Ascendant by Michael R Miller
Post #2 of Self-Published Author Appreciation Week belongs to Michael R Miller and his book Ascendant. I’ve been reading self-published books for maybe five years, and I feel like MRM has been around forever. This isn’t the first book of his that I have read (some may argue otherwise), but he kindly gave me an audio copy of his Dragon’s Blade trilogy last year. I found the start a bit slow and info-dumpy (Grammarly accepts it, so it’s a word), but got stronger as the trilogy advanced, finishing strongly. I view this as watching an author grow as a writer, so I was more than happy to read Ascendant for him. I can honestly say that this was one of the more accomplished beta copies I have read, and that includes ARCs from Netgalley.
Disclaimer – I read this in March, so forgive me if I’m a little hazy on some of the details.
So, what’s it all about?
Holt is a kitchen boy, training to take over his father’s role as castle cook when he is old enough, but he’s always dreamed of being a Dragon Rider, something people of his status will never achieve. One evening, he rescues a dragon egg that was ready for “disposal” as the baby dragon inside was unfit to join said Dragon Riders. When the egg hatches, it turns out the little dragon is blind. Holt doesn’t care, and manages to hide the dragon from everyone. Then one night, the Scourge (a horde of undead) attack the castle, and instead of running home to his father, Holt rescues the dragon instead. They escape into the wilderness, and Holt finds the dragon is more than just an unwanted pet but has powers that beggar belief.
Is it any good?
I can’t believe it was March when I read this, it feels like it was ages ago. That’s COVID for you. Anyway, I was unsure about this one as it had a whiff of chosen ones and dragons in it, which has been done to death, and in that regard, the book ticks those boxes. However, I loved it. Not liked it – loved it. Why, you may ask? Well, simply put, the characters were terrific. Holt is great. He bumbles through most of the book and constantly wallows in regret at not going to his father, who may not have escaped the attack. But his relationship with Ash (the little dragon) is that of soul mates, and their relationship carries the story. Also along for the ride is the haughty princess/Dragon Rider Talia who looks down on him, and there’s a gruff former Dragon Rider Brode who is bitter that losing his dragon has him relegated to a trainer of rookies. The dragons also have their own personality and add a lot to the relationships. It’s not just the characters though, there is a terrific plot (who is knocking off the royalty?), and somebody inside the Dragon Riders is helping the Scourge. Holt and Co find the strangest of allies in the strangest of places, as they go from fleeing a ruined city to trying to save the land. There are plenty of twists and turns, and one is never quite sure how things will turn out. As it’s a trilogy, the ending promises far more to come, and based on how MRM’s previous trilogy transpired, consider my interest piqued.
Verdict
You had me at dragons…
- Format: E-Book
- Obtained from: Author
- Print length: 552 pages (pb)
- Publisher: Monolith Books
- ISBN: 9781913695040 (pb)
