"Of Steel and Scale" By Keri Arthur: Review/Giveaway

Review by Lorie Lewis Ham

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

I have been a fan of Keri Arthur’s writing for many years. Most of the books I have read of hers are urban fantasy with a touch of mystery, which is my favorite kind of book. I don’t often read high fantasy, but when I saw that Keri had the first book in a new series out that fell into that category, I knew I would enjoy it because I always enjoy her writing. And I was right!

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Of Steel and Scale features Princess Bryn Silva, the sole child of Esan’s king. But she isn’t your typical princess. Bryn is also a soldier and a Strega witch, gifted with the ability to raise fire and mind speak to animals. In this world drakkons (which are basically dragons) have been hunted to near extinction. Bryn has always been fascinated by them and has spent years tracking their movements and has formed a tenuous relationship with a queen drakkon named Kaia. She has also been promised in marriage to Damon Valez,  heir to the throne of Zephrine and a powerful blood witch. While she definitely finds him attractive, she isn’t thrilled about marrying someone she isn’t in love with, but feels she has no choice. The hardest thing for her though is leaving behind her home and the drakkons.

The night before her wedding, Bryn goes out to see her drakkons one last time, only to discover that a remote village on the edges of East Arleeon has been destroyed, leaving no evidence of how or why. On her journey home by sea, an animal unlike any she has ever known attacks and sinks their boat using weapons made of golden metal feathers that pierce wood and flesh as easily as any sword. These same weapons are used to attack Kaia and her children. Bryn is determined to help the injured drakkons and they form an alliance to find out who this new enemy is and stop them. She also finds in Damon an unexpected ally.

As always, Keri has crafted interesting and complex characters and I can’t wait to see what happens next. There was plenty of excitement and action in this book, and I love the drakkons, Bryn and her family. There is definite chemistry between Bryn and Damon and I find myself routing for that to turn into love. Romantasy has become a very popular genre and I think this may fall into that category as well—plus it has the mystery of finding out who is behind all of this. I can’t wait for book 2!

To enter to win an ebook copy of Of Steel and Scale, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "scale,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 25, 2025. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. 

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Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and a contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie's mystery writing including her latest mystery novel One of You, the latest Tower District Mystery, at Mysteryrat's Closet.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.