Beautiful finale to the Dragonfall series, continuing where we last left off with our heroes and expanding the story to an even wider view of the intriguing, twisting world.

Loves the adventures of this story and this world! No matter how many books with dragons I read, each are so fun and add an element that make them even more cool

Thank you, Daw Books, Netgalley, and of course L.R. Lam for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review with no spoilers!

Again, just like the first book, I really enjoyed it! I may have even enjoyed this book over the first. The storyline is so unique and such a breath of fresh air.

The good: I loved the academic setting that gives Harry Potter vibes and the trials in this one. Who doesn’t love when deadly trials involved?! I loved the continuation of Arcady, Sorin, and Everen’s perspective and what they were personally feeling and going through. I was fully invested in all the characters. Lam did an amazing job at making me care what happened to each of them, something good if I liked them or something bad if I didn’t like them. The slow burn romance was everything for me. The ending was great. This book was exactly what I wanted it to be.

The not so bad, but noticeable: There a lot of characters in these books, so as much as I like the use of they/them, when it is used for half of the characters it gets confusing, especially when I am trying to imagine and world build within my head. I think there needed to be a little more character description for some, as it just created a blank stick figure in my head. Which maybe it was done on purpose.

Overall, this book had me right at the beginning and there were no dull moments. Lam is so good at storytelling and worldbuilding. This is one of my favorite duologies (unless there may eventually be a third, wink wink nudge nudge). I still plan on buying this book when it comes out (I already have 2 versions of Dragonfall), and both Barnes and Noble special editions.

I want to thank the author again for this series. I know they mentioned there were some hard points during this journey and want to let them know I appreciate them and this series they shared with us. It was one of my favorites.

Jumping right in where Dragonfall ended, Emberclaw was an enjoyable completion to this duology. We get even deeper world building, an academia setting (which I LOVE), and in-depth character development. I found the magic and dragon lore to be attention grabbing and unique. If you’re looking for a fantastical adventure with beautiful relationships between species, a bit of heist excitement, and creative storytelling - than this is the book duo for you!

Emberclaw is the electrifying sequel to Dragonfall, and it doesn’t just live up to the prequel, it surpasses it in almost every way. Picking up where Dragonfall left off, this book dives deeper into the simmering tensions between humans and dragons, blending high-stakes action with moments of raw, emotional depth.

The story follows Aryen, the half-dragon rebel, as she grapples with her dual identity and the devastating fallout of her decisions in *Dragonfall*. Her journey this time feels more personal, filled with struggles for trust, belonging, and control over her growing powers. And let’s not forget Callen, the sharp-tongued thief whose loyalty to Aryen is as complicated as it is endearing. Together, they must face Emberclaw—a legendary dragon whose fiery wrath could either save or destroy their fractured world.

The writing shines in Emberclaw. Sentences like, “The air thrummed with the weight of ancient power, the kind that makes you feel small but alive,” and “Sometimes, the greatest acts of rebellion are the ones you never see coming,” capture the vivid magic of the world and the stakes of Aryen’s quest.

Compared to Dragonfall, Emberclaw takes the world-building to soaring new heights, exploring the intricacies of dragon lore and human greed with more depth. The pacing is tighter, with every chapter pulling you further into the story. However, some might miss the slow-burn charm of Aryen and Callen’s budding alliance in the first book, as this sequel is much more action-heavy.

If Dragonfall left you intrigued, Emberclaw will leave you breathless. With its twists, heartfelt moments, and an epic finale, it’s a sequel worth devouring.

**Rating: 4.5/5 stars**
A fiery and unforgettable follow-up that sets the stage for an even more explosive conclusion!

Imagine a heist, a magical university, a haunted past, and a moody dragon walk into a tavern—it’s chaos, it’s drama, it’s… complicated. This book had me rooting for Arcady, a scrappy mastermind with enough tricks up their sleeve to start a magician’s union, and Everen, the broodiest dragon trying to figure out life post-exile. The setup? Absolute gold. The execution? A little singed around the edges.

Arcady sneaking into the University? Iconic. Academic trials with magical danger? Chef’s kiss. Their endless scheming to prove their worth while dodging enemies? I was hooked. But then came Everen—our sad dragon boi who spends most of the book feeling things. Like, all the things. I was ready to roar, “Less brooding, more battling!” because when dragons are involved, I expect fire (literally and emotionally).

The worldbuilding was rich, and the stakes were sky-high, but the pacing left me flapping in circles. Just when I thought we’d get somewhere, it slowed down, and the magic of it all dimmed. Still, the tension between Arcady and Everen was the perfect sprinkle of angst, and I couldn’t help but root for them to stop dodging their feelings and do something epic together.

In the end, it wasn’t quite the dragon-sized adventure I hoped for, but it still had its shining scales. A solid read for those who love clever heists, magical school vibes, and a side of emotional dragon drama—but you’ll need patience to fly through the turbulence.

This duology series had me entranced since the first chapter of Dragonfall. Emberclaw delves deeper into the relationship between Arcady and Everen, as well as explaining more of Sorin's character and her conflicting morals. I loved reading through the trials and tribulations the protagonists go through as they learn to love themselves and one another. Their character development in this installment felt so real and intriguingly complicated. Not only were the characters given depth and emotional growth, but the world-building in Emberclaw was beautiful. The streets of Loc and Arcady's key shop were so beautifully detailed. The amount of work that was put into the physical world was equally as magnificent when reading about the different magic spells and sign language used throughout the book. The fantasy and magical realm mixed with non-conforming ideas of gender was so seamless that I almost forgot it was a problem in the real world. If it's not obvious, Emberclaw was a heart-wrenchingly beautiful conclusion to this series. I loved reading every line of it; these characters and the things that they represent mean so much to me and many others. Thank you for putting this out into the world.

Dragonfall was one of my favourite books that I read in 2024 so when I saw this was on Netgalley I was very excited to read it. It was so nice to be spending more time with these characters. Having the story contained in two books worked really well as the story didn't drag and (without being spoilery) the ending was superb. I'm so happy I discovered this series and would recommend these books to anyone who likes queer fantasy. What Lam does with dragons is new and interesting and having a non-binary main character and a queer romance in that setting just makes the books perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this e-ARC.
When I first read Dragonfall, it immediately became a top favorite. However, its sequel, Emberclaw, unfortunately fell short of those expectations, landing on the other side of my personal rankings.
The elements I adored in Dragonfall—the rich world-building, an intriguing magic system, a queer-normative world, and, of course, my favorite character, Everen—are all still present. Yet something felt amiss in this conclusion.
One notable issue was the structure. Arcady’s academic journey and trials felt as though they belonged in the first book. Perhaps this is my bias from “traditional fantasy” narratives, where the protagonist starts at a magical institution, faces setbacks, and ventures into the wider world to confront a great evil. While it makes sense within the arc left off by Dragonfall, the execution in Emberclaw felt uneven and might have benefited from a different portrayal.
Additionally, the backstory of Loc proved challenging to follow. Much of it was packed into this book, where it felt more like catching up than building on the first instalment. I would have appreciated this depth in Dragonfall to allow for a more cohesive sequel.
Arcady’s chapters posed another challenge. While I enjoy romance as a complement to a story, these sections leaned heavily into what felt like an overabundance of "horny thoughts." While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, the intention of rebuilding a slow-burn romance from a fractured bond was undermined. Instead, it felt rushed and lacked the tension that captivated me in Dragonfall. By contrast, Everen’s perspective on their romance was far more compelling, especially his struggles with Arcady’s broken trust.
The villain, a crucial element in any fantasy with an overarching antagonist, left much to be desired. His motivations felt unconvincing, his arc repetitive, and his actions steadily diminished the stakes he initially set up. This lack of depth weakened the narrative’s tension.
On a brighter note, Sorin’s arc was a highlight. Her struggles were well-developed—arguably more so than those of the main characters. Her motivations were clear and layered, and her story concluded in a satisfying way that made her my favourite character in this installment.
As always, the author’s prose was exquisite, particularly in Everen’s chapters. This remains a standout strength and one of the reasons I still recommend this duology to fantasy readers.
Ultimately, Emberclaw didn’t deliver the conclusion I’d hoped for. That said, this series is still worth exploring for its fascinating world and captivating moments, and I will definitely be looking forward to more from this author in the future.

I was so excited to return to this world, and this sequel did NOT miss! So much of this book is an absolute vibe, with Arcady enrolling at university meaning there were new places to be and characters to meet. My standout character for this series is Sorin - really loved her character development. The plot really kept me guessing and there were twists and turns that I really enjoyed. If you liked Dragonfall be sure to pick this one up.

✨ ARC Book Review ✨

Emberclaw by L.R. Lam

STAR RATING: 5/5⭐️

REVIEW:

A beautiful ending to this story. There were plenty of ups and downs, the excitement was high, and the fear of Arcady and Everen not making it through was so, so real. I was hooked at the beginning, and kept going back to this book! The twists and turns kept me engaged and I absolutely was screaming for Arcady and Everen. The focus and determination of survival from these two is amazing.

PLATFORM: eBook/Kindle

EMBERCLAW was one of my most highly anticipated reads, and I'm so glad I got to read an arc. It successfully concludes Arcady and Everen's story, and I am completely obsessed. I can tell that the author wants to tell more stories in this world, and I really hope they get to! This world is so interesting and intriguing, and I would love to read more stories set in it. I loved this book!

Loved the characters and their development as the story progressed. Had a great time with this duology and thought the second book was even better than the first. I found myself unable to put this book down!

I would like to thank L.R.Lam, DAW Books and Netgallery for this E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, which is the last in the Dragon Scales duology. Having a summary of Dragonfall really helped refresh the story before diving in.

I felt this flowed better than Dragonfall as the world building had already been established and initial story set. We pick up Everen and Arcady's stories and follow through their individual paths as they reconnect. The romance was a lovely slow burn with the perfect level of longing.

The academia setting was amazing, with the trials adding to the plot. I do like multi POV's however did struggle with the change of first and third person. However this is more of a personal preference than a criticism.

I would definitely recommend this as a duology for dragon shifter lovers (especially for grumpy dragons!) with rich world building and detail. I think the second book is actually better than the first, a must read for 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Dragonfall as I felt the pacing was a bit slow and it was hard to get into. I was afraid Emberclaw would be something similar but I am delighted to say that I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The pacing was quicker and I found that I didn’t want to put it down. I found myself invested in the story, and thought Lam did the romance and action plotlines well, giving readers a good balance of the two.
Great end to the duology.

The conclusion to this duology is superb. My questions were answered and I couldn't stop turning the pages. Usually I don't like books that are second in a series as much as i like the first book but that's not the case here. I enjoyed Emberclaw more than Dragonfall!

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for giving me an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review! Along side “Cursebound,” this is another second book in the series that somehow surpasses the first. This was an extremely well done and satisfying conclusion to the story. Plus, I am still constantly obsessed with the uniqueness of the world building— the language and the way that the culture interacts with gender specifically. I feel like this a book I will be recommending a lot, and a series I will come back to again and again.

So no real spoilers obviously.

This was everything I was looking for in a sequel, and at the same time not enough I want more, I'm greedy.

If you haven't already guessed, I utterly adored this book. It answered pretty much all my questions.

Not a book to sit on.

It all comes right

Humans and dragons used to live together in Loc. The humans betrayed the dragons, banishing them to the hellish world Vere Celene beyond the Veil, where they survive at the edge of extinction. This at least, is the story as dragons tell it -- humans tell a different story. In Dragonfall, the first book of L.R. Lam's Dragon Scales duology, Everen, the last male dragon, traveled through the Veil from Vere Celene to Loc, where he bonded with thief Arcady, who had unwittingly called him to themselves. Everen's mission is to make Arcady fall in love with him, then kill them and steal their magic, bringing dragonkind home to Loc. Arcady is not an easy mark, and the end of Dragonfall saw Everen evicted from Loc, his bond with Arcady seemingly broken, in an act of not entirely unintentional mutual partial betrayal. Everen's mission having failed, he is treated as a criminal by his mother and sister back on Vere Celene. Dragonfall ended with the revelation that the Lochian high priest Magnes is in fact a dragon, Ammil, who broke Vere Celene and Loc long ago and has survived secretly on Loc.

As Emberclaw (the second book of the dualogy begins, Everen is living in disgrace in Vere Celene, doing his best to help dragonkind survive. Arcady, trying to vindicate her reviled ancestor Barrow Eremia, manages to enter the University of Vatra under a false identity, where she hopes to learn more about Barrow. Emberclaw thus feels familiar -- it's a "magic school" book, like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Hierarchy. Indeed, the main event of Emberclaw is a student competition, the Trials of Magic, in which Arcady competes. Sorin, the junior priest, secret assassin and tool of Magnes, is also a student at the University and also competes in the Trials.

It's a good story and the end was satisfying. I have to admit, though, that I didn't enjoy it as much as Dragonfall. When Dragonfall began, it was obvious what we readers were being led to expect. It was obvious enough that I suspected L.R. Lam's twisty mind was setting me up for something more convoluted. Indeed, it was so. Dragonfall is a story in which nothing that appears obvious can be trusted. Emberclaw is less so. Although the story is gorgeously told, it was essentially the story I thought from the start it would be: the good guys were good guys and the bad guys were bad guys, and they weren't hard to tell apart.

I liked Emberclaw, but felt it didn't quite bear out the promise of Dragonfall.

Loved this book. The characters were well done and the story was heartfelt with good plot twists. The first book builds the two worlds of dragons and people who worship them. It's a love story as well as suspenseful and emotional.