Description
Kill the dragon. Find the blade. Reclaim her honor.
It’s that, or end up like countless knights before her, as a puddle of gore and molten armor.
Maddileh is a knight. There aren’t many women in her line of work, and it often feels like the sneering and contempt from her peers is harder to stomach than the actual dragon slaying. But she’s a knight, and made of sterner stuff.
A minor infraction forces her to redeem her honor in the most dramatic way possible, she must retrieve the fabled Fireborne Blade from its keeper, legendary dragon the White Lady, or die trying. If history tells us anything, it's that “die trying” is where to wager your coin.
Maddileh’s tale contains a rich history of dragons, ill-fated knights, scheming squires, and sapphic love, with deceptions and double-crosses that will keep you guessing right up to its dramatic conclusion. Ultimately, The Fireborne Blade is about the roles we refuse to accept, and of the place we make for ourselves in the world.
About the Author
Charlotte is an author, freelance editor, and podcaster. Under her own name she has written within the genres of horror and dark fantasy, but she’s also worked as a ghostwriter. She edits books for individuals and publishers, and has also contributed numerous non-fiction articles to various websites. She is a co-host of the award-winning podcast, Breaking the Glass Slipper. Her micro-collection The Watcher in the Woods won the British Fantasy Award for Best Collection in 2021.
Praise For…
“A quick, delicious bite of a dragon-slayer fantasy with clever worldbuilding and twists that’ll catch in your throat… if you’re not careful.” —C.L. Clark
“The Fireborne Blade is fresh, well-crafted, and engaging. A knight, squire, and dragon adventure like none you've ever read!” —Juliet Marillier
“A monstrously clever gem, chilling, dark and full of character.” —Adrian Tchaikovsky
“The Fireborne Blade is a delightful romp through a vibrant, surprising world of mages, knights, and dragons. I loved following Maddileh through her adventures!” —Kelly Robson
“Bond's debut novella is an exciting new fantasy adventure that brings surprises until the last page.” —Booklist
“Recommended for readers who love to see a familiar tale turned on its head so hard that the entire story becomes different and even more fascinating.” —Library Journal
“This is is an entertaining story, with some vividly inventive dragon-related-worldbuilding, and a compelling dragon-battle showdown….A breath blowing straight in from the D&D-esque sword-and-sorcery of yesteryear. I could definitely stand to read a few more earnest adventures in this vein.” —Locus
“The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond is a brilliant novella….One of the best dragon dark fantasies I’ve read in ages.” —Grimdark Magazine
“Like its claustrophobic, dimly lit passageways, Bond’s prose deftly tantalizes in this puzzlebox of a narrative. A quiet gem of a novella with much more lurking beneath the surface.” —Eliza Chan
“Highly inventive and entertaining. Charlotte Bond is an exciting new voice.” —Priya Sharma
“What an enjoyable read! In few words, Charlotte Bond blends fantasy with horror elements to create a complex and memorable world. Maddileh is an understandably prickly character who is easy to root for, and I guarantee you will not see the magnificent twist coming until it hits you in the feels. More please!” —Lucy Holland
“Sharp as a brave knight's sword, bright as a silver dragon. I loved it.” —Anna Smith Spark