This is my first advanced copy approved by NetGalley and seeing that cover and reading the synopsis I couldn't have been more excited. However, from the very first page it was like being slapped in the face by a wet fish. This was supposed to be fun and exciting, but instead it was tedious and dull.

Sir Maddileh, the stalwart main character tried to hold this book together, but not even her dedication to the task was enough to save it. The book was told in a familiar way, with present and past sections as well as chapters that were strictly lore. This was simply too much and it did not pay off in the brief 130 page novella.

When the story was able to hit its stride without all of the faff I thought it would propel my rating skyward. Instead the big reveal fell flat and I was left wanting more. More characterisation, more focus, more oomph.

I feel like I'm missing something here considering all of the other early glowing reviews. Sometimes you can't judge a book by its cover and sometimes you can't judge a cover by its book. Don't let the pretty picture fool you, this is a slog.

Rating: 1/5

What I liked most was the adventure and the journey, facing the ghosts, and the dragon, and how the author built so much of a magic system and world in a short novella.

I am not a big fan of plots that focus too much on proving "all" men are evil or idiotic instead of making me love the main character, but the novella has a very strong point of view and it works for this story. We follow a disgraced Knight and her Squire on a quest. There is a good balance between the interviews of previous knights who defeated dragons and the present or flashbacks to the MC's past and actual adventure that advances the quest. The praised knights come across as fake, arrogant, and greedy making a point that history is often written or hidden for a purpose ignoring the women. Our main character can only count on herself and her very high suspicion of magic that she dislikes. She wants to find a sword to prove herself in a men's world and for that, she must face the White Lady (a dragon). There are plot twists at the end and an interesting character return also at the end.

The cover makes me want to buy the hardcover.

“I know many of you wished for change—well, here it is. And if it has not come about in the exact manner you wished, then you must make your peace with that, because things are changed, friends, and there is no going back.”

Disclaimer: I was provided with an early arc from NetGalley for an honest review.

The Fireborne Blade is an instantly captivating story full of magic, dragon lore, and mystery. Though at its heart, it is an adventure story wherein a disgraced knight and her squire are on the hunt to kill an ancient and powerful dragon and claim an enchanted sword as their reward.

Although short (only 176 pages), the story packs a punch. I didn’t think much world building could be achieved here but what we are gifted with is immersive and creative. I couldn’t get enough of it! From the principles of Magic to the dragon-dead ghosts to the riveting accounts of infamous Knights from “The Demise and Demesne of Dragons,” there’s so much rich content to devour.

And the characters are fully realized. First, we have Maddileh, who is eager to prove herself a worthy knight, and is up against the unfairness of a man’s world. She is practical, pragmatic, and ambitious. And a true heroine at heart. Then, we have Petros, who is her aide in her dangerous quest, but also a suspicious fellow with a hidden agenda. Finally, we have Saralene, who is the main love interest, seeking a place in the guild of mages, which is mainly a male-exclusive club. As you can imagine, these three make for an interesting cast to follow. They are representative of their world and ours. And each is wholly invested in reshaping the future for better or worse. I don’t want to say more for fear of spoiling a great outcome to a great story.

The twists and turns are well plotted and placed. None of the big reveals felt rushed or convenient. And by the end, I felt rewarded for trusting the author had the best intentions for the characters, even when things seemed desperate and impossible.

The prose is straightforward but not at all simplistic. That is, the author does not shy away from providing gory details and leaning into grimdark undertones. And the alternating chapters between the present situation and historical accounts suited the narrative and provided dimension to the characters and plot. Although, there were a few instances where dialogue was jarring in tone and snapped me out of the illusion that I was in the heads of characters living in a mediavl-fantasy world.

I also want to mention that the political themes and social commentary was a highlight of the reading experience.

Overall, I would classify this tale as a very strong start to a new fantasy series. One of the best I’ve read this year. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Final rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I found it super hard to get into this book. The jumping from interviews in the past to what was going on in the present was to much for me. I liked the idea of the story, but it just wasn’t for me

I was immediately drawn to The Fireborne Blade, as I'm a big fan of tales involving lady knights and dragons. Novellas often give you a snippet of a world that leaves you wanting more, and that's certainly the case here - not in terms of lacking a satisfactory conclusion, but in that there’s such a lot of world-building packed into just under 200 pages and I would happily read even more of it. I would have appreciated more backstory for Maddileh, but was still plenty invested with what little was given here. At first, I wasn't sure about the interspersed present-day chapters with those detailing historical quests to kill dragons - but as the narrative progressed, these proved great at giving extra context without overly prevalent exposition. All in all, The Fireborne Blade is a greatly satisfactory read - and presents a world I would happily immerse myself in again.

Releasing May 28th, 2024

I love medieval fantasies, and add in dragon slaying? I am immediately drawn in.

THE FIREBORNE BLADE was a captivating read, that was able to pack in so much without feeling overwhelming.

a short read that’s easy, not because it’s simple by any means, but because the plot pulls you in and makes it impossible to put down. I just wish we had more time with the characters!

the ending was very twisty and I did not see it coming.

thank you netgalley and Tor Publishing for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.