Rating: 4🌈
When I saw that two of my go to authors had co-writtten a series together, I needed to check it out. Especially a fantasy series.
Origin, the first in A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake’s Scales ‘n’ Spells series is a terrific story. It overflows with dragons, magic, and romance.
The world building is straight forward and, unless the authors intend to throw substantial twists into the upcoming novels, without the multiple complexities and overall murkiness I’ve had in my other sagas. This contributes to a lighter narrative, that moves the plot swiftly along. Germany makes for a rich location in terms of language and culture and both are put to excellent use by the authors.
The Park Twins, both Cameron and his sister Cassie are charming and well conceived. In fact, the entire all the Noh family, including the wonderful grandmother are such a plus! I gravitated to them all. More so then any of the other characters. Hopefully we will see more of them in the upcoming novels.
The arc story threads is set forth almost immediately as are the stakes for all the beings involved. The action scenes are well done but I want more of the dragons. Balancing mage and dragons here isn’t a easy task.
Alric and Cameron make a relatable couple. I think his sister Cassie and her mate make an even more adorable one, and wanted to see more of them too.
Origins was a very good start to a new series and I look forward towards the rest of the series.
As a lover of fantasy, I’m recommending it.
Scales ‘n’ Spells series:
Origins
Breathe
Wish: a Novella
Blood
Embers
https://www.goodreads.com › showOrigin (Scales ‘N’ Spells, #1) by A.J. Sherwood – Goodreads
Synopsis:
Cameron wants to make it clear that he did not go into the festival to find a dragon mate.
Germany is supposed to be an escape. With a new mechanical engineering degree, a new job looming, and a whole life planned out that isn’t his, Germany seems like the best place to find himself.
So, how does he end up discovering his lost magic heritage, running from bad guys with a secret agenda, and being adopted by the not-so-extinct Fire Dragon clan?
Cameron blames tall, dark, and sexy Alric, King of the Fire Dragons. His fated mate. Because of course he is, and mates are meant to take the blame, right?
It may take a hot second, but as Cameron learns more about the scarred Alric and the life he’s landed in, Cameron realizes that perhaps this is where he’s meant to be, magic and mates and kidnapping and all.
Turns out coming to Germany wasn’t an escape but his awakening.
Tags: Not-so-extinct, Shifter dragons, mages, fated mates, secret clans, epic libraries, hurt/comfort, not mpreg, age gap, not that Alric cares, magical heritage, mechanical engineers being BAMF, grumpy dragon kings being protective of their cute mates, really the cuteness is downright criminal, we might need a firehose for these two, or not, sass, so much sass, Ravi and Cameron are no longer allowed to be alone together, for reasons, dragons hoarding, when you live long enough statistics will get you, bats named Cheryl, beheadings, no damsels in distress here, just very unhappy mages, with trigger fingers, anyone have life hacks on how to get rid of kidnappers, Cameron is open to suggestions.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 