When Scales and Scoundrels: Into the Dragon’s Maw came across my desk in a box of YA books, I decided to give it a read. The art looked good and a fantasy treasure hunt adventure fits nicely into my pleasure reading pile.
The main character is a young woman named Luvander. She may be a dragon in disguise, or a half dragon, or maybe possessed by a dragon. It’s left a little vague. A flashback with a young Luvander and a dragon, and some unusual talents are most of the information we get. Luvander does tell one of her companions that she’ll explain later, perhaps in the next volume.
Luvander is wanted for cheating, theft, and “general scoundrelness”. When we meet her she’s cheating at cards, fighting, and burning down an inn. On the road again she rescues a group of travelers from some ruffians. They invite Luvander to join them. Her new companions are:
Prince Akisbjorne of the Scarlet Sands Empire
He is on his traditional coming of age quest to “complete a task of great courage, strength, or wisdom” and return home with the tale.
Koro, the Prince’s bodyguard
His devoted shadow, sworn to protect him with her life.
Dorma, a young dwarf hired as their guide
She seeks to restore her family’s good fortune and find her missing brother.
Together they search for the treasure of Dened Lewin (which translates to the Dragon’s Maw), fabulous riches buried so deep that no one has ever been able to reach it. At least no one has ever returned to tell the tale.
The group isn’t alone. Luvander is being pursued by a bounty hunter of some sort. He’s creepy, well armed, assisted by two large dogs, and seems to know more about Luvander than anyone else. Maybe even more than Luvander herself.
One of the things that I really liked was the contrast between Luvander and Koro. Luvander is brash, active, and vocal. She helps the other three without being asked, but she is a scoundrel also. Luvander won’t give money to a starving child, and knocks over a vendor’s wares just to steal an apple. Koro is serious and wholly devoted to her duty to protect the prince. She doesn’t trust Luvander, and Koro’s actions regarding her sometimes seem harsh.
The four travel deeper into the cavern than anyone in living memory. They fight creatures and encounter a guardian that only Luvander can communicate with. They get separated, and then it ends with a cliffhanger.
There’s a whole world and mythology hinted at throughout this volume. I hope that they reveal more of it in the future. I was looking for a fun adventure and I really want to know what happens next.
Have you read Scales & Scouldrels: Into the Dragon’s Maw? What did you think?
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