The Gripping Finale to Dragon Scales

Read my review of Emberclaw by L.R. Lam, the sequel to the admired Dragonfall and finale to the Dragon Scales duology.

4 stars

Out: Now

Arcady goes to University without knowing how they will pay for all their studies. An opportunity for a scholarship arises with the commencement of magical trials. If successful, they will be able to continue learning and the mission to absolve their grandsire. Meanwhile, in the dragon land, the Veil is weakening and Everen is needed, so he is released from his prison but stripped of his titles. There is danger of an ancient power awakening. Arcady & Everen must balance the two worlds or all will be lost.

First and foremost, we must applaud the author for starting the book with a recap of the previous installment in storymode.

The prose either sings lyrical — the stitching of sentences often artistic in wording — or flows companionable, even both depending on the POV. All of the POVs are unique in their expression. Everen's remains directed to Arcady, using the term you again. Except for our two beloved protagonists' POVs we have Sorin (I really like how she's brought into the story), but also Cassia and Magnes! Touched with earnestness, they are intimate and overflowing with each character's determination. They intertwine in a timely manner, presenting well-structured continuity, and without throwing us out of our immersion.

Both our leads have underdog status in this installment and need or want to prove themselves. Proving yourself is actually a shared theme for all the characters. The author bestows us with the experience of learning along with the characters while rich descriptions and truthful depiction of thoughts and emotions succeed in making us feel as if we are right there, in the thick of it. A dash of creatively finessed mythology, a sprinkle of image-inducing worldbuilding and a nice helping of romantic feelings coincide to season this story with epicness. There are delightfully humorous bits of course that usually have to do with Arcady.

I think a certain agenda should have been teased more and earlier. Also some of the magic, like in the lessons, was confusing and needed to be explained not to a greater extent but differently I guess, for sometimes they were longwinded. It was slower in parts than I would have liked, some things needed to be more concise.

Fate continues to be an important theme. Along with the importance of balance and how everything is connected. It also deals with legacy and the idea of home, of belonging somewhere, to something or someone.

I loved the progression of the story, amplifying with quiet power and always enthralling, turning in so many unexpected directions. It included undeniable thought-provoking phrases. The impossibility of their situation has you rooting for them all the more and you have no idea how it can be resolved but you know it will all come together in an explosive conclusion. This is the tale of an unshakeable bond, a captivating read with gorgeous writing, memorable characters and the unbelievable boon of dragon POVs.