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A review by book_concierge
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
4.0
Digital audio performed by Kate Reading
Subtitle: A Memoir by Lady Trent
From the book jacket: All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, knows Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world’s preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.
My reactions:
Well, this was a wonderful romp of an adventure. We learn how Isabella became interested in natural history, and dragons in particular. As the only daughter in a family of six children, she struggled to be ladylike, but her curiosity would not be dampened. Her father suggested she try book learning rather than “field work” and when she came of age to marry she was fortunate to find a man whose intellectual curiosity matched hers and who was more than willing to have her continue her research. And that is how they come to take a thrilling expedition to foreign lands in search of dragons.
Isabella is a wonderful heroine. She’s intelligent, tenacious, curious, and determined. She makes sure that she is of value to the expedition by honing her skill at anatomical drawing so as to record the expedition forces’ findings. But she also is a keen observer on her own. Of course, it is she who solves the great mystery at the center of this adventure.
While the time is set in approximately the Victorian era, Brennan has really created a marvelous world where dragons roam. She includes much information about the various sub-species and their differences in both appearance and behavior. I was completely engaged from beginning to end. I’ll definitely continue with the series.
Kate Reading does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. Her diction is clear and easy to understand. She really brings these characters to life.
Subtitle: A Memoir by Lady Trent
From the book jacket: All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, knows Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world’s preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.
My reactions:
Well, this was a wonderful romp of an adventure. We learn how Isabella became interested in natural history, and dragons in particular. As the only daughter in a family of six children, she struggled to be ladylike, but her curiosity would not be dampened. Her father suggested she try book learning rather than “field work” and when she came of age to marry she was fortunate to find a man whose intellectual curiosity matched hers and who was more than willing to have her continue her research. And that is how they come to take a thrilling expedition to foreign lands in search of dragons.
Isabella is a wonderful heroine. She’s intelligent, tenacious, curious, and determined. She makes sure that she is of value to the expedition by honing her skill at anatomical drawing so as to record the expedition forces’ findings. But she also is a keen observer on her own. Of course, it is she who solves the great mystery at the center of this adventure.
While the time is set in approximately the Victorian era, Brennan has really created a marvelous world where dragons roam. She includes much information about the various sub-species and their differences in both appearance and behavior. I was completely engaged from beginning to end. I’ll definitely continue with the series.
Kate Reading does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. Her diction is clear and easy to understand. She really brings these characters to life.