I loved the perspectives in the book I think this was a great finish to Arcady and Everen’s story!!! I loved how everen told the story and the epilogue was amazing! The ending climax was also really great! Overall great series! Can’t wait to read more by this author

This book was absolutely fabulous. After reading Dragonfall, I felt that Emberclaw tied everything up, while giving us a lot more action. The worldbuilding was already completed in the first books, so this book portrays Everen and Arcady trying in their respective worlds to set things right for dragons and humans. L. R. Lam is a talented writer who tugs at your heartstrings while incorporating a couple plot lines. Absolutely an amazing duology that is a must read for any fantasy lover!

This sequel was brilliantly executed and did not disappoint!

We pick up where we left off with our favorite thief Arcady and our favorite grumpy dragon Everen.
In this book we get action, adventure & a pinch of romance.

Also, I LOVE the multiple POV!

I loved this book. I will say, I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed Dragonfall, purely based on the pace of the story. I feel like the pace was much slower in Dragonfall but it really picked up with the introduction of the university and the trials in Emberclaw.

I would absolutely recommend this duology to any fantasy reader, especially those who are looking for a gender neutral read with a respectful tone, as well as a dragon POV.

Fantastic - Congratulations L.R Lam on such a wonderful story.

This is the second book to Dragonfall, which is now a completed series. I found that I actually enjoyed this book more than Dragonfall. At times I did find the overall pacing a bit slow. If you enjoy a book where the dragons shifter, you’ll likely enjoy this. Magic, thieving, and dragon shifters, what more could you need? I really enjoyed when Arcady was tea teaching Everen to pick pocket. I will say this would have been a 4 star read for me, however the author switched between first and third person which really took me out of the story at times. I found myself having to really pay attention who was talking. Had it only been in one style of dialog, it would have been a 4.5 for me, so do that doesn’t bother you.. definitely read this!

So glad that I found this series. L.R. Lams writing is so beautiful. This was the perfect ending to this story, it had me grinning as I finished the last bit. The pace is much quicker than book one and the short chapters makes it easy to pick up and put down, though you won’t want to put it down. I liked the journey each character goes on and the growth of each character. I also really appreciated having a summary of the first book, I wish more series could do that!

☆4 Stars☆

I absolutely flew through this ARC! The story follows Arcady, who’s now a student at the University of Vatra, secretly trying to unravel the mystery of their grandsire. When the University brings back the Trials of Magic, Arcady jumps in, hoping to win a scholarship and get closer to uncovering the truth. Apparently I'm a big fan of trial-based plots..

Loved the magical school/Harry Potter vibes. The pacing was fast and fun, the chapters were short and made for a quick read. I found myself deeply invested in Arcady’s friendships, especially with Sorin...👀. The slow burn between Arcady and Everen was perfection. I loved their tension and chemistry.

A+ for fantasy, dragons, magic, and toe curling tension!

Many thanks to NetGalley, DAW publishing and L.R. Lam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

One of the easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given.

Dragonfall was an unexpected favorite of mine when I read it for book club a few months ago, so I knew Emberclaw was going to be a must read, and it did not disappoint.
As the second novel in this duology, it had big shoes to fill. This elaborate and intricately assembled world deserved an ending that fit every corner of the story, and L. R. Lam did exactly that.

Emberclaw is beautifully written and invites you into a world unlike any other. The words on the page just grab you and drop you into a universe that feels as real as our own. Each chapter had me gasping and ready for more. The twists and turns are ones that are easy to follow and ones that could have been guessed but, at least in my case, were not.

The characters I came to love in Dragonfall became even more fleshed out, relatable, and well described. I felt that each character had their own arc that was clear to map and I feel as though each character ended on such a note that felt true to them. The events that unfolded in this novel truly surprised me. I was not entirely sure where this part of the story would take us, but I did enjoy every second of it. I plan to recommend this as often as possible because it is incredible!

***SPOILER ALERT**** DON'T READ IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT.
Thank you to the author @L.R. Lam, DAW publishing, and Netgalley for this free eARC in exchange for my personal review and opinion.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆




I just finished *Emberclaw*, the breathtaking conclusion to L.R. Lam’s Dragon Scales duology, and I’m utterly blown away. This book was everything I hoped for and so much more—a poignant mix of heart-wrenching romance, nail-biting tension, and a finale so powerful I’m still processing it. There are so many highlighted passages in my book due to the amount of feelings I discovered in the pages.

Arcady’s journey in this book felt deeply personal to me. Watching them infiltrate the University of Vatra, putting on the mask of a noble student while carrying the weight of their grief and guilt, was as heartbreaking as it was inspiring. Their cunning and determination are unmatched—especially when they risk everything to compete in the archaic trials of magic. That scene where they manipulate stolen dragon magic to win the first trial? I was on the edge of my seat, knowing the consequences would be devastating if they were caught. I was unsure how Everen would respond, holding my breath in anticipation.

And then there’s Everen. His story arc is a masterclass in redemption and resilience. Stripped of his title, rejected by his kind, and plagued by visions of Arcady, he’s a shadow of the proud dragon we once knew. When he is finally released from his prison, I could feel his anguish and longing for a place to belong. His internal struggle, torn between duty to protect Vere Celene and his desire to reunite with Arcady, hit me hard.

The tension between them when they finally meet again was everything I wanted—and everything I feared. Arcady’s anger at Everen for “abandoning” them, paired with Everen’s guilt for not finding a way back sooner, made their reunion painful yet beautifully raw. The moment when Arcady lashes out and reveals they’ve been using stolen dragon magic to survive was a gut punch. But when Everen defends them during the wraith attack at the University, proving he still cares deeply despite everything, I couldn’t stop smiling.

The stakes kept rising as the ancient danger lurking beneath Vere Celene began to awaken. The final act was pure chaos in the best way. Everen’s battle with the resurrected Plaguebringer—Arcady’s grandsire—was thrilling, but what truly stood out was the emotional weight behind it. Everen’s choice to shield Arcady at the cost of his own life, only for Arcady to use the last vestiges of their magic to save him, was such a powerful moment. Their bond is the heart of this story, and it shone brightest in that scene.

The ending was bittersweet but perfect. Everen’s reinstatement as an ambassador of peace, alongside Arcady finally proving their grandsire’s innocence, gave me hope for a brighter future for both humans and dragons. The bonus content at the end—the timeline, glossary, and map—was the cherry on top, immersing me even further into this incredible world.

*Emberclaw* is a triumph. It’s rare to find a book that balances romance, action, and worldbuilding so perfectly, but L.R. Lam has done it. The author poured so much in to this book! I LOVED Dragonfall but this book... this book took the cake and my heart. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy with unforgettable characters and a deeply emotional core, you absolutely need to read this duology.

I loved Dragonfall so my excitement for this book was through the roof. I love the POVs in this book, and I love how there is a distinct difference in tense and first person and third person storytelling. I also wanted to give a huge shoutout for the fact that the author put a summary of dragonfall at the start of the book, that was such a brilliant idea that I think a lot of authors could emulate.

The plot for this book was gripping and it carried a lot of suspense, the romance again was very strong. I’m a little bit disappointed that this isn’t a trilogy anymore but it was a strong ending to the duology so I have no complaints.

I was so excited when I got approved to read an e-arc of Emberclaw, one of my most anticipated sequels of 2025.

Arcady is now a student at the University of Vatra, trying to secretly uncover the truth about the events that lead to the death of the Plaguebringer (aka her grandsire). I loved the magical school setting and although it sounds cliche it very much gave Harry Potter vibes. The classroom setting, studying in the library, and eating in the great hall...I could imagine it as a movie. As her studies begin there is an announcement that the Trials, a magical competition that has not been conducted for many years, is being re-introduced. Arcady of course enters the Trials as the prize is a full scholarship for the winner, and a partial scholarship for the two runners up. I'm not a fan of trials as I usually find them boring and lackluster, but Lam managed to keep them not only entertaining but also interesting.

There is no second book syndrome here, as was the case with the first book, Emberclaw had a very gripping plot with no dull moments. The short chapters made it go by so fast, I was unwilling to put my Kindle down, but alas life. I enjoyed the reveals and how all the plot points and character arcs converged. I also liked the students Arcady befriended for their connections but later became true friends with. Plus, we get to know more about Sorin, who at the behest of Magnus, goes undercover as a student to keep an eye on Arcady. Her relationship with her wyvern was very cute!

I can't write a review of this and not comment on the romance, one of my favourite aspects of the series. It was just as compelling as it was in Dragonfall. Lam really knows how to write tension! The communication and build up trust was well executed. Both Arcady and Everen are layered characters that grow and develop individually and together.

According to my e-arc of the first book, Dragonfall, this was originally going to be a trilogy. I'm not sure what happened that made it so it's now a duology, but I think it's a shame. The ending was satisfying and even though there was a bit of telling rather than showing (due to having to condense it down to a duology, I think) this was a good follow up. However, I feel like it could have been so much better if we had got another book to continue with the threads that the author left open. There was more to explore in terms of the world, and the secondary characters who I was just beginning to warm to, could have had a chance to become more fleshed out. I can't discuss further what I wanted more of as it would spoil the ending, but suffice to say it begs to be further explored.

This is such an underrated gem of a duology, I can't recommend it enough for anyone who enjoys fantasy books with dragons.

A satisfying conclusion to the Dragon Scales duology! With the worldbuilding already accomplished, Emberclaw picks up more quickly than Dragonfall. We get a very healthy dose of yearning from our main characters without it feeling too prolonged or overdone (bless). The side characters really shine here, too—both the old and new. This book connects a lot of the unresolved mysteries from the first book to new characters in book two, which makes every part of Emberclaw feel intentional. There is a lot going on in this book plot-wise, but I never felt lost, and everything came together smoothly.

I’m so charmed by the society’s treatment of gender, the enemies-to-friends storyline, and the dragon lore in this duology. If I see the Barnes & Noble in employee who recommended Dragonfall to me, I will surely thank them.

Also, shout out to DAW for the perfectly formatted ARC. It really makes a difference to the reading experience, especially in a book like this, where the use of italics is an important signifier.

4.5 stars ⭐️

Firstly, I’d like to thank Daw Books and Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a fantastic and satisfying conclusion to a unique and epic fantasy duology.I read Dragonfall about a year ago and enjoyed it enough to want to pick up Emberclaw as I was curious as to where this series was going to go.

I definitley enjoyed this more than Dragonfall, particularly the academic setting and the trials following Arcady’s storyline. Once again, the world and lore is rich and beautifully done, and the use of different tenses between the three/four perspectives really adds to the emotions and connections with the characters. Everen’s perspective especially really helped unwind the romance aspect, but Arcady’s perspective was a firm favourite of mine. Arcady is witty, determined and headstrong, yet still had their flaws.

Generally, some aspects and terminology was difficult to follow. Because the world is so rich, it is challenging to keep up with a lot of things, particularly with the backstory of Loc. however I did end up grasping it more halfway through and this really let me enjoy the rest of the story, a lot more than I did with Dragonfall.

The romance aspect was well done, and I certainly enjoyed the slow burn, yearning of it which is actually very rare to find in fantasy books nowadays. The queer-norm world is also something I’m pleased to see, especially as a reader who enjoys queer romance, and an author who also writes queer romance.

Overall Lam writes with an exquisit, lyrical story with complex characters, beautiful romance, and rich worlds. Lam is a talented author, linking everything back in to a satisfying conclusion to a fantastic duology!!!

I was so excited to be approved for this! I read Dragonfall last month and had already lamented that I would have to wait til Spring for Emberclaw.

Emberclaw was a worthy follow up to Dragonfall. The beginning felt a little slow to me, but I think that’s because I was anxious for more of the energy Arcady and Everett had when they were together. I was not disappointed!

I liked the addition of the three trials to focus on while plot lines developed. They all came together for an ending that was worth the wait.

Important to note there were some editing mistakes and even some large errors, such as Lowe first being referred to as, “she”, but then switched to, “he”.

Emberclaw
by: L.R. Lam

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This sequel to the brilliantly crafted Dragonfall did not disappoint. We pick up right where we left off with our favorite nonbinary thief, Arcady, and our favorite grumpy dragon, Everen. They are exactly where we left them at the end of Dragonfall, which is to say, things are not going great. However, over the course of the book we get action, adventure, and even a bit of romance. This multi-POV story is epic and the world that Lam has built continues to astound me! This is not one to miss!

Note: The author was kind enough to create a recap chapter for all the events of Dragonfall at the start of the book, so a reread is not necessary (though surely would be enjoyable)!

A must read if you like:
🐉 Multi POV
🗡️ Rich World Building
🐉 Academia Setting
🗡️ Prophecies

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW Books for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Emberclaw* by L.R. Lam is a dazzling finale to the Dragon Scales duology! Arcady’s daring infiltration of the arcane University of Vatra and their fight to prove their worth are gripping, while Everen’s struggle to reclaim his place among dragons is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The magical trials, intense stakes, and rich world-building, complete with dragons and wraiths, kept me hooked from start to finish. The bond between Arcady and Everen adds a layer of emotional depth, making this a perfect read for fans of epic fantasy with heartfelt character arcs and thrilling action!

Now that Arcady has been able to chang their seal and been admitted to the Citadel its all magic classes and making allies in an effort to fit in. But then the chancellors announce they will be holding trials for full and half scholarships, which Arcady cannot afford to miss. There’s just a few problems: they are being blackmailed by Larkin to investigate one of their professors and steal their research into The Elixir of Life, they’re dreaming about Everyn in increasingly realistic scenarios that might not just be dreams, and their lab partner is probably the assassin that almost killed them before.

There’s a wealth of new chatacters in book two—or should I say just a bunch of wealthy characters since all the nobility’s children attend school with Arcady now—but also the return of some of the old ones we were already familiar with. I wish I could say that I grew attached to them but to be quite honest I found them to be rather out of touch and self-absorbed. I wasn’t even particularly interested in Sorin’a pov chapters until she began to rebel from Magnes’s control and that was halfway through the book. I was far more invested in Arcady and Everen’s reunion and the mending of their relationship.

The romance here was perfect. Despite betraying each other in Dragonfall, Arcady and Everen spent the first half of the book hopelessly pining and longing for each other. It was so sweet. The fact that their bond even let them share dreams (although at first they were just guilty fantasies) just proved how deep their love for each other ran. When they did reunite their devotion to each other was unbreakable. They shared each others’ fears and albitions, the trust between them finally healed. I would have prefered a bit more of an epilogue detailing what happened to them after they defeated Magnes and brought the dragons back to Loc—perhaps LR Lam may write us a short story or novella about this? Did Everen and Arcady just live apart while he continued his studies? Did the dragons join the ruling consuls? Was war aboided with Jask? Who is raising the baby hatchlings and will they get bonded humans of their own? So many questions without answers!

My only issue with this book was the setting of the Citadel. It actually progresses very well with plenty of character development and action sequences, but honestly I am over the magic school lessons and the deadly trials the students end up facing to prove their knowledge and ability(it has always felt a little too much like Harry Potter to me). I understand it was all a trap set up by Magnes to capture Arcady and Everen but I wanted less magic lessons and more actually figuring out how to stop the Dreamer from awakening. Also the plot with Larkin’s blackmail kind of just fizzled out, making me feel like it was forgotten and just wrapped up quickly to avoid the plot hole.

Overall I enjoyed the book and would reccommend this duology to my friends and followers.

As a big fan of DRAGONFALL I was absolutely thrilled to receive the ebook of this sequel! This is the completion of the duology and it was such wonderful fun to read. Magical academia, heist, dragons -- what more can you ask for? I can't wait to get the hard copy - this was fantastic and I can't recommend enough!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is captivating! I was fortunate enough to read it this week, and I simply couldn't put it down. Without a doubt, it’s my book of the year—it's that amazing!

Although there’s a long wait until the release of Emberclaw, it will definitely be worth it. The story is addictive, intense, and deadly delicious. Personally, Emberclaw is my favourite in the duology.

Reading it brought me joy, especially as I learned more into the lives of the characters, particularly Arcady, Everen, and Sorin. The writing is beautiful, and the story lingers after you turn the last page.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an eARC!

At the end of Dragonfall, I knew that it was not the end of Arcady and Everen; I knew that Sorin had a bigger part to play; I knew that Magnes was plotting something; and I knew that there was a reason that the alternating narration in the book was done in first person for Arcady and Everen and third person for all of the other character's view points. Last things first, the narration continues the style as in the prior book and the explanation to my question is provided at the end of this story (I had guessed it, but won't spoil for anyone who hasn't). Emberclaw picks up with a quick summary of the prior book which I appreciate in a sequel if it has been a while since I read the previous books (it is a bit of an info dump but as a separate section, skip it if you don't need it). The writing and pacing were better than Dragonfall and it was easier to get absorbed in the action and plot of this book. There is a good blend of action, adventure, romance, magic and dragons to the tale and I found the ending satisfying. Anyone who liked the first book of this duology will surely enjoy the conclusion. Those that haven't read Dragonfall but want a different take on dragon rider fantasies should start there.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, DAW) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.