A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan is a captivating tale set in a quasi-Victorian fantasy world, following the adventures of Lady Isabella Trent, a young woman breaking societal norms to pursue her passion for studying dragons. The book offers a unique blend of memoir-style storytelling, combining elements of adventure, mystery, and scientific exploration as Lady Trent reflects on her early days of studying dragonkind. The narrative unfolds through Lady Trent's vivid narration, detailing her struggles against societal expectations and her determination to follow her scientific pursuits, all set against a backdrop of a well-textured world reminiscent of the Georgian Victorian era.
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Has Romance?
There are romantic elements present, particularly surrounding Lady Trent's marriage, but they are not the primary focus.
From The Publisher:
Marie Brennan begins a thrilling new fantasy series in A Natural History of Dragons, combining adventure with the inquisitive spirit of the Victorian Age.
You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart-no more so than the study of dragons itself. But such study offers rewards beyond compare: to stand in a dragon's presence, even for the briefest of moments-even at the risk of one's life-is a delight that, once experienced, can never be forgotten. . . .
All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world's preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.
Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities; and of her thrilling expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever.
"Saturated with the joy and urgency of discovery and scientific curiosity."-Publishers Weekly (starred review) on A Natural History of Dragons
An NPR Best Book of 2013
The Lady Trent Memoirs
1. A Natural History of Dragons
2. The Tropic of Serpents
3. Voyage of the Basilisk
4. In the Labyrinth of Drakes
5. Within the Sanctuary of Wings
Ratings (40)
Incredible (7) | |
Loved It (17) | |
Liked It (6) | |
It Was OK (4) | |
Did Not Like (4) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (98):
Read It (39) | |
Want To Read (48) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (10) |
6 comment(s)
I almost never read books about dragons anymore and after this book I feel like that has to change. Was over the moon in love with this audiobook and I found my self trying to stay awake longer to listen to this. It's so interesting told about the natural history of dragons and I got lost in the world. I want to delve into more books about dragons!!
This is a fictional memoir about a woman who studies dragons. The characters don't say they're from England, but it feels very much like they are.
It feels very believable in the way the story unfolds. They characters are not perfect and they are very interesting. I was often frustrated at their choices, but I loved that the author kept bringing it back to the fact that she was so young when she was on her first dragon expedition.
I'll probably read more of these books. I found it after reading. Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies and it does have similar vibes.
While it does remind me of Robin Hobb, nothing will beat Hobb's dragons, sad to say. Where are my intelligent, arrogant jerks?
However, this book is quite good at characterization, as well as the more scientific aspects of dragons, which is something I've never encountered before.
4.5 stars
RTC
Happy Reading!!
historical fantasy fiction where the MC is a woman trying to break through a victorian-esque society to become a natural historian on the subject of dragons. the ended had me GRIPPED but it involves character death :(
The cover for this book is perfect; very science.
The only character I felt like I knew was our narrator. I got all the rest of them confused.
But I did enjoy the writing style
What can you read after
A Natural History of Dragons?
About the Author:
MARIE BRENNAN is an anthropologist and folklorist who shamelessly pillages her academic fields for material. She is the author of several acclaimed fantasy novels including A Natural History of Dragons; The Onyx Court Series: Midnight Never Come, In Ashes Lie, A Star Shall Fall, and With Fate Conspire; Warrior; and Witch. Her short stories have appeared in more than a dozen print and online publications.
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