Dragonfall

As a self proclaimed connoisseur of dragons in literature (feel free to ask for recs) when I saw this book on netgalley as one of my most anticipated reads I had to request and couldn't not be more grateful!
To start off, let me be clear this book is not for fantasy newbies, this is a high fantasy book. There is a big info dump, with world building and tone setting that lasts for about 150 pages before we get to the meat of the plot. With high fantasy there is an amount of learning the language of the world, such as Drakine in the book meaning Nobleman, which was well done I felt I adjusted quick enough. After finishing the book and realize the direction these books (it is not a standalone) will be taking I would agree that this info dump is necessary in order to make this story as compelling as it was.
Now to the actual plot I loved it. To me it gave 80s/90s fantasy (think Dragon Riders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey) with modern ideals. A major part of the book is the acceptance of being non-binary and gender fluid. There are many conversations of not constricting oneself to a box of what gender values are assigned and it's refreshing to see in literature, if we are not quite at that stage in society unfortunately.
I'm keeping this review spoiler free because I feel like it's best to just experience it blind like I did. But to hit some main points while I think the romance is while not quite a subplot it isn't the main plot in this first book at least. But it is giving enemies to lovers to ???, there is longing, tension, hiding parts of yourself because you are afraid of the others reaction. Found family, a heist, betrayal and riding the line between how much we do is destined or based on free will.
I will be picking off the next book whenever that comes out as I can't wait to see what happens next after that shocker of an ending. Thanks again for sending me the arc in exchange for an honest review!