Reviews

A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan

disheveled_pumpkin's review against another edition

adventurous funny 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

4.0

roamer42's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

4.0

torchwood221b's review

adventurous medium-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

4.5

nerdy_reader's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

Wasn’t my cup of tea. Although the writing was beautiful, I felt that the characters were a bit dry, and the plot itself was difficult get through because not much happened until the end.

pihpihciw's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring fast-paced

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

3.0

woolyllamareads's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

jamesknight's review

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

squishthesquirrelfish's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

fletch42's review against another edition

4.0

Very good read. Good mix of naturalism, mystery, and historical fiction. Good character building that makes me want to keep following the adventures of Lady Trent. Would have liked to see a little more dragons, but a good start to a series.

amaranthine_dragon's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

If the later books are even better (as I've heard), this promises to be a great series! The blend of science and fantasy and mystery was lovely and I just really enjoyed the whole premise. Nothing stuck out at me as being a plot hole or otherwise making no sense and I especially appreciated the author popping in at opportune moments to say things like "this was bad science, it just happened to work this time." It gave me more respect for the character and made everything more plausible. 

That said, I'm also a big classic fiction reader and I could see how this would be a tough read for someone who isn't as comfortable with that style--It is fantasy, but written in a Victorian England memoir style with appropriately dry English humor and side comments that slow the narrative. If you can make it through Pride and Prejudice / Jane Eyre and similar stories and want dragons, this book is for you.

Planning to continue with future books!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Death

Moderate: Grief