Scales of Destiny

I thought I would get a fairly standard dragon romance from reading Scales of Destiny by Karen D. Perry, but it is much deeper, darker and more emotionally complicated than I had anticipated. It is about Kaeleron, a silver haired prince who has always known that he is not a normal human, and Vitani, a fast talking, quick-thinking thief whose botched heist sends her crashing straight into his life, quite literally. Their paths keep crossing since that first collision and they don't know how. The book explores the concepts of control, power, romance and how families shape us. It is a story of palaces filled with secrets beneath them, forests that pulse with life at night, and characters who are all (some more than others) strugging to break free of something.

I was most impressed with the book’s atmosphere. The prose is rich and kinaesthetic, never overindulging, and the author's gift for bringing the fantastical to life is a thing of wonder. When Kaeleron finds out what he really is, that's some of the most vivid scenes in the genre that I've read. It’s painful, it's strange, it's odd and it's beautiful. I could almost feel the coldness of the caverns, and the swiftness of the night wind. Oh, and the queen. I'm not going to say anything else, but she is one of the most memorable villains I've seen in a while. She's both beautiful and disturbing, and can go from sweet to scary in a single breath. The whole book has an emotional backbone in the form of her relationship with Kaeleron. Each time she walked into a scene it was charged with tension, and I was scared of her and excited for her.

It's the characters themselves that are a big part of the appeal. Kaeleron is a very interesting character in that he's torn between what he's supposed to do and what he wants to do, and it's really nice to see him gradually find his own voice. Vitani is a breath of fresh air: reckless, funny, stubborn and far braver than is good for her. She is never a victim of romanticization, and her loyalty towards those who care for her is one of her strengths. Her two companions bring warmth and humour, and their squabbling is a welcome respite from the darker elements. The romance is passionate and electric from the outset and the chemistry between the two romantic leads is palpable. Some minor characters too, have arcs that end on a surprising emotional note.

If I have any reservations; they're small. The romance picks up quickly and those who like a long, slow burn may want some more 'getting to know you' moments between the passion. The final stretch is also galloped and one or two developments could have benefited from a bit of space. There's also a few minor continuity slips that I noticed, but they're minor and would probably be ironed out by a final polish. These are minor quibbles, however, and never kept me from turning the pages.

To whom is this book addressed? There's plenty to enjoy for those who enjoy dark romantasy, morally grey heroes, dragons with real bite, and family dynamics that are as gripping as they are uncomfortable. Romance fans and those who like fated-mate stories and high emotion romance will be at home. It has some violence and mature content, but is best for adult readers with a more intense level of fantasy. It is an overall great read, with a great villain at the heart of the story, a confident read, an immersive read, and an emotionally-rich one. I'd rate it 4 out of 5 stars, and it's definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who wants to read a fantasy romance with fire in their veins.