Brighter than scale, swifter than flame by Neon Yang was a fine read for me. I didn't love the writing style; the story was written almost exclusively as "telling, not showing". This created a distance between me and the characters. I didn't feel connected with any of them. However, the story itself was enjoyable, and the audiobook narrator did a great job.

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books for an ALC copy.

Otra cosa no tendrá Neon Yang, pero desde luego tiene un ojo para poner títulos llamativos a sus obras. Con Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame, le autore nos entrega en esta ocasión una fantasía sobre caza dragones bastante típica, sin muchos sobresaltos que se lee (o se escucha como hice yo) con gusto pero sin mucho apego.


La protagonista es Yeva, que en su juventud descubrió su poder para acabar con los dragones, herencia de su padre. Ha tenido una vida recluida, ya que a muy temprana edad la separaron de su familia para formarla como caza dragones. En el transcurso de esta formación y como forma de autodefensa decidió no volver a mostrar su rostro en público (un poquito mandaloriano esto). Sin embargo, ahora la mandan como embajadora a un reino extranjero para investigar sobre la posible presencia de dragones allí, un movimiento un tanto extraño ya que mandar a una guerrera a desplegar una labor diplomática no parece muy lógico. Sin embargo, Yeva dedicará todo su empeño a desvelar los misterios de la reina del lugar, Lady Sookhee.

Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame es una novela corta bastante previsible, que no destaca por nada en especial. Neon Yang acostumbra a ofrecer una prosa más elaborada que la que podemos ver en esta Nancy Wu es correcta, pero le falta algo de vida, aunque no os puedo asegurar que sea por la labor de la narradora o por el propio texto de origen, que me ha parecido bastante plano. Entiendo el mensaje que pretende hacernos llegar le autore sobre colonización y pérdida de identidad de los colonizados, así como también un poquito de disforia corporal acrecentada por la excesiva rigidez de sus años formativos, pero creo que el manto en que lo envuelve resulta ser menos atractivo de lo esperado, por la trayectoria de Neon Yang.

La parte romántica también deja cosas que desear, ya que es bastante previsible, como el libro en su conjunto. Espero que la siguiente publicación de Neon Yang vuelva a otros cauces más embaucadores, porque esta historia en particular se borrará pronto de mi mente.

Dragons!! This felt like historical fiction. It read so real, and that I had just forgotten that dragons existed. The narrator was perfect too!

I really enjoyed this novella! I absolutely love stories about Asian mythology! And the MC being a dragon slayer?! Say LESS!

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc copy of this audiobook!

This short audiobook introduced me to Neon Yang and their lovely lyrical writing. I loved the world and could honestly have done with this being a longer book. The twist wasn’t hard to predict, but I don’t think it was meant to be impossible to guess. The story read like a fable. You don’t really get a deep grasp of the characters as it is short and told like a fairy tale, but I still enjoy it! The audiobook narrator was honestly a little flat imo, but still easy to listen to.

3.5 stars!

The writing of this story is beautiful. It paints a detailed society with varied cultures and well rounded characters.

I quite enjoyed the beginning, but the plot didn't keep my attention by the end. I did finish it in one go, in part thanks to the lovely narration, diverse cast and quality of the writing.

Arc Reader- Audio
The story of this book was so good, but a bit predictable. I do think it could have been taken a bit further, and Yeva alludes to it in the end. That the blood that gives her the magic that she wields might give her the power to also turn into a dragon. I was waiting for that moment, for her to shift to a dragon in the end with the Girl-King. The Dragon Slayer becomes what she has murdered for years. The high fantasy aesthetics are there and the feel of the book was great, but I think this would have served really well to be a bit longer. I know Neon Yang's style is well suited for the novella but I felt like they had more to say!
A note on the audio book itself. The narrator was a bit breathy where they did not need to be at times. Overall though, I felt like Nancy Wu did a great job!

I was thrilled to be approved for the audiobook for this title, I binged it over a single day, and honestly wish the story was longer. While the back story is of a fierce dragon slayer, the story itself is of self discovery, growth, and love. It was beautiful and well told for the length of the book. The narrator was creative with voices, and I think did a decent job with the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this audiobook!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion

As with every novella I read, I wish this one was longer :')

I think the author did a great job quickly establishing the world and setting, and I must say I am a sucker for dragons, give me them all.

However, I just didn't really feel that connected to the characters, I felt for Yeva, but her romance felt to insta love for me. What can I say, I am a slow burn, give me 400 pages of nothing but glances type of girl

If you can get this book in audio, I would totally recommend it, amazing narrator.

The was pretty good. Honestly, I just found myself wanting more. The characters were a little flat for me, and I wasn’t that invested in them. But it was overall enjoyable, and my opinion is just that, mine. If you love cozy fantasy, you’ll probably enjoy this book.

“You have the strength of the earth in you,” she used to tell her daughters. “The rains can come and the ploughs can carve through you and still you will remain.”

Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame was a well written, but predictable novella. Nancy Wu did a great job as the audiobook narrator. The plot had similar vibes to the Fireborne Blade, so if you liked that novella, I think you’ll enjoy this one too. Thanks NetGalley and publishers for this audiobook ARC!

Wow! This one really surprised me! It has a really fun fairytale/folktale/oral tradition feel to it. More stories need to be like this. Very fitting for a story about a dragon slayer.

How I wish this book was longer, it has such an interesting plot and world. I would love to know more about the other characters, like the sister and their mother’s past.

note: i will rate the audiobook AND book individually since i've read and listen to this 😄

for the audiobook, i like the narrator's voice. it's sultry but i expect more. also, the closing remarks part is lacking

the book however, i have expectations for this sonce it's my anticipated release. i'm enjoying the first 50% of this, not until it went downhill (a little). there's so much happening and it is too rushed. but at least the plot twist got my jaw dropped 😲

This was a beautifully written fantasy novella with world building reminiscent of epic fantasy in a bite sized story. The lore was captivating and swept me away on a dragon slayer knight’s journey to breaking free from their kingdom’s indoctrination and finding where their heart lies. It left me yearning for a full length story of Yeva and Sookhee, for an epilogue with that much awaited familial reunion.

Thanks to the publisher for the ALC, thoughts are my own.

Thank you RBmedia and Neon Yang for providing me with the opportunity to listen to this advanced listeners copy of Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame.

I forgot I was reading a novella. I fell into this world so quickly and so deep, I’m mad it’s over!

I am in love with the prose. Lyrical, poetic, yet conversational like a retelling of a well-known myth. The story itself captured my interest immediately - reminiscent of traditional epics like Beowulf, with modern spins like the famed dragonslayer being a woman, a queer romance, and being torn between duty (as a nameless, faceless weapon) and the yearning for, and loyalty to, one's homeland (where Yeva can be a full person who possess individuality & personal preferences and desires).

The narrator of the audiobook, Nancy Wu, is well-chosen. Emotive, and excellent enunciation for unusual fantasy names and twisting sentences alike.

Unfortunately I am beginning to suspect that audio format just does not work for me. I have difficulty parsing the poetic prose on a single listen - I need to be able to read & re-read, especially for more lyrical writing. I will definitely purchase a physical book copy of this novel.

Despite my personal issues with the audio format, I know that if I was reading this instead of listening, it would be an easy 4 stars - so that is where I will rate it.

This novella is a captivating and inventive take on fantasy tropes, blending rich cultural influences with thoughtful exploration of identity and duty. The protagonist, Yeva, is a queer, disabled female dragon slayer set in an Asian-inspired fantasy world, which offers a fresh perspective amidst familiar genre conventions. Her mysterious, troubled backstory and consistent armor and helmet symbolize the masks we wear, echoing themes of colonization, biracial identity, disability, and reconnected cultural roots.
The story excels in its lush atmosphere, vivid descriptions, and character development. Yeva’s inner conflict—caught between her role as the emperor’s weapon and her own sense of belonging—feels authentic and emotionally resonant. The romance with the beautiful girl-king adds depth, seamlessly weaving themes of acceptance and self-discovery.
While the prose beautifully captures the setting and mood, some sections could benefit from more showing rather than telling, especially in the folkloric stylings. Nevertheless, as an early draft, it already offers a satisfying story arc with emotional punches and rewarding character growth.
Overall, this novella is a delightful and thought-provoking read that combines dragons, lady knights, and queer themes with cultural richness and poetic storytelling. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy who appreciate diverse representation, intricate world-building, and stories about reclaiming identity.

Yeva killed her first dragon at age thirteen. Since her powers showed themselves, by imperial law she was sent to the capital to become a guildknight.

Guildknights are dragon hunters. Over the years, Yeva has become the most famous guildknight of all.

When rumors of a dragon in a neighboring country start flying, Yeva is sent to find out if the rumors are true. What she finds will make her question everything she's ever known.

I am not usually a big fan of novellas, but this author can do them right. I loved her Tensorate series and was happy to see a new one by this author.
I enjoyed this one as well. The writing is beautiful, and I really liked Yeva's character. The narrator was great as well.

I love shorter novels but it it sometimes hard for a book to say everything they want to say with so little pages. In this books case I think it did a really great job delivering what it wanted to deliver. There were a lot of layers to this story. The characters are all very well developed and interesting to read about and there's loads of character development through the story. I really enjoyed the 'reveal' at the end though it was a bit obvious where that plot line was going. I would love to have another book with these characters cause I did really grow to care for them.

Loved the romance and the dragons overall it's a really solid novella that any fantasy fan will enjoy!