey.

If you’re a fan of epic fantasy brimming with dragons, fierce heroines, and tales of love and defiance, The Fireborne Blade deserves a place on your shelf. It’s a story that lingers long after the last page, leaving readers inspired by the roles we refuse to accept—and the ones we fight to create.

I will not be posting a review of this book online out of respect for the author and publisher, but this was a Did Not Finish book for me.

I both read on kindle and listened to the audiobook, and made it to 61% through the book before deciding to DNF. This is a relatively short book, which is why I got so far, but once I put it down, I found I have no desire to pick it back up.

For pacing, I had multiple issues with the duration of the different flashback pieces. They felt disconnected, didn't build the world enough, and most importantly, didn't give me any insight of development into my main character. I found myself growing attached to the side characters, but didn't really care about the main character at all, I never learned about her history or emotions behind anything. I needed those earlier on so I'd be attached to her and want to learn more. At this point, I don't particularly care if she makes it to the end, I'm not attached to her.

Thank you!

I loved this story! It felt like a classic fantasy story of a knight quest with a touch of horror and an incredible twist. This is what separates the skilled writers from the rest -- a novella that's complex, with well developed characters, a very distinct atmosphere, that leaves you both breathless in need of a pause but also wanting so much more of the story.

I highly recommend this book especially if you're new to epic fantasy but can't yet face the 600 pages stories. This will get you excited for more of that genre without putting you in a slump. We have dragon lore, we have knights, swords and reclaiming honor, we have mages and deadly ghosts... My only complain is that being so short the end felt inevitably a little abrupt.

Rating- 2.5
While this book is a novella length, I was so excited to dive into a world of dragons, slayers, and magical adventures. In the end, this felt lackluster. This book portrayed women as fierce and badass (which I loved), but for the most part, this story was convoluted and nonsensical. I think if this book was fully fleshed and not just a novella, scenes and background arcs could have been expanded to give more context.Without which left me getting whiplash from jumping through times and characters that were portrayed in the book.


Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for gifting me a copy in exchange for my review.

I really enjoyed this fantasy novella, and found the story to be imaginative and the writing accessible. I flew through it like a dragon darting through the skies.

While the story is based on extremely classic fantasy tropes (knights slaying treasure-hording dragons, magicians studying these dangerous creatures, women pushing against their restricted roles in society, etc.), I appreciated how the author broke the main story up by inserting archives and documents about various dragon slayings that the mage guilds in the story's world were studying. This device allowed for more immersion into a very loosely built world (it is a novella, after all).

The story had several elements that showed off the author's imagination, namely the idea of "dragon-dead" (ghosts of those killed by dragons, who bring their own trouble) and the surprisingly gory details of dragon killings and errant magic causing strife. These details kept the story engaging throughout.

Lastly, the story took a few twists at the end thay actually surprised me and broadened the possibilities of future stories. I'm excited to read the next novella in this series and hope the author keeps telling stories that develop the world, characters, and imaginative details she introduces here.

Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novella in exchange for my honest review!

I absolutely LOVED the personal struggle and politics within the pages of this book. Add in some ancient magic and a serious complex group of characters and I am all in.

This book had great world and plot building where everything was simply so vivid and clear in the imagination. The author mastered the balance of tension filled moments, to those quieter reflective bits. The characters were all well developed and pulled their own.

Deep. Thought provoking. A wild ride. 10/10 from me.

This was pretty good, intriguing for sure. I did guess a twist so that was good. I'll try the second book for sure

The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond is a very engrossing fantasy book that shows us the story of ancient magic, personal struggle, and political intrigue. The main character is very complex and has a great arc throughout the book. The plot and worldbuilding is vivid and charming, and kept me entertained the whole book. Thank you for the opportunity!

Loved the premise of this, I just wish it was longer. I feel like it's hard to fit everything a fantasy story requires into such a small package.

This was a very fun novella that served its purpose of entertaining. It gives us a taste of an obviously larger world but not in an overwhelming and information-dumping way. It piques my interest to see what else Bond will offer in the future. The story is well-written overall, and while the premise is not new, it is executed skillfully.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended.

5 stars. This was fantastic.

I did initially receive an ARC of this from NetGalley and the publisher, but decided not to read it as I was unaware it was a novella. Recently, I noticed it was available for check-out at my local library, as well as the second in this series. I gave it a go and I'm so glad I did.

A quick read, only about 164 pages. Tales the tale of Maddileh as she searches for The Fireborne Blade, but in actuality, this novella is much more than that. Maddileh is actually one of arguably a few main characters, so I feel the description isn't entirely accurate save for the twists and turns that leave you guessing until the end. I loved this and can honestly say it's a new favorite of mine.

Have you ever played Skyrim and thought, I wish I could read a fantasy book like this? Well look no further, The Fireborne Blades deliver a fast paced and gripping fantasy story in a short amount of pages. I really enjoyed reading about our main characters and following along their journey. The plot twist really got me, I didn’t see it coming at all and it’s left me eagerly wanting to read the next book! I also appreciated the use of diary entries to paint a picture of the world and lore - this is a novella and I felt like I still got a lot of world building out of it. I highly recommend this to all fantasy lovers!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I'm such a fan of Charlotte Bond's world building and her take on dragons. Informed by classic myth and legend but unique in its own ways, this world sucks you in and won't let go.

It's not often I give a novella 5 stars but this one really killed it! Interesting world building and Charlotte Bond really packed in a full story in a small package and did it really well

The unpredictable ending of this story is what I love about this book!

But before you get to the end…..

This is the tale of Maddileh, knight, dragon slayer. Also a female, relegated to the back of the wagon among her male colleagues. In The Fireborne Blade, Maddileh is on a mission to redeem her honor, with a squire who does not seem to respect her. The mission is to capture the Fireborne Blade from the lethal White Lady dragon.

As the story unfolds, the reader is treated to tales of other dragon slayers that would seem to set a scene for Maddileh’s own dragon confrontation. Also, flashbacks to Maddileh’s preparation for her journey pepper the story, providing important background on this woman.

Themes of The Fireborne Blade include not letting others define you and being open to out-of-the-box ideas. Be who you are meant to be. Oh, and power-hungry men are not all that sharp.

The 168 pages of The Fireborne Blade are filled with volumes. Efficient storytelling includes details about the country’s history and lore of dragons, strong female characters, magical hierarchy, sexism, and interesting character names. Plus, hints at what is to come that you will likely miss until the unexpected twist.

Through NetGalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.