When this title first crossed my path, I rejected it because "deck building" felt like a step too far - even for litRPG. When a friend recommended I try it, I gave it a go and regretted waiting so long to get into a marvelously imagined and portrayed world of dragons and magic, of friendship and betrayal.

The main character Arthur is thrust too young into the wider world when his curiosity takes him away from his chores and into danger. His trials and tribulations make for wonderful story fodder as he works his way from the only home he's ever known to the center of a dragon hive, where dragons and riders work to contain the vicious scourgling-eruptions.

Cards form the magical conceit with dragons, born with magic, bonding with humans who only gain magic through the acquisition of magic cards which grant them every power imaginable. Some trite. Some useful. Some world changing.

This is a classic coming of age story that had me rooting for Arthur and the colleagues he acquires on his various journeys. Sympathizing with him when he stumbles and falls.

It's one of those books I wish could go on forever but it doesn't and book 2 isn't ready yet.

Highly recommended.

Especially if you haven't found litRPG yet. This is a good one to cut your teeth on.