I was so thrilled to get this ARC from NetGalley and DAW. I had just finished Dragonfall and was desperate to know what happened after that ending. This book did not disappoint. I liked this book even more than the first one!

Obviously, there's less world building in the second book, so I found it easier to get into than the first book, which took a little time to orient myself and make sense of the world.
The start of Emberclaw picks up almost right where we left off in Dragonfall. Arkady and Everen are embroiled in something even bigger than they had imagined and both of their worlds are at risk. Arkady is coming to grips with Everen's deception and is unsure if/how they can recover the relationship they had only just started to build.

The side characters played a bigger part in this book and Sorin quickly became one of the most interesting parts of the story. I loved the character arc and getting to see more of her POV.

This book moved faster than the first one and was pretty action packed in comparison. The ending felt a little abrupt, but I think that's because I was expecting to see more of what happens after the events in this book. It feels like there could be a third book to cover what comes next, but I can't confirm that anywhere.

Thank you to NetGalley, DAW, and LR Lam for the eARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Emberclaw is the perfect conclusion to L.R. Lam’s Dragon Scales duology—full of magic, intrigue, and just the right amount of dragon-induced chaos. Arcady is out here trying to hustle their way through academia (relatable), while Everen, a literal dragon prince, is having an identity crisis of epic proportions. The stakes are high, the emotions are intense, and the world-building is as rich as ever.

I enjoyed this sequel even more than I did the first book—something that rarely happens! I believe a big part of that is due to Lam's character development throughout Emberclaw; it felt natural, yet raw, and Sorin's journey of self-discovery added a level of depth to the story that Dragonfall was missing.

Thank you NetGalley and DAW Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Daw Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

I loved falling into the worlds of Lumet and Celene Vere and am sad to leave them.

LR Lam pulled together many of my favourite fantasy tropes (a magical university games/tournament, university setting, magic based in elements, I could go on!) while also helping me appreciate those I have not liked in the past (fated mates, multiple perspectives). I really loved Lam's use of "any"/ they/ They and pronouns in this duology--their attention to diverse lived experiences extended into intimate scenes with a lot of care.

I really enjoyed the epistolary frame of the two books and found the ending to Emberclaw hit the perfect tone/ pacing for me--I wasn't left wondering about any characters, things were not tied up too neatly as to be unbelievable.

I hope someday Lam returns to Lumet to explore the next chapter of dragons and humans, but until then, I'll remember 2025 for introducing me to their world.

After reading Dragonfall a bit over a year ago, I became a fan of this series. I am very grateful for the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read an eARC of Emberclaw!

Arcady is still searching for justice and finally enrolls at the Academy under their new false identity. There, they hope to find out more about the real reason that their grandfather was wrongly accused as the Plaguebringer and executed. Meanwhile, Everen, the last male dragon, is also still searching for his own way. He still struggles with understanding the prophecies, even if he started to be able to see them. There is one thing for certain, though: Both of their worlds hang in a fragile balance and only Arcady and Everen can prevent their destruction, if they work together once again.

The story starts with a recap of the most important events from book one. That was a great opening, because I was immediately invested again, even after the time that has passed for me between books. The plot itself starts out quite slow, though the inevitable building of suspense is enough to keep the pages turning. The mood changes from heist novel in book one to dark academia here. The switch isn't too jarring, though, because the superb worldbuilding and different perspectives help tie together the past events and revelations with new intrigues and secrets. There is a lot more going on than is obvious at first - just like in the last installment.

We meet new characters, new challenges, a magic competition and the continuation of Acardy's and Everen's character development. All of this keeps the story fresh until the plot picks up. The ending hurtles toward the fulfillment of a mysterious prophecy, which the characters have no idea how to fulfill while the revealed puppet master behind the scenes is constantly advancing his own schemes.

The relationship between Arcady and Everen continues to be an important part. There are many complicated feelings, past betrayals and current desires. I found their development fitting and convincing. I definitely preferred the romance here over what was going on in book one. As someone who rarely enjoys romance in fantasy novels, this one was done very well!

Truth be told, there are very few things I would say were not done well. The finale did feel a little like deus-ex-machina, although it does fit in with the themes of prophecies and fate. The ending is also deliberatly vague about the future of the world, although I am hoping this is mostly in preparation of a spin-off.

All in all, I am very satisfied with this duology. The bonus content at the end, where the author talks about their own language that was created for the book, was a fantastic treat for me as well. This is a fantasy that feels both progressive and classic. We have dragons, prophecies, but also advanced narrative techniques with the second person address (which I loved!) and a non-binary protagonist. I truly enjoyed reading and would recommend this series to any fantasy fans!

4.5 stars

Thank you DAW and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so happy to be back with these characters and so anxious for what they faced.

I loved the whole magic academy plot this book had going for it. I didn’t actually think Arcady would get there and the fact that they did made me so genuinely happy even though they had so much crap to deal with.

I loved the relationship formed between Arcady and Sorin. I would absolutely love a short story of them just hanging out having some kind of carefree holiday together, like what their trip to Willem’s estate could have been under better circumstances.

I LOVED Willem, Rahela and Damon and the group they formed with Arcady. Honestly fictional friendships make my heart sing and this group was no exception.

The romance between Everen and Arcady is EVERYTHING. I love them so much!

The climax and resolution felt really well paced and I really enjoyed how everything turned out. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire last 100 pages.

I really loved this duology and I can’t recommend it enough.

Thank you L. R. Lam and DAW for an ARC Copy of Emberclaw!

Rating 4/5

This was a wild ride from start to finish and I am so satisfied with the conclusion of this Duology!

While both books in the series are a little on the ‘info dumpy’ side, the world building is spectacular and so thoroughly thought out, down to the Dragons having a fully functional language. I also loved the queernormativity of Loc’s society, and found it was a much needed shift from reality.

The relationships are so well developed and I loved all the POVs. Even the side characters had distinct personalities and were easy to distinguish from each other. Another aspect I enjoyed was the characters' narratives being written from different perspectives (1st person/2nd person/3rd person). This felt fun and different from a lot of recent fantasy, and really helped to differentiate the main characters further. I do wish we had a little more from Cassia’s POV, but that is splitting hairs.

Final note - GAY DRAGONS!

I am so excited for this to come out so I can add a physical copy to my shelf!

“Emberclaw” by L.R. Lam is the thrilling final book to the Dragon Scales duology series, picking up right where “Dragonfall” left off.

This time, we follow Arcady as they infiltrate the prestigious University of Vatra, aiming to clear their family’s name. The academic setting adds a fresh twist, with magical trials and deepening friendships that enrich the story.

Meanwhile, Everen grapples with his place among dragons and his lingering bond with Arcady.

Readers have praised the book’s intricate world-building and character development, noting that it surpasses the first installment. If you’re into epic fantasies with dragons, magic, and a touch of romance, “Emberclaw” is a must-read.

Overall I liked this one but felt like book 1 was better. I had trouble connecting to the first part of this book. It felt like a completely different story than what I read with Dragonfall. The saving grace with this one was Everen and Arcady. I enjoyed their relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Thank you DAW and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read & review an ARC for Emberclaw.

4.5⭐️

With how Dragonfall ended I knew I needed to immediately start Emberclaw. There were so many questions that needed answering. The story was just beginning in all the best ways.

Lam knows how to best play with your emotions without taking it to the point of frustration. Everen & Arcady managed to grow just as much apart as they did together. We get more of a sense of who they are as characters. Plus, more Sorin ❤️

The main “goal” or “mission” does seem to be put on the back burner more this book than in the first one. At about 60% in I was a little afraid how it was going to end. It just felt like while things were moving, the end goal wasn’t progressing. I shouldn’t have doubted 😅 a lot does seem to be fairly easy, neatly wrapped up, but it felt like it was done in a way that made sense. I’m not mad about it.

Beautiful conclusion to an interesting duology. If you’re looking for solid world building, great character growth, and an inclusive world 👌🏻 definitely recommend.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

I’ve been eagerly anticipating this sequel ever since I finished Dragonfall back in 2023. That book completely captivated me—it’s the perfect execution of the enemies-to-lovers trope, set in a queer-normative world with dragons, an intricate magic system, and alternating viewpoints that kept me hooked from start to finish. Dragonfall is a truly special book to me, so I’ll admit, I was almost nervous that the sequel wouldn’t live up to my expectations.

But Emberclaw delivers. It has the same addictive writing style, the same beloved characters, and even opens with a recap of the previous book—something I wish more modern fantasy novels included. From there, we’re thrown right back into the story: Arcady and Everen’s bond is broken, they’re literally worlds apart, and yet fate clearly isn’t done with them. Their relationship was the highlight of Dragonfall for me, and in Emberclaw, it once again has me completely hooked—the tension, the yearning, the weight of their shared history.

I also loved Sorin’s arc—learning more about her and following her journey to free herself from the bond she’s under was incredibly compelling. If we ever return to this world, I’d love to see even more of her (and Cassia too!).

Without getting into spoilers, Arcady’s arc takes a turn I never saw coming, especially the truth behind their grandsire. Watching them grapple with that reveal was incredibly compelling and powerful.

What a breathtaking conclusion—this sequel was absolutely worth the wait. I’m so grateful to the author for crafting this story; I hope they know just how deeply it resonates with readers (me!) and how many more it will continue to reach.

(And if you’ve made it this far without having read Dragonfall yet… what are you waiting for? Go pick it up now so you’re ready for Emberclaw!)

Just as good as the first! The premise of this book is so new to me and I ate up every second of it. I was so excited to return to this world, and it did not disappoint. Keep 'em coming L.R. Lam!!!

An overall interesting end to the duology - but I think this is the rare time that an additional book would have helped to flesh out the world and give the story a more satisfying ending. There were threads that I think were left dangling or rushed at the end that I really would’ve appreciated more detail on - the book tried to do a lot but felt a bit shallow in some respects. The relationship between Arcady and Everen being one of them, but also the world itself and how it is changed by the ending of the book - it felt very abrupt. I understand that the author was more focused on the story of Arcady and Everen, but it felt like a missed opportunity. I liked the reveals, they made sense for the world and, especially for Arcady’s grandfather felt earned and well explained (there was no way he wasn’t linked to things). I just felt that there was an element of rushing towards the end which blunted the effects of the reveals and the ending. I loved the world, which is so interesting and different, especially in relation to gender and relationships, and I wanted to know so much more about the other kingdoms and peoples. I thought this was a very interesting and compelling idea, with story beats that hooked me and that I wanted to know about, but the pacing just left a bit to be desired.

This is going to be a hard review to write, because while I liked the story and the character development, there just seemed to be something missing from this one that kept me from really connecting to it. I often found myself being distracted by little things while I was reading and never felt compelled to pick the book up, except for the fact that it was an ARC that I needed to read. But I don’t think this is a reflection on this book. Lots of people loved it and thought it was great, I think this one is more on me and I really feel kind of sad about it.

One of the things that I loved about the first book was the slow burn romance which was broken at the end of book one. The author did a great job of showing how Arcady and Everen were able to rebuild their trust and the bond slowly, while dealing with all of the fallout of their bond being broken. Arcady’s growth in this book was strong, she finally is able to be at the academy and wants to just keep her head down and work, but finds herself making friends and building relationships with them. Everen is busy earning not only the trust of Arcady but also of the dragons he betrayed. He is walking a fine line between his world and the human one.

Sorin’s story was the best part of this book. Her character was well developed and had many layers to it. Her motives were clear and multilayered and I loved how she came into her own as the story progresses. She too is at the academy, mostly to keep and eye on Arcady, but she also finds herself making friends among the students, especially Arcady. Her inner dialogue was great and really showed her struggles and her angst about being manipulated most of her life by others.

Although I love this world and found the world building just as well done in this story as in the first book, I also found it to be incredibly slow paced. (again that could just be me and my mind state at the time) The plot was well done and I liked the way it ended. The writing and the descriptions were beautiful, although I thought the dialogue could use a little work at times. There is one chapter from Magnes point of view that I found really interesting, but his villain speech near the end went on a bit long. Otherwise I liked the ending and did feel it made up for the struggles I had reading the rest of the book.

If you read Dragonfall and enjoyed it, certainly give this book a chance. Take what I had to say about it with a grain of salt. There are many glowing reviews for this book by people who really enjoyed it. Read those before making your decision to pick this one up. At some point I might decide to reread both of them and see if my opinion changes.

Emberclaw by L.R. Lam is a wonderful conclusion to the Dragon scales duology. The pacing, character development and pov switches were much smoother than in the first book. I liked that the dragon characters had an important role in this story and weren’t just human sidekicks like we so often see and the magic and fantasy elements were familiar, yet captivating. Of course, the chemistry between Arcady and Everen is what brings the story to life and their relationship has a beautiful evolution, especially in this book. Overall, fans of Dragonfall will not be disappointed and I hope the author comes back to this rich world some day!

“Nothing would ever be the same, and one way or another, you and I would be at the center of it all once again. Together. Change was on the wind.”

First off, I wanted to thank NetGalley, L. R. Lam and DAW publishing for providing an e-Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

The beautiful cover of Dragonfall tempted me at every book store I visited in 2024, but I’m so glad that I saved it to read until 2025 so I could experience reading the duology back to back. L.R. Lam wrote such an incredible and unique world that had me fully immersed and unable to set the book down, a feeling most fantasy readers are always chasing. Emberclaw expanded on the events of Dragonfall in a way that had me glued to my seat; I was fully invested in the action-packed events of this book between the trials, fights and nerve-wracking ending.

Arcady & Emery: I am down bad for these two characters, okay? I loved the development of their romance in book 2 and how they navigated making amends after the events of Dragonfall. I especially enjoyed how emotionally mature they both were through it all. One of my least favorite tropes in fantasy romance is miscommunication and I am proud to say that this book did not have any of that. Our two lovers tackled their relationship eyes up, hearts forward, and watching them rebuild trust in one another made my heart grow three sizes I swear.

Arcady: I LOVED Arcady in this series; they are determined, witty, sassy (at times and I love it) and headstrong. I especially loved reading about Arcady’s time in the university and how they strategically built relationships with other students in order to uncover the secrets of their grandfather’s past. At the same time though, we see Arcady building friendships with the other students and that’s one of the things I love about them. Watching Arcady interact with Sorin and ultimately help her unravel her relationship with the High Priest just made me love them even more. Arcady’s big bleeding heart is one of my favorite parts about their character.

Everen: “Ever since I had discovered I was not the last male dragon, I had lost my destiny. I questioned starfire, fate, and my religion and beliefs. I doubted my very sanity.”

The way that Everen navigated earning Arcady’s trust back in this book, as well as the trust of all the dragons of Vera Celene, had me falling head over heels for him just like Arcady did. I love how patient he was with gaining Arcady’s trust and love, and how he acknowledged what he did wrong in the events of the last book, and promised to make things right moving forward. I almost wish we had gotten a little more of Everen/Arcady working together in Loc before diving into the finale of the book, just to have more page time with them.

Sorin: I LOVED how Sorin’s pov was woven into this book and it was both beautiful and heartbreaking to read. I am so glad we got more page time with her and loved her role in helping E&A ‘balance the scales’. I hope that she lives the rest of her off-page life happy and free, going on fun adventures with Jaculus and enjoying everything the world has to offer.
The Romance: I loved the (sort of) enemies-to-lovers/slow burn romance in book 1, but I ADORED it in book 2. The yearning and tension was off the charts. There was a CRAWL TO ME moment that had me absolutely fanning myself. And of course, the queer

The Plot: In Dragonfall, we experienced a high-stakes heist, and in Emberclaw, we got a magical university and trials! What more could you ask for in a fantasy book? I only wish we had gotten a little more of the trials sooner, but that’s only because I fell so in love with the magic and the other characters (and students) that I just wanted more time with them.

The one pov I found myself not as interested in reading was Cassia’s/Vera Celene. I understand it was necessary to know what was happening with the dragons back home, but I felt I didn’t get enough time with Cassia to fall in love with her and care too much about what happened next with the dragons. However, I loved the direction Lam took with Vera Celene/the dragons. Maybe we’ll get a novella for Cassia one day and I can fall in love with her as much as I did Everen.

The Ending: I really enjoyed how the ending of this wasn’t rushed. I like how after the major conflict was resolved, we still had several chapters saying goodbye to the characters and seeing them off. As a reader, it left me feeling satisfied and a little teary-eyed like a parent seeing their kids go off to college. 😭

Overall, this was an incredible conclusion to the Dragon Scales duology. L.R. Lam wrote such a beautiful and descriptive story that set the bar extremely high for the rest of my fantasy reads in 2025. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, but especially:

✨Fated Lovers
✨Queer Romance/Gender Fluid Rep
✨Accepting LGBTQ+ society
✨Trials/Competition
✨Magical University
✨DRAGONS!!!
✨Prophecies/Scrying
✨Multiple POVs

The split between 1st, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives is not as harsh as the first book was and therefore made it a more pleasant experience and I was able to get fully immersed into the world.
The academic trials were a breath of fresh air and allowed for a more fast-paced near nail biting adventure.
I appreciated how nicely it ended an epic duology if only we could see more of the dragons coexisting with humans.

- magic trials
- academy setting
- fated lovers
- yearning dreams
- dragons
- duology

i am so happy, this book was everything i wanted it to be and i had such a great time back in this world.

emberclaw follows arcady, everen, and sorin (icon!) after the events of dragonfall and shows how they deal with the aftermath of what they experienced.

everen’s pov was already my favorite but now he is truly one of my favorite book characters. everything he does, he does for love and it is just so apparent how much he loves arcady. the relationship between arcady and everen makes me cry, it was so sweet and tender. my favorite dragon and bonded rider forever. so so happy we got to see their relationship heal and take a new shape in light of book one’s ending.

arcady's entire arc was everything i wanted. it was a rollercoaster of emotions, but it felt so natural and raw which i understand is the point with how everything wraps up.

i loved getting more of sorin’s character in this book too and see her journey in finding her place and herself. seeing her friendship with arcady was beautiful, truly a dynamic duo.

the writing is the perfect balance between romance, action, and world building. the characters each had an ending that felt true to them and it is bittersweet to be done with these books. i was captivated by this world, the prose just grabs you and you become so invested.

✶ thank you netgalley, l.r. lam, and daw publishing for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review ✶

I loved Dragonfall and i was really worried that Emberclaw would ruin the story for me, or ruin Arcady and Everen's Relationship irreversably.
However I am not disappointed and this book exceeded my expecations. Lam wraps up all the open plot points and leaves nothing unsaid. The plot thickens and the stakes get higher and Arcady and Everen are as wonderful as ever.

This book was a lot better the Dragonfall. The pace, the plot and the writer was much better. This was a great sequel!

I once again found myself captivated by this world and all who inhabit it. Emberclaw truly welcomed me back home again, and I am so thankful.

“It was you, and me, slowly catching fire.”

I already was in love with these characters, but I fell harder this time. I enjoyed learning more about Sorin’s story and her impact on fate. Arcady and Everen, of course, were just as enchanting as always. I continued to be amazed by how natural the relationships were and how easily I related to them. The yearning and longing for each other, and for peace, was intoxicating and I could drown in it forever. Every moment was more exciting than the last and I didn’t want it to end.

“We were ephemeral. We were a dream.”

I have already shared my intense love of this world and how it has felt like home to me. But Emberclaw solidified why I feel that way. Despite the turmoil that exists in this story, the promise of having a bond with another soul was so comforting. I was exhilarated by the hope of existing in a world where a love like that can flourish. I could exist in a pool full of the words from this story and never long for anything else.

I cannot thank DAW enough for access to the eARC of this book. I am so grateful for being able to immerse myself in this world once again. Thank you.