Overall, I enjoyed this book but I made the awful mistake of coming into it with high expectations. While it was a solid book, it definitely did not meet them.

I did appreciate that Lam created not only a queer normative world but a queer celebratory world. It was the little details that stood out to me: the use of hand gestures to express gender identity, the use of magic to alter one's body. It was truly lovely to read.

On a more negative note, I feel as if the pacing really held Dragonfall back. Throughout the first 80% I thought I was going to give it at least 4 starts, but the ending really messed that up. Not only did it feel too rushed, but very little felt finished. I understand that it was supposed to be a cliffhanger but I felt as if there was no character development. Arcady is essentially the same, as is Sorin. Everen evolved but we knew this would happen, the book was partially written from his future perspective so we always knew he would grow and change. I finished it and was left feeling unsatisfied. I don’t need a happy ending, I just need an ending in general.

I do have to point out that while the plot may not have flowed well, the actual writing and descriptions done by Lam were wonderful. Once again, I have to point out the little details that really helped immerse me into the world, such as Everen using “it” for humans, or describing distance with “wingspans''.