I really enjoyed reading "Scales & Scoundrels Definitive Edition Book 1: Where Dragons Wander." The story follows Luvander, a treasure-hunter with a mysterious past, as she embarks on a new adventure with a group of unlikely companions. The world-building in this book is fantastic, and I loved the blend of magic, dragons, and steampunk elements.

The artwork is also gorgeous, with vivid colors and detailed illustrations that really bring the story to life. The characters are all unique and interesting, and I appreciated the diversity in the cast, both in terms of ethnicity and personality. I also enjoyed the humor in the story, which lightened the tone and added some fun moments amidst the action and adventure.

My only criticism of the book is that the plot felt a bit rushed at times, and some of the character motivations weren't fully fleshed out. However, this is only the first book in the series, so I'm hoping that these issues will be resolved in future volumes.

Overall, "Scales & Scoundrels Definitive Edition Book 1: Where Dragons Wander" is a great read for fans of fantasy and adventure comics. It's a fun and exciting story with beautiful artwork, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes from here. I would definitely recommend it to others who enjoy this genre.

Scales & Scoundrels, Book 1: Where Dragons Wander is the first half of a so-far great story revolving around treasure hunting, finding what you've lost, and, well, dragons. It's D&D-esque world and story really pull you in, and the coloring is gorgeous.

The pacing is a little odd but really, that's an artifact of Scales & Scoundrels originally releasing as single-issue comics and later being collected into two definitive books.

This is just the first half of what we have, so there's a lot of information gleaned slowly, but the ending of the book really sets up the next quite well.

I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely be interested in continuing on in the series. Anything with magic or dragons is interesting to me. I think the art style was really well done, and the story was interesting and intriguing.

Thank you to NetGalley and TKO Studios for the chance to review this advanced copy of Scales and Scoundrels: Where Dragons Wander. The art is what truly stands out in this graphic novel: gorgeously drawn, beautifully colored, dynamic and expressive art captures the reader's attention and doesn't let go. The mystery of the book is more confusing than intriguing and ended up being slightly disappointing, features inconsistent characterization, the plot is disjointed and reads more like cut vignettes rather than a cohesive story.

I haven't completely finished this one yet, but about 2/3 of the way through, and I like it. I wouldn't say I love it, because the plot feels a bit common. But I definitely love how cute the art is, and the characters are great. I think I'll love it even more once I finish reading it.

Fun high fantasy type graphic novel that will appeal to older kids and teens. Cool characters, good fights without a lot of blood and guts and a story with a lot of twists and turns.

'Scales & Scoundrels Definitive Edition Book 1: Where Dragons Wander' by Sebastian Girner with art by Galaad is a graphic novel about young woman in search of treasure who may not be who she seems to be.

Luvander lives in a town where she is just trying to make a living and find a bit of treasure. She sets off for the fabled 'Dragon's Maw' and finds herself in the company of a future royal and his bodyguard, and a young dwarf looking for her brother. Luvander seems nearly indestructible and that's because she is a dragon.
In the 280 pages here, there are a series of stories, but the first one is the longest.

I really liked the fun, bold main character and the world that I got to see. The character designs are fun and liked the variety of stories.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from TKO Studios and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Wow this was amazing! Beautiful artwork paired with wonderfully crafted characters - the story is full of joy and perfect for any readers wanted to read fantasy with the graphic novel element.

This was an amazing book!

The art, characters, and the entire story was so diverse and full of joy. I'm even tempted to get the second book.

The first few pages were boring and too cartoonic (even for me) but the more I read, the more the art/characters started to grow on me. I'm really glad that I started reading this and although the eBook version was a little blurry, the entire story was still lovely!

*A special thank to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an eArc of this beautiful book.*

I wasn't able to read this book, but I do plan to purchase a copy myself as I am still interested to post a review, and to actually read it as well. Thank you for the copy.

An interesting new graphic series great for kids who are interested in high fantasy and dungeons and dragons, but want that graphic component, too.

This is a spoiler free review.

Scales & Scoundrels Book 1: Where Dragons Wander is an awesome book. I really enjoyed reading this novel. It's a combination of the The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings along with Dungeons and Dragons. If you enjoy either genre you will love this awesome book.

Scales & Scoundrels Book 1: Where Dragons Wander features a group of very different characters who go on an epic adventure and journey together to find the Dragon’s Maw. You need to read the book to find out what shiny and sparkly things a dragon has in its maw… Each character in this fantastic book is so unique and has a very distinct personality. Luvander is a treasure hunter who's always ready to find her next big score. She also has a fun and exciting secret we learn more about as the story progresses. Dorma is a dwarf who is afraid of the dark. Could there be a more ironic character trait for a dwarf to have than that?!? Aki is a young prince who is on his sacred journey. Koro is his faithful protector and his loyal shadow. She's awesome and is not someone you want to cross. Koro would fit in perfectly with the Black Panther’s body guards in Wakanda.

This graphic novel is written so well. The story flows and has a great pace the entire length of the book. As we read this entertaining graphic novel we learn so much about each character as they grow and change during the journey. I look forward to reading Scales & Scoundrels Book 2 to see what happens next!

One of the things I really enjoyed about Scales & Scoundrels Book 1: Where Dragons Wander is the similarities this book shares with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The main similarities start with all three books have a group of very different characters who set off on a journey together, there is a cave or a mountain that is full of treasure that was once controlled by dwarves that now has a dragon living it, and many beautiful images that look so much like J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. In particular when our heroes are sitting outside the Dragon’s Maw. The image of them camping outside a giant door reminds me so much of the giant door outside of the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit and also the giant door outside of the Mines of Moria in The Fellowship of the Ring. There are also many more images that remind me of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, when you read Scales & Scoundrels Book 1: Where Dragons Wander see if any of the artwork in this book reminds you of any stories you’ve read.

Lastly the artwork in this graphic novel is beautiful. There are times where the colors are really bright and vibrant and other times where there is no color at all like when our heroes are in a cave surrounded by total darkness. I enjoyed the contrasting settings and colors throughout the book.

I highly recommend reading Scales & Scoundrels Book 1: Where Dragons Wander. I found myself not being able to put down the graphic novel. I really liked the character Dorma and how we got to learn more about her family and other dwarves. I also liked Luvander and how we get to see is if she really does only care about treasure.

When you want to escape to a world of fantasy, dragons, dwarves, scoundrels, swords and sorcery please make sure you give this book a try. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

Stay awesome and keep reading!


Scales & Scoundrels Book 1: Where Dragons Wander

Creative Team:
Written by Sebastian Girner
Art by Galaad
Lettering and Design by Jeff Powell

An adventurer runs into and joins forces with a group of three other adventurers trying to descend into a deep dungeon that supposedly has amazing treasure at the bottom. Adventure ensues.
The setting and plot is pretty standard DND-like fare; it was a bit more tropey than I expected, seeing as the series started in 2017. There's not much to make it stand out in either category, although I think they both served their purpose of creating an adventure.
For characters, the book focuses on Luvander, a lone adventure who loves games and lacks manners, as well as the three companions she meets, those being the naïve prince Aki, his stoic bodyguard Koro, and the timid dwarf girl Dorma. There's a little backstory and depth to each of them, but not much. Again, they're fine.
In terms of art style, this book goes for a cell-shaded look with simple but appealing character designs. The colors were fine and the backgrounds were good. My only real issue with it is that each character's mouth is too far up. It's only slightly too far up, but I kept noticing it and getting annoyed. Otherwise the art style works.
Despite the title, there are no actual dragons here. One is shown in Luvander's dreams, but that's about it. Luvander does have some dragon-like traits, though, and is hinted at having some history with the dragons.

Overall this whole book was just fine: good but not amazing in anything. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure why you would read this over one of the more popular DND-inspired books or comics out there.

This was a pretty fun graphic novel to read. I will admit the story was a little hard to follow at times, but it all made more sense towards the end. We meet some really cool characters and see many amazing creatures. As this graphic novel comes to a close the adventure is far from over.

A fun fantasy adventure involving a group of individuals from different backgrounds as they join together on a single path to different futures. Lu a humanoid but not completely human creature searching for treasure (particularly gold...one might say a dragon's horde), A princeling and his faithful warrior servant as they take one last adventure together before the weight of duty is placed upon them both, and a dwarven girl on an adventure to help save her people and in the process find her brother.

There is magic, there are monsters, a hidden city and a bounty hunter to boot, what more can anyone ask for in a fantastical adventure?

For fans of fantasy and D&D, this read is bound to keep you entertained.

Scales and Scoundrels is an all age comic that follows a young adventurer who is on the hunt for gold and glory. It did take me a bit to get into the story, but I think my students will be instantly hooked. The art is perfect for an all ages comic. It isn't too detailed to distract your younger readers, but there is enough detail your older readers won't be bored. I really enjoyed the story, while it was slow in the beginning I got to the last page of the review copy and was so disappointed there wasn't more. I can't wait to dive in to volume 2.

Creative Team:
Written by Sebastian Girner
Art by Galaad
Lettering and Design by Jeff Powell

Scales & Scoundrels has a beautiful art style; everythings appears very dynamic, though the action scenes were often a bit muddled. But especially the full-page illustrations are popping.
The comic is quite funny, sometimes a bit clumsy. In parts there was a lot of info dump, which disrupts the reading flow. The story itself didn't offer me anything new, it's more of a classic adventure story, but I can see a more complex story developing in future instalments. Same goes for the character development, we see a bit, but I hope for more in the future. I still loved the depiction of strong female characters.
So all in all a beautiful and fun adventure story. 3,5 Stars.

Luvander is a female treasure hunter who sets off for the fabled "Dragon's Maw", where she hopes to find riches beyond comprehension. (Naturally, that whole "Dragon's Maw" business also suggests that maybe there's a dragon who will protect their hoard, but she's not going to let that stop her!) She teams up with a group of adventurers, including a prince, his bodyguard, and a dwarf, and together, the group sticks together while fighting monsters and braving dungeons, but Luvander has a secret she's not sharing just yet... is this her epic journey, or just a simple treasure looting operation? A heroine's journey filled with excitement, adventure, great dialogue and an inclusive cast of characters, the writing and the fantastic artwork make this aces for your middle grade and middle school readers. Display and booktalk with Nimona by Noelle Stevenson, Kazu Kazubuishi's Amulet series, James Parks and Ben Costa's Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo series, and Robin Robinson's No One Returns From the Enchanted Forest.

Scales & Scoundrels Definitive Edition, Book 1 and 2, by Sebastian Girner and Galaad are graphic novels currently schedule for release on July 6 2021. This a a new, revised and expanded definitive edition of the all ages comic.

This multicultural fantasy adventure follows young treasure hunter Luvander in her search for gold and glory. Along with her companions—a prince, his stern bodyguard, and a plucky young dwarf—Lu dives into an epic journey and discovers a secret that will bring light to a world encroached upon by an ancient darkness. Book 1: Where Dragons Wander contains material previously collected in the Image Comics edition of Scales & Scoundrels Vol. 1 & 2, with completely reworked artwork. Lu’s adventure continues in Book 2: The Festival of Life, with more than 250 pages of original content. I only had access to a sneak peek of these volumes, so my review is only on the artwork and story I had access to.

I have never before read Scales & Scoundrels so my review is based on looking at the previews of these two volumes with no nostalgia or prior knowledge of the story. I thought the idea and story was well done with quality artwork I thought the story was easy to follow, with some predictability, and the artwork matched the story well. The story starts fairly slowly, a standard fantasy adventure, but the characters and story to get more depth as the story continues. The art was not my favorite style, but we all have different tastes and I think it was a good match to the story. I think young fantasy fans and players of Dungeons and Dragons- and similar games- will enjoy this the most. I did not wow me, but I do wish that I would have discovered the comics when they were first release as I think I would have enjoyed them more when I was younger and not so many graphic novels of this genre had already pass through my hands.

A crazy fun sword and sorcery type of graphic that pushes the main character stories so well, while still providing plenty of background mythos. I enjoyed the artwork immensely! I found the whole novel fun and engaging with a fast story that kept me involved. I'm excited to read the next installment.

**Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.