Series: The Dragon Scales Trilogy #1
Release date: May 2nd 2023
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Pages: 432
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: I bought a copy of this book from my local bookshop
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Synopsis

Long-banished dragons, revered as gods, return to the mortal realm in the first in this magical new epic fantasy trilogy from a bestselling author

Long ago, humans betrayed dragons, stealing their magic and banishing them to a dying world. Centuries later, their descendants worship dragons as gods. But the gods remember, and they do not forgive.

Thief Arcady scrapes a living on the streets of Vatra. Desperate, Arcady steals a powerful artifact from the bones of the Plaguebringer, the most hated person in Lumet history. Only Arcady knows the artifact’s magic holds the key to a new life among the nobles at court and a chance for revenge.

The spell connects to Everen, the last male dragon foretold to save his kind, dragging him through the Veil. Disguised as a human, Everen soon learns that to regain his true power and form and fulfil his destiny, he only needs to convince one little thief to trust him enough to bond completely–body, mind, and soul–and then kill them.

Yet the closer the two become, the greater the risk both their worlds will shatter.

Review

I heard Laura Lam talk about Dragonfall at Cymera Festival and immediately knew I had to read it. The story follows Arcady, a thief who dreams of a life studying at the University as one of the drakine. To succeed in this goal Arcady steals a seal from the bones of the Plaguebringer – the most hated person in Lumet history. When Arcady casts a spell that drags Everen – the last male dragon – through the Veil, he is told he must convince Arcady to trust him and then kill her in order to bring dragons back to Lumet. Who will succeed and at what cost?

Dragonfall is a really fascinating read and there is lots about this book that I really enjoyed. The worldbuilding is well crafted – the world feels really fleshed out and detailed. I liked Lam’s writing style that was beautiful and compelling. The society Lam has created in this world is also really fascinating and I enjoyed the discussions around gender and identity. This story has a lot of elements that fantasy fans will fall in love with, including dragons, enemies to lovers, and a plot that centres around a heist.

I would have loved to see a bit more of the dragons in their home world, but that is hopefully something that will come in book two. I also found Everen’s chapters a little bit jarring because they are written to Arcady. Overall the characters are well developed and while I did like Everen and Arcady, I am particularly intrigued by Sorin and am excited to see where their story goes next. Dragonfall is a well crafted and entertaining read, one that many fantasy fans will fall in love with.