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A review by queenofthenuts
Emberclaw by L.R. Lam
5.0
***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.
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.