Reviews

Scales and Sensibility by Stephanie Burgis

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eventyrlys's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.75

Honestly my rating might be a little generous. This isn't a bad book, but I honestly found myself uninterested in the plot sometimes. This heroine just did not do it for me. I think this is supposed to be based on Sense and Sensibility based on the title, but you could have fooled me. Things just kept happening to Elinor and she was always reacting, never acting. Even the moments where I think we're supposed to be thinking "ah yes, she's finally taking control!"...she's not. She's just giving into the inevitability of a situation. There were so many random subplots that honestly added nothing to the story.

The weird thief plot with Lucinda and Sally was so unnecessary and added literally nothing except additional drama I guess? But mostly it just distracted from the main plot with basically no payoff in terms of character growth or plot development except I guess making it so Lucinda, whom we barely know anyway, getting her comeuppance?

The dragons were fun. They would have been more fun if it had been explored a little more, but I guess since the one character in this book who knew anything about dragons is destined for his own novel, we'll just have to wait. So. If you were looking for a more dragon- or magic-heavy world, you will be disappointed. These dragons, despite many protestations by Elinor to the contrary, are literally just plot devices and accessories. Do I want to read the next book? Maybe. Only because Elinor kept insisting her sisters would have managed better in her shoes, and I dearly hope that's true or the next book will be just as much of a slog at points as this book was.

And the romance was really just not believable or developed enough. So, there's that.

raki's review against another edition

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medium-paced

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

3.5

hannahhmh's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

vortacist's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

esdeecarlson's review

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4.0

**This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.**

4 stars

So. Damn. FUN. Oh my goodness.

Puppy-like, macaw-sized dragons inserted into the world of Jane Austen. What more could you want? A lighthearted romance, the story rests upon the novelty of the dragons (both to readers and to English society) and a comedy of manners surrounding a young woman’s coming-out in society. It’s just as fun as it sounds.

I will say, at times I found our heroine, Elinor, a touch slow on the uptake; that said, I was overall sympathetic to her, and rooting for her success. All the drama did wrap up a bit too neatly and conveniently, straining credulity, but then, this isn’t a story that invites you to take it too seriously. And I know, without a doubt, that I will be picking up the next in the series just as soon as it makes itself available. The other two Tregarth sisters sound utterly delightful, and like very different sorts of heroines from Elinor, so perhaps I shall like their stories even more; I certainly hope they come with even more revelations and new discoveries about dragonkind.

cassidychivers's review

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3.0

I was very surprised by how much fun I had reading this. And I think if you too are looking for just a fun time set in regency England you'll enjoy it too.

This book sets out to be exactly what it wants to be. And for that I commend it.

Now we have issues with insta love and if this is classified as a romance our main characters did not interact enough for me. But I enjoyed the plot we had. The fun of the lap dragon. And the extremes of character personalities.

If you want to know more of my in depth thoughts I did read it for my SPFBO 8 finalist reading vlog!
https://youtu.be/ahEh6DSSDQM