Content levels
Trigger warnings
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
Winner of the National Indie Excellence Award for Fantasy 2021 Bronze Medal Winner for YA Epic Fantasy in the Reader's Favorite Award 2021 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. The start of a new dragon rider epic readers of beloved classics like Eragon, Pern and Temeraire are sure to love, with the hard magic readers of Brandon Sanderson devour!
Is Ascendant appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
Parents should know this fantasy contains war violence with undead hordes, dragon rider battles, and betrayal themes. A servant boy rescues a disabled dragon and fights in escalating battles against undead armies.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death, mass death, and violence (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will love the underdog kitchen servant who rescues a blind dragon and discovers hidden magical powers while fighting undead armies alongside dragon riders.