What more could I ask for than a sapphic fantasy with dragons and warring kingdoms? This was everything I could have asked for and more.

Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame is centered around Yeva, an armored knight who has been hunting dragons ever since she was thirteen. When Yeva is sent to a neighboring kingdom to hunt further, she instead discovers the land of her mother, where dragons are revered rather than feared. It is there that Yeva removes her armor for the first time, and meets the king, Lady Sookhee.

I loved the way we were introduced to Yeva, and later Sookhee, and the way that their pasts were slowly revealed. Yeva’s in particular was really interesting to read, and I thought her struggle with her identity was portrayed incredibly. I also loved the concept of dragons and how differently they are viewed by different empires. The way their history slowly bleeds through the pages was absolutely magical!

Much thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this fantasy filled novel. My god have you seen the over for this book , my jaw dropped the color and the artistry in itself draws you in, I’m a sucker for an amazing book cover.

Once the cover gets you in, the synopsis draws you in even more ! What is more kick butt than having a dragon slayer. Yeva has some inter struggles on being the emperor defender or going out to do what she was mean to be!

Yeva the dragon slayer travels to Quanbao, the land of the girl-King (Soohkee),to appease her Sun Emperor and look for a dragon. Along the way she must choose whether to shed her literal and figurative armor in order to foster friendship, community, love, and acceptance.

Yeva wields a sacred weapon named Varuhelt, which burns blue and harnesses her power to kill dragons. Will she use it in Quanbao?

Yeva also brings with her a wyrmhound with wings and a nose for hunting dragons. She rides mighty gryphons and travels with two in tow, Carys and Meteor. Yeva is a badass - let’s be honest. She is also just a human, seeking understanding and connection! This story touched me.

When I found myself disjointed by the POV of the story I tried to remind myself that it is written so that a grandmother could be telling the tale to a granddaughter. A legend. It is not first-person perspective because it is written the way myths are, person to person by word of mouth. This did help to bring me back to the story and find connection.

Because the “twist” is not so much a twist, it is easy to spot, it wasn’t the kind of read that gripped me with excitement. It was a pleasure all the same!

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick and fast-paced read that kept me engaged throughout. I thought that the story was interesting and I was not expecting that twist in the end. But as with most novellas and shorter books I was left wanting for a little bit more. I wish we got to see the relationship between Yeva and Lady Sookhee with a bit more detail. I wanted a little bit more of the romance between them than just the bedding. I still think that this was a good story with an interesting plot.

Yeva’s story was short, and emotional but satisfying. Yeva is a faceless knight(a dragon slayer?), sent to investigate dragons in a foreign country covertly. Once in that country doing the investigations, she begins to struggle with the choice between loyalty to her emperor as its weapon or her allegiance to the culture she grew up with—Including the Queen in it. I do think there was more of the telling vs showing here, but again, edits can be done. Characters, world & most of the writing were great. It was still a good short read for me and I still need more.

Thank you Tor Publishing & NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC for an honest review.

This is a quick read. The plot is good but I didn’t love the book’s flow. It seemed stinted and more like the author was stating facts instead of describing a thought. At times I enjoyed the directness of the writing but mostly it just felt a bit flat. The dragons vs. knights concept with the MC’s struggles will carry you through to the end.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was good! I found myself wanting more in certain areas, especially when it came to the characters finally getting together, I wanted more buildup to that choice.