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Champions of the Dawning Dragons #1
Thornbear
Gram lives in the long shadow cast by his father, the late-hero, Dorian Thornbear. Struggling to find his place in a world where politics and wizardry appear to have replaced the need for men of might and main, he must make his own mark. Trapped within the seemingly safe confines of Castle Cameron, Gram faces both love and tragedy. His choices will define not only himself, but serve to remind others of his family’s legacy, and the reason only a fool threatens those a Thornbear protects.
488 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2014
455 people are currently reading
1988 people want to read
About the author
Michael G. Manning
30 books2,088 followersMichael Manning was born in Cleveland, Texas and spent his formative years there, reading fantasy and science fiction, concocting home grown experiments in his backyard, and generally avoiding schoolwork.
Eventually he went to college, starting at Sam Houston State University, where his love of beer blossomed and his obsession with playing role-playing games led him to what he calls 'his best year ever' and what most of his family calls 'the lost year'.
Several years and a few crappy jobs later, he decided to pursue college again and was somehow accepted into the University of Houston Honors program (we won't get into the particulars of that miracle). This led to a degree in pharmacy and it followed from there that he wound up with a license to practice said profession.
Unfortunately, Michael was not a very good pharmacist. Being relatively lawless and free spirited were not particularly good traits to possess in a career focused on perfection, patient safety, and the letter-of-the-law. Nevertheless, he persisted and after a stint as a hospital pharmacy manager wound up as a pharmacist working in correctional managed care for the State of Texas.
He gave drugs to prisoners.
After a year or two at UTMB he became bored and taught himself entirely too much about networking, programming, and database design and administration. At first his supervisors warned him (repeatedly) to do his assigned tasks and stop designing programs to help his coworkers do theirs, but eventually they gave up and just let him do whatever he liked since it seemed to be generally working out well for them.
Ten or eleven years later and he got bored with that too. So he wrote a book. We won't talk about where he was when he wrote 'The Blacksmith's Son', but let's just assume he was probably supposed to be doing something else at the time.
Some people liked the book and told other people. Now they won't leave him alone.
After another year or two, he decided to just give up and stop pretending to be a pharmacist/programmer, much to the chagrin of his mother (who had only ever wanted him to grow up to be a doctor and had finally become content with the fact that he had settled on pharmacy instead).
Michael's wife supported his decision, even as she stubbornly refused to believe he would make any money at it. It turned out later that she was just telling him this because she knew that nothing made Michael more contrary than his never ending desire to prove her wrong. Once he was able to prove said fact she promptly admitted her tricky ruse and he has since given up on trying to win.
Today he lives at home with his stubborn wife, teenage twins, a giant moose-poodle, two yorkies, a green-cheeked conure, a massive prehistoric tortoise, and a head full of imaginary people. There are also some fish, but he refuses to talk about them.
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Eventually he went to college, starting at Sam Houston State University, where his love of beer blossomed and his obsession with playing role-playing games led him to what he calls 'his best year ever' and what most of his family calls 'the lost year'.
Several years and a few crappy jobs later, he decided to pursue college again and was somehow accepted into the University of Houston Honors program (we won't get into the particulars of that miracle). This led to a degree in pharmacy and it followed from there that he wound up with a license to practice said profession.
Unfortunately, Michael was not a very good pharmacist. Being relatively lawless and free spirited were not particularly good traits to possess in a career focused on perfection, patient safety, and the letter-of-the-law. Nevertheless, he persisted and after a stint as a hospital pharmacy manager wound up as a pharmacist working in correctional managed care for the State of Texas.
He gave drugs to prisoners.
After a year or two at UTMB he became bored and taught himself entirely too much about networking, programming, and database design and administration. At first his supervisors warned him (repeatedly) to do his assigned tasks and stop designing programs to help his coworkers do theirs, but eventually they gave up and just let him do whatever he liked since it seemed to be generally working out well for them.
Ten or eleven years later and he got bored with that too. So he wrote a book. We won't talk about where he was when he wrote 'The Blacksmith's Son', but let's just assume he was probably supposed to be doing something else at the time.
Some people liked the book and told other people. Now they won't leave him alone.
After another year or two, he decided to just give up and stop pretending to be a pharmacist/programmer, much to the chagrin of his mother (who had only ever wanted him to grow up to be a doctor and had finally become content with the fact that he had settled on pharmacy instead).
Michael's wife supported his decision, even as she stubbornly refused to believe he would make any money at it. It turned out later that she was just telling him this because she knew that nothing made Michael more contrary than his never ending desire to prove her wrong. Once he was able to prove said fact she promptly admitted her tricky ruse and he has since given up on trying to win.
Today he lives at home with his stubborn wife, teenage twins, a giant moose-poodle, two yorkies, a green-cheeked conure, a massive prehistoric tortoise, and a head full of imaginary people. There are also some fish, but he refuses to talk about them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
November 3, 2014
I'm a big fan of Manning's Mageborn series which kept getting better and better with each book. Once they were over I wondered what would happen to the series and I was pleasantly surprised by the prequel "The Mountains Rise" which was I have to say his best work and one of the best fantasy novels I've come across.
So getting back to Thornbear I wondered how Manning would handle Dorian's son considering Dorian was one of my least favorite characters in the Mageborn series as he always was too good to be true and always being noble to a fault.
I felt slightly let down by Thornbear. It was a straight up story in lines of the Blacksmith's son but better handled. I felt the realistic depiction human nature and grittiness achieved in Embers of Illeniel #1 was missing from this origins story. I just couldn't get invested in the characters like I did previously. To be fair this is a still a good book and I hope the series gets better in the sequel.
So getting back to Thornbear I wondered how Manning would handle Dorian's son considering Dorian was one of my least favorite characters in the Mageborn series as he always was too good to be true and always being noble to a fault.
I felt slightly let down by Thornbear. It was a straight up story in lines of the Blacksmith's son but better handled. I felt the realistic depiction human nature and grittiness achieved in Embers of Illeniel #1 was missing from this origins story. I just couldn't get invested in the characters like I did previously. To be fair this is a still a good book and I hope the series gets better in the sequel.
October 31, 2014
Michael G. Manning just keeps getting better. This has to be the best Fantasy I have read in many years. Yes, it does have all the elements of Epic Fantasy, but the characters are richly endowed with quirky personalities, and individual touches. Gram is a stereotypical teenager to start with. Charmingly unsure of his role in life, and straining against authority, and at times, damnably truculent. However, he grows into a fascinating role in his endeavours, falling in love, having his heart broken, and interacting with a brilliant range of characters, magical and non magical. I loved all of the main characters, but especially Grace, and Matthew D'Cameron, the son of Mordecai, from the Mageborn series. Each person is endowed with their own special qualities, and several times, MgM's book brought me to tears, and laughter. Again, darker moments are lightened at just the right time, with unexpected humour. There is horror, fear, hope, and wonder at some of the strange implements MgM has dreamt up. Now I need to find the patience until his next book evolves. Meanwhile, I will start at the beginning of this incredible journey by starting re-reading from Mageborn;The Blacksmith's Son.
December 9, 2017
Loved it!
This is an imaginative and easy to read and enjoyable novel. I loved reading about Gram Thornbear and his rise to adulthood and becoming a knight before he should due to an heroic rescue and battles.
Follow Gram learning to control his anger and frustration at being held back from fighting like all the youngsters lads did to become squires to knights.
His best friend and Mage genius Matthew and his twin sister Moira help Gram along with Knight and secret trainer in a special fighting form, guide Gram to his ultimate destiny.
I loved the individual characters and they way the scenes are brought to life with good descriptions and a fun sense of humour you find along the way. It's definitely a book worth picking up and reading if you enjoy fantasy novels.
Grab it and make a cuppa. You'll enjoy this.
This is the first time I have read a book by Michael G. Manning and I do definitely think I will be reading book 2.
I also would love to read the trials and tribulations of Dorian Thornbear, Gram's father and the history surrounding his final battle, the memory and legacy he left behind for Gram.
Thank you Michael G. Manning for providing a really enjoyable read!
This is an imaginative and easy to read and enjoyable novel. I loved reading about Gram Thornbear and his rise to adulthood and becoming a knight before he should due to an heroic rescue and battles.
Follow Gram learning to control his anger and frustration at being held back from fighting like all the youngsters lads did to become squires to knights.
His best friend and Mage genius Matthew and his twin sister Moira help Gram along with Knight and secret trainer in a special fighting form, guide Gram to his ultimate destiny.
I loved the individual characters and they way the scenes are brought to life with good descriptions and a fun sense of humour you find along the way. It's definitely a book worth picking up and reading if you enjoy fantasy novels.
Grab it and make a cuppa. You'll enjoy this.
This is the first time I have read a book by Michael G. Manning and I do definitely think I will be reading book 2.
I also would love to read the trials and tribulations of Dorian Thornbear, Gram's father and the history surrounding his final battle, the memory and legacy he left behind for Gram.
Thank you Michael G. Manning for providing a really enjoyable read!
December 17, 2014
Manning is brilliant as ever. I have read his Mageborn series and liked it a lot. Now Gram and a company of intriguing and likable characters come to life in this new series. It's going to be hard being patient enough to wait until the next installment six months away. This fantasy story is just warming up and I'm rooting for the goodguys even though we don't really know who the bad guys are yet! There will be dragons!
March 3, 2015
There are parts of this book that makes me wonder if I am missing something as I had not yet read The Mountains Rise (Embers of Illeniel Book 1). That said, when I am reading a Michael Manning book it feels like I am reading a John Flanagan book that allows for Magic and now Dragons. It isn't just the setting but the way the characters interact with each other. Obviously this is a new arch and is a coming of age for the Children of the former protagonist of the Mageborn series. I must admit I started this book as an audible book to listen too while working on a project and well the project sits idle as I switched over to my kindle and read straight through.
October 29, 2015
Thornbear is a coming of age fantasy to a certain extent but with a lot of twist and humour along the way that has it going off in completely unexpected ways that you do not expect! :D Characters have a three-dimensionality about them as well with none of the me being perfect they they might argue the case with you! :D It also had the advantage for this kind of story to be already being set in an universe with dragons, magic and epic sword fights etc that has books in it before meaning the fast paced story can kick off straight away which indeed it does and never lets up! :D
Brilliant and highly recommended! :D
Brilliant and highly recommended! :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2015
So this is my first Michael G Manning book (I know!!!) and I've often looked at his books in the past but then decided not to bother. However, for all that I don't know his 'universe' and the ending was a bit of a change to the rest of the book (when it delved deeply into past events) I really enjoyed and thought Gram was an interesting, if not loveable character.
Some people have said it's too predictable, and yes, some of the plot twists are easy to see coming, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and might well go back and actually start at the beginning!
Some people have said it's too predictable, and yes, some of the plot twists are easy to see coming, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and might well go back and actually start at the beginning!
December 21, 2014
When I started this book and having slogged through many of the Robert Jordan series, I thought "oh, boy, just more of the same." I was mistaken. The story quickly captured my interest and 400+ pages later I was startled to reach the end. I'll definitely be reading the next one!
February 5, 2020
As much as the other reviews said that one did not necessarily need to read the previous book series set in the same universe to understand this, I still felt like something was missing. There were some mentions of past events closely related to the characters, but considering that the other series is written in first person, I will not be reading it.
Back to Thornbear. I would have to say it's quite disappointing as I found a few things which bothered me: the social relationships between characters were blurry at best, considering their stations, ages and family status; I had a really hard time relating to a character or even growing a fondness to any of them although it may be too early for that; I won't even go into the teenage love relationship (possibly the OTP of the series?) because it was truly abysmal; lastly, the pace was interesting as it was quite slow in the beginning with months and months passing before anything of value happens whereas towards the end, the book seemed to be written in a hurry.
I can't really comment on the magic system, it wasn't of a particular focus at least in the first book.
Overall, I had high expectations, mostly based on the reviews and hype, but sadly they couldn't live up to that.
Back to Thornbear. I would have to say it's quite disappointing as I found a few things which bothered me: the social relationships between characters were blurry at best, considering their stations, ages and family status; I had a really hard time relating to a character or even growing a fondness to any of them although it may be too early for that; I won't even go into the teenage love relationship (possibly the OTP of the series?) because it was truly abysmal; lastly, the pace was interesting as it was quite slow in the beginning with months and months passing before anything of value happens whereas towards the end, the book seemed to be written in a hurry.
I can't really comment on the magic system, it wasn't of a particular focus at least in the first book.
Overall, I had high expectations, mostly based on the reviews and hype, but sadly they couldn't live up to that.
January 5, 2018
2.5
I am a fan of M.M’s Mageborn series but I must confess that Thornbear was not what I expected. It felt too young for me, predictable (and the typos were distracting). In short, it didn’t really work for me but I read it till the end.
This must mean something 🙂
I am a fan of M.M’s Mageborn series but I must confess that Thornbear was not what I expected. It felt too young for me, predictable (and the typos were distracting). In short, it didn’t really work for me but I read it till the end.
This must mean something 🙂
March 29, 2018
4.5 stars it started a little slow but spectacular
March 16, 2017
Okay, so I love it when I find a new author. Now, I've seen Manning's stuff for quite some time, but to be honest his covers dissuaded me from giving them a shot. Then I noticed his covers started to get better and that was intriguing. I know its stupid, but for me a good cover reflects an author that cares. But I should've learned after reading Brian Fuller's books, which are still some of my favorites, and I had originally shied away from them due to the covers (am not a fan of them). But I think I learned my lesson.
Now, I loved this book. I was intrigued with the characters right away. I'm a sucker for good training montages and this book had that. If I don't want to go to bed, then I know the author has done something right. There were some predictable plot points, and some cliched things, but they didn't bug me much as its so hard to find anything unique in fantasy anymore as its all been done. What I'm really excited about is that he has so many books for me to dive into now. I'm looking forward to reading them.
Now, I loved this book. I was intrigued with the characters right away. I'm a sucker for good training montages and this book had that. If I don't want to go to bed, then I know the author has done something right. There were some predictable plot points, and some cliched things, but they didn't bug me much as its so hard to find anything unique in fantasy anymore as its all been done. What I'm really excited about is that he has so many books for me to dive into now. I'm looking forward to reading them.
October 31, 2016
Well, after reading the other books of Mr. Manning I have to say I was really disappointed with this one. First of all the real plot starts near the third quarter of the book. Also the book is badly written. And when I say this I do not mean grammatical errors or typos. I mean that PLENTY of things happening do not have a logical explanation. Gram for example became master martial artist, and learned the "path" of the warrior in a few months.... OK...
I will not write more, but I have to say that it was not a very pleasant read. It felt like the book was written in a great hurry by a 15 years old boy.... 2,5 stars
I will not write more, but I have to say that it was not a very pleasant read. It felt like the book was written in a great hurry by a 15 years old boy.... 2,5 stars
December 2, 2017
The first few chapters are in desperate need of a professional copy editor. And in those first chapters, the dialogue is forced, and awkward in parts.
Magic seems too limitless and easy for the practitioners. As well as more than one magical device seems over the top.
That said, there were parts of the story, mostly from the middle on that really captured. my attention, and I enjoyed that read enough to make the things that bothered me much less important.
It was a quick read, less than a day, and very much worth the time. I'll read another by Mr. Manning soon.
Magic seems too limitless and easy for the practitioners. As well as more than one magical device seems over the top.
That said, there were parts of the story, mostly from the middle on that really captured. my attention, and I enjoyed that read enough to make the things that bothered me much less important.
It was a quick read, less than a day, and very much worth the time. I'll read another by Mr. Manning soon.
June 14, 2021
Manning knows how to do a coming-of-age tale.
Despite reading this book before realizing the I should have started with the Mageborn series, I felt no dislocation. Nothing seemed to be missing.
Gram is a believable, sympathetic, and likable protagonist. I was on his side at every moment. While the larger world is still obscured, it seems realistic. The magic system also looks good. In short, this is a well-rounded fantasy and I'm eager to delve deeper. With luck, the 14+ books set in this universe will keep me busy for some time.
Despite reading this book before realizing the I should have started with the Mageborn series, I felt no dislocation. Nothing seemed to be missing.
Gram is a believable, sympathetic, and likable protagonist. I was on his side at every moment. While the larger world is still obscured, it seems realistic. The magic system also looks good. In short, this is a well-rounded fantasy and I'm eager to delve deeper. With luck, the 14+ books set in this universe will keep me busy for some time.
November 26, 2014
Not a bad read, easy and comfortable. But it was also predictable as hell, its protagonist a bit too perfect - good looking, athletic, martially gifted, kind, wealthy, with a loving family and loyal powerful friends - which made it all seem too easy for him.
I still enjoyed the novel. 3/5 for me.
I still enjoyed the novel. 3/5 for me.
June 6, 2025
Really struggled with this one.
The first couple of chapters were especially difficult to get through. The pacing was slow, and the writing felt stilted. Whenever there wasn't some dialogue to break up the writing, the syntax felt repetitive and colourless. It's safe to say that I didn't enjoy the writing at all.
The characters also weren't very interesting. They felt more like one-dimensional caricatures, and I couldn't relate to any of them.
The only thing that kept me reading was the hope that there would be some more elaboration on the magic system. Unfortunately, what little there was about the magic of this world wasn't enough to save the book for me.
*edit* Apparently, this is a follow-up series, so it might have been better to start with the Mageborn series to build an emotional connection with the setting.
The first couple of chapters were especially difficult to get through. The pacing was slow, and the writing felt stilted. Whenever there wasn't some dialogue to break up the writing, the syntax felt repetitive and colourless. It's safe to say that I didn't enjoy the writing at all.
The characters also weren't very interesting. They felt more like one-dimensional caricatures, and I couldn't relate to any of them.
The only thing that kept me reading was the hope that there would be some more elaboration on the magic system. Unfortunately, what little there was about the magic of this world wasn't enough to save the book for me.
*edit* Apparently, this is a follow-up series, so it might have been better to start with the Mageborn series to build an emotional connection with the setting.
March 27, 2021
Not as good as his newer The choice of Magic which i read before this.
He does some of the same things in both series, where we follow a young man and watches how he becomes insanely powerful very fast, find his one true-love (but wait - its impossible ... or is it... lol) and then shows off his powers all so he can have his storybook ending - which he eventually will get (i predict).
Its not a bad template, and TCOM did it pretty good, in this one it all felt a bit rushed and i didnt really connect with the characters and their feelings, everything felt a bit too staged and, with TCOM fresh in memory, inferior.
Perhaps 3.5 is more fair than 3 flat, its well-functioning escapism with some good tropes, but the execution is mediocre.
He does some of the same things in both series, where we follow a young man and watches how he becomes insanely powerful very fast, find his one true-love (but wait - its impossible ... or is it... lol) and then shows off his powers all so he can have his storybook ending - which he eventually will get (i predict).
Its not a bad template, and TCOM did it pretty good, in this one it all felt a bit rushed and i didnt really connect with the characters and their feelings, everything felt a bit too staged and, with TCOM fresh in memory, inferior.
Perhaps 3.5 is more fair than 3 flat, its well-functioning escapism with some good tropes, but the execution is mediocre.
August 13, 2023
DNF 52%
I was expecting a badass fantasy book with fighting, instead I got an idyllic group of teens living in a fancy castle and having fun, everything works out all the time and the hot girl falls for the MC immediately. There are hints that she is sinister but after half a book of nothing happening I've given up. It's too bad since I like the characters and the setting, if only something was done with them.
I was expecting a badass fantasy book with fighting, instead I got an idyllic group of teens living in a fancy castle and having fun, everything works out all the time and the hot girl falls for the MC immediately. There are hints that she is sinister but after half a book of nothing happening I've given up. It's too bad since I like the characters and the setting, if only something was done with them.
July 2, 2018
Great book, it’s been some time sismos a write a review for a book, but this book deserved it. The magic system I not all that clear, well more over its an enigma in a way, we (the reader) is discovering it as you keep advancing in the book. The characters grow through the book and keeps delivering excitement and intrigue until the end. I enjoyed it, and recommend it.
July 31, 2018
Not as good as all the rest of his books..
I didn't enjoy this book as much as i have the others. It felt like an uncertain romance. It didnt have the character development Ive enjoyed in all the books. I still recommend it as essential to read. It contains info we need to continue and it is still enjoyable. I do not regret buying and reading this installment.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as i have the others. It felt like an uncertain romance. It didnt have the character development Ive enjoyed in all the books. I still recommend it as essential to read. It contains info we need to continue and it is still enjoyable. I do not regret buying and reading this installment.
May 9, 2025
This made me feel really nostalgic. Grams mention of his dad made me cry… I’m still not over this. This focused a lot on Gram and I enjoyed his training process and the storyline with his love interest. I was sad that he didn’t get his happy ending in this book but also he got a dragon so that’s cool af
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2025
*7.8/10
Returning to the land of Mageborn, our characters are about 7-8 years older. The story follows Gram, son of Dorian and his “coming of age” tale has all the major metrics of a teenage boy (sex, fighting, escaping your parent’s expectations). The story was fine and had some funnier moments, but the book felt a little stale compared to the rest of the series so far. Still a good read.
Returning to the land of Mageborn, our characters are about 7-8 years older. The story follows Gram, son of Dorian and his “coming of age” tale has all the major metrics of a teenage boy (sex, fighting, escaping your parent’s expectations). The story was fine and had some funnier moments, but the book felt a little stale compared to the rest of the series so far. Still a good read.
July 5, 2017
Muy buena historia. Magia, asesinos, amistad y romance.
Lo que no me gustó: uno de los personajes es obligado a prostituirse y a asesinar por su tío.
Lo que me encantó: La espada mágica Thornbear y el osito de peluche poseído por un ser extraordinario de origen desconocido.
Lo que no me gustó: uno de los personajes es obligado a prostituirse y a asesinar por su tío.
Lo que me encantó: La espada mágica Thornbear y el osito de peluche poseído por un ser extraordinario de origen desconocido.
May 14, 2018
The start of another fantastic series
The children from the mageborn series take centre stage in this follow-up and their story is no less captivating than that of the characters we started off with.
On to book2!!!
The children from the mageborn series take centre stage in this follow-up and their story is no less captivating than that of the characters we started off with.
On to book2!!!
February 2, 2025
Great Story
Really liked this book. I am looking forward to the next book involving Gram. I am not going to read the next in the series as it involves another character, and according to the reviews, it really doesn't follow the story lines of the first book.
Really liked this book. I am looking forward to the next book involving Gram. I am not going to read the next in the series as it involves another character, and according to the reviews, it really doesn't follow the story lines of the first book.
August 9, 2017
A slow story with a few content warning issues. But the characters are undeniable.
Full review to post on my blog in time.
Full review to post on my blog in time.
November 7, 2017
Solid book
Loved it, wasn't quite perfect. It drew me in really well and is an excellent coming of age story for those not looking for dense fantasy.
Loved it, wasn't quite perfect. It drew me in really well and is an excellent coming of age story for those not looking for dense fantasy.
November 10, 2017
Fast moving
Great book, loved the character development, well thought out story lines. Can't wait to get the next book in the series
Great book, loved the character development, well thought out story lines. Can't wait to get the next book in the series
December 13, 2017
Fluff and too young for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews