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 … 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
At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent, by Marie Brennan, is a superb novel in every regard. It’s a classic, first-person adventure full of travel, science, and of course, dragons. The writing is clean, concise, and well-assured. The characters are interesting—especially the main one, Isabella. The plotting is clockwork-tight. And the worldbuilding is a masterpiece of sophisticated evocation. It’s clear that Brennan has put an enormous amount of thought and research into her craft. From a professional standpoint, I was highly impressed by this book. From a reader’s standpoint, I had an absolute blast, and I can’t wait to dive into the sequels. Based on this book alone, I place Marie Brennan in the top flight of sci-fi/fantasy authors.
This is a very interesting series set in an imaginary world which is fully realized. Our protagonist is something of a feminist in a Victorian culture who is a “naturalist” studying dragons in the field, so to speak when women are not supposed to have careers, let alone go traipsing around the world looking for dragons… there is plenty of dry humor and some drama, and some hints about a dragonic culture in the past. Well written, interesting and well worth reading…
Pleasantly different from the standard fantasy formula and makes good use of its period setting both aesthetically, narratively and from a character personality and behavior. I enjoyed the more scientific theme of the narrative but it may not be for everybody. Good prose.
A nice change of pace. Plan on continuing the series. Listened to the audio book, good narrator.
I’m obsessed with this series. It reads like a scientist’s memoir, but it is a study of dragons! Full of adventure, some romance, and fun! I want more.
Multiple people (whose tastes I trust) have repeatedly recommended me the Memoirs of Lady Trent, and I finally got to reading it. I can see what the fuss was about, as it is certainly a unique work in the realms of fantasy.
*** What to expect
Written in first person as a memoir (an old lady telling of her youthful adventures), Brennan’s novel captures the feeling of Jane Austen with a judicious amount of dragons.
The story starts when the protagonist – Isabella – was a little child. She surveys the events that made her fall in love with dragons, and then her first expedition to learn more about them (in the name of science!). Events slowly progress, between her personal life, her desire to study, and the balance of actions between man and nature.
The books are set in a secondary world that is strongly reminiscent of 19th century Europe, with some interesting twists that are only hinted at.
*** What I liked
Lady Trent is a wonderful character. The memoir style highlights both her strong character (achieved over many decades), and her youthful enthusiasm. Brennan does a credible job of balancing an Austen-like writing style for modern fantasy readers.
The same with the dragons, an obvious big part of the story. Since this is a “natural history”, Brennan balances both the study of them as wild animals (in the same sense that bears and wolves still plagued Europe) while keeping the sense of wonder. One certainly wishes they could stuy the dragons with Isabella!
*** What to be aware of
Though strongly reminiscent of our world’s European culture, the story is set in a secondary world. There’s no map, presumably because that wouldn’t belong in a memoir but that makes it a bit disorienting. I know all too well about balancing secondary worlds with a deep historical-fantasy settings from my own writing, and I do appreciate the efforts – I just wish there was a bit more in the first book.
Isabella is a wonderful person, very engaging and her enthusiasm makes us want to read more. That said, do bear in mind that though she is spirited and does more than is normal for women in such a culture, there is the constant struggle in a misogynistic society. Also, some of the other characters seem to have less of an agency and depth than one might have wished for.
Lastly, this is a memoir – it is charming and lovely, with delicately written wit and very enjoyable overall – but don’t expect thriller pace or high-action sequences with the dragons.
*** Summary
Highly recommended novel, a very strong start to a promising series. Brennan captures the sense of a woman in the 19th century striving to do science against a patriarchal establishment (and there were many examples from our own world for such!), the sense of time and culture (is not of place – see my note about maps), and the wonder of dragons.
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Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A Story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic – for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
I enjoyed this book rather more than I was expecting to and would give it four and a half stars if I could.
Written in logical and occasionally wry and witty first person, Isabella has a scientific, unromantic heart akin to my own. Her writing reminded me of how the journals of Lewis and Clark may have read as they made their historic exploration through the west – a lot of observations and notes, but also enough personal experiences to keep things from getting too dull and tedious.
I zipped through the book quite quickly and really enjoyed the rest of the series as well.
Great read!
Loved, loved, loved! I wasn’t sure what to expect on this one, but as a scientist and ecologist, combined with my obsession with dragons, this book was the perfect fit!
Realistically written tale of an imaginary world. I liked the use of the “Victorian Ladies’ travelog” genre.
FUN
Different take on the dragon theme. A little dry…but that is in keeping with the scientific study of the dragons. Plot twist a little too twisty, but I enjoyed book.
Simplistic plot.
I just can’t get into it. It’s very slow.
The world needs more role models like this protagonist.
Well written. I kept turning pages. Not sure I’d read another in the series.
I discovered these on Audible. Once I started listening, I couldn’t stop. I’ve listened to two of the series and will finish the rest. Very creative. I love the world she created and the matter-of-fact way she describes it. Of course there are real dragons!
I loved reading about dragons, from a dragon’s point of view – clever and engaging.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It reminds me of the historical romances I read years ago. No steaming love scenes, but fun antics. I laughed out loud.
A not quite steam punk, not quite science fiction story that gives a Victorian take on far away places and fantastic creatures, I.e. dragons, but they are not well enough known to be well described.
The author might have done a bit more research on what a heavy metal light world would be like, but biologists are seldom geologists, I guess.
All in all, a good book. I will probably look for the rest of the series to see how dragons are not wiped out for train parts.