This is a fresh take on the classic dragon vs. knight fantasy tropes. While I loved the narration and some of the ideas were really cool, there were some plot twists at the end that didn't quite work for me.

Maddileh is determined to win back the fireborne blade from the lair of the infamous dragon dubbed the White Lady. However, her quest is beset by problems, including an irritating squire and recurring nightmares. She doesn't trust mages or magic but must do so to win her prize, but at what cost?

Just finished reading Charlotte Bond's latest fantasy novella, "The Fireborne Blade," and I am absolutely thrilled! This captivating story revolves around Maddileh, a knight who embarks on a quest to kill a dragon and reclaim her honor.

The protagonist, Maddileh, must find the Fireborne Blade, a weapon of great power and significance. Bond's storytelling prowess shines as she takes readers on Maddileh's journey, a roller-coaster ride filled with unexpected twists and turns.

What struck me most about "The Fireborne Blade" is its humor. Despite dealing with themes of honor, duty, and courage, the book doesn't take itself too seriously. The light-hearted moments provide a nice contrast to the book's more intense scenes, keeping you engaged from start to finish.

But don't be fooled by its size. Though "The Fireborne Blade" is a short novella, it packs a punch. It's brimming with rich details that make the characters and world come alive. The plot moves at a brisk pace, but there's still plenty of depth to the story and its characters.

Adding to the overall experience is the brilliant narration by Helen McAlpine. Her expressive voice adds another layer of excitement and intrigue to the story, making it even more enjoyable.

On a closing note, I want to express my gratitude to Charlotte Bond, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for providing me with this advanced reader's copy (ARC). It was an absolute pleasure to dive into this fantastic world, and I can't wait for others to experience Maddileh's thrilling journey!

In conclusion, "The Fireborne Blade" is an impressive fantasy novella that will leave you asking what will happen next. It's a must-read for any fans of the genre!

❤️ Happy Reading!!! ❤️

3.5/5 Stars
I think this was a great set-up book and introduced interesting characters and magic system. I’m curious to see where the next book takes it.
Maddileh was an interesting character that kept me engaged. She is prickly, but with reason. The magic system is what stuck out to me the most. I thought that the dragon magic was unique and quite fascinating. The non-linear timeline added a lot to the story and helped to give context and backstory to Maddileh, as well as add to the world building. At times, it felt like too much info-dumping, but it is understandable since it is such a short book that is trying to set up the plot and series. I am happy that is is a start to a series because I definitely want more world-building and character development. I am excited to see where the author takes the story. Overall, I enjoyed this.

I wasn't aware this was such a short book but It was really good for how short it was. I felt like it being so short actually added to the anxiety and fear the book builds throughout the story. I definitely really liked this and I can't wait to see where this goes.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

The Fireborne Blade is a simple and straightforward fantasy that is a quick read. Its incorporation of dragons and a quest brought back many fond memories of older fantasy novels. While I listened to this book on audio, I would have found more appreciation for the story if I had read it physically. However, for me, this book lacked world-building. I will admit I struggled to create a bond with the characters. Yet, those searching for a high fantasy book or those who adore older fantasy books will enjoy this short book.

3.5 stars. First off thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the audioARC of this book. It was quite entertaining. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. There were Dragons, dragon Slaying, mages, magical objects, swordship, knights, some familial betrayal, murder and more. It was a short but sweet fantasy. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys the above mentioned.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ARC.

I loved the narrator of this audio book. She did such a good job making the story come to life.

I liked the story but was disappointed we didn’t get to learn more about the dragons, especially after some of the big reveals. The main character was interesting and the mysteries kept me guessing until the end

This is a short and straight-forward novella. I did struggle to get into it for the first 30% as every other chapter is the main plot line where the main character is off to slay a dragon and find the Firebourne sword to reclaim her tarnished honour. The chapters in-between are either excerpts from a dragon book that exists in the story that provides background and side information, or flashbacks to between 3 and 6 months before the main story. The jumping around did initially make it hard to get really into the book as I found it interrupted the flow for me, but I am so glad I pushed through! Things started to pick up after 30% in and then it continues to pick up faster and faster once some horror elements start to become involved. Oh man, the twists and turns with the characters and plot at the end! Nothing is what you think it is and I could never have guessed what was going to happen. I listened to the audiobook version and absolutely couldn't stop from 60% onward. The narrator, Helen McAlpine, did a great job of giving a distinctive voice and feel to each of the characters, conveying tone and emotion (including a great deal of suspense!) effectively.

If you like a bit of horror mixed in with your fantasy, dragons, kick-ass female knights with complicated emotions, a story that gets darker as it goes, and big twists at the end, then this book is for you!

"You can't kill a magical beast without consequences."

Madilleh is one of the only lady knights and, while disgraced due to the attitudes of mediocre men, she's determined to redeem herself by retrieving The Fireborne Blade from an ancient dragon known as The White Lady. & I loved every twist and turn of this story!

This novella packs a lot in. Not only is there Madilleh's story, but a collection of dragon tales are interwoven throughout so by the end. you feel as though you've learned much of the kingdom's lore, just as it reaches a twist that for once I didn't see coming.

I loved the characters and the world in this. I prefer dragon tales with intelligent dragons vs. beasts to be slain, but keeping it spoiler-free I have a feeling things may go that direction in future installments. This novella is an excellent reminder to trust your own instincts over mediocre men.

Helen McAlpine is wonderful as the narrator. Her voice is lovely and soothing & shifts effortlessly between the characters.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the audio ARC!

I really enjoyed this book! It is short but the story doesn’t feel small at all. This book had everything I had hoped it would have from the dragons and magic to some huge surprises that left me questioning everything. The characters grew on me over the course of the story and I could not wait to see how things would work out for them in the end. I am so glad that I decided to pick up this entertaining story.

Maddileh is a knight on a quest to retrieve the fireborne blade from a dragon known as the White Lady. This is an impossible task, but she will do her best with the help of her squire, who she doesn’t completely trust. The story jumps back to the past a few times and we get to learn Maddileh’s backstory and a glimpse of how dangerous dragons are. She not only needs to worry about dragons on her quest but the ghosts of others who have died often prove to be just as deadly.

I listened to the audiobook and thought that Helen McAlpine did a fantastic job with the narration. The voices she used for both the male and female characters were incredibly well done and helped bring this story to life. This is the first time I have listened to her work as a narrator and must say that I was quite impressed. I am certain that her narration added to my overall enjoyment of this story.

I would recommend this book to others. It is not often that a twist completely surprises me so I was thrilled that this book did exactly that. I found the story to be very exciting with plenty of action (and dragons) to keep me entertained. I am thrilled to see that there will be more books in this series and hope to read those just as soon as I can get my hands on it.

I received a review copy of this book from Macmillan Audio and Tordotcom.

I had such a great time reading these books! The audiobook of the first book just sucked me in, and I was just lucky enough to already have gotten the 2nd book (though I didn't know they were connected when I requested them, funnily enough) and I just had to dive in, and they were both so good!

I loved the way that these were told, with these two characters, but then also having some tales and recounting, the first of knights killing various dragons, and the second, various legends It really helped build out this world, and were so interesting to read!

The twists and turns of Fireborne Blade, oh, they were so delightful to read! That we had the different timelines, and when they came together with that reveal, that was so shocking to read! I utterly loved how that all played out, it was just so clever!

But that ending of Bloodless Princes? That was so good and unexpected! Though did they leave the sword behind or bring it with them? Either way, their future afterlife prospects don't look good as is right now! Honestly, here's hoping that the Allfather and Allmother find someone new to rule over the underworld, or I'm pretty sure they're going to be in trouble!

I'm not sure if there's going to be more in this series. I mean, I would love for there to be, and so far each story has wrapped up pretty nicely. But I want to spend more time in this world, so I really hope we get more stories!

Loved reading these stories and I would love to have more!

This short fantasy adventure is a girl-power dream in the end.
This story is all about the characters - no world building. It's all about overcoming traditional gender roles, and being strong and moral - despite being different. At less than 5 hours long, this audiobook was a quick listen, with several twists, turns, and flashbacks. No spice, but hints at attraction.
I enjoyed it!

It took me a little bit to get into, but once it got going I really enjoyed it. I think it was the jumping back and forth in time and insertion of a textbook that made the beginning a bit jarring. Also, the narration wasn't my favorite initially. However, it easily grew on me as I kept listening. Despite the short length the characters and world are well developed. If you like dragons and women fighting for the ability to tell their own story this one is for you! It turns out theres another novella coming out later this year and I will definitely be reading it!

This felt like the condensed version of a full 400+ page fantasy book. All of the suspenseful, good parts got to stay and the fluff was banished. This was a great novella. I did not see the main twist coming at all and loved it. The one aspect I had a large problem with (no spoilers) was sorted out by the end leaving me content.

The narration of the audiobook was solid with great character differentiation, The narrators voice was easy to listen to and I enjoyed their accent.

Thank you NetGalley, Charlotte Bond, and Macmillan audio for the audiobook ARC.

What a fresh take on dragons, magic and greed. The flow and ebb of this tale keeps you hooked til the twisted end.

**𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘** 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒆 𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒏𝒅

@Macmillan.Audio

Release Date: May 28, 2024

3⭐️0🌶

This book reminded me a lot of the Witcher. If the Witcher were female, and needed to re-instill her honor by acquiring a magic sword to slay a dragon. I found this book entertaining with ancient tales of dragons and knights and glorious deeds. However, I usually love the snarky dragon characters, and I didn't find any of that here. This story was also rather short, and didn't seem to go anywhere. There was a minor revenge plot that was fulfilled, but it just didn't engage me. I don't think this book was for me. I just didn't find what I expected.

Towards the end of the book, I couldn't find that any of the characters developed or that there were any obvious lessons learned. Other than, do not trust people that only have their own interests at heart.

A big thank you to @netgalley approving me for this ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC
So this audiobook is short but awesome the protagonist is a strong female Warrior that goes after dragons what's more to be said a great narrator also can't wait to check out more in this series

I really loved the audiobook narrator of this one! It was put together so well in terms of the lore surrounding the dragon. I just wish the timeline was clearer (especially for someone who listened to the audiobook). I liked the ending and thought it was satisfying! The storytelling kept me intrigued but I feel like there could have been more clarity overall. Probably something I’ll forget in the next bit as it wasn’t super memorable. I did really find the magic interesting though!!

Narrated by Helen McAlpine

Genre: fantasy novella

Maddileh is a knight on a quest. As one of very few women of the order, her fall from favor is sudden and over very little. In order to regain her honor, she plans to retrieve the Fireborne Blade, a legendary sword, from the dragon the White Lady, powerful and legendary in her own right. This quest is a dangerous one, and she’s accompanied by a seemingly unprepared squire as she faces her destiny.

I love the trend of fantasy novellas - we get a hint of worldbuilding to give background and a light touch of a magic system that doesn't have a lot of complexity. Charlotte Bond gives us broad strokes of the world without any extraneous details via a split timeline and interludes of writings and histories of former knights. In one timeline, Maddileh is on her quest looking for the White Lady, and in the other, she is gathering information about magic in the city. She gives us the two settings - a home base and a questing location - so we don’t feel closed in as readers, and just enough sense of a broader world.

A simple plot arc with broken timelines and epigraphs extend the pacing of the book without dragging it. Once you start reading wholly complete fantasy novellas, it’s hard to imagine why they need to be three times this long. It’s a quick and satisfying bite. The audiobook is just as satisfying, with a strong narration by Helen McAlpine. I’d never listened to a McAlpine narration before, but I’d listen to her again in the future.

If Fourth Wing is the legacy of Dragonriders of Pern, The Fireborne Blade is the legacy of The Hero and the Crown and Robin Hobb.

I’ve been seeing this book hyped up a lot, so I had pretty high expectations. The beginning had me really questioning what I had heard but I had come around by the end.

For a novella, it has a pretty slow start, and I was a bit confused and then off put by our main character, Maddileh. By the 40% mark I had heard enough about her dislike of magic and seriously considered stopping. But once I understood the side stories and flashbacks, I liked it more. I am always a sucker for female/non-male knights being called “sir”, it is just as fun for me as to when they are called “prince”. As well as Saralene’s declaration of reversing the “noblewoman being saved by a knight”.

I didn’t really see the twist at the end coming, though the clues are all certainly there. And even though this wasn’t a hit for me right off, I do look forward to reading the next book.