Aside from a few errors, this was a very good read. I didn't like that as a graphic novel there weren't that many pictures. Besides that, the author made up for it with lots of adventure, action, and fantasy. The author also makes up for the lack of pictures with their very descriptive way of writing you could just imagine what they were describing by just reading It was a very enjoyable read.

Let me start by saying that this book is NOT a graphic novel or manga, although it is labeled as such. There are not even that many pictures. It is just a regular chapter book. With lots of adventure, lots of fantasy, lots of action, and a nice and enjoyable one, even despite the first wave of disappointment of it not being a graphic novel.

Dorety's debut novel, the first in a planned fantasy series, introduces readers to a magical world on the brink of destruction. With the balance of Urath threatened by the insidious Asmodeus, the Elemental Mistresses of the Order of the Balance recruit new members Alira and Al Khimia to help restore balance to their world. However, these new recruits have their own agendas, and the fate of Urath hangs in the balance as they navigate their conflicting interests.

Dorety's skillful blend of hard SF elements, folklore, and fantasy creates a richly detailed world, with wonderful descriptions of characters, places, and events that transport readers. The vivid character profiles, maps, and snippets of Urath's history add to the intrigue while providing much-needed context. The diversity among the inhabitants of Urath is foregrounded, creating a richly layered world.

The plot is teeming with characters and interwoven backstories, with even pacing that keeps readers engaged. The conclusion ties up many loose threads and is satisfactory, but with plenty of conflicts left to be resolved, readers will eagerly await the next entry in the series.

The novel is a riveting tale with intriguing magic, courageous heroes, and intimidating villains. The well-laid-out illustrations help to flesh out the story's world, and the unexpected twists and turns keep readers entertained throughout. The only drawback is that the book could benefit from tighter editing.

Overall, Dorety's debut novel is a deeply entertaining and fun read that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

I enjoyed the many descriptions in this book as they allowed me to creat clear images in my head of the environments and the many different dragons and characters that were presented. I also enjoyed that there was lots of action and twists and turns the characters had to face on their missions that end up intertwining often.
I often found myself confused by the many characters that appeared and I had to be following along with, often conflicted about who I actually should have been rooting for.
As a result this also left me often feeling impartial during action scenes between characters and not feeling impacted by who won or lost.
Overall, this would be a good read for someone really into fantasy, particularly dragons, but I just feel that genre just isn’t one I will gravitate towards strongly in the future.