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"Brighter than Scale" - Duty and Heart Collide
Manage episode 489648600 series 3567771
What happens when a legendary dragon slayer is sent to kill a dragon in a kingdom where dragons are revered, not feared? And what if that dragon turns out to be connected to the kingdom's mysterious and captivating ruler? These questions lie at the heart of Neon Yang's "Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame," our Pride Month selection that sparked passionate debate among our hosts.
From the moment we dive into this 176-page fantasy novella, we're divided on whether Yang successfully delivers a complete story within such tight constraints. Some of us found the Asian-influenced fantasy world richly developed despite its brevity, praising the poetic writing style and creative approach to dragon lore. Others felt the worldbuilding resembled "a house of cards" – impressive at first glance but lacking the depth needed for true immersion.
The romance between Yeva, the armored guild knight who hasn't removed her mask since childhood, and Lady Suki, the enigmatic ruler of a dragon-worshipping kingdom, forms the emotional core of the story. While some hosts appreciated the subtle development of their relationship, others questioned whether the novella format allowed enough space for a convincing emotional journey. Our spirited discussion explores whether their connection feels earned or merely convenient to the plot, particularly as Yeva faces the ultimate choice between duty and desire.
Perhaps most fascinating is our exploration of Yang's were-dragon concept, which cleverly reimagines traditional monster tropes through a distinctly feminine lens. The revelation about Lady Suki's monthly "blood illness" proved to be one of the novella's most memorable and thought-provoking elements, demonstrating how fantasy can transform familiar experiences into something magical and unexpected.
Whether you enjoy compact fantasy tales or prefer more expansive worldbuilding, our balanced analysis will help you decide if this queer fantasy novella deserves a place on your Pride Month reading list. And don't miss our hosts' exciting mid-year reading recommendations as we look ahead to a second half of 2023 packed with highly anticipated fantasy romance releases!
Links from the News Segment and Show:
- The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst is getting the Owlcrate treatment
- Fabled Fantasy Events has started doing Romantasy Retreats, first is Savannah GA
- Paramount adapting Divine Rivals into a movie, Sofia Alvarez will be writing the script
- Tor publishing is rereleasing T. Kingfisher’s Nine Goblins
- The Graphic Audio for Laura Thalassa’s Pestilence is out now
- Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles to be an animated film, Nov 3, 2028 release date
- June is LGBTQ+ Pride month
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Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/ofswordsandsoulmates
Chapters
1. Introduction and Disclaimers (00:00:00)
2. News Roundup: Book Releases and Events (00:24:13)
3. Pride Month and "Brighter Than Scale" Selection (00:42:29)
4. Book Discussions and Publisher News (00:56:19)
36 episodes
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