Book review of Dragonfall by L.R. Lam

Arcady Dalca is a mage who focuses on shape-shifting, a thief and in addition the scion of probably the most notorious household within the metropolis of Vatra. Their grandfather, the Plaguebringer, was extensively believed to have prompted the Strikes, virulent and lethal ailments that swept the world. But Arcady doesn’t imagine their grandfather was succesful of such destruction and has launched into a quest to find the reality. Part of that quest requires stealing the Plaguebringer’s seal, a dragonstone amulet that permits the wearer to wield magic, and utilizing its energy to shape-shift into a brand new identification. But the spell Arcady casts to assert the seal rips a gap within the Veil separating worlds and lets an invader by: Everen, the final male dragon, failed seer and prince of a dying world. Everen needs to tear the Veil large open, letting his fellow dragons again into the world that banished them in order that they’ll escape extinction and wreak vengeance on humankind for his or her betrayal. Everen is trapped in human kind, however he can regain his full energy if he wins Arcady’s full belief—after which kills them.

In writing Dragonfall, creator L.R. Lam was clearly impressed by fantasy authors like Anne McCaffrey and Robin Hobb, each of whom have written iconic tales starring dragons. But Lam additionally injects this traditional excessive fantasy quest with a wholesome dose of sexual rigidity. The romance between Arcady and Everen is central to the plot, for the reason that fates of each people and dragons hinge on their bond. And whereas all will not be effectively of their relationship by the e book’s finish, it appears clear that by the deliberate trilogy’s conclusion, these Veil-crossed lovers might be united, saving the world within the course of. 

Lam employs many frequent tropes of each romance and excessive fantasy, however their world constructing continues to be delightfully imaginative and richly detailed. Despite banishing dragons centuries in the past, people nonetheless worship them as gods, with completely different dragon deities being related to completely different varieties of spells. All of the magic in Dragonfall entails asking the world to reshape itself in a selected approach, which implies that all people who possess seals have the capability to control themselves or their environments to suit their wants or wishes. Lam delves headlong into the philosophical implications of this, establishing a society constructed nearly fully round fluidity. This extends from structure constructed on a premise of ephemerality, as a result of it may be magically adjusted at any second, to an idea of gender wholly primarily based on private preferences, as many individuals can change their appearances at will. Everen, whose world is one of inflexible roles and clearly demarcated boundaries, finds this embrace of inconstancy confounding. But for the genderfluid Arcady, such liberation is the bedrock of existence. Lam’s deep exploration of this fascinating society superbly balances the considerably pulpy style parts.

Grimdark aficionados ought to steer clear, however Dragonfall will delight followers of well-designed worlds, heroes’ journeys and slow-burning romance. Here there be (horny) dragons.