The Flames of Albiyon The Flames of Albiyon, Book 1

Adairia is a foundling that has been raised and educated at the Albiyon University. She is happy in her academic world and has no particular desire to travel far and wide or to shake up her routine. One day, things drastically change. She is cleaning the display pedistal on which a dragon egg sits. It cracks, but she swears she did not touch it. Apparently, the dragon has chosen her to be it's companion and woken up to hatch. There has not been a dragon hatching in over 50 years. Everyone is very excited. Adairia is very nervous. Isla, a dragon companion, and Tearlach (dragon) arrive to help support Adairia and the soon-to-hatch dragonling.

This is a cozy, comforting fantasy set in a magical world that has moved past monarchy and is living in an egalitarian democratic society. There is a saphic romance (slightly steamy) and queerness is casually accepted. There is plenty of social/political comentary throughout and in the second half of the book a kind of mystery/conspiracy plot emerges. But even so, the tone is hopeful. Found family comes together and a possible solution is on the horizon. The atmosphere of the magical school and the wonder of the dragons is very enjoyable. There is worldbuilding, a lot of it connected to dragon lore. It does end with loose ends and this is planned to be a series. The characters are not deeply developed. I think that the point is about presenting a better society and optimistic message. The prose is straightforward and not showy. It reads very smoothly.

Such an amazing sapphic fantasy. I absolutely adored it. If you like queer fantasy that goes beyond the glorification of monarchies: run don't walk :)