Reviews

Die Naturgeschichte der Drachen by Marie Brennan

juliaureads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

 This is less a book about dragons and more about being a female researcher in the approximation of Regency/Victorian times. I was told not to expect a ton of dragons, so I wasn’t disappointed, but I could see that being an issue. The drawings are a fantastic addition 

emilyb_chicago's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this more than I expected when I realized the story was told with a posh British formality style (not sure of how to better describe that) that I find off putting. It was interesting while I was reading it, but it lagged in the middle two sections. I struggled to return to the story in parts 2 and 3 and did so only because I was reading with a group.

I was, however, very moved by part 4. I wished throughout that the story focused more on dragons. While I enjoyed Lady Trent's youth, I really was there for the dragons.

I don't need to return to this series, but it will appeal to people who liked Johnathan Strange.

tanadeet's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Wonderfully written! Gorillas in the Mist / Born Free vibes meet dragons, all tied together in a memoir-style package. I enjoyed the wit, the adventure, the mystery and of course, Lady Trent's story telling. I listened to the Audible book and five stars for the narration, Kate Reading just gave it that extra magic 🪄

tomasthanes's review against another edition

4.0

Take a dash of Elizabeth Bennett (a woman slightly more intelligent and outspoken than was accepted of women in her time), then add a tad or two of scientific curiosity followed by more than a generous smidgen of interest in natural history, and then add a drop of resonant history (the elephant's graveyard from the 1932 movie Tarzan the Ape Man), then a large dollop of fascination with dragons. Mix this thoroughly in an alternate universe and you might get something close to Marie Brennan's A Natural History of Dragons, a completely enjoyable book to read (not that the characters in the novel enjoyed their expedition to Vystrana). Highly recommended.

safuya's review against another edition

4.0

A great book. I'd recommend it to anyone.

katiemac620's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

thebogbody's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

allie_rose's review against another edition

4.25

Entertaining romp—I really liked the mystery! More about academia and human exploration than dragons per se but still a good fantasy book 

shauna845's review against another edition

inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

It took me a little while to get into the different style of writing for this book, as it's written as a memoir, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed it, though would have loved to see more dragons. Also really liked the touch of the little drawings in the book too, I thought that made it more authentically feel like a memoir. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series too, to follow Lady Trent's adventures.

iamtaylorhope's review against another edition

adventurous informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75