Reviews

Dragonfall by L.R. Lam

polgyra's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

vtrumpredd's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

allivenger's review against another edition

4.0

I am only giving this book four stars because I personally struggled to read it. It isn’t hold my attention long and I kept not wanting to come back to it. However, the story itself and the characters were all solid. So you can make your own assumptions on if it’s truly a four star read or not. If it had kept my attention it would have been five stars. But it didn’t.

In a world filled with magic dragons are considered gods and any relics (bones) are highly prized by the church. Arcady is non-binary (and I absolutely LOVED that they were no binary) and in an effort to clear their grandfather’s name they set themselves up on a path to do just that. There’s only one hangup. Everyone has a seal, that dictates their name for all to see, and arcady’s name is tainted by their granfather. So they perform a spell for a new one. Only it doesn’t exactly go as planned.

Everen is the only male dragon in the world where the dragons were banished many years ago. In an effort to fight against his fate he thrusts himself into a void in the world and ends up bound to Arcady. Neither of them wants the bond but both need it in ways they can’t even imagine. Arcady needs to clear their family’s legacy and everen needs Arcady to die to bring the dragons back to their world.

This story is filled with puzzles and intrigue between two beings who have every reason to distrust the other. And yet they find common ground. Mixed in is a good old fashioned heist and the chief cleric and his ward who are out to prevent the dragons from ever coming home.

The magic system here is solid and so is the story. I loved seeing Everen and Arcady interact and the aspect of a sickness that plagued the world have echoes of our own world and how it effected each and every one of us. If you love dragons and magic and two people destined for each other but fighting it all the way, you’ll love this.

riley_rose's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

katelin00's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book is hard to review. There were aspects I liked, but it was mostly a slog to get through. The writing was overly explanatory, and yet I was still confused about how magic actually worked in this world. There was an attempt at worldbuilding, but there wasn't really any worldbuilding and it felt generic medieval vibes with some magic. There are multiple POVs, but sometimes, it is difficult to really tell the difference between Arcady and Everen. 

The climax and secret reveal of a character at the end were really the only good points. The build up to the heist was too long and the actual heist too short. There were just so many missing elements that it made it difficult to enjoy. I liked the overall idea of the book but not the execution. 

I still don't know if I will read the next book. I kind of want to know what happens, but I don't know if it's worth my time to read another book in this writing style. 

makeshiftmelody's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

theladyduckofdoom's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

lilybellreader's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

aspynjaye's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Picked up on a whim and had an incredible time. Characters are gripping, helped by unique written perspectives. The world is dense with lore and while heavy with exposition, wasn't overwhelming. Will be eagerly awaiting any sequels.

foxrain's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75