Review of Dragonfall (Dragon Scales, #1) by Sarah B. Franklin
There’s a certain thrill in picking up a new fantasy novel, especially one with dragons on the cover. As I dove into Dragonfall, the first in the Dragon Scales series by Sarah B. Franklin, I hoped to find that exhilarating escape that only a truly enchanting tale can provide. Yet by the time I reached the final pages, I was left feeling conflicted—like I had watched a promising movie only to realize it was a rough draft.
At the heart of Dragonfall is Everen, the last male dragon of Vere Celene, who, due to prophecies and a reckless desire for adventure, leaps through a dimensional rip into the human world. What follows is a journey that intertwines his fate with Arcady, a cunning thief with aspirations of social redemption and a vested interest in clearing their grandparent’s tarnished legacy. Their paths converge under an intriguing premise—but as the plot unfolded, I found myself questioning how deeply these characters resonated beyond their initial allure.
Everen’s perspective is delivered in a second-person narrative that, while ambitious, often felt disjointed. For instance, he claims Arcady “stole” him from his home, manipulating them to fulfill a bond that seems only half-formed. I wished for a more robust exploration of dragon culture and mythology, which felt absent amid his inner turmoil. The writing, at times, felt sparse, leaving me yearning for more vivid descriptions that could have enriched the worldbuilding. I couldn’t help but chuckle at moments like Everen looking into a pond and merely noting his “preterit form” without any tangible visual cue. By the time I learned more about dragons, I was nearly 90% into the book!
Arcady, on the other hand, was a character with bursts of potential that sadly led to frustration. Their aims—stealing enough money for a magic school—were admirable, but tactics often missed the mark, leading them into chaotic and improbable situations. I had to shake my head at their loud antics in the Locked Tombs, which left me pondering how such a skilled thief could falter so easily. The romantic tension between Everen and Arcady, often marketed as “enemies to lovers,” lacked the depth needed to engage me emotionally. Instead, it felt forced, with moments where attraction was described without the chemistry to back it up.
Among the book’s lighter moments, I found satisfaction in glimpses of vivid imagery, such as “I ate a curl of apple peel, the sweetness fizzing along my tongue”—though, to be honest, I’ve never encountered a fizzing apple peel in my life! The food descriptions, however, often overwhelmed the narrative without grounding me in the larger universe. I craved more information on how magic functioned and what it meant for society—questions that still linger unresolved.
In conclusion, while Dragonfall offered glimpses of an intriguing world filled with potential, I felt the execution left me wanting more—more depth in character development, more worldbuilding finesse, and a stronger narrative thread to bind it all together. However, the hints of mystery and the evolving story surrounding the Veil and dragon lore piqued my curiosity enough that I’m tempted to follow along with the next installment. If you’re someone who enjoys spirited, young adult fantasies with a touch of dragon magic and aren’t daunted by some rough edges, Dragonfall might just be worth your while. But if you prefer well-crafted worlds and character depth from the start, you might want to tread carefully into this adventure.
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