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A review by toggle_fow
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
adventurous
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? Yes
3.5
I would give this 3.5 stars, which is lower than I expected I would rate it, but still a very enjoyable experience.
This book is the first in the Lady Trent series, being a fictional set of memoirs by Isabella Camherst, lady naturalist in a fantasy Victorian age.
I initially thought this book was going to be historical fantasy in the Temeraire/A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians way, but it's actually set in an entirely different fantasy world that's just to the left of the real world. High-class British Edwardian/Victorian social mores are preserved almost entirely, the countries are vaguely recognizable as "fantasy England," "fantasy Russia," etc., but somehow everyone is fantasy Jewish, and also there are entirely different fantasy days of the week! Definitely an intriguing worldbuilding setup.
Book one takes us from Isabella's childhood through her first scientific expedition as a young woman. It's written in the voice of her elderly self, reminiscing and occasionally offering opinions on her own actions with the benefit of hindsight. For some reason, I found her narrative voice to be mildly grating at times.
The story kept my attention the whole time, but at no point was I really truly hooked by any of the characters or gripped with suspense. I also was surprised thather husband died in the FIRST book! It may be a case of "dead parents by necessity," since his continual presence might have proved a stumbling block to her attaining the eventual independence she desires, but I had still hoped we might get a couple books in before he died. I'm not sure if I will pick up the rest of the series, but I'm glad I read this one.
This book is the first in the Lady Trent series, being a fictional set of memoirs by Isabella Camherst, lady naturalist in a fantasy Victorian age.
I initially thought this book was going to be historical fantasy in the Temeraire/A Declaration of the Rights of Magicians way, but it's actually set in an entirely different fantasy world that's just to the left of the real world. High-class British Edwardian/Victorian social mores are preserved almost entirely, the countries are vaguely recognizable as "fantasy England," "fantasy Russia," etc., but somehow everyone is fantasy Jewish, and also there are entirely different fantasy days of the week! Definitely an intriguing worldbuilding setup.
Book one takes us from Isabella's childhood through her first scientific expedition as a young woman. It's written in the voice of her elderly self, reminiscing and occasionally offering opinions on her own actions with the benefit of hindsight. For some reason, I found her narrative voice to be mildly grating at times.
The story kept my attention the whole time, but at no point was I really truly hooked by any of the characters or gripped with suspense. I also was surprised that