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v_ree's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
ursula_fricke's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
hedwigsaardvark's review against another edition
5.0
Meet the young Elizabeth Bennet and enter her world of Dragons
This is book four of Maria Grace's Jane Austen's Dragons series. Although released fourth, as a flashback to events occurring in the first three books, it would be ideal to read first. It combines a Pride and Prejudice variation, with fantasy about dragons. It will appeal to both JAFF readers and fans of fantasy.
The series starts in Georgian England, where dragons and people live side by side. However, most people are entirely unaware. Only those with preternatural hearing can perceive them.
All others are "dragon deaf". To them, dragons appear as cats, birds or other creatures, their perception influenced by the dragons, to allow them to blend in and hide in plain sight.
The ability to hear dragons, usually manifests at around fifteen, at which point induction into the Blue Order is mandatory. The Blue Order controls the world of Dragons and those who interact with them.
Elizabeth Bennet is very special. She started to hear and talk to dragons from the age of four. When we meet her, she is eleven and being introduced to working with dragons, by her grumpy, traditionalist father, Thomas Bennet. He is the Keeper of Longbourn, the dragon. This means he is somewhat like a steward, to the dragon that owns the Longbourn estate.
Elizabeth is drawn to dragons and they to her. Her easy relationships and instinctive knowledge of how best to interact with dragons, vexes her father. He does not think her behaviour proper or as expected by the Blue Order. He will not admit it, but he is jealous of her skills.
We follow the story from Elizabeth's POV, seeing her delight in her new dragon friends and her unhappiness at some of her father's action and attitudes. Will she be prepared for what is to come?
The story focusses on Elizabeth, Mr Bennet and the many dragons. Although the rest of the Bennets are included, they are rather peripheral. Mr Bennet is very much the traditionist curmudgeon. In Elizabeth, we can see the feisty, fearless woman we know Elizabeth Bennet will become. The dragon characters are well drawn and engaging.
This whole series is narrated by Benjamin Fife. His narration is very good, his voice warm and pleasing to listen to. His female voices are convincing and his dragon voices are excellent.
This is a delightful story. It is well paced and comes to a satisfying conclusion. I would recommend it to all fans of JAFF and fantasy, including younger readers.
I look forward to more stories by Maria Grace.
I received a free copy of this audiobook via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.
This is book four of Maria Grace's Jane Austen's Dragons series. Although released fourth, as a flashback to events occurring in the first three books, it would be ideal to read first. It combines a Pride and Prejudice variation, with fantasy about dragons. It will appeal to both JAFF readers and fans of fantasy.
The series starts in Georgian England, where dragons and people live side by side. However, most people are entirely unaware. Only those with preternatural hearing can perceive them.
All others are "dragon deaf". To them, dragons appear as cats, birds or other creatures, their perception influenced by the dragons, to allow them to blend in and hide in plain sight.
The ability to hear dragons, usually manifests at around fifteen, at which point induction into the Blue Order is mandatory. The Blue Order controls the world of Dragons and those who interact with them.
Elizabeth Bennet is very special. She started to hear and talk to dragons from the age of four. When we meet her, she is eleven and being introduced to working with dragons, by her grumpy, traditionalist father, Thomas Bennet. He is the Keeper of Longbourn, the dragon. This means he is somewhat like a steward, to the dragon that owns the Longbourn estate.
Elizabeth is drawn to dragons and they to her. Her easy relationships and instinctive knowledge of how best to interact with dragons, vexes her father. He does not think her behaviour proper or as expected by the Blue Order. He will not admit it, but he is jealous of her skills.
We follow the story from Elizabeth's POV, seeing her delight in her new dragon friends and her unhappiness at some of her father's action and attitudes. Will she be prepared for what is to come?
The story focusses on Elizabeth, Mr Bennet and the many dragons. Although the rest of the Bennets are included, they are rather peripheral. Mr Bennet is very much the traditionist curmudgeon. In Elizabeth, we can see the feisty, fearless woman we know Elizabeth Bennet will become. The dragon characters are well drawn and engaging.
This whole series is narrated by Benjamin Fife. His narration is very good, his voice warm and pleasing to listen to. His female voices are convincing and his dragon voices are excellent.
This is a delightful story. It is well paced and comes to a satisfying conclusion. I would recommend it to all fans of JAFF and fantasy, including younger readers.
I look forward to more stories by Maria Grace.
I received a free copy of this audiobook via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.
rini's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
While this is technically listed as the last/final book in this quartet, and I read it last ... it is a prequel to the others, featuring a young (tween) Elizabeth, her intro to dragons. I do wonder if I would have preferred to read this first, have this the first in the series? I guess it works either way.
It was fun to not only have the addition of dragons, but to get a peek at Elizabeth in her younger years. Still struggling a bit with Mr. Bennett being so crotchety in this series. I'm SO glad I was introduced to this author and these fun books (got the first one in audio through AudibleBookBoom and the read the rest on Kindle Unlmited).
It was fun to not only have the addition of dragons, but to get a peek at Elizabeth in her younger years. Still struggling a bit with Mr. Bennett being so crotchety in this series. I'm SO glad I was introduced to this author and these fun books (got the first one in audio through AudibleBookBoom and the read the rest on Kindle Unlmited).
constant2m's review
5.0
Imagine Elizabeth Bennett, age 12, with dragons. She is seriously the most adorable! She is constantly befriending dragons without fear. And. They. Love. Her. Apparently, the first time this happened, she was only four. If you need an excuse to fall even more in love with Elizabeth Bennett, this book will do it for you. So good.
This is the first of the series that uses the characters from Pride and Prejudice without following the story or excessive quoting of Austen. And I loved it so much. Benjamin Fife's narration was superb. I am continually amazed with the variety of voices he comes up with.
I received a free copy of the audiobook from StoryOrigin and have reviewed it willingly.
This is the first of the series that uses the characters from Pride and Prejudice without following the story or excessive quoting of Austen. And I loved it so much. Benjamin Fife's narration was superb. I am continually amazed with the variety of voices he comes up with.
I received a free copy of the audiobook from StoryOrigin and have reviewed it willingly.
madisonreadsbooks's review
adventurous
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
3.5
lkeipp's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent start to a series - engaging for a variety of ages.