I loved Dragonfall, so I was super excited to start this one!
LR Lam has taken a very unique take on dragons, which I enjoyed a lot.
I always find her writing style enjoyable and well executed. Love the characters and the world building. Great book!

I should probably start by saying that I have been a big fan of L. R Lam’s books for a very long time, so I was expecting this to be good. But DAMN this was good. I loved Dragonfall and Emberclaw is a fantastic sequel, full of character, tension, plot, a fascinating world and some really breathtaking moments. The story rattles along at a great pace but still deftly weaves in time for side characters to really develop, and there’s still plenty of moments of captivating tension between Arcady and Everen. One of the best books I’ve read in absolute ages, don’t sleep on this!

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I’m so so glad I received an ARC for this book, after I was given Dragonfall for Christmas and fell in love with Arcady and Everen’s worlds! Thank you to the publisher for issuing me an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Emberclaw, I love this world! If you want a cosy but still high stakes fantasy with queer romance and non-binary rep, this is the book for you! Fantasy, and ESPECIALLY dragon fantasy, is a saturated genre at the moment, and these books feel like such a shimmering standout amongst it all!
Emberclaw had me gripping my kindle like someone was going to take it away from me!? I was so hooked in, I sat and read for hours!
Mild spoilers beyond!!
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Lam has done an amazing job of building on the ‘supporting cast’ of characters from Dragonfall while introducing new characters, all of whom feel fully formed, nuanced and either lovable OR hate-able?! I love Arcady and Everen! I love Sorin! I LOVE Kelwyn!!
Despite the existential, epic battle to save both human and dragonkind at the heart of this book, there’s something so earnest and wholesome about the characters, their tenderness and vulnerability that gives me a nostalgic feeling. The dark academia vibes in this book maybe help with that – the camaraderie between students felt so sweet to me.
The atmosphere throughout had me gripped, I felt so absorbed in the world. I could feel the storm, I could see the bond, I felt the fear and love!
What makes these books unique to me is the delicacy with which Lam built in complex gender-politics basically as a non-issue, while keeping it central throughout the story through the thoughtful use of language. Both the non-binary representation and queer romance was delved into further in Emberclaw, moving beyond yearning and longing as they navigate trusting one-another.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

I’ve been eagerly anticipating this sequel ever since I finished Dragonfall back in 2023. That book completely captivated me—it’s the perfect execution of the enemies-to-lovers trope, set in a queer-normative world with dragons, an intricate magic system, and alternating viewpoints that kept me hooked from start to finish. Dragonfall is a truly special book to me, so I’ll admit, I was almost nervous that the sequel wouldn’t live up to my expectations.

But Emberclaw delivers. It has the same addictive writing style, the same beloved characters, and even opens with a recap of the previous book—something I wish more modern fantasy novels included. From there, we’re thrown right back into the story: Arcady and Everen’s bond is broken, they’re literally worlds apart, and yet fate clearly isn’t done with them. Their relationship was the highlight of Dragonfall for me, and in Emberclaw, it once again has me completely hooked—the tension, the yearning, the weight of their shared history.

I also loved Sorin’s arc—learning more about her and following her journey to free herself from the bond she’s under was incredibly compelling. If we ever return to this world, I’d love to see even more of her (and Cassia too!).

Without getting into spoilers, Arcady’s arc takes a turn I never saw coming, especially the truth behind their grandsire. Watching them grapple with that reveal was incredibly compelling and powerful.

What a breathtaking conclusion—this sequel was absolutely worth the wait. I’m so grateful to the author for crafting this story; I hope they know just how deeply it resonates with readers (me!) and how many more it will continue to reach.

(And if you’ve made it this far without having read Dragonfall yet… what are you waiting for? Go pick it up now so you’re ready for Emberclaw!)

Following from Dragonfall Everen is presumed dead and Arcady has scraped enough money together to begin university while dealing with the grief of losing Everen, despite his final betrayals.

With vivid dreams of Everen, assassins and blackmails on the prowl, Arcady finds herself having to make some serious choices while also learning how to trust again.

Oh my dragon scales.. this book. I never thought I’d pine for a dragon man but let me tell you the tension and love between Everen and Arcady was teasingly perfect!

I loved Soren’s character, her back story and the whole World building.

‘I decided the gods likely did not want or need my silence. And that maybe I had something to say, after all.’

This was had some really satisfying endings for the characters. If you enjoy dragons, enemies to lovers… so much love, friendship and dark magic this is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and LR Lam for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.