The Last Ember: The Aerimander Chronicles Book 1 by Lily Berlin Dodd

What worked:

The author portrays Dusty as a sympathetic character by describing his life in an orphanage, or more accurately, a workhouse. The boys live in dismal conditions and are forced to work hard for the director/warden, Wakey-Wakey. He rouses the boys from nighttime sleep and looks for reasons to beat them with his dangerous stick. Readers immediately develop empathy for Dusty when he protects a new, young orphan from punishment for wetting his bed. Dusty knows he’ll be inducted into the kingdom’s navy when he’s fourteen, and he’s likely to die in the ongoing war. He joins the Thieves Union out of necessity, which leads to him kidnapping Eva, a rich girl at a private school.

The mystery of the egg carries suspense throughout the plot, as Eva, her roommate, and the Kingdom Director of Secrets, Eoin Parnassus, know the potential, devastating power it holds. The countdown to its hatching is always in the mental background, but readers know it can happen at any moment. Eva is told to not touch the egg, so of course, that’s exactly what happens. Dusty’s simple intent to steal the object becomes complicated when Eva can’t let go of it. Dusty and Eva develop a shaky relationship as they find refuge in the dense forest. Dusty doesn’t understand why Eva fails to alert others when she has the opportunity. Eva can’t understand why Dusty tried to steal the egg without knowing anything about it. The pair must avoid the Kidnappers Union, the Murderers Union, other nefarious Unions, and the Parnassus, because they’re certain that those people only want the egg to harm others. The author creates an air of mystery, as it’s unclear who can be trusted.

Some authors switch settings without any warning, and readers may need a moment to reorient their minds. This book makes it clear when Dusty and Eva won’t be mentioned in chapters by labeling them as Interlude I, Interlude II, etc. This simple strategy lets readers immediately know what to expect. These chapters often describe Parnassus and emphasize his malevolence and joy in causing pain in others. He’s the main antagonist, and his reputation is well-known throughout the kingdom. Some of the interludes involve Dusty’s best friend Cal, who’s one of the few people to return alive from the war. He’s missing one arm, but he’s survived. The interludes let readers know what minor characters are doing, and readers can then see the separate subplots converging into one.

What didn’t work as well:

Some chapters end with a date, like “October the Second”. The dates are written in a larger, bold font, so they seem to have significance. The story doesn’t count down to an important date, so readers may wonder why they’re being reminded with a large, bold font that time is passing.

The final verdict:

The prospect of an aerimander, a dragon, especially one that can destroy armies and cities, will draw readers in, and this book only hints at the possibilities. Eva and Dusty are an unlikely pair of main characters, and the mysterious, secret organizations are intriguing. I’m looking forward to the book’s sequel, and I recommend you try this one for yourself!