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Songs of Chaos #1
Ascendant
"Everything dragon lovers crave in a fantasy adventure, and more. Holt and Ash are now two of my favorite fantasy characters ever."
- Dyrk Ashton, Bestselling author of the Paternus series
Holt Cook was never meant to be a dragon rider. He has always served the Order Hall of the Crag dutifully, keeping their kitchen pots clean.
Until he discovers a dark secret: dragons do not tolerate weakness among their kin, killing the young they deem flawed. Moved by pity, Holt defies the Order, rescues a doomed egg and vows to protect the blind dragon within.
But the Scourge is rising. Undead hordes roam the land, spreading the blight and leaving destruction in their wake. The dragon riders are being slaughtered and betrayal lurks in the shadows.
Holt has one chance to survive. He must cultivate the mysterious power of his dragon's magical core. A unique energy which may tip the balance in the battles to come, and prove to the world that a servant is worthy after all.
"Ascendant is a delightful dragon-rider yarn in the tradition of Pern, Pit Dragon, Eragon, and Temeraire. It plucks at the strings of nostalgia in the best possible way, and picking it up feels like returning to old, beloved haunts."
- John Bierce, Bestselling author of the Mage Errant series
- Dyrk Ashton, Bestselling author of the Paternus series
Holt Cook was never meant to be a dragon rider. He has always served the Order Hall of the Crag dutifully, keeping their kitchen pots clean.
Until he discovers a dark secret: dragons do not tolerate weakness among their kin, killing the young they deem flawed. Moved by pity, Holt defies the Order, rescues a doomed egg and vows to protect the blind dragon within.
But the Scourge is rising. Undead hordes roam the land, spreading the blight and leaving destruction in their wake. The dragon riders are being slaughtered and betrayal lurks in the shadows.
Holt has one chance to survive. He must cultivate the mysterious power of his dragon's magical core. A unique energy which may tip the balance in the battles to come, and prove to the world that a servant is worthy after all.
"Ascendant is a delightful dragon-rider yarn in the tradition of Pern, Pit Dragon, Eragon, and Temeraire. It plucks at the strings of nostalgia in the best possible way, and picking it up feels like returning to old, beloved haunts."
- John Bierce, Bestselling author of the Mage Errant series
554 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2020
3,568 people are currently reading
30.7k people want to read
About the author
Michael R. Miller
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Michael is ‘that guy� who enjoys - well, enjoyed... - discussing the mad fan theories of Game of Thrones even more than the books or show, and knows more about World of Warcraft than is probably healthy.
You can contact him at [email protected]
Those who use Discord can also join my server by following this link
Redditors can join the community here -
Michael is ‘that guy� who enjoys - well, enjoyed... - discussing the mad fan theories of Game of Thrones even more than the books or show, and knows more about World of Warcraft than is probably healthy.
You can contact him at [email protected]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,144 reviews
September 22, 2023
This review is a copy of the transcript of my video review on Ascendant
Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Filled with familiar tropes and fun to read, Ascendant is a dragon rider epic fantasy with heart and a hard magic system.
This review has been a long time coming; let me give you a bit of background about this first. Back in December 2020, I read Dragon Mage by M.L. Spencer, and I absolutely loved that book. I believe Dragon Mage has sparked my passion for consuming Dragon Rider fantasy again, something I thought I was over already. Michael Miller messaged me in early 2021 asking whether I would be interested in reading and reviewing his Songs of Chaos series that began with Ascendant as its first volume because he knew how much I enjoyed Dragon Mage. Yes, that is more than two years ago! If you’re an author reading this, this should give you an idea of just how long it can take before I get around to reading your review request due to my hectic schedule and fluctuating reading mood. Sometimes sooner, sometimes even longer than that. But anyway, of course, I accepted the review request. Since I got my copy of Ascendant, I knew I’d find my way to reading it at the right time. Since then, I proceeded to read a few other highly-praised dragon rider epic fantasy series like The Echoes Saga by Philip C. Quaintrelle and The Bound and the Broken by Ryan Cahill. And finally, I believe the time is now. With two more books in the Songs of Chaos series available now, yay to me, I have finally read Ascendant. And as expected, I highly enjoyed this one.
The story in Ascendant revolves around Holt Cook. Holt Cook was never meant to be a dragon rider. He has always served the Order Hall of the Crag dutifully, keeping their kitchen pots clean.
Until he discovers a dark secret: dragons do not tolerate weakness among their kin, killing the young they deem flawed. Moved by pity, Holt defies the Order, rescues a doomed egg and vows to protect the blind dragon within.
But the Scourge is rising. Undead hordes roam the land, spreading the blight and leaving destruction in their wake. The dragon riders are being slaughtered and betrayal lurks in the shadows.
Holt has one chance to survive. He must cultivate the mysterious power of his dragon's magical core. A unique energy which may tip the balance in the battles to come, and prove to the world that a servant is worthy after all.
Picture: Songs of Chaos Map by Soraya Corcoran
With the exception of the hard magic system, there isn’t anything that Michael Miller revolutionizes here. All the popular tropes you can find in other popular dragon rider fantasy novels like Eragon by Christopher Paolini, to mention one, are all evident. Some of you might know that I did not like reading Eragon. Eragon felt like it was a book written with kids and teenagers as its targeted demographic audience, and reading it as an adult for the first time, I can tell I was the wrong audience for it. There is nothing wrong with that. Even though I still do get a lot of heat for voicing that opinion, actually. But I am truly happy for the existence of Eragon as it has sparked many readers� passions for reading fantasy. At the same time, this book has led many authors to write their own dragon rider fantasy novels. Ascendant is one of those examples, but thankfully unlike Eragon, Ascendant is book that clicked with me. Ascendant is a YA fantasy novel done right, and it is suitable for adults who want to experience the goodness of dragon rider fantasy again but with a more modern narrative. The fast-paced narration, likable bonds between human and dragon, and the exciting well-balanced actions interspersed throughout the book made Ascendant an engaging read.
But the familiar classic fantasy tropes don’t mean there wasn’t anything refreshing to encounter in Ascendant. For one, just like the name Holt Cook, it was intriguing to read how important cooking and food are in this world and series. This is not only for survival or necessity purposes. Obviously, we all need food to survive. But in Ascendant, the correct recipe and meat can assess or enhance the power and abilities of the dragon. It’s like how in some roleplaying games, like the Tales Of JRPG series (the first one that came to my mind), cooking recipes and eating food prior to battles can give the characters power-up; this undoubtedly is something you can expect in Ascendant. And speaking of video games, although not a LitRPG novel, Miller implemented a hard magic system and a ranking class that functioned as a stable addition to the charming tropes, in my opinion. Without giving any spoilers, Miller made it clear that human is not the only one dependent on dragons, but it works the other way around, too. Both dragon rider and their dragon are dependent on each other. And I liked having these as a powerful foundation for the rest of the series. Because if someone asks me what is my favorite aspect of Ascendant, the answer is simple: the bonds between Holt Cook and Ash, the blind dragon.
I know, I know. It IS a dragon rider fantasy. It goes without saying that the relationship between the dragon rider and the dragon will have to be prioritized. And it must be well-written. But still, I can’t help it. Both Holt and Ash are underdogs, and they are both likable characters. This kind of genuine friendship is one of the main reasons I love reading dragon rider epic fantasy. And I believe it is why many readers flocked to Eragon so tightly in the first place. It is the core of the genre. And in the case of Ascendant, I think by making Ash blind, Miller successfully deepened the relationship between Holt and Ash. Holt dominated the first half of Ascendant as the only POV character, and Talia became one of the two POV characters in the second half. But although there were other interesting supporting characters like Talia, Pyra, Brode, Silas, and Rake, as far as the first book goes, Holt and Ash are definitely the driving force of the narrative. It is hard not to root for them. Holt and Ash tried to survive against all odds and overcome their disadvantages, and I found their journey inspiring.
Overall, I strongly recommend Ascendant for newcomers to fantasy, and on the plus side, similar to Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson, I think this is the kind of fantasy novel that can be highly enjoyed by both young adult and adult readers. It’s as if Michael Miller wrote Ascendant with the primary intention for it to be fun and entertaining. And if that is really the mission, then Miller has accomplished them. Ascendant is a great dragon rider fantasy guaranteed to attract newbie and veteran readers with its immersion, fast-paced, and nostalgia factor. To make things even better, my instinct claims this is the weakest of the series, and Unbound and Defiant will be even better. I look forward to reading both of them before the year ends.
You can order this book from: |
You can find and the rest of my reviews at | I also have a
Special thanks to my Patrons on for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Biskit, Brad, Cade, Casey, Chris, Cullen, David, Dernerror, Donna, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elaine, Elias, Ellen, Frank, Garrick, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Kristina, Lara, Luis, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, RCT, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tori, Tracy, TS, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Filled with familiar tropes and fun to read, Ascendant is a dragon rider epic fantasy with heart and a hard magic system.
“If you love with your eyes, death is forever. If you love with your heart, there is no such thing as parting.�
This review has been a long time coming; let me give you a bit of background about this first. Back in December 2020, I read Dragon Mage by M.L. Spencer, and I absolutely loved that book. I believe Dragon Mage has sparked my passion for consuming Dragon Rider fantasy again, something I thought I was over already. Michael Miller messaged me in early 2021 asking whether I would be interested in reading and reviewing his Songs of Chaos series that began with Ascendant as its first volume because he knew how much I enjoyed Dragon Mage. Yes, that is more than two years ago! If you’re an author reading this, this should give you an idea of just how long it can take before I get around to reading your review request due to my hectic schedule and fluctuating reading mood. Sometimes sooner, sometimes even longer than that. But anyway, of course, I accepted the review request. Since I got my copy of Ascendant, I knew I’d find my way to reading it at the right time. Since then, I proceeded to read a few other highly-praised dragon rider epic fantasy series like The Echoes Saga by Philip C. Quaintrelle and The Bound and the Broken by Ryan Cahill. And finally, I believe the time is now. With two more books in the Songs of Chaos series available now, yay to me, I have finally read Ascendant. And as expected, I highly enjoyed this one.
“The Fire Elder poured forth his rage.
The Frost Elder used her cunning.
The Storm Elder summoned his might.
The Mystic Elder whispered arcane secrets.
The Life Elder bid it grow.
And the world forever changed.�
The story in Ascendant revolves around Holt Cook. Holt Cook was never meant to be a dragon rider. He has always served the Order Hall of the Crag dutifully, keeping their kitchen pots clean.
Until he discovers a dark secret: dragons do not tolerate weakness among their kin, killing the young they deem flawed. Moved by pity, Holt defies the Order, rescues a doomed egg and vows to protect the blind dragon within.
But the Scourge is rising. Undead hordes roam the land, spreading the blight and leaving destruction in their wake. The dragon riders are being slaughtered and betrayal lurks in the shadows.
Holt has one chance to survive. He must cultivate the mysterious power of his dragon's magical core. A unique energy which may tip the balance in the battles to come, and prove to the world that a servant is worthy after all.
Picture: Songs of Chaos Map by Soraya Corcoran
With the exception of the hard magic system, there isn’t anything that Michael Miller revolutionizes here. All the popular tropes you can find in other popular dragon rider fantasy novels like Eragon by Christopher Paolini, to mention one, are all evident. Some of you might know that I did not like reading Eragon. Eragon felt like it was a book written with kids and teenagers as its targeted demographic audience, and reading it as an adult for the first time, I can tell I was the wrong audience for it. There is nothing wrong with that. Even though I still do get a lot of heat for voicing that opinion, actually. But I am truly happy for the existence of Eragon as it has sparked many readers� passions for reading fantasy. At the same time, this book has led many authors to write their own dragon rider fantasy novels. Ascendant is one of those examples, but thankfully unlike Eragon, Ascendant is book that clicked with me. Ascendant is a YA fantasy novel done right, and it is suitable for adults who want to experience the goodness of dragon rider fantasy again but with a more modern narrative. The fast-paced narration, likable bonds between human and dragon, and the exciting well-balanced actions interspersed throughout the book made Ascendant an engaging read.
“My eyes for your eyes.�
“Your skin for my skin.�
“My world for your world,� they said together.
But the familiar classic fantasy tropes don’t mean there wasn’t anything refreshing to encounter in Ascendant. For one, just like the name Holt Cook, it was intriguing to read how important cooking and food are in this world and series. This is not only for survival or necessity purposes. Obviously, we all need food to survive. But in Ascendant, the correct recipe and meat can assess or enhance the power and abilities of the dragon. It’s like how in some roleplaying games, like the Tales Of JRPG series (the first one that came to my mind), cooking recipes and eating food prior to battles can give the characters power-up; this undoubtedly is something you can expect in Ascendant. And speaking of video games, although not a LitRPG novel, Miller implemented a hard magic system and a ranking class that functioned as a stable addition to the charming tropes, in my opinion. Without giving any spoilers, Miller made it clear that human is not the only one dependent on dragons, but it works the other way around, too. Both dragon rider and their dragon are dependent on each other. And I liked having these as a powerful foundation for the rest of the series. Because if someone asks me what is my favorite aspect of Ascendant, the answer is simple: the bonds between Holt Cook and Ash, the blind dragon.
“Never worry about my eyes � I’m glad to experience the world as I do rather than not at all. And as for others of my kind, they can accept me or not as they choose. I will not allow my own worth to be determined by them.�
I know, I know. It IS a dragon rider fantasy. It goes without saying that the relationship between the dragon rider and the dragon will have to be prioritized. And it must be well-written. But still, I can’t help it. Both Holt and Ash are underdogs, and they are both likable characters. This kind of genuine friendship is one of the main reasons I love reading dragon rider epic fantasy. And I believe it is why many readers flocked to Eragon so tightly in the first place. It is the core of the genre. And in the case of Ascendant, I think by making Ash blind, Miller successfully deepened the relationship between Holt and Ash. Holt dominated the first half of Ascendant as the only POV character, and Talia became one of the two POV characters in the second half. But although there were other interesting supporting characters like Talia, Pyra, Brode, Silas, and Rake, as far as the first book goes, Holt and Ash are definitely the driving force of the narrative. It is hard not to root for them. Holt and Ash tried to survive against all odds and overcome their disadvantages, and I found their journey inspiring.
“Whatever happens, I’m glad you’re my dragon.�
“I’m glad you’re my boy.�
Overall, I strongly recommend Ascendant for newcomers to fantasy, and on the plus side, similar to Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson, I think this is the kind of fantasy novel that can be highly enjoyed by both young adult and adult readers. It’s as if Michael Miller wrote Ascendant with the primary intention for it to be fun and entertaining. And if that is really the mission, then Miller has accomplished them. Ascendant is a great dragon rider fantasy guaranteed to attract newbie and veteran readers with its immersion, fast-paced, and nostalgia factor. To make things even better, my instinct claims this is the weakest of the series, and Unbound and Defiant will be even better. I look forward to reading both of them before the year ends.
“You have given me hope that humans and dragons may share this world in harmony. As true friends.�
You can order this book from: |
You can find and the rest of my reviews at | I also have a
Special thanks to my Patrons on for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Biskit, Brad, Cade, Casey, Chris, Cullen, David, Dernerror, Donna, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elaine, Elias, Ellen, Frank, Garrick, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Kristina, Lara, Luis, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, RCT, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tori, Tracy, TS, Wendy, Wick, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
September 14, 2023
A great starting place for young readers looking to get into dragon fantasy
While seasoned fantasy readers may have feelings of "been there, done that" I think Miller's debut is a fresh take on the Chosen One device by making Holt just some dude thrust into circumstances of his own making. By choosing not to destroy a dragon egg with defects, Holt is rushed into a world of dragon riders and war and discovers it isn't all that he dreamt it would be.
This story is very much Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, but I feel like you aren't a fan of traditional fantasy if you do not like that storytelling method. While nothing you'll feel like you haven't read before, I enjoyed myself with Ascendant. I like the way Miller focuses on the class structure with some even considering if Holt stole the role of some of nobility by keeping the egg.
Ascendant certainly seems like the set up for something bigger and I look forward to continuing.
While seasoned fantasy readers may have feelings of "been there, done that" I think Miller's debut is a fresh take on the Chosen One device by making Holt just some dude thrust into circumstances of his own making. By choosing not to destroy a dragon egg with defects, Holt is rushed into a world of dragon riders and war and discovers it isn't all that he dreamt it would be.
This story is very much Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, but I feel like you aren't a fan of traditional fantasy if you do not like that storytelling method. While nothing you'll feel like you haven't read before, I enjoyed myself with Ascendant. I like the way Miller focuses on the class structure with some even considering if Holt stole the role of some of nobility by keeping the egg.
Ascendant certainly seems like the set up for something bigger and I look forward to continuing.
March 24, 2022
This book was written to be a fun read, capturing all the classic tropes and story beats but livening them all up with a fresh coat of paint, a quick pace and a hard magic system inspired from the growing cultivation/progression fantasy genre.
If you're a fan of dragon rider books, I'm certain you will love this book. If you'd ever wondered what might happen if Eragon, How To Train Your Dragon, Daredevil and Avatar the Last Air Bender crossed paths, then I'm sure you'll love this book.
For all this there is plenty of grit in here too, if you care to look. A world perpetually on the brink of ruin by a pandemic-like enemy which I couldn't help but feel eerily timed as the lockdown of 2020 set in. Every generation in this world fights for survival. It's a cycle of chaos and order that seems never ending, and no one is brave enough to try and break it.
Until a low born pot boy with a heart more powerful than his head saves a dragon egg doomed to die. Change is coming to this world and its people and dragons must learn to bend with it or remain as they always have and break.
If you're a fan of dragon rider books, I'm certain you will love this book. If you'd ever wondered what might happen if Eragon, How To Train Your Dragon, Daredevil and Avatar the Last Air Bender crossed paths, then I'm sure you'll love this book.
For all this there is plenty of grit in here too, if you care to look. A world perpetually on the brink of ruin by a pandemic-like enemy which I couldn't help but feel eerily timed as the lockdown of 2020 set in. Every generation in this world fights for survival. It's a cycle of chaos and order that seems never ending, and no one is brave enough to try and break it.
Until a low born pot boy with a heart more powerful than his head saves a dragon egg doomed to die. Change is coming to this world and its people and dragons must learn to bend with it or remain as they always have and break.
April 7, 2025
I've finally starting the widely acclaimed Songs of Chaos! I love modern fantasy with the grittiness and sense of reality, but this reminded me that classic fantasy (with a twist) still rocks!
This is nostalgic and charming, but do not fear, it is not just a regurgitation of the fantasy of the past. Initially, this felt like it was exploring the traditional tropes with smooth, engaging prose. The peasant boy wanting to defend the realm. The discovered dragon egg. The grumpy mentor. The princess with a heavy burden. But, to me, 'trope' is not a dirty word. Tropes have the potential to be fantastic, but it all depends on how they are handled. Ascendant takes these familiar tropes and gradually takes them in unexpected directions that injects a freshness into the tale.
Whilst initially it appears that there is a clear "good" and a clear "bad", the waters are certainly muddied. An "evil" force is always there, but the mystery and contention comes in who pulls the strings of this force... and also the internal conflict of some of those involved. The questions are far from being fully answered, and they have well and truly hooked me into this series. The world felt rich and expansive, despite us only dipping our toes into one corner of it. It really feels like a place that will be fascinating to explore further, and I cannot wait to do so.
My priority is almost always the characters. Here, we have great characters. The classic dragon and dragon-rider has been subverted. Holt is such an endearing main character. Yes, he can be infuriating, but this is in a way true to a teenager, and certainly does not feel jarring or aggravating. Ash, the blind dragon, is such a fresh take on the genre. He is wonderfully crafted. I would fight to protect him! The rest of the cast is relatively small, but each is given time to develop their own unique characteristics. I really appreciated this small cast in an epic tale, as it felt like an intimate story and I felt as swept away by the extraordinary events as Holt himself did.
Again, I loved the classical inspiration. I may be wrong, but I believe I spotted some Tolkien Easter eggs...
Ascendant is a book suitable for all fantasy readers. It could be read by teenagers getting into fantasy, but does not feel "childlike". It is nuanced, easy to read and engaging. What more can you ask for?
4.25/5 STARS
This is nostalgic and charming, but do not fear, it is not just a regurgitation of the fantasy of the past. Initially, this felt like it was exploring the traditional tropes with smooth, engaging prose. The peasant boy wanting to defend the realm. The discovered dragon egg. The grumpy mentor. The princess with a heavy burden. But, to me, 'trope' is not a dirty word. Tropes have the potential to be fantastic, but it all depends on how they are handled. Ascendant takes these familiar tropes and gradually takes them in unexpected directions that injects a freshness into the tale.
Whilst initially it appears that there is a clear "good" and a clear "bad", the waters are certainly muddied. An "evil" force is always there, but the mystery and contention comes in who pulls the strings of this force... and also the internal conflict of some of those involved. The questions are far from being fully answered, and they have well and truly hooked me into this series. The world felt rich and expansive, despite us only dipping our toes into one corner of it. It really feels like a place that will be fascinating to explore further, and I cannot wait to do so.
My priority is almost always the characters. Here, we have great characters. The classic dragon and dragon-rider has been subverted. Holt is such an endearing main character. Yes, he can be infuriating, but this is in a way true to a teenager, and certainly does not feel jarring or aggravating. Ash, the blind dragon, is such a fresh take on the genre. He is wonderfully crafted. I would fight to protect him! The rest of the cast is relatively small, but each is given time to develop their own unique characteristics. I really appreciated this small cast in an epic tale, as it felt like an intimate story and I felt as swept away by the extraordinary events as Holt himself did.
Again, I loved the classical inspiration. I may be wrong, but I believe I spotted some Tolkien Easter eggs...
Ascendant is a book suitable for all fantasy readers. It could be read by teenagers getting into fantasy, but does not feel "childlike". It is nuanced, easy to read and engaging. What more can you ask for?
4.25/5 STARS
August 31, 2020
This gets 5-stars for me.
This book releases tomorrow 1/09/2020.
This is what I would call YA fantasy at its best. If you have read and enjoyed books like Eragon, and also Robin Hobb's The Farseer trilogy, then I think you will enjoy this book.
It is faster-paced than the aforementioned books, so that will appeal to a lot of you, it did to me. I found that the similarities to these books made this one all the more enjoyable.
If you like dragons then this is the book for you. It is the first book of a series, though this one has a very satisfactory ending; unlike some that just seem to stop so that you are forced to read their next book.
If I was asked if there was any part of the book that I wasn't quite so keen on? I'd say that it took a chapter or so to really grab my attention but once it did, I was hooked!
There was plenty going on most of the time in this book. It didn't have the endless pages of description that usually flesh out a 600+page book, which was right up my street.
Do yourselves a favour, give this coming-of-age fantasy a try.
Thanks for reading.
This book releases tomorrow 1/09/2020.
This is what I would call YA fantasy at its best. If you have read and enjoyed books like Eragon, and also Robin Hobb's The Farseer trilogy, then I think you will enjoy this book.
It is faster-paced than the aforementioned books, so that will appeal to a lot of you, it did to me. I found that the similarities to these books made this one all the more enjoyable.
If you like dragons then this is the book for you. It is the first book of a series, though this one has a very satisfactory ending; unlike some that just seem to stop so that you are forced to read their next book.
If I was asked if there was any part of the book that I wasn't quite so keen on? I'd say that it took a chapter or so to really grab my attention but once it did, I was hooked!
There was plenty going on most of the time in this book. It didn't have the endless pages of description that usually flesh out a 600+page book, which was right up my street.
Do yourselves a favour, give this coming-of-age fantasy a try.
Thanks for reading.
December 11, 2024
I thought Ascendant was an absolutely brilliant read. It's wonderful to have a new starter-fantasy book to point people to - a mixture of Eragon meets How To Train Your Dragon meets Fable (my favourite games) - I can't wait to read more.
July 11, 2021
Super tropey, but it honestly hit the spot for me. I'm a sucker for dragons, and progression fantasy is always fun and keeps me really invested. This is a traditional dragonrider society vs threat sort of book (think Pern) but with a hard magic twist. I'd recommend it to fans of Valdemar or Eragon looking for that same kind of human - nonhuman companion bond. I actually loved how tropey it was - it made for a nice, nostalgic comfort read, which was just what I needed.
March 29, 2022
An incredibly charming coming of age story. I may not read many young adult novels these days, but this was so soul satisfying, like the perfectly balanced cup of tea.
The main character Holt Cook is the son of a kitchen cook (also known as the “pot boy�.) He’s always been awed by The Order’s dragon riders, and with a surprising turn of events finds himself raising a blind baby dragon. Already this story features some of my favorite classic trope’s: Pot Boy (farm boy) with a dragon bond, and then there’s the forbidden love interest, a broody older mentor, and Holt is a rather reluctant hero. Even though these are pretty common fantasy tropes, Michael Miller somehow has figured out a fresh way to portray them, and they’re very well done. One of my favorite elements is the bond between Holt and Ash. The growth & emotional development between them is so heartfelt. I also love the world building and unique dragon lore in this series! Especially from Holt’s background in the kitchen and preparing meals for the different kinds of dragons� all of food descriptions had me drooling!
This was my first audio ARC and I enjoyed how expressive the narrator was with all of the characters. I’ll admit his young dragon voices sounded a bit like Gollum/Yoda, but were still very endearing, and only added to the story. I can’t recommend this series enough! I look forward to reading or listening to the next book.
Thank you to Michael R. Miller and the publisher Books Fluent for the opportunity to listen to this audio ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The main character Holt Cook is the son of a kitchen cook (also known as the “pot boy�.) He’s always been awed by The Order’s dragon riders, and with a surprising turn of events finds himself raising a blind baby dragon. Already this story features some of my favorite classic trope’s: Pot Boy (farm boy) with a dragon bond, and then there’s the forbidden love interest, a broody older mentor, and Holt is a rather reluctant hero. Even though these are pretty common fantasy tropes, Michael Miller somehow has figured out a fresh way to portray them, and they’re very well done. One of my favorite elements is the bond between Holt and Ash. The growth & emotional development between them is so heartfelt. I also love the world building and unique dragon lore in this series! Especially from Holt’s background in the kitchen and preparing meals for the different kinds of dragons� all of food descriptions had me drooling!
This was my first audio ARC and I enjoyed how expressive the narrator was with all of the characters. I’ll admit his young dragon voices sounded a bit like Gollum/Yoda, but were still very endearing, and only added to the story. I can’t recommend this series enough! I look forward to reading or listening to the next book.
Thank you to Michael R. Miller and the publisher Books Fluent for the opportunity to listen to this audio ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 30, 2023
A classic style epic fantasy, with a more modern style and prose, so it doesn't feel dated while still giving you the great nostalgic feeling.
A couple of twists made this stand out, even though it has quite a few tropes as well. I really enjoyed the mix of fresh takes and ideas with expected the food old things. It made me fell right at home in the story and world, while still surprising me quite a few times.
I especially loved our main duo: A blind dragon who bonds with a kitchen boy. While some of the side characters were a bit bland at times, these two were really well crafted and written, and felt very real to me.
I loved the banter as well as the growth everyone goes through within the story. It's not easy to find your way when you're torn between duty and following your heart.
Cool world building, plenty of dragons, monsters, fight scenes, friendships, loyalties and betrayals together with a "magic system" that almost felt a bit like a very much dialed down progression fantasy kept me hooked all the way.
I'll definitely want to read on!
A couple of twists made this stand out, even though it has quite a few tropes as well. I really enjoyed the mix of fresh takes and ideas with expected the food old things. It made me fell right at home in the story and world, while still surprising me quite a few times.
I especially loved our main duo: A blind dragon who bonds with a kitchen boy. While some of the side characters were a bit bland at times, these two were really well crafted and written, and felt very real to me.
I loved the banter as well as the growth everyone goes through within the story. It's not easy to find your way when you're torn between duty and following your heart.
Cool world building, plenty of dragons, monsters, fight scenes, friendships, loyalties and betrayals together with a "magic system" that almost felt a bit like a very much dialed down progression fantasy kept me hooked all the way.
I'll definitely want to read on!
October 13, 2022
Great potential!
This will probably be one of my shorter reviews since I am unsure precisely what to say about this book. Michael R. Miller kindly contacted me a couple of months ago asking if I was interested in reading Ascendant. I was immediately intrigued when I saw that this a self-published book with more than 3,000 ratings on ŷ! Also, the cover art is incredible!
So what did I think? If you are looking for a fun, magical dragonrider adventure reminiscent of Eragon, pick up this book. Ascendant is a classic fantasy story at its core but has a modern feel to it! Even Miller himself describes this book as a book that “captures all the classic tropes and beats but livening them all up with a fresh coat of paint�, and that perfectly summarises what kind of book this is.
Consequently, I loved Miller’s take on dragons. While the dragons feel very similar to other dragons we know in fantasy, Miller has come up with an interesting take that blends magic, dragons and humans.
So before I come to what didn’t work for me, I want to clarify that this is not a bad book! If you are looking for a story that is a great coming-of-age story with classic fantasy tropes and dragons and will fill you with nostalgia � pick up this book!
However, two main elements didn’t work for me. Firstly, I would classify this book as a YA fantasy. I rarely enjoy YA books, and unfortunately, I didn’t end up vibing that much with the story. I was hoping for more grittiness and complexity regarding some of the more sombre themes and character moments. Secondly, I rarely enjoy progression fantasy. There is a hard magic system in place with clear rules and levels to them, so if that is your thing, this might be worth checking out.
However, I don’t feel I can be too harsh on this book. My two main criticisms are much more related to my preference as a reader than it is a critique of Miller’s ability to write fantasy. Miller set out to write a classic young adult progression fantasy story (that is a long sentence, haha), and for the most part, he did an excellent job at this.
So I will give this book a 3-star rating based on my enjoyment of the book. However, I recommend checking out this book for yourself if you are interested!
Thanks to my Patreons Erin, Dent, Petur, Georgina, Mark, Mel, Melissa and Áron Sofus.
This will probably be one of my shorter reviews since I am unsure precisely what to say about this book. Michael R. Miller kindly contacted me a couple of months ago asking if I was interested in reading Ascendant. I was immediately intrigued when I saw that this a self-published book with more than 3,000 ratings on ŷ! Also, the cover art is incredible!
So what did I think? If you are looking for a fun, magical dragonrider adventure reminiscent of Eragon, pick up this book. Ascendant is a classic fantasy story at its core but has a modern feel to it! Even Miller himself describes this book as a book that “captures all the classic tropes and beats but livening them all up with a fresh coat of paint�, and that perfectly summarises what kind of book this is.
Consequently, I loved Miller’s take on dragons. While the dragons feel very similar to other dragons we know in fantasy, Miller has come up with an interesting take that blends magic, dragons and humans.
So before I come to what didn’t work for me, I want to clarify that this is not a bad book! If you are looking for a story that is a great coming-of-age story with classic fantasy tropes and dragons and will fill you with nostalgia � pick up this book!
However, two main elements didn’t work for me. Firstly, I would classify this book as a YA fantasy. I rarely enjoy YA books, and unfortunately, I didn’t end up vibing that much with the story. I was hoping for more grittiness and complexity regarding some of the more sombre themes and character moments. Secondly, I rarely enjoy progression fantasy. There is a hard magic system in place with clear rules and levels to them, so if that is your thing, this might be worth checking out.
However, I don’t feel I can be too harsh on this book. My two main criticisms are much more related to my preference as a reader than it is a critique of Miller’s ability to write fantasy. Miller set out to write a classic young adult progression fantasy story (that is a long sentence, haha), and for the most part, he did an excellent job at this.
So I will give this book a 3-star rating based on my enjoyment of the book. However, I recommend checking out this book for yourself if you are interested!
Thanks to my Patreons Erin, Dent, Petur, Georgina, Mark, Mel, Melissa and Áron Sofus.
March 23, 2023
Good stuff!
A guarded secret of a refused task bonds the most unlikely of pairs. When the scourge begins it’s terror they may become a key ally in protecting the realm.
Fast paced, warm hearted & full of action. A lot of charm & great fun!
A guarded secret of a refused task bonds the most unlikely of pairs. When the scourge begins it’s terror they may become a key ally in protecting the realm.
Fast paced, warm hearted & full of action. A lot of charm & great fun!
June 7, 2023
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Lovebookstours.
Ascendant is the first book in a fast-paced, captivating dragon rider series with so much promise!
We follow Holt (a pot washer) who finds a deformed dragon egg and takes a huge risk defying The Order by rescuing it. Since dragons do not tolerate any weakness or deformities, Holt is putting his own life on the line in protecting this egg. The baby dragon inside is born blind and this just endeared Holt and his dragon and their unique bond to me even more. When the Scourge starts rising quickly, Undead hordes begin to travel across the land, slaughtering the dragon riders and leaving death, chaos, and destruction everywhere. Holt, who was never destined to be a dragon rider, must grow and use his dragon's power and prove he and his dragon are just as worthy as other dragons and their riders and also keep himself alive. I really enjoyed the characters' development of Holt and how vivid many of the scenes were. I feel this book has given us a drop in the ocean for a new fantasy world with so much more to offer.
This was such a great start to the series and I'm itching to start book 2 ASAP!!
Ascendant is the first book in a fast-paced, captivating dragon rider series with so much promise!
We follow Holt (a pot washer) who finds a deformed dragon egg and takes a huge risk defying The Order by rescuing it. Since dragons do not tolerate any weakness or deformities, Holt is putting his own life on the line in protecting this egg. The baby dragon inside is born blind and this just endeared Holt and his dragon and their unique bond to me even more. When the Scourge starts rising quickly, Undead hordes begin to travel across the land, slaughtering the dragon riders and leaving death, chaos, and destruction everywhere. Holt, who was never destined to be a dragon rider, must grow and use his dragon's power and prove he and his dragon are just as worthy as other dragons and their riders and also keep himself alive. I really enjoyed the characters' development of Holt and how vivid many of the scenes were. I feel this book has given us a drop in the ocean for a new fantasy world with so much more to offer.
This was such a great start to the series and I'm itching to start book 2 ASAP!!
September 24, 2020
Rating 5.0 stars
This is an excellent book that reminded me of the Eragon series. In this world dragons exist. Some are wild dragons and some have riders. Magic comes from the dragon and their riders are able to wield this magic. Dragon riders are part of the Order. A group that is dedicated to fighting the scourge (a plague or rot and decay that can lead to the dead rising). The people that join the order forswear all other allegiances, including their own family.
The story follows Holt Cook. AS his name implies his father is a Cook at the keep for the dragons and their riders. Holt is almost 16 and will start his apprenticeship soon. He is happy for the most part but doesn't like the way he and other commoners are treated by the nobility or the dragon riders. Like everyone else he has a fantasy of becoming a dragon rider. He gets to see dragon eggs for the first time but it isn't how he imagined. He never new that at the choosing, only those eggs that are thought to be perfect are allowed to hatch. Every other egg is destroyed. Dragons hate weakness. When Holt is told to destroy an egg, he isn't able to do it. He makes a impulsive decision and saves the egg. Once he has time to think about it, he is already stuck. If anyone finds out the egg will be destroyed and he will be punished. The egg hatches and he tries to take care of it the best he can. The dragon was born blind though. This adds another problem on to his growing list. If the other dragons find out about his weakness they will kill him. If the riders find out what Holt did, he will be in trouble as well. The town is attacked by the scourge and one of the other dragon riders betrays them. All the other dragon riders have died. Holt stayed behind to protect his dragon and is left alone. Everyone else evacuated, even his father. He meets up with another young dragon rider, the princess, and an older rider whose dragon is dead. They are shocked at what Holt has done but they have bigger problems with trying to stay alive and warn the other towns. As they go, they find that there is something special with Holt and his dragon. There connection is stronger than it should be and their growth rate is too fast. They can't figure out what type of magic that Ash (the dragon) uses. We find out later that he uses moonlight. This is a completely new type of magic that the other dragons have never seen before. That might be because they used to kill all the eggs that they didn't think were perfect.
There is a lot going on below the surface in this story. Differences in station and what that means. The main character is 16 years old, but I didn't think of this as a YA story. More a coming into your own story. Holt was thrust into his role because no one else was around. There was betrayal and mysteries. Overall, I thought this was an excellent read and I am looking forward to the next one.
This is an excellent book that reminded me of the Eragon series. In this world dragons exist. Some are wild dragons and some have riders. Magic comes from the dragon and their riders are able to wield this magic. Dragon riders are part of the Order. A group that is dedicated to fighting the scourge (a plague or rot and decay that can lead to the dead rising). The people that join the order forswear all other allegiances, including their own family.
The story follows Holt Cook. AS his name implies his father is a Cook at the keep for the dragons and their riders. Holt is almost 16 and will start his apprenticeship soon. He is happy for the most part but doesn't like the way he and other commoners are treated by the nobility or the dragon riders. Like everyone else he has a fantasy of becoming a dragon rider. He gets to see dragon eggs for the first time but it isn't how he imagined. He never new that at the choosing, only those eggs that are thought to be perfect are allowed to hatch. Every other egg is destroyed. Dragons hate weakness. When Holt is told to destroy an egg, he isn't able to do it. He makes a impulsive decision and saves the egg. Once he has time to think about it, he is already stuck. If anyone finds out the egg will be destroyed and he will be punished. The egg hatches and he tries to take care of it the best he can. The dragon was born blind though. This adds another problem on to his growing list. If the other dragons find out about his weakness they will kill him. If the riders find out what Holt did, he will be in trouble as well. The town is attacked by the scourge and one of the other dragon riders betrays them. All the other dragon riders have died. Holt stayed behind to protect his dragon and is left alone. Everyone else evacuated, even his father. He meets up with another young dragon rider, the princess, and an older rider whose dragon is dead. They are shocked at what Holt has done but they have bigger problems with trying to stay alive and warn the other towns. As they go, they find that there is something special with Holt and his dragon. There connection is stronger than it should be and their growth rate is too fast. They can't figure out what type of magic that Ash (the dragon) uses. We find out later that he uses moonlight. This is a completely new type of magic that the other dragons have never seen before. That might be because they used to kill all the eggs that they didn't think were perfect.
There is a lot going on below the surface in this story. Differences in station and what that means. The main character is 16 years old, but I didn't think of this as a YA story. More a coming into your own story. Holt was thrust into his role because no one else was around. There was betrayal and mysteries. Overall, I thought this was an excellent read and I am looking forward to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2025
I am a huuuuuge dragon lover. Like, I don't care what happens to anyone in books or movies or on TV shows so long as the dragons therein are fine. *lol* It's been like this since I was a teenager and read Paolini's series. So when my buddy-reader told me he had heard only good things about this one - and considering I needed a fix - I immediately agreed.
The story is that of a lowly kitchen helper scrubbing pots and pans who comes across a dragon egg that was abandoned because the dragon baby inside wasn't strong enough (he's blind) and dragons as well as this world's leading caste, Dragon Riders, only accept the strongest.
So the boy rears the little dragon that is soon not quite so little anymore. As it turns out, that is quite a good thing for everyone, too, because what plagues this world seems to be winning because it cannot be defeated "the old way".
So we have not one but two underdogs proving their worth to society. And "coincidentally" both have a secret power their world desperately needs. I always had a problem with this trope. Just thinking outside the box and working hard can and should be enough. The whole "chosen one" schtick ... I dunno.
But I liked Holt's dragon. Though I have to admit that after reading some LitRPG because my buddy-reader made me, this had too many similarities for my taste. We even got some foods that triggered cerain abilities. Meh. I'm more a fan of classical fantasy. That's just personal taste though.
The writing in this was very good, as were the worldbuilding when it came to the dragons and enemy, and the characers overall (like I siad, I don't usually care too much about anyone but my beloved dragons). There was tragedy aplenty here though and yes, I'm talking body count. *sighs*
Sadly, this "new version of fantasy" isn't too much my liking. I wouldn't mind it having a very similar structure to other stories, but I do mind everything being lumped together to make some sort of video game experience. Like I said: meh.
Nevertheless, I got dragons and the dragons were pretty darn great.
The story is that of a lowly kitchen helper scrubbing pots and pans who comes across a dragon egg that was abandoned because the dragon baby inside wasn't strong enough (he's blind) and dragons as well as this world's leading caste, Dragon Riders, only accept the strongest.
So the boy rears the little dragon that is soon not quite so little anymore. As it turns out, that is quite a good thing for everyone, too, because what plagues this world seems to be winning because it cannot be defeated "the old way".
So we have not one but two underdogs proving their worth to society. And "coincidentally" both have a secret power their world desperately needs. I always had a problem with this trope. Just thinking outside the box and working hard can and should be enough. The whole "chosen one" schtick ... I dunno.
But I liked Holt's dragon. Though I have to admit that after reading some LitRPG because my buddy-reader made me, this had too many similarities for my taste. We even got some foods that triggered cerain abilities. Meh. I'm more a fan of classical fantasy. That's just personal taste though.
The writing in this was very good, as were the worldbuilding when it came to the dragons and enemy, and the characers overall (like I siad, I don't usually care too much about anyone but my beloved dragons). There was tragedy aplenty here though and yes, I'm talking body count. *sighs*
Sadly, this "new version of fantasy" isn't too much my liking. I wouldn't mind it having a very similar structure to other stories, but I do mind everything being lumped together to make some sort of video game experience. Like I said: meh.
Nevertheless, I got dragons and the dragons were pretty darn great.
March 7, 2025
A stunning first entry into the songs of chaos! I cannot wait to continue this series. It’s familiar yet fresh. Do yourself a favor and check this one out
November 10, 2023
4.25⭐️
The first book of the series was super good. I read this as a buddy read, which caused a lot of pauses and made me feel disconnected from the book. That’s the only reason for the last star, but I did love this.
The characters were enjoyable and easy to fall in love with. Each chapter was short enough to come to a stop if needed. Without reading a long chapter. It was a fast read.
Micheal R. Mille has set up a beautiful beginning to a series.
I'm not going to lie and say there aren’t some things that could’ve made this review lower. However, I felt that the way the author set up for the next book and how easy it was to fall into this book helped raise the rating.
I would explain more but I want to give my overall review on the last book. But I can’t wait to read the next book which will be soon.
Until the next read.
Thank you, 💋
”if you love with your eyes, death is forever. If you love with your heart, there is no such thing as parting�
The first book of the series was super good. I read this as a buddy read, which caused a lot of pauses and made me feel disconnected from the book. That’s the only reason for the last star, but I did love this.
The characters were enjoyable and easy to fall in love with. Each chapter was short enough to come to a stop if needed. Without reading a long chapter. It was a fast read.
Micheal R. Mille has set up a beautiful beginning to a series.
”one a royal who should never have been a rider, and one a commoner who should never have dared to dream.�
I'm not going to lie and say there aren’t some things that could’ve made this review lower. However, I felt that the way the author set up for the next book and how easy it was to fall into this book helped raise the rating.
I would explain more but I want to give my overall review on the last book. But I can’t wait to read the next book which will be soon.
Until the next read.
Thank you, 💋
December 28, 2023
This one is slightly different to your typical dragon-rider story. Normally you get the whole ‘main character picks up a dragon egg and bonds with the dragon from birth� thing, and yes, that's what you get here, but the difference is that this dragon is blind, as you might be able to tell from the cover.
There’s a process where the matriarch of the dragons inspects the eggs and is able to sniff out, for want of a better term, any weakness, and she moves those eggs to the side and they're disposed of. They don't tolerate weakness.
So this egg is going to be destroyed because the dragon could sense there was something wrong with it, but our hero, Holt, can't bring himself to help out in that and he smuggles the egg out, hatches it, bonds with it, and so forth, and that's where we get our two characters gracing this glorious cover.
The story itself was quite interesting. I like how you had the two bonding over time from literally a hatchling to the full-grown dragon that you can see, although it does seem to grow really, really quickly. By the end of the book, Holt doesn't seem to have grown much, but the dragon definitely has. You've got various other dragon riders in here as well and I like the dynamic that you have, and especially the way that they look down on Holt because he's not one of them really, even though he's got a dragon that he's bonded with just like they have. He's not spoken the oaths, he's not gone through the training, he shouldn't have this dragon, but I like the way that's all brought into the story.
I like this overall element, and the intensity that we get through the events that happen early on, and how they play out through the course of the book. Overall, I really enjoyed my time with Ascendant and I'm looking forward to the second and the third book that I have waiting for me.
There’s a process where the matriarch of the dragons inspects the eggs and is able to sniff out, for want of a better term, any weakness, and she moves those eggs to the side and they're disposed of. They don't tolerate weakness.
So this egg is going to be destroyed because the dragon could sense there was something wrong with it, but our hero, Holt, can't bring himself to help out in that and he smuggles the egg out, hatches it, bonds with it, and so forth, and that's where we get our two characters gracing this glorious cover.
The story itself was quite interesting. I like how you had the two bonding over time from literally a hatchling to the full-grown dragon that you can see, although it does seem to grow really, really quickly. By the end of the book, Holt doesn't seem to have grown much, but the dragon definitely has. You've got various other dragon riders in here as well and I like the dynamic that you have, and especially the way that they look down on Holt because he's not one of them really, even though he's got a dragon that he's bonded with just like they have. He's not spoken the oaths, he's not gone through the training, he shouldn't have this dragon, but I like the way that's all brought into the story.
I like this overall element, and the intensity that we get through the events that happen early on, and how they play out through the course of the book. Overall, I really enjoyed my time with Ascendant and I'm looking forward to the second and the third book that I have waiting for me.
July 22, 2024
Eragon meets Cradle.
That's all I could think whilst reading through and funnily enough that's also how the author describes it. And it's absolutely right.
This is the young boy of low station gets a dragon egg story line but with progression fantasy elements. There are dragon types and different levels of dragon rider that give new abilities based on their type. It's so ridiculously fun, if you're a fan of progression fantasy (think shonen manga, web novels) then you'll enjoy the start that Ascendant offers to a bigger world.
Michael's prose isn't especially flowery but that's not to say it lacks imagination or nuance. It's the type of writing I love to sit down to at the end of a hard day, it doesn't make me do all the heavy lifting and I love that.
There's a fun insectoid hive mind scourge that turns people into undead and there's my new favourite dragon.
Loved it.
That's all I could think whilst reading through and funnily enough that's also how the author describes it. And it's absolutely right.
This is the young boy of low station gets a dragon egg story line but with progression fantasy elements. There are dragon types and different levels of dragon rider that give new abilities based on their type. It's so ridiculously fun, if you're a fan of progression fantasy (think shonen manga, web novels) then you'll enjoy the start that Ascendant offers to a bigger world.
Michael's prose isn't especially flowery but that's not to say it lacks imagination or nuance. It's the type of writing I love to sit down to at the end of a hard day, it doesn't make me do all the heavy lifting and I love that.
There's a fun insectoid hive mind scourge that turns people into undead and there's my new favourite dragon.
Loved it.
September 1, 2024
My eyes for your eyes
Your skin for my skin
My world for your world
Ah the classic boy and his dragon trope. Our main character Holt is a cook (kitchen boy destined for greatness represent!) who dreams of being a dragon rider. When he steals a "deformed" egg, he finds himself thrust into the world he so wished to be a part of, full of intrigue and magic.
I surprisingly didn't enjoy this as much as when I first read it, which was in 2021 when I first started delving into adult fantasy. And this, this was very YA. Like a lot. The plot twists weren't exactly plot twists. If you've read enough fantasy you could spot it a mile away. Still, the ending does hint at something greater and now I can't wait to get to the sequel.
November 17, 2023
This story is one I have been meaning to start for a while, and I finally got around to picking it up and enjoying it. The book is the first in a series, and instantly I felt at home when I picked it up because it's a very classic dragon rider fantasy tale with many familiar troupes, but it felt cosy and enjoyable and different enough to keep me engaged.
The story follows a young cook-in-training called Holt. He's lived and worked at the Crag his whole life, under the care of his father, and he's enjoyed it. However, he's always admired the Dragon Riders in the Order, as any young boy would in a world with Dragons flying through the air. He's got no real ambition or expectation to join them, but he harbours a wish to do so deep inside, knowing it's virtually unheard of for those not of noble birth.
One day, he learns about a dark part of Dragon culture, and he can't bear to dispose of an egg which seems flawed. He instead takes the egg, and of course his 'troubles' (or indeed if you reframe it, his life) truly starts with that act.
Holt is young and naive and he leads with his heart, but that makes him a likeable character and an easy one to connect with. Even though he doesn't always think things through, he has luck on his side and with his new companion he might just survive this coming of the Scourge.
The Scourge is a kind of blight over the land, where old beings, creatures and even dragons can be infected and raised up as ghoulish undead. Nature can also be infected, causing trees to wither and the world to darken. The Scourge is what the Dragon Riders battle against with their Dragons, and they are fighting a hard fight which often seems impossible.
Out other main character is Talia, a young Princess who abandoned her heritage in favour of becoming a Dragon Rider. She's had to train awfully hard to prove herself within the Order, and even with a powerful dragon and Bond between them, she has a lot to show. Her character felt like she was a bit more 'au fait' with the ways of the world, and she knew more of the inner workings politically than Holt, of course. She becomes a kind of friend and leader for Holt during the Scourge attack and the events which follow, and I enjoyed seeing the way that they worked together and grew together.
In the end, this story just begins in this book, with lots of potential right at the end of the book for more to come. I definitely will be picking up the second one soon, and I enjoyed the ride through this story, even though it's not an unfamiliar one. Troupes can be a good thing if they're done in an engaging way and keep you hooked, and I think this story does utilise them well. I am excited to see what happens to Holt and Talia and their dragons next, as there is more to come. 4*s
The story follows a young cook-in-training called Holt. He's lived and worked at the Crag his whole life, under the care of his father, and he's enjoyed it. However, he's always admired the Dragon Riders in the Order, as any young boy would in a world with Dragons flying through the air. He's got no real ambition or expectation to join them, but he harbours a wish to do so deep inside, knowing it's virtually unheard of for those not of noble birth.
One day, he learns about a dark part of Dragon culture, and he can't bear to dispose of an egg which seems flawed. He instead takes the egg, and of course his 'troubles' (or indeed if you reframe it, his life) truly starts with that act.
Holt is young and naive and he leads with his heart, but that makes him a likeable character and an easy one to connect with. Even though he doesn't always think things through, he has luck on his side and with his new companion he might just survive this coming of the Scourge.
The Scourge is a kind of blight over the land, where old beings, creatures and even dragons can be infected and raised up as ghoulish undead. Nature can also be infected, causing trees to wither and the world to darken. The Scourge is what the Dragon Riders battle against with their Dragons, and they are fighting a hard fight which often seems impossible.
Out other main character is Talia, a young Princess who abandoned her heritage in favour of becoming a Dragon Rider. She's had to train awfully hard to prove herself within the Order, and even with a powerful dragon and Bond between them, she has a lot to show. Her character felt like she was a bit more 'au fait' with the ways of the world, and she knew more of the inner workings politically than Holt, of course. She becomes a kind of friend and leader for Holt during the Scourge attack and the events which follow, and I enjoyed seeing the way that they worked together and grew together.
In the end, this story just begins in this book, with lots of potential right at the end of the book for more to come. I definitely will be picking up the second one soon, and I enjoyed the ride through this story, even though it's not an unfamiliar one. Troupes can be a good thing if they're done in an engaging way and keep you hooked, and I think this story does utilise them well. I am excited to see what happens to Holt and Talia and their dragons next, as there is more to come. 4*s
September 28, 2020
As soon as I started listening to this book, I recognized Peter Kenny's voice from the Witcher series, and was delighted. He has a melodious way of speaking that works great in the fantasy realm, and does a great job with various voices, right down to the dragons.
As told in the synopsis of the book, it starts out with the teenage son of the cook for the dragons and their riders. These riders are revered highest of all, because they protect the people from the Scourge, a hoard that kills all in it's path.
Young Holt Cook, wants none less than to be a dragon rider, but his future is already set to become a cook, as is his father.
When he stumbles across the fate of the defective dragon eggs, his heart is in turmoil and his path is set. Thus begins an exciting story of coming of age in a world of dragons, with devious political deceptions from humans as well as dragons, making the story a unique one. I really found myself liking the characters of the story, with the mysterious world of the dragons being very intriguing, and the connection of Holt and his dragon endearing. Never a boring book, with plenty of sword and sorcery action will keep you entertained. The language of the book could put it in a YA category, however it has it's share of losses and hardships, making it a dramatic read.
A nice foundation is laid out for the series and you could basically stop here if you want, but I know I won't as I have gotten invested in these characters and will want to hear more of their journey.
As told in the synopsis of the book, it starts out with the teenage son of the cook for the dragons and their riders. These riders are revered highest of all, because they protect the people from the Scourge, a hoard that kills all in it's path.
Young Holt Cook, wants none less than to be a dragon rider, but his future is already set to become a cook, as is his father.
When he stumbles across the fate of the defective dragon eggs, his heart is in turmoil and his path is set. Thus begins an exciting story of coming of age in a world of dragons, with devious political deceptions from humans as well as dragons, making the story a unique one. I really found myself liking the characters of the story, with the mysterious world of the dragons being very intriguing, and the connection of Holt and his dragon endearing. Never a boring book, with plenty of sword and sorcery action will keep you entertained. The language of the book could put it in a YA category, however it has it's share of losses and hardships, making it a dramatic read.
A nice foundation is laid out for the series and you could basically stop here if you want, but I know I won't as I have gotten invested in these characters and will want to hear more of their journey.
April 10, 2023
3.5/5
A rising force for dragon rider fantasy! Ascendant was everything I was expecting. Dragon rider with a classic chosen one trope at it's heart meets progression fantasy. I didn't realize it was a progression fantasy until I was a little ways into the book, but I think that Miller weaves it in really well with the story.
Holt Cook is the son of a cook in the kitchens of Crag, a city home to dragon rider nobles and their massive counterparts. He steals a dragon egg that would normally never come to someone of his station, and the journey begins.
I think this is a great book for the type of story it was going for. Interesting dragon rider bond magic system with actual consequences, chosen one trope done with the hand of someone who knows classic fantasy, and progression fantasy done well.
While these aren't the checkboxes that I normally gravitate towards, I have to give it credit where credit is due!
A rising force for dragon rider fantasy! Ascendant was everything I was expecting. Dragon rider with a classic chosen one trope at it's heart meets progression fantasy. I didn't realize it was a progression fantasy until I was a little ways into the book, but I think that Miller weaves it in really well with the story.
Holt Cook is the son of a cook in the kitchens of Crag, a city home to dragon rider nobles and their massive counterparts. He steals a dragon egg that would normally never come to someone of his station, and the journey begins.
I think this is a great book for the type of story it was going for. Interesting dragon rider bond magic system with actual consequences, chosen one trope done with the hand of someone who knows classic fantasy, and progression fantasy done well.
While these aren't the checkboxes that I normally gravitate towards, I have to give it credit where credit is due!
August 20, 2023
Ascendant
This was an ARC audiobook from Netgalley for an Honest review , sorry I forgot to add this part.
Peter Jenny is the narrator and what an awesome job he does.
Ok Folks, I’m only going to say this once, is this book Tropey …�..
Yes.. …�..not that we got that out of the way.
Here’s the deal!
Should you read it 👀YES 👍
Why ? You say!
Well…because you’ll be doing a disservice to yourself!!
There I said it!
Promises or lies �..
This is as story about a young boy name Holt Cook� and he is going to do the most humane thing anyone can do, for a unborn Dragon� what !!!!� I can’t tell you that�.
This journey is full of good, bad and banishment�... but you’ll be cheering him on.. For every page!
All I can say..
I give it 4.5 🌟
This was an ARC audiobook from Netgalley for an Honest review , sorry I forgot to add this part.
Peter Jenny is the narrator and what an awesome job he does.
Ok Folks, I’m only going to say this once, is this book Tropey …�..
Yes.. …�..not that we got that out of the way.
Here’s the deal!
Should you read it 👀YES 👍
Why ? You say!
Well…because you’ll be doing a disservice to yourself!!
There I said it!
Promises or lies �..
This is as story about a young boy name Holt Cook� and he is going to do the most humane thing anyone can do, for a unborn Dragon� what !!!!� I can’t tell you that�.
This journey is full of good, bad and banishment�... but you’ll be cheering him on.. For every page!
All I can say..
I give it 4.5 🌟
January 7, 2023
Ascendant by Michael R. Miller was a fantastic read! I was kindly sent a copy by the author earlier this year in exchange for an honest review, and I am so glad I finally got around to reading it!
Nostalgic Fun!
If you have read Eragon by Christopher Paolini, you might feel like you know the plot of Ascendant, but I can assure you that this similarity does not negatively impact the story at all.
Holt, the pot washer, becomes a dragon rider and goes on one hell of an adventure - not only do we get lots of time with dragons and an undead-like-horde, but there is even a wise old mentor and a princess who must confront her duty.
Ascendant is a lot of nostalgic fun, with enough unique and interesting aspects to make it something individual - something definitely worth reading!
Wonderful Main Characters
Holt is our main character and the POV for most of the story and I thought he was fantastic. His personal development is great to watch unfold, from naive kid to hero - and this development is even more interesting through his relationship with his dragon.
I love the bond between dragons and their riders - that kind of relationship, the closeness, is so satisfying to see on the page. Not only do we get this with Holt, but also Talia, our second POV character, and having two different relationships like this shown to us at the same time highlights the similarities but also the differences.
Interesting Magic System
Progression fantasy is a subgenre that I have not read much of, and by that I mean I have read only one book in the subgenre before: Unsouled by Will Wight. I enjoyed the concept of progression fantasy, but was not 100% sure it was for me, as the progression seemed to take over the story.
This is not the case with Ascendant. The power progression of the main character and his dragon is more of a sub-plot, with the main story definitely being the stronger focus. I loved it! We get the exciting elements of progression fantasy, but with no negative impact on the story - it has definitely shown me what the subgenre has to offer.
The magic system itself is fascinating. Like some RPG video games, there is a lot of “grinding� involved to increase magical strength and advance to the next “level�. The method for developing magical abilities is well thought through and depicted in the story without being expositional - and there is still some mystery to it too, although I won’t say anything more about that because of spoilers!
A Great Setup for Future Books
This book felt like a homage to the dragonrider stories we have read before, but with plenty of unique and interesting qualities to make future books stand more on their own. The characters, magic system and world offer so much potential for future entries in this series - I am very excited to get onto the next one!
| | | |
Nostalgic Fun!
If you have read Eragon by Christopher Paolini, you might feel like you know the plot of Ascendant, but I can assure you that this similarity does not negatively impact the story at all.
Holt, the pot washer, becomes a dragon rider and goes on one hell of an adventure - not only do we get lots of time with dragons and an undead-like-horde, but there is even a wise old mentor and a princess who must confront her duty.
Ascendant is a lot of nostalgic fun, with enough unique and interesting aspects to make it something individual - something definitely worth reading!
Wonderful Main Characters
Holt is our main character and the POV for most of the story and I thought he was fantastic. His personal development is great to watch unfold, from naive kid to hero - and this development is even more interesting through his relationship with his dragon.
I love the bond between dragons and their riders - that kind of relationship, the closeness, is so satisfying to see on the page. Not only do we get this with Holt, but also Talia, our second POV character, and having two different relationships like this shown to us at the same time highlights the similarities but also the differences.
Interesting Magic System
Progression fantasy is a subgenre that I have not read much of, and by that I mean I have read only one book in the subgenre before: Unsouled by Will Wight. I enjoyed the concept of progression fantasy, but was not 100% sure it was for me, as the progression seemed to take over the story.
This is not the case with Ascendant. The power progression of the main character and his dragon is more of a sub-plot, with the main story definitely being the stronger focus. I loved it! We get the exciting elements of progression fantasy, but with no negative impact on the story - it has definitely shown me what the subgenre has to offer.
The magic system itself is fascinating. Like some RPG video games, there is a lot of “grinding� involved to increase magical strength and advance to the next “level�. The method for developing magical abilities is well thought through and depicted in the story without being expositional - and there is still some mystery to it too, although I won’t say anything more about that because of spoilers!
A Great Setup for Future Books
This book felt like a homage to the dragonrider stories we have read before, but with plenty of unique and interesting qualities to make future books stand more on their own. The characters, magic system and world offer so much potential for future entries in this series - I am very excited to get onto the next one!
| | | |
August 26, 2022
Thank you to the publisher for giving me the audiobook to review on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the relationship that the main character Holt has with the blind dragon, Ash but outside of those two I thought this book could have used better characterization. I felt like I could predict how every character arc was going to play out, outside of the dragon. For example I correctly predicted the story arc of Holts Father, the mentor figure, the princess character Talia, her evil relatives, the wandering nature spirit? Not because I was trying to solve the book but because the author picks the most common tropes in every regard. This book reminded me of Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan, which means its not poorly written, I just think its super generic fantasy.
Even with such a cool premise of a blind dragon awakening a new type of magic this whole book just felt like I have seen its like before. I think my biggest criticism is that the author just chose way too many YA and dragon riding tropes for my liking which made the plot and characters super predictable. Nonetheless I liked the ending and Holt and Ash enough to maybe check out the next book.
I liked the relationship that the main character Holt has with the blind dragon, Ash but outside of those two I thought this book could have used better characterization. I felt like I could predict how every character arc was going to play out, outside of the dragon. For example I correctly predicted the story arc of Holts Father, the mentor figure, the princess character Talia, her evil relatives, the wandering nature spirit? Not because I was trying to solve the book but because the author picks the most common tropes in every regard. This book reminded me of Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan, which means its not poorly written, I just think its super generic fantasy.
Even with such a cool premise of a blind dragon awakening a new type of magic this whole book just felt like I have seen its like before. I think my biggest criticism is that the author just chose way too many YA and dragon riding tropes for my liking which made the plot and characters super predictable. Nonetheless I liked the ending and Holt and Ash enough to maybe check out the next book.
January 24, 2022
A good start is wasted by a long, dragged out, tortuous plots and "to be continued," not. 2 of 10 stars
April 24, 2022
Reasons to read: DRAGONS, a unique magic system, and did I say DRAGONS?
Personal rating: This book is going to be living in my head for years to come.
Big thanks to Books Forward for my spot on this book tour and for introducing me to one of my favorite books of the year to date. I've also been introduced to the genre of fantasy and sci-fi called Lit RPG and let me just say, I AM IN LOVE. I'm a huge RPG gamer (most recently, Fenyx Rising), so I was tickled at the experience of reading this book. The problem is, there is so much I loved that I'm afraid this review will become as long as the book, so I'll touch upon a few things and you all can feel free to ask me privately about anything else you want to know!
When it comes to books about dragons I often find them lacking. I'm promised dragons but said dragons become part of the background without much characterization. That is not the case with this book, so if you want dragons you've come to the right book. It takes all the tropes and gives them new life. Holt is a teen who works as a cook (but dreams of being a rider because WHO WOULDN'T?), but his life is turned around when he rescues a dragon egg and discovers a bond he never dreamed of. Paired up with two dragon riders, he escapes an attack on his city and journies to find his father, whom he hopes has escaped and fled to safety. In the meantime, he develops a bond with Ash (his little white blind dragon), Brode, an older rider, and Talia, a royal turned rider with a bone to pick with Holt. Brode gives Holt the training and encouragement he needs to strengthen his magic with Ash and acts as a sort of wizened character while Talia takes a bit longer to warm up to Holt.
The writing is incredible and does its job of taking me to a new world. The pacing and progression are great as well as the character's voices and the obstacles they faced. I particularly enjoyed the relationship with the three riders as well as Ash as he learns about his own magic. Their travels are what reminded me so much of the RPGs I love and the names of the magic strikes were *chef's kiss* and made me want to dig out my old FF games (especially FF 8 which is did not beat and I kick myself every day for it).
The book is rather long, but I can say I didn't feel it drag or get boring not once. In fact, I didn't want it to end.
I have the book in front of me as I write this review and I keep running my hand over the cover almost as if to say, "Don't you worry. I'll take good care of you forever and ever and ever." I want to dive into book two ASAP. I cannot recommend this book enough. I feel so honored to have found it.
Personal rating: This book is going to be living in my head for years to come.
Big thanks to Books Forward for my spot on this book tour and for introducing me to one of my favorite books of the year to date. I've also been introduced to the genre of fantasy and sci-fi called Lit RPG and let me just say, I AM IN LOVE. I'm a huge RPG gamer (most recently, Fenyx Rising), so I was tickled at the experience of reading this book. The problem is, there is so much I loved that I'm afraid this review will become as long as the book, so I'll touch upon a few things and you all can feel free to ask me privately about anything else you want to know!
When it comes to books about dragons I often find them lacking. I'm promised dragons but said dragons become part of the background without much characterization. That is not the case with this book, so if you want dragons you've come to the right book. It takes all the tropes and gives them new life. Holt is a teen who works as a cook (but dreams of being a rider because WHO WOULDN'T?), but his life is turned around when he rescues a dragon egg and discovers a bond he never dreamed of. Paired up with two dragon riders, he escapes an attack on his city and journies to find his father, whom he hopes has escaped and fled to safety. In the meantime, he develops a bond with Ash (his little white blind dragon), Brode, an older rider, and Talia, a royal turned rider with a bone to pick with Holt. Brode gives Holt the training and encouragement he needs to strengthen his magic with Ash and acts as a sort of wizened character while Talia takes a bit longer to warm up to Holt.
The writing is incredible and does its job of taking me to a new world. The pacing and progression are great as well as the character's voices and the obstacles they faced. I particularly enjoyed the relationship with the three riders as well as Ash as he learns about his own magic. Their travels are what reminded me so much of the RPGs I love and the names of the magic strikes were *chef's kiss* and made me want to dig out my old FF games (especially FF 8 which is did not beat and I kick myself every day for it).
The book is rather long, but I can say I didn't feel it drag or get boring not once. In fact, I didn't want it to end.
I have the book in front of me as I write this review and I keep running my hand over the cover almost as if to say, "Don't you worry. I'll take good care of you forever and ever and ever." I want to dive into book two ASAP. I cannot recommend this book enough. I feel so honored to have found it.
December 30, 2023
Brilliant start, with only a few stumbles. Way better than expected.
Initially this read as YA, but bit by bit, progressed into NA. I’m hoping, and based on the feel of things at the end, that the next book will be more straight up adult.
This was so good for the most part!
Some parts dragged a little, with explanations going on, and around, more than necessary [it wasn’t always as clear as it should have been been defining the laws of magic, so rambled in an attempt to do so].
The magic was very unique, complicated, and relevant, just needed a little tiding and tightening up. It doesn’t instantly solve everything, or suddenly develop new abilities mid scene, without logic. It has clear rules that progress and build on the story and plot.
The other critique is fully a me thing!
The descriptions are fantastic and fully detailed in all things except colour. I would actually prefer a little less detail in some of the extraneous explanations and listing of items, and instead add a generalised colour description.
But, as I said, this is a me preference, and probably doesn’t bother most others.
The characters are mostly believable, with some true flaws. Though considering everything they experience, would have liked to have read some more real world difficulties, rather than just the greater plot-action scenes, or emotional drama [e.g. they travel for days, with fighting, bleeding, falling, etc., but don’t mention smell, dirt, or the need to wash until they reach civilisation, and only briefly in passing].
Was very greatful for how the angst was handled, never took over, but also wasn’t just swept aside.
Very little unearned special snowflake syndrome 😬🤓
And of course, LOVED the dragons!
He was adorable and beautiful. Just wished we had a little interaction and story surrounding his development. Felt like we focused too much on the human element.
The female dragon was a bit of a crack up at times, really would have liked more interaction with her!!
Regardless, this was eminently enjoyable, and while the whole - boy with stolen egg, saves the world, alone but aided by a grumpy teacher and knowledgeable female - reminds you of Eragon, that is where the similarities end.
We don’t get the standard Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, etc.. Instead we have a whole new world and list of characters, with more an elemental, natural emphasis. 😍
While he did progress fast, it was more luck, catastrophe, and blunders 😬🥸
He is smarter and nicer than you might believe at times, but he’s also flawed enough to make up for it.
So too, does the dragon himself have to struggle and learn.
Enough to make you care and invest in both of them and their journey, even to an extent the other characters.
Theres a definite learning, growing, and maturing storyline here, but thankfully it goes past the YA limits, and follows more the High Fantasy coming of age arc.
There’s also a strong mystery, intrigue, plot within, and while enough details are given to make it feel like the answers haven’t just come out of the blue, it’s still very much a journey of reveals.
I loved it, even when I was confused and swearing at my inability to predict what the answer would be. 😂
Looking forward to B2, hoping the story continues to grow.
Small cliffy with the greater arc incomplete, the books focus is nicely rounded up.
Initially this read as YA, but bit by bit, progressed into NA. I’m hoping, and based on the feel of things at the end, that the next book will be more straight up adult.
This was so good for the most part!
Some parts dragged a little, with explanations going on, and around, more than necessary [it wasn’t always as clear as it should have been been defining the laws of magic, so rambled in an attempt to do so].
The magic was very unique, complicated, and relevant, just needed a little tiding and tightening up. It doesn’t instantly solve everything, or suddenly develop new abilities mid scene, without logic. It has clear rules that progress and build on the story and plot.
The other critique is fully a me thing!
The descriptions are fantastic and fully detailed in all things except colour. I would actually prefer a little less detail in some of the extraneous explanations and listing of items, and instead add a generalised colour description.
But, as I said, this is a me preference, and probably doesn’t bother most others.
The characters are mostly believable, with some true flaws. Though considering everything they experience, would have liked to have read some more real world difficulties, rather than just the greater plot-action scenes, or emotional drama [e.g. they travel for days, with fighting, bleeding, falling, etc., but don’t mention smell, dirt, or the need to wash until they reach civilisation, and only briefly in passing].
Was very greatful for how the angst was handled, never took over, but also wasn’t just swept aside.
Very little unearned special snowflake syndrome 😬🤓
And of course, LOVED the dragons!
He was adorable and beautiful. Just wished we had a little interaction and story surrounding his development. Felt like we focused too much on the human element.
The female dragon was a bit of a crack up at times, really would have liked more interaction with her!!
Regardless, this was eminently enjoyable, and while the whole - boy with stolen egg, saves the world, alone but aided by a grumpy teacher and knowledgeable female - reminds you of Eragon, that is where the similarities end.
We don’t get the standard Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, etc.. Instead we have a whole new world and list of characters, with more an elemental, natural emphasis. 😍
While he did progress fast, it was more luck, catastrophe, and blunders 😬🥸
He is smarter and nicer than you might believe at times, but he’s also flawed enough to make up for it.
So too, does the dragon himself have to struggle and learn.
Enough to make you care and invest in both of them and their journey, even to an extent the other characters.
Theres a definite learning, growing, and maturing storyline here, but thankfully it goes past the YA limits, and follows more the High Fantasy coming of age arc.
There’s also a strong mystery, intrigue, plot within, and while enough details are given to make it feel like the answers haven’t just come out of the blue, it’s still very much a journey of reveals.
I loved it, even when I was confused and swearing at my inability to predict what the answer would be. 😂
Looking forward to B2, hoping the story continues to grow.
Small cliffy with the greater arc incomplete, the books focus is nicely rounded up.
August 26, 2023
Excellent. Full review:
November 29, 2023
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of these books to read and review.
Ascendant, book one in Michael R. Miller’s Songs of Chaos series, is a great introduction to dragons or new and veteran readers alike.
Holt Cook was never meant to be a dragon rider. He has always served the Order Hall of the Crag dutifully, keeping their kitchen pots clean.
Until he discovers a dark secret: dragons do not tolerate weakness among their kin, killing the young they deem flawed. Moved by pity, Holt defies the Order, rescues a doomed egg and vows to protect the blind dragon within.
But the Scourge is rising. Undead hordes roam the land, spreading the blight and leaving destruction in their wake. The dragon riders are being slaughtered and betrayal lurks in the shadows.
Holt has one chance to survive. He must cultivate the mysterious power of his dragon's magical core. A unique energy which may tip the balance in the battles to come, and prove to the world that a servant is worthy after all.
I don’t think I’ll ever not love a dragon story and this is no exception. I’ve heard a lot about this series so when Michael asked if I would accept copies of the currently released books I jumped at the chance. This has been on my TBR for a long time and I’m glad to finally open the pages and start this incredible journey.
Miller knows that this is a story filled with classic tropes but this doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of experiencing a traditionally-inspired tale and mixing it with progression fantasy. You might be able to find similarities to other stories however Ascendant was such a brilliant read that I plan to continue the rest of the series straightaway. Described as YA, the reach of Ascendant is far greater and, much like I say for Mistborn, this marks a great beginning for adults also who want to make a start on dragon fantasy. Miller’s easy prose and well-described characters, balanced with a nostalgic story, mark this as a truly fulfilling read.
I particularly enjoyed how Miller wrote the relationship between Holt and Ash, and how cooking is a prevalent part in working out these dragons. Cooking can determine the abilities/roles of a dragon and it reminded me of status effects in RPG games. Currently playing through Zelda and mixing different foods to have different effects is similar to this. Miller writes a great dynamic between dragon and rider. By having Ash be blind, Miller has created a deeper way of bonding these characters and how this is shown throughout the novel is outstanding. We really see how this bond reflects on the characters and how this affects the relationship, compared to other characters who are not limited.
Ascendant is an enjoyable start to this series and is an accessible entry for readers who want to have an entertaining read but also a startling journey in dragon rider fantasy.
Ascendant, book one in Michael R. Miller’s Songs of Chaos series, is a great introduction to dragons or new and veteran readers alike.
Holt Cook was never meant to be a dragon rider. He has always served the Order Hall of the Crag dutifully, keeping their kitchen pots clean.
Until he discovers a dark secret: dragons do not tolerate weakness among their kin, killing the young they deem flawed. Moved by pity, Holt defies the Order, rescues a doomed egg and vows to protect the blind dragon within.
But the Scourge is rising. Undead hordes roam the land, spreading the blight and leaving destruction in their wake. The dragon riders are being slaughtered and betrayal lurks in the shadows.
Holt has one chance to survive. He must cultivate the mysterious power of his dragon's magical core. A unique energy which may tip the balance in the battles to come, and prove to the world that a servant is worthy after all.
I don’t think I’ll ever not love a dragon story and this is no exception. I’ve heard a lot about this series so when Michael asked if I would accept copies of the currently released books I jumped at the chance. This has been on my TBR for a long time and I’m glad to finally open the pages and start this incredible journey.
Miller knows that this is a story filled with classic tropes but this doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of experiencing a traditionally-inspired tale and mixing it with progression fantasy. You might be able to find similarities to other stories however Ascendant was such a brilliant read that I plan to continue the rest of the series straightaway. Described as YA, the reach of Ascendant is far greater and, much like I say for Mistborn, this marks a great beginning for adults also who want to make a start on dragon fantasy. Miller’s easy prose and well-described characters, balanced with a nostalgic story, mark this as a truly fulfilling read.
I particularly enjoyed how Miller wrote the relationship between Holt and Ash, and how cooking is a prevalent part in working out these dragons. Cooking can determine the abilities/roles of a dragon and it reminded me of status effects in RPG games. Currently playing through Zelda and mixing different foods to have different effects is similar to this. Miller writes a great dynamic between dragon and rider. By having Ash be blind, Miller has created a deeper way of bonding these characters and how this is shown throughout the novel is outstanding. We really see how this bond reflects on the characters and how this affects the relationship, compared to other characters who are not limited.
Ascendant is an enjoyable start to this series and is an accessible entry for readers who want to have an entertaining read but also a startling journey in dragon rider fantasy.
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