After a minor infraction, Knight Maddileh tries to regain her pride and good name by retrieving a legendary sword from the White Lady, a dragon who cannot be conquered by a living man. Maddileh’s a woman, so that should make it doable. Loopholes, ammirite? There’s a quest, a noble knight, mages, a mysterious squire, and a touch of romance.

This story moved quickly, and I was fully invested in the story. I had so many questions along the way, and it had some solid twists and turns. Plus, the dusting of sapphic romance is always up my alley. Plus, a badass dragon and lots of magic. What’s not to love?

Thanks so very much to Netgalley and the publisher for kindly providing me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I do reviews on my main social media platforms and will be providing my full review there as I get through my TBR blacklist. Thanks again!

I really enjoyed the vibes of this novella. The characters and the story were interesting. I was fully invested, until the ending which fell a little flat for me. It felt a bit rushed and felt like I wasn’t totally grasping what the author was trying to communicate with the dragon. I actually wish it had been longer to develop the ending a bit more.

Charlotte Bond's A Fireborne Blade is a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre. This novella introduces us to Maddileh, a knight in a world that doesn’t quite know what to do with a woman wielding a sword. Her journey is as much about overcoming the prejudices of her male counterparts as it is about facing down deadly dragons.

While the novella is relatively short, it packs a powerful punch. The pacing is excellent, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. The ending is satisfying, leaving readers eager for the next installment in the series.

Despite some minor criticisms, A Fireborne Blade is a promising debut that showcases Bond's talent for storytelling. It's a must-read for fans of strong female protagonists and those who enjoy a touch of magic and adventure. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

i wish this book could be longer because i couldn’t get enough of it!!

thank you netgalley for the e-arc!

MAN I WISH THIS BOOK WAS LONGER.
IT WAS SO GOOD, AND WOULD HAVE DEFINATLEY MADE A FANTASTIC NOVEL.

For a novella, this book was packed full of action, grit, and high stakes fantasy.

Maddileh is a female knight and that alone makes me love this book. Told through multiple lenses, the reader builds a better understanding of Maddileh’s preparation for her journey to the lair of the dragon she is seeking to slay, as well as her current perspective and excerpts from writings of other dragon slayers and their experience with dragon slaying.

The story was expertly told and so much information was packed into such a short book that of course, a full-length novel would always feel better for building to the climax of the book in the end. However, for a novella, the story telling was done very well. I look forward to reading book #2!

This book is SO much fun, it was short and sweet, but badass in the most perfect way. I sell this book all the time in my bookstore for people who love fantasy, don't want a HUGE book, and want a female driven narrative. Great book!

**Review of "The Fireborne Blade" by Charlotte Bond**

Charlotte Bond's "The Fireborne Blade" ignites the imagination with a thrilling blend of fantasy, adventure, and intrigue that keeps readers spellbound from start to finish.

Set in a world where magic pulses through the veins of its people, Bond introduces us to Lidan Tolak, a young woman burdened by duty and torn between loyalty to her family and her own desires. As the heir to the powerful Tolak family, Lidan is expected to uphold tradition and marry for political gain. However, her heart yearns for freedom and adventure, fueled by her latent magical abilities and a thirst for justice.

The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of political upheaval and looming war, where ancient rivalries and alliances threaten to unravel the fragile peace. Bond weaves a complex tapestry of characters and motivations, each with their own secrets and agendas, adding layers of depth to the story.

At its heart, "The Fireborne Blade" is a story of empowerment and self-discovery. Lidan's journey is one of courage and resilience as she navigates treacherous political waters, confronts long-buried family secrets, and discovers the true extent of her magical potential. Bond's portrayal of Lidan is nuanced and compelling, capturing the internal conflict and growth of a young woman coming into her own.

The world-building in "The Fireborne Blade" is masterful, immersing readers in a richly imagined realm where magic is both a gift and a weapon. From towering citadels to shadowy forests imbued with ancient power, Bond's descriptive prose vividly brings the world of Tolakana to life.

Overall, "The Fireborne Blade" is a captivating debut that will appeal to fans of high fantasy and political intrigue. Bond's skillful storytelling and strong character development make this novel a standout in the genre, promising an exhilarating adventure that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. For those seeking a tale of magic, rebellion, and the fight for freedom, "The Fireborne Blade" delivers an unforgettable journey into a world where courage and determination ignite the flames of change.

Thank you NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Tordotcom for this arc!

4/5 stars

I'll admit, this had me in the beginning - and by it had me I mean I was confused and bored af lol. I really enjoyed the journal entries at the beginning of each chapter, but Maddileh's story was kind of stale and predictable. But then! The last half was really good and the ending was a nice surprise! I do feel that this would've easily held my interest so much better from the beginning if it was longer. Maddileh's story would have greatly benefitted from more information and embellishment. The world was really interesting and I'd love to know more about it as well - but maybe the world that is to come in future installations of this series instead of the past.

This was short and strange and different than what I expected but also honestly SO fun. It’s rare to see dragons presented in such a unique way and it made me want to read way more about them and this world. There were some plot twists that had me totally shook and the ending was a solid 10/10.

This is very much not a character focused book. You know exactly as much about the characters as you need to know for the plot to make sense, and not a single bit more. That in itself was unique, and then combine that with a really fascinating narrative told between two timelines and interviews of other knights, and this is one of the most unique dragon focused fantasy books I’ve ever read.

Overall: great book, very unique, I’m happy.

This was a very good and thrilling adventure. I didn't want the story to end. I couldn't get enough of it!! This was a definite 5 star read!

Didn't have too much to say about this short novella. It started interesting and I really liked the ending, but found the middle quite tiresome. Would read something else from the author.

This book is fantastic. I found the pacing perfect, and never felt lost or confused which can happen with some other fantasy novels. All of the characters were likeable which kept the story one that you couldn't put down.

This is a dang masterclass in crafting a novella that packs the punch of a full-length novel. At less than 200 pages, this book delivers an epic tale filled with rich world-building, compelling characters, and enough action to satisfy any fantasy lover.

Maddileh is a knight striving to reclaim her honor in a male-dominated field. But Maddileh is not one to back down from a challenge. She decides that she must retrieve the legendary Fireborne Blade from its keeper, the fearsome dragon known as the White Lady to prove her honor.

The history and lore of the world are conveyed with deft efficiency, making the setting feel both expansive and intimate. The pacing is perfect, propelling the reader through Maddileh's journey without ever feeling rushed or underdeveloped. The characters are also wonderful and given room to flourish. I was so fond of them in such a short period of time.

Despite its brevity, the story feels fully realized, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. I actually GASPED aloud once. The message of The Fireborne Blade is powerful, touching on the roles we refuse to accept and the places we carve out for ourselves in a world that may not always welcome us. It’s about defying expectations and forging one’s own path.

Thanks to the publisher for the copy. This review is based on a complimentary pre-released copy and it is voluntary.

For the most part, The Fireborne Blade is a very simple, straightforward slice of fantasy. It's the story of a knight, her squire, the quest for a sword, and the slaying of a dragon. It embraces all the classic elements, without the weight of prophecy, chosen ones, or the fate of the world hanging in the balance. What makes it stand out is Charlotte Bond's telling of the story, which gives it a freshness I wasn't expecting.

This is a story told in pieces, with the narrative slowly bringing things together as the flashbacks creep closer to the current story, but it's also told in layers, with a series of testimonies and reports of other knights' encounters with dragons. It may sound like too much for a novella that clocks in at under 200 pages, but it's perfectly balanced, and it kept me engaged throughout.

Maddileh is an interesting character, and her seeming simplicity is as deceptive as that of the story. She's a woman in a man's world, an unwanted and unwelcome knight who is unfairly constrained by what patriarchal structures of epic fantasy. And it's not just her - there's a secondary character who plays into this trope as well, a woman with a flair for magic in a world where women can't be mages - and how/why their stories come together is where the hidden heart of this lies.

There is a lot of humor to The Fireborne Blade, but it's the subtle kind that makes you smile rather than laugh out loud. Okay, so perhaps I did laugh aloud at the cowardice of Maddileh's squire in the face of ghosts, but it didn't take me out of the story like the humor of a few recent reads. What Bond does so well is drop the humor in and move on, neither commenting upon it nor dwelling upon it, and while I'm sure some naysayers will protest that it all comes at the expense of men, it's all part of quietly fighting back against that patriarchy.

While I will say nothing more about the plot for fear of even hinting at some of the surprises in store, I will say this is a story that's satisfyingly full of those classic fantasy elements I mentioned earlier. We've got dragons and drakes, ghosts, magical talismans, enchanted swords, and more. It feels so comfortably familiar, and yet it's satisfyingly different in ways that you don't fully appreciate until after it's done. Reading it, I was thinking this was a 3-star tale; upon reaching the climax, I was leaning towards 4 stars; but after thinking about it for a few days, I'm all-in on the 5 stars. Bring on The Bloodless Princes!

Novellas like The Fireborn Blade by Charlotte Bond are exactly the reason I love shorter form fiction. Engaging, fast-paced, inventive, and just a damned-fun few hours to spend engrossed in a story, The Fireborn Blade could have been the intro or extro story for an anthology, but is certainly strong enough to stand on its own two feet.


In The Fireborn Blade Maddileh is one of the very few women to become a knight, and she’s had it all wrenched away from her by reacting to the cruelty of a man. As a favoured knight of the king due to her gallantry, she has been given one chance to re-attain her station and honour. The what of it is up to her, but it needs to be epic. Taking on the White Lady dragon deep in its lair to claim back the fabled fireborn blade for her king is about as epic and dangerous as it gets. However, the recurring nightmare where she burns does not bode well for the success of her mission.

The story is full of betrayals and bait-and-switches, long-games, shady characters, and magic. And the magic I think is one of the coolest things about the book–and I think the last time I said that was when I read Beyond Redemption. Dragons influence the world around them while they sleep and dream, with everything from magic bubbles which burst into the tunnel of their lairs to make questing knights and treasure seekers forget the reason they are there, to the ghosts of the dragon-slain who haunt the tunnels of the dragon’s demesnes and, should they touch you, torture you with nightmares for years to come, to dead dragons expelling a magic burst of leeches which devour the knight who killed them. Mages study the dragons and all they do, and the snippets from the books which detail the mages scientific approach to documenting the dragons people (usually knights) encounter and survive (usually just, if at all) are one of my favourite parts of this story. I love, love, love the way these help set the scene and signpost a few things to come, document the wildly varied nature of the dragons and the danger they and their lairs presented, almost as much as I love the fun of the interview-record-style way the chapters delve into some of the less honourable knights and their retellings of their exploits.

The story also delves into male-dominated industries and the hardships women face gaining success there, which is smoothly done for the reader through the use of a European-style medieval setting. While this theme is a foundational part of the novel throughout, the main focus is on Maddileh getting some form of revenge by regaining her station through a heroic act–the loss of which she realises is on her for not having the restraint to not deck her former lover (right in front of the king) for his emotional cruelty to her. From a grimdark fan perspective, there is a lot to love when reading the records of the knights who fought dragons, and the explorations into the secondary characters’ reasons for being, but the main character is generally a slightly flawed, but over-archingly good character trying to regain her good standing by doing something very dangerous.

The Fireborn Blade by Charlotte Bond is a brilliant novella that I absolutely loved reading. Make sure you grab yourself a copy, pour yourself a glass of something, and lose yourself in one of the best dragon dark fantasies I’ve read in ages.

Loved it! Clever, well-written, with engaging characters and plenty of twists and turns. An excellent take on the classic human vs. dragon story.

A short but nice fantasy read, more of a novella than a full length book. I would’ve loved a little more backstory, but I don’t think that was the point of the book :D

I already ordered a copy for my shelf :)

I had no clue a story so short could make for such a fun ride!! This was such a compelling journey from start to finish. The pacing was excellent, the world building gave just enough to pull you in, and the characters leapt off the page. I hope this sets the trend for similar fantasies, books that are short and sweet and filled end-to-end with non-stop action and excitement.