Epic, fast paced high fantasy? Yes please
This was amazing! I wish it was longer, I absolutely loved it.

Received this one from NetGalley, so thanks to them and Tordotcom! The narration done by Helen McAlpine was awesome. Good accents, differing tones and variations. Nice and quick.

This has all the feel of an old school classic fantasy, without any of the additional background world building or lore. As a novella, it gets to the point awfully quick, while some of the additional bits that the author dropped did make the world feel whole to me, like maybe they knew it much deeper than they wrote it out. For me, that works quite well. There’s certainly a line where a lack of information can feel like it’s genuinely missing, but this toed that line just enough with its epitaph-esque interlude chapters, bringing a historical background to why they are on the hunt. IE., a complete and somewhat linear story that doesn’t stray from the plot, while appearing to take place in a whole, fleshed out world/universe.

This novella feels like it spawned from the single line of, “I am no man” and went on from there to become its own thing. A feminist, sapphic dragon hunting novella that packs a punch with its toxic masculinity and gender roles. And Knight Maddileh is knocking down those barriers and putting mouthy squires in their places.

This was quick, enjoyable, and features quite a twist that I was not ready for. I do wish the actual situation with the dragon was longer, as it appeared like it would be the focal point, and with such a beautiful cover, I was imagining Smaug or GoT level battles in my mind, but there is certainly room for more…and an already announced sequel.

A simple yet satisfying read! This short novella is told in a way between past, present, and through snippets of a book the main character has read. At first, those snippets were a little confusing for me. It’s the first chapter of the novella and I thought the whole story would be told like that. I’m glad it was not.
The writing was simple and straightforward. The characters were also simple but I really enjoyed them.
I don’t believe everyone would enjoy this book. There is not much world building, there are times where it can feel a little boring and lack luster. I myself only really started to enjoy it by the midpoint. This book definitely could’ve been awesome if it were a full length novel that could go into every detail and really flush out the characters. But for what it is, I enjoyed my time reading this.
I hope others can appreciate a nice, simple read filled with magic and dragons.

The Fireborne Blade rassemble tout ce que j'adore en fantasy : des femmes fortes, des dragons, un peu de magie et avec le plaisir qui se fait rare actuellement de ne pas verser dans la romance.

On y suit Maddileh, rare femme chevalier, qui va tenter de racheter son honneur et sa réputation, salie par un homme (shocking i know) en allant tuer un dragon pour récupérer une épée légendaire. Easy.

J'ai adoré la narration suivant deux timelines, l'une pendant l'expédition dans l'antre du dragon, l'autre en amont, le tout entrecoupé de passages d'un livre sur les dragons contenant des extraits de rapports de chevaliers ou de mages ayant affronté divers dragons. L'info dumping est du coup géré de manière intelligente et légèrement détournée. On oublie pas les petits tacles féministes bien placés qui font toujours plaisir quel que soit le genre.
Les personnages sont intéressants et attachants et si on pourra voir arriver le plot twist je me suis complètement laissée embarquer. Rien de complètement révolutionnaire c'est vrai mais j'ai trouvé ça efficace et parfaitement mené, et c'est ce que je demande à une novella. Si on a une quête chevalier vs dragons, l'apport des personnages féminins est rafraîchissant et bienvenue.

L'univers pourrait tout à fait se prêter à être plus développé dans le futur et si cette novella peut se lire en stand alone il y aura bien une suite en octobre 2024. Et autant dire que j'ai déjà hâte de le lire, et de suivre ce que fera l'autrice dans le futur.

The Fireborn Blade is a fast-paced, epic fantasy novella with a strong female main character and a world full of magic, unexpected twists, and dragons.

The story follows Maddileh, a disgraced knight, on a quest to regain her honour by claiming The Fireborn Blade by slaying an ancient dragon.

The narrative switches between the quest to retrieve The Fireborn Blade, the slow revelation of Maddileh's past as things start to fall into place slowly, and the stories of other knights as they successfully or not so successfully slay dragons.

I really enjoyed the first half of this novella, but I felt like the pacing fell apart in the second half, and it felt incredibly rushed. Although I really didn't see the peculiar plot twist coming, I feel like there was a lack of build-up, and the twist wasn't as shocking as it could have been
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I feel like this book could work better as a full-length novel, so there would be more time for more in-depth world-building and more time to get to know the characters.

The Fireborne Blade is at first glance a fairly standard medieval dragon-slaying adventure story, but when I dove in I was delighted to see Bond upsets the usual tired plots and traditional endings. I was attracted to this book primarily by the female knight on the cover and Maddileh didn't disappoint. She's a little bit of a Brienne of Tarth, but no-one can deny her fierce determination and bravery when it comes to pursuing her career as a tourney knight and going into the dragon's dens.

The story is told through both a back-and-forwards narrative and the insertion of short dragon-slaying histories recounted by knights of history in between the actual plot. We learn about the world via the latter, and are taken along on a new adventure with the former. Our heroine Maddileh had the misfortune of falling in love with a fellow knight who unceremoniously dumped her. As her honour has been compromised she has to regain some standing and determines the only way to do this is to retrieve the Fireborne Blade, a sword long-lost to history and fairy-tales, and reportedly in the hoard of the oldest and wilest dragon of them all, The White Lady. In her quest to prepare for this dangerous task with magical armour and various protective items she meets mage-apprentice Saralene. Both females in male-dominated fields, their fate becomes unexpectedly entwined and what follows is danger, betrayal, loss and ultimately an unexpected and delightful twist.

I don't often complain a book is too short (indeed most often in this genre I'm moaning about books being too long) however at 180-ish pages I did feel this could easily have been fleshed out into a full-length novel. Note the tags and reviews describe this book as "lesbian" and "sapphic" but honestly the sapphic love is only really there if you squint hard at it sideways. I've learnt there is a sequel so perhaps the relationship between the knight and the mage will be explored more in this next installment.

Maddileh is a knight on a quest. Kill the dragon called the white lady who can't be killed by mortal man, and retrieve the The Fireborne Blade (hard from Tordotcom). Her squire seems to have magical ability, though she hates mages, and he is trying to rescue his sister from the dragon. Charlotte Bond puts a twist on this tale that I never saw coming. Wow.

I would LOVE to get a longer version of this book because 176 pages just isn’t enough. From the alternating timelines, interviews/stories, to the present time it really holds your attention. I wasn’t expecting much since it’s a novella and the first work I’ve read from this author, but I was super impressed. I found the dialogue between the characters entertaining. I also very much enjoyed the history lessons of prior knights and dragons. Sometimes it’s nice to read a fantasy book with no romance in it, and purely about magic and dragons. I thought the dragon-dead and what happens following a dragon’s death was exceptionally intriguing. I look forward to reading the next installment.

Okay this was *chef's kiss*. Like, I'm not going to lie, I was giggling and kicking my feet 😂

This story capitalizes on its world-building. It's clear that this fictional world is rich with history and lore. And I think the author succeeded in showing that—every other chapter alternates between the present storyline, a flashback, and an entry in an archive about dragon lives and deaths. I think this storytelling paints a picture for the readers of how dangerous and magical their world is—and it worked for me.

The plot is easy to follow, although you really have to notice the small details, because trust me they have a part in the story lol. For the most part, it's entertaining. But it wasn't until the last quarter of the book that you get hit on the face with plot twists after plot twists! The level of plot twists reminded me a bit of Harrow the Ninth??? (If you've read Harrow the Ninth, you'll know what I mean 😂) It was so damn good.

I also loved the underlying themes of feminism and misogyny. In this world ruled by men, both Maddileh and Saralene face struggles as a knight and a mage adept. They're both in fields where they're not exactly welcome and definitely not respected enough. I guess you could say this book also falls into the "Good For Her" genre? I love Maddileh and Saralene, and I would k!ll for them probably.

My only complain would be the lack of romance maybe??? The chemistry between Maddileh and Saralene was so palpable on the pages. It's a true shame we never really got something more of full romance? I wanted to see more of them and maybe see where their relationship developed. Still, I'm happy with their individual endings, it was just desserts 👏

((Also I want to mention, I believe this has been marketed as "lesbians and dragons"?? So I originally thought the MC was lesbian. But I think there was no explicit lesbian rep 🥲 Maddileh could be bi or pan imo. So I think it was sapphic rep instead. Unless of course Saralene was lesbian, but then again it wasn't specifically pointed out in the story and we didn't see much of her relationship with Maddileh.))

Exact rating: 4.5 ⭐️

CW: blood, gore, violence, misogyny, murder, death, a bit of body horror, fatal wounds

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for giving me access to a copy of this ARC. Sadly I don't think this book was for me. I got about 20% through, but I was still so confused as to what was going on honestly. I don't rate books publicly if it's a DNF, so I will not be posting this on socials.

The Firebourne Blade is a dragon-centric fantasy novella that unfortunately sort of missed the mark for me.

This was a book where I enjoyed the experience while reading it, but whenever I put it down I never had any inclination to pick it up. The first half is stronger than the second, where there is a twist that is pretty easy to pick up on that changes the story pretty significantly.

At one point a character says verbatim “There’s a lot of backstory that would take too long” when explaining a major plot point for that character…I want the backstory! I wanted more from this novella; the characters, the world, and the stakes never feel fully actualized in a way I would like. I’ve read quite a few fantasy novellas that do accomplish this, so I know it can be done in novella format, but it wasn’t done here.

This may work better for beginners to fantasy, or those who want a quick basic dragon-centric read between bigger fantasy books. The writing was good, it just wasn’t a good fit for me, but I would be willing to check out something else from this author in the future.

Wow!! This book packs an amazing punch!! There have been very few times thatbi have read a fantasy that was short in length but a full and throughly engaging story.the writing was good and easy to follow, the storyline made sense, the characters had growth, and the twist at the end were great! A very fulfilling and fun reading experience! Thank you to Netgalley and TOR publishing for the gifted copy.

I´m torn with this one.
I really enjoyed the read and the characters. The writing had me turning the pages (or swiping as one does with an eARC) so fast.
BUT I did see the big plot twist coming from a miiiile away, so the build up didn´t really do it for me.
Also, I wanted more time with the dragon, not gonna lie. :)
I also wasn´t a fan of the throw backs to other dragon hunters, or rather: I wouldn´t have minded them as much (because they were a great way to show more of the lore and the world), if they didn´t take up soooo much space in such a small novella. Maybe not having every second chapter be a journal entry that didn´t help the main plot go forward, would have been a better strategy.
Overall I would still recommend the book though.

The pacing in the beginning threw me a little, but once things got going I was invested! The worldbuilding around dragons was fascinating and pretty unique in my opinion, and while the "main" plot felt a little slow sometimes the climax and payoff was incredible. I would love to read more about this world and will be paying attention to anything else this author writes!!

Hello again dear reader or listener, today I have a bite-sized fantasy treat that will nonetheless leave you fulfilled and satisfied.

The way I ran to request this book the moment I saw the cover art is not even funny, and the fact I got approved for it on NetGalley very soon after just had me downright giddy so, thank you Tor for granting that request.

Do you enjoy epic action fantasy, love dragons and knightly quests, but are mentally exhausted and balk at the prospect of a rich and thick series just now? The Fireborne Blade is the perfect novella for any reader that is going through that (me being one), or even for anyone wanting to try out some classic fantasy for the first time but only wanting to dip their toes in it to start.

I’m not usually a big fan of novellas because I am always left wanting more, but Bond’s work actually surprised me in that even though I definitely want to read much more of this world, the story was perfectly self-contained and limited so as to not feel too short or leave me hanging. I truly felt as if I got to witness a snapshot of this world which has so many stories to tell based on where I turn to look.

In barely 200 pages, Bond managed to create deeply interesting and multilayered characters whose motivations and drives we got to gradually unravel through some non-linear storytelling, interspersed with entries chronicling dragon slaying history, which also rendered the depth of her worldbuilding further, without actually weighing down the story at all. The chronicling especially, I found somewhat entertaining juxtaposed to the main storyline of Maddileh and her squire making their way through The White Lady’s lair, for some reason, but that’s me having a very broken sense of humor.

Also, I wouldn’t say the final plot twist is predictable as much as it is very well foreshadowed, and it still had some surprising elements to it that I deeply enjoyed in any case. And, even if you can call the end, you still get that bit of a twinge to the feels that we all love because deep down we are all masochists when it comes to reading, let’s face it.

The Fireborne Blade is a speedy yet enthralling and gritty read to enrich your afternoon with knightly heroics, dragons, magic, and a badass female protag making her way in a man’s world (reminiscent of Brienne of Tarth for the GoT fans out there), while trying to reclaim her honor by slaying the dragon and retrieving a legendary magic sword. This is the kind of fresh and modern epic fantasy I am glad to be getting to read more of because it has everything that I love about classic fantasy but is more nuanced and seamlessly inclusive towards its current readership and not everything is like it seems.

Plus, I’m simple gal, I see a Boss Ass Bi and I am happy, and I will say it again, have you seen that cover art?!

And, much like the first time, I once again ran to request the second novella in this brand new fantasy series, that might just become a new favorite.

Until next time,
Eleni A. E.

This sapphic fantasy novella follows Maddileh, a knight who is searching for the Fireborne Blade. With her squire, she traverses through the White Lady’s dragon lair to find the sword and defeat the ancient creature. I really enjoyed this novella, it has compelling characters an interesting magic system, and a splash of women taking their power over the patriarchy. Looking for a short, captivating dragon book? This is the one for you!

3.5 stars rounded up for that last 20%. And happy publishing day!

Surprisingly, I found that I liked the 'scholarly' chapters best in this. They seem to have been written with more care and attention (and a great deal of English humour). There is no doubt that Maddileh the knight is a decent protagonist to follow, but the writing in her chapters felt a bit wooden and the dialogue forced at times, not to mention the themes.

What intrigued me about this book (besides, you know, the dragons, even though I'm firmly in the dragons-as-besties camp) was the promise of a high fantasy story told in a shorter format. And while I must commend the writer for making the world feeling properly lived in, the characters sadly lacked in depth. In fact, the pieces coming together in the end might have been a lot more impactful if I'd been given the space to truly connect with them.

Still, it's a straightforward story, the mystery is quite good, and I'll be keeping an eye out for the next instalment and other Charlotte Bond works.

This book is for you if you enjoy:
- dragons of the hoarder variety
- lady knights set on restoring their honour
- a well-crafted fantasy mystery
-a quick story set in a lived-in world.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Charlotte Bond and Tor Publishing Group for the chance to read and review this book.

This is a book that I read a while ago when I received my copy but have been slow to review it because my feelings about it are a little mixed. Reviewing this book was honestly a no-brainer for me as soon as I saw it was about knights and dragons. As a long-time fan of fantasy, especially stories about knights, squires, and their fiery adversaries dragons, I was immediately intrigued by the premise of Maddileh’s quest. The story was engaging enough to capture my attention with its promise of dragon-slaying action and its complex character dynamics. However, despite its interesting setup and themes, the book didn’t particularly stand out in the crowded genre of fantasy novels about dragons.

I can say that I loved the characters in The Fireborne Blade and found them undeniably interesting, especially Maddileh, whose struggle for acceptance and to regain her honor in a male-dominated field is the most interesting aspect of the book for me. The relationship between the knights, squires, and various other characters adds layers of intrigue and personal conflict that I really enjoyed. My main gripe is that I do feel like the worldbuilding was somewhat lacking. The setting has a lot of potential but honestly felt a bit underdeveloped to me, leaving much about the background and lore of dragons and that of the world itself largely unexplored. It honestly made it a bit more difficult to immerse myself fully in the story.

Despite the parts of the aspects of the book I thought could have been better I still thoroughly enjoyed The Fireborne Blade and will be getting the next book in the series. I won’t hesitate to recommend this book to anyone looking for something new to read, though I think it would be of particular interest to anyone who has a soft spot for classic dragon fantasy. Its blend of action, personal struggle, and the presence of dragons make this the perfect book for fans of traditional fantasy.

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We're given a strong FMC who needs to prove herself worthy to defend her honor. I'm already excited for a badass FMC - add dragons and magic, and you've got a recipe for an epic fantasy.

I thought there would be a heavy focus on dragons - as we were provided accounts of previous interactions with knights attempting to slay dragons, and running into ghosts along the way. This pulled me in right away, and I was mentally prepared for an epic battle with a fierce dragon. They seemed to have magical forces repelling humans from them, and was cool to see the unique magic tied to them and the physical effects upon their death.

"Then I started hearing noises. Voices, sort of, but also not. I imagined, at the same time, in the dark, that they were the voices of the people she'd killed".

This may sound odd, but I wasn't on board for killing this particular dragon. It wasn't wreaking havoc on a village, but collecting "shiny things". It kindly asked her to choose something else from her trove, and I feel like she wouldn't have threatened her at all if she had left the Fireborne blade and taken something else. It also seemed rather easy to kill the dragon, and the entire "battle" was very short.

After that, it seemed like the rest of the story was strictly focused on unknown intentions and betrayals that didn't fit with the first half of the story and the ending was rather abrupt. I think if this was a full novel vs a novella, there would have been more time to tie everything together nicely.

Thank you, NetGalley & Tor for this eARC.

This was a pretty solid novella! The world is a standard dragons and magic medieval world, so it should be approachable for even a fantasy novice. The story follows Maddileh, a knight trying to retrieve the titular sword to restore her honor to her king. The novella is told through three different views: current day and past Maddileh, and journal entries about other dragon slayings. While I did enjoy the humorous interludes of the journal, I felt it distracted from the main storyline, which when you are working with a novella things have to be plotted pretty tightly. Still, it seemed to leave itself open for a sequel, and I would check it out.