Dragonfall by L.R. Lam

GREETINGS STACK WORMS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today I am reviewing Dragonfall by L.R. Lam. 

I received an eARC, from NetGalley, a while back and started reading at the tail end of January. I thought the release date was March but I misread the date and instead, its release date is...today actually. May 2nd. So, I decided to wait to finish reading because I do SPOILER reviews. To review the book before the release date and giving spoilers felt rude. I had planned on finishing it at least 2 weeks ago but life and all. 

I really loved this book. I gave it five stars on Goodreads and NetGalley. Unfortunately, it's getting lukewarm reviews. I really want this one to do well because of the subject matter. Oh, well, maybe I can convince some people. 

Let's get into the review. We're back to how I usually format my reviews. 

SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Duh...

TRIGGER WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-There is some animal death but it's for food so meh

-Dragon death

-Queer representation (sadly this is a trigger for some arseholes hopefully none are reading this and if there are proceed to jump off a cliff at a rock quarry with extremely sharp rocks at the bottom)

-Dragons (this used to be a trigger for me so I'm covering my bases here)

-death 

-sexy times 

-profanity

-religious zealots 

-miscommunication trope (yes, tropes can be triggers because people are often sick of them)

-enemies-to-lovers (back to enemies) trope 

-stealing (I guess this is a trigger)

-heist trope 

-literature burning 

-blood

-plague/sickness 

Prince Everen is the last male dragon...well second to last. And his entire species is expecting him to bring them back to their original homeworld from which they were banished from nearly 900 years prior. Their new world is dying and his people are dying. So, he has a very good reason to hate humans, yet when Arcady accidentally summons him to their world the dragon can't help but feel a deep attraction to the gender-fluid thief. 

But is it actually love? Or is it the forced bond between them? Hm. 

Everen learns from his sister Cassia that he must complete the bond and then kill Arcady to open the veil between their worlds. However, when the time comes Everen cannot bring himself to do it. After everything the two had been through he couldn't bring himself to kill Arcady. 

Arcady though doesn't feel the same after finding out Everen had planned to kill them from the very beginning. They are, and rightfully so, angry enough to send Everen back to his world and seal the veil again. 

Sorin is a monk-assassin and her handler is Magnes. A very powerful Priest. Magnes uses Sorin to help seal the veil between worlds and to hunt down Everen and Arcady. During a heist that Arcady planned Everen shows his preterit form to Sorin and Arcady. 

Magnes sort of planned this to happen. He wanted Everen to show himself so he could create a rift between Arcady and Everen. Why? Because Magnes is the other male dragon and for reasons unknown (besides he's a bit touched) he doesn't want the dragons to come through. Yet, when he's given the chance he doesn't kill Arcady. 

Curiouser and Curiouser. 

Arcady is a stricken thief that plans on bringing down their capitalistic world because they wrongly accused their grandfather of creating a terrible plague, that Arcady themselves suffered from. 

To do so they plan a heist to steal a dragon's claw that is being auctioned off by some rich arseholes. They plan on selling it so they can enter the Citadel and gather intel on what really caused the plague. 

LIKES:

-Short Chapters

-Really enjoyed Everen and Arcady's relationship...steamy 

-The magic system was interesting

-Great world building 

-Descriptions were lovely 

-Queer romance 

-Genderfluid character (plus sassy and spicy characters) 

-Magnes

DISLIKES:

-Not everyone likes second-person POVs. I usually don't like them either but this wasn't too jarring 

-Sorin anytime I came to her chapters the flow came to a screeching halt for me

-Should have had more Magnes chapters (sequel hopefully)

-Only one special edition of the book and I can't get it *pouts* 

-People not liking the book

-The sequel isn't out yet

Good book. Seriously, go read it. I'll be honest it was rough around the edges but that didn't take away my enjoyment of it. I also guessed that Magnes was a dragon and the 'bad guy'. Don't trust anyone by the name of Magnes. They're usually Chaotic Neutral at best. 

If you like queer representation, heists, dragons, magic, and steamy situations this book is for you. I pre-ordered my copy and I cannot wait to get it. 

The book I plan next is The Knight and the Necromancer by A.H. Lee. 

Here is the song for the day Animal by Neon Trees:

Have you read the book? What did you think? Would you agree or disagree with me? Would you pick up the book? Did you like the review? Is there anything I can do to make it better? Or is there anything you'd like to see me doing in the next review? Remember I always encourage constructive criticism. Thank you for reading!! Toodles, luvs! 

- Bug