Emberclaw was a great conclusion to this duology. I loved the dynamic and tension between Arcady and Everen. Sorin was definitely one of my favorite characters here, and I would love to read a spin off of her story. This book also got a lot more into the political and magical side of this world, and you could really tell how much thought went into the development of its integration into the story. The book ended on a really satisfying note, despite the couple of loose ends. I would totally read other books based on the Marricks or Cassia. All in all, I loved it!

Thank you Netgalley and DAW for this ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed returning to the world of Dragon Scales in "Emberclaw." The dark academia setting was captivating, and the fast-paced plot kept me engaged despite some predictable elements. Arcady and Everen's reunion was a highlight, though I wouldn't have minded more romance. While some plot points felt convenient, the blend of magic, dragons, and political intrigue was undeniably entertaining. Though I wish it had been a trilogy to allow for more development, I ultimately found "Emberclaw" a satisfying conclusion, and I loved seeing the characters' fates resolved.

While Dragonfall took me a few tries to read in full, Emberclaw insttantly drew me in with the dark academic setting. Magic, dragons, assassins. The magical trials and mysteries enhanced the story even more. Arcady and Everen finding their way back to each had me cheering and smiling nonstop! I found the pacing a lot better this go. The author did great balancing deadly secrets, political intrigue and the academic stuff so effortlessly. The thing that was lacking was more about their relationship. Some of the plot was rather predictable but I still enjoyed it.

I was provided with an advanced copy of this book by the publisher for an honest review. I have read Dragonfall, the first title. This second title follows Arcady and Averen through Arcady’s start of university - learning more complex magic. It took me a while to get into this sequel, but I am glad I did. By the second half I really couldn’t put it down. Some great characters feature and I would recommend this to fantasy readers who enjoy dragon stories with action, and a love story that isn’t overly heavy on the steam in the bedroom! :)

Sadly this one wasn’t for me, but I hope everyone else LOVES it! The writing is still excellent and I’d read the authors works again, but the story—for me—just wasn’t hitting the spot.

Unfortunately, this book was a bit disappointing. I love the first book in this duology; I recommend it literally all the time. Part of why I love it is that it is a highly unique fantasy novel. The dragon lore is something new and fresh, it institutes an intriguing queer- and disability-normative world, and it didn't feel overstuffed with tropes. This sequel doesn't really have any of that. Of course, the world has not changed, but we do learn more about it, most of which just feels pulled out of thin air and perhaps a little too convenient. The plot takes a turn toward contrived as it introduces what is fast becoming my least favorite trope, the deadly trials, purely for how overused and rarely innovative it is. The story is both slow, lingering in scenes I felt no connection to and taking far too long to get into the meat of the story, and too fast, as major character and relationship developments seem to just pop out of nowhere.

This book's saving grace is absolutely the characters I had already grown attached to. Even if it disappointed me, nothing could make me dislike Arcady and Everen. I was ecstatic to see them in contact again, and I liked that they got to properly flirt a little bit. The ending between them is incredibly sweet, so while this book left me feeling meh, I still ended it with a smile on my face. Sorin definitely grew on me this time around (though she is definitely a perpetrator of the sudden relationship development that is far too convenient).

I think convenience was just the rock weighing this story down. I believe it was initially supposed to be a trilogy, and I wish that were still true. A story of this scope being given so little space means that a lot of things just have to happen quickly and easily to save time, and it ends up making major developments feel rushed and unearned. I truly was looking forward immensely to the conclusion of this series, so it pains me to say this was a letdown. I don't regret reading it, and I did enjoy seeing the final fates of the characters I love, but I can't help but feel disappointed.

Book two of the Dragon Scales series came back with it's teeth and claws! Although I'm not surprised to see another fantastic book emerge from the talented writer that is L.R. Lam. The author has such skill in vivid descriptions that you cant help but belong to the world of Lumet! Emberclaw grabbed you from page one and took off with soaring wings!

Arcady and Everen have the best chemistry there was so much push and pull between these two that had me begging for more. Also..... STEP INTO TO THE SPOTLIGHT SORIN! I loved seeing Sorin bloom into such a unforgettable character. I enjoyed reading from every POV and couldn't wait to read more.


I am so sad and fulfilled with the ending of this one. There was plenty of conflict and yet so much resolution. I assumed it would end in a dun dun dunnnnnn cliffhanger fiasco but the author gave us a great stopping point should Lam ever decide to return. I sincerely hope we get to dive into this world again.

I wasn't able to get into this book. I think if I read it more in the fall then I would of devoured this book. I was so excited for it :(

3.75⭐

I enjoyed this final installment in the Dragon Scales duology more than the first! The plot was a lot more solid footing and I loved the school setting. The relationship grew a ton in this book and the character of Sorin really shined. I still think the overall "big bad" was not as strong as I wanted it to be.

Thank you to DAW Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

Loved this story, the storytelling, and was happy to travel to this world and spent time with the characters there
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

L.R. Lam delivers an intense and satisfying conclusion to the Dragon Scales duology with Emberclaw. The stakes are higher, the emotions run deeper, and the story is impossible to put down.

Arcady and Everen’s broken bond drives the tension, and both characters grow in ways that feel real and earned. Arcady’s journey is full of surprises, while Everen’s struggle to find his place adds even more depth. Their romance is filled with longing and conflict, making every moment between them feel meaningful.

The world-building is rich without being overwhelming, and the pacing keeps things moving while letting the emotional moments land. With gripping storytelling and a powerful ending, Emberclaw is a must-read for fantasy fans.

I DNF'ed this unfortunately. this sort if carried on from the first book, which I overall enjoyed. I was excited to read the second one as I felt there was a good change at redemption, It just wasn't for me unfortunately.
1 star

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Emberclaw
Author: L.R. Lam
Dragon Scales #2

Thank you so much Netgalley and DAW for this copy of Emberclaw! We actually read the first book, “Dragonfall” in my book club in 2023 when it first came out. I have to say, this book was sooooo much better then the first! We pick up back where the first book left off with our three main characters Everen, Arcady, and Sorin. Everen is facing challenges with the dragons, and Arcady finds themself entering a trial of magic at the arcane University if Vatra. I absolutely LOVED all of Arcadys chapters of this book. I loved the academia and Hogwarts vibes from the university. The Magic trials really made the book for me. The romance in this book was WAY more then in book 1 (which is also why I maybe loved this one more?). The book had a perfect balance of plot, romance, action.. it was perfection. Highly recommend you give this series a chance if you love dragons. The first book was definitely more slower paced but that is probably due to the world building needed to make this duology perfection.

Alright, listen up, dragon lovers and fantasy fiends—Emberclaw by L.R. Lam is here to shatter your emotions, set them on fire, and then lovingly stitch them back together (probably with dragon scales and sheer determination). This is the explosive, gut-wrenching, oh-my-gods-I-can’t-breathe conclusion to the Dragon Scales duology, and wow, does it deliver.

We dive back in with Arcady, our favorite disaster thief-turned-student, who’s infiltrating the prestigious University of Vatra under a fake identity. Their mission? Ace the arcane trials, clear their grandsire’s name, and, you know, not get exposed and arrested. Simple, right? Except there’s also a certain dragon lingering in their thoughts, complicating things in the most heart-wrenching way possible.

Meanwhile, Everen is not having a great time. Once the golden boy of dragonkind, he’s now persona non grata, stripped of his title, and stuck defending his home from wraith attacks. He’s also having cryptic visions of Arcady, making it painfully obvious that their fates are tangled tighter than a cursed prophecy.

L.R. Lam absolutely nails the pacing, balancing political intrigue, deadly secrets, and academic shenanigans with effortless precision. And can we talk about Soren? The assassin with layers of trauma and motives sharper than her knives? I loved her arc and the way it tied into the bigger picture. Also, the slow-burn romance between Arcady and Everen? Absolutely exquisite. It’s the kind of longing and tension that makes you want to scream into a pillow (in the best way).

The worldbuilding is chef’s kiss—rich, immersive, and full of deliciously dangerous magic. And that ending? That. Ending. Lam sticks the landing with a satisfying, emotionally charged finale that will leave you staring at the ceiling, contemplating your life choices.

If you loved Dragonfall, Emberclaw is going to ruin you in the best possible way. Dragons, deception, and devastatingly good storytelling—what more could you ask for?

3.5 rounded down
"We cannot ignore this. We tried, and even so, we found our way back to each other. Is it worth fighting the inevitable again, Arcady? There is a way, to mend the dragon and human worlds. There is a way to mend us, too."

I almost declined to review this arc because I had such a painful experience reading Dragonfall, but the other early reviewers convinced me to give it a shot.

Emberclaw begins immediately following Dragonfall. Everen is imprisoned in the dragon world and the dragons are fighting back against creatures slipping through to their realm while facing the very real possibility that they may die in this other realm.

meanwhile, in the human realm, Arcady has successfully enrolled into university and is beginning to take classes - but Sorin, under the direction of Magnes, also enrolls in the university with the mission of keeping an eye on Arcady. shortly after beginning their studies, Arcady learns that the university will be hosting a set of trials. the winner will have their tuition covered for as long as they wish to study there, and the follow up winners will have a portion of their tuition covered.

I expected the shift to being in a school setting to be jarring and a weird fit for the story, but it actually worked really well and, imo, helped ground the setting a lot more. it made me wish we would have gotten to experience that in the first book.

that said, the first book was written with plans of the series being a trilogy, where the second book was written with the plans of the series being a duology. since Emberclaw is now the end of the story, the pacing and the plot are required to move at a much faster pace to include all of the story the author was trying to tell. this is a bit of a whiplash from reading Dragonfall, but I think it makes the story work a lot better. I felt much more engaged in reading this book than I did Dragonfall. but I think this duology as a whole would have become a HIT if it had been planned as a duology from the jump and then if Dragonfallhad been written with that plan in mind.

things I loved in Emberclaw that I wish we would have at least started to explore in Dragonfall:
· Sorin’s character arc as her own person, not just a weird lackey for Magnes (her character development felt sudden, but I think it would have felt more natural if we had gotten to know her more a little earlier)
· the university setting/magic trials - this added a bit of a H*rry P*tter vibe to the story, meaning a familiarity and something easier to wrap your head around in this world with an extremely layered background/world building. it was fun to see Arcady interact with other students and I feel like this humanized them and made them a more three dimensional character.
· the friendship between Arcady, Everen, and Sorin. I genuinely think these three could have been one of the next great book trios of friends. when they started to trust each other, their interactions became one of my favorite parts of the story to read.

plot: ★★★★★ (4.5 rounded up)
the plot was definitely more cohesive in Emberclaw. it did feel a little wonky as we came to the end - a little rushed and a little too neat. not gonna lie, I’m not 100% certain that I fully understand Ammil’s motives but the vibes were great. I really enjoyed the added layer of the magic trials in the school.

writing: ★★★☆☆
it’s hard for me to review the writing bc OBVIOUSLY the author has a talented voice and fantastic imagination. the idea of the story will always be something I think is super cool. but the execution continued to struggle.

I still feel like I have just a surface level understanding of the plague. I “got” it a little more after this book, so this one did do a better job at adding context to the plague, but I still find myself scratching my head when I try to think about the why of it all. if pretty much all humans use some magic, why is it so horrible that some humans overuse it and get sick? it seems wild to me that they’re sick with the risk of dying and then if they recover they’re essentially ostracized from society like?? huh?

the gods with names that Sorin spoke of meant nothing to me bc who are these people??? I have such a weak grasp on the world building for this story it’s kind of depressing. same thought for other countries in this world. many are mentioned in passing, but not really touched on ever again.

I also understand we are forcing what was meant to be 3 books into one final book, but whew the last 25% was a doozy to read. I would have liked to see it reworked a bit to focus the story back in on our core group of characters, instead of looping in more new people (like the other “Eye” towards the end; can’t remember her name). it also felt like Larkin was just thrown to the side after the halfway point. like Arcady decided that they couldn’t be bothered to care about what she was doing or threatening anymore and Larkin was just fine with that? lmao.

pacing: ★★★★☆
the pacing was definitely a night/day difference compared to Dragonfall. I am EXTREMELY grateful for that because I was low key terrified to try and read this book. as mentioned previously, we are fitting A LOT of events into this book, so there really isn’t any time for the story to slow its pace down.

romance: ★★★★★ (4.5 rounded up)
we get a bond that allows our main couple to speak mind-to-mind and I fear I will always eat that up when it happens in books. I love it.

Everen and Arcady get to genuinely explore their relationship in this book. I LOVED them together. especially when Arcady stopped being weird and prickly ALL THE TIME. once they lowered their walls and let Everen in, they were sooo enjoyable to read.

characters: ★★★☆☆
I genuinely believe that not starting the Everen/Arcady/Sorin friendship sooner is the biggest mistake this series made. there was SO MUCH potential for hijinks and inside jokes and just fun in general. especially when you factor in Everen and Arcady being able to speak through their bond, like. I can easily picture Sorin threatening to stab them both in their sleep for doing that too many times while they’re around her.

for as much beef as I have with this series, I must say, Magnes/Ammil is a horrifying villain. my guy, you’re going to convince people your own kind do not exist, and then chill in your weird tower with all these random dragon body parts from a dragon you dismembered YOURSELF??? you are so scary, my friend. his diabolical-ness fizzled out for me towards the end, but he was still a good villain.

I liked that this book introduced more friends for Arcady. I think this made them an easier character to read; to be able to see them have friends and coexist with other people and build new relationships.

I am also happy that we got to see more sides to Everen and Arcady other than “snobby dragon prince” and “lowly prickly thief”. they felt like real characters in this story versus Dragonfall where they felt more like “placeholder” characters that didn’t get fleshed out enough.

over-all: ★★★☆☆ (3.5 rounded down)
overall, this book was lovely. it’s just so disappointing that it had to come after Dragonfall. I think it will be a difficult sell to get people to read Dragonfall just to experience this book. I think if the premise of this story sounds like it would be up your alley, it is worth it to read the duology. I wouldn’t pick it up if you don’t have the time to dedicate to it. I don’t think this is a duology that you can binge read in a weekend without glossing over details.

if the author ever has the opportunity to rework the series (maybe a graphic novel format?) I think they should 100% do it. the story is really cool and I think if it were presented/executed in a different way, a lot more people would eat it up.

A couple years ago, I read Dragonfall, and I was lukewarm on picking up the sequel. When I had the opportunity for an eARC via NetGalley, however, I decided to give it a shot. I’m pleased to report Emberclaw is a strong conclusion to this duology (more of these, by the way). L.R. Lam improves on the first entry, and while I still don’t think I am quite their ideal reader, I definitely enjoyed this dragon tale.

Spoilers for the first book but not this one.

Arcady and Everen are (were?) joined by magic. One human, one dragon. With Everen exiled back to Vere Celene, Arcady is left to pick up the pieces of their con game: they want to infiltrate magic school and figure out who framed their ancestor. But there’s another dragon in Loc, and he’s hellbent on manipulating events to get Everen back here. So while Arcady tries to conceal their identity and lie low, this dragon’s handpicked assassin, Soren, cozies up to them and is ready to strike.

Basically, what makes this book so delicious is the way Lam has given everyone overlapping yet oft-conflicting motivations and desires. Arcady and Everen have a natural spark of attraction, yet they are different species and have different loyalties. Magnus similarly has his own motives—which initially don’t seem all that bad, and it’s just his methods that are objectionable, though this changes as the book goes on and his true depravity becomes clear. Soren really just wants to be loved. Sorry, girl.

This book feels like it’s more Arcady and Soren’s than Everen’s, which I am not sorry about. He’s kind of boring. I don’t think that is Lam’s fault—I’m just not a fan of his personality. In contrast, Arcady feels a lot more dynamic, and Soren’s tragic face turn story arc is beautiful.

Whereas the first book was a heist plot, this one is your typical quest trope: Arcady and Soren are competing in a wizards cup kind of competition to get tuition and prove they are magical badasses. It’s not nearly that straightforward, of course, but it is a good enough framework for Lam to use to build the overall story.

In the end, like the first book, Emberclaw didn’t wow me. I think Lam is one of those fantasy authors whose stories or writing style just aren’t for me—no shade on their ability as a writer, just not my cup of tea. If you love dragons or just want a complex fantasy story with a tiny bit of spice/romance and a lot of betrayal, then you should check out this duology.

I have been waiting to read this since the moment I finished Dragonfall, almost two years ago. I've thought back to the main characters since then, who seemed to be in the liminal spaces where they were left, simply waiting. I was so glad to get back to them, and Emberclaw was definitely worth the wait!

Like a lot of high fantasy sequels, this one gets more complicated than the first. We see more about magic, about mythology, about history and politics. Unlike a lot of high fantasy, I didn't find the villain unambiguously villainous, which was interesting. As in the first book, some of his actions are actually...helpful? In any case, it makes you think.

I actually liked how this book, the second in a duology, doesn't actually wrap everything up with a bow. There are clearly big things still about to happen. It ends with the feeling that the characters are going to go on and keep living. They're not done. Their stories aren't finished. I may not read canonical words saying exactly how they solve the problems they're about to face, but the book ends with the sense that they're definitely going on to face them.

4.5 stars!

This book flawlessly executes the enemies-to-lovers trope, set in a queer-normative world filled with dragons, a unique magic system, and alternating perspectives that kept me hooked from beginning to end! Dragonfall holds a special place in my heart, and the sequel only made me love it more 🖤

But what a fantastic conclusion to the duology! I’m so thankful to the author for creating such an incredible story. I truly hope they realize how profoundly it will resonates with so many readers.

Emberclaw was a fantastic follow up to Dragonfall. After the reveal at the end of Dragonfall, I could not wait to dig into this and at no point did it disappoint. The way the bond between Arcady and Everen is explored is beautiful. The esteem that He holds Arcady in oozes out of every word he says about Them. I loved every minute of seeing how their story played out together, how they reclaimed and strengthened their bond, and ultimately reunited their peoples. Truly a fantastic sequel and I greatly look forward to reading more from L.R. Lam in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the continuation of this series, and I still love the magic system used here. This story is quite original and kept me hooked up to the very end.