By A.S. Hardin
If you’re a fan of dragon-riding books like McCaffrey’s Dragon Riders of Pern or Paolini’s The Inheritance Cycle, then you must take flight with Holt and Ash in Ascendant.
Ascendant employs many of the familiar and cherished dragon-riding tropes, like McCaffrey’s bond between dragon and rider. However, Miller reworks and remakes these to build a rich and exciting new dragon riding world.
Miller fashions a fairly unique magic system that the reader only just begins to explore in book one. Each dragon is not only given an elemental theme, but also has a core of magic from which to draw, linking both dragon and rider in a special way.
In his world, much like Novik’s Temeraire series, Miller applies the same amount of care in character creation to his dragons as he does their riders. This makes for a wonderfully well-rounded cast and allows the reader to connect fully with both the dragons and the humans. Each character from Holt, the common pot boy, to Princess Talia and their dragons, develops well with each other throughout the book.
All this is paired with an overwhelming plague-like scourge and an undead insectile swarm that threatens the land, delivering exciting battles throughout the story.
For me, however, the greatest part of the book isn’t the battles, the scourge, or magic, it is that the story upholds the right to life. Ash was destined to be destroyed due to his imperfection, but is rescued by Holt and is always grateful even through his struggles.
If you have read and enjoyed the books and series mentioned above, or even if you haven’t, give Ascendant a chance. You won’t regret the ride.
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.
I loved the Pern series, I’m definitely interested in this one too. Thanks for the recommendation.
You’re welcome. It’s certainly a good one.