"Of Scale and Blood" 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. 

Of Scale and Blood is the second book in the Drakkon Kin Trilogy by Keri Arthur. I always know I’m going to enjoy a book written by Keri Arthur. This series 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 formed a tenuous relationship with a queen drakkon named Kaia

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In the first book, Of Steel and Scale, Bryn was promised in marriage to Damon Valez,  heir to the throne of Zephrine, and a powerful blood witch. While she was attracted to him, she wasn’t thrilled to be marrying someone she wasn’t in love with, but felt she had no choice. But the hardest part of it all, is leaving behind her home and the drakkons. However, a new brutal and frightening enemy has delayed all of that. Villages have been completely destroyed by riders on armored birds who possess weapons capable of eating through scale and stone with equal ease. These same weapons are used to attack Kaia and her children, so Kaia wants to help Bryn fight them and get her revenge. Bryn also finds Damon to be an unexpected ally.

In Of Scale and Blood more drakkons have joined the battle, and more Strega witches are being trained to ride them. However, the drakkons only weapons are tooth and claws, so most of the attacking is done by the witches riding on their backs. Will that be enough to win this war against a powerful and unknown enemy?

As if that weren’t enough, the Mareritt, a warrior race and an ancient enemy, also attack them, armed with weapons eerily similar to those the gilded riders use. Bryn feels that the drakkons desperately need fire of their own and gets Damon to help look for a way to make that happen—but that too, could be very dangerous for both riders and drakkons. As the battle intensifies, so does Bryn’s connection to her now husband, Damon. Could she be falling in love with him? Or will the dangerous secrets he is keeping from her bring all of their downfall? This book ended with a major and devastating cliffhanger!

I always enjoy Keri Arthur’s books. They are filled with interesting fantasy lore, action, great characters, and a bit of spice. And who doesn’t love dragons! I also love the chemistry between Bryn and Damon, and the snarky drakkon Kaia. I can’t wait to sit down and read book 3, Of Blood and Fire, which was recently released, to find out what happens to Bryn, Damon, and the drakkons. 

Check out more fantasy book reviews here in our fantasy section and on KRL in our Fantasy & Fangs section. 

To enter to win an ebook copy of Of Scale and Blood, 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 November 8, 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.

You can click here to purchase this book.

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.