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  • Ascendant: A Dragon Rider Fantasy (Songs of Chaos, Book 1)
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Ascendant: A Dragon Rider Fantasy (Songs of Chaos, Book 1) Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Michael R. Miller (Author), Peter Kenny (Narrator), Elemental Arts Ltd. (Publisher)
4.6 out of 5 stars 6,734 ratings

鶹

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From the author of The Dragon’s Blade Trilogy and the narrator of The Witcher series, comes the start of a new dragon rider epic combining the best of Eragon and Pern with the hard magic of Brandon Sanderson and Will Wight.

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.

Winner of the 2021 National Indie Excellence Award for Fantasy!

Bronze Medal, 2021 YA Epic Fantasy in the Reader's Favorite Award

Finalist, 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Fantasy

Gold Medal, 2022 Science Fiction & Fantasy eLit Awards

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  1. Book 1 of 4
    Songs of Chaos
  2. Listening Length
    17 hours and 55 minutes
  3. Author
    Michael R. Miller
  4. Narrator
    Peter Kenny
  5. Audible release date
    Sept. 21 2020
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Elemental Arts Ltd.
  8. ASIN
    B08J4K5DPM
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
Next slide of product details

Product details

Book 1 of 4 Songs of Chaos
Listening Length 17 hours and 55 minutes
Author Michael R. Miller
Narrator Peter Kenny
Audible.ca Release Date September 21 2020
Publisher Elemental Arts Ltd.
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B08J4K5DPM
鶹 Rank

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
6,734 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book perfect for dragon lovers, with a lot of charm and great fun. They describe the story as exciting, engaging, and believable. Readers also appreciate the well-defined and deep relationships between the characters.

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Character developmentStoryRelationship
19 customers mention "Character development"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the character development in the book perfect for dragon lovers. They say the author gets them invested in the characters and takes them on an amazing adventure. Readers also mention the world is engaging and believable.

"...The world is engaging and believable...." Read more

"I really loved this book. All characters are so well defined...." Read more

"...Holt, and the side cast had charming dynamics and good character developments...." Read more

"Love the story hard to put the book down" Read more

19 customers mention "Story"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the story exciting, engaging, and believable. They say it takes them on an amazing adventure with twists and turns. Readers also enjoy the plot and journey between Ash and Holt. They also appreciate the progression of the character.

"...Upon returning home, I continued to read it, making time for this enjoyable world...." Read more

"I really loved this book. All characters are so well defined...." Read more

"...Until I read Dragon Mage by ML Spencer. It was refreshing and left me wanting to try more dragon fantasy...." Read more

"...I really loved the journey and growth between Ash & Holt. This is everything I want in a dragon/rider bond...." Read more

3 customers mention "Relationship"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the relationships well-defined and deep. They say the book fleshs out the characters and builds their relationships.

"...Holt is as I would have been in his situation. The relationships are also well defined and deep, friends or foe...." Read more

"...The relationship is well told; the world-building is also terrific - if a tad full of angry-for-no-reason adults...." Read more

"...is lots of action plus time to flesh out the characters and build their relationship. I am looking forward to book 2." Read more

Loved Every Bit
5 out of 5 stars
Loved Every Bit
Pardon if this review rambles a bit. I’m tired, but wanted to get my thoughts down. I loved every bit of this. The storyline/plot is one I haven’t come across before - sort of a mix between the Inheritance Cycle (Eragon) by Christopher Paolini, and the Fourlands series by Steph Swainston. In an aside, while I know the Eragon books still remain quite popular, I have yet to run into a fellow reader that has read the Fourlands series (apart from my own husband), let alone even heard of it. So, if you’re reading this review, please, for the love of fantasy, go read the Fourlands series. Then you’ll be able to understand why I’ve made (favourable) comparisons to this book. In fact, I actually enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed Eragon, which is the only Inheritance Cycle book I’ve read (please don’t crucify me, I didn’t hate it, I just never got around to reading the rest). In any event, I think the unlikely combination of dragons, massive bugs, and zombies, was pulled off with great success. This has definitely joined the ranks of books that I will recommend at every given opportunity.
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Top reviews from Canada

  • M. Brent
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Touching and Engaging Fantasy World
    Reviewed in Canada on December 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I don't know who recommended the book to me, but I was cautious and only borrowed it to read on my Kindle. I then forgot I had it for months until I finally travelled and had time to read. Upon returning home, I continued to read it, making time for this enjoyable world. Pleased to say I have purchased all three books currently available upon completing book 1 today.

    The world is engaging and believable. The dragons are bright spots of light and truly delightful to read - the humans are mostly so, but there is a lot the heroes still need to overcome. I look forward to reading the next one!
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  • Veronica
    5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning story for anyone who loves dragons and fantasy
    Reviewed in Canada on February 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I really loved this book. All characters are so well defined. The dragons are just as one would imagine,(all of them) but Ash is definitely wonderful. His whole personality is beautiful, funny, cute and sad. Holt is as I would have been in his situation. The relationships are also well defined and deep, friends or foe.This book is so well written I could see everything described.I actually was taken into this incredible world and felt everything. Joy, laughter, wonder, beauty, terror, sadness and love. I even could feel for the antagonists. I even cried, which I don't do. It's been a long time since a book has taken me so completely out of my world and away from my own struggles. MRM for a wonderful journey I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I just know I will be sad when I've read the last page
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  • Kay’s Hidden Shelf
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fans of Eragon and Dragon Mage will love this action packed adventure
    Reviewed in Canada on July 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    4/5 Stars

    Michael R. Miller doesn’t waste time throwing readers right into adventure, action, magic and dragons.

    Now, while I love dragons as mythical creatures, the tropes that often follow them in fantasy had felt repetitive to me. Until I read Dragon Mage by ML Spencer. It was refreshing and left me wanting to try more dragon fantasy.

    This led me to Ascendant, a self-published dragon-rider fantasy and book one in the Songs of Chaos series.

    The story follows a young boy named Holt Cook. His role in life is to work in the Crag’s kitchens and one day take over his father’s role as head cook. However, Holt dreams of becoming a dragon rider and serving with the Order in their fight against the Scourge.

    Only, Holt learns a dark secret; dragons kill any eggs who are deemed flawed or weak. Stealing a doomed egg, Holt finds himself in something far bigger than imagined. Dragon riders are slaughtered and a race to save the world from blight, undead beings and destruction begins.

    The main character, Holt, and the side cast had charming dynamics and good character developments. Holt is 15 years old at the start of the story and despite his young age, has a believable maturity about him. Being raised into a life of servitude gives him a unique perspective into the world and I loved seeing how this impacted the story, and his relationships.

    His relationship with the dragon he takes was endearing as their bond developed and they learned together. To me, this felt as much the dragon’s story as Holt’s and the difficulties they faced provided unexpected plot developments.

    Now, while the story begins with a single POV from Holt, it later adds a POV from Talia which gives readers a broader look into the final scenes.

    Something that impressed me was how effortless it was to get lost in the characters, world and magic. The author naturally built each layer of the story to create an accessible read while still packing in some emotional scenes and plenty of action.

    The magic and dragon bonds were engaging and included consequences to its use. Not only that, but it also went into far more depth than I anticipated. It’s written in a way that allows the reader to learn alongside the main character and even had cooking analogies that went with the explanations. (The foodie in me loved this).

    In terms of the tropes, they were done in a way that was recognizable in dragon-rider fantasy and wove in unique traits from the worldbuilding. It even included elements of progression and classical fantasy along with an intricate world and lore.

    Overall, this was a fast paced, action-packed adventure that left me curious about what might happen next.

    I’d highly recommend this for fans of Eragon and Dragon Mage or fans of dragons, high fantasy, and detailed worldbuilding.
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  • Calgary
    5.0 out of 5 stars Can’t put the book down
    Reviewed in Canada on July 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Love the story hard to put the book down
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  • Victoria Weber
    5.0 out of 5 stars Everything I wanted and more
    Reviewed in Canada on December 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Ascendant is the first book in the Songs of Chaos series. It details the journey of Holt Cook and one rash choice that changes his life forever. There are fierce and quick-witted dragons, there are big stakes, and naturally there is also a long walk through the woods with a grumpy mentor. There is also loss and learning and so much hope it still swells in my heart now.

    I really loved the journey and growth between Ash & Holt. This is everything I want in a dragon/rider bond. I loved how MRM developed their relationship over the journey. I also really enjoyed seeing another characters growth because of Ash & Holt and how their perspective had to grow on the journey as well finding that maybe the rules could have been a little wrong in the first place after all.

    However, I also like that at the end there really wasn’t any miraculous change in the general view of Holt and Ash by the end, he was still Holt Cook and he’d still broken the rules. I appreciate that he was not forgiven his choices and that the consequences still came when the skies cleared.

    While you might find yourself comparing it to another much beloved story, for me, Ascendant stands on its own in the dragon rider world and I am truly thankful for that one random TikTok that had me adding it to my TBR.

    I believe this will be my favourite read of 2023 if not of a top of all time, and a story I will go back to again and again.
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  • Maureen Neuman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dragons bonding with humans! Well-written too. That’s all I need.
    Reviewed in Canada on April 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A terrific start to a tale of an ordinary boy and his extraordinary dragon.

    It might sound a bit cliché, but the magic being put to use has been thought out carefully, explained well - without over-explaining, and is new to me. So I’m going to use the word innovative instead.

    The relationship is well told; the world-building is also terrific - if a tad full of angry-for-no-reason adults. The hero is a bit too self-effacing, but I’m hoping that wears off over the course of a couple more books.

    It’s all in keeping with the broad brushstrokes of a YA fantasy. It’s a good tale, suitable for adults and tweens as well.
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  • James Harwood-Jones
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    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!
    Helpful
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  • Abhi
    5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect book for dragon lovers
    Reviewed in Canada on April 24, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Cant believe I came across this series purely by chance!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • SterMa
    5.0 out of 5 stars great first book, very nice setting
    Reviewed in France on July 22, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Strong beginning and foundation. A great first entry.
    Report
  • Cassie reed
    5.0 out of 5 stars a fun fantasy adventure
    Reviewed in Australia on April 26, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book was exactly what I needed just now. At a time when so much popular dragon fantasy is just porn and tagged as ‘romantasy’ this book was refreshing.
    A young boy born and raised to be a cook saves a dragon egg from destruction. He soon find himself bound to a dragon with no sight. Together they forge a bond that will both shake and change their world.
    Report
  • prouse
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written, Must Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I don’t usually gravitate toward stories about dragons and their riders, but Ascendant: Songs of Chaos Book One completely won me over. From the vivid world-building to the rich character development, Michael Miller delivers something truly special.

    The bond between Ash and Holt leaps off the page — it's emotional, believable, and you can’t help but root for them as they face impossible odds. And then there’s Talia. At first, her stubbornness and intensity made her a bit hard to like, but as the story unfolded, I found myself admiring her grit, drive, and resilience.

    This book surprised me in all the best ways. Whether you're a fan of dragon lore or not, Ascendant is a must-read.
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  • Genevieve Croft
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I’ve read in ages
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was a stunning read. Constantly engaging, well developed characters, a full world to dive into and well edited (which kindle unlimited books can be missing). The constant reminder of Holt’s cooking background are not only seamlessly worked through the story but are actually crucial to it. I can’t wait to see where this story goes.

    I wasn’t expecting a book this good. A book that could have been bought off the shelf at Waterstones. Kindle unlimited lends itself to books that wouldn’t work in traditional publishing, but this could hold its own with any great author. The varied but generally short chapters also allow for the book to be picked up and put down easily.
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  • Cliente Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really good
    Reviewed in Brazil on June 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Alrhought I did not like the middle of the book. The middle-end part was outstanding. Thank you Michael for another good book.
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