This review was first posted on Ruby's Reads. 
 I don't usually go in for dragon stories-I have a feeling these are going to be famous last words-but I'm familiar with Shana Abe's Drakon books. They-or, rather, Shana-have been recommended to me since I'm a fan of alpha heroes. So, when I heard that Shana Abe was going to write a young adult novel, I automatically added it to my TBR. I was particularly excited about it because I've had such a bad run with YA historicals and historical fantasies. I knew, from having read The Smoke Thief, that I could expect an enjoyable read. 
 What I did not expect was to love it. I got a third of the way through and I was already on the internet making sure it was going to be a series. Here, finally, was a novel that worked as a historical and a fantasy both, with a heroine who didn't feel transported from the 21st Century United States. Specifically, an impoverished heroine who wasn't about to risk her entire future by having a smart mouth, or by spouting radical opinions that hadn't even been thought of in her era. More on this another time-Small and I have had numerous discussions about this. 
 I think that Lora was the first heroine that I've really like in a long time. She's kinda classy. I liked that she knew when to stand up for herself and when to toe the line. I also love that, while there were two potential romantic leads, it becomes clear pretty early on, which boy is the object of Lora's affections. That doesn't mean I wasn't rooting for the other guy...I totally am, and I still think there's hope...but I liked that Lora wasn't all, "I love him. NO! I love him." She has a genuine connection with both of them, and I think all of the relationships in the novel will evolve naturally-just like in real life! 
 If I had one complaint-and it certainly wasn't the gorgeous, detailed setting!-it was that I think Shana Abe presumed a little too much on her previous readership. Since it's been so long since I read The Smoke Thief, I can't really lay claim to any knowledge of the Drakon folklore, and I don't count myself as a loyal follower. I had to double check that "Rue" was a character I'd met before (she's the heroine of The Smoke Thief), and certain details scratched at my mind like I should have recalled them. Sadly, I didn't. Instead of frustrating me, however, not knowing these details made me really excited about going back and reading Abe's Drakon books. I've left them unfinished for far too long! 
 If you haven't already read The Sweetest Dark, you should. It will satisfy you to the last page, even as it leaves you eager for more of its wonderfulness.